In Silent Grace

It’s not the words we speak or sounds we share,
But something deeper, soft and rare.
Not in phrases, not in lines,
But in the spaces where the heart inclines.

True understanding blooms unseen,
In glances felt, in moments serene.
For language fades, it slips and breaks,
Yet feeling stays, and truth it makes.

It’s not in accents, nor in tone,
But in the warmth that’s softly grown,
Between two souls, in silent grace,
In love’s own quiet, sacred place.

So let us share beyond what’s heard,
In feelings felt, not merely words.
For only hearts that feel as one
Will understand when speech is done.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

You Are Not Forgotten

Veterans day background. National holiday of the USA. Vector illustration
In battles fought, in scars they bear,
Veterans stand, a solemn prayer.
Freedom's price, they've truly known,
Their courage, a legacy sown.

Through wars and trials, they have stood,
A testament to brotherhood.
Our duty clear, to safeguard the gain,
For their sacrifice, not in vain.

Let gratitude be our heartfelt song,
For veterans brave, courageous and strong.
A pledge to keep the flame alight,
To honor them, both day and night.

MarkWaldrop

Simple and Clear

The greatness of a man, it’s not wealth or gold,
Not treasures amassed or fortunes bold.
But in the quiet strength he shows,
In the seeds of kindness that he sows.

It’s in his integrity, firm and bright,
A guiding star through the darkest night.
In words he speaks that ring with truth,
In wisdom shared with age and youth.

He leaves a mark on hearts, not things,
A legacy that compassion brings.
For riches fade, and fame grows dim,
But lives are changed because of him.

The measure of greatness is simple and clear,
In love that lingers year after year.
So may we seek not wealth or pride,
But honor that will long abide.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

"The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively. " Bob Marley

Love Without Judgement

You can’t love your country only when you win,
True patriotism roots much deeper within.
It’s holding fast through the thick and thin,
Through struggle and loss, through virtue and sin.

You can’t love your neighbors only when you agree,
When beliefs divide like a raging sea.
Love bridges gaps that words may not mend,
Reminding us all we’re kin, friend to friend.

In triumph or failure, in light or in shade,
The strength of true love never will fade.
For nations are built not on ease or consent,
But on unity forged from hearts unbent.

So stand by your country, your kin, your creed,
With love in the hard times—the times of true need.
For the greatest of honors, the noblest grace,
Is to love without judgment, to hold with embrace.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

Headed Home

Screenshot
Some are headed home,
While others destined here to stay,
On Heaven’s wings, at sunset’s glow,
We rise, we soar, we drift away.

The skies alight with gentle grace,
A path beyond the end of day,
Where shadows fade, and sorrows cease,
And peace enfolds in soft array.

For those who stay, remember well,
In dreams and whispers, love remains
A silent bond, a sacred spell,
That bridges worlds, despite the chains.

But some are called, and some remain,
Each journey carved, each step our own,
Yet bound by heart, through joy and pain,
We walk apart but not alone.

So when the evening’s colors die,
And starlight graces dusk’s display,
Know that on Heaven’s wings we fly
Some of us home, some bound to stay.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

A Bark Away

Illustration by Steve Anderson
Heaven is just a bark away,
A wagging tail, a joyful play.
Where paws leave prints in stardust skies,
And loving gazes never die.

A place where fetch goes on for miles,
And every day brings endless smiles.
A land where treats fall like the rain,
And old aches vanish, leaving no pain.

The fields are wide, the rivers clear,
With friends we’ve lost, now waiting here.
They run, they leap, they chase the day—
For heaven is just a bark away.

And though our hearts may ache with grief,
In memories, we find relief.
For love like theirs can never part,
It stays forever in our heart.

So when the night is calm and still,
I feel a warmth, a gentle thrill,
A whisper soft, from skies so gray
Heaven is just a bark away.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

I Found a Paw

         
When I needed a hand, I found a paw,
Soft and steady, without a flaw.
In silence you came, with eyes so true,
A faithful friend when skies were blue.

Through quiet nights and weary days,
You stood by me in gentle ways.
With every wag, a promise made,
In your warmth, my fears would fade.

A tender touch, a nudge, a cheer,
You sensed each doubt, each hidden tear.
No words were needed, just your gaze,
Guiding me through life’s maze.

When the world felt cold and thin,
Your paw was there, inviting me in.
A comfort pure, no need to speak,
A bond unbroken, strong yet meek.

So here’s to paws that heal and mend,
To the truest love a heart can send.
When I needed a hand, I found so much more—
I found a friend worth living for.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

Bridging the Divide

When politics rise and tempers ignite,
Let us not rush to argue or fight.
For family and friends are treasures we hold,
Worth more than opinions or stories retold.

Let us listen with patience, speak with care,
Set judgment aside, and show we’re aware
That beyond every view, every stance, every side,
Is a heart, a soul, a love that abides.

Hold space for the thoughts that differ from yours,
As if opening gently a set of new doors.
For behind each belief lies a life and a pain,
A story unseen, a hope or a strain.

Let kindness be louder than points to be scored,
With empathy found in each gentle word.
Agree to disagree if that’s what it takes,
But honor the bond that no quarrel should break.

In a world that divides, let us build a way,
To love past the lines that words can’t sway.
For when all is said and opinions fade,
It’s the heart and the love that will always remain.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

Love Laugh Live Give

Love with a heart that’s open wide,
A warmth no hurt can hide.
Love fiercely, love deep,
In memories to keep.

Laugh like the world’s your stage,
Breaking free from life’s cage.
Let joy fill the air,
A moment pure and rare.

Live with courage and grace,
Boldly take your place.
Chase dreams, face fears,
Gather life’s souvenirs.

Give with hands that heal,
In kindness, find what’s real.
Share, don’t withhold,
In giving, hearts unfold.

So love, laugh, live, and give,
In these, find reason to truly live.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

Judge Me Not

I’m not a bad person; I just lost my way,
Led by shadows where I meant to stray.
I stumbled along with the wrong crowd’s call,
Not knowing I’d trip, not meaning to fall.

I was searching for somewhere to belong,
But the voices I followed led me wrong.
In moments of weakness, I made my choice,
Silencing reason, ignoring my voice.

But deep within, I still know who I am,
Not the broken shell or the misplaced plan.
I’ve learned from the dark, I’ve found the light,
And I’m standing now, ready to make things right.

Mistakes don’t define me, they’re not my name;
They’re echoes of lessons, not badges of shame.
I’m more than my missteps, more than my past—
A heart that is healing, a spirit steadfast.

So judge me not by where I’ve been,
But see where I’m going, what lies within.
For I’m not a bad person, I just lost my way,
And I’m finding myself with each new day.

Created by
MarkWaldrop