CheapLit: Free ebook sample of "From The Heart, A Life In Poetry" by Jerry Humphrey

With his undeserved kindness

His love makes me feel warm

I feel him when I see the wildflowers

With beauty beyond compare

The birds sing their sweet songs

For they too know he is there

I see him as a mother holds her baby in her arms

And showers it with love to keep it safe and warm

When a little girl kisses her dad goodnight

He touches even the hardest heart with love so bright

He is there beside me in everything I see

And everywhere I go

It is something I feel and something that I know

He is there in both good times and in bad

He is there when I am happy and when I am so very sad

When my world is filled with horrors, Gloom and despair

I feel him most of all and know I am in his care

Alone I am frail and weak and things go all wrong

But with him at my side, I am so very strong

No matter where I am either a castle or a prison

He always speaks to me, I just have to stop and listen

Home

By

Jerry Wayne Humphrey

I went home the other night while I was fast asleep

I was in my bed in dreamland so deep

Back to the home, I knew when I was a child

To someone dear and sweet and mild

She welcomed me with such love

Sweetly as an angel sent from above

She put her hand on my head

And with love looked into my eyes and said

Everything will be all right now dear

The sadness will leave, now that you are here

Such love and caring I had not felt

With all the blows that life had dealt

I awoke with a feeling in my heart

That it was time for a new start

Now life can make you feel oh so very blue

That you just don't know what to do

You want to go back home once more

Where she would be waiting at the door

And she would touch you and let you know

You were always loved and wherever you would go

Whatever happened to you it would be all right

She would be with you both day and night

And now the world seems ok once more

And you know she is waiting at the door

Thanks to the one who always loved you

Whose love is eternal and so true

I Found Him

By

Jerry Wayne Humphrey

I found him in the darkness of the night

I found him in the brightness of the morning light

I found him on the mountain as far up as I could go

I found him down in the earth so very low

I found him on the earth so green

The flowers almost touch the sky

I found him in the desert that is so barren and so dry

I found him on the ocean blue

I found him in the morning dew

I found him in the eyes of a little girl as she took my hand

I found him with a soldier who lay dying in a foreign land

I found him when my wife and I were wed

I found him as I held her hand as she lay dead

And when I lay alone my mind and body filled with pain

It was there in my darkest hour that he found me

And when I thought that love for me was through

He sent someone who took my hand and said I do

And so my life began again you see

I know now that even if I can’t find him he will find me

He said to you my child my love I send

I am with you always, even to the end

I Go Alone

By

Jerry Wayne Humphrey

There are people everywhere that I go

Running here and there going to and fro

No matter where I am, it seems there are people around

I can’t be alone for wherever I go

Others soon are to be found

It’s not like I am rich or famous or anything like that

Or wear strange clothes or a loud ugly hat

These people are strangers you see

For I don’t know them and they surely don’t know me

It’s just that wherever I am they are somehow

Bound to be

Not matter if it’s the mountains, the deserts or even the sea

What must I do to be alone for some peace of mind?

