THE POET'S CORNER ARCHIVES

Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers. Proverbs 17:6

Summers on the Farm...

Are spent sittin' on the front porch,

Slowly swingin' in the swing,

Watchin' Grandkids catchin' fireflies,

Listenin' to hoot owls on the wing.

There's no Fox or CNN,

All we ever need to know,

We get from Nightly News,

On the parlor radio.

When shadows grow too dark for games,

"Allie, allie, in free," we hear at last.

They quench their thirst with the old tin cup,

Summer at Grandma's will soon be past.

Lying stretched out on the ground,

Staring up into the night time sky,

The stars flash like a thousand diamonds,

Set in a giant pin wheel circling by.

"Look, Grandpa, I can see,

The Big Dipper in the sky.

Another said, "I see the North Star!

The one you can travel by.

Grandpa, do you think that's the star,

The Wise Men followed long ago?"

"No, My Child, It was quite different.

It had a special path to show.

It marked the way to God's own Son,

The Perfect Lamb of Sacrifice.

Who paid for the sin of everyone,

Even for haters, He paid the price.

Remember the wolf that chased the lamb;

But, the Mother Ewe ended up dead?

She gave her life for her run away,

That's why he's alive instead."

"In times past, ...we were children of wrath...

Satan was seeking whom he may devour."

Just like a wolf after run away lambs,

Without Christ, we were in his power.

But if you believe Jesus paid your price,

You'll go to Heaven with your sins forgiven'"

They all chimed in, "I believe he did that for me!

That's why I know I'm going to Heaven!"

Grandma stood up, "It's about that time,

For all children to say "Good Night."

So, up those stairs, you Sleepy Heads!"

Say your prayers; and, then, sleep tight!

Tomorrow, your folks are coming;

And, we have to give you back.

There's a very big day ahead;

And you've a lot of things to pack."

"Oh, Grandma, A little longer, please,

We'll miss you so much when we go!"

But up they go with a kiss "Good Night."

She'll miss them more than they'll ever know.

He lays his arm across her shoulders,

Her head rests lightly on his arm.

They are united in one blessed thought

About summers at the farm.

There will always be fireflies;

And Hoot Owls on the wing.

But time spent with grandchildren

Is an irreplaceable thing!

-- Marjorie A. Younce

Scriptural Allusions: Ephesians 5:3; 1 Peter 5:8