Part of Us

We don't begrudge them their wings,

We don't intend to tie them down

But we miss them all the same:)

When you stand speechless but for ‘wow’

‘neath City’s alien dome

I hope, though you are ‘grown up’ now

You will still think of home

So long we helped you find your wings

And beckoned you to ‘try’

That was before we learned heart-strings

Don’t sever when you 'fly’

So every now and then, my dear

Though you are ‘on your own’

Remember you are still quite near

To all of us at home

You are a prayer poured from the heart

A wish upon a star

For you will always be a part

Of us; wherever you are

© Janet Martin

Hugs and prayers for all our 'far-from-home-dears)

Fellowmen (a Special thank-you to Anuj:)

What a delightful surprise in my in-box this morning! 

...from Anuj,

I would like to personally congratulate you as your  Another Porch ...A Poetry Blog  has been selected by our panelist as one of the Top 25 Poetry Blogs on the web.

I personally give you a high-five and want to thank you for your contribution to this world. 

This is the most comprehensive list of   Top 25 Poetry Blogs   on the internet and I’m honored to have you as part of this!

I humbly accept this award on behalf of all those who keep encouraging and supporting me and I am happy, Anuj, to share your site. Visit it here

 We are all, after all, each a small part of the big picture. I began trying to name each person who has impacted and encouraged me with poetry or to keep writing and the list ended up being quite lengthy, so thank you ALL for you know who you are~

No one is ‘the whole package’

But if we give our all

To uphold one another

We will fulfill our call

No person is an island

Ah, we all need each other

For in Mercy’s big picture

We all are sister-brother

Thus, with our share of favor

In any way we can

We should kindly endeavor

To help our fellowman

© Janet Martin

Fit Company...

Myself

by Edgar Guest

I have to live with myself and so
I want to be fit for myself to know.
I want to be able as days go by,
always to look myself straight in the eye;
I don't want to stand with the setting sun
and hate myself for the things I have done.
I don't want to keep on a closet shelf
a lot of secrets about myself
and fool myself as I come and go
into thinking no one else will ever know
the kind of person I really am,
I don't want to dress up myself in sham.
I want to go out with my head erect
I want to deserve all men's respect;
but here in the struggle for fame and wealth
I want to be able to like myself.
I don't want to look at myself and know
I am bluster and bluff and empty show.
I never can hide myself from me;
I see what others may never see;
I know what others may never know,
I never can fool myself and so,
whatever happens I want to be
self respecting and conscience free.

I first read the above poem years ago.The first two lines have stayed in my memory and often serve as a reminder in my not-so-shining-moments to remember who it is that we will always live with...ourselves!

Janet~

Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

James 1:23-24

At The Risk of Sounding Selfish...

PAD Challenge day 22: For today’s prompt, we’re on our fourth two-for-Tuesday prompt. So pick one, combine both prompts into one poem, or write two (or more) different poems. Here are the prompts:

Write a sharing poem or write a selfish poem

I’m glad to know that I am loved

Or at least, so you tell me

And I don’t want to sound thankless

But tell me, do you like me?

Love is the First and Great Command

I know, this should requite me

But still, for all its good intent

It does not mean you like me

The miser loves his money piles

With empty satisfaction

‘Like’ infers with kind second smiles

A mutual attraction

When we sincerely like someone

Then love is never questioned

I know that my shortcomings, hon

Are too many to mention

…and though I like the sound of it

When you tell me you love me

Still, more than that I must admit

I rather hope you like me

© Janet Martin

This Is More Than Merry Christmas...

It was there on that first Christmas

Heralded by hosts above

It is here; down through the ages

Deity of God to prove

Nothing can usurp its power

Matrix of peace; perfect, pure

Piercing through fear’s darkest hour

With its Light, faithful and sure

Sing a hymn of trust and glory

Heaven bends to kiss the earth

This is more than just a story

Of a lowly baby’s birth

This is more than pretty presents

Strewn about a tinseled tree

This is hope’s immortal essence

Clad in glad humility

This is more than Merry Christmas

Mercy’s living proof unfurled

As we catch a glimpse of Jesus

In a sad and broken world

It was there on that first Christmas

It was here when time began

It abides down through the ages

This, the Love of God to man

© Janet Martin

The Mien Whereon we Write...

The color-wheel of day takes flight

Twilight with blue good-byes

Obliterates the world from sight

Before our very eyes

Its touch and taste to Past confined

This tittle-jot time lent

So once-in-a-lifetime designed

Is almost fully spent

And what we did with it will be

Forever evermore

Etched on the walls of history

With all days gone before

And when God turns to gaze on it

Its little legacy

I hope He sees we cherished it

With kind humility

For though the ebb and flow of light

Seems insignificant

It is the mien whereon we write

Our lifetime testament

© Janet Martin