Rhyme Me a Life

By Melinda McQueen

Rhyme Me a Life is a book of poems written within a year. In this book I write about everything and anything which inspired me in everyday life. Drawing inspiration from everyday life is quite eye-opening. It's something to find beauty in day to day living and put it into words. I've also written about special events that took place throughout my life. I wanted to challenge myself in writing as many poems as I could in a year's time. It is my hope that you enjoy reading and perhaps find inspiration of your own.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Melinda McQueen
• Release date: Dec 31, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005849573

Melinda McQueen

Hello, I'm Melinda from Texas. I am a published author. I'm in a chair with Cerebral Palsy and writing is my outlet. I have found deep pleasure in writing poetry. Writing helps me express my emotions. Sometimes when I'm sad, I sit in front of my computer and begin typing. I type until I get an idea; from there, I proceed to write a poem. When I complete a poem I feel much better. I guess you could say I feel at peace with myself. But I don't just write when I'm sad. I write when I'm happy. I write when I want someone to know how I feel about them, when I'm unable to tell them face to face. I also write just to remind myself and others not to take life for granted. I also write to glorify God. I believe He instilled in me the gift of writing. I'm currently writing my third novel.If you would like a copy of my novel you can purchase Her Happiest Place by Melinda McQueen on Amazon and B&N.com.

Book preview

Part 1

The poet

Dances upon

Sheets white.

I have never been called graceful. Due to CP, my movements are everywhere, to say the least. I used to watch other girls/women who could effortlessly move in a pretty fashion and wished I could do the same. I remember once when I was in high school, I was outside waiting for my mom to pick me up in our van. My aide was waiting with me, and she was playing with my hair. Raking her fingers through it until it was to one side. Do this like the girls do! I smiled, liking the thought.

It would have been nice to be like other women. But I’m not, and that’s ok. I’m now in my forties and I’ve learned that being a woman is more than good looks and fluid movements. Besides, Proverbs 31: 30 says Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

I love to write. Yeah, I know. Big shocker. It enables me to express myself. I can’t imagine not writing. I think I would be as a well which had been dried up or had a lid capping its mouth. Or a butterfly without wings. I’m grateful I’m able to write, especially knowing there are some with disabilities, even those with CP who have it more severe than even I. I would say that I’m somewhere in the middle because there are those who are less effected than I am, and there are those who are more effected.

As I was saying, through writing I am able to reach the world. I will not take it for granted. Through writing, I have the power to touch hearts—a power I don’t take lightly. Through writing, am I graceful. I’m the poet who dances upon sheets white.

The Words of My Mamaw McQueen

She read my words,

as proud as can be.

She knew I had something special.

She told me I would succeed.

I had a knack for the written word, she said,

that I could accomplish anything I put in my mind.

She once said I had what it took…

that was when my words came alive.

Reading my work of short stories,

she believed they were worthy of being published.

She held on to my stories, hoping to get them into the right hands,

to fulfill my wish.

While reading, she noticed how rarely I used the same word twice,

saying "Yes, there are different words that can be used

in certain instances, as not to be redundant."

I smiled at her words true.

Words of encouragement weaved through the tapestry

of my writing through the years.

When poetry called out to me,

she read through tears.

I will always remember her love and faith,

and her words telling me that I would succeed.

Yes, I will ever recall

the words of my Mamaw McQueen

Melinda McQueen Rodgers

January 23, 2021

Happy Birthday to My Sister

Many years have passed,

But I still remember the day of your birth.

The scenes, clear in my mind,

For all their worth.

Daddy had me in his arms,

Holding me up to the nursery’s window

When I saw you in

A hospital crib, void of pillows.

I also remember when holding on to Dad,

I could see Mom in her room.

She was lying in bed watching us,

And I could tell she loved you.

Through the years, you’ve been by my side,

My playmate, my best friend.

You’ve been there through it all,

A love to never end.

When I was in high school

You did my makeup every morning, simply to be kind.

It was you who did my hair and makeup

On prom night.

When it was time for me to embark my life anew,

You stood up for me when no one else would.

And on my wedding day, you of course, helped me get ready.

You were my bridesmaid as well as my nieces… beside me, you stood.

I could write this poem all night

And still I wouldn’t be able to express how much you mean to me.

So, let me say I love you…

And happy birthday to my sister, Shelly.

To my Baby Sister, Shelly,

Love, Melinda

February 1, 2021

Happy Birthday to Mamaw Hop

It’s your birthday

And I want to say

A little prayer

To let you know I care.

I pray God continues to bless you

As He always has so true.

Even in hard times,

He has been by your side.

Blessed are you with a long life,

So much have you survived.

You’ve endured with courage and strength,

As God was and is in reach.

I pray you are doing well

And living life as in your heart, love dwells.

Filled with love,

I pray for you to God above

I hope you have a great day

And know that your life is beautifully laid

With blessings none can rob,

Happy Birthday to Mamaw Hop!

To Maurine Hopkins

Love, Melinda

February 3, 2021

Lord of my soul

Reign in me,

For You I need.

I can’t live one day

Without You as my stay.

Fill me with Your Presence true,

For what am I without You?

Lord of my soul, whisper unto me Your will,

And I shall be still.

My delight is found in You,

As You’re there in all I go through.

I’m not afraid of what may come,

For Your will be done.

For me You fight,

As lowly as I am, still I’m in Your sight.

Lord of my soul, grant me peace,

And remind me that only You am I to please.

Grateful for all You’ve bestowed unto me,

Only in Thee could I ever succeed.

Waking me each morning anew,

Your grace is renewed.

Thank You for my life,

And for each morning I rise.

Whatever happens, wherever I go,

You are Lord of my soul.

Melinda McQueen

February 11, 2021

Treasured Love

How deep is the love I feel,

Inside the depths of me.

Ever pumping, ever feeling,

As it pours into all I am, it sets me free.

Words of love said,

Words of love unspoken.

For times there need not words,

Treasured love can never be broken.

I love you, my love,

Not ‘til the end of time.

But throughout the weaves of eternity,

For your heart rhymes with mine.

Holding on to your love,

Keeps my world spinning.

My anchor in times bad,

Treasured love keeps my heart winning.

As the ocean waves crash, unstoppable,

So too, is the love I have for you.

Right is my world,

Simply because of your love true.

Ever a part of my soul,

My husband, love of mine.

I need you always,

My treasured love, my valentine.

Melinda McQueen Rodgers

For Andy

February 13, 2021

Tell Them They Can

Young hearts, young souls,

They take your words into themselves.

They fight battles you will never know.

So, remember, you are their wealth.

Be mindful of what you say,

Because the rest of the world will not.

If you have a special needs child,

Build them up, be their rock.

Teach them to dream big,

And that nothing is out of their reach.

When they dream far and wide,

Don’t tell them they can’t, but help them to believe.

A big job for extraordinary parents,

To fulfilling their every need.

Remember, they need still

For you to believe.

Special parents are you.

You are to be applauded indeed.

For you may feel your work is never done,

As there is always a need.

…And when your child succeeds,

May you sit back and smile, as their biggest fan.

Happy will they be…

Simply by telling them they CAN.

Melinda McQueen Rodgers

March 6, 2021

Happy Birthday, Bonnie

It’s your special day,

And a good time to say

That into my life, I’m glad you came

In God’s special way.

Yes, God fulfilled a purpose meant to be,

In sending you to take care of me.

But He knew we would be friends

With hearts to lend.

You do so much more than your job requires,

What you’ve done, no one could truly be hired

You take care of me even when you’re not on the clock,

And you bought me Wonder Woman socks! (ha ha I couldn’t resist.)

You’ve stayed with me in the hospital, to keep me company

And to make sure they took care of me.