Where I can be free

I Sat Down Today

By

Jerry Wayne Humphrey

I sat down to write today

And although many things were in my head

I did not know what to say

All the thoughts in my head were fragments you see

They would not go together

To make any sense to you or me

Just bits and pieces of many things both near and far away

Of things both done and undone and things I meant to say

Things both real and unreal too were there

Of things only imagined when I was young

And had not a care

Thoughts of things such as stars so far away

And things so near and beautiful

That mere words could not say

So many thoughts are there of so many things

Some like gems in jewelry such as rings

Oh to be able now to put some together to form a story

Or a poem, a jingle, or even a rhyme would

Be like such glory

Maybe even just an idea would do

For something grand or wonderful or just

Something that is new

Oh how I envy those people who

Can just create a thing that is new

A sketch of something we all see each day

But when put on canvas is so beautiful

It takes your breath away

An old man that sits outside in his chair

And whittles out a thing without even a care

Or those who can pick up thrown away

Bits and pieces of trash

And make them into something that

Brings them a little cash

Something new that has never been before

Or something from long ago from legends and from lore

Maybe if I sit and just think a while

I’ll come up with something with a little class

And even a little style

So here I am sitting in the dark

Till it comes to me like the sound of a lark

It could be the meowing of a cat

Or a dog that will bark

That will bring to mind the thing I am to write

Or the thing that I am to do that thought so bright

It is there I know if I can just find it now you see

In all this clutter in my mind there is no telling

Where it might be

Oh yes it is there I think I see it now

It was hiding all along in plain sight beside a purple cow

But now I have found it and I will put it down

You may read it when next you are in town

It may make you smile or it may make you frown

But one thing is for sure once you start

You will not put it down

Until at last it is at an end you see

And then you will know just what it meant to me

In The Garden

By

Jerry Wayne Humphrey

I have been there in the Garden

That place soldiers know so well

They have earned their piece of heaven

For they have all spent their time in hell

Those resting there lie peacefully

In quiet dignity

Having given their lives so we may live free

They suffered so much

For war is such a terrible thing

Now they rest with more honor and dignity

Than any forgotten king

Here they will always be honored and remembered

Forever young forever free

Their graves stretch out before me

As vast as the sea

I have spent my time here in the garden

And with me its memories will always be

And when I am gone away

Maybe they will save a place for me

Into The Night

By

Jerry Wayne Humphrey

I go alone into the night

I feel no fear I feel no fright

I am perfectly sane my mind it is clear

I am fully aware of all that is happening here

The night is calm cool and clear

It calls to me its time now come here

The night surrounds me, it embraces me

And makes me feel safe and warm

I know I am in no danger here

And will not come to any harm

This journey now is a special one you see

I feel a loving presence and it calls to me

I must first embrace the darkness

Before I can find the light

For without the darkness I could not see it so bright

And so I look all around me

And in the distance I see

Where it is that I must go

Where I am to be

A place of peace and love awaits

It calls to me

Now at last I am going home

At last I will be free

As I step into the light so dear

Gone is all my pain

My earthly cares my fear

All my loved ones surround me here

Now what is it I see but the one I love

The one that went on ahead of me

Yes, my love is here now

And lovingly welcomes me

We are together once more

Just as it was meant to be

We are happy now at last

All our troubles are in the past

A new life now begins

And the old troubled one ends

It Came Today

By

Jerry Wayne Humphrey

A little bird came by today

Just to say hello

I do not know from where he came

Or where that he might go

He may have come from far away

Or closer than a mile or so

He sat and ate a bit

And let his music flow

Its melody was beyond compare

More beautiful than anything I know

He stretched out his wings

And I knew that he would go

So I thanked him for his song

And for the wonderful show

He flew away so quickly

I could scarcely believe it so

But what he brought today

Was more than he could know

He brought a message from God above

That he loved me so

And so I thanked the creator for

His kindness and his mercy

But most of all his love

For without that you see

Another step I could not go

Love does make the world go around you see

And from up above it does flow

He may remind us now and then

When we forget as we go to and fro

He may send a little bird to remind us with a song

And his beauty to us show

It’s not just something that I’ve been told

It’s something that I know

That from heaven above his mercy

And his love does ever flow

It Must Be Found

By

Jerry Wayne Humphrey

I went aloft today to take a look around

And although I searched both near and far

It could not be found

It wasn’t in the sky above

Or below me on the ground

Since I could not find it from above

I came back to the ground

Perhaps it is hiding down below

Maybe that’s where it can be found

And so I went below

Far beneath the ground

But no matter how hard I looked

It just could not be found

If it’s not up above or here beneath the ground

Perhaps it’s in the ocean blue

So I went to take a look around

I searched the oceans of the earth

But no, it just was not around

Maybe it’s beneath the waves

And so beneath the sea I was bound

Looking and searching everywhere

For it must be found

I searched and searched but just kept going down

But it was not there so for home I was bound

If it was not above nor underneath the ground

Or on the ocean blue or even beneath then

Where could it be found?

