It doesn't seem all that long ago,
The years have flown so fast.
When we held our babies in our arms,
But that is all now past.
Now all we have are our memories,
The good times and the best.
For they are the ones we cherish most,
They stand above the rest.
The pitter patter of little feet,
upon the wooden floor.
Delightful giggles that filled each room,
Were sounds that we adored.
Our home once quiet became alive,
With music to our ears.
We cannot remember life before,
For they were empty years.
Each passing year slipped one by one, and
our babies grew to be
delightful personalities, who
were young and proud and free.
Inspiring individuals, they
explored their world and found,
excitement and crazy mysteries
That sent them outward bound.
They never ceased to amaze us both,
Ideas flowed thick and quick.
Life was a box of chocolates, dear,
We wondered which they'd pick.
All grown up now with lives of their own,
We look at them in awe.
But it is not yet over for us,
Because there's so much more.
There's graduations and wedding bells,
and grandkids, sure to come.
We treasure all our memories, and
family of fun.
written & dedicated to my husband, Ian
by Debbie Smith - 13/12/2010
Dance of Life
Fire burns within her heart,
And whispers to her soul.
Cognisant eyes measure the mark,
She centres on her goal.
Her dancing feet lightly touch the floor,
They are ready to begin.
She is quickly swept to worlds of more,
As her feet begin to sing.
Her dance of life is canvassed,
As an artist paints his world.
Or exquisite as the gymnast,
Whose performance is unfurled.
His muscled armour lifts her high,
She is ready to take flight.
With face upturned to kiss the sky,
She flies with all her might.
Such power knits together,
their tendons and sinew.
And liquid arms caress forever,
A longing for the new.
© Debbie Smith
The Heart of Australia
The Heart of Australia
New Year’s come, and with it – hope,
To be a better year.
Recession looms – we all must cope,
And bring about good cheer.
We’ve prayed for rain for many years,
To break the droughts galore.
Our prayers were answered, through our tears,
With floods like none before.
Nor’ Queenslanders battled long and hard,
To keep their things afloat.
Mates arrived to clean up yards,
Some of them, by boat.
As if this wasn’t yet enough,
To deal with, on the fray.
A young lad’s taken by a croc - so rough,
What more is there to say?
And as the people battle hard,
Against the floods that came.
We heard the news that broke our hearts,
And left us in disdain.
The media called it ‘Black Saturday’,
And word soon got about.
Compared to history’s ‘Ash Wednesday’,
Big trouble was no doubt.
The fires came so swiftly past,
Devouring all in sight.
Some people fled incredibly fast,
While others stayed to fight.
The flames so fierce, the smoke so thick,
Confusion settled in.
“Should we stay” or “Should we go?”
The questions made them sick.
And as the scenes unfolded,
Showing total devastation.
Our hearts cried out – our tears, they ran,
And signalled our frustration.
The souls we’ve lost, the numbers grow,
Frozen in the flames.
Those left behind, we’ll never know,
Their sorrow and their pain.
We ask ourselves, “What can we do?”
We sit and wonder, “Why?”
We struggle hard – we feel so blue,
We shake our heads and sigh.
But through the heavy darkness,
There is light and bravery.
For the heroes of our nation – bless,
They are our cavalry.
The Country Fire Service boys,
And women stormed the front.
The fire-fighters dug in deep,
With every bit of grunt.
Shoulder to shoulder emergency crews,
Joined forces with the Salvos.
The mateship of Australia grew,
And rose to the occasion.
Ever ready – The Red Cross came,
To lend much needed hands.
And rescue workers tried to save,
The wild life of our land.
Stories flowed of heroic deeds,
Of those who risked their lives.
But etched upon the faces framed,
The heartbreak deep inside.
The love that flows from fellow men,
Both strangers and their mates.
And so it goes – they rise above,
This tragedy so great.
Very soon the time will come,
When communities must rebuild.
And Aussies do what they do best,
Dig deep – and remain strong-willed.
