Happy Zzzz Year 2017

Happy New Year!

In Time Square, the ball is dropping,

Four-3-2-1, there is no stopping,

It’s a new year, 2017,

Time has flown, if you know what I mean,

So many parties to bring it in,

So many resolutions to be thin,

So many couples kiss at midnight,

So many toasts for a future that’s bright,

Celebrate New Year’s Eve if you dare,

I am usually asleep sitting up in my chair,

I try and try to stay awake,

But I cannot, for goodness sake!

No toast, no kiss, no resolve for me,

I am snoring when the countdown hits three,

Why can I never see the new year in?

Because I am watching the back of my eyelids then.

Zzzzz...

Tammy Harvey

Written:  11/20/2016

Reflection

It is the end of another year. I have had my blog now for the last six months and have posted 75 poems to date. It has been a joy to share my poems with everyone who will take the time to read them. I look forward to another year of blogging my rhyming thoughts. In reflection, I am posting the follow poem written near the inception of this idea of me writing poetry.

My Poetry

Recently, I have had the urge,
To put my thoughts down into words,
Words come pouring out of me,
Like leaves are falling from a tree,
I don’t know what the reasons are,
That makes me rhyme the words thus far,
Maybe it is the season in life,
Words are sharp; they can cut like a knife,
Words can be fun and silly or rude,
It all depends on your attitude,
So why have a taken to writing out prose?
I don’t know if anyone else really knows,
I think that my poetry helps me to ponder,
The things in life that are so full of wonder - Tammy Harvey 6/28/14

Merry Christmas 2016!

This poem is reminiscent of a Christmas play I participated in when in the first or second grade.  Each student was assigned a letter in the word Christmas and given a rhyme to recite....I had the letter "A".  I remember it like it was yesterday.

The last two lines of this acrostic poem below are taken from my speech memorized and forever indelibly imprinted in my memory.  This was my part: circa 1967

A- A is for angel, who dazzled the sight,

of shepherds who watched in the cold of the night,

An angel with tidings of peace and good will,

on a night that was holy, wondrous and still.

Acrostic Christmas

C- Carolers singing “Silent Night”

H- Houses draped in twinkling lights

R- Resting by the crackling fire

I- Iced sugar cookies and winter attire

S- Sleigh rides in the fresh fallen snow

T- The smell of steaming hot cocoa

M- Mary and Joseph in the nativity dwell

       All is quiet, all is well,

A- Advent season:  peace, joy and love,

S- Savior Jesus was sent down from above.

Christmas spells out the birth of a son,

He came to earth to save everyone,

Led by an Angel, shepherds followed the star,

While Orient kings traveled from afar,

An Angel with tidings of peace and good will,

On a night that was holy, wondrous and still.

Tammy Harvey

Written:  12/01/2016

A Family Gathering

Christmas Dinner

There’s turkey and gravy, mashed potatoes and rolls,

Napkins, forks, plates, and there’s plenty of bowls,

The oven and stove have been busy since morn,

“Don’t touch now, it’s hot”, my Mam-maw did warn,

The smell of good food has spread through the house,

The living room is crowded: cousins, aunts and their spouse,

It’s standing room only; the card table’s in place,

It’s getting closer to time for the saying of grace,

The Macy’s parade has been marching along,

Conversation about bowl games, who’s right and who’s wrong,

Then from the kitchen we hear mam-maw say:

“Everyone be quiet, it’s time now to pray”,

 “Come on in, ‘cause we’re ready to eat”,

“All of you men, get here, take a seat”,

The first table is reserved strictly for men;

In mam-maw’s house, that’s how it’s always been,

The woman eat next, sitting down with a sigh,

Children have their own table in the bedroom nearby,

Deviled eggs, dumplings, macaroni and cheese,

Green beans, field peas, cornbread, please,

Sweet tea, lemonade, pies and stack cake,

The choices are many, which one to take?

 When everyone’s full and dessert has been served,

It’s time to rest and relax, which is well-deserved,

All is not over; there are dishes to clean,

Automatic dishwashers were not on the scene,

We all work together at this time of year,

One sink is soapy water, while the other is clear,

One aunt will wash, one will rinse, and a few will dry,

One aunt will read the comic strips, so the children won’t cry,

Another Christmas dinner has come and gone,

But the joyful memories live on and on.

Tammy Harvey  

written:  2/23/2016

Norman Rockwell is my favorite artist and this painting was is called "Freedom from Want".

Joy to the World

Reason for the Season

Decorate the yard! Deck the halls!

Put Christmas cards upon your walls!

Hang the tinsel on the tree!

It’s Christmas time, don’t you see?

Jingle bells and twinkling lights,

Christmas smells, sounds and sights!

Shop and bake, then shop some more,

Too many people in the store!

Hustle, bustle, in a hurry,

Christmas is near, but don't you worry,

Will you stop just long enough,

To ponder why there’s all the fuss?

A child was born in Bethlehem,

The angels watched closely over him,

Wise men came from far away,

To honor him on Christmas day,

Shepherds left their fields at night,

To follow the star that shone so bright,

Relax, be joyful, worship and sing,

The newborn was the King of Kings,

Forget the stress of Christmas past,

And celebrate the One who holds you fast,

Good tidings and great joy to all,

It’s not so much about the mall!

