SOUTHERN LIKE NO OTHER’N!

Southern like no other'n --
Tasty fried green 'maters!
Salt and pepper added
To those, and mashed pertaters!

Southern like no other'n --
Kentucky Wonders! (Them's green beans!)
Sweet corn from Granny's garden!
Goodness! What I mean!

Southern like no other'n --
Biscuits and country ham!
Scuppernongs from the arbor --
Mama made some into jam!

Southern like no other'n --
Okry from Grandpa's yard --
Cornbread and sweet cream butter!
This eatin' makes me t'ared!

Southern like no other'n -- 
Egg custard and choc’lit cake --
Lemon meringue and nanner puddin' – 
Yum! How them aunties can bake!

Southern like no other'n --
Pecans from a big ol' tree --
Sorghum syrup ... I want some!
I hope that pie's for me!

Southern like no other'n --
Got a job for old man Geezer!
Add milk and eggs and berries.
Start crankin’ that ice cream freezer!

Southern like no other'n -- 
If you're hungry, well, it's your own fault! 
There ain't gonna be no leftovers.
"Clean your plate" 's what we was taught.

Southern like no other'n --
Sweet tea and ginger snaps --
A sugar high! 0h, definitely!
Then us'll take some naps!

Southern like no other'n --
Let's bow our heads and pray.
"We thank you, Heavenly Father,
For blessin’ us every day!"

-- by Netagene Kirkpatrick. I wrote all but 2 verses in less than an hour on September 3, 2016! I actually wrote the title, not thinking about a poem, when I commented on the Bud's Best cookies Facebook wall a couple of days previously! I wrote 2 additional verses (I'm not telling which ones!) on September 4. --

ENEMIES, ACTORS, and THE ALMIGHTY

"Hypocrite" is a Greek word, an actor in a play --
Disguising, hiding who he is, changing character whenever he may.

The masked one isn't on hiatus. The imposter doesn't sleep.
He hides in the shadowy wings to surprise and pounce and keep.

An actor you don't suspect, laughing at his wiles ...
Like a comic movie villian ... suckering you in with his smiles.

You and I have enemies -- some disguised as friends.
You say you don't? Is that a lie? What will be your end?

Be suspicious if you don't know a person, if they come on too close and too sure.
Be pleasant but don't be gullible, til you're positive they're motives are pure.

Anyone can be your enemy. Sometimes the choice is hard.
It might even be a kinsman. Be always on your guard.

Satan's a chameleon. He morphs so he'll fit in.
He hooks you on some story, doing all to make you sin.

He acts as if he's friendly. But Satan's the father of lies.
You think you've got a new buddy, but it's Lucifer in disguise.

A wolf in a sheep's clothing, an enemy watching you on the sly.
Stay close to your Good Shepherd. He's the one who'll answer your cry.

Like a shepherd with a lambkin, He cradles you in His arms,
Away from two-faced enemies, saving you from harm.

God, the Good Shepherd, leads you safely, an escape from the serpent's snares,
So always follow Jesus. He's the only one who cares.

The enemy is probably smiling, an actor with subliminal voice.
Don't follow the sweet subtle sirens. Make Jesus your heavenly choice.

-- by Netagene Kirkpatrick, August 21 - September 2, 2016. I have no idea where I got the idea! --

OLD LADY

Old Lady with a walking cane
Learned it wasn't much help at all.
Old Lady walking down a slope
Was really afraid she might fall.

Old Lady found it wasn't too bad
To uphill walk a slope.
Old Lady, taking a step at a time
Trudged on, holding onto hope.

Old Lady finally admits that, yeah,
She knows she's getting old.
Old Lady's going to stop taking chances,
To quit trying to be so bold.

Old Lady has some smarts, for sure,
Decides to use her brain.
Old Lady had already bought other things
Because falling would be a pain.

Old Lady bought stuff a few years ago,
While she had money to spend.
Old Lady knew prices only go up.
She knew her years might soon end.

Old Lady now uses a walker,
An ugly aluminum frame.
Old Lady decorates it pretty.
"Ugly" is not her game.

Old Lady has help for sight and sound,
And now for walking, too.
Old Lady's still alive and goes and goes
And sings and tells God, "thank you!"

