When I Am Old

When I am old, Dear Lord I pray,
Let me be patient as now I am.
And from my crippled chair, please help
Me with my memories.
Past years span
Grant that I be
Staunch and true, yet may I ever
Be gentle.
Help me weave now, for golden years,
A brighter, wiser tapestry.
Help me to love my fellow men.
Give me grace all pain to bear.
And any gifts Thou givest me
Help me to share, Lord.  Help me to share.

By Treva E. Stokes (1912-1980)

Poor Eyesight

Some folks think writin' poetry's
A silly thing tuh do.
They don't have the time fur sech as that
Is what they say tuh you.

But, they take in all club affairs,
They join the bingo craze,
Or playin' cards and cocktailin'
Is takin' up their days.

They don't care 'bout the violets
Or songs the birdies sing.
The reason is--they look, but never
Really see the spring.


By Treva E. Stokes  (1912-1980)

March on for the Children

March on for the children who don’t have a father,
And for the ones who wish they didn’t have theirs.

March on for the children who are entirely poor,
And for the ones programmed to think they are.
  
March on for the children who aren’t developing,
And for the ones growing in the wrong direction.

March on for the children who don’t know God’s love,
And for the ones who have forgotten Him already.

March on for the children in need of The Salvation Army,
And for the ones being looked-for to lead it tomorrow. 

March on for the children with years to lead and live,
And for the ones who will pass to eternity young. 

March on for the children you only touch for a week,
And for the ones who live in your own household.  

March on for the children because Jesus modeled it,
And when you serve a child you are doing it for Him. 

Because to the only one whose opinion really matters,
You will always be just a child with more experiences.


By Alan T. Stokes

October 30, 2002

Note: This poem is dedicated to Major Robert Mueller. It was written when he was a Captain and Divisional Youth Secretary for The Salvation Army Northern Division. He currently serves as an administrator at the Kroc Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin.