Poems by Ralph Quinonez

Lord, hear my prayer oh so dear.
My heart is aching; my mind isn't clear.
My love has left me; it hurts my soul.
Without that love, I don't feel whole.

As I search for your saving grace,
I know one day I'll see your face.
Waiting is the hardest thing for me.
I know with you I will be so free.
You take me up and lay me back down,
I know with you I am and will be found.
I seek you each day and seek your name,
I am nothing without you or your fame.
Waking with you, you give me power
To make it another day and another hour.
Learning your word is oh so smart.
I love you, Lord, with all my heart.
You gave up for me all your life.
We could not stop all the strife.
Every day I will always say
I long to return to you one day.
Love me, Lord, and keep me strong,
Without you, I can never get along.
So hear my prayers and bring me peace.
My sins, oh Lord, will slowly cease.
My heart is heavy, and I am weak.
Your love is strong as you speak.
Keep me safe at comfort's arms.
Give me grace without any harm.
Give me eternity and take me home.
That day I will never be alone.

Looking around and longing for love,
The love that I want is from the Lord up above.
He is my strength and all that I need,
The love of a lifetime, we will all surely agree.
He inspires us daily, and everyone knows,
His everlasting light, the spirit he gives us will always flow.
Look at all of the beauty that he has created,
All that we want and need, just as the Lord had stated.
His promises to us are oh so true,
As we walk in his path and wait in his view.
A place he has for us, our just reward.
Only comes from within our Savior, our Holy Lord.
We must follow his word until he comes back.
The enemy will tempt us, will try to attack.
Give the Lord all you have, all of your heart.
He will keep you safe and he will never part.
Do what he willed for us, his blood flowed for our sins.
We thought that was the end, but that's where he begins.
Looking about and longing for love,
I found what I needed; it came from above.

You look out into the water;
The waves make the most beautiful sound.
A place you find peace and comfort,
Walking hand in hand and looking around.

As you walk toward the water,
Sand coats the bottom of your feet.
The smell of the sea salt drawing you closer,.
The view is so beautiful, oh so sweet.

Almost as if it is calling you.
Sometimes it's only in your mind.
A place to clear your thoughts
And leave everything very far behind.

You find shells, rocks, and other things.
The warmth is like a kiss from up above.
Looking out into the Gulf Coast
Can only remind you of true love.

As the waves come crashing in,
Time seems to be standing still.
The sun is shining down on you
As you walk the beach at your will.

Paradise you thought you could never reach.
Out in the distance you can see the ships sailing by.
Tears of joy for the scene God has put before you,
As the moment makes you cry. 

Two shadows are together as one,
A sign of great unity.
A great day full of fun
While walking at the beach.

As I sit here and wonder how things would have turned out,
Not to have been part of your life was there ever a doubt.
I would see you again, just didn't know when.
A long time has passed, wondering how you have been.
Just to see your face one last time is something I never would have thought,
You have been on my mind all this time, something that I had always and never forgot.
The lessons that I learned from you, made each day more pleasant,
Your teachings of everyday life were such a warm and needed present.
I leave you now knowing you are safe in his arms,
No more pain or suffering, away from all harm.
Rest with the angels, until we all will see you once more.
We love and have missed you, things we will always adore.
Watch over us now, for one day it will come.
When we are laughing and talking and having oh so much fun.
We miss you mom, but we are glad that you made it home.
We wouldn't have wanted it any other way even if it meant for us to be alone.

You never promised us a perfect life, but only a perfect love.
We seek you in prayer and look for you as you are,
Our everlasting savior, a bright and shining star.
Sometimes we are out there lost, seeking your acceptance,
But we know that your will for us will never be rejections.
Because I believe what the Lord has done for us completely,
His word is our life and his life is ours so sweetly.
We may struggle to make it each and every day,
But he put it in our hearts, and he shows us the way.
Our faith grows as our lives get more involved,
One small voice to guide us with issues you will solve.
Forgive us when we fall, and pick us up to start again.
We love you oh so much; you are such a dear and caring friend.
One day we will see our loved ones who have gone before your face.
The thought of us before you, just that warm and tender embrace.
Give us peace and comfort, for things we don't understand.
Show us a serving heart, mold it into your master plan.
We live for only you, and your kingdom will prevail,
For our faith and love for you will help us to excel.
Bless our family and grant us serenity,
Because of you we now own our own identity.
Our faith, love and need is so everlasting within,
Shows how your love for us will never, never end.
Bless the less fortunate, and open their eyes to see your smile.
Give them the path to walk with you; you will make it all worthwhile.
Your love, your touch is the ultimate, until the very end,
Something we can actually never really comprehend.
Stay close to us, as you always are there when we are in need.
Bless us and our loved ones in your time, God speed.
The Lord never promised us that our life would be easily lived.
What he did promise was that his love for us would be easy conceived.
AMEN