My first grandchild inspired this one.


From The Eyes of a Child

I gaze in wonder in a 2 year olds eyes
Amazed to see how much they can tell
How can one so young speak so loudly
With silent words that toll like a bell

Their minds are like pourous sponges
Drinking in all that surrounds their space
Their expression is one of glee and mirth
So innocent, sweet, and filled with grace

Immitation is the sincerest form of flattery
And they watch closely at all that we do
They work hard to repeat our very actions
Repeating over and over the task so new

Those simple things we all take for granted
A child can accomplish with such joy and pride
Maybe opening a jar or putting on their socks
Learned from knowledge we unwittingly supplied

So as we move about in our every day life
Beware of all the things you will do and say
An innocent two year old may be watching
Learning to live and walk in the very same way

Elaine McCoy Martin





9/11

9/11 is a day our whole country still cries and mourns,
As we lost more to terriorists than we care to recall;
Today the anniversary looms over us like a dark cloud,
As we think about 9/11's first hours with great appall.

I watch close friends and family of Flight 93 victims,
Gather in Pennsylvania to mourn and console each other;
They bring flags, balloons, letters and flowers to place,
At the spot they lost a friend, spouse, mother or brother.

Children come with their parents to remember it all,
The Elderly come to once more pay their respects;
While all that fall between come asking us to remember,
To keep the fallen ones alive as they talk and reflect.

We see the pain and tears as each loved name is read,
From the flights passenger list of that dreadful, dark day;
We hear the words used telling how much they are missed,
And we see the tributes they bring to place as they pray.

But the children bring new emotions to this dreadful scene,
As I watch them come to this once beautiful wooded site;
They know why they are there as they have been often told,
Of the events of the day and the heroics aboard the flight.

The days events hold a different meaning to the children,
As they drink in the athmosphere being presented today;
The crowd, flags, balloons, and flowers lend the effect,
Of a carnival or party as I see the excited look they display.

As they write their names in a tribute to their lost loved ones,
They glance about excitedly, pointing fingers at what they spy;
"Look at that", I heard one exclaim with a big grin on his face,
And I found myself smiling and seeing it though that childs eyes.

To the impartial bystander it gives the appearance of a party,
With the crowds of people, cameras flashing, and colors abound;
Reporters and tv crews are scattered throughout the landscape,
Children running about, squealing as if they were on a playground.

In my mind I see their fallen loved ones looking down from above,
Taking in the days activities, seeing the mixed emotions of the day;
Smiling as they see the children happily playing and enjoying life,
Frowning as they watch the adults suffer and brush the tears away.

I can only hope that we learn to take lessons from these children,
Blending their world into ours, smiling as we remember those that died;
To reflect on the wonderful memories they created while here with us,
And to replace the tears with laughter as we remember them with pride.

Elaine McCoy Martin
9-11-2005






Grief Never Grows Old

The loves you encounter from the day you are born
Are mostly bitter sweet and sometimes forlorn
They are deep in your heart, imbedded in your soul
When suddenly they're gone, leaving a black hole

You wake up to reality and you begin to cry
Why, dear Lord, can you please tell me why
Life was so good, we thought we lived just right
Is there a reason, a cause, an answer to my plight

Then a year creeps by, maybe even two, three or four
Soon you look back smiling as you remember before
Tears are mostly forgotten, the memories are bright
The darkness begins to clear, letting in the natural light

You begin to understand that you may never know why
For life is a mystery, a daily challenge, I say with a sigh
So I learn to place my faith in the good Lord above
Feeling assured he will provide me with plenty of love

So the black hole begins filling up with every day life
Leaving behind the days that brought us so much strife
But there in the recessed depths of your heart and soul
Is the knowledge and feeling that grief never grows old

Elaine McCoy Martin

 

Where would we be without our dear friends?


My Friend

There are many things in this life
That I treasure with all my heart
Some of which are hand-me-downs
But most are my own from the start.

Among those things I greatly treasure
Are things you cannot see
Things only I can reach out and touch
For they live solely inside of me.

