Night Duty

When day has spent her justly time
And night has come at last
I am weary and footsore
And think my duties past.

Then on my pillow, soft and cool
My head I long to lay
So I make plans, as shoes slip off
To swiftly hit the hay.  

Yet ere I reach my haven sweet
To get much needed rest,
A loud cry, "Drink Mom," in my ears
   puts my nerves to a test.

I totter in with glass in hand
And stumble o'er the toys
That should have been in proper place
Yet boys will e're be boys.

As I dispose of each tiny car
or block, until the dawn,
I can't help think, with heavy heart--
How I'll miss our boys when they're gone.

By Treva E. Stokes (1912-1980)


 

To Marie Haynes

Could I, with this pen, convey to you, dear Marie,
Not of my liking, but my love- no less.
Of what your warm friendship's come to mean to me.
And that it's brought me a genuine happiness?
Would that I could but find the words, dear one,
To tell how you're endeared within my heart.
Tho I have other friends, it's really true
That you are something special, set apart.
Oft times the skys seem, oh so grey,
And I feel so lonely, sad, and blue-
That is when I need most of all, dear friend,
An understanding soul like you.
So I will not wait until the curtain falls, dear one
For either you or me.
But, I must need write now these hurried lines
Of my love for you, for you to see.

By Treva E. Stokes (1912-1980)

Of Preachers and Preaching

Our preacher is a goodly man,
Real righteous, kind and true.
Yet he can smile and laugh and joke
'Long with the best of you.

Yet long with that jokin' man
Some phrases often spoken,
"Believe in the Lord and you'll be saved-"
And believe me he's not jokin'.

"Lay your all on the altar, friend,
Confess all and pray thru."
He speaks thus not to just one friend
But, to the lot of you.

Sometimes the sermon sets with one
And then again another.
Who knows when sin is easily hidden?
Sometimes one, sometimes 'tother

Yet gently, kindly, he does preach.
If the shoe fits, then wear it.
Don't be ashamed to confess your sin,
Jesus will help you bear it.

By Treva E. Stokes (1912-1980)

Working For Him

If you have gained one friend today
By being a "friend in need,"
If you've helped the traveler on his way
By kind look, word or deed,
If you've brought a smile to someone's face
And did his burdens share,
If you have fed the homeless waif
And taught him-someone cares,
If you have done any of these
God's working in your heart
And helping you to share with your fellowmen
The love He willingly imparts.
So keep walking ever in the light
Down the pathways when He'd have you trod
And before the dawning of another day
Try bringing a soul to God!

By Treva E. Stokes (1912-1980)

Goodbye to Youth

I cannot capture youth again,
My heart for it crys out in vain
But hears no echoing reply,
Old age is here, and youth's gone by.  

By Treva E. Stokes (1912-1980) 

 

The Little Schoolhouse

In a little school house long ago
I whiled away my hours,
Not over books, as I should have
But, dreamin' up poems of flowers.

An bees, an birds, an cooling woods 
An sunny days and peaceful nights
An I vowed when I got more grown up
Of all these things I'd write.

An some day I would venture back
To that same school house door
And I'd recite poems to the kids
They'd clap an say, "More, more."

Since that time, twenty-six years have passed
I now am thirty-eight,
But yet I've ne'er forgot my vow
A little while I'll wait-

Until the knowledge of all these things
Has reached a higher score,
Then I can write better poetry
By understanding more.

An when at last I've reached my goal
I'll go back an thru my tears,
I'll tell them how that little school house
Has inspired me thru the years.

Treva E. Stokes (1912-1980)   This poem was written in 1950.


  

Just Around the Bend

Down the highway of life-
"Just around the bend"
Is the goal you've been striving-
To reach, my friend.

Don't let your steps falter,
Don't slack in your pace,
For, "Just around the bend"
Is the end of your race.

The road may seem endless, 
To your heart- weary soul,
But, don't stop now- Keep ploddin'
"Just around the bend's" your goal.

Anything, worth having,
Is worth waiting for,
So work a little harder,
Bring up your score.

Work on, my dreamer,
Falter not, my friend,
For the goal, that you long for--
Is, "Just around the bend."  

