The Masterpiece

I walked down a lonely strand,
And as each footstep touched the sand,
I looked about and tried to find
The perfect picture, to keep in mind.

I watched the waves, rise and fall,
An old seagull before me, stall,
And just before drawing nigh,
Slowly unfold his wings and fly.

At my feet, to and fro,
Tiny birds – reluctant to go,
As if to say, I had no right,
To send them on another flight.

Sand dollars and unique shells,
Washed ashore, by ocean swells,
Brought delight to my eyes
While listening to the seagulls cries.

Alas! The day had lost it’s glow,
And I knew, that I must go.
Retrace the mile or two I’d come,
Brace autumn’s chill and head for home.

The suddenly, as I turned around,
The perfect picture had been found.
For, quietly as I’d gone my way
The Master’s touch was closing day.

A bright red ball, was sinking fast,
Peeking through the dune’s green grass,
And up above, a crescent moon’s
Faint outlines, would fill in soon.

His hand had held a sable brush
And dipped it in the crimson blush
Mixed it well, with daytime blues
And stroked the sky with brilliant hues.

Far, far out – on the brink,
Dark gray waters, met with pink,
But as the waves, neared the strand,
Green and white washed up the sand.

White caps danced, in shimmery casts,
And when they rolled – in at last,
Their edged played along the shore,
Like lazy scallops on a pinafore.

As I know the sun will sink,
Beyond the earth’s outer brink.
And I know that night must fall,
I’m sure, I heard the Master’s call.

Then, I heard Him quietly say,
“See my masterpiece of the day,
Night steals in, like the tide,
But tomorrow waits, on the other side.”

Gladys Parker
October 15, 1967

Love Is

Love is, giving more than is returned,
Understanding, when love is spurned,
Compassion, when facing hate,
A kiss for being late.

Love is, knowing without assurance,
Strong, when under endurance,
Thoughtful for other’s solitude,
Kindness, for being rude.

Love is, taking for better, or worse,
Loosening fingers on the purse,
And after having a little spat,
Making up – before grabbing the hat!

Gladys Parker
June 10, 1968

This is the majestic 462-year-old Airlie Oak in Airlie Gardens, Wrightsville Beach, NC. It was just a little acorn taking root in 1545.

Like a Tree

The wind blows and a seed will fall,
And in good ground, grow strong and tall,
With arms lifted up, as though waiting there,
For rain from above, or weather fair.

Through winter storms it groans with pain
With heavy branches of snow and rain,
And when it sheds it’s icy mantle,
Spring comes by, with a glowing candle.

It soothes the aches – stops the pain.
Then urges the arms up again,
To slip into a new green dress,
And welcome the birds that come to rest.

Life is like a mighty tree.
Storms go by and then, we see
The one who stood life’s stormy blast,
Has grown into a man at last.

Gladys Parker
March 16, 1968

Mother Love

Searching in a box one day
I found a memory hidden away
The cameo pin my Mother wore
Brought me back to days of yore.

There she stood – plain as day
Are the words people sometimes say
When things are plain and very clear;
Again in life she seemed so near.

Standing there, all dressed in
Her lavender dress and cameo pin,
A sweater on her arm. “You see,
It may turn cold,” she said to me.

Her image quickly faded away
And knowing she couldn’t stay,
I laid the pin back in its place
One day I’ll see my Mother’s face.

Mothers are jewels in the sun
Their prisms reach out to everyone
No other love can be so true
As the Mother love she gives to you.

Gladys Parker
April 2001

This poem is about her parents, Hattie Adrian Gladden and Baxter Council Green.

Hattie talked the most
About her courtship days,
Then she’d smile and boast
About her wily ways.

The country boys had not a chance,
For coming in from town,
Was the “Dude”, her new romance,
Biking, ten miles down.

“Dude”, really not his name,
It was Baxter C.
But the fellows played the game
Of green-eyed jealousy.

I always like to hear
Her tales of long ago.
I’d draw my chair up near
Her voice was soft and low.

Baxter C. had a friend
Who also lived in town.
One day Bill slipped away
And brought his surrey down.