There was only one place left it could possibly be

Yes it was here inside of me

It had been there all along

And there it would always be

So if you wish to find yours too

Don’t search above or below

Or even the ocean blue

Just look inside yourself my friends

And there you will find yours too

Keeping A Promise

By

Jerry Wayne Humphrey

I made a promise long ago to someone oh so dear

And just the thought of keeping it was my greatest fear

She was my life, my love, and my split apart

She was my soul, she was my heart

Just the thought of losing her was oh so difficult you see

Because I was part of her and she was part of me

Just a few short years ago when she knew

That she would die

She kissed me and looked me in the eye

She said promise me that this you will do

When I have passed on

That you will not just live but love again after I am gone

She gently took my hand in hers and looked into my heart

She said you must swear it to me here and now

Before that we are part

I said you ask too much of me my dear

Such a promise is too hard for me to keep I fear

It would be too much to bear to go on

Without you here with me

My heart was heavy and my eyes so filled with tears

I could barely see

I said I will do my best to keep it hon

I swear it with all my heart

She said that’s all I could ask of anyone

There is just one other part

You must take my ashes and spread them on the tide

And happily, I will wait for you on the other side

So now the time has come to keep that which

I swore some time ago you see

I took a walk over the sands down to the sea

And I let her go on the outgoing tide

Just as she had asked of me

And she floated out into the night until

She was at last gone from sight

And I walked away knowing

I had kept my promise that night

And I in this world will abide

And live until at last I too go out on the tide

I will give all I have and try to be a kind and a loving man

That’s how it should be between a woman and a man

Men And The Sea

By

Jerry Wayne Humphrey

Oh, tell me if you can just what it could be

What is the attraction of men to the Sea?

Sailing on with no one or nothing else in sight

All through the day and all through the night

With nothing to guide them but the stars so bright

Is it the stories of dolphins and mermaids

Or that huge whale?

Or fighting a blow or riding out a gale

With his hand on the tiller and his eye on the sail

There’s mystery and adventures to be found

And treasures to be had

It’s been known to lure away from home many a fine lad

When he left, there were those who were proud

And those who were sad

His mother she cried for her little boy

He’s just a young lad

His father was proud, that’s my boy, said his dad

There are things to see, places to go and treasure to be had

What better way to become a man

For this tender young lad

He might get shipwrecked or even a mermaid he might see

But such is the lure of a man to the sea

Young lads sail away and strong men return

Often with women on their minds and money to burn

But they won’t stay in port very long

Because for the sea they all yearn

And so it has always been you see

That is the way of men and the sea

Midnight In The Garden

By

Jerry Wayne Humphrey

It is midnight in the Garden, now all is quiet, all is still

Save for a lone figure, there walking on the hill

He watches intently as all around him are asleep

They know he’s there with them and it’s his watch to keep

Though no one is there to see him

As he keeps his vigil on the hill

He walks his post with honor, never stopping never still

Then another comes to relieve him there

And walk the post until

Another relieves him too and on and on it goes you see

This post is a post of honor and always there must be

A sentry here walking to honor those

Who died to keep us free

Though he walks alone he is in the company

Of friends you see

Each man here is a brother, soldiers like you and me

They are a part of him now as they will always be

For all pledged their lives for one another

So that we may live free

This is the price of freedom; this is the price of liberty

There will always be a soldier walking

In the garden here you see

He walks here in honor and with dignity

He walks here for you and he walks here for me.

