To Life: A Collection of Poetry

By Dr. C. Thomas Elkins

At this very moment life is just beginning! At points along this earthly orb.

In darkness or in light,

In freedom or in shame,

Midst serenity or in fright,

Some with hope of worldly fame,

While others face a future

Without a chance of winning,

But life continues just the same!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 20, 2011
• ISBN: 9781456889418

Book preview

Copyright © 2011 by C. Thomas Elkins.

Library of Congress Control Number:       2011904457

ISBN:         Hardcover                               978-1-4568-8940-1

                   Softcover                                 978-1-4568-8939-5

                   Ebook                                      978-1-4568-8941-8

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

Castle Combe in the Cotwsolds—England Painting by Dr. C. Thomas Elkins

Paintings by Dr. C. Thomas Elkins

Dr. C. Thomas Elkins and Wife Leila at the United Methodist Church, Pomona, CA Original Painting by Fariad

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

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96278

Contents

Introduction

CHALLENGE AND RESPONSE

My Trial

We Had So Much

My New Day

Tracks Upon My Mind

Within Ourselves

Hidden Strength

Life Is Feeling

Reflections From Above

Live To Love

Here’s To Love

A Word Of Kindness

Tis The Present

So Life Goes On

LEA

Yes! I Need Someone To Love Me

One Kiss

How Can It Be?

To Lea

Love Renewed

Because You’re You

I Love You

This Love Eternal

The Walk Along The Shore

I Do Love You

Be What You Are

No Doubts, Love!

FAMILY

Children

To My Four On The Fourth!

My Pride, My Joy

You’ll Make It Now

Our Pride

Such A Privilege!

My Son

Dad

Strength In Weakness! (Mother)

Heaven’s Choir Rejoices

Natalie

I Remember Hank

My Dear Aunt Mabel

My Little Sister

One More Time

My Garden of Life

REFLECTIONS AND REMEMBRANCE

Happiness Is

My Last Day

I’ll Leave A Dream

Break Down The Walls

My Crest

My Land, And Yours

The Sailing Life

Funny Little Bird!

Lonely Little Cloud

At This Very Moment

FAITH AND INSPIRATION

Unwanted Words

What’s It All About?

Lord, Give Me A Song!

Faith Fills Valleys

The Voice of God

Christmas!

These Three Faith, Hope & Love

Torn Between Two Worlds

God’s Will We Seek

Minute Little Speck!

Blue Green Planet

God’s Display

If Only

Time Flies

Introduction

Poetry, like many other forms of creative works of art and literature, is often developed more intensely during times of stress and/or difficult periods of the artist’s life. These periods lead, or often drive the artist into outlets of such creative forms as a release from pent-up feelings or overwhelming circumstances. These situations lead to or generate answers, or even solutions, to prolonged questions and anxieties regarding the ambiguities of the problems arising in the daily events of mundane living.

You will note a decades long time span between the beginning of these poems, i.e., Challenge and Response, a period of separation and dissolution, and the later period of Reflection and Faith, following a near four decade period of renewal, resurgence and productivity thanks to my wife Lea and the combining of our Families.

The interim category Lea and Family reflect a wonderful and fulfilling period of Love, Family and Fulfillment hopefully revealed in the poems between the other periods.

The poems of Reflection and Remembrance look back on the thoughts and ideals that gave life direction and purpose leading us to the present and helping us face the financial difficulties of this period.

Faith and Inspiration arises as we look back on the past experiences and responses and press forward to the future years with which we may be blessed, and to consider the blessings received and the expectations we believe will come in life, ordained by and supported by a God of Love and Mercy.

Our hope is that some of these words will be more than entertaining but also enlightening and primarily inspirational as you, the reader, face your own periods of life and living! May God richly bless you as you place Your hand in His hand in Faith, Hope and Love!

From the words of the Musical ‘Fiddler On The Roof’,: To Life! To Life! L’Chaim! L’Chaim, To Life! For all its challenges and duties, it is God’s Gift to us, and how we respond is our answer of faith to Him and brings Joy to our Life with Him! So—To Life!!

Sincerely,

C. Thomas Elkins

CHALLENGE

AND

RESPONSE

The End of the Beginning

And