Mr. One-derful

Our first grandson's first Birthday is 12/30/2017.  This poem was written when he was only six months old.  My, how time flies!

The Boy I Love

With eyes as blue as the sky above,
This describes the boy I love,
Peach fuzz hair you can feel, but can't see,
A cottontop child is soon to be,
His skin is smooth and porcelain white,
And when he sleeps, it's a peaceful night,
His smile is as bright as the Northern Star,
With no teeth, only gums, at least thus far,
His laugh is contagious, baby giggles,
And we often call him Mr. Wiggles,
Changing his diaper can be quite a task,
Not only does he move, but he is fast!
In no time at all, we know he'll be running,
He already stands in his crib, which is stunning,
At six months old, he is learning each day,
He will grow into a nice young man, I pray,
With eyes as blue as the sky above,
This describes the boy I love!

Tammy Harvey
written:  July 16,2017

Shake it but don't Break it

Snow Globe
As a child I was fascinated with a simple toy,
It was a liquid-filled plastic dome for a girl or boy,
It usually had a tiny winter scene that seemed to come alive,
But if you dropped it on the floor, it hardly could survive,
At Christmas time it sat there on my Memaw’s tabletop,
I wanted to pick it up, but I didn’t want it to drop,
Carefully I took it in my hands and gave it one swift shake,
I knew from past experience, that was all it would take,
For the peaceful winter scene to become a swirl of snow,
That looked like a real-life snowstorm falling on the village below,
The snow globe had a magic that thrilled me and made me smile,
Then carefully I put it down and waited a little while,
As you know the peaceful scene returned with fallen snow,
That is when I was tempted to give it another go,
A simple toy, a fascination, a magical time of year,
The snow globe to this day still gives me Christmas cheer!

Tammy Harvey
Written: 11/17/2017

Christmas is Here

Christmas Ornaments

Christmas ornaments, large and small, fragile or unbreakable,

The happiness that ornaments bring is truly unmistakable,

 There are traditional glass balls, in shiny green and red,

Crocheted angels, gingerbread men, or silver tinsel instead,

Tiny elves, rocking horses, snowmen and Santas too,

Each one has a special meaning to me and probably do for you,

The ones our kids made in school, we all remember well,

Each one has a story, that only it can tell,

Nativity ones are precious and certain ones we collect more,

I have a couple of favorite ones that weren’t purchased at the store,

Snowflakes, reindeer, candy canes, the choices are really endless,

Each year we unbox them once again, the effort can be tremendous,

But it is worth all the fuss when the tree is all decked out,

The joy it brings to each of us is what Christmas is about,

The twinkling lights, a stunning sight, I can hear the angels sing,

Peace on earth, goodwill to men and the birth of a newborn King!

Tammy Harvey

Written:  11/17/2017

Look but don't Touch

The Dichotomy of a Rose
Soft and tender, a beautiful sight, the rose in bloom,
With a smell as fragrant as a luxurious perfume,
Slowly opening, petal by petal, to reveal the center,
A stark contrast to the snow-covered pansy in winter,
The rose is a symbol of love divine,
In a bud vase on the table with a bottle of wine,
The rose is a lovely sight to behold,
But not exactly a fine stem to hold,
Thorns are sharp cutters like an unfriendly dog bite,
They can draw blood from unsuspecting admirers, just to spite,
The rose while conveying an elegant first glance,
Has a weapon hidden beneath, like a jouster’s lance,
It’s a dichotomy of sorts, like many a deceitful explosive,
On the exterior a rose, but with an ulterior motive,
Beware the appearance of the innocent rose,
It is awesome to look at but this I propose,
Handle with care, looks can be misleading,
Like a handsome suitor who could leave your heart bleeding,
The dichotomy of a rose, a juxtaposition of grand design,
Soft and beautiful, yet sharp and bold, carefully I opine.

Tammy Harvey
Written: 10/28/2017

 
"We can complain because rose bushes have thorns or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses."-Abraham Lincoln

Breast Cancer Awareness

A best friend of mine had surgery for breast cancer on Sept 12.
It was a very long day and inspired this poem:

Wait

Hurry up and wait, and wait, then wait some more,
That is what the hospital waiting room is for,
Arriving incredibly early and staying extremely late,
Surgery is happening while we anxiously await,
Eagerly anticipating when the next time will be,
An update on our loved one, but we must wait and see,
The wait to us seems excruciatingly long,
We hope and pray that nothing is seriously wrong,
Many hours have passed since we saw her last,
Time stands still, when we want it to go fast,
Finally, a surgeon comes through the side door,
And gives us the news that we’ve been waiting for,
He tells us all is fine and surgery was successful,
We sigh with relief because we are very thankful,
The wait is not over, there is a recovery room stay,
We sit down once more; it has been a long day,
It’s been a long day, but the wait is nearly over,
When our loved one is moved to her room to recover,
Doctor’s orders are to rest to promote healing,
It’s hard for her to rest when so much pain she is feeling,
We wish we could take all of her pain away,
But we can’t, so we simply have to bow our head and pray,
Patience and prayer are a winning combination,
But to do it takes a disciplined determination.