You’ve done much more which my heart doesn’t dismiss,

Things neither of us would want me to list!

Anyway… I just want to wish you a great one,

In thanking you for all you’re done.

Again, thanks for all you do for me.

Happy Birthday, Bonnie!

To Bonnie

Love, Melinda

March 15, 2021

Light of the Savior

Into the light she goes,

A soft glow spans the horizon.

Lingering like puffy clouds,

She’s altogether undone.

Reaching into the depths,

She senses something’s ahead.

For her heart has always believed

In the Spirit who led.

Here is she set free.

Here is she ever alive.

Here, is she basking in the beauty.

Here, is her every woe made right.

What glory she beholds.

Weightless of all the cares

That once entangled her,

Only of the Savior’s grace is she aware.

The immense beauty surrounds her,

So much that her eyes know not where first to go.

No darkness can be seen,

Not even her own shadow.

For the Light of the Savior

Penetrates her joyful soul.

By His brightness, she thinks she should be blinded,

But no, now the Savior she fully knows.

Melinda McQueen Rodgers

March 23, 2021

The Lion of Judah

He roams the earth,

His eyes seeing all.

Breathing life into souls,

He still calls the called.

In power and in might,

His strength never fails.

He fights for the welfare of His children.

The Lion of Judah marks the trail.

His will is made known to all the world,

In ev’ry part He is announced.

He hasn’t kept silent,

But over and over, astounds.

The Lamb which has been offered

For the whole world in need,

Rightfully took up His Life once more;

The Lion of Judah declares His steadfast mercy.

He’s here, yes, He’s here,

In ev’ry breath and ev’ry heartbeat.

Mighty is the God we serve,

Ready and willing to set captives free.

His eyes of love penetrate

Through the heart as the stars penetrate the night.

Hailing as King;

The Lion of Judah is the eternal Light.

Melinda McQueen Rodgers

March 24, 2021

Calling on Thy Protection

You’ve known her from the womb,

Yes, You knitted her together in Thy wisdom true.

As You know her heart and most inward parts,

You know the destiny You desire to bring her to.

I ask that You bundle her in Your love

Until she has no choice but to accept it.

She may not know she has need of You, but I do.

I’m calling on Thy protection, this situation… only You can help it.

Whisper deep into her soul

And tell her that You are there.

Show her that life is beautiful,

And fill her with peace, knowing You care.

Send people along her path

Who will guide her to You.

If ever in dire need, send angels to guard her;

I’m calling on Thy protection to see her through.

She is indeed needful of You,

Apply her young heart to Your way.

Give her a thirst to know and follow after You,

Show her… let her taste and see that You are real, today.

O Lord, there’s no one like You,

You are the true connection.

Thank You for giving ear to my prayer;

Calling on Thy Protection.

Melinda McQueen Rodgers

March 25, 2021

To the Heights of Dreams

Dare, I say, to dream.

For one can never know

What may be unleashed.

A light finally shone.

Coming alive on broad wings,

Riding on a sail of faith.

Only when letting go, do they build momentum

To the heights of dreams.

When a dream become a goal,

It’s given power to manifest.

A dream is simply a gift

To be unwrapped to bless.

Let your heart dream big,

And not strangled by deathly fingers of uncertainties.

Rather, set your heart free

To the heights of dreams.

When the caterpillars of your heart become butterflies,

You must allow the dreams to soar.

You just may find that life’s sky is indeed opened to you,

As you watch your dreams become more.

So, when your dreams become too big for your heart,

May your faith grant them wings to succeed.

For when you believe, you can reach

To the heights of dreams!

Melinda McQueen Rodgers

March 26, 2021

Light My Night

Come to me

For I am weak.

To hear the still, small voice

Is my greatest need.

A quietness in the darkness night

That beams a light into my thirsty soul.

Calm my fears too big for me,

But to You they are pebbles for You to hold.

Loving every minute of Your Presence,

I desire Your touch more than sunshine upon my face.