Oh! She thought she was a duchess
Riding in a carriage.
She had forgotten Baxter C.
Who had his mind on marriage.

Little did she know
He was on his way right then.
Suddenly she saw him
Cycling around the bend!

No, not a great big fight
But, oh, the flurry flew.
Alas! She knew that very night
Baxter C. would do.

Papa often smiled
While she talked about her beaus.
He really didn’t care
Because he loved her so.

By Gladys Green Parker

Things I learned from my Grandmother
By Ginger Ebert

I learned that sometimes the best friend a child can have is her Grandmama…
For when all else fails, ask her!
I learned that when you love someone, you make sacrifices
Lots of them, as many as you need to, for as long as you are able.
I learned that there is always a way to do something, if you “put your mind to it.”
I learned all the important things from her:
How to mix colors on a canvas, write a poem that will make people cry, cook collards, bathe a baby, load a washing machine, frost a cake, catch a crab with a chicken neck and some string and sit up straight!
I learned that a real lady is gracious and kind and speaks softly, never loudly
And makes sure she is dressed for the occasion.
I learned how to be polite and tolerant when people are rude and obnoxious
To people I dislike, or don’t approve of
And especially to people I really do love, when they’re getting on my nerves.
I learned that charity begins in your own home
Then extends to your extended family
And that I have a responsibility to others,
To my parents, and my ancestors, and my country.
I learned that alot of things are “too messy to fool with”
That it’s OK to get mad, but then you have to “let it go”
That sometimes you have to lie awhile in a bed you’ve made
And some things in life are just pure wrong.
I learned that the best way to show love is by actions, not words.
That sometimes you have to stop and take a rest
But that it’s never too late to get started.
I learned that grownups can be alot of fun
That children’s’ dreams really do matter
And that no matter how old you get, “You’re as young as you feel.”
I learned how to stop and let the ocean speak to me
And I never look at it without thinking of her.
I learned that you always, always, always defend the ones you love,
Refuse to listen to anyone criticize them,
And rush to help them when no one else does.
I learned that God answers prayers
But not always right away
And help often comes from the most unlikely places.
I’ve learned to never judge a book by it’s cover
That ordinary people can hide the greatest souls
And that poor people are sometimes the most generous, and the richest.
I learned that if you really feel like you should do something
Then you do it.
If you feel the need to say something
Then you say it.
But if it’s something “ugly” then you should probably bite your tongue.
I learned that you don’t say things like “pee” in front of the Preacher,
Or otherwise make a spectacle of yourself in public
And sometimes you just have to laugh.
I learned that it’s not necessary to tell everything
And to never be afraid to try something new.
To look at the clouds and try to imagine what kind of brush I’d use to paint them
And always carry a light jacket if it looks like rain.
I learned that everything worth doing takes work
That some things are just out of our hands
And when something is finished, leave it be.
I learned that The Rock of Gibraltar
is sometimes disguised as a short, round, grey headed woman,
That talking things over with her
Could put anything into perspective
That no matter where I go, ot what I do, or who I become
She will always believe in me and always love me.
I learned from her that family is the most important thing
That children are to be cherished and protected
And to be proud of the hard work of all my parents and grandparents.
She taught me that solitude can be a good thing
And no matter how alone I am,
I am never completely alone,
She taught me all about unconditional love
And, in doing so, the Love of God.
My greatest regret is not having a daughter to name after her
My greatest hope is that someday
I will be as beautiful as she is
And my greatest wish is for her to know
how significant she has been in my life.
And how much a part of me she has become.

Today is times of frustration
Numbers, codes and automation
Talks of peace and segregation
Zooming planes – rocket ships
Hurried times – cocktail sips
And mini skirts, on swinging hips.

Different modes, words and times,
Are locked away inside my mind.
Bent to burst in verse and rhyme
I’ll touch the knob – insert the keys,
Unlock the door and try to free,
Yesterday’s hidden memories.

Words flow down my fingertips,
Before they’re formed upon my lips
To fall upon these gilded slips,
Like puppets waiting on a stage,
Looking for another age
To open the book and read the page.

Gladys Parker
May 28, 1968