Tammy Harvey
Written: 9/12/2017

Shhhhh! It's a Secret.

Secret Santa

In the office, it is so fun to play,
A childish game, some might say,
But oh, the joy you bring to another,
When surprise gifts are delivered under cover,
Throw all the names in a hat,
Draw one out, just like that,
You may know the person well, or not,
It does not matter what name you got,
Sneak around the corner when no one is there,
Leave a gift to show he/she you care,
It does not have to cost a lot,
Drop it in a strategic spot,
They won't know who you are,
You can watch them from afar,
Opening the gift, they gently smile,
Feeling loved for a little while,
Then at last there's the reveal,
Everyone laughs over a delicious meal,
A Secret Santa is fun to be,
Play it sometime and you will see!

Tammy Harvey
written:  December 26, 2016

Unlocked

The Skeleton Key

I remember well the key that unlocked my Mam-maw’s shed door,

It hung by a string, just out of my reach, on a nail at the backdoor,

It had a peculiar shape, yet simple and heavy in my hand,

If I successfully unlocked the door myself, oh I would feel so grand,

My cousin and my sister hoped I would miserably fail,

Like when we raced to the mailbox to see who could get the mail,

In the extreme heat of summer, the doorknob would almost burn,

And If I did not open it soon, they would get a turn,

I carefully aimed the key toward the oddly-shaped keyhole,

I wanted to show them I could do it, that was my ultimate goal,

I twisted the knob impatiently, I’m sure you understand,

The smooth doorknob was hard to turn with such a small-sized hand,

Suddenly, the door swung open, and I gave a little shout,

I knew that I could do it; I didn’t have a doubt,

I soon found out the key I used has a name unusual to me,

Strangely enough, it is fondly called a Victorian “skeleton key”.

Tammy Harvey Written:  11/9/2017

Have a Blessed Day

I have a neighbor that always ends her conversation with me by saying "Have a Blessed Day".  It is on her voicemail message as well.  It warms my heart every time to hear her say that to me.

Get Well Soon

Get well soon is a common phrase,

People say it so often; it’s such a cliché,

There are get well cards, balloons and flowers,

But this blasé oratory has no powers,

God Bless You; I’m praying for you; Have a blessed day,

These are the sentiments I’d like to convey,

May you feel better; May you grow stronger,

I don’t want you to be sick any longer,

For does anyone have the ability to get well soon,

Just because it is written on a card or balloon?

It doesn’t sound sincere; like “how are you?”,

“Fine, how are you?” just won’t do!

If you are sick, or tired, or hurt, or sad,

You still say “fine”, even when you are feeling bad,

I know it is just a rhetorical question we say,

But I would like to change that, if I may,

I wish you well, have a wonderful afternoon,

Good morning, Good evening, I’ll see you soon,

A sincerer greeting is what I have in mind,

Not a rote response, but an attempt to be kind.

Tammy Harvey

Written: 11/4/2017

Believe in Miracles

Beyond Words
Sometimes saying nothing at all is best,
Holding your tongue is the ultimate test,
Keeping it to yourself when you want to scream,
Knowing it is real when it feels like a dream,
Not a dream, a nightmare, very surreal,
When you don’t have words to say how you really feel,
If you just keep quiet and listen politely,
Two ears and one mouth, you are twice as likely,
To gain a perspective that you’ve never had before,
Like closing a window, but opening a door,
Life has its challenges and heartaches and tears,
It has its surprises and disappointments and fears,
When life deals you a hand that you don’t want to play,
Then you take life and live it day by day,
It is beyond words, as they are stuck in your throat,
It is now you will see if you sink or you float,
You grab hold of a hope and you don’t let it go,
You believe in miracles and look for the rainbow,
You grow stronger and wiser, your faith is sufficient,
God’s will be done, He is omniscient!


Tammy Harvey

Written: 11/4/2017

Naptime

Since my husband's illness, he has needed to nap more and rest during the day.  My children have always accused me of being a narcoleptic because I fall asleep so fast!