 ~ By Netagene, in about 10 minutes Thursday, June 16, 2016. I think it's finished. Could be better if I'd taken more time. (I still might reword some.) Yes, I'm using a walker more and more frequently. I haven't decorated it yet but I'm trying to come up with something real soon. I used to decorate my long white cane.

LIGHT in YOUR EYES

LIGHT in YOUR EYES

My friend, you've always been so calm,
A help in many ways.
I know YOU often go through trials,
Some low and gloomy days.
I don't know how you carry on.
You've heard your share of sighs.
It's sweet that others see the love
Light shining in your eyes.

You always do so many things,
Diverse and everywhere.
I pray you'll stop and care for YOU,
Let others do their share.
I know you must be spread so thin.
You go when you hear cries --
Some laughter, too, and I can see
Light shining in your eyes.

But lately, friend, your steps seem strained,
Distracted, maybe blue,
Pressing toward a better land
When this short life is through
I'm with you there as I grow old
And loose these earthly ties.
It's fine as slow it slips away
Light fading from our eyes.

There comes a time to pass the torch.
It's hard to lay it down.
Sweet sadness, memories, letting go,
Forced smile to hide your frown.
I'm grateful for the things you do.
We all know how time flies.
God bless you for what all you do with
Light shining in your eyes.

~ by Netagene, May 22, 2016. I can think of more than one person this fits, but I got the idea and initial thought from something Mrs. Davis said a few days previously. The preacher where we worship recently has had shingles and bronchitis, in addition to diabetes and heart problems. He also fell a couple of months ago working in his backyard garden. He IS spread thin, and tries to go every time anyone calls, in addition to preaching 2 sermons and teaching 2 (sometimes 3) Bible classes every week. Lately he has really looked tired. Mrs. D said that it looked like the "light had gone out of his eyes". For years he's been highly involved with the FC Alabama camp. I told him at lunch one day last year, when he was talking about camp, that maybe it was time he "passed the torch". I could tell he wasn't happy with that. This year, he isn't even going to the camp, so in that, he HAS passed the torch.

What Jesus did for Me

What Jesus did for me

(I can’t imagine)

I can't imagine love so true

Mercy abundantly
Giving me a life anew
What Jesus did for me.

I can't imagine love so strong
That gives me liberty
Bound to right instead of wrong
What Jesus did for me.

I can't imagine how He died
He suffered on Calvary.
Raised on the cross and crucified
What Jesus did for me.

I can't imagine how He prayed
On earth, such humility

Then in a tomb, His body laid

What Jesus did for me.

I can’t imagine that He cared

He is God – equality!

Because of Him, my life is spared

What Jesus did for me.

I can’t imagine how He saw

My pride, my vanity

Yet He who was without a flaw

What Jesus did for me.

I can’t imagine how he cried

When He saw into me

Yet took me in, His arms held wide

What Jesus did for me.

By Netagene Kirkpatrick, April 24, 2016.

I was blessed to get to attend the Texas Normal Singing School in Abilene, Texas, July, 2018, thanks to being awarded a scholarship. Other friends paid my airfare. Two of my 5 classes were hymn writing (song lyrics) and Finale (the music notation program used by most composers from one person to a full orchestra, etc.). In part of hymn writing, the teacher Randy Daw told us to choose a poem, psalm, etc., original or from anywhere, and write a melody to it. I had this poem with me. Randy liked it. I was able to write a tune for it, using no keyboard, etc., just simply free-hand. The next day, he told us to write a bass line. I had a fairly simple one in mind but because Randy had guest composers there 2 or 3 times, we didn't have enough time. He, and James Tackett, the teacher of the Finale class, quickly put a bass line into Finale (which I had on my laptop), plus typed in 4 verses (also into Finale). About 30 minutes before the Thursday night chapel, Randy told me that my song (and 3 others from the class) was going to be performed!

Sitting on the Premises

Sitting on the Premises

(To the tune of "Standing on the Promises")

  

Sitting on the premises – I can't take wing.
Always, ever mumbling, never try to sing.
Nodding just a little, to the pew I cling --
Sitting on the premises of God.

