The Symphony of Life: A Collection of Poems

By Daryl L. Peterson

Author Daryl L. Peterson loves his country and the military that serves it; he enjoys baseball and joking with family and friendshe has written poetry all his life. This collection is in honor of his father, John J. Peterson, a man who went quietly through the noise, hate, disappointments and sorrows of life and did not become bitter and who taught Daryl what life was all about.

So May It Ever Be
If God should beckon us this day
With His love and outstretched hand,
And he should whisper softly to us
As He leads us to that promised land,
Fear not, as you journey down this road,
Even though the path you do not know.
For I comfort those who are left behind
With this promise, we take leave and go.

One who makes such a supreme sacrifice
Will meet with angels unaware.
As he or she trods down this path
On one of lifes busy thoroughfares.
God renews our faith and lifts us up
And gives to us brighter and higher goals,
For when God is with each one of us
It tends to still our distressed souls.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Nov 21, 2015
• ISBN: 9781504961189

Daryl L. Peterson

Daryl L. Peterson was born in Hoopeston, Illinois, in 1926. Drafted for World War II but allowed to graduate from high school first, he served in the navy in 1943 to 1945, stationed at Bunker Hill Air Force Base. He was married in Peru, Indiana, and moved to Muncie in 1949 with his wife and two children. He trained to be a Nickle Railroad telegraph operator and spent eighteen months in Muncie in that post before centralized traffic control came into effect and fewer telegraphers were used. He joined Warner Gear Automotive in November 1949 and retired from Warner Gear after forty-one loyal years in January 1991.

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© 2015 Daryl L. Peterson. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 11/20/2015

ISBN: 978-1-5049-6119-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5049-6117-2 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5049-6118-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015918716

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Contents

PROLOGUE

RANDOM THOUGHTS

FAITH

FAMILY — FRIENDS

BODY, MIND, SPIRIT

TIME PASSES …… THINGS CHANGE

IN HONOR OF…

THOUGHTS IN MY HEAD …

This book of poems is dedicated to the people and things in life that gave me the idea for the lines that followed. I hope you get as much enjoyment as I did trying to write them.

Daryl L. Peterson

PROLOGUE

John J. Peterson

February 11, 1903 -- November 8, 1971

The following is in honor to my Dad who taught me what life was all about.

It is only fitting and proper that we gather here to pay tribute to a husband, father, grandfather, friend and neighbor.

We are not here to pay a final tribute, but one which will go on as long as we are here to carry on his name.

He left to us a heritage which cannot be measured, but one which we must live up to.

He went quietly through the noise, hate, disappointments and sorrows of life and did not become bitter. He was as far as possible, on good terms with all persons. He spoke the truth quietly and clearly. He listened to others for what help he could give to each of them.

This is where we fail many times, we are so rushed that we complain, but we do not take the time to listen. This is where he learned life and its meaning.

He was a small man in size, but a giant to us who knew him and loved him. He was a humble man, proud of his professions an worked hard at it that we might enjoy the good things of life. He did not compare himself to others, to do so would have caused him to become either vain or bitter. For he always knew there were greater and lesser persons than himself. He was himself, and I feel he has peace of mind in being himself.

Now this is where many of us fail, we do not realize the joy of peace of mind, being content with what we have, nor do we try to live by this rule.

He took kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Yet never too old to laugh with children and young enough to respect the thoughts of others and what life demanded of him.

He did not always understand the universe in which he lived, yet his kindness was as perennial as the grass. He was a child of the universe, no less than the stars, moon and trees. He had a right to be here and made a great contribution to life with all its drudgery and broken dreams; life was still beautiful and he was, I’m sure, at peace with God.

The 23rd Psalm was his life. He walked by the still waters, He walked through the valley of the shadow of death and God bade him to lie down in the green pastures to rest. He had fought a good fight and now was to receive his reward so surely goodness and mercy will be with him, and he shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

So it is for us as a family to carry on the teachings that he gave us. He will not be forgotten as long as we remember the good memories we shared with him and the sorrows. And so we do not say goodbye, we say so long for a while.

SO MAY IT EVER BE

If God should beckon us this day

With His love and outstretched hand,

And he should whisper softly to us

As He leads us to that promised land,

Fear not, as you journey down this road,

Even though the path you do not know.

