Yesterday

No intellectualism allowed; he laughed and said
Is intellectualism a word?
So they talked about life, the good and the bad
The cruel and the absurd
They talked about love and the order of things
Of irony and fate
Of books and songs, bridges, moth’s wings
While the music played
Yesterday

Somewhere in the night a lone stray arrow
Concealed in the murky dark
Finds an open vulnerable target
And makes its deadly mark
As silence becomes a deafening answer
The laughter ends
Each a victim, a solitary dancer
They were friends
Yesterday

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Janet Martin

Let Me Be Your Friend

I noticed, as you turned and looked at me
There’s a hint of sorrow where your smile used to be
Would you care to share? You don’t need to pretend
I won’t betray you; let me be your friend

I’m missing the sparkle in your lovely eyes
The blue has deepened like grey in the skies
Sometimes all it takes is another’s hand
To cherish and hold; let me be your friend

Love is not love until given away
Won’t you let me give you my love today?
Tomorrow your eyes can be blue again
But for today, can I be your friend?

I noticed, as you turned and looked at me
There’s a hint of sorrow where your smile used to be
Pardon me for intruding but I know you understand
It takes one to know one, let me be your friend

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Janet Martin

I'll Take The Grey with You

The skies cannot always be blue, my love
Sometimes we need the grey
But we both know the truth, my love
After the clouds pass away
The sun will shine warmer and purer, my love
Because of the storm we’ve passed through
No, the skies cannot always be blue, my love
But I’ll take the grey with you

The road cannot always be smooth, my love
For then how would we know
If ever our love was strong enough
To weather the winds that blow
And if there were only smooth roads, my love
Would we reach out to find
If our love was strong enough, my love
To trust these ties that bind

No, the skies cannot always be blue, my love
But even within the grey
There is the warmth of the (sun) Son, my love
And no one can take that away
The road cannot always be smooth, my love
For then we would never need
The One who has promised to be, my love
Our truest Friend indeed

The skies will not always be blue, my love
Grey must have its day too
But there's one thing I'll promise, love
I'll take the grey with you


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Janet Martin

Friends Again

Shadows from the past are hanging low again
The sky is overcast, it looks like pain
The thunder in the distant sounds its warning
It’s going to more pain again this morning

Waves crash heartlessly against the moorings
Good intentions lost within its current
As regret and heart-ache flow across my mind
I can’t seem to leave its flood behind

Somewhere between the loving and the living
Somewhere between the taking and the giving
Somewhere between the sun and shadow-blends
We’ve forgotten how to be just friends

The tight-rope where we balance isn’t very strong
We’ll be meeting in the middle before very long
Will it be a new beginning or a bitter end?
As we fall into the water will I be your friend?

God, You are the Father of compassion
You know the sun shines on beyond the crashing
Of the waves and angry torrents dark with pain
God, I know with You we will be friends again

You are hope and love that’s never-ending
Beyond the clouds another dream is waiting
You are the Healer of life’s bitter pain
God, with You I know we will be friends again

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Janet Martin

Thank-you Song

What a privilege, what a blessing
That we all could gather here
Listening to the poems and singing
Fills each weary heart with cheer
Friends and neighbors, teachers, children
Gathered here to celebrate
God of earth and God of heaven
He is good and He is great

He sent Jesus to a manger
To be born so long ago
But He needs not be a stranger
For this Jesus loves us so
As we listen(ed) to your program
We wish to say a big thank-you
To the teacher and the children
For the hard work that you do

So to Jesus up in Heaven
May we have a thankful heart
For the talents He has given
So we all can do our part
Never seeking selfish glory
Never seeking man’s vain praise
But to tell the greatest Story
And to serve Him all our days

Thank-you teachers, thank-you students
Thank-you helpful moms and dads
May God help us to be prudent
Serving Him with hearts so glad
May He bless each one who’s present
Be our light when Light is dim
May we thank Him for each blessing
As we seek to follow Him

-Janet Martin-
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My sister wondered if I could
write words to the tune of a familiar hymn,
so the parents could sing a thank-you song
to the students after the school Christmas concert.
This poem can be sung to the tune of
'Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing'.

My Comfort

As summer greens and daylight fades
As lover’s lanes are robbed of shade
As sapphire skies turn dusty blue
I just can’t help but think of you

So Lord, I think tonight I’ll pray
For those with loved ones far away
Beloved friends and family
Across the miles of land or sea

I’ll pray for those who will not see
Their loved ones ‘til eternity
I’ll pray for moms and dads who pray
For precious children far away

I'll pray for people just like me
Missing those they cannot see
And wishing miles could melt away
Uniting us for one sweet day

I'll pray for daddies working hard
Even when they are so tired
And hungry for warm home-cooked meals
Keep on rolling eighteen wheels

As summer and daylight fade away
It comforts me to sit and pray
For dear loved ones we cannot touch
But still we miss them oh, so much

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Janet Martin

Blessed be God, even the Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
The Father of mercies
And the God of all comfort. 2 Cor. 1:3