Sunshine and Shadows

RELATIVITY I had a little brother—he was two and our poor mother Had a hard time keeping up with him while I was gone to school. For you see, I was Big Sister to that precious little Mister So I kept him entertained and that was really kind of cool. One day Mama had a dizzy spell and so she wasn’t feeling well —He needed to be busy so he wouldn’t drive her mad! It was spring—the yard was full of gold, for dandelions had taken hold And Mama had a brainstorm that would please the little lad. If he picked a hundred flowers it would take him several hours And she would pay a penny for each hundred that he picked. He worked what seemed a minute, showed his pail and what was in it, And Mama nearly fainted for she knew that she was licked! And so she started counting and the numbers started mounting, And soon she owed a nickel—and then she owed a dime! But those blossoms kept on coming—Mama’s mind had started numbing —That’s the day that Mama learned the relativity of time! VICTORY Spring was here and the daffodils Were a glorious and golden delight, But a snowstorm came to these Ozark hills And covered the gold with white. Sadly I watched as those flakes of snow Tatted lace like a veil for a bride Until they were covered from head to toe And I cried for I thought they had died. The daffodils hid there under the snow ‘Til the sun came and chased it away. I thought I would find them all dead—but lo! Their beauty increases each day! Those blossoms have always been golden and glorious But now they have also become victorious! THE THIRD R Troubles we share a always divide. Triumphs we share are multiplied. HOLDING FAST I was young and they were old When first I saw them walking past, With hats and gloves and peaceful smiles And loving hands still holding fast. My heart was lifted by those hands And so I watched for them each day— And yes, those hands were always clasped As though that were the only way. I thought about those hands a lot As busy years went rushing by Because they were no longer there But I remembered with a sigh. I knew you held my hand in spring —But would you hold it in the fall? And what about when winter came When I would need it most of all? Now winter’s here—it came too soon With all the aches old age demands And there are days that one might fall If we were not still holding hands. And yes, it’s just as I had hoped. It’s just as special now as then It makes me feel so safe and warm When loving hands hold fast again.