For I comfort those who are left behind

With this promise, we take leave and go.

One who makes such a supreme sacrifice

Will meet with angels unaware.

As he or she trods down this path

On one of life’s busy thoroughfares.

God renews our faith and lifts us up

And gives to us brighter and higher goals,

For when God is with each one of us

It tends to still our distressed souls.

Nov. 11, 1971

Dedicated to my Dad - John J. Peterson

RANDOM THOUGHTS

I’m Not A Poet, And I Know It

I’m not a Henry Wadsworth Longfellow,

Or an Edgar Allen Poe

But when I write my little verses,

Man how I really go.

I’m also not a songwriter

Like the famous Lerner and Loewe,

Nor am I a singer in my respect

Like the Popular Vaughn Monroe.

But when I write my verses,

They come to me with ease

I write them for my family and friends

Hoping that they will surely please.

So don’t compare me to anybody,

Cause I’m just simple old me

And just read what you can

And the thoughts I hope you see.

I want you to overlook my grammar,

I’m not writing to please my teacher

While I was attending school you see,

I was reading a double feature.

That will explain to you I’m sure,

Why the verses aren’t true to form

But I get my best results,

When the sun is shining warm.

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Friendship

It’s truly a wonderful feeling,

To have my friends here tonight.

And surely if you were not here

It wouldn’t seem exactly right.

We in this day must have our friends,

It helps us go through life.

We must rely and lean on them,

They help us meet our strife.

I never came to you my friend,

And went away without

Some new fulfillment of the heart,

More faith and less of doubt.

More courage for the days ahead,

And so often in great need.

And coming to you, I went away,

With my fears relaxed indeed.

It’s hard to find the exact words,

The rhapsodic phrase that tells,

All that your friendship has meant to me,

All that your thoughtfulness spells.

There is no word, no phrase for you

On whom I so depend.

All I can say to you is this,

May God bless you, precious friends.

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A Chip Out Of The Pan

Thank you for the cookies you baked,

That certainly was an unexpected treat.

I see why your husband picked you for his wife,

You’re thoughtful, so kind and sweet.

The chocolate chips hit the spot,

And very tasty I must admit.

I will have to agree with you, Gwili,

If I keep eating, my clothes won’t fit.

Thank you again you cookie baker,

May you have a perfect day as well.

Now back to work with a wonderful feeling

For now my day has turned out swell.

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PHILOSOPHY — The Love Of Wisdom

I was asked what is the meaning of philosophy,

What does the word stand for?

Now I’ll try and give my answer

Because it’s a phase of life more and more.

Philosophy is the love of wisdom,

Put into daily living by actual usage.

The calmness of mind and soul

The ability not to fly into a rage.

Philosophy is the science which investigates

The facts and principles of reality.

A practical or moral wisdom in living

Which keeps us from losing our sanity.

Philosophy is the art of keeping our temper,

Helps us to be more careful in our judgment.

Those who are without this calm outlook

Oftentimes are unhappy and become belligerent.

This is then what philosophy means to me,

A peace of mind, the sense of being right with God.

For I’ve learned it’s better to be considerate of others

As down through this life we trod.

Philosophy means different things to people,

To some it’s something a bit square.

But I find the way to get this wisdom

Is be still, take time for daily prayer.

Think twice before making a rash statement,

In your actions be more discreet.

You’ll enjoy living more each day of your life

Helps you to understand those in life you meet.

8/5/65

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Experience Is A Poor Teacher

I had an experience last night,

And it caused me to look a sight.

I picked up a can of spray paint

And I squeezed it a little too tight.

And low and behold it happened,

And I didn’t really have to try.

I hit the little button on top

And I got white paint in my eyes.

Not only did I get pain in my eyes,

I also got it over my whole face;

After trying to wash it off with soap

I felt that I belonged to another race.

My nose was red as fire,

And my face was full of pain.

I shall be more careful the next time

I don’t want that to happen again.

I feel I did a better job on me

For my face was white as snow.

I was trying to paint a flower stand

But couldn’t get the paint to flow.

I looked at the nozzle very closely,

Got almost right on top of it;

There was the horrible mistake,

It was then that I got hit.

Next time I do some painting

I don’t think I’ll use the spray.

