Monday Memories: If I Was a . . .

This poem is inspired by a song which has been sung by many artists.  Bobby Darin and later Johnny Cash and June Carter recorded their versions of “If I Were a Carpenter.”   The song was written by Tim Hardin, and other artists have recorded and performed the song as well.  Here is Bobby Darin’s version:  “If I Were a Carpenter.”

woman writing on dry erase board

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If I was a teacher

Bringing energy, passion, and patience

Showcasing learning as school’s top feature

 

If I was a firefighter

Serving with unselfish duty and pride

Protecting all, making worries lighter

 

If I was an architect

Designing buildings for many uses

Looking ahead to challenging projects

 

If I was a farmer

Rising at dawn, working until sundown

Bringing a nation food, as God’s armor

 

If I was a nurse

Sharing with patient, compassionate care

Filling lives with hope, never for the worse

 

If I was a writer

Crafting words into stories and much more

Witnessing through eyes, open and brighter

 

If I was a musician

Creating good vibes through words and music

Entertaining songs’ perfect rendition

 

If I was a preacher

Instilling God’s Word within a church’s flock

Encouraged to be one of God’s teachers

 

If I was a soldier

Preserving peace and freedom in the world

Band of brothers, stand shoulder to shoulder

 

If I was a young tyke

Looking up to these inspiring adults

Growing up, each day feeling more alike

photo of toddler running on grass

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Originally published March, 2020.

Maya Rudolph Quotes

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To have your childhood dream realized is a really big deal.

The thing you can do better than anyone else is love your children, because they’re your children.

Maya Rudolph (born 1972) is an American actress, comedian, and singer.

Fascination Calls

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Eyes looking skyward

Symphony’s rhythm

Galaxy sparkles

Night’s algorithm

 

Trying to focus

Heavens lighting up

Fascination calls

Universe close-up

 

Each night different

Constellations speak

Billions of voices

Infinite mystique

 

Chasing one starship

Courageous and bold

Man’s final frontier

Destiny unfolds

 

Distant cosmos soars

Beyond any star

Hyperspace journey

Dreams traveling far

 

Beyond today’s world

Young boy’s mind takes flight

Ancient comets glow

Rivers filled with light

 

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A young lad dreams of space travel as he enters grade school in the early 1960s.  Images of astronauts and space capsules begin an adventure.  Building models of the Apollo spacecraft tags along with “Star Trek” and more.  As a mature adult, the journey continues.

Ben Okri Quotes

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Don’t neglect the gold in your own back yard.

A dream can be the highest point of a life.

Ben Okri (born 1959) is a Nigerian-born poet and novelist.  Much of his writing focuses on African post-modern and post-colonial traditions.

Dreaming of Conquest

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Dreaming of conquest

Favorite game show

Awesome contestant

Answer’s fandango

 

Sleeping wide awake

No longer dreaming

Clock striking midnight

Netflix still streaming

 

Sailing oceans blue

First mate now sleeping

Craft found, back on course

Prize’s safekeeping

 

Shifting direction

Away from sailing

Compass pointing west

Dreamtime’s unveiling

 

Sweeping “Price is Right”

Morning now shifting

New day with new wheels

Sports car downshifting

 

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Savoring Life

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Facing life’s daily quest

Overflowing with dreams

Facing rapids, hard-pressed

Paddling always, downstream

 

Merging spirit with change

Searching truth’s answer key

Riding each lonely range

Realizing, life shall be

 

Saddling up with vigor

Savoring life today

Overcoming rigor

Finding another way

 

Witnessing life’s next stage

Moving over new ground

Exciting silver age

Traveling now westbound

 

Navigating with ease

Following sunset’s glow

Catching each friendly breeze

Looking for tomorrow

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Journey Forward (Haiku Series #212)

Following

Wishes spring from dreams

Benevolent actions serve—

Destiny calling

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Listening

Walking endless miles

Faithful boots always ready—

Echoing wisdom

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Loving

Joining together

Solving life’s cherished puzzle—

Heart’s bits and pieces

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Whitest Glow

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December’s barren ground

Autumn now long over

Snowflakes flying, earthbound

Winter’s white sweet clover

 

Village sleeping tonight

Children dreaming of snow

Crystal-clear sky’s moonlight

Changing to whitest glow

 

Beginning to drop in

Targeted flurries fall

Playful snowstorm begins

Winter finally calls

 

Snowy pace never wanes

Flakes now piling up high

Truckers reaching for chains

Driving where snowballs fly           

 

Wishful, children wake up

Stirring with loudest cheers

Sleds ready for tune-up

White Christmas comes this year

 

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Walt Whitman Quotes

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Happiness, not in another place but this place . . . not for another hour, but this hour.

I dream in my dreams all the dreams of the other dreamers.  And I become the other dreamers.

Walt Whitman (1819-1892) was one of America’s most influential poets.  His writing prowess was not only evident in his poems, but also in his work as a journalist and essayist.

Jeff Bridges Quotes

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Memories are not just about the past.  They determine our future.

I kept dreaming of a world I thought I’d never see, and then . . . one day . . . I got in!

Jeff Bridges (born 1949) is an American film actor who has the ability to play a variety of roles.  His work has been rewarded with one Academy Award (a total of seven nominations) as well as two Golden Globes.