A Few Zzz’s

Nodding, nodding, dozing, nap,

I feel so sleepy, let me recap,

My eyes are heavy, won’t stay open,

A short power nap is what I’m hopin’,

Nodding, nodding, dozing, nap,

My hands are resting in my lap,

My head is titled to the side,

I won’t’ fight; I’ll swallow my pride,

A few zzz’s never hurt anyone,

A short siesta sounds like fun,

Nodding, nodding, dozing, sleep,

The sandman is a persistent creep,

A little rest, then awake again,

Refreshed anew, is that a sin?

A power nap is all I needed,

The naptime limit was not exceeded.

Tammy Harvey

Written:  10/29/2017

THANK YOU

With the announcement I just made in a previous post, I am following up with a poem I wrote to thank everyone who is praying and caring for us at this time.

You are Much Appreciated

Thank you, Thank you, to all of you,
We were in need, and you helped us through,
We had worries and you offered prayers,
It lifted our spirits to know each one cares,
We had food delivered to us in abundance,
We were showered with blessings without reluctance,
We are so appreciative for your support,
We were so shocked when we got the report,
We extend our gratitude for your loving kindness,
We feel overwhelmingly uplifted in our crisis,
We have the support of our faith, family and friends,
We will be much stronger when this nightmare ends,
We have hope, and mostly, we have God’s grace,
We can face what we must face,
God is with us, and He has perfect timing,
His will be done, now I’ll stop rhyming!
Tammy Harvey 

 Written: 10/02/2017

An Attitude of Gratitude

Thanksgiving is an attitude of gratitude for the multitude we have!

Hectic Holidays
Commercialism really ruins the mood,
When it should be about family, friends and food,
Gathering together for a big feast on Thanksgiving Day,
Is all about taking a break and just enjoying the stay,
It should be a time of leisure and reflection,
Not a hassle or stressful day of gift collection,
It has been overshadowed by early bird Black Friday sales,
Countdowns to Christmas and abundant ads in the mail,
Joyfully prepare a nice meal for the family to devour,
Turkey & stuffing… they’ll be asleep in an hour,
Then sit back and relax, talk and share time and laughter,
Time is a gift that you will cherish long after,
The hustle and bustle of Thanksgiving soon turns into Christmas,
Christmas is a birthday celebration, most people miss this,
The meaning of the holidays gets pushed right out of the way,
Because the focus is on buying, wrapping, baking and Santa in his sleigh,
Don’t get me wrong, the sentiment is nice,
We can buy each other gifts, but take my advice,
Don’t let the stress of getting it done,
Overtake the delight and celebration of the Holy One.

Tammy Harvey
Written: 11/11/2017
Happy Thanksgiving to All!

Yes, we can!

This poem was written exactly one month after my husband was diagnosed with a glioblastoma brain tumor. He currently has had a successful brain surgery to remove the tumor and now is having chemotherapy and radiation. Prayers appreciated.

We Can Do All Things
Is this really happening, or is this a bad dream?
Could it be we have become part of a mind-blowing scheme?
It is hard to digest, everything now is new,
The information is mounting, the options are few,
The treatment is hopeful, a trial like none other,
It will be hard, but we will be there for one another,
We won’t give up, we never will,
But we don’t like seeing our loved one ill,
A positive attitude will get us quite far,
We won’t be wishing on a falling star,
We will be relying on our faith which is upliftingly strong,
With God’s help the battle we wage won’t be wrong,
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”,
This is our mantra, this is our plea,
Day by day, and step by step,
We can do all things with God’s help!

Tammy Harvey
Written: 10/24/2017

My Happy Place

The Forest

Branches and twigs,

Persimmons and figs,

Pinecones and sweetgum balls,

Bright green ivy climbs earthen walls,

Moss grows on the dampened ground,

Forest sounds are all around,

Leaves crunch beneath my feet,

I stop and make a rock my seat,

On a hike through the thick and silent pines,

The tree trunks are covered in clinging vines,

The needles blanket the forest floor,

The smell is something I adore,

The earth smells fresh, the air is clear,

Warms my soul with nature so near,

The delicate fern is growing alongside,

The hollowed logs where chipmunks hide,

I could sit and pass the hours away,

But I must go, I cannot stay,

I will remember this place in my mind’s eye,

And when I do, I will take a cleansing sigh,

For nothing compares to an outdoor space,

When I want to go to my happy place!

Tammy Harvey

Written:  10/28/2017

A trip to "Mars"

My husband and I found the Red Rock Canyon on our trip to Las Vegas in September of 2015.  It was such a pleasant surprise!

