To Surrender or Fight

In the heart of turmoil, where doubts arise,  
Where the path ahead, obscured from our eyes,  
A question lingers in the air, tense and grim,  
To surrender or fight, on a whim?

But in this moment, a choice to be made,  
Not of defeat, but of courage displayed.  
To yield not to fear, but to a higher call,  
Surrendering all, lest we fall.

To Him, we give our hopes, our dreams,  
Our failures, our tears, our silent screams.  
In surrender, we find a paradox so sweet,  
In letting go, we're made complete.

For in the act of giving up control,  
We find a strength that makes us whole.  
God's promise comes alive, so real,  
Equipping us with His zeal.

He arms us with grace, for every task,  
In His presence, boldly we can bask.  
With every step, through every trial,  
He guides us, mile after mile.

So, when faced with the question, deep and dire,  
To surrender or face the fire,  
Choose to give everything, your all,  
And watch as God breaks down every wall.

Through crisis, through storm, through darkest night,  
Hold onto faith, hold onto His light.  
For God will equip you, make you strong,  
In His love, you'll find where you belong.

March 8, 2024
Created by
MarkWaldrop

A Compass Set

I wasn't ready then, I'm ready now,
Through time's vast expanse, I've learned how.
A journey long, with trials strewn,
To find myself, to be immune.

I'm heading straight for you, no delay,
Through storm and calm, I find my way.
A compass set, my heart's true guide,
In you, my love, I now confide.

You will only be, eternally,
The beacon bright, in dark, I see.
In every dream, in every song,
With you, my heart, is where I belong.

The one that I belong to, it's clear,
Through every laugh, and every tear.
A bond so deep, it transcends time,
In every verse, in every rhyme.

So here I stand, with an open heart
Surrendering to your love never to part 

I wasn't ready then, but now it's true,
I'm ready now, I belong to you.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

God Bless America

In lands so vast, beneath skies so wide,
Where dreams awaken and freedoms reside.
"God Bless America," we humbly plead,
In every whisper, in every deed.

American souls, so brave, so bold,
Crafting futures from the mold.
Blessed by God, on this path we trod,
Seeking justice, under His watchful nod.

From mountains majestic to oceans deep,
Across the plains, where the wheat fields sweep.
God's grace upon this land does shower,
Gifting strength, resilience, and power.

American spirit, fierce and free,
A beacon of hope, for all to see.
Blessed be God, in His glory and might,
Guiding us through, day and night.

"American Bless God," with grateful hearts,
For liberty and peace, in all our parts.
Together we stand, united, strong,
In God's grace, where we all belong.

May this land, under God's divine,
Forever in freedom and unity shine.
Bless America, land so grand,
Held and cherished, in His loving hand.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

A Treasure Undefined

In the gentle whisper of the wind, in the quiet of the dawn,
Lies a question profound, on why our hearts are drawn
To creatures great and small, with spirits free and wild,
Why must we love them so, each beast, each pet, each child?

Because they give us all, without a single demand,
Their presence, a silent gift, in life's shifting sand.
Defenseless against our might, yet they bear us no ill,
In their innocence and trust, our better selves they instill.

Eternal children, they roam, in fields of endless green,
Unmarked by hate or war, a purity unseen.
They know not of wealth or greed, for them it holds no charm,
A shelter from the storm's cold, the only balm.

With eyes that speak volumes, in silence, they convey
Emotions deep and true, in a most unassuming way.
Their gaze, untouched by malice, reflects a soul so pure,
A lesson in being, from which we could learn more.

Free from envy, free from spite, their spirits soar and dive,
In forgiveness, they abound, teaching us to thrive.
Loyalty and fidelity, in their love, we find,
A constancy so rare, a treasure undefined.

They seek not lavish quarters, nor comforts wrought by gold,
Their happiness in simple things, a sight to behold.
Love, they do not purchase, for it's not theirs to buy,
In patient hope, they wait, under the vast, open sky.

Companions true, friends to the end, through every trial, every test,
In their presence, we find peace, in their love, we are blessed.
Alive, so vibrantly alive, in every breath, every mirth,
Their existence, a mosaic, of unquantifiable worth.

For all these reasons and more, their love we must return,
In caring for them, in kind, a greater love we learn.
Closer to the divine, through their unconditional embrace,
In loving them, we find grace, a reflection of God's own face.

March 7, 2024
Created by 
MarkWaldrop

Home is Where the Anchor Drops

Home is where the anchor drops, in seas calm or wild,
A haven safe, a heart's embrace, for every man, woman, and child.
Not just a place, but a feeling, deep and profound,
Where love and laughter, hope and dreams, abundantly abound.

It's not the walls that shelter, nor the roof that stands above,
But the souls within, who share and care, and fill the space with love.
Home is where the anchor drops, through storms or sunny weather,
Binding us together, a tether, holding us forever.

