Poems by Annette R. Hershey

Oh Father, can you hear me?
I'm sending a prayer your way,
I'm clutching hard to my faith, as mom taught me,
As she draws closer to you each day.

I talk to her in whispers,
And I hope she hears me pray.
I hope you send an angel
To guide her toward your way.

I continue to tell her I love her
And thank her for all the sacrifices she has made
And for the unconditional love,
No matter what kind of behavior I displayed.

Mom, can you hear me?
I have so much more to say.
I will continue on with your legacy.
I hope I can be as strong as you one day.

You taught me the importance of family.
I have learned from the very best.
Don't you worry yourself now, Mom,
You keep yourself at rest.

I'm sorry if I'm selfish.
I'm not ready to let go of your hand.
I'm trying to remember the message
From "Footprints In The Sand."

Dear Mom, can you please wake up?
I have not heard your voice today.
I promise I would sit and listen
To everything you want to say.

I know you are getting weary.
You are ready to go home.
I imagine you are dreaming of your Savior
Sitting upon his throne.

I hope you take my love with you,
As tears fall on your cheek.
Dear God, please carry me through this,
I'm feeling very weak.

Dear Mom, I'm very thankful
For all the years we've had.
I'm trying to remember you laughing
So I will not stay so very sad.

Through the rest of my life I will carry
All your love with me.
I promise I will be the best mom, grandmother and person
That I can possibly be.

God must think your time is almost done here.
I feel you going away,
I love you, Mom. No goodbyes.
I will see you again one day.



.

Dear Mama, walking and thinking of my childhood days,
waves of memories crashing in, as I hit replay.
You're in every scene, appearing with the morning light.
I can talk to you, even though you're far from my sight.
I wish I could stop these tears escaping from my eyes.
I am grown; it's the heart of a little girl that cries.
Fragments of memories, they seem to spin 'round and 'round
as my heart travels through a familiar stomping ground.
Dear Mama, falling leaves of memories scatter my path.
Start of a new season, running from the grief and wrath.
I hear echoes of footsteps; I'll never be alone.
Your path will be ably tended, never overgrown.
I found your paved path; it's clear, as far as I can see.
Each step a bit easier; you left your shoes for me.

I'm here, my precious grandchild.
Come, climb upon my knee.
You are my little love.
You mean the world to me.
I see your little hands
wipe away the tears.
I want to hold you tight
and chase away your fears.
I'm here, my precious grandchild.
Please, you can talk to me.
I love you much deeper
than the depths of the sea.
I know you are hurting.
I hear your silent cry.
I need to scream for you,
to help you breathe and sigh.
I'm here, my precious grandchild.
Come, walk outside with me.
Never stop looking up.
Keep dreaming to be free.
Promise to never lose hope.
Some things you will never know.
There will be ups and downs.
Stand, rise above the low.
I'm here, my precious grandchild.
Please, confront your pain.
After you brave the storm,
comes the cleansing rain.

If I were a birdie,
I'd head up to the sky.
I'd spread my wings like sunshine.
I know I could fly mighty high!

If I were a birdie,
My feathers would be bright.
Every color would be striking.
I'd soar and reach new heights.

If I were a birdie,
I'd sing a lovely song.
Everyone would stop and listen;
They would begin to sing along.

If I were a birdie,
I'd follow all my dreams.
Small streams to vast oceans,
Under golden bright sunbeams.

If I were a birdie,
I'd flit about from tree to tree
With many different flocks of birdies.
We would be free to be free.

If I were a birdie,
I'd head up to the sky.
I'd spread my wings like sunshine.
I know I could fly mighty high!

The child held to her
daddy's hand.
She stood upon his feet,
and as they danced to the music,
their closeness was complete.

Excitedly, the little girl
would wait for her daddy to speak,
and as she danced in his footsteps,
he knew one day another's love
she would seek.

Time whirled her far
from her daddy's footsteps,
into lost dreams of a magic time,
void of knights and steeds
and damsels saved
and music filled with rhyme.

Old daddy wiped away his daughter's
tears of sadness and then the
tears of strife,
and then held to his child's hand,
quietly rectifying her life.

The child held to her
daddy's hand
and danced to music filled with rhyme,
and felt a touch of happiness
and wondrous magical times.

Little boy, with your eyes so blue,
You see the world so shiny and new.
He hugs his mommy, leaves his daddy's knee.
Time to explore; so much to see.

Little boy, with your eyes so blue,
So much courage, your fears are few.
Will you climb a mountain or brave the sea?
What's your wonder? Which will it be?

Little boy, with your eyes so blue,
Did your travels bring knowledge to you?
Are you weary, do you want to go home?
Are you destined to forever roam?

Little boy, with your eyes so blue,
Imagination so big, your yard is too.
Where are you going? Where will you be?
Hugging mommy from daddy's knee.