Posted in February 2014, Rhyme

Things of the Heart

curly red hearts

I like red hearts, pink flowers, and chocolate candy.
Lace doilies, cupcakes, and frilly valentines are dandy.
 
But the things I love best are smiles, hugs, and words that inspire.
These are my heart’s true desire.
 
Things said and done that money can’t buy.
A shoulder that’s there when I need to cry,

Or a helping hand to pick me up from a fall,
These are the things I love most of all.
 
Things that are bought can be very nice.
I like little wrapped gifts, and I don’t think twice

About accepting them from family and friends,
For I like the message of love that a little gift sends.
 
Yet, give me your time, talent, and heart’s treasure,
For those are the things I value without measure.
 
Time spent listening to my joys, dreams, or sorrows,
Talent given to make me better tomorrows;

Treasures of your heart, like compassion and care,
Give me any of these, and nothing will compare.
 
For when those things are given, they are most precious you see,
Because they are a bit of you being deposited into me!

  Happy Valentine’s Day! 

Rhyme
Leona J. Atkinson  02-14-14

Posted in Acrostic, Holiday, November 2013, November PAD Chapbook Challenge 2013

November’s New Traditions

Become quite a special day
Lasting longer each year
All those bargains are waiting
Commercials tell us loud and clear
Kick the Thanksgiving Day tradition
Forget family values held dear
Rise early or shop late
Ignore staying home with family near
December’s big day is coming
And shopping days are few we hear
Yes! Today we can shop and save
Such awesome deals will appear
All across town the stores are open
Let’s give thanks as we all cheer
Embracing commercialism
Society succumbs without a tear

Acrostic
Leona J. Atkinson  11-29-13

Posted in Free Verse, November 2013, November PAD Chapbook Challenge 2013

Family Adventure

Family Adventure

Exploring the back roads of Oregon,
my grandchildren and I end up
taking an unexpected Ferry Ride
across  the Williamette River.
Quite a new experience for all of us!
Later, we share thoughts, ideas and memories
as we eat lunch in a small bakery named “Leona’s”,
so named for anothers’ grandmother
,
in this little town of Mt. Angel,
surrounded  by vineyards and Mission State Park,
where some of Oregon’s earliest settlers lived and worked
at the Williamette Mission nearly 170 years ago.

There was a lot of history all around us just waiting to be discovered,
and our four curious minds, sought it out,
as we enjoyed spending the day together,
making history of our own.

Free Verse
Leona J. Atkinson  11-14-13
Williamette Mission State Park||Leona’s Bakery||Wheatland Ferry

Posted in Ekphrastic Poetry, November 2013, November PAD Chapbook Challenge 2013, Ode--Irregular, Rhyme

An Ode to an Old Friend

The Pink ChairYou sat there with me, in good times and bad,
Sometimes you were the closest friend, in the natural, that I had.
You supported me when I needed to weep, and
You often held me until I fell asleep.
With you, I would spend time, either alone or with family,
thinking, praying, reading, studying or just dreaming about a future journey.
You always went with me each time I moved,
and because of you my life much improved.
I’d curl up so cozily in your place,
and God would meet me in that space.
He’d talk to me in my head, or remind me in His word, of things He’d said.
It was with you that I learned so many things,
about how to reach out and share my blessings.
You were always there to comfort and hold,
even though you were becoming very old.
Your age made you look a bit worn out,
but in your ability to stand firm I did not doubt.
But then the time came that I had to let you go,

How I’d manage without you, I did not know.
At that time I no longer had the room nor space,
And I let you go on to another place.
Someone else took you in for their own,
and I am sure gave you a great new home.
But I just wanted to tell you that I miss you so,
and wish I wouldn’t have had to let you go.
It may sound funny, but it is oh, so true,
Old Pink Chair, I really miss you !

Ode-Irregular—Ekphrastic Poem
Leona J. Atkinson  11-11-13

Posted in June 2013

Pool Time

The sun of summer has finally come,
And the neighborhood pool is now home for some.
Shouts and laughter can be heard from afar,
As people gather to swim and to spar.
The pool seems to bring out the child in everyone,
It fosters creativity as games are made up and played for fun.
Adults, as well as children, laugh, splash and play.
What a wonderful family activity on a hot summer day !

Leona J. Atkinson
06-28-13