Category: Published Poetry

With All Our Hearts

On By gaillovesgodIn 1993, Published PoetryLeave a comment

The following is an article I wrote while on a local social services program (J.O.B.S.) designed to help single moms (and dads) with children to go back to school either for their G.E.D. or to college to work toward a degree that would allow them to support their families, and no longer need government funds for groceries, rent, etc. I wrote the article as a college student and as the Associate Editor with the campus paper… Expressions. This article was written for the July 28, 1993 issue. Our Editor was also a client of the J.O.B.S. program, and added her note below. I do not know what cut her article off, but it was printed as it looks below. The article was also printed in the J.O.B.S. Newsletter.

With All Our Hearts
Written by Gail Brookshire

I would like to take this opportunity to give a much deserved and needed “Thank You!” This thank you goes to everyone involved with the J.O.B.S. program, for all their support financially, scholastically, and mentally. The J.O.B.S. program is a miracle in disguise and everyone working with them are angels in disguise. They keep up with my attendance and see that I am doing well, not to scold me or hound me, but to see that I am doing well. If there is a problem, they can see it early enough to help me through it and fix it, instead of convicting me of a crime and giving up on me. Why? Because J.O.B.S. cares.
Bill Rollinger is my worker and has been great. He keeps track of my attendance, grades, and basically how I am getting along. He repeatedly tells me, if I have a problem just to let him know. He asks me and other clients to call just to say “hello.” When I have had problems, I did so, and received help with a warm smile. Another wonderful thing is the staff involved are always working together as a team. Whenever Bill is not in, I can ask Diane, Dale, or any of the others, whatever it is I need to know or do, and they are more than happy to help.
Best of all the most rewarding thing is the friends I find in the other clients. As we pass each other on campus or at the “house” (Magnolia Building), we ask how we’re doing and if we need help. We often pass on helpful hints to one another. We love studying together and we take it seriously, and certainly, we are always mentioning how grateful we all are to J.O.B.S. for helping us with our school funds, child care, transportation, study needs, and our psychological needs as well. I am sure everyone on the J.O.B.S. program would like to say “thank you” to Bill, Heidi, Diane, and everyone else who works so hard for us. When we are all successful in our prospective careers, we will owe a big debt of gratitude to you.

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR…
I would like to take this opportunity to also express my Thanks to those fine folks who are the J.O.B.S. program. These people work really hard, with little or no recognition, and put up with a lot of garbage, all in the effort to help us help ourselves build a future for ourselves as well as our children. Alan McCracken is my case worker, and I consider him to be my friend. It is like they take you in as one of the family. I have said many times that even with all my grants and scholarships, without J.O.B.S. there is no way I would ever be able to afford to go to school. They are a constant source of information and support. Our hats are off to everyone who works for the program, and to…

Cassandra Jamerson, Editor
P.S. I would like to thank Glenda Anderson, Donna, Marion, and Ramona for the wonderful job they do in the Financial Aid Office. They work hard to enable a lot of us to be able to attend AB-Tech. My deepest gratitude to all those mentioned in this article.

I will be doing a blog regarding this J.O.B.S. program that God used to change my life on my gaillovesgod blog and will link it here. If you do not see it soon, please remind me in case I forgot to link it. 😉

Afraid of the Dark

On By gaillovesgodIn 1989, Published Poetry1 Comment

On a late Friday night,
we walked into the park.
he stayed so very close to me.
She was afraid of the dark.

Another time we double dated,
she was out with Marc.
He wanted to take her to the swings,
but she was afraid of the dark.

There were many other times
we came upon the park,
but we would always go around
cause she was afraid of the dark.

Well last night as I thought
of how she’s afraid of the dark,
she somehow finally got the courage
to be murdered in the park.

8-9-89 Written by Gail Brookshire
(by the grace of God)

YOU: THE REASON

On By gaillovesgodIn 1994, Published Poetry1 Comment

Shining down upon the ocean,
the sun is sharing warmth.
The gentle wind is caressing
the trees in flower like form.
Wings of the passing birds
flutter to support,
to give flight to the little souls
that I am smiling for.
Tides of the ocean roll forward
to gently tease the sands.
The sands soften in such approval,
as if they understand.
The beauty of life is so refreshing,
ecstasy lay within the scene.
Yet if it weren’t for the way you make me feel,
I would notice a thing.