Of days lived long, long ago
Are my vivid memories of the past
Family and friends romp in my head
Remain young and will eternally last.

But recent days bring new memories
And they create a loving, kinder place
Filled with friendship, love and caring
Which God grants when I see your face.

Our friendship brings depth and meaning
And makes each days light very bright
For this I give thanks to God Almighty
As I include you when I pray each night.

Elaine McCoy Martin

This is my tribute to my 4th Great Grandfather,
James Walker, who served in the Revolutionary War.


The True Fourth of July

Fireworks dazzle us with their sparkle and color
And we wave at friends in the passing parade
We all fly the colors of red, white and blue
With the flags and ribbons we have proudly displayed.

Now it seems we have forgotten why we celebrate
It was a time before freedom rang in the US of A
When the British Empire ruled for all to see
And our forefathers lived in fear and dismay.

The Troops marched in red uniforms day to day
And collected taxes that kept us poor and weak
So the farmers, hunters and city folk came together
To find a remedy for their lives so dismal and bleak.

Now the British Empire was strong and forceful
And the power was not on the peoples side
But they had a big heart and a desire for freedom
So they planned for a life they could live with pride.

A revolution was born with the help of the French
The young and the old, the strong and the weak
With the goal of freedom that empowered them all
They fought long and hard until their goal was reached.

Now 200 plus years have passed and we enjoy the freedom
That those forefathers fought long and hard to achieve
Let us not forget to honor them and give them our thanks
For they gave us the ability to live as we believe.

Elaine McCoy Martin

September 11, 2001 brought forth many feelings for us all. 
May God bless and  hold close those that gave their all that day.


September 11 Aftermath

We are a broken nation, Lord,
Please help to make us whole,
Hold deep within your loving arms,
Each battered, tattered soul.

Sift the rubble of our minds,
And wash away our tears,
So ever bright, we'll see your light,
That banishes away the fears.

Clear the hatred from our hearts,
That we might plant the seeds of love,
For that's when the healing starts,
So this I pray to you above.

Let Faith defy destruction Lord,
Help us learn how we can forgive,
And show us how to be united,
So once more we may start to live.

Elaine McCoy Martin





Tomorrow

There is an old gospel song I heard
That sums it all up pretty well
It isn't elaborate or flowery speech
The words below ring out like a bell

There are many things about tomorrow
That I certainly do not understand
But I do know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand

No matter what religion you may be
Those few words sure say an awful lot
If you truely believe those few words
You know your life won't be for naught

So as you think about your tomorrow
Please remember to live your life today
As you would want to be remembered
Because today is tomorrows doorway

Elaine McCoy Martin

The Windows Of Your Soul

Your face is more than the expression you wear
It tells your lifes story, lays your soul to bare
Your eyes become the window to your heart and soul
As I gaze into their depths and take a short stroll

As I begin this journey, I see your inner child
All innocent and sweet, with such a happy smile
Then as you changed within your body and mind
You found life is good, yet sometimes unkind

You became an adult, ever so eager to explore
That you found great experiences behind each door
Some were wonderful, all filled with sweet love
As you spread your wings like a pure white dove

But some were filled with strife and despair
While you learned that life is not always fair
Your heart was broken more than once or twice
As you tried to ignore your own minds advice

But soon you learned to walk the middle road
To reap the bounties that your own heart sowed
And soon true love found its way to your life
Showing you happiness that drove away the strife

Children soon filled your heart and your time
And the years slipped by as you lost your prime
As gray hair crept in and your steps did slow
The children all left as your life lost its glow

The snow on your roof only spoke of the years
That so swiftly past and left you new fears
As came a knock on the door from the Lord above
And he called home the one that was your true love

Now the Indians say that when a loved one leaves
You should have a set time to cry and to grieve
To dry up your tears and crawl out from the covers
That your loved one left to make room for another

I prefer to think that the good Lord's reasons
Hold a purpose in heaven that we can finally envision
That you can look back with love and smile as you say
I hold great memories that are a part of each day

As I gaze into your eyes, stroll down this last lane
I see laughter in your life and feel less pain
The expression you wear says you once again smile
That living is good, life is again worthwhile

Elaine McCoy Martin





Thanksgiving

It may be I am getting old
And like too much to dwell
Upon the days of bygone years
The days I loved so well.

