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It Wasn’t Very Long Ago – Graduation Poem for a Daughter

Friday, May 18th, 2012

High school and college graduations are milestones in a young person’s life. They should be celebrated, and the work of your student should be appreciated. These young people have worked very hard, under much stress, and they face a future that offers no guarantees. Let’s hope they take better care of our world. We need them. Celebrate them! Appreciate them! Love them.

This poem was written several years ago for the beautiful daughter of some dear friends. I hope you enjoy it.

It Wasn’t Very Long Ago

It wasn’t very long ago

you came into this world.

Your family has watched you grow

to a woman from a girl.

When you were born, the universe

brought forth a shining star.

Your parents are so proud to see

how beautiful you are.

Now you take a few small steps

in to your own domain.

Today the stars around you dim

in honor of your reign.

You’ve learned that education is

the key to your success,

And with talent and ambition

you always will impress.

Your smile, strength and confidence

reflect the work you’ve done.

Wisdom still reminds you that

you’ve only just begun.

While we praise your great achievements,

we now take time to pause:

We remember most your kindness

and we break into applause.

But more than your accomplishments,

more than medals won,

you are a loving daughter

whose smile blinds the sun!

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Another Graduation Poem: Learning to Fly

Friday, May 11th, 2012

It’s graduation season again, a time of looking back, a time of looking forward, a time of reflection, a time of anticipation. It is a time of celebration. A milestone is reached, as new paths move into view.

“Learning to Fly” was originally written for my nephews when they graduated from high school. It is actually written as a congratulatory poem from the perspective of the parents, with some advice to the student. I hope you enjoy it! It makes a great gift for the graduate, whether high school or college. You can insert your graduate’s photo in the opening, or a photo with the parents or siblings or significant other too! The above version is in the Store, 20 inches by 16 inches. Follow the link: http://wp.me/P1F6K3-6

Learning to Fly

A beautiful graduation gift!

Today we see a happy hawk

prepare to leave the nest.

Eager feet now take the walk:

and so begins the test.

Excited, happy, tentative,

confident, afraid.

“Can I fly? Can I live?”—

emotions firm but frayed.

Parents’ thoughts race wildly

of tiny legs and wings,

recalling moments tenderly;

but time to cut the strings.

“Fly, come fly, majestically—

your wings spread wide and strong!

Keep us in your memory

as you fly so high and long!

“Remember what we’ve taught you:

move with strength and grace.

Let no one deter you

as you move among your space.

“There are many others similar,

but none so quite unique.

Your place above the clouds secure,

be strong in what you seek.

“The winds may blow against you,

cold and sharp and strong.

But nothing can restrain you:

know that you belong.

“Adversity is always there—

without it you’ll grow weak.

Be wary of the crowded air—

it’s filled with those who do not seek.

“Celebrate diversity—

without it, life’s mundane.

Seek individuality—

your name is your refrain.

“Find comfort in the friends you make,

but do not let them mold you:

the goals you hold may be at stake—

let integrity enfold you.

“Learn from those who love to learn,

and not from those who must.

Knowledge gained seeks return

and wisdom is a sacred trust.

“Now fly and do so happily!

You have passed the test.

But know that you will always be

a child in our nest.

“This is all we ask of you:

Be kind. Be strong. Be free.

And know that we will love you,

wherever you may be.”

All poems copyright Daniel Mark Extrom 2009-2012. All rights reserved. No copying or other use of these poems without express permission of the author.

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Posted in Education and Schools, Family-Children, Graduation Poems, Love and Family | No Comments »

A Poem for Mom

Friday, May 4th, 2012

You Are Love For Mom

Here is a poem I wrote for my mom a couple of years ago. The text is below, but to the right is a sample of the framed picture poem.

Celebrate your mom. Buy her a picture poem.

See our Store. http://wp.me/P1F6K3-6

You Are Love

You are a song of love we know

deep within the heart.

You are the bond that binds us

when we are far apart
cigarettes

You are the inspiration

that says to do our best.

You are the voice of reason

telling us to rest.

You are an ancient proverb

whispering wisdom in our ears.

You are a source of comfort

that quiets all our fears.

You are the softest blanket

that warms us when we’re cold.

You remind us to enjoy our youth,

for one day we’ll be old.

You are the strong foundation

for the home in which we live.

You are conscience and compassion,

teaching us to give.

You are the healing fingers

that always ease the pain.

You help us find the words

when we cannot explain.

You are kindness. You are comfort.

You are wisdom. You are love.

You are sunshine in our daytime.

