Wales' Tales 10/12/15

Colored leaves go dancing

Down the wind-blown street.

Kids make preparations

For yelling “Trick or Treat!”

Smoke curls out of chimneys

As the days grow cool,

Time to take the screens down,

Cover up the pool.

Memories come flooding

As the days go past

Bringing back the moments

of shadows that were cast

by the words of loved ones,

Laughter, joy and tears,

All the things which happened

In the passing years.

Shadows by the window,

Meals spread cross the board,

All the hopes of living

Wishing we could hoard

All the cherished fun times

Living does provide,

Thinking of the loved ones

Who once did sit beside.

Cuddled ‘neath the blanket

Spread upon the laps,

Putting on warm mittens

And soft woolen caps,

Walking in the twilight,

Watching the sun set,

Filled with autumn color

Times we can’t forget.

Staring at the stars above,

In the chilly night,

Recognizing God’s sure love,

Delighting in the sight

of wonder and renewal,

of joy that will not cease,

sharing in the comfort of

God’s unending…

                        Peace,

                                    Alex

Wales' Tales 10/5/15

Ever wonder why the world is round instead of square?

Ever wonder why great weather’s only known as fair?

Ever see the sun go down in colorful array

And wonder why it has to wait until the end of day?

Lots of things in this old world will make you question why?

For things get jumbled quite a bit beneath the clear blue sky.

As human beings we are caught with how things really are,

Not always making sense to us, like wishing on a star.

Stars don’t have abilities to change the path of life,

They can’t affect the choice you make ‘bout husband, child or wife.

Yet still we keep on wishing on that light up in the sky,

Just hoping that our dream comes true. It seems we have to try.

Much harder is to face the fact that we’re not in control,

That life goes on in spite of us, no matter what the toll.

The earth is round. It will not change. That’s just the way it is.

And Alka Seltzer goes plop, plop and then begins to fizz.

It’s God who chooses how things go, in spite of what we think.

God chose to make the birds to fly and not the kitchen sink.

God surely knew that human beings would chose the path of sin,

And throw away a paradise instead of staying in.

And yet God’s love for you and me continues to this day.

God reaches out and holds us close, and listens as we pray.

God understands when we rebel, when we think we’re on top,

And tries to help us rise and stand when we are prone to flop.

But human minds will question “why?” until the world shall cease,

And God will never take away that Love that brings us…

                                                                                                            Peace,

                                                                                                            Alex

Wales' Tales 09/21/15

Days grow shorter,

Mornings cool,

Kids have headed back to school.

Soon the leaves will turn to gold,

As the summer starts to fold

Into autumn’s bold delight

Bringing forth the sense and sight

Of changing season of the year

Warning winter’s drawing near.

But for now the change is fine,

Bring respite down the line,

Filled with smells of harvest time,

As the smoke begins to climb

From the fires of chimneys warm,

Warding off a fall time storm.

Sweaters start to make their scene,

As shorts and swimsuits we must wean,

For days of nineties are now past

Into closets, they are cast.

Soon the smell of burning leaves

Fill the air upon the breeze,

Pumpkins, gourds and mums abound,

Decorating porch and ground,

In the field the corn has dried,

Time to reap the farmer’s pride.

And we know that time draws near,

As the sky shines bright and clear,

For winter’s whisper to begin,

Forcing us to go within

Our homes for shelter from the storm,

Trapped within the college dorm.

But for now, the weather’s great,

Walks in evening makes a date

To be with loved ones, as we stroll,

Holding hands, and feeling whole.

So enjoy the summer’s release,

And feel the gift of autumn’s…

                                                Peace,

                                                                Alex

Wales Tales 08/05/15

It’s good when family has the time

To join for fun and pleasure,

As years go by, and people grow,

Those hours become a treasure.

The laughter, jokes, and silly stuff

Become the source of stories,

That when remembered “long ago”

Recapture faded glories.

For families age as time goes by

And distance may set in,

Before you know

The world has changed,

And hair has then grown thin.

Through the years as eyes grow dim

And brown turns into grey,

The reasons for the gatherings

Will go the other way.

Not weddings, birthdays, baptized kids,

Will be the latest reasons,

For as life moves along the way,

We join for other reasons.

The generations, strong and true,

Will age and pass away,

And those who mourn

Will stop and think

About another day.

When life was new and days were long

And shared time was a gift,

Then days flew by

And years grew short

And thoughts began to drift.

They linger on what once had been,

Of romance, births and joy

Of moments spent in loving arms

What life will oft employ

To teach us of the precious time

That all of us must share,

The minutes that our God does give

To love and hope and care.

And when this earthly time is done

When life itself shall cease,

We see beyond this earthly bond,

Into God’s realm of…

                                    Peace,  

                                                Alex

Wales' Tales 7/7/15

The patter of little feet resounds

Down every hall and stairway,

The children of our day camp week

Might even scare the midway

Of carnivals and circuses

Which bring the big top here,

But just because there’s noise and joy

There’s nothing here to fear.

The kids are learning about God,

And sharing, games and fun,

Exuberance is what they’ve got,

You ought to see them run!

They’re full of life and energy,

And seek to use each moment

To fill the church with joyous noise,

With laughter, shouts and movement.

It’s just five days to do it all.

To fill the week with learning

With waterslide and archery,

Beneath the sun, skin’s burning.

But with the staff of Heartland Camp,

To guide the kids each morning,

There is no time to stop and sit,

Occasionally a warning,

To be the people God intends,

 No bullying or bragging,

Just having fun and being fair,

No grumbling or dragging.

And in the process with the help

Of Trinity volunteers,

Each kid receives the grace of God

To wipe away the tears.

So, as the chaos moves along,

We know the camp will cease,

And in its wake, good memories

And thoughts of love and …

                                    Peace,

                                                Alex