Puget Sound

Water so blue

You can barely tell where the ocean ends
Or where the sky begins

White billowing clouds dancing high above in the cool breeze,

Keeping time with the cracks of the waves kissing the shoreline

The familiar sound of screeching Sea Birds frantically begging for food…

Sailboats glide across the crystal blue Puget Sound
As though they’re sailing on glass

Surrounded by majestic snowcapped mountains and

Tall lanky forest green pines,
I relish in the beauty of God’s canvas.

© Leatherman 2013

 For Verna

We're Not So Different

Must we act black or white

Must we always curse and fight

Proud heritage, our weak excuse

For spilling red liquid pools

 

Each other’s blood soaks the ground

Breaking hearts, the only sound

Precious life, the price of pride

While the ill-fated slowly dies

 

Adults instill the color of hate

In a youthful mind’s fresh clean slate

Shame on us, as we silently watch

While sweet innocence swiftly rots

 

We’re not so different, you and me

We both want respect and to live free

We must release our hate filled past

Live as brothers and sisters

Just human beings, at last!

 

©Leatherman 2013

 

Unraveling Nation

I look around at this place,

Rubbing my eyes

Trying to focus,

I don’t recognize Uncle Sam’s face!

Liberties disappearing

Much to a Patriot’s utter dismay,

Attacked by political weapons,
No need for a gun,

Quick with the stroke of a pen...
Hiss of a snake’s tongue!

Strangers climbing broken fences scream...

"To Hell with laws, we're stealing your American dream!"

All the while big wigs talk and gloat,

"Let everyone in,

We need their vote!"

Morals gone, anything goes!

Right is wrong,

Wrong is the new right,

Scorned and mocked,

Christianity’s foretold plight!

I mourn for my America

drowning in the cess pool

Of man's greed and degradation,

Bowing my head,

I pray, "God,please save our

Unraveling Nation!"

 © Leatherman 2013

Lovely Flowers

Faded floral petals

Neatly placed

Between the pages

Of my family Bible…

Gingerly I pick one up,

Hold it to my nose and inhale…

Beautiful scent gone…                 

As is the vibrant color of its bloom...

Witness to my tears

Of joy and sorrow...

Weddings, funerals,

Birth of a brand new child…

Lovely flowers

Meant to comfort or celebrate

Life’s momentous occasions…

Keepsakes of my heart!

If they could speak,                     

Oh how divine!

To recall their

Bittersweet memories

Amongst God’s words.

© Leatherman 2013

THE BEST

Hate fills a shallow heart

Consumed with self righteousness…

Reflections of a broken past

Flash in my mind’s eye…

I swallow my pride

For the greater faction…

Forget self and reach for

A higher existence…

It can be done,

But at what cost?

Another slice of my heart

Served on a silver platter?

The feeling of betrayal

Awakened anew!

Love turned to loathing…

How can that be?

I was once THE BEST!

Your words…

Your lies shall be your

Legacy!

I voiced it…

Now, I can breathe.

Brenda Leatherman © 2013

The Athiest

The abyss of evil

Lurking on the edge

Of consciousness…

Waiting for fools

To succumb to death

Collecting souls,

Dark prince rejoices…

Relishing in

Tormented screams of regret

He hears in their voices

“Oh God, dear God

Help me please!”

As a faithless being cries,

Begging on his knees

Wicked laughter engulfs

Both time and space…

Lucifer cruelly hisses and

Tightly grabs the man’s face

“He can’t hear you, he says,

You’re wasting your time…

You scoffed at His name

And now you are mine”

Abruptly startled awake,

Trembling in a cold sweat…

The man leaps to his feet,

Out of his bed

He shouts, “I’m alive!”

He calls upon the Lord…

Angels rush to his side

Bearing their mighty swords

Satan growls a beastly noise

Furiously he runs away…

The atheist weeps tears of joy…

Bowing his head,

He begins to pray!

©Leatherman 2013

Texas Cries With You West

Springtime brings fields

Of bluebonnets in bloom...

Familiar sound of coyotes

Howlin’ at the moon

Starry Texas nights and

Lightning bug chases...

Laughter of children

With Popsicle faces

A friendly “Howdy”

Tip of a cowboy hat...

“How y’all doin’?”

At the Friday night dance

Hard work, hard play

Our way of life...

There are no strangers

When tragedy strikes

Last call of brave men

On that fateful day...

Won’t be coming home,

Too soon, whisked away

Fond memories now

Are all that’s left

Of those selfless souls

From the small town of West

Thousands gather together

Bidding a final goodbye...

Not a person in sight

Can boast a dry eye

Texas cries with you West

You’re not alone,

Remember….

We’re in this together

Till the Lord calls us home

© Leatherman 2013