Thursday, August 27, 2026

Country Girl

For Dolly Parton

(I had a beautiful image to go with this but Google prevents uploading now.)



Poor folk in the mountains,

Scratching out a living,

No nickels to rub together,

From here she came.


Incessant expression,

With creative progression,

She sought to sing,

She did not seek fame.


Those amazed by her looks,

More amazed by her wit,

For when she spoke,

She stood her ground.


Her heart sang true,

To each one of us,

A neighbor and friend,

In her we found.


She followed her heart and she gained the world.

But deep in her heart she stayed a country girl.


She drew us close,

And made us family,

As if we each sat,

Before her fire.


For the force of love,

Which she did give,

Gave her a strength,

Which never tired.



Now her guitar lies still,

Though her fire still glows,

We still stand together,

Though we feel alone.


She’s living in our hearts,

From there she’ll never go,

Because she is not gone,

She just went back home.



She followed her heart and she gained the world.

But deep in her heart she stayed a country girl.



Monday, April 13, 2026

A Steady Heart


https://www.facebook.com/share/17hbuAW8Sp/?mibextid=wwXIfr


 I have found a new hero on Facebook, and I will make her yours as well.  Pope John Paul II  once visited a colony for leprosy. When he left, he spoke these words, “It is easy to smile and love God when you feel good.  Choosing to smile and love God when things are terrible is not only a ministry unto others, it is a ministry to God.”


Erin suffers with ALS, and she chooses to smile, while showing others what this disease does to people, and what she endures in everyday life.  In this way she brings awareness of ALS to countless thousands who can help.


For this reason, I consider her a silent hero. I presented this poem to her, and now I present her to you.


______________

A bird takes flight for granted,

As we take the ability to run,

To laugh,

To walk,

To live.


As your abilities departed,

You sought for other means,

To smile,

To love,

To give.


Hawking, your colleague in suffering,

Resolved to explore with his mind,

While you armed with compassion,

Resolved to explore with your heart.


Showing us who frown with full faculties,

How you can smile in infirmity,

Bearing your cross with faith,

Giving face to a faceless disease.


Where the muscles fail,

May the angels lift you up.

Where the body is weak,

May your heart give strength.


Love is the source of strength,

God is the source of love,

As you pour forth from your heart,

May He fill you always.


From Instagram: (link in bio)


From Facebook & Twitter:  https://linktr.ee/Ericthepoet


#life #love @writersofinstagram @deadofnightpoetry @poetry.after.dark @poetsoftheglobe #janeseymouropenheartsfamily