You are starlights in our night,

providing inspiration,

smiling from above.

We thank you most for loving us

and helping us to grow.

And especially on this special day,

we want you to know

that we are grateful, ever grateful,

more than you can know.

Any copying or other use of this material without express written consent is prohibited.

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It’s Graduation Season! Buy a Picture Poem for Your Graduate!

Friday, April 27th, 2012

A Gift Your Graduate will long remember! With his or her photo in it! You can even put their name in it!

Or, you can email a photo to us and we can put the text in the photo. (Choose a photo that has room for text. We don’t like to write over their beautiful smiling faces!)

Here is a gift your graduate will treasure forever! Put your graduate’s photograph in the matte, accompanied by the printed or etched matte to make a graduation gift to remember. And there are some words of wisdom (if I do say so myself!) in the poem.

Here is one graduation poem that we gave to a young lady several years ago. She still treasures it!

Each Day You Write Your History

*

Sometimes it’s so hard to see

just how much we’ve grown.

We measure life in stages

and by people we have known.

And now you’ve reached a milestone,

and turned another page.

We applaud your great accomplishment

and watch you take your stage.

There are those who’ll try to change you.

Hold firm to who you are.

Be in charge of your own life:

make your home but travel far.

Leave time for some adventure,

and let your spirit soar.

But listen for your silent self

above the world’s roar.

Each day you write your history.

You know you have the skill

to solve your own life’s mystery:

Write it as you will.

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Posted in Education and Schools, Family-Children, Graduation Poems, Love and Family | No Comments »

The Legacy: A Poem from an Organ Donor to His or Her Family

Sunday, April 22nd, 2012

It is still Organ Donation Month. I am re-running “The Legacy.” This is a poem written from the perspective of a donor to his or her family. It is intended as words of comfort to the family, and as a tribute to both donor and the family.

Donate Life: Your life will go on living!

The Legacy

I loved my life and had great plans

for dreams I would pursue.

I loved to learn and loved to work –

so much for me to do.

But plans and dreams - it always seems –

are subject to delay,

for life can bring surprises

that take us from our way.

I didn’t mean to leave so soon;

so much was left undone.

We always think that later’s there:

it comes with every sun.

I wanted to accomplish much –

perhaps do something great.

And though I have now moved along,

I’ve learned it’s not too late.

My family loved me very much,

and taught me well to share.

And I am able yet to give,

though I am not there.

There is a special part of me

that helps someone to live.

I’ve done something great, you see:

I found a way to give.

So a part of me still sees the sun,

in a different way.

My legacy gives life, you see,

each and every day.

So mourn me not, my family:

my spirit’s still in you.

The lesson that you taught so well

gives work I love to do.

I’m grateful I can help someone:

I’ve left a legacy

so someone else can yet live on

with some help from me.

The work I do now helps to hold

a family together.

Keep the memory of my gift

in your hearts forever.

I hope that you find comfort

in my memory:

the work I do helps someone live –

my greatest legacy.

Any copying or other use of this poem without express written permission is prohibited.

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It’s Poetry Month and Organ Donation Month

Thursday, April 12th, 2012

It’s Poetry Month and Organ Donation Month, all at once! Be a donor! Be a writer! Be a reader!

Here is “Have A Heart,” originally written for a young man who underwent his second heart transplant at age 20 (the first was as an infant), and a kidney transplant, also at age 20. And he’s doing great! Steve Jobs was an organ recipient. And former VP Dick Cheney is now a heart recipient. Be an organ donor! And write or read a poem!

Have A Heart

*

Sometimes life can break a heart –

it cannot stand the strain.

But no one lives a life, we know,

that does not have some pain.

But I have seen the frantic eyes

of mothers in their tears –

overwhelmed by life itself,

overwhelmed with fears –

fearing that the kids they love

will live but months, not years.

And I have heard the quiet prayers

of fathers in the dark

asking God to give their sons

just one more healthy heart.

I have seen the heartache

of a husband for his wife,

who needs a healthy kidney

so she can can have her life.

There are so many children,

so many broken hearts,

needing just a little help –

perhaps a few spare parts.

Your gift can save a mom or dad

or help a child survive.

You can mend a broken heart

and keep someone alive.

There are so many people

who are just like me

whose lives might well be mended

and you might hold the key.

I’m not asking for a favor;

I’m just looking for a friend

who wants to help another life

reach its destined end.

Your life can keep on giving

even when you’re gone.

You will go on living

as someone else lives on.

You see, there are so many lives

that you can help to mend.

Be a gift. Have a heart.