Red Rock Canyon

Leave the bright lights and gambling excitement of LasVegas strip,

Take a ride, not far out of the city, it’ll be worth the trip,

To the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area,

It looks like you’ve landed on Mars, so don’t let it scare ya,

In the desert of Nevada, scenic Red rock formations,

At 3000 feet tall, one of God’s finest creations,

Majestic, awe-inspiring, it will take your breath away,

Forget the blackjack in Vegas, it’s here you will stay,

With the sun beating down, in the dry desert heat,

 And stunning red layered rocks beneath your feet,

And white clouds dotting the rich blue sky,

You will gaze into the distance and ask yourself why,

Why didn’t I come here before, who knew?

Las Vegas has a well-hidden secret known to few?

The lights and action in Vegas are entertaining, that’s right,

But a trip to the likes of Mars is an amazing sight!!

Tammy Harvey

Written:  10/29/2017

The Lady is a Sunflower

This poem compares the attributes of a sunflower to that of a lady. They share beauty, strength, maturity and a sense of self confidence.


The Lady
A bonnet of bright yellow petals frames her round face,
The face of an African lady, full of grace,
Like a broom handle, standing tall and slender,
With sleeves of green broad leaves, delicate and tender,
Always facing toward the sun, she is without chagrin,
She doesn’t break but gently bends against the subtle wind,
The lady is a sunflower, vibrant and strong,
Planted in the field, growing all season long,
Ready for the harvest, mature and beautiful,
Sunflower lady’s gift of giving is undisputable,
She lifts her head up to the sky,
Her self-confidence is soaring high,
She has within her majestic power,
She is the ordinary, yet mighty Sunflower!

Tammy Harvey
Written: 10/15/2017

We Rise Above

It is not too often that I am moved to respond to current events.  I do have, however, a real love of history and its significance in shaping the future.  I felt inclined to express my opinion on the destruction of historical monuments/statues that has recently become a topic of protest.

Historical Significance

History by definition is the study of the past,

Without history, how could our memories last?

Good or bad, evil or not,

Our history sometimes is all we’ve got,

To learn from past mistakes and then to grow,

To let our younger generations know,

That what we did or did not do,

Can be repeated if we don’t start anew,

Don’t take away the statues that depict our pain,

We don’t celebrate the faults, but recognize the gain,

The past can’t be changed, but the future can be transformed,

It is what it is, it has shaped this country, so be forewarned,

There is no “safe zone” to which we should retreat,

We must be proud to recognize our history, in victory and defeat,

All is not perfect and intolerance is intolerable,

The world is one and not one is deplorable,

Acceptance and remembrance make for a bright future,

We can stitch up old wounds with a finely placed suture,

Regrets, yes true, but again we rise above,

When we treat our flag with respect and our country with love.

Tammy Harvey

Written:  9/30/2017

Try them, try them

This poem is for all the children that dared to try green eggs and ham at preschool with me!

Green Eggs & Ham

Have you ever ventured into storyland?

And grasp an idea, hatched a plan?

Tried something new without hesitation?

Something you thought was pure imagination?

Well, I have, with preschoolers I once taught,

We read Dr. Seuss and then we thought…,

Do WE like green eggs and ham?

Or are we much like Sam I am?

Try them, try them, yes, we must,

Try green eggs & ham or bust!

I scrambled eggs and cut up ham,

Added the green color, just like Sam’s,

I offered up the opportunity of the day,

Try them, try them and you may,

Like green eggs and ham, I say,

While many preschoolers ate with trust,

Others only looked away in pure disgust,

They would not even try a single bite,

They were not happy with the sight,

Green food is not usually a popular choice,

For 4-year olds, when given a voice,

How about you? Yes or No?  Maybe so?

If you try them, then you will know!

You might really like green eggs and ham,

You may just be like Sam I am!

Tammy Harvey

Written:  9/20/2017

It's all for Fun

Jack-0-Lantern

Every October, without a doubt,

We buy a pumpkin and scoop it out,

Carve some eyes, a nose, a toothy grin,

Then light a candle and place it within,

A jack-0-lantern we have made,

It is not scary, don’t be afraid,

It’s a fall tradition, it’s all for fun,

We search carefully and pick just “the one”,

Round and plump or oval and tall,

The face is hiding in the pumpkin wall,

The pumpkin stem makes a nice lid topper,

Then elbow-deep to clean it is a real eye-popper,

The seedy “guts” are stringy and slimy, mushy too,

It’s my favorite part though, how about you?

With knife in hand, Ted works his hardest,

To make a creative design; he’s quite an artist,

But the old triangular eyes and nose,

And the square toothed smile, is best, I suppose,

It is a simple tradition, but a memorable sight,

Once a year, a jack-0-lantern brings us delight!

