Poems and Prayers for the Ups and Downs of Life

By Marsha Cain

Poems and Prayers for the Ups and Downs of Life is a unique compilation of verses- 40 years in the making. First-time author and retired social worker, Marsha Denial Cain explores the challenges and joys of our collective and personal lives. Focusing on matters of the heart, Cain addresses topics as diverse as the evening news and as light-heart

• Language: English
• Publisher: Authors' Tranquility Press
• Release date: Jul 11, 2023
• ISBN: 9781959579984

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Copyright © 2023 by Marsha Cain

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed Attention: Permissions Coordinator, at the address below.

Marsha Cain/Author’s Tranquility Press

3800 CAMP CREEK PKWY SW BLDG 1400-116 #1255

Atlanta, GA 30331

www.authorstranquilitypress.com

Ordering Information:

Quantity sales. Special discounts are available on quantity purchases by corporations, associations, and others. For details, contact the Special Sales Department at the address above.

Poems and Prayers for the Ups and Downs of Life/Marsha Cain

Hardback: 978-1-959579-96-0

Paperback: 978-1-959579-97-7

eBook: 978-1-959579-98-4

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my parents, LaVerne and Roy Denial who instilled in our family a love of books and writing. Although they are both gone, they left behind special notes, poems, and letters which I continue to treasure.

My father Roy Denial was a professional writer most of his life. He wrote numerous articles that were featured in newspapers, magazines, and other publications, while also completing two novels during his retirement.

As a tribute to my father, I have taken the liberty of co-writing a poem with him, called Hugs. In dedicating this book of poetry to my parents, I am thankful for all the hugs I have received and hope to pass some on to you!

Prologue

My interest in writing poetry began as a young child when I received a special birthday gift at age six – a copy of A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson.

This book opened my eyes to a world of play and imagination where the reader would delight in simple pleasures and pastimes.

As a child and teenager, I frequently found myself writing poems and songs to entertain myself and others. Over time, journaling became a standard practice that helped me to process my thoughts, express my feelings and cope with challenging situations.

So this book is the culmination of many years of processing, praying, and navigating through the Ups and Downs of Life. I hope that my readers will find these poems helpful as they take their own journeys through uncharted waters.

Acknowledgments

One never accomplishes a goal without the encouragement of others. This is certainly true in my completion of this book. Over the years, I have been challenged to assemble my poems in a book for publication. I am thankful to the many relatives, friends and co-workers who have cheered me along the way.

However, I am most grateful to my husband Don for loving me and being willing to listen to my poems as I have written and rewritten them. Our daughters Laura, Emily, and Liz provided me with many delightful memories, along with our son-in-law’s and our fun-loving grandchildren. I am particularly indebted to my daughter Liz and her husband Sam Campbell in the preparation of my manuscript.

Finally, I want to thank my brother Eric Denial and his wife Jane for all their love and support and for the faithfulness, that they have shown through the ups and downs of life.

Love to All

Marsha

Contents

Dedication

Prologue

Acknowledgements

POEMS AND PRAYERS FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART

Poetry for All

Write

Poetic License

Word Power

Moments

Hugs

A Mother’s Kiss

The Dance

Guys and Gals

Moods

Spring’s Song

Mother’s Day Mania

Summer Days

July 4th

Fair Time

Demolition Derby

A Redneck

Fishing

The Man

The Old Guys

Home Renovation

The Moving Dance

When Days are Not Sunny

Dinner Dilemmas

Pity Party

Couplet

Someone’s Turning 60

Baby Boomers

Crazy Things

Remembering

New Glasses

My Feet

My Mind

Upstairs

A Colonoscopy

The Christmas Mess

Going to the Emergency

Taking Care

The Obits

So What

Decades

Funny Lines

Betty Spaghetti

The Broom

The Jolly Woman

The Computer

Fancy Girl

Great Day

Silly Boy

Baby Rock

My Room

Grandma Says

Math Magic

Who and What and Where and When

Winter, Winter

Lines

POEMS AND PRAYERS FOR THE TROUBLED HEART

In the Day of Trouble

When Fear Comes

Twin Towers

September 11

Did you Hear?

It’s 3 a.m

Their Son

How?

The Veteran

The Sounds

Wounds

The Price

Paducah

Peaceful Savior

Slaughter of the Innocents

Mad World

Disturbed

Pushed to Prayer

A Single Mother

Hungry Children

Cry Out

Hurricane Harvey

Irma’s Plea

Hope

Bonded

Prayers Like Raindrops

Flatten the Curve

Social Distance

A Covid Prayer

Truth, Truth

Data, Data Everywhere

Facebook Fears

Faith and Fear

Why Do I Worry?