Poetically Speaking Down Through the Years

By Rachel McClellan

The author’s poetry are about the people in our lives, private reflections, and a celebration of faith. The reader can relate to their own family, friends, coworkers, mentors, and neighbors while different are still the same in our thoughts and characteristics. The sentiments described in her poems, love of family, a mother’s anguish over the loss of a child, a celebration of our faith in God, admiration of our teachers and classmates, young or old. There is something for anyone and everyone who loves to read poetry that has been written with love and heartfelt appreciation for others.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 21, 2021
• ISBN: 9781098099039

Book preview

Baltimore

B stands for bold, beautiful, bright,

blooming in every way

Trying to progress, to set an example

To show that city living is okay

Nose to the grindstone, day to day

A is for assurance, accomplishment, acclaim

Which we generated across the nation

That there’s hope for the cities after all

This has filled many with much elation

L is for love, laughter, largesse

For many gifts were generously given

Not all were of monetary value

But many minds and bodies were selflessly driven

Here for example is the city fair

Skeptics said it couldn’t be done

But they never reckoned with dedicated people

Who knew a victory when it was won

T is for timely, tactical, tough

Not vicious but strong and pliant

But would bind, twist without tearing or breaking

When working with the bureaucratic giant

For when asking for money for the cities

From the federal government

You have to be a mixture of things

Or you won’t get one red cent

I is for our Great Inner Harbor

A beautiful sight today

Where homegrown folk and tourist alike

Can enjoy our famous crabs from the Chesapeake Bay

We can visit our spacious Aquarium

Where all types of sea mammals abound

A stroll over to the Science Center

To find out if the Earth’s really round

M is for Mayor William Donald Shaefer

Who has proved he’s the best Mayor in the nation

And since a leader needs a real working staff

He formed an aggressive aggregation

We won’t take the time to name names here

But they jelled together as one

Each working toward one common goal

That’s how you get the job done

O is for our world champion Orioles

Whom we have as if they’re our brothers

Then along came the champion Baltimore Blast

We cherished them as same as the others

Alas we lost our Great Baltimore Colts

Whom I viewed in all kinds of weather

And I had to pray, not to hurt Mr. Irsay

So, I put away my tar and feathers

R is for rare, receptive, real

That’s our Baltimore neighborhoods

People who know how to pull together

The way all good neighbors should

Whether it’s for the city, or meals on wheels

Or whatever needs that have to be supplied

These wonderful, generous people

Show a great deal of civic pride

E is for effort, educational, effectual

Something we need more of

We know there’s a great deal yet to be done

We’ll always need a push and a shove

Although I’ve traveled hither and yon

From the east coast to the west

I’ve yet to see, another place like Big B

Yes Baltimore’s still Best

Ancestors

So, ancestors are very important

They get this whole thing started

To carry on, as they struggled along

Meant they had to be quite stouthearted

Remember the days of your wonderful youth

When you thought you’d never grow old

When you never had to worry

About a roof over your head

Or about ever being hungry or cold

When you played hopscotch, hide and go seek

And jump rope until it was dark

Then you knew soon, your mother would call

Boy! You were as happy as a lark

Then just like that it happened

You had a family of your own

When did I spend my youth so fast

Say when did I become grown

Then add sisters, brothers and their children

Lettering from A to Z

Add this all together and

We are Fam-i-lee

Yet some are not so fortunate

Some are lonely, weary, and forlorn

Due to the circumstances of their lives

Some wish they had never been born

Some are abused and often unwanted

Some are orphans with no hope in sight

Who would love to somehow just belong

To have someone to help in their plight

Which brings us to the biggest family of all

One who adopts all of those who are alone

Who promises to attend to all of their needs

He only asks you to come

Bring all your burdens, frustrations, and woes

Your heartaches, worries and fears

He said Lo I’m with you always

Load upon me all your cares

Come seek out that Lion of Judah

The Rose of Sharon, Mary’s Son

The Alpha, Omega, the Chief Cornerstone

Jesus Christ is the one

Come join the Heavenly Body of Christ

He will let your soul feel free

Then you’ll know the real meaning of

A loving Fam-i-lee

Mama Humming Hymns in the Kitchen

I hear sounds of movement in the house

It’s early in the morn

Fresh country air comes in my window

Birds chirping in the trees

And Mama is Humming Hymns in the Kitchen

I smell salt pork simmering on the stove

Fragrance of biscuits waffling in the air

Dishes and pans rattling about

