The vigil I keep
When I cannot sleep
Is sad.
The harvest I reap,
The tears that I weep,
So mad!
And yet in they seep,
Ideas so deep!
I’m glad!
—
This is a Lai for
dVerse.
The first few I wrote had an awkward rhythm. I was about to pass on this form, but glad I kept trying!
My life is in your gentle hands.
You offer me the best you can.
In understanding pure and sweet,
You hold my heart in love so deep
And give my mind a place to land.
I’ve been a pawn in people’s plans
And don’t know how much I can stand.
But when I’m in distress I meet
Your gentle hands.
I’ve taken tolls, blows and demands
On borrowed time and shifting sands.
I asked the Lord if I could be
Secure and peaceful, loved and free.
His answer came in you, a man
With gentle hands.
—
This poem is a
Rondeau.
Partially inspired by a modified version of
this poem,
which was read at our wedding ceremony.
by Frederick Douglass Grimes, III
So many colors In the rainbow!
Countless combinations of shades!
Springtime flowers blossom ever so beautiful
The green grass
The trees standing tall
Nature waking up after Winter’s unwelcome visit.
Love has a color all Its own.
Two people meet
And fall so deeply in love
That color is certainly the last thing on their minds.
All they know is true love when they feel it.
Their journey of love takes them many miles and back.
Finally, that blessed day arrives
When they become man and wife,
Starting a brand new life together.
The Light from the Lord is all we need to survive.
Springtime is certainly the most beautiful time of the year.
No sight is needed
To feel the beauty of life, love, and the Lord
And know His colors of Spring!
–The Blind Poet, Freddy G.
Is my feminist t-shirt hung out to dry?
Permanently?
And does it matter?
Do protests and independence a feminist make?
And do I forfeit my own,
Because I have a husband who cares?
My feminist t-shirt
Is old and tattered, but it would be,
As it goes back to when I was just 5 years old…
“If a man can’t fold his own clothes,
He better stay with his mommy!”
Out of the mouths of babes!
Throughout my childhood,
And later too,
Dresses and skirts were the bane of my existence.
My mother said, “Jeans aren’t lady-like.”
My mind asked,
“Who said I was a lady?”
I went to my Junior Prom,
Not with a date,
But with my kind-hearted brother-in-law.
We had fun (not dancing),
Drinking coffee
And eating cheesecake.
I never dated,
But managed to get married. What?
And have a child.
Still independent,
I took care of the finances,
And any overdrafts were mine, not his.
Fast forward…
Divorce was the right move
For my spirit that would not be boxed in.
Yes, I paid that bill too.
But not even my feminist t-shirt
Could assuage my guilt.
I played a part,
But was it all my fault?
Did it matter?
Fast forward 4 years,
When I met a man
Who admired my feminist t-shirt!
Two years later, we married,
Deeply in love
And traveling through life together.
“What’s mine is yours,” he says.
I get the bills paid,
But the money comes in his name.
I ask for what I want;
He gives what he can and never turns me down.
But still I wonder…
Is my feminist t-shirt hung out to dry?
Permanently?
And does it matter?
Do protests and independence a feminist make?
And do I forfeit my own,
Because I have a husband who cares?
by Frederick Douglass Grimes, III
Two ships lost in the night,
Two Doves flittering in flight.
Love is their destiny, to be intertwined,
For you see, they both are blind.
They gain strength from each other and most certainly from above,
Two kindred souls so deeply in love.
With the Power from the Almighty as their main Source,
no matter what life’s ups and downs,
They must keep a steady course.
With a positive attitude and tons of gratitude
To the Lord and Savior because it could have been much worse.
Some might think that their life sometimes gets rough,
But that’s one of life’s lessons that keeps them tough.
They have each other’s shoulders to lean on when things get tight,
And the Light from the Lord will always be their sight.
God bless always!
–The Blind Poet, Freddy G.
I asked my husband for dark chocolate eggs.
Milk chocolate speckled? Not a substitute.
The grocery store is out of what I love…
So few can understand dark chocolate love!
Not coconut or cream for Easter eggs.
My taste buds and my heart won’t substitute.
Though as a child, I took the substitute,
I won’t deny the treats I truly love.
Of all things out of stock, why now these eggs?
Yet Easter eggs can’t substitute for love!
—
This poem is another
Tritina
and very true. 🙂
This is just a small part of our love story, told as only Freddy can tell it. ❤ –C. G.
by Frederick Douglass Grimes, III
Love is blind,
But they don’t mind.
They take a chance,
Hope to get at least one dance.
She plans a trip;
He nearly flips!
They meet,
They greet.
She blows his mind,
Never in his lifetime met a woman so kind.
She comes back home;
His mind starts to roam…
Can’t get her out of his head.
The Lord has truly blessed this man named Fred.
She returns to Miami to help with his luggage and hold his hand.
A long train ride awaits them… Oh how grand!
The journey of a lifetime for these two lovebirds in life,
Hoping not to cause each other too much strife.
They trust one another, not knowing what’s ahead;
Only dreaming of getting off the train to a comfortable bed.
They ride and they ride, holding hands so tight;
Taking turns catching a nap, knowing the move they’re making has to be right.
After nearly a day and a half, they arrive in Their new home at last!
This part of the test so far they have passed.
As months go by, things still remain sweet.
So they make a date at the altar to meet.
March 15th was the date for sure.
Two people in love… Who could ask for anything more?
So when you find someone who makes your heart beat like a drum:
Never let them go, because true love has come!
–The Blind Poet, Freddy G.
Shared for
dVerse OpenLinkNight #241
Submitted to Stevie Turner’s
Share Your Short Story June 2019.
O yes, he slumbers,
And he sleeps,
But never strays too far from me.
“Where you at?”
“What is that?”
Could use his cane just like a bat.
He hears my feet
And walks with me.
Not always easy, but how sweet.
So strong and tall;
I’m not that small,
But safe in arms that give their all.
From jarring sound
To snowy ground,
Such love and care at last I found!
A husband sure,
A blessing pure!
I vowed to love him evermore!
That I could be
As good as he,
A fraction of his qualities!
O yes, he slumbers,
And he sleeps,
But never strays too far from me.
A heartfelt poem by my husband, whom the Lord sent to make my dreams of love come true! It was not quite Spring when we got married, but it was a beautiful day, including a rainbow! –C. G.
by Frederick Douglass Grimes, III
She stole my heart like a thief In the night,
Both of us without any earthly sight.
She had a plan right from the start.
Together we vowed never to part.
The Light of the Lord guides us each day.
Together forever we promised to stay.
And so we set our wedding date
And made sure we would not be late.
Standing at the alter before the Lord and the world,
Nervous energy throughout our beings swirled.
Commitments were made as worshippers cheered.
With God’s precious blessings we have no fear.
We begin our journey as man and wife,
In friendship, Love, and loyalty for the rest of our lives.
–The Blind Poet, Freddy G.
My Poker playing’s greatest in the class;
My number never comes up winning last.
I haven’t touched the feeling of defeat,
Unless you count the lurid life I lead!
mismanaging, mistaken, made the fool,
But get it straight, I got an ace in you!
—
A late Quadrille for De’s “ace” prompt at
dVerse.
I had fun with this one! 🙂
Mystical Strings 
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