In the heart of home, the hearth burns bright, a beacon in the night,
Guiding us back, through darkness or light, to where everything is right.
Where memories are made, and stories told, of days both new and old,
A treasure chest of moments, more precious than gold.

Home is not a destination, but a journey, ever true,
A place to grow, to rest, to be, a shelter through and through.
Where the anchor drops, there roots entwine, in soil rich and deep,
A sanctuary for the soul, where love does keep.

So here's to home, where the anchor falls, in waters still or blue,
A constant in the changing tides, a refuge, old and new.
May we always find our way back, across the vast, uncharted sea,
To where the heart is anchored, where we are meant to be.

March 7, 2024
Created by
MarkWaldrop

The Cat Lies Here

In the heart of our home, where the warmth nestles near,
A pillow proclaims, with a message clear.
Not just fabric and fluff, but a throne for our peer,
"Move over," it says, "the cat lies here."

This cushion, a kingdom, for our feline dear,
A realm where they reign, without any fear.
A spot so sacred, the rules are severe,
"Move over," it whispers, "the cat's comfort is premier."

Beneath the sun's rays, or the moon's soft veneer,
This pillow holds stories, memories we revere.
In its fibers and threads, love's woven tier by tier,
Marking the spot where the cat draws near.

Here, in this haven, the message is sheer,
A declaration of love, loud and clear.
For our whiskered companion, we cheer,
"Move over," the pillow says, "for the cat lies here."

In this cozy corner, where the cat commandeers,
We find joy and laughter, year after year.
So let it be known, far and near,
"Move over," the pillow declares, "our heart's pioneer."

March 6, 2024
Created by
MarkWaldrop

The Dog Sits Here

      The Dog Sits Here

In a cozy nook of our home, where sunlight softly peers,  
Lies a cushion, not just any, but where the dog commandeers.  
A simple pillow, it might seem, to uninformed eyes,  
But it holds a declaration, a claim that implies:

"Move over," it whispers, with embroidered cheer,  
"This spot is reserved, for the dog sits here."  
Not just a spot for resting, but a throne, it's clear,  
For our furry friend, whom we hold so dear.

Here, amidst the laughter, the joy, and the tears,  
Through seasons and moments, through hopes and fears,  
This pillow stands sentinel, year by year,  
A symbol of love, for our canine peer.

So let the world know, as we hold them near,  
That this isn't just any place, it's where the dog steers.  
In this corner of comfort, without any jeer,  
"Move over," the pillow says, "the dog sits here."

March 6, 2024
Created by
MarkWaldrop
ap777.org

Everything In It’s Season

In the tapestry of life, so wide and vast,  
Each thread intertwines, from first to last.  
"Everything for a reason," the wise often say,  
In its own season, finds its way.

Spring's first bloom, after winter's chill,  
Teaches patience, to wait for what will.  
Summer's warmth brings growth to light,  
Reminding us to strive, to reach new heights.

Autumn's leaves, in colors bold,  
Show change is beauty, as life unfolds.  
Winter's snow, so pure and clear,  
Whispers rest, and draws loved ones near.

Through joy and sorrow, sunshine and rain,  
Life’s seasons teach us, again and again.  
Everything has its time, its own reason to be,  
In this beautiful cycle, we find clarity.

So let us embrace, whatever the season,  
For life's myriad moments, hold deeper meaning.  
"Everything for a reason," a mantra so true,  
In every season, life renews.

March 5, 2024
Created by
MarkWaldrop
Penned for a dear family member

Alone He Stood

On my homeward path today, through the city's roar,
I found a soul amidst the road, a heart both pure and raw.
No others by his side, no sign to where he belonged,
Alone he stood, his cries loud, in a world so vast and wrong.

We ventured to the vet, in search of any clue,
No chip to tell his tale, just eyes deep and true.
So, in that moment clear, I felt our fates entwine,
"Let's be a family," I said, "your story now is mine."

We journeyed home, a duo formed from chance,
I watched him as he slept, in his quiet, tranquil trance.
His breathing soft and steady, in dreams, he did embark,
In our home, he found his peace, a light within the dark.

His first photo, a symbol, of joy and newfound hope,
A promise of the tales to come, with which we'd learn to cope.
Thank you, little wanderer, for choosing me, for showing,
That amidst life's fleeting moments, love unasked can start flowing.

Animals choose us, in ways we can't foresee,
They walk into our lives, and set our spirits free.
So here's to our tomorrows, to the laughter and the tears,
To the silent understanding, as we conquer future fears.

With each snapshot captured, may our memories grow,
A chronicle of happiness, a testament to show,
That in the act of saving, I was the one saved too,
Thank you for coming into my life, for making it anew.

March 5, 2024
Created by
MarkWaldrop