Tammy Harvey

Written:  9/20/2017

Good Answer

Working with 4 yr-olds is both a privilege and a challenge.  I learned so much from them during my days as a YMCA preschool teacher.

Why Choose?

I taught preschoolers for 13 years,

I heard a lot of laughter and I saw so many tears,

If you ask a 4-year-old, what color is your favorite?

You might get “rainbow”, a cute response, I’ll admit,

Rainbow, good answer, I always would say,

Why choose just a single color, anyway?

Some children cry if given a color they dislike,

Whether it be a cupcake, a crayon or an outdoor trike,

I say: “You get what you get’,

“And you don’t pitch a fit”,

They look at me with wide eyes and then I realize,

“Rainbow” is great, it always satisfies,

Choose a rainbow, the colors are so many,

Make all of them your favorite, there certainly are plenty,

For at the end of the rainbow is a theoretical pot of gold,

So, don’t limit yourself, whether you are young or getting old,

Rainbow, a good answer, I always would say,

Why choose just a single color anyway?

Tammy Harvey

Written:  9/20/2017

The Best Medicine

Laughter Rx

Laughter is the best medicine; I believe that is true!

A sense of humor looks really good on you,

Endorphins are released inside your head,

You’ll feel much better, like I said,

Laugh until you cry, tears of joy,

An oxymoron, don’t be coy,

Laugh out loud every day,

Really laugh, not just “lol” that others say,

Find some humor in your life,

Too much pain, too much strife,

Tell a joke or hear something funny,

Read comic strips or watch Bugs Bunny,

It doesn’t matter what cracks you up,

Just remember how to fill your cup,

Fill it up with lots of laughter,

So, you can live happily ever after.

Take this simple advice from me,

You’ll feel much better, wait and see,

Laughter is the best medicine; I believe that is true!

A sense of humor looks really good on you, 

Knock, knock,

Who’s there?

Roach

Roach who?

Roach you a poem but decided on a knock knock joke instead (insert laugh here)

Tammy Harvey

Written:  1/19/2017

I don't want to miss a thing

Blackberry Pickin’

Last time I wrote about this subject was in High School AP English class,

I did not get a very good grade on that paper, but at least I did pass,

I had a dreaded fragmented sentence in my assigned essay,

Which was an automatic “F” for grammar, a big price to pay,

Also, I misspelled the word “hollow”, which I’ll never forget,

It is amazing what an “F” will cause you to regret,

I remember Mrs. Whatley gave me no confidence at all,

She said I couldn’t pass the AP exam, which made me feel small,

But I showed her, and I did pass the state AP exam,

Just look at me now… I’m writing, I am!

Now back to the story I wanted to tell,

Of picking blackberries into an old tin pail,

Mamaw  L and I wore long-sleeved shirts, overalls, large-brimmed hats, in the middle of July!

I was confused by this selection, but soon found out why,

We went to the field, through the gate, past the barn and cow dung,

Down into the hollow, where loads of ripe. juicy blackberries hung,

The field was infested with prickly thistles and briars of all kind,

But it was worth the treacherous walk for the loot we would find,

Large, black berries were there just for the taking,

The vines were also thorny and a little painstaking,

But we persevered and picked until our fingers were stained blue,

The pails grew heavy and that’s when we knew,

It was time to head back to the house- climb the big hill,

We did sample the blackberries; oh, we had our fill,

The blackberries were promptly made into jam,

Which was great on a buttery biscuit with a piece of country ham,

This memory is vivid, and I was in my early teens,

I still feel the heat of July and briars stuck to my jeans,

The perspiration that rolled off my Mam-maw’s face that day,

And my Pap-Paw’s red kerchief that she used to wipe it away,

For my own grandchildren, I only hope I can make memories like this,

There are so many things I don’t want them to miss!

Tammy Harvey

Written:  September 6, 2017

Live in the Present

Retirement


Let’s retire right now and do as we please,
Let’s do no more work and live a life of ease,
Let’s take a vacation that’s long overdue,
Let’s set no alarm and sleep-in if we want to,
Let’s travel, learn to dance or horseback ride,
Let’s try something new, and swallow our pride,
Let’s learn to paint, sail, play golf, take a train,
Let’s go camping, fishing, or take a walk in the rain,
Let’s do all the things that we said we would do,
When we were young and didn’t have time to,
Let’s live a little while we still can,
We’re not getting any younger; sound like a plan?
Let’s enjoy our grandchildren and make memories,
Tomorrow is not promised; there are no guarantees.