1994 Written by Gail Brookshire|
(published in Voices, Volume 1, NO.4 Issue, Sept.14, 1994, page 5)
(by the grace of God)

You’re The Woman

On By gaillovesgodIn 1994, Published Poetry1 Comment

You’re the woman who loves me, who loves my dad,
Everything about me good or bad.
You’re the woman who gave me life, gave me birth.
You are as precious to me as this God given earth.
God saw sight in Mary and Jesus was mothered.
There is no better gift, not even friend or lover.
Be ye great, my mom, for you’re the woman, you’re my mother.

5-2-1994
Written by Gail Brookshire
(published in Expressions, May 2, 1994 Issue, Page 2)
(by the grace of God)

With You, Of Course

On By gaillovesgodIn 1989, Published Poetry1 Comment

In the middle of our candle lit dinner,
you ask a question of me.
Of all the beautiful places in the world,
where would I rather be?
As I think of romantic Paris
and lover’s London too,
I see the warmth of beauty in Maui
and a trip to the Caribbean.
So to answer your question
with honesty and truth,
the only place I’d rather be,
of course, is right here with you.

1989 Written by Gail Brookshire
(published in Voices, Volume 1, NO.4 Issue, Sept.14, 1994, page 5)
(by the grace of God)

Welcome Fellow Freshmen

On By gaillovesgodIn 1992, Published Poetry1 Comment

Welcome fellow freshmen,
I’m really glad to meet you.
And as you journey through these halls,
I really hope to greet you.
You may have a lot to learn,
but trust me, that’s okay.
This may be my second year,
but I learn more every day.
It’s really hard adjusting to
a very chaotic pace,
but in the end you’ll win the race
standing in first place.
Your future’s on a roulette wheel.
You’re gambling on every grade.
But when you have succeeded,
you’ll see it was worth the effort you made.

1992 Written by Gail Brookshire
(published in Expressions, Sept.1, 1992 Issue, Front page)
(by the grace of God)

To Be Of God

On By gaillovesgodIn 1989, Published Poetry1 Comment

To be of God, we must be forgiven.
His son died to forgive us.
To forgive us… He must have a reason to forgive.
To have a reason to forgive… He must have been disappointed.
To have been disappointed… we must have done something wrong.
To have done something wrong… we must have went against His law.
To have went against His law… we must have sinned.
To have sinned… we must be sinful.
To be sinful… we must be weak.
To be weak… we must be human.
To be human… we must be of creation.
To be of creation… we must be of God.
To be of God… we must be forgiven.

1989 Written by Gail Brookshire
(published in Flight, Spring ’95, page 11)
(by the grace of God)

This Little Girl

On By gaillovesgodIn 1989, Published Poetry1 Comment

A story of this little girl, hiding in a closet.
Scared behind the broken door, she has tried to lock it.
Frightened of the things outside, making life a storm
Of violence, rage, and weapons, wondering what will form.

Screaming, hollering, sounds of terror, banging up the place.
If only you could see the look on this little girl’s face.
Tears are running down her cheeks; she cannot close her eyes.
For living in this nightmare has made her paralyzed.

Curled in a little ball, she’s waiting for the kill
Knowing if it never comes, it will be against her will.
Protect this little girl from him. He’s going to commit a crime.
You have to hurry and grab her, there’s really not much time.

Oh NO! He’s broken through the door and found this little girl.
It’s much too late to save her now. He’s going to take her world.
What will she do, now that she’s hurt and he has got away?
Tell me what to do for her, and what it is I’ll say.

Well now this little girl has got a gun within her hand,
And when she pulls the trigger, they will never understand.
Holding it at her side, she puts it to her head.
And though the man is running free, this little girl is dead.

1989 Written by Gail Brookshire
(published in Flight magazine, Spring ’95, page 12)
(by the grace of God)

The Time Had Run Out

On By gaillovesgodIn 1989, Published Poetry1 Comment

We know you’re gone,
But wish we could have you back.
We know you would if you could,
But we lose again to your attack.

How unfair and cruel it seems
To have lost our reason for living.
It’s hard to adjust to returning
The love you were always giving.

Our children ask about you often.
It’s hard for them to understand.
I try to explain you love them still,
But live in another hand.

Tears of an aching child
Could break the heart of Scrooge.
And when they need your comfort,
Mine is not their refuge.

Oh we know you’re gone,
But wish we could have you back.
We know you would if you could,
But we lose again to your attack.

