This book was started after retirement to fill my spare time, with not thoughts of publishing. However, as the number of poems grew, and I started writing about my family, the thought occurred that they and others mentioned might like a copy. Also, I have included information about my family in which, sooner or later, the next three or four generations may be interested. For these reasons, I have decided to have the poems printed. They were a joy to write, and I hope they will bring similar joy to all who read them.
Contents
Foreword / 9
Poems for the Common Man
At the Doctor's Office / 13
The Dentist / 14
My New Car / 15
My Computer / 17
That Certain Room / 19
It's Tax Time Again / 20
Painters / 22
A Small Town Called Opp / 24
Where I Live / 25
My Exercise Experience / 27
Paper or Plastic / 28
The Only Child / 29
Bring Back the Front Porch / 31
I'm Getting Older / 33
POEMS FOR FRIENDS
Christmas Light Tour, December 19, 2000 / 37
Christmas Eve at Bobo's / 38
Christmas at the Halbrooks' / 39
Part of the Family / 40
Friends / 41
Greathouse Family Reunion, April 22, 2001 / 43
Home and Friends / 46
Irene and Bill / 48
Good Neighbors / 50
Ralph Douglas Halbrooks' Birthday / 52
Johnnie Ruth Parker's Birthday, April 29, 2001 / 54
The Wesley Wanderers in Cajun Country / 55
Petals from the Past with the
Wesley Wanderers, April 17, 2001 / 62
Mother's Day at the Lake / 64
Opp High School Class Reunion of '55 / 66
Poems of Faith
Faith / 71
Love / 73
Feelings of Love / 74
Should, Would, Could / 75
Sunday and Church / 76
Ridgecrest Service / 78
The Soul Has Been Released / 79
Poems of Family
The Thompson Family Tree / 83
Family / 85
Elizabeth and Joe / 87
Jimmy and Kathy / 88
Larry and Kim / 89
J. C. and Dorothy / 90
Robert and Tracy / 91
Jack and Mindell / 92
Tyson, That's Me / 93
John and Barbara / 96
Curtis and Tracy / 97
Russell and Wendy / 98
Benny and Sherrie / 99
Johnny and Cindy / 100
Jody and Tina / 101
Betty and Mary / 102
About the Author / 103
