Poems by Beryl Edmonds

When dementia creeps in through the back door,
Loving is needed, like never before...

An expressionless face, an empty heart,
A once dazzling life that had lost its spark.
I saw your sad tears and felt every fear
Of foggy days that for you never cleared.

All disappeared, those happy golden years,
Memories you held, so precious, so dear.
The loveliest of smiles, gone without trace.
Who was that stranger who dwelt in your place?

Tenderness was missing, none existing.
Care and affection you were resisting.
It sure broke my heart to see you like that
When we'd shared love and friendship in the past.

My one and only forever mother,
There couldn't have been a better another.
I still pray in hope, again and again
You didn't suffer any physical pain.

As you loved and cared, like a mother should,
I cared for you, as I promised I would.
I hope that these words to heaven get through,
"Dearest Mother, I will always love you."

Mom
1920 - 2008

There was a voice in the wilderness,
An eerie, heart-rending, dismal sound.
'Twas Elfie the elf, and he'd gotten lost.
All he could see was snow and frost.

He's Santa's helper this Christmas Eve.
Somehow he hadn't seen the sleigh leave.
There were many elf helpers and reindeer,
So he hadn't been missed, that was clear.

They'd done their work, delivered the goods.
Then it was back to North Pole's neighbourhood.
Elf didn't know these streets or what to do,
So he started to sing to help him through.

Elfie was an elf who loved to sing
And would always sing most anything.
Truth was, his voice came out as a croak.
You'd think he'd gotten a frog in his throat.

He made folk laugh; they thought him a clown.
Elfie never let that get him down.
He had a heart that was made of gold,
Would help anyone, young or the old.

Now it was Elfie in need of help,
So he began singing his heart out.
He chose the carol "O Holy Night"
As Jesus was being born tonight.

Someone was out there shoveling snow.
He heard the voice and his heart was aglow.
Spotting Elfie, he ran to his aid;
In that moment, magic was made.

The helper took Elfie in, gave him food
And offered a warm bed he could use.
Elfie was grateful and got some sleep
After praying for this stranger's keep.

Christmas morning Elfie got a surprise.
Santa and his reindeer had arrived.
They'd heard him singing from far away,
And all became well for Christmas Day.

I wish for my lost loved ones to spread wings
So they'd fly back and share all Christmas things,
Just as they did back in their days on earth
And the holy birth was a source of great mirth.

Then they'd see snowflakes fall softly to the ground,
Hear carol singers make beautiful sounds.
Children excited for Santa to arrive,
Christmas trees aglow and blazing firesides.

Church bells chiming to announce the new King,
Born as a host of Angel voices sing.
In humble conditions came Mary's boy.
Unto the world a sweet bundle of joy.

Thoughtful tokens handed out as a gift.
Times may have been hard, but love made us rich.
Games and charades when there was no TV.
Fish paste sandwiches and jelly for tea.

But it's unlikely my wishes come true.
I'll send love in a prayer, I usually do,
And ask God to share my heart all around
For peace on earth that knoweth no bounds.

I'll wait patiently here in heaven
For the day that you make your presence.
A transcendental get-together
That'll last till the end of forever.

Where angels care for God's Golden Fleece
O'er those at rest in heavenly peace.
It's true without a shadow of doubt
The light flowed in as my life ebbed out.

Don't be sad for what came to pass.
Be glad for the precious time we had,
Memoirs of beautiful forget-me-nots
Tied with ribbons in true lover's knots.

Now I'm here with the Lord at my side
In heaven's celestial paradise.
Have no more worries or fear for me.
All is as it was promised to be.

In the distance hear my voice calling
Through the birdsong in every morning.
See me in the moon and stars at night
For there my love shines ever bright.

Smell me in the fragrant sweet perfume
Of roses when they begin to bloom.
Feel me in the warmth of summer sun.
Hold me in your dreams when day is done.

Remember, I'll wait beyond the bend
To meet and greet where the rainbow ends.

Do you remember that Valentine's Eve?
Soft moonlight shining through silhouette trees,
Silvery stars glistening just for us.
Do you remember being so in love?

Earth stood silently still, the world was ours,
If only for those few mystical hours.
Such tenderness in the meeting of lips,
Sharing the joys of love's magical bliss.

Do you remember midnight chimes begin
To announce Saint Valentine's coming in?
Intense ardour and pleasure interlaced,
Elevating us into outer space.

Hearts charged with passion, electrifying.
Sparks a-flying as nighttime was dying.
Touching, exploring, loving, adoring
Until the lovely night became morning.

Do you remember coming back to ground?
Lying quietly as heartbeats wound down,
Gentle embraces, kisses by the score,
Then slipping away to dream L' amour.

Fervour that's only seen in a movie.
The starring roles were yours and yours truly.
We'd found nirvana with its grace and charms,
Wrapped up perfectly in each other's arms.

Do you remember?

It's time to embrace every culture,
One flock, one shepherd, one fold
Whatever our race, hue or faith
We're all made from the same mould.

Words said that shouldn't be spoken,
Which create spiraling typhoons.
Too many hearts being broken,
Too many lives taken too soon.

What happened to love thy neighbour
The same as we love our own selves?
Wistful in the face of failure
Are those with hearts where kindness dwells.

Take the lead, let live and let breathe.
All mankind is born in freedom.
It's written in the stars and creed.
Stand by your faith, care and reason.

For peace and worldwide harmony,
As life was surely preordained,
We can only hope fervently
No one ever gets crushed again.