Legacy

I leave you my worries:
Turn them inside out;
This was something I could never do.
Remove the fear and doubt;
Collect the self-confidence that is past due.

I leave you my pain:
Lay it gently to rest,
Allowing a moment of silence;
With only one last request,
Never again give in to its indulgence.

I leave you my pleasures:
Use them freely and with delight,
For I never believed they were mine.
Let each joy renew and excite;
Happiness is now yours to design.

I leave you my faith:
Carry it gently within your heart;
It seemed to take forever to reveal.
Share my beliefs, and try to impart
Each hope, each dream, each ideal.

I leave you my love:
Give it away to everyone you meet,
For that was what I wanted most to do.
I wish for all life to be full and complete,
So that my love might return each day to you.

Lora Frikken ~ 1-18-04

Sometimes It Seems...

It seems...

You take away the ones who should stay;
And you make some of us stay
when we want to go away.
I wonder why this is so;
I wonder why I can’t go;
I wonder...
Who are you, anyway?

Is it really God who is doing the taking and the leaving;
Or have you left this puzzle up to those believing
that there is an answer to our grieving
out there, somewhere?
Does anyone care?
Is anyone out there?
Where are you, anyway?

Some say our Hell is on earth;
Some say our Heaven is on earth.
I say, I am tired of wondering where, and when,
my life will either end or begin again!
I need to know
so that I can go...
Why won’t you help me find my way?

Maybe I’m already gone, already on some ‘other’ side.
And if I am, how many sides have I already tried?
I want to choose where I reside;
I want to decide;
I want to be satisfied;
I’m tired of this ride...
Why won’t you give me any answers?

It seems...

No one is listening...

Lora Frikken ~ 1-12-04

Gray Skies

Gray skies above me
Snow below
One seagull wings over
Flying low

The lake is frozen
White and gray
Wind swirls the drifts
Tree limbs sway

Running in circles
My dog at play
Hunting the snow
Chasing gray away

Footprints to follow
Trails to take
Gray squirrels scold
Long past daybreak

Gray skies above me
Familiar delight
Returning home to find
Welcoming firelight

Lora Frikken ~ 1-11-04

Learning To Remember

Do you remember?
Do you recall?
Was I ever young at all?
Was I ever very small?

Do others remember?
Who was there?
Was I plain or was I fair?
Did anyone care?

Why don’t I remember?
Why won’t they tell?
Did I rebel?
Was it such a hell?

Who will remember?
What was said?
Did I ever wish to be dead?
What lies ahead?

Will you remember?
Will you stay?
Will you show me the way?
Can we begin today?

Will you help me remember?
Will you be my guide?
Will you tell them I tried?
Will you teach me pride?

With you I remember:
With you I begin anew,
Memories come into view,
I now remember how to
Love you...

Lora Frikken ~ 1-10-04

Beyond The Sunset

Into the night
into a darkening sky
shimmering like onyx
glittering like jet
memories die
a shadowy vignette
without regret

Into the night
into an eternal twilight
oftentimes opaque
seemingly translucent
out of all sight
with immutable descent
my silhouette

Into the night
into a world of peace
anticipating the aurora
stargazing among flares
a gentle release
an end to all cares
beyond the sunset

Lora Frikken ~ 1-5-04

Can You See Me?

Look at me! Look at me! Look at me!
It’s me! Can you see me?

A child calling out for attention.
A youth looking for dimension.
A woman filled with apprehension.
A life needing intervention.

Yes, I see...clearly, now:

Some children need more attention
than others,
Constant guidance, acknowledgment,
understanding mothers.
Someone to teach and instruct,
someone who cares,
Wanting to spend time, not judge;
a father who is there.

Too many young people are searching
for their place,
Needing a helping hand, yet looked upon
with disgrace.
Who will look into each lost youth’s
empty stare?
Who will find the frightened child
hiding in there?

So many women, living, loving,
yet alone,
Taught to be everything, having
nothing of their own.
Searching for a place where love
equals concern;
Who will help them find an end
to their constant sojourn?

There is a place for each of us
in this life,
Enough room in our hearts to end
any strife;
Look into the eyes of each soul,
old and new;
Find their child within and tell them,
“I do care...and I see you!”

Lora Frikken ~ 1-4-04

A Maple Sugar Day

You bring more wood,
we have to make it boil;
Grandpa always says,
"Good syrup's worth its toil!"

I think that this might be
the best season of them all;
For Grandma says we had,
“A most unusual Fall!”

Here comes Daddy’s sleigh,
with buckets loaded high;
Mommy told me she will bake,
“A maple sugar apple pie!”

When we finish here,
we have time for some fun;
Daddy says the pond is,
“Frozen tight as a drum!”

Winter is my favorite time,
at least it is today;
“Grab your skates! Let’s go!
I’ll race you all the way!”

Lora Frikken ~ 1-1-04

Written for the painting: Sugaring Off
by Grandma Moses

Ode To A Vicious Vision

I...had a Vision...

At first it was vague and vacuous,
not making any point;
And when it continued to vacillate,
it really shook up the joint!

After that, my Vision turned vapid,
nearly boring me to tears;
Though it never varied in value,
it caused me to drink a few beers!

Next, a variance of a vehement variety,
caused me to really begin to take note;
For anger arrived with a vengeance,
which was nearly ‘all she wrote!’

Now, I know Visions can be viscous,
sticking to your brain like glue;
Or they may very well just vaporize,
vanishing, hopefully, without postage due!!

So, I’ll vociferate about my Vicious Vision,
until my voice is completely gone;
Allowing me to find the vertiginous vortex,
and vamoose from this visual phenomenon!

Lora Frikken ~ 1-1-04