Tammy Harvey

Written:  11/20/2016

Motivation

Don't forget to step out of your comfort zone to achieve the goals you really want and  fulfill your dreams.   Reach for the stars!

Can it be?

Can it be that I am slowly growing old?

Can it be that I was never bold?

Can it be that I am no longer needed?

Were there warnings I should have heeded?

Can it be that my life is slipping away?

Wasn’t there more I wanted to say?

Looking back, will it be said?

She had good intentions in her head?

She made plans but never achieved them,

She had goals but never reached them,

She wanted much more from life,

She could have been a better wife,

She could have been a better mother,

A better sister, like none other,

Will it be said she had her chance,

But did not learn to paint, or dance?

To step out of her comfort zone,

To have adventures of her very own,

To keep her many dreams alive,

Or did she just live to survive?

Tammy Harvey  

Written:  7/21/14

Yes, No, maybe so

This is how I feel about Christmas shopping...what do I buy for gifts?

Indecision

Yes, no,

Maybe so,

Indecision, I don’t know,

Too many options, too many choices,

Too many distractions, too many voices,

Which one?   What kind?

I’m about to lose my mind,

If in doubt, leave it out,

I am about to scream and shout!

Yes, no,

Maybe so,

Indecision, I don’t know,

I can’t seem to make my mind up,

Now my head is about to erupt,

Clear the fog that blinds my judgement,

Overwhelming panic, in this moment,

Indecision is a curse!

It really, really is the worst!

Or is it so? I can’t decide,

I just want to run and hide,

Yes, no,

Maybe so,

Indecision, I don’t know!

Tammy Harvey

Written:  9/23/2016

Never ending wishes

As holiday season is upon us and with company arriving, we all feel the need to get the housework done.  Don't we all wish we had Rosie from the Jetsons working for us?! Or Alice from the Brady Bunch? Or Hazel?

Housework

I know housework is necessary,
But the thought of it makes me weary,
To vacuum, dust, and do the dishes,
Makes me wish I had more wishes,
I'd wish dust collectors didn't collect dust,
And clutter that didn't clutter would be a must!
I'd wish the cobwebs to go away,
I'd wish away laundry to another day,
I'd wish the windows, oven and counter to be clean,
And the microwave and bathrooms to be pristine,
I'd wish for world peace and for cancer, a cure,
And for clean toilets, mirrors, and floors for sure,
Add sinks, bed sheets, chair railings and then,
I'd stop and wish it all over again,
I know housework is necessary,
But the thought of it makes me weary!

Tammy Harvey
written:  10/2/2016

My Inheritence

The Good Book

Mam-maw’s Bible is really worn,

Many of the pages are tattered or torn,

The binding is loose and the parchment is thin,

There are notes in her handwriting scribbled within,

Yellowed tape covers the spine of this book she treasured,

And the words “Holy Bible” are almost gone off the leather,

Her book of wisdom has traveled unimaginable miles,

From home to church and back again, bringing with it her smiles,

And for someone who never drove a car,

Getting to church every week was her priority, by far,

Twice every Sunday, then on Wednesdays she went,

In her lifetime, she read and reread all the fine print,

Every chapter and verse, old testament and new,

The knowledge she gleaned was essential and true,

Faith in the gospel and a dedication to His service,

Made Mam-maw bold, brave and not at all nervous,

It is the King James version she knew and held dear,

Especially the red words of Jesus, who calmed all her fear,

She played the piano in the pulpit at church every week,

And she would tell you what she thought, never mild nor meek,

In the front of her Bible she wrote eventful dates,

Her children’s birthdays and anniversaries were her keepsakes,

She lived a fruitful life of almost 98 years old,

I was fortunate to inherit her Bible, more precious to me than gold.

Tammy Harvey

Written:  November 14 ,2016

Out my window

This poem is dedicated to a good friend of mine, Candy, who loves snowmen year round!
Her collection stays on display all year.  She says they are frozen smiles! :)

A Winter’s Day

Snow covered every blade of grass, every branch and every path,

It was like white frosting on a cake or the bubbles in a bath,

The snow was smooth and undisturbed like a freshly made bed,

A woodpecker stood out brightly with its head of pure red,

One dot of color in the landscape of white,

Wonder of wonders, what a beautiful sight,

In a warm sweater with hot cocoa, I snuggled up in a chair,

The sound of children’s laughter I heard from out there,

I gazed out my window, and it was then that I knew,

A snowman was needed to complete the winter view,

With mittens on their hands and boots on their feet,

I watched them crush the snow as they ran down the street,

They rolled a big snowball, then two and then three,

Watching how they managed to stack them was a treat to see,

Then one child found rocks that they used for the eyes,

And another lent their hat for the perfect disguise,

Small branches were placed on the sides for each arm,

And a carrot for the nose added a delightful charm,

The mouth was made of berries from a bush nearby,

And as it was completed I breathed out a big sigh,

Enjoying the sights and sounds of a winter day,

When the earth provided children a chance to play

Tammy Harvey    Written:  November 12, 2016

Looking out my front window, I have witnessed many children enjoying their day off from school while playing in the fresh fallen snow.