Poems by Eric R. Harvey

How do you mend a broken heart?
Why did our God tear us apart?
Each new morning I speak your name.
Life in the world is not the same.

Cancer took you away from me
At the age of just twenty-three.
I held your hand, sat at your side.
When you passed, I wished I'd died!

My heart is empty, all life gone,
A dark space where the light once shone,
Tears of frustration on my face.
There's nothing left to take your place.

Each night my eyes look up and pray
That here somehow, someway, someday
Your soul will find a special way
To look back down and say you're okay.

I lie here awake, afraid to sleep.
I've prayed the Lord my soul to keep.
My stocking is hung on my bed,
Really brother's long sock instead.

But Mum said it would do for now
As she kissed my cheek, kissed my brow,
She tucked me in on Christmas Eve
When I was young and still believed.

Was that a footstep on the stairs?
My brother's snoring really scares.
Will he get down that chimney tight?
Will I get my first glimpse tonight?

I lie awake, for ages and ages,
Skimming last year's Beano pages,
Under my blanket torch alight,
Getting sleepy, losing the fight.

Woke next morning, screams of glee.
Missed him again; how could that be?
A bulging sock suspended there,
An apple, an orange, maybe a pear.

Cadbury's chocolate! What a delight!
Three new pennies: shiny and bright,
A piggy bank with its own key.
It wasn't much but meant all to me.

The front room always looked divine,
A roaring fire, the smell of pine,
Tinsel draped on the real fir tree,
Foil wrapped chocolates just for me.

Silver baubles' reflections revealing,
Paper chains strung on the ceiling,
Needles dropping on linoleum
Swept up daily by tidy Mum.

Lone present 'neath the Christmas tree,
Wrapped really well, was that for me?
This was as good as it could get,
I've got a new Meccano set.

Ripped off wrap all over the floor.
One present each, but that was more
Than we could expect; times were hard,
Some mates didn't get a Christmas card.

So ten young children eat the grub
Which cooked while Dad was at the pub.
He'd already had a drink or two,
But then, it was his holiday too.

Poor Mum would have to slave away,
No fun for her on Christmas day.
Times were tough, yes, I agree,
But at six years old, it worked for me!

To those who partied around the world
Or those that lay in bed and curled
up to the one they hold so dear
I wish you all Happy New year.

The homeless sleeping on the street
feeling the hunger and defeat,
May these few words fill you with cheer
may you do well this brand New Year.

Those Women fearing for their lives
battered girlfriends, battered wives,
Husbands, boyfriends, living in fear
pray Lord protect them this New Year

For Nurses with devoted ways
caring for someone's final days,
Stay strong no matter how severe
love is your gift in this New year.

For Police protecting us each day
hand them the torch to light our way,
To face the foe showing no fear
we wish them all a safe New Year

That Fireman risking life and limb
Daily, facing scenes so grim,
those burning buildings hold no fear
May God be with him this New year.

Those soldiers in the line of fire
living life close to the wire
From Private to the Brigadier
May God protect you this New Year.

For those alone, without a friend
I hope your darkness soon will end,
Your guiding light is close - so near
may friendship find you this New Year.

Talk to your friends don't text them all
speak face to face without phone call.
Make pals feel wanted, keep them near
make them happy this brand New Year.

Those people who've lost faith, like me
who have no other Deity
May churchfolk comfort them - endear
restore their faith in this New Year.

Around the World we should link hands
North, South, East, West to all Gods lands,
Should learn to live in love - not fear
let's make this year a brave New Year.

We all have a massive mountain to climb,
Especially those who've lost someone dear.
But climb that big mountain, we surely must,
If we are going to overcome fear.

Everyone's got a big mountain to climb,
All those with an incurable illness.
Each step on that rocky, dangerous climb
Gets you nearer to an inner stillness.

Each of us have a big mountain to climb.
It might well be just a family rift,
But you must begin to climb that mountain
Because families are a God given gift.

Everyone's got their own mountain to climb.
It could be something you just can't accept,
But you must sort it out, make it good now,
Or you'll never take that first tiny step.

We all have a great big mountain to climb.
We walk the same path that our fathers trod,
But when you've ascended and reached the top,
Then surely, you will be nearer to your God.

Ridiculed and mocked, nailed to a cross.
Each of his followers mourning his loss.
Set down from on high, placed in a cave.
Unmovable stone in front of his grave.
Roman soldiers guarded the solemn room,
Rejecting attempts to enter the tomb.
Entrance sealed so no one could steal
Christ's body, which had a great appeal.
Then on the third day, Mary could not believe
Inside the cave - no body to grieve.
On Sunday he was seen it was said.
Now God had raised His son from the dead.