10-7-1990
Written by Gail Brookshire
PS. We miss you.
(published in Flight, Spring ’95, page 16)
(by the grace of God)

School is Too Cool

On By gaillovesgodIn 1993, Published PoetryLeave a comment

*Just so ya know… this one is a little long*

School, it’s cool, but so is the snow.
Playing and sleighing, and snowballs to throw.
But oh, wait a minute, I can’t get out.
The weather is freezing and the power went out.
How can I eat? The stores are closed.
The roads are icy and the pipes are froze.
What? No water? I can’t take a shower?
Oh well, I’d freeze in this bitter cold hour.

Friends trapped, to stay inside alone.
Thank God, for the only thing left, the phone!
Talking it through together, trying to survive.
The cruel and bitter struggle to stay alive.
Boy, it sure is dark. I can’t see a thing.
It’s been hours since I’ve heard the phone ring.
People I love are too cold to move, becoming sick.
After the radio dies, I hear only my watch tick.

I find some batteries I forgot were stored away.
Now to hear what the news had to say.
Car accidents, fires, people are stranded.
Voices talk of the streets and says they’ll be sanded.
Yet still voices beg, pleading to all,
Stay at home safe and warm. Don’t get out at all.
It’s dangerous to be exposed to this degree of cold.
Don’t try to be a hero. It kills young and old.

Now it’s hypothermia the voices start to teach.
How many homes and people will they reach?
Finally, it clears a little. The streets start to melt.
God is saying it’s okay now. Here’s the sun to help.
Temperatures rise again. How good it feels to be warm.
Now it’s off to the store. I fight within the swarm.
I see the shelves start to bare, then start heading back,
And in the empty parking lots I see a lot of tracks.

People had been playing in the snow with their trucks.
Doughnut marks and sliding streaks showed, they played without getting stuck.
Oh Hallelujah! The water’s on and the power is too.
I can take a nice hot shower… oooooooh!
My freshly dryer dried towel and warm pair of jeans.
And oh yes, how good it feels just to be clean.
Cooking something warm to eat, I lean over the stove.
Now this smells good to my thawed out nose!

I finally get to watch the news and see how bad it is.
Boy, was this worth all the school I have missed?
No, not at all. The world has fallen apart.
Let’s go back to school before things get too hard.
At least we have heat at school and the streets are good to go.
I’d much rather sit in class, than to be a prisoner to snow.
Many people are in tragedy just to feel the cold.
When it come to education over tragedy, Hey, I’m sold!!

1993 Written by Gail Brookshire
(published in Expressions, Jan.31, 1994 Issue, Front page-page 2)
(by the grace of God)

Out of the Grave

On By gaillovesgodIn 1992, Published PoetryLeave a comment

This use to be my dream
To live the live I’m leading.
All this child wanted
Was for someone to stop the bleeding.

To see a moment my attacker
Would be the one to lose
Simply by my forgiving
And living as I choose.

I never thought I’d see happiness
Or a day without a tear,
A day to stop my hunger
And ease my ruling fear.

When life was younger
It was so much weaker.
I had to give in to evil
In order to survive the seeker.

My pain was a pleasure
For someone insane,
But no one could stop
The endless rain.

I knew in my heart
From the way it all went,
It would only be my future
On which I could depend.

And now it is here,
My survival has come.
No more will I hide.
No more will I run.

The past is behind me.
The future ahead.
My freedom has arrived.
My conviction dead.

We win all along
The young ones abused.
For what you’re afraid of
Is by what we’re amused.

You can’t convict
A survivor of prison.
For when you are searching
We know the reason.

It’s all an endurance
To which you create.
You think you’ll love it,
But regret your hate.

You search for shelter,
But lose to the brave.
For those who survive you
Are out of their grave.

6-8-1992
Written by Gail Brookshire
(published in Flight magazine #3, Spring ’94, pages, 107-109)
(by the grace of God)
P.S. For those about to attack, I suggest you release your victim.
They may me the destroyer.
PSS. This was the first time I had allowed myself to speak openly about being abused in any way. I was surprised from the outpouring responses, especially the ones from an office full of male social workers… thanking me for writing it… saying so many people needed to read it and that so many people needed to be spoken for… including myself. They said it as if they were accepting personal acknowledgement for hard work that went unnoticed. It was so surprising, so touching, and unexpectedly comforting, though I wouldn’t recognize for years that it had been comforting. I didn’t even know I needed that comforting. I didn’t think I needed anything from anyone. God did. ❤ 

Longing To Be There

On By gaillovesgodIn 1989, Published Poetry1 Comment

Over so many miles away
Someone is longing for you,
But wonders how without you,
They’ll ever make it through.

I miss you, Darling, every minute
That the clock is ticking on.
Yet I tell myself to believe
This distance will make us strong.