Making a joyful sound

And Mama humming Hymns in the kitchen

My mind travels back to her disappointments

Her joy, her pain, her sorrow

It seems no matter what her day would bring

She had a remedy

What times I remember and sorely miss

Mama Humming Hymns in the Kitchen

God’s Examples

Woman—Thy name is vanity

Is the way one writer perceived them

We don’t know why he wrote those words

But not everyone believed him

While it’s true some women can be ultravain

The same can be said for some men

But you see man looks on the outside

And GOD looks from the outside in

In the book of Proverbs 31:10 We can read of the perfect wife

I’m sure some women have followed, in her footsteps

Seeking a soothing plan for their life

To bring about good, not evil

Strength and dignity is her domain

She opens her mouth in wisdom

She reaches out to the poor, the blind and the lame

Charm is deceptive, and beauty will fade

The woman who fears GOD, is to be praised

All the rewards of her labor

Will live on long after her Days

When GOD created Adam

He saw he had a lonely man

So he plucked a rib from Adam’s side, and created Eve

And some say that’s when his troubles began

I hold this is not entirely true

For Adam had the power to think

And while Eve enticed him to eat the apple, I’ve always heard

You can lead a horse to water

But you cannot make him drink

So suffice to say, that everything has a history

And that includes Women’s Day

We miss the faces that smiled at us

And lifted our spirits when our skies were Gray

That brought us through our younger years

When we were Babes in Christ

Taught us how to grow in grace

And in love and sacrifice

They sold suppers, pies and cakes and frosted cups

Made with love and sold for nickels, dimes and a song

How their faces beamed, as they would march around the church

One whose feet and legs so tired

She marched with her chukka boots on

You see, they couldn’t whip out a checkbook

The way some of us can now

Everything they raised for Women’s Day

Was earned by the sweat of their brow

They’ve gone on to heaven, to get their reward

But I imagine if they could speak somehow

They would say, Children, it’s time to get right with GOD

And you’d better do it now

But today we Honor these dear Ladies

And shout with much elation

That they are to GOD, his salt of the earth

And to us Great Inspiration

Ye are the roses on the vines

When they first begin to flower

As they open and spread forth their beauty

They have a Majestic power

We honor first sweet Sister Francis Simms

How we miss her angelic face

And wish we could see her one more time

To come in and grace this place

Though they slay me yet will I trust him

Though blind, the light I see

Listen to Sister Francis, saying with a voice of assurance

That my father watches over me

We honor today, Sister Sadie Jones

A GOD-fearing woman, with a beautiful smile

Although burdens has seemed to press her down

She cranes through with faith, perseverance in grand style

Residing now in a nursing home

A place where she’s never been

Says she’s grateful to GOD, for all he has done

He’s without a doubt, her best friend

These two ladies are the last of the founders

Two of the magnificent seven

That worked so hard to help build Unity Baptist Church

But their major goal is to seek heaven

Next, we honor Sister Berdella Reaves

This lady’s regular jolly old elf

Just tell her any old little story

And she’ll laugh in spite of herself

You’ll find this lady never changes her ways

She’s the personification of GOD’s Love

A true and humble spirit

And the gentleness of a dove

She has only one problem

That we can Ascertain

That is she may be a little slew afoot

But she gets there just the same

We honor Sister Mary Tate

Lying on her bed of affliction

Keeping her hand in GOD’S mighty hand

With a total sense of conviction

A real gracious lady is Sister Tate

Tender, affectionate and kind

Always willing to listen and lend support

Whose tranquil ways are sublime

We honor now Sister Mabel Thornton

Of the firm and strong handshake

That speaks of a fervent belief in the master

Of which there can be no mistake

A strength rooted in the gospel

A no nonsense approach in her voice

You can tell she sought peace early in life

When she decided to make Jesus her choice

The next honoree Sister Carrie Dailey

The lady with the affable grin

Her faith in GOD is so fixed

You can’t tell where one ends and the other begins

"I must tell Jesus all of my troubles

I cannot bear these burdens alone"

You couldn’t separate her from the love of GOD

Even with a fine-toothed comb

Aunt Carrie is also one of the world’s best cooks

Everything from soup to nuts

I know a great cook when I see one

Since I am a Kitchen Klutz

Last but not least we honor Sister Mary Butler

The lady with the playful ways

She made a vow she’d follow Jesus

For the balance of her Days

She’s straightforward, witty, and loving

To sleep she’s definitely prone

But she gives you to know, that every shut eye ain’t sleep

For no sin shall enter heaven

Not one iota, nor speck, nor sprinkle