My Home

By

Jerry Wayne Humphrey

When I was a young man, very much in my prime

Thoughts of adventures and travel

Were on my young mind

I wanted to go to strange places

To see what I could find

To the danger out there, I surely was blind

To the top of the world, I wanted to climb

And descend into the depths of a deep dark mine

So I left the beauty and comfort

Of my dear ones and home

And to those far off places, I went to roam

I saw oh so many strange things

I saw bad evil devils

And beautiful angels with wings

I met people of all sizes shapes colors and kinds

I learned many new things

And made some terrific finds

I had some great adventures

Although I was most often alone

Until one day, I met a woman

Who made loves bright light in my heart to shine

On together round the world we went

Until our youth at last was almost spent

But still on and on we went

Till we could go on no more

And we settled down on a far away shore

The people asked us where we were from

Where was our home

We said its here now where we live

No more do we roam

From the places where we were born

We had been gone so very long

That to call them our home

Just felt to be wrong

Those who had stayed in one place

We envied so much

For they belonged to a place

That they knew and could touch

Roaming around we had missed oh so much

And the family we had been born into

We had now lost touch

We had been gone too long

And we no longer fit

Then we realized the answer

The real truth of it

That no matter where we did roam

As long as we had each other

Then we were home

So young ones if you feel the need

To wander and roam

Just remember that wherever your

Heart is there is your home

My Life

By

Jerry Wayne Humphrey

In the beginning, I felt alone and incomplete.

Darkness filled my soul and my heart.

I cried to the creator, Lord where is my helpmate,

Where is my other part?

And he said, when it is time I will reveal her to thee.

Until then do as I direct without question

And when it is ready for two to become one you will see.

And I said until then what shall I do?

You must go from this place and journey forth

He said to a place I will show to you.

And I went from that place and traveled

Until I came to my childhood home.

I though this must be it, this is the place

Now I need no more to roam.

But the creator spoke to my heart and said

This is not the place to be,

And so I traveled on

To a place across the sea.

And I knew in my heart

Now this was the place meant for me.

I would just have to wait a time for to see.

Then one day as I traveled to and fro

Exploring this new land.

I knew the time it was at hand.

I looked beside the road and my eyes

Beheld an angel there to see.

I cried to my companions we must go back

She is the one for me.

And when I came to the place, where she stood

The creator again speaking to me in my heart said he

This is also my child you see, yes, she is the one

And I knew in my heart it was so and that it was good.

I was so afraid, what should I say?

Tell me Lord this I pray.

He said only speak from your heart to her you see

Pay no heed to her words for she too

Has been hurt and is afraid you see.

And I knew in my heart it was true.

Both of you are my children he said

And I say to you she is the one for you.

You will learn from each other

And teach one another.

You will truly be as one, no longer alone

But together now.

And it was so, whatever she said I knew

What was in her heart

And I spoke to her from my own heart

We were together now and would never part.

For many years we went through

Trials and troubles but always together not apart.

We strengthened one another, taught one another

And learned from one another.

Our love made us strong and it strengthened us.

We met all challenges together

The good the bad the worst

We loved Each other as much each day

As though it was the first.

Not a single day did pass when we

Did not say to one another I love you sweetheart.

At last there came the hardest part

When she was called home to heaven without me

We cried so we did not want to part

We did not fear death only being apart.

The creator said she must come home

This is how that it must be

You must stay I have work for you to do you see.

It will be but a short time and together you will be

For what is made one by God

That will always be.

So continue on now for a while

Until your work at last is done.

Once

By

Jerry Wayne Humphrey

I used to wake each morning

Before the Sun ever began to rise

Eager to find what life had in store

That would put a twinkle in my eyes

I would stand up straight and tall

And off boldly I would ride

To whatever challenge was to come to me

I would meet boldly and with pride

Once A Soldier

By

Jerry Wayne Humphrey

Once as a soldier, I stood straight proud and tall

When my country asked me, I answered to its call

My folks were all soldiers as far back as we knew

My father was a soldier and grandpa he was too

I trained to be a soldier while others ran away

I said my life I'll give but I hope its not today

Now I am bent and old and I can’t stand as tall

When I hear the call to arms, I want to answer its call

But I stand as best I can when old glory passes by

In my heart I am still a soldier and will be until I die

I'll report proudly in and the master will say

You passed the test.