But thinking of them now I wish
Somehow that I could know
A simple old Thanksgiving Day
Like those of long ago.

All the family gathered round
A table richly spread
With little Jamie at the foot
And Grandpa at the head.

The youngest of us all to greet
The oldest with a smile
With Mother running in and out
And laughing all the while.

It may be I'm old-fashioned
But it seems to me today
We're much too bent on having fun
To take the time to pray.

Our little family has now grown up
With fashions each their own
They live within a world itself
And want to be alone.

It has its special pleasures
Its circle, too, of friends
There are no get-together days
Each one his journey wends.

Each with what he likes the best
In his own particular way,
Letting the others do the same
Upon this Thanksgiving Day.

So I like the olden way the best
when together everyone came
Sharing food and giving praise
Laughing and playing a game

The old home was a rendezvous
For all our kith and kin
And whether living far or near
They all came trooping in.

With shouts of "Hello, Daddy!"
As they fairly stormed the place
They made a rush for Mother
Who would stop to wipe her face.

She wore her gingham apron
And stooped to kissed them all
Hugging each one proudly
The grownups and the small.

Then laughter rang throughout the home
And, Oh, the jokes they told
Brother Frank brought new jokes
But father sprang the old.

All afternoon we chatted
Telling what we hoped to do
The struggles we were making
And the hardships we'd gone through.

We gathered round the fireside
How fast the hours did fly
It seemed before we'd settled down
It was time to say good-bye.

Those were the Thanksgivings
That old-time families knew
When relatives could still be friends
And every heart was true.

Elaine McCoy Martin

Life As We Make It

Life can be good if we make it that way
So give praise to God as you live each day
Take time to enjoy the small things in life
Leave behind the things that cause your strife

Pick a flower and smell the so sweet scent
That nature worked hard to create and present
For life is short and we forget that today
May be our last chance to enjoy it this way

Smile and laugh and tell everyone you love
What their life means to you and to God above
Tell them you care for today and tomorrow
For when it's gone it brings great sorrow

And when lifes sky turns dark and gray
You can turn toward God and begin to pray
We ask that he show us his love and the why
He chose to turn dark the usual blue sky

He may not answer the way we would like
And time may pass before we see the light
But as that time passes before our own eyes
The dark clouds drift past and our tears we dry

We begin to see past the sadness and dark
And learn a new journey is about to embark
For out of the dark and rubble we have known
Comes a new slant on life we are now shown

Every dark cloud has a silver lining they say
Sometimes it looks tarnished, a bit more gray
But all has a good side if you look hard enough
And often a diamond can be found in the rough

So open your eyes and walk down the new road
Enjoy the encounters, begin to lighten your load
Welcome new relationships with arms open wide
Blend all together with your memories inside

Embrace the new people along with the old
Tell them daily they are as valuable as gold
Show them your heart, let them know you care
Remember them to God each night in your prayer

Again you are learning that life can be good
You are stronger now for all you withstood
Once again give thanks to the creator of all
For the good things in life, both large and small

Elaine McCoy Martin

The Best Things In Life

Some of the best things in life
Are simple things we almost miss
Fleeting moments that pass on by
Like a baby's smile or a simple kiss

The sound of a loved ones laugh
Or the wonderment in a childs eyes
Are the type things we take for granted
As we live from sunrise to sunrise

The sweet smell of a new born child
Quick smiles from someone you know
A softly sung song, a sweet hymn of praise
A breeze fluttering the weeping willow

A friends voice in the middle of the day
A loved one calling just to say hello
The sound of a rippling water fall
The flight of a split tailed swallow

Simple little things in our every day life
That warm our hearts and ease our pain
Like time someone takes to show they care
As we travel the days twisting, narrow lane

So when in doubt, stop and listen carefully
You might be surprised at what you hear and see
In your every day world that always surrounds you
For after all, the best things in life are free

Elaine McCoy Martin