I just hope you’re thinking of me
And long for my touch as well.
You know if I were there with you,
Our love would set sea to sail.

Know that I am laying down,
But my dreams will be of you.
And as you start your morning off,
Say you miss me too.

1989 Written by Gail Brookshire
(published in Voices, Volume 1, NO.3, Aug.1, 1994 Issue, page 5)
3 of my others beside it on same page were
As I Watch, Forever Apart, Courtship
(by the grace of God)

Heartbreak

On By gaillovesgodIn 1989, Published Poetry1 Comment

It came before.
It came too soon.
It came beneath
The pale lit moon.

It started now.
It started then.
It started after
The winter wind.

It went away.
It went again.
It went straight
For the end.

Was all a lie.
Was all a game.
There were no rules,
But it had a name,

Heartbreak.

1989 Written by Gail Brookshire
(published in Voices, Volume 1, No. 2, July 11, 1994 Issue, page 5)
(by the grace of God)

Forever Apart

On By gaillovesgodIn 1990, Published Poetry1 Comment

Devastatingly destroyed.
A love of pure romance.
A heart was tragically wounded
Before given a chance.

The dagger driven by the soul
Of one who had no pulse.
Falling into his ocean eyes
Was an entrance to his cult.

No one heard the victim’s cry
So no one came to aid.
No one saw the warning signs.
the mistake had to be made.

And what a terrible waste it is
To know it’s only blood
That can save the dying maiden
Whose only crime was love.

9-30-1990 Sunday
Written by Gail Brookshire (by the grace of God)
(published in Voices, Volume 1, NO.3, Aug.1, 1994 Issue, page 5)
3 of my others beside it on same page were
As I Watch, Courtship, & Longing To Be There

Flight Within The Love

On By gaillovesgodIn 1989, Published PoetryLeave a comment

Sunday… The eagle soars high in flight. Floating through the air. He soars in peace of mind. Not a care in the world. He doesn’t notice the world below him. The world in trouble. Instead he reminisces in the midst of his luxury of quietness. All he can hear is the sound of the wind going by.

As he passes through a cloud within each flutter of his wing, it reminds him of all the souls who have came and went so quickly in his life. And just as great as the impact of the breath-taking beauty of the cloud is, so were the souls of each friend that meant so much. It’s an empty, yet fulfilling emotion to have flown through so many clouds. They were the only value of the flight. For as each one went by, they caused such wind to swift up on his face, bringing tears to his eyes. And as soon as they were out of sight, the eyes were drying, but the memory of the cloud would always linger. For each cloud had its own unique shape and form. Its very special characteristic.

As the eagle is soon exhausted by the flight of passing clouds, he remembers there is a world below without clouds. For you can’t even see through the storm of the life to view a special sentiment. But even so, the eagle also remembers that this is the storm that keeps him from having to be haunted, by the reality that the clouds have moved on without him, because he’s not of their world and as much as he wishes he could be one of them, he has to be saddened to know that there will always be passing clouds for as long as the skies hold up. And they will be new ones each time. They will never be the same. He’ll only have the beautiful memory of each cloud.

So it is only natural that the eagle chooses to occasionally touch ground with reality and shelter himself from the rain, that the clouds will bring. But whenever he misses the unique feeling of flight within the love, all he has to do is look up and they are there. And if the world below just happens to be crashing with thunder and lightning, and stealing his view of what he loves, all he has to do is keep his spirits up, to have the strength to lift those wings of his and fight his way through the rain. He will rise above the storm and be once again in the midst of his luxury of quietness.

How wonderfully exquisite it must be to have that freedom. I envy that eagle to a point, but then again feel so very sorry that he cannot bear the storm and vision what it’s like to see the rainbow after the dark. And the fresh washed soil of the land giving love to the trees, who have roots and share such beauty. They would give such support to the eagle and even have room for nesting on the arms of their limbs. They would never leave the eagle without love and support. Then again the eagle may be giving in to the fear of the tree falling or being broken by the wind. A storm can be overpowering for a tree, as the storm gets stronger and the tree gets older. If only the eagle weren’t so insecure about the stability of love, he could have the exquisite beauty of care.

As you relax and view the eagle in flight, do you see him looking down from time to time? If you were the eagle, would you continue to fly or nest in the tree? I would make my home in the tree and occasionally when I felt the need, I would fly.

1989 Written by Gail Brookshire
(published in Flight magazine # 3, Spring ’94, pages 103-104)
(by the grace of God)