Tammy Harvey
Written: 9/7/2017

A Tradition

Camping at Cades Cove

It has gone on for many decades, this tradition we share,

With our friends from Alabama, and other family members that go there,

It’s the annual camping trip to the Great Smokey Mountains each fall,

Always the third weekend in October; always TN vs AL in football,

Sometimes the weather is sunny, warm, and bright,

Sometimes it is literally freezing at night,

We camp in the National Park Campground,

Next to the 11- mile Cades Cove Loop we go around,

The leaves are usually at their colorful best,

The natural beauty is stunning, and our busy lives take a rest,

We pitch our tents: it is quite primitive,

Without hot water or showers, some visitors are tentative,

Near the bathrooms, of course- there’s plumbing at least,

We bring lots of food and gather together for a feast,

The wildlife is plentiful:  deer, wild turkey, and bear,

One time an overpopulation of skunk gave us a scare,

The goal is to see a Black Mama bear with her cubs,

If we are lucky, we will find them eating acorns and grubs,

The campfires we have are quite thrilling each night,

Roasting marshmallows and making smores, a camper’s delight,

As we pack up the camping stove, sleeping bags and tent,

We wonder where all the time just went,

The four-day weekend went by much too fast,

We wanted our experience to last and last,

But we will all take another trip around the sun,

Before we return there again to have more fun!

We head back home to NC with campfire smoke in our clothes,

This tradition will continue for many more decades, I suppose.

Tammy Harvey

Written:  9/5/2017

Pond Life

Frogs

From millions of tiny, clustered eggs on the pond water’s edge,

And from under the orange earthen washed-out ledge,

Come thousands of tadpole swimmers, with only a tail,

Next to the grassy bank, is a branch on which sits a snail,

The lily pads float by as do clouds in the sky,

The katydids sing and the grasshoppers fly,

The water bugs skate across the surface with ease,

The praying mantis can be found eating succulent leaves,

The pond life is active, it’s such a busy sight,

Peacefully chaotic, energetic and not at all contrite,

The turtles are sunning on the rocks near the bank,

A dragonfly is darting, his body quite lank,

Later on, the tadpoles will sprout four tiny legs,

Their tails will fall off and what once were eggs,

Now will emerge from the water and breath in fresh air,

The frogs have evolved and are willing to share,

With the other creatures in the still silent night,

As the sun sets on the pond, they croak with delight.

Tammy Harvey

Written:  9/29/2017

TMI

TMI= Too Much Information

Keep it Simple

Purposeful complication is an aggravation,

Aggravation leads to my frustration,

My frustration grows at each exaggeration,

Drama ensues, gossip abounds,

My headaches are caused by these noisy sounds,

Too much information, too fast, too tiring,

Excuse me, but my patience is expiring,

Keep it simple, Keep it real,

Grab the moment, even still,

But don’t complicate what’s already confounded,

Don’t take the situation and make it compounded,

Information-overload, rambling on and on,

Twenty-four, seven- it is never gone,

I want to crawl under the covers and hide,

While the complicated world is there outside,

My head is spinning like a top,

I feel as if my head might pop,

Lose the gossip, let the drama go,

Don’t tell me, I don’t want to know!!

Tammy Harvey

Written:  July 25, 2017

A Clean Slate

My Therapy
To date, 160 poems have been scheduled on my blog,
I’ve written about everything, from a rainstorm to a frog,
I appreciate your following my writing collection,
Mostly whimsical, sometimes serious, not nearly perfection,
But these poems have helped me clear my head,
It’s therapy to create with words instead,
No crafting, sewing or flower arranging compares,
To putting thoughts on paper in rhyming pairs,
Although some days feel blank, no words will emerge,
I sit down at the keyboard and then begin to purge,
It pours out of my fingertips, in ways I can’t explain,
Sometimes writing of joy and sometimes of pain,
It is a cleansing-type of feeling to get thoughts recorded,
Like a clean slate: cluttered-free, organized and sorted,
Like my mind is free to think some more,
My memory space has been cleared, like never before,
It is refreshing for me to sit still and write,
It’s the light in the darkness, it makes the dimness bright,
It gives my heart glee and makes my spirit awaken,
Thanks for coming along with me on this journey I have taken.
Tammy Harvey

Seasons Change

Welcome Autumn

Cool, crisp air, arrives in fall,
Sweatshirt weather, and football,
Leaves, like jewels:  red, orange, and gold,
And an assortment of pumpkins is being sold,
Acorns are falling to the earth,
Squirrels are gathering a winter's worth,
Scarecrows are scaring pesky black crows,
Corn mazes are laid out in nice clean rows,
Hayrides indicate October is near,
The season of autumn is a great time of year!

Tammy Harvey
written:  9/11/2016

Just Imagine

Junk or Treasure?