Be the one to save a life:

your life will live again.

Disclaimer: I am not an organ recipient, and I hope I never have to be one. But, for all of us, it’s good to know that the medical technology and skills are there if we need it. And, it’s good to know that there are donors too!

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March 11: One Year Since the Tsunami

Wednesday, March 7th, 2012

It seems hard to believe, but it has been a year since the tsunami hit Japan and severely damaged the nuclear reactor. I am re-running “Winds of Death: Nature Claims Its Victory”.

Wind of Death: Nature Claims Its Victory

How now shall the living live

with so much life now gone?

Nature moved the water’s edge –

an echo of a rumbling thunder

urging waves to drive asunder

an ancient land to history’s ledge –

illumined by a modern sun

that now becomes invented dawn

glowing upward from the ground,

naked now with walls all gone –

bringing clouds on wispy wind

that burns the skin but makes no sound.

How now shall the living live

with death now floating all around?

We look for faces on the shore

amid the fish and cars and ships,

brought to us by seismic blips

in ways we have not known before.

Nature mocks with every tide;

beaches fill with those who died.

We turn away from the winds,

but see the fires and the clouds,

knowing they can kill the crowds

searching ground, searching sea

for glimpse of life among the dead,

a thousand thoughts in our head.

Nature took what we had made

and we can only wait and see

if life itself now will fade.

The clouds we made are moving now;

we watch the winds so warily:

Hearts with hope submerged in dread.

We feel the winds; we see the dead.

We ask ourselves: What are we now?”

We ask ourselves: “What will we be?”

Our minds benumbed of clarity,

we stumble through the lives we were,

victims of technology:

Nature claims its victory.

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For Valentine’s Day: A Love Poem Revisited

Tuesday, February 14th, 2012

It’s Valentine’s Day! Happy Valentine’s Day!

Here’s a poem for those in love, and those who want to be:

A Thousand Dreams

I have dreamed a thousand dreams

in vivid colors

with brilliant hue,

with still blue waters on golden sand,

with mountains rising from the land,

and endless flowers waving then

in gentle winds in summer sun.

I have dreamed a thousand dreams,

and you are there in every one.

I have seen the spectrum of rainbows cross the sky,

showing every color

to discerning eye.

I have touched the endless waves

of seas upon the shore-

a hypnotizing rhythm always changing yet the same

as it ever was before.

I have smelled the scents

of a million lovely flowers,

making beauty just by being,

dancing in a gentle breeze,

heeding not the passing hours.

I have heard the whispers

of the wind across the sand,

and I have felt a mountain move

when you held my hand.

And now I see it all so clear:

this is real and we are here,

touched by fortune, kissed by grace,

now as one in love’s sweet space.

And as I look upon your face,

a thousand dreams are now in view.

Kiss me now and hold me near:

All my dreams have now come true.

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That You Remember Me Part II of II

Sunday, February 5th, 2012

This is Part II of two parts of a poem called “That You Remember Me.” This was written in reference to Alzheimer’s Disease, which afflicts so many people and their families. I wondered what it must be like to realize that one’s mind is becoming forgetful. The victim must fear being forgotten, just as they are forgetting. How frightening that must be. Please give generously to the Alzheimer’s Foundation.

That You Remember Me

I love to watch a baseball game,

or listen to the birds.

I love to tell you secrets.

I love to hear your words.

I love for you to sit with me;

perhaps you’ll hold my hand

and tell me that you love me–

that I’ll understand.

My mind has ways of taking me

where I don’t want to go.

I know I know your name, you see;

just right now it’s hard for me

to think of things I really know,

and to know what really is

and what may not be so.

Though I might forget you,

it’s important that you see

just how much it means to me

that you remember me.

* * *

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Alzheimer’s Disease: That You Remember Me

Sunday, January 22nd, 2012

That You Remember Me

Part one of two parts

I’ve learned so much throughout my life,

but there’s much I don’t recall.

I know it’s in there somewhere

but it’s hard to find it all.

It’s not that I’ve forgotten you,

or the things I said I’d do;

I remember everything

but it’s hidden somewhere I can’t see

just beyond my view.

You see, there is a shadow where

there didn’t used to be,

and sometimes when I look right there

it just confuses me.

I remember lovely flowers,

and songs I used to sing.

I remember springtime showers,

and rainbows they would bring.

I remember movies

and who would be the star,

but sometimes it’s so hard for me

to know just who you are.

Donate to Alzhiemer’s research.

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Posted in Health, Love and Family, Memorial Picture Poem | No Comments »