By Treva E. Stokes (1912-1980)

Hidden Dreams

All the world loves a dreamer,
Yet, the dreamer dwells aside
From the rest of the human race.
His dreams to ever hide.

Some are full of laughter,
Others end in tears;
But, still secluded in his self.
For would not The World leer

If it, but knew this dreamer,
Who'd dreamed his whole life thru,
Had never had a single one
Of his golden dreams come true?

By Treva E. Stokes (1912-1980)

Two Men

Two men sat on the old park bench,
One, jobless, homeless, without friend,
The other quite the other way,
Had more of money than he could spend,
Job and home but not a friend.
Said one, "If I had a job and home,
I could easily get a friend
To help me share my new found wealth
And help me my money spend;
But, I have neither job nor home nor friend.
The other sat with bowed down head, 
Deep in thought, at last he spoke,
"I too, once thought with a job and home
I could have a friend since I wasn't broke,
One to love me and be a real friend.
But, the years have gone swiftly by,
And, much to my disgust,
No friend has come to share with me
My job, my home.  I trust
You'll have better luck than mine and find a real friend."

And as they sat there side by side,
Great peace around them stole
And clothed them in comradeship
That's worth much more than gold.
And they knew, at last, their search was at end for a friend.

Said one who had the riches,
"You can come along home with me
And ever be close by my side
A friend to ever be; 
And I need search no more on this shore for a friend."
The poor man thanked him again and again,
Then they both arose and walked unafraid
Homeward bound together, shedding tears of joy,
For this new bargain they had made: 
The one gave of his wealth an equal part;
The other gave his all, true friendship, love of heart.

By Treva E. Stokes (1912-1980)

Just A Mom

Would that I could be a bird
A-sailing thru the sky,
Or that I a branch might be
A-leafing way up high,
Or still a busy honey bee
To flit from flower to flower,
A rose in all it's beauty
A-resting in it's bower.

Instead I'm destined for the home,
Queen o'er my domain,
Wherein I've won a lasting jewel
For my children's love I've gained.
I cannot be a bird, branch, or bee,
Or a beautiful rose;
But, I'm a mom and enjoy each hour
That past me hurriedly goes.

By Treva E. Stokes (1912-1980)

After the Sunset

As we bend our way, toward the sunset of life,
We each have our share, of work, worry and strife.
We toil on each day, with an expectant soul,
As each hour brings us nearer, our sunset goal.

We smile tho' we've nothing but a thin dime,
As we ponder o'er joys that's in sunset time.
And keep pressing onward to that sunset day,
For we know our life here is fast fading away.

Some folk think it silly to share other's sorrow,
Just laugh and be merry, for there's no tomorrow,
But, we with faith know what's ahead and we've loads to gain,
When we reach the portals, just past sunset lane.  

By Treva E. Stokes (1912-1980)

Keep Looking Up

This poem was really written for all of the family my grandmother would leave behind, but I do know that my Grandfather, Henry Stokes, took special comfort in reading it often in the 16 years he remained with us following his wife of 50 years' passing. Alan Stokes

---

Do not be too lonely, now that I've gone away.
But, have the faith to know we'll meet again some day.
Be thankful I was loaned to you
E'en though for a little while,
So after those few tears are spent
Learn again to smile.
This trip I take alone, tho' far away from you,
Is only temporary, some day you'll take it too!

Then I will clasp your hand in mind
As I recognize your face,
And we'll ever be together
In Heaven's glorious place.

By Treva E. Stokes (1912-1980)

Letter to a Friend

A Letter To A Friend

In loving and sad memory of my dear friend, Margaret, who had accepted Him, but, whose pain was too much for her to bear. 1939

Dear Friend,
It seems I can not stay my hand, 
But I must write to help you understand
That tho your days on earth will soon be o'er,
There are new joys that await you on the other shore.
Where there is no day or night, no pain or sorrow,
But endless joys abound for you, tomorrow.
Yes, joys to thrill your soul await you there, 
But stay!  You must, to Him your life lay bare.
You must to Him confess your sin, and let no blot remain.
Pray-"Lord, have mercy unto me a sinner," and you will be born again!
Take Him for your savior, from sin He will set you free.
Choose Salvation and live forever, thru all Eternity.