One man’s junk is another man’s treasure,

Thrown away stuff gives me much pleasure,

It’s rusty, and broken, but fascinating too,

To think about what years ago it could do,

An old manual typewriter, rusted and discarded,

In days before electronics were highly regarded,

As best of the best, it once had its day,

And, oh, if it could talk, what would it say?

Did it reside on the desk of a prominent inventor?

Did students type letters of inquiry to their mentor?

Was it used to communicate in times of war?

Was it purchased at the local general store?

So many questions, nobody has noted,

I imagine perfume-laced love letters from a sweetheart to her devoted,

Imagine what you will, no idea is wrong,

Maybe someone typed the lyrics to a new gospel song?

The old typewriter itself had a sound of its own,

Striker arms hitting bar had a distinctive tone,

A typist could not type secretly though without fear,

For anyone nearby could certainly hear,

The clicking sound of the old manual typewriter keys,

Is nostalgic and wonderfully puts me at ease,

 As best of the best, it once had its day,

And, oh, if it could talk, what would it say?

Tammy Harvey

Written:  August 31, 2017

Sinister monster

Few people's lives have not been touched by this disease.  Cancer has affected nearly everyone, either personally or by association.

Cancer

It afflicts the young, the strong, the rich, the innocent,

It does not discriminate or have any sentiment,

Cancer, it is called, I despise it, don’t you?

It is elusive, abominable, invasive, it’s true,

It strikes with a vengeance; it strikes subtlely,

With no respect or regard for our humanity,

The affliction it causes is more than enough,

The treatment is sickening; it really is tough,

Radiation, chemotherapy, experimental drugs that are new,

The patients are fighters, but survivors too few,

The time is now to cure this sinister cancer,

Our prayers are that soon we will have the answer.

Cancer, it is called, I despise it, don’t you?

The slaying of this monster is long overdue.

Tammy Harvey

Written:  February 1, 2017

You are not Alone

The Brightest Gem

His eye is on the sparrow, He watches with great care,

You may not recognize it, but He is always there,

He is your constant companion on which you can rely,

You don’t have to speak a word, He hears your every cry,

He will not leave you or forsake you, this promise He has made,

Though your faith may grow weak, and your hope may slowly fade,

He has you tucked neatly in the palm of His scarred hand,

He gives you a solid foundation on which to firmly stand,

Maybe He doesn’t shield you from all storms that arise,

But He provides the strength you need; He is very wise,

He will certainly give you more than you alone can bear,

So, you will rely on Him, be humbled and aware,

The hairs on your head are numbered, he knows you quite well,

And he has picked you up each and every time you tripped and fell,

He is not giving up on you, so don’t give up on Him,

In your treasure chest of hope, He is the brightest gem!

Tammy Harvey

Written:  August 31, 2017

The famous Hope Diamond...doesn't outshine HIM.

It's not in Nevada

Bill and Jean Coker lived next door to my Mom & Dad for as long as I can remember. 

The Cokerosa

It’s not in Nevada, it’s by the lake in TN,

A small piece of land, called the “Cokerosa”, you see,

Bill Coker has 3 sons, just like Ben Cartwright,

And he was always packing a pistol, he kept out of sight,

He was a modern-day cowboy, who loved John Wayne,

Riding his golf cart like the Duke rode his horse on the plain,

A WW II Navy veteran who survived an explosion at sea,

He cursed like a sailor, but not too offensive was he,

He always waved at me and nicknamed me “Sport”,

Jean was his wife and she had a witty retort,

She would call over to our house and predictably say:

“This is your damn neighbor, are you doing okay?”

At the hospital, she devoted many hours volunteering,

Her arthritic hands were painful, her resolve was endearing,

Our neighbors, Bill and Jean, were an unusual pair,

Hard on the exterior, but with hearts full of care,

In 2015, we lost them both as their health failed,

Both were 89, but their memories prevailed,

The land Coker called “The Cokerosa” is no longer the same,

A tour of it on his golf cart was Bill Coker’s claim to fame,

It’s not in Nevada, it’s by the lake in TN,

A small piece of land, called the “Cokerosa”, you see

Tammy Harvey

Written:  8/23/2017

Hurricane Harvey

“The Golden Rule” from Jesus’ sermon on the Mount:

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”  Matt 7:12

Hurricane Harvey

A force to be reckoned with, the mighty hurricane,

Storm surge, powerful winds, and torrential rain,

Mother Nature is enraged, so don’t get in her path,

She unleashes her energy with enormous wrath,

All the conveniences of life, she takes in just a day,

Years of material possessions are swiftly swept away,

The destruction in the aftermath is like a result of war,

But she can’t tear down the community; it’s solid to the core,

People helping people in their time of need,

Like knights in shining armor, rescuers took the lead,

Random acts of kindness, too many of them to count,

Donations, volunteers and shelters in an abundant amount,

The flooding did not stop the boats from motoring down the streets,

Transporting total strangers to a place of safe retreat,

The human heart shows compassion to others in distress,

The best gift we can give someone is our all, and nothing less,

The story of the hurricane is one of tragedy and pain,

But the story of recovery is enlightening and will remain,

A constant reminder that we all still need each other,

Everyone, stranger or not, is a sister or a brother,

Hopefully, in our time of need, someone will help us too,

The Golden Rule is applied, when we do what we ought to do.

