A Merry Heart
©2003 Susan Noyes Anderson
image by Anita Schiller from His Children
A merry heart will not be bound
by winter snow or frozen earth.
No weathered brow or soil-stained cheek
can quell the buoyant lines of mirth.
A merry heart will not be bound
by winter snow or frozen earth.
No weathered brow or soil-stained cheek
can quell the buoyant lines of mirth.
A river flows around the bend;
no man can see what lies ahead.
What mysteries does this portend
to fill my heart with hope or dread?
On a quiet summer morning,
after night’s unbroken rest,
I look past the tree-framed window
and discover I am blessed.
Declaration of Independence.
Pilgrims’ feet, well-planted.
Heritage and brave forefathers:
all taken for granted.
My life is hard; she likes to say.
In fact, she says it every day.
Reliably and without fail,
Poor me has been her holy grail.
Collecting is a testament
to life already lived –
a witness of the future
still in store.
My friend and I go all around;
together we are always found.
Sometimes we run and shout and play;
sometimes we sit upon the ground.
We reverenced the flag when I was a young girl…
proud and strong we stood, hand over heart.
Deep emotions were raised as we saw it unfurl;
our allegiance was pledged from the start.