Sitting on the premises – wish I could bail.
When the preacher speaks about an end in Hell.
Feel like I am falling down a deep dark well.
Sitting on the premises of God.

Sitting on the premises, O woe is me.
Feel like I'm Egyptian in the deep Red Sea.
Sitting here in prison's what it seems to be.
Sitting on the premises of God.

  

Sitting on the premises, though I am bored,
Like I'm catatonic, too much wine was poured.
Only once a week is all that I'll afford.
Sitting on the premises of God.

Sitting on the premises, I don't stand tall,
Waiting for the time when I can leave this hall.
Almost took a nap but that would cause a brawl --
Sitting on the premises of God.

Probably most church goers know the song, "Standing on the Promises", but probably everyone occasionally has a bad day – maybe worked a double shift on Saturday, stayed up too late Saturday, woke up with a headache, something heavy on your mind, etc. … But you know that if it's Sunday, if at all possible, you should be worshipping God with others in a church house, even if you don't really feel like it ...

Parody by Netagene Kirkpatrick, April, 2016

NOT HEAR

Why go somewhere
when I cannot hear?
A waste of time,
both yours and mine.

Only warm a chair
when I am there.
And if I speak,
I hesitate, weak.

I cannot learn,
so I just squirm.
I'll stay home
and study alone.

by Netagene, March 30, 2016, during Wednesday night Bible class. The only one I could hear was the class teacher.

I Can't Hear! I Can't Hear!

I can't hear! I can't hear!
I can tell there's a sound but it's not clear.
It might be words or a hum or a sigh.
Maybe it's sweet. Maybe it's a cry.

It's more distorted if it gets loud.
Think of the noise of an excited crowd.
My ears can't grasp a certain range.
A tone higher or lower -- can you make that change?

Sometimes I may ask you to repeat.
Put yourself in my "ears". Please be sweet.
Don't say, "doesn't matter" or "never mind".
That's very rude. That's really unkind.

I don't want pity and I hate to rant.
Maybe now YOU can hear -- but what if one day, you can't?

By Netagene, in a few minutes, March 2, 2016. I emailed this to several who had articles published in the current magazine issue of the Hearing Loss Association of America. One professor at Gallaudet University wrote back, asking my permission to print and use it there. I also emailed it to the SayWhatClub's listserv, and posted it on the HLAA Facebook wall, the SWC Facebook wall, and my own Facebook wall. I got a LOT of "likes", plus requests to use it in various meetings.

LONELINESS COVERS ME

LONELINESS COVERS ME

A sweet embrace is now long past.
We didn't know 'twould be our last.

Like blackbirds hide the sun's warm gold,
Sadness hovers, drifts, enfolds.

Hard choice to make -- stay or divorce,
Efforts fail -- must change my course.
Still -- loneliness covers me.

Some choose no mate. Some choose bad.
Alone with another is just as sad.

No matter whose fault, no matter the dirt,
The house is quiet. I’ll always hurt.

When I've been wrong and my friends have run,
even though I've repented of the things I've done ...
loneliness covers me.

Separation or single, or miles between,
Personalities change, events unseen.

Death or divorce, or miles apart --
Separation's bad; it breaks my heart ...
and loneliness covers me.

God in Genesis made a wife
To complement Adam for all his life.

Ecclesiastes says two are better than one* --
To encourage each other, to get things done.

My own poor company -- Oh, how I ache, but
Even God's wise ones made mistakes.

Think of King David, King Solomon, too --
Even God's blessed ones were lonely and blue.

I don't know a thing in this whole wide world

that's worse than being alone** …

and loneliness covers me.

~ by Netagene, January 19-22, 2016

* Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

** a line from the song, “Where No One Stands Alone", written by Thomas Mosie Lister (September 8, 1921 – February 12, 2015)

The title came to me when I was almost asleep. I managed to turn on a lamp. The only thing I had to write with was a pencil (not a pen); the only thing I had to write on was a book. I reached for it (it was something like newsprint), found a blank page, wrote those 3 words, dog-eared the page. Morning came, got the book, could barely read my writing. The first verse came easily because of a recent online communication with friend Mark Turner, whose wife died in 2015. A bit of that poem is a little about other friends as well as a little about myself.