A smile unto my heart,

How could I ever live a day without Your grace?

A whispered word to my soul,

And my world is right.

Like air unto my lungs,

So, I need to hear from You; light my night.

Shine Your glory, O my soul,

For You, Lord, are my delight.

Visit me with Your precious love,

You are my life.

Praising You with all I am,

Always in Your sight.

The darkness is doused

When You light my night.

Melinda McQueen

March 27, 2021

The Deliverance Mission

He came for a purpose,

A plan which laid long before.

Riding in on a donkey’s colt,

He was to be adored.

Welcomed into Jerusalem,

Palm branches shadowing His path.

Prophecy played out,

Leading up to the God-spoken task.

A journey’s end, a journey’s beginning,

When Christ would fulfill His destiny.

Coming as a humbled soul, riding a donkey;

The Deliverance Mission to set the world free.

O how worthy He is to be praised,

Glorious is the King.

Preparing the way,

He is the ultimate blessing.

Christ gave up His life—

The very life he gave up his place in heaven for—

The Deliverance Mission to save the sinners’ soul,

Our stripes He bore.

Fulfilling all He came to accomplish,

He ascended to the Father on High.

Soon, He will come in all His glory,

Riding a white horse in the sky!

Melinda McQueen Rodgers

March 28, 2021 Palm Sunday

Then God Swoops In

When times are tough

And the journey rough,

You feel depleted

When storms haven’t receded.

All the world seems to cave,

And there’s nothing to save.

You feel lost and alone, knowing no end.

Then God swoops in.

Hearing your heart’s cry,

His ears bent from on High.

He knows your pain,

Which is the reason He sustains.

When life becomes too deep

And all you know to do is weep,

Call out to the One on whom you can depend.

Then God swoops in.

He loves with an outstanding love—

A love which is more than enough.

His great love knows no bounds.

The Almighty’s love astounds.

When you’re on the brink

And about to sink,

Reach out to Him, again.

Then God swoops in.

Melinda McQueen Rodgers

March 29, 2021

The Uncreated God

How vast are His ways

Throughout and before all our days.

Before time was He,

And after time He will still be.

His mercy was never born,

As it has always existed as an attribute of the Lord.

So His grace too was ever alive

And will continue in and out of time.

The uncreated God is infinite indeed;

He ever was and forever will be.

He alone created all things

And placed them beneath the span of His Almighty wings.

None before Him,

His creation is to adore Him.

His wisdom none can know.

He answers to no one,

And is gloriously undone!

How His wondrous works put on a show.

His pow’r echoes His Name

In the most poetic refrain.

Glory upon glory

Speaks to His story.

Heaven and earth ever nods

To the uncreated God.

March Melinda McQueen Rodgers

March 29, 2021

An Ocean Dance

Into the ocean waves

Cascading water tunnels a shade.

On her board she’s most alive,

Within a wave is where she thrives.

Nothing else matters,

Except droplets which splatters

Her sun-kissed face.

She’s keeping her emotions at bay.

Or at least she’s trying to.

Yet, she feels her truth

While at one with the ocean,

She ponders her devotion.

This is her chance—

Her chance, her dance.

There was clearly something riding,

And it wasn’t just her board rising.

Her inner self searched for more,

Her very heart implored.

In the distance she saw a huge wave,

Exhilarated, her heart raced.

The wave was making it to her,

But then, she awakes to bed sheets in blur.

Oddly, she feels refreshed,

Rejuvenated in her soul… at rest.

Looking over, she sees her wheelchair,

Smiling, she’s aware… that’s her surfboard over there.

The wave now encircled her in abundance;

She knows she must live out her own dance.

Melinda McQueen Rodgers

March 30, 2021

He Lives in Me

He lives in me.

What a thought.

My mind cannot grasp

Such a wondrous gift brought.

Yet, He is here,

Closer than my heartbeat.

Nearer than my next breath.

He’s here, within my reach.