Australians…we salute you,
For you are all true blue.
I’m proud to be an Australian,
Who stands alongside you.
by Debbie Smith
Ruby
On Our Own But Not Alone
Little ember burning bright,
Whose house will you strike tonight?
Upon the wind, you drift along,
Tormenting us where we belong.
The subtleness of fear is near,
It clings to things we hold so dear.
With busyness we make our plans,
The rest we leave in God’s own hands.
Feedle-dee, Feedle-fum,
Which is the way the wind will come?
Along the ridges, down the hill?
The wait is enough – sets our hearts to chill.
Will we fight or will we flee?
We must do whatever has to be.
We pray to God in heaven above,
To protect the ones that we so love.
Mingle, single; who knows what?
All we know it’s extremely hot.
And soon we realise – the decision’s made,
Whose homes are gone, which one’s are saved.
Some scratch their heads and wonder why?
But most of us break down and cry.
For even if our home’s still standing,
We’ve all been left with no understanding.
The way of the bush can seem so cruel,
But to live here’s a gift – a precious jewel.
We have dear friends – community,
But sadly, in these times – no immunity.
For when the fires come – and they surely do,
No one is safe, not even the crews.
People and animals, for themselves they must fend,
Hell-bent on survival ‘til the very end.
by Debbie Smith
Jungle Bungle
Response to ‘Heart of Darkness’
By Debbie Smith
The cool and musty caverns hidden deep,
Beneath the canopy umbrella high.
Life waits upon the earth and never sleeps,
This kingdom, in its quest, fear not to try.
For man alone can’t conquer this domain,
Although his heart may hope and pray to do.
The wild majestic laws forever reign,
And holds the heart a prisoner on cue.
The cool and spindly tendrils do caress,
Seducing the very core of white man’s heart,
It mystifies the glory treasure chest,
And sinks all sense the knowing of the dark.
Addiction slowly eats away the man,
And draws him down the pit of quickened sand.
Pretty as a picture,
Dressed in a million hues.
You came to brighten up our lives,
There’s no-one else like you.
The first time that we saw you,
Lying in your cot.
You brought a dear tear to our eyes,
Our own little ‘forget-me-not’.
Ruby, you amaze us,
Your smile brings us delight.
Your laughter fills an empty space,
Turning darkness into light.
Your life is still so young, yet,
The first year is complete.
And even though you’re just starting out,
The world is at your feet.
Ruby – a fiery-red gemstone,
Set in a golden crown.
May the passion for the life you lead,
Bring your name into renown.
How did we ever manage,
Before you came along?
From God, you’re such a precious gift,
You’re here where you belong.
We wish you a happy 1st birthday,
We wish you lots of good cheer,
May God above fully bless you,
In our hearts we hold you near.
© Deb Smith
27/02/09
Aston
Back in early Autumn, one year,
Your mum and dad had a date.
They were to meet a special lad,
And hoped you’d not be late.
We didn’t have to wait too long,
Before we got the news.
Your dad announced, so very proud,
A new kid’s come to town.
And as your family gathered ‘round,
We got our very first glimpse.
Our eyes, they fell upon your face,
And we’ve never been the same since.
You stole our hearts,
Swept them clean away
With your winning
Smile.
You make us laugh
You entertain
Your presence fills
The room.
Your nature seems so serious,
You have a lot to say.
The stories that you tell, true,
We could listen to all day.
The cuddles that we share with you,
Fill our hearts with glee.
The little things you say and do,
Why we love you – it’s so easy to see.
This first year of your adventurous life,
Has come and gone so fast.
You’ve learnt to do so many new things,
But, they’ll not be your last.
We wish for you a happy life,
One that is carefree.
Where you can learn to be the man,
That God wants you to be.
So, Aston…happy 1st birthday,
We’re sending lots of good cheer.
May God above fully bless you,
For in our hearts we hold you near.
© Deb Smith
1/3/09