I’d rather use a paint brush

Maybe I can see through my eyes the next day.

10/29/63

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All Burned Up

The forest was burned to a cinder,

Charred stumps could be seen everywhere.

Guess who was arrested for arson?

That’s right -- it was Smokey the Bear.

He was always careful and dependable,

Until he met a nice lady bear.

It lit the flames in his heart

So now he doesn’t give a care.

He was sorry for the damage done

To all trees and for the wild life;

But his misery is much more now

For you see he has a bear wife.

When they go for a walk in the woods

Not a care do each of them have,

Except for the itching and scratching

And the aroma of the stinking salve.

Did you ever go walking as they do

For both of them were certainly all bear,

One nice thing about it though,

They had no clothes to tear.

So now Smokey and his wife are parents

Two babies are in the brood.

If you never see Smokey smile again

It’s because he’s not in the mood.

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Rocky & His Mother

As I sat there before the window,

What did I see before my eyes?

It was a little baby robin

His mother teaching him to fly.

Up on the light wire she’d go

With her ever scolding voice,

She would push and tug at him

For you see he had no choice.

An uncertain fluttering motion

And bang! He was on the ground.

Never have you seen such patience

In people it’s seldom found.

She took time out every so often,

To give him a worm or two

Then start the procedure over

For they had lots of things to do.

You see he must learn to fly

To stay up and away from the cat,

If he just sat and ate all day

He’d certainly get too fat.

I enjoy the sounds of the robin

And their merry little song,

For I know winter must soon come

And to me it’s usually too darn long.

I watch in utter amazement each time

How they learn to do it all so soon,

But guess it’s a little easier friend

When your work is done to a merry tune.

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Great Expectations

When we were little children

And stood by our Mother’s side,

We’d ask about Santa Claus and his coming,

See the gifts, and try to guess what was inside.

Being a child was a precious gift,

One to treasure and to hold.

However, time has a way of passing,

Each one of us has grown old.

What about all our expectations?

What do we now look for in our life?

Are we happy or full of misery?

Is there nothing else in this world but strife?

One night two thousand years ago

A Child was born on this earth.

He changed man’s way of living

And made us today what we’re worth.

We don’t think like a child now,

We’ve out grown that stage you see.

We look forward to telling others

What Jesus has done for you and me.

Great expectations are always present,

We know each day must pass.

May God see fit to bless us all

That we might be worthy and show some class.

We dreamed of the joys of Christmas time

When we were little boys and girls.

How we’d watch the smoke go out the chimney,

Head up toward the sky in swirls.

We must live this day in the present.

Do our best to spread His good word.

You see not all people know our Jesus

Nor the story of his birth have they heard.

May we in one day that is to come

Really know Peace and Goodwill toward men;

It all began with the birth of the Christ child,

God’s Christmas gift to all men.

12/16/70

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Little Gray Mouse

See the little gray mouse shivering and cold,

Little beady eyes and short stubby ears.

Whiskers all frosty with the morning’s chill

Eyes that glisten as if shedding some tears.

This is one of nature’s children,

He’s having a very terrible time.

If the weather continues to stay cold

It’s doubtful if he’ll reach his prime.

As he huddles under a fallen leaf,

Trying to keep warm and dry

Thoughts of food haunt him

To go out and get it he must try.

He must be on guard against his foes,

Hawks, crows and the owl.

As he attends to the job of getting good

He must watch out for the cat that prowls.

I feel sorry for the little fellow,

But don’t think I’ll let him in.

He’s better off next to nature

In the house he couldn’t get in.

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A Hole In One

A new toothpaste is on the market,

It’s out of this world with appeal.

There are food particles in it

For those who can’t eat between meals.

There are other dentifrice’s on the market,

Loaded with fluoride to stop decay.

However the use of the new toothpaste

Leaves only one cavity I would say.

For if you use it as stated on the tube,

Use it every time you brush no doubt

The only cavity left is your mouth,

Because all your teeth must come out.

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Little Old Wine Maker

The little old wine maker had trouble,

Into a barrel of wine he fell.

It didn’t seem to worry him a bit

Perhaps he liked the fermented smell.

You ask how he survived the ordeal,

Would his children lose their sire?

He started drinking all he could

Of