Collage #35

Another year has gone by

But while having fun we hardly noticed

Each of us has grown a little bit

We plan to grow a little bit more

We stop for a moment

When the clock strikes eleven

We meant twelve

At the midnight mark

When the ball begins to drop

To shout Hurray for 2017

And wish you the very best

That the new year can bring

We hope the toys will multiply

The fun will spread

The sun will always be warm

The earth will provide

Love will heal all hurts

Challenges will be overcome

Justice will prevail

Kisses never end

Families will hold reunions

Friends will get together

We promise to be good

Even when changes happen

Have a wonderful

Absolutely wonderful New Year

Anniversary

Yesterday we celebrated

The day we said yes to each other

And made a wish upon a star

To be together always

We blew out the candle

Lit as a symbol

Of our lives intertwined

And enjoyed the chocolate sweets

Served on a tray

Presented at Harrimans

As a remembrance

Of the joyous moment

Our vows were exchanged

May we always be blessed

With love, wisdom, and strength

To last us our whole lives

As we walk together

On the path

Of marriage

Mini Reunion AP12 2016

Tụi bay về ta nhớ

Những trận cười ròn tan

Những bước chân hè phố

Những bát chè bà ba

Ôi ta như con nít

Vẫn nhí nhảnh tuổi thơ

Vẫn lăng xăng lít xít

Vẫn mi mày tớ tao

Cẩm Vân mê chụp hình

Lưu Hậu làm người mẫu

Kiều Dung trèo cây cao

Thủy Hà sợ sông sâu

Hương Trần giỏi nấu bếp

Xuân Thu chẳng thua ai

Thu Trang trổ tài ca

Thủy Nguyễn múa tài hoa

Diệm Trân nhanh nhẩu đoảng

Ông Tom kể chuyện tình

Ông Tráng rất chịu chơi

Ban nhạc thật nhộn vui

Bạn bè những lớp A

Đến họp bạn với ta

Kiều Thu lớp A Năm

Còn Mai Hương A Ba

Ông Ninh vừa tài xế

Vừa nhạc sĩ đàn hay

Lại vừa là chủ nhà

Đãi bạn vợ hào hoa

Bao nhiêu kỷ niệm vui

Trong vài ngày thiết tha

Ăn thật nhiều món ngon

Hưởng ân tình xâu xa

Hỡi bạn xưa yêu dấu

Hãy họp mặt thêm lâu

Để khi nắng chiều phai

Không còn chi tiếc nuối

Ruth

Ruth, you’re gone

From this earth

And we’ll miss you so

But the memories of you live on

Your words had been written

Your poems sung

Your touch is not to be forgotten

Your influence is felt

One mourns of your passing

And marvels at your blessings

Your life was rich

Your work was dandy

One sings the glory

Of your life fulfilled

You’d not want tears shed

For you’re now at peace

You’d want us to smile

And dance to our heart’s desire

You’d want each of us

To make a happy sound

With an instrument if we would

Or any way we could

To add to the chorus

You must be conducting

Be brave you’d tell us

There’s work to be done

Don’t dwell on sadness

But celebrate what’s fine

We bid you farewell

And heed your advice

We will think of you

Whene’er music is played

Your legacy’s alive

In the Volkert, now and always

A Cup of Ginger Tea

I was having a tummy ache. Lan told me to make myself a cup of ginger tea.

I am nursing myself with

A cup of ginger tea

It is soothing

It calms my nerves

That got wracked somehow

It’s a cup with many hearts

Each one represents

A love I feel somehow

Someone  

Across the miles

Is thinking of me

Someone

Who is far away

Has not forgotten me

Someone

Will write me a note

Or sing me a song

Someone

Will whisper my name

When darkness falls

Someone

Wants me to hold her hands

When they’re cold

I will be there

To be someone’s love

I will bring her

A cup of ginger tea

As a token

Of my love

Remembrance at Thanksgiving

We gather here, you and me

Giving thanks for the things we hold

For the love we’ve touched

And the time we’ve shared

We make memories to be remembered

When we’re together

We paint our lives with many colors

With strokes sometimes bold

Other times soft and slow

When our hearts are broken

We lean on each other

When joy brings us together

We laugh till our hearts are filled

When the moon rises

We marvel at the night

When the sun warms our earth

We treasure what’s given

When love is lost

We know it once was found

And we were the fortunate ones

Who had experienced it

At all

Solace

A reflection on Sunday 11/13/2016

I was in search of solace

Away from the jeers and cheers

I felt like being upside down

In a world that aligned with me not

I found myself deep in the woods

Where only a few mortals care to trod

In the clean air I felt God

Granting me the calm I sought

With my camera I captured colors

Of orange, yellow, red, and green

Which glowed under the autumn sunray

Where the cool air warmed and dispelled distress

I took tea from the Drink Me cup

A souvenir from a magic time

It served well in mending my heart

I felt better amid the confusing time

Today’s sermon was of planting a tree

When one feels the end of the world is coming near

For hope is eternal, faith is clear

God’s grace will keep you safe from fear