Heading Out

One day a long time ago in Bible Lands
A cattle train headed out to their Homeland

Jacob, with his wives and children, mounted their Camels high
Heading out under the hot desert sky

Following God’s Devine plan, trekking many miles in the hot sand
Camels, cattle, goats, and sheep always looking for water and sleep

An impossible journey in every way
Only with God’s Hand as they pray

Reaching their destination and looking in the past
Thanking God for his protection that will forever last

February 2, 2024
MarkWaldrop

Genesis 31:17-18

Life on the Farm

Life on the farm is relaxing, I must say
Sending the cares of the city away

The smell of freshly new-mown hay
 A hot  cup of coffee to start the day

The midnight hours of birthing a calf 
It brings happiness and far less strife

Life on the farm melts my many concerns away
Close to God’s creation is where I want to stay

January 29, 2024
MarkWaldrop
Penned for my friend
Dean Ewing

Ballad of Annie Oakley

In the heart of Ohio, 'neath the wide Buckeye sky,
Was born Annie Oakley, in eighteen-sixty, nigh.
In a log cabin dwelling, near North Star's gentle light,
Phoebe Ann Moses, a star in the night.

Her childhood was marked by scarcity and loss,
Her father, a farmer, died from frost's cruel cross.
In a terrible storm, he met his untimely fate,
Leaving young Phoebe to wrestle with a heavy weight.

A sister too, in time, would pass away,
Adding to the hardships of Annie's early day.
But from these trials, a sharpshooter arose,
With a rifle in hand, she faced life's imposing foes.

At the tender age of eight, or so the tale is told,
Annie learned to hunt, brave and bold.
She'd shoot with a grace, so natural and free,
Supporting her kin with game from field and tree.

Quail, rabbit, squirrel, her aim always true,
In Cincinnati, at fifteen, her renown only grew.
A shooting match won, against sharpshooter Butler,
Her future husband, none could out-flutter.

Annie's skill was such, surplus meat she'd provide,
To markets and hotels, her fame did glide.
Her mother, resourceful, sold the game with pride,
Ensuring their survival, with Annie by their side.

Then came the year, eighteen eighty-five,
Buffalo Bill's show, where legends come alive.
Annie Oakley, the star, in a spectacle so grand,
Joined the Rough Riders, a rifle in hand.

Sitting Bull, the great chief, with respect so rare,
Named her Watanya Cicilla, in the open air.
"Little Sure Shot," a title of honor and might,
In Buffalo Bill's Wild West, she was a brilliant sight.

Outshooting Cody, winning hearts far and wide,
Annie's fame soared, on a celestial tide.
Admired by all, from McCoys to Hatfields,
In an era of feuds, her legend never yields.

But time marches on, as all stories tell,
In nineteen twenty-six, Little Sure Shot fell.
November's chill wind whispered a mournful sigh,
For Annie Oakley, under the Buckeye sky.

Her legacy lives on, in tales and in song,
A woman of courage, undaunted and strong.
In the heart of Ohio, 'neath the wide Buckeye sky,
Lives the spirit of Oakley, forever to fly.

January 29, 2024
Created by
MarkWaldrop

Time is Love

Painting Gunars Cakste
We are all allotted a certain amount of time
Knowing the exact number would be a crime

Being young, my hourglass has what God will allow
Grandpa's hourglass is close to being  empty now

God has a plan for each of our lives
Living in His Will brings less strife

Thank you, God, for Your Plan that I might see
And giving me Grandpa, who always loves me

January 27, 2024
MarkWaldrop

The Master speaks

In tempests wild, when life's storms surge,
Rest in the arms of the wind's great urge.
The Master speaks amidst the gale,
His voice a harbor, strong and hale.

"Peace be still," He whispers soft,
In His embrace, aloft we're loft.
Through raging winds and pouring rain,
His presence soothes, eases the pain.

Hold fast to promises, forever true,
He'll never leave, always with you.
In darkest nights, in fiercest squall,
He stands steadfast, through it all.

His promise rings, a beacon bright,
In stormy seas, He is our light.
Never forsaken, never alone,
In His love, our fears are overthrown.

January 27, 2024
Created by
MarkWaldrop

Lost In Time

I faintly remember the distant past.
Smells of the dusty road, the creek, and newly mown grass.

Smells didn't matter much when I was a kid
Too engaged with other things, Heaven forbid 

We were poor as church mice. We had no shoes. 
We were happy as could be just singing the blues. 

In the one-room school, we sang in harmony. 
Miss Marie, the School Marm taught us our A B C’s

After school, boys swam in the creek.
I learned many lessons most I can't repeat.

The good old days were better then.
It seems I have trouble remembering them.

January 25, 2024
MarkWaldrop

Respect

There seems to be no respect today
Respect was in order yesterday 

Where did it go, and why did it leave 
Young people are not taught I believe

Respect for our Almighty God is where it has to start
Creating respect for family and friends from the heart

The only answer is spreading The Good News of Jesus
Only with God's Touch will Respect be returned to us. 

January 24, 2024
MarkWaldrop