Sequel

If I could only have know
You'd choose the easy way,
I would have grasped your hand in mine
And strenghened you that day!
I would have knelt and prayed all night,
So you, too could reach his throne,
I would have stayed your hand, if it meant my life,
If I had only known!

By Treva E. Stokes (1912-1980) Written in 1939

Tomorrow's Harvest

When the rain comes pourin' down,
It starts my heart a singin'-
For, I know there's loads o' joy
In the sun, tomorrow's bringin'

Even though the skies are dreary
An' the days are a-lookin' bleak,
Just keep a-thinkin' of the sunshine
That soon through the clouds will peek.

So sing along life's rainy paths,
A-laughin' all the while
'Cause there's got to be some raindrops
'Fore we 'preciate the smiles.

By Treva E. Stokes (1912-1980) 

  

If Ever

Kind words of thoughts of folks
Do fall so willingly from my pen.
Good thoughts for I do know
That there's some good in every man.

In each there's bound tuh be
E'en tho it's just a little spark
A love light burnin' way inside
For somethin' from the heart.

Perhaps fer fellow creature
Or fer a dog or cat,
Or fer a tiny crippled bird
Picked up in an old worn hat.

If I should ever reach the place
That I think all are wrong,
An' cease tuh carry in muh heart
fer fellow men, love's song--

Then I will know my goodly heart
has changed to blackest night--
An' that's when I sincerely hope
my pen will cease to write.

By Treva E. Stokes (1912-1980)


Though I like all of Grandma's poems, 
this is a personal favorite of mine 
(Alan Stokes).

Of Dad

Sitting here, alone, I ponder
Over the years gone slowly by
Since you went away o'er yonder.
A tear falls, and I breath a sigh.
Yet I will not fill my heart with woe.
But, I'll bathe my soul, instead with sunshine
Because I know you'd will it so!

By Treva E. Stokes (1912-1980)

I Pluck a Rose For You

God's given me a bouquet of roses
To share along life's way.
As I pluck one, another appears,
It's still the same bouquet.

As long as I keep sharing,
My vase of life will fill
And my days are always a rosy hue
For I've obeyed His will.

If ever I should break the chain
Of sharing with another,
Then my bouquet will shrivel and die
And then is when I'll discover-

-My vase of life is an empty glass
A mirror that God sees through into
My heart and records my deeds,
Dear one- here's a rose for you!

By Treva E. Stokes (1912-1980)

Dear Ducky, I'm always telling everyone that I am giving my roses while I am living and can share as God has prospered us. I've also said that I sincerely feel, if I stop sharing, my prospering will be stopped somehow. I sincerely believe this. This poem is for you special. Share it if you like. Love always, Mom

Nature's Song

Does there exist within this land
A man so dumb that he can span 
This lovely wood with his two eyes,
And not know magic, herein lies?

By  Treva E. Stokes  (1912-1980)

Hold High the Torch!

Hold high the torch!
As vanguards of Jesus must
Ne're falter, lest you
Quench it in the dust.

But, hold it steady; yet higher, higher!
March on thru life, upright and strong:
And help those stumbling in the darkness
To share your light and Jesus' song.

Put on your cloak of friendliness-
And on your feet your shoes of love-
Atop your head salvation's band,
Secured in place by Him above.

And as you go your different ways,
Where e'er the Lord shall lead,
Keep looking up: Hold high the torch!
The world for light has need!

By Treva E. Stokes (1912-1980)
Written especially for the church seniors in 1959. (Edith, Treva's youngest child graduated this year)

Music

Music, Ah!  What wonderful
Magic therein lies
To swing us downward to dark depths
Or upward toward the skys.
A plaintive note can make our heart
Feel oh, so all alone,
Yet let the tune be ____ or glad;
And we get a cheerful tone.
No matter what the scale may be,
First happy, then so blue,
We still can picture ____ dreams of old
And new ones to come true.

By Treva E. Stokes (1912-1980)