You are a new rank now so came and take a rest.

Your friends and family are waiting for you here

Your love has waited long, just to have you near.

Celebrate with us now let no one shed a tear.

Your job on earth is finished, now your home is here.

One Last Dance

By

Jerry Wayne Humphrey

Something came to me the other night

As I sat here in my chair

About how much we miss things

When they are no longer there

My dear wife is the thing I miss the most

Her smile her laugh her hair

She was so full of life you see

And saw the beauty in life everywhere

And now that she is no longer here

I don't see the beauty as much anymore

So I try harder, I take time to look for it

As she always did before

And when I find some little thing

A rock, a twig or leaf outside my door

It makes me smile for a moment and I turn to share it

As if she were there

I know she is not with me anymore but sometimes

I feel like she is here

She is sharing the beauty I have found that

She taught me to see everywhere

I promised her I would go on with life

And try to find love to share

It is so very hard but a promise is a promise

And I will continue to look

For it in all I see and hear and in every picture

Or song or even in a book

I find as I keep trying I begin to see

A little more as time goes on

I think I can make it after all even though she has gone on.

I smile and try to be outgoing and light hearted

Each and every day

And to myself I say, now what thing of beauty

Will I see today

The dark times come to me

Especially on our anniversary each year

And I allow myself that day to sit alone and shed a tear

For I miss her oh so much and wish that she were here

I would love to share one last dance with her

As we did every year

So if you come by on that day and knock

Or ring the bell or telephone

No one will answer you that day

I am here all alone

But if you listen close, you might hear

Some old music playing there inside

And if you peek in a window, you may see me

Standing alone in the gloom

My eyes closed my arms outstretched as

I slowly move around the room

I am reliving a memory of that last dance

With her while she was here.

We held each other oh so close and shed a little tear.

It is a special time for us you see,

We dance this way each year.

She Waits

By

Jerry Wayne Humphrey

She walks along the green cliffs

And waits there in a cottage by the sea

She waits there just for me

And if I am good and I can hang on here awhile

My time will come and there I will be

In that little cottage on the cliffs overlooking the sea

It is there that she waits patiently

Till then I will bide my time and do the best that I can

To be good and a decent man

My love was called home some time ago you see

And I alone must go on until at last it is my time to be free

Silence

By

Jerry Wayne Humphrey

I awoke one morning and things were so quiet and so still

As if the world and time itself had stopped

Like my clock there upon the windowsill.