Tammy Harvey

Written:  9/11/2017

TIMBER!!!

This poem is for Joshua who is working for the Conservation Corps and cutting many trees with a chainsaw!

To Fall a Tree

The ability to fall a tree is a unique skill,

Once credited to a lumberjack, if you will,

The chainsaw has replaced the sharpened axe,

To Paul Bunyan and Blue, those are the facts,

For starters, the chain on the saw needs attention,

A round file on each cutting edge, with precision,

Leaves a nice sharpened chain with which to cut wood,

If it’s dull, it will take much longer than it should,

The number of links gives it just the right tension,

If it’s too tight, it will need an extension,

Then the oil is necessary to lubricate the bar,

If not, the cutting will not get very far,

Gloves, steel-toed boots, & a mask for the dust,  

Hardhat and earplugs:  safety gear is a must,

Gas in the tank and the choke is engaged,

The pull cord is yanked; the engine seems enraged,

Vroom, Vroom, VROOM:  the throttle is given a test,

This is the part that is considered the best,

Carefully approaching the trunk of the tree,

Then gently kneeling onto one knee,

A wedge is cut into the side of the direction of the fall,

Then slowly a final cut is made on the back side, while standing up tall,

The cracking noise is frightening to those who don’t know,

Just how fast it will fall – just how fast it will go,

The thud that it makes when the tree hits the ground,

The sheer magnitude of the fall is like no other sound,

The operator yells out the proverbial “timber” call,

As the tree is in the middle of its incredible fall

Tammy Harvey

Written:  9/4/2017

You Get What You Need

Being Content

Being content doesn’t mean you have everything you want,
It means you are happy with what you do have, as well as what you don’t,
You don’t yearn for or covet anyone else’s situation,
You don’t need a fancy car, a new house or an extravagant vacation,
When you achieve contentment, you know you can succeed,
You may not have what you want, but you do have all you need,
The more you get the more you want; it’s a never-ending story,
But joy does not come about when there is no glory,
Material possessions brings about only a temporary thrill,
It’s a tiring treadmill walk that’s always going uphill,
Unless you achieve contentment, you will always want for more,
You can find contentment, but it won’t be at the store,
“The best things in life aren’t things”, is written on my wall,
Reminding me that what’s important isn’t at the mall!

Tammy Harvey
Written: July 27, 2017

Snail Mail

This poem was inspired by a hand-written note I received yesterday from my Aunt Ardith in Kansas. Thanks for practicing the lost art of handwriting.  You have beautiful penmanship.   It meant alot to  me.

Lost Art

Nothing is much better,

Than receiving a hand-written letter,

A personal note written just for you,

There used to be many, now they are few,

An email is nice; a text is fine,

But “snail mail” as it’s called, is a favorite of mine,

Not junk mail, advertisements or bills, you understand,

But a thoughtful, well-scripted line or two, written by hand,

My Mamaw Langston always took it quite hard,

If  no hand-written note was included in a greeting card,

She would say: “I got a card today, but without a scratch in it”,

Which to her meant the sender really didn’t mean it,

To her, it was important to add a personal touch,

To the store-bought verse, or was that asking too much?

Beautifully-formed cursive handwriting is such a lost art,

Once you learn it, it’s easy, you know it by heart,

But nowadays they don’t teach it in grammar school,

They teach students to only print the alphabet, as a rule,

They certainly teach the keyboard; I’m sure it’s required,

But you get my message: “handwriting” is desired,

There are five parts to a friendly letter, it’s true:

The heading, greeting, body, closing and signature too,

Beginning with the date at the top, spelled out fully,

The month, the day and year- you should read it clearly,

Then start with “dear”, a polite salutation,

Then the body of the letter with a sweet placation,

So next is “sincerely” or “yours truly”, when you finish your thought,

Followed, of course, by your name, which you were taught,

Next time you send someone a greeting card,

Add a personal line or two, as a kind regard

 Tammy Harvey 

  written:  September 2, 2017