The rose smiles in silence, soft and serene,
A whisper of grace in shades of green.
Its petals unfold, a quiet embrace,
A masterpiece born of time and space.
Its beauty paints the world anew,
A crimson blush, a golden hue.
Without a word, it speaks to the heart,
A timeless language, a work of art.
No need for voices, no need for sound,
Its presence alone is beauty unbound.
A silent teacher, its lesson is clear—
Grace blooms quietly, for all who draw near.
MarkWaldrop
This snow-covered orange tree,
What a startling sight to see.
Once in a hundred years, they say,
This anomaly might come into play.
A Christmas tree adorned with gold,
Oranges glimmering in the cold.
I have never seen such before,
Nature’s wonder, its sacred lore.
I am blessed to be in this time, this space,
Feeling God’s breath in this quiet place.
MarkWaldrop
My name is Mark. I’m just an old country boy. I give God all the Glory
My heart He filled April 26, 2021, with rhyming joy.
God showed up and gave the gift of rhyming to me
I now share it with all who listen for His Beauty to see
Mark my Words
The Greatest Gift
Why I write, I’ll share with you,
A journey deep, a purpose true,
To bring forth words from soul to page,
To touch the hearts of every age.
I write to share the thoughts inside,
To heal, to soothe, to be a guide,
To bring a smile, a tear of joy,
Or moments sad, yet not destroy.
My poems live within the mind,
Yet fully breathe when they are kind,
To those who read and feel the weight,
Of emotions shared, of love and fate.
For poems are not complete alone,
They thrive when hearts have fully known,
The gift of words, from soul to pen,
A whisper sent from Heaven, then.
The greatest gift a poet sees,
Is knowing words can set minds free,
To stir the heart, inspire flight,
This is why, dear friend, I write.
MarkWaldrop
MarkWaldrop KE4WA
Email ke7wa@juno.com
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
The question of whether it’s better to have a moral leader advocating causes you dislike or an immoral leader advocating causes you like touches on the complex relationship between ethics, leadership, and values. Here’s a breakdown of the dilemma:
1. Moral Leader Advocating Causes You Dislike:
• A leader with strong morals and integrity, even if their causes conflict with your own, can often be trusted to act in good faith, consider different viewpoints, and make decisions based on principles. While you may not agree with their stance, their honesty and ethical conduct might foster a more transparent and accountable leadership, leaving room for constructive dialogue or compromise.
2. Immoral Leader Advocating Causes You Like:
• An immoral leader, even if aligned with your views, may compromise ethical principles to advance an agenda, possibly leading to harmful practices such as corruption, manipulation, or disregard for others’ rights. While they may advocate for causes you agree with, their lack of integrity can undermine trust and lead to negative long-term consequences, even for the causes themselves.
Considerations:
• Ethical leadership is foundational to maintaining trust, stability, and justice in society. Without it, even causes you support may be tainted by unethical means.
• Ends vs. Means: Do the ends justify the means? Supporting a cause is important, but if pursued through immoral methods, it can lead to unforeseen harm or undermine the very values you hold.
• Sustainability: A leader’s lack of morals may eventually destabilize their ability to lead effectively, while a moral leader, though advocating causes you dislike, may foster a healthier, more robust political or social environment.
Ultimately, a moral leader is more likely to govern with transparency, fairness, and accountability, even if their cause conflicts with yours. An immoral leader, though advancing agreeable causes, may erode trust, potentially doing more harm than good in the long run.
Mark Waldrop
You are who you vote for, they say it’s true,
In the choices you make, your values shine through.
With each name on the ballot, a vision, a voice,
Reflecting the world you see in your choice.
You are who you vote for, a mirror of heart,
A part of the system, you play your part.
In the hopes you cast, in the trust you invest,
In a future you dream of, the one you think best.
You are who you vote for, in silence or shout,
A whisper of faith, or a scream of doubt.
But remember, in the end, the vote is more,
Than just a decision, it’s what you stand for.
Created by
MarkWaldrop
I was left in the flood waters of Hurricane Milton, to fend for myself,
The future looked bleak as the waters began to swell.
Then, a Trooper with a heart I caught his eye,
Rescuing me, now my spirit can fly.
I will never be the same, I know it’s true,
With love and care, my life starts anew.
I am so proud Trooper is now my name,
A symbol of hope, a life reclaimed.
I was lucky, a tender heart set me free,
But there are many cousins still waiting like me.
At your local shelter, they long for the same,
For a chance at life, a brand-new name.
MarkWaldrop
It is what it is, they say with a sigh,
No sense in asking the how or the why.
Life takes its course, and time will unfold,
Stories of joy, and moments untold.
It is what it is, as the days drift away,
Some battles we fight, some prices we pay.
But in the stillness, in the quiet night,
We find our peace, and we hold on tight.
It is what it is, the ebb and the flow,
The highs and the lows, the things we don’t know.
Yet through it all, we find strength within,
For every ending begins again.
It is what it is, and that’s how it goes,
Through seasons of loss, and when love grows.
We rise, we fall, and then we stand,
With faith in heart and hope in hand.
Created by
MarkWaldrop
The Election will come, the Election will go,
Promises made, but what will they show?
Will we be better off, or lost in the fray,
As leaders rise, then fade away?
Voices will shout, banners will wave,
But is it progress or just a charade?
Change on the horizon, or more of the same,
Who will we trust, and who’s to blame?
The Election will come, and soon it will pass,
Leaving us asking how long it will last.
Will hope be restored, or doubts still grow?
Will we be better off? Only time will know.
Created by
MarkWaldrop
A strange old lady has moved in with me,
I can't quite place who she could be.
I never invited her, that's for sure,
One day she appeared, a sly saboteur.
She hides in shadows, she’s stealthy and keen,
But in the mirror, she’s always seen.
When I check my reflection, there she stands,
Obliterating my face with her wrinkled hands!
I've shouted at her, screamed in despair,
But she just yells back with a devilish glare.
She won't pay the bills or share the rent,
Yet my cash is mysteriously spent.
She raids my fridge, my sweet stash is gone,
And somehow she’s making the scale turn wrong!
I swear she fiddles with all my attire,
My clothes shrink up as she conspires.
She messes with papers, my files a mess,
And blurs all my reading, I
must confess.
The TV mumbles, the phone whispers low,
She’s twisted the volume as part of her show.
The stairs are steeper, the bed's too high,
She glued down the jars, oh how hard I try!
Shopping for clothes? Forget the fun,
She hogs the mirror and spoils the run.
But worst of all, when the camera flashed,
She jumped in front—my photo trashed.
This old lady’s crafty, clever, and sly,
I just hope she never stops by *your* eye!
Created by
MarkWaldrop