I looked around and it was neither day nor night

But somewhere in between but it all seemed so right

I went outside and the silence it was there

The silence and the stillness it was everywhere

The birds were still asleep there in their nests

I could not even hear my heartbeat in my breast

The wind did not even blow to stir a leaf or blade of grass

This was a special thing and I knew it would not last

I felt no fear just peace and joy and love

I knew this gift was sent from the creator up above

Strait from heaven like the beauty of a dove

My soul drank in the beauty and it filled me to the top

It was if I was recharging and I hoped it would not stop

But I knew it would not last forever and

I knew what I must do

I must save it in a special place that’s what I would do

And when the world it got too loud

Too busy with woes and care

When it became too much I’d remember it was there

I’d just stop a minute and in my mind I would go there

To that special place with no worries and no care

There I would recharge my soul and then

Anything I could bear

No matter the pain, the heartbreak, the despair

Whatever happened to me in life always I could go there

For there my creator would restore my body and my soul

He would touch me and again I would be whole

String

By

Jerry Wayne Humphrey

A string is such a strange but valued thing

It can be used to keep quiet or make things ring

It can hold things together or keep them apart

It can signal the end of a race, or the start

It can keep a balloon from getting away

Or keep a kitten amused all the day

It can let a kite fly up high

Or bring it safely back to earth when end of day is nigh

It can stop the bleeding when you are hurt

Or bring you water when your mouth is parched

And dry as dirt

It can be short and oh so small

Or it can be huge and tall

It can be found out in the wild

Or in the hair of a small child

It can mark a page in a book

Or catch a fish in a brook

It can hold a weight bigger than a ton

Or something like a feather, whose weight is almost none

It can keep you in the darkest part of the night

Or be electrified and flood the world with its light

It can help birth a sweet baby girl

Or be the last thing she sees when

The curtain of death is unfurled

It can be a net and wait for something to catch

Or warm a bird’s nest so her eggs can hatch

It can keep a locket around your neck

And close to your heart

And remind you of someone so dear

When you are far apart

Strings, Strings, they are so simple yet so sublime

They can do most anything

They even helped me write this rhyme

They will probably even be here at the end of time

Take My Hand

By

Jerry Wayne Humphrey

Take my hand and walk with me

No matter what life has been the best is yet to be

Silver and Gold have I almost none

But all I have I give to you until my time on earth is done

My body, my mind and best of all my heart

Together we can make this journey the most important part

Take my hand and walk with me down the road of life

I would be honored to be your husband

If you will be my wife

I will love you, honor you and cherish you above all

With you by my side I will walk tall

And I'll thank the Lord above

For bringing us together in his perfect love

He took our two broken hearts and put them both together

And made one so strong it will shine

No matter what the weather

So my dear one take my hand and walk with me

The past is gone now but the best is yet to be

I want your dear face to be the first thing

I see each day so bright

And the last thing I see each and every night

So take my hand and walk with me

On our journey all through life

Let me be your loving husband and be my darling wife

The Day I Die

By

Jerry Wayne Humphrey

The day I die will be a happy day you see

For on that day they will say his soul at last is set free

While I was alive, I did so strive down here to do my best

Now that my time is done I just have to run,

I really need a rest

I cannot stay, there is no time to play, really, I must go

I did my best to pass the test while I was there below

To those I leave behind just keep in mind

Someday you must go

Hold on to love and you may go above

If not you may go below

Life is strife it flips and flops

But where it stops you don’t know

Always be ready, hold steady to that which you must do

Just do your best to pass your test until

At last your time is through

If you’re good and try to do as you should

The boss will set you free

Then you will rise and take your prize here with me

Don’t waste time with what you leave behind

With you it can’t go

But strive to keep alive all the love and goodness

That you know

The Old Dead Tree

By

Jerry Wayne Humphrey

There is an old dead tree

Down the street here from me

Once its limbs were many

Now it doesn’t have any

Only the trunk remains there standing high

Like a mighty cannon pointed at the sky

Its life is over, no longer does it grow

What happened to cause this I do not know?

Its limbs used to reach the sky

And spread out over all that grew nearby

Squirrels ran up and down

And buried nuts underneath its ground

Birds made nests and sang their song

And played happily in it all day long

In the fall its leaves would die

And cover the ground like the stars in the sky

It would sleep there standing tall

All the days of winter until at last spring would call

Then once again, it would wake

And begin again its many leaves to make

Till it would once again be lush and tall

And all its friends would come to call

It was so beautiful and grand this one

What tragedy struck it that now its time in done?

Still it stands there strait if not so tall

And refuses to at last just fall

It is such a stubborn thing this old dead tree

Yet it may somehow live again so

For now I will just let it be

I guess it reminds me of someone

Who was just like that old tree

Someone I knew well, someone just like me

So we both stand here now as stubborn as can be

Myself and that old dead tree

Things Gone By

By

Jerry Wayne Humphrey

In the stillness of the early morning

They come to me without warning

They kidnap my mind and emotions showing no sympathy

The weapons used are taken from my own memory

Those things from times gone by

They are with me once again and I do not know why

They aren’t things that would make me

Laugh or even smile

They are the dark ones that make me sad

And make cry a while

Those things we wish we had said or done

Those opportunities that I missed

Now I see them every one

The times I wasted being mad

I could have spent being glad

I could have said this or I could have done that

Instead, I said nothing; all I did was be angry

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