A Woodsy Stream

I wrote this a little over a year ago but never posted it.

Life is like a woodsy stream that constantly is flowing
You’re just a bubble in that stream not knowing where you’re going
Twists and turns come suddenly and catch you unaware
But you ride upon the current; the twists and turns your fare
When rocks and logs get in the way, you somehow flow around them
You don’t let yourself get bogged down with the drama that surrounds them
The stream’s sometimes so quiet; you can almost hear things think
Then all at once it gets so loud your eyes begin to blink
And then it changes once again for no un-Godly reason
And this goes on for years and years and season after season
And there are bigger things my friends that come upon the stream
Disrupting how the water flows; disturbing all your dreams
Then in a fleeting moment you look and they are gone
And just like that you realize that you too have moved on
Sure you’ll come upon some rapids and perhaps a waterfall
Just bask in the excitement; don’t freeze in fear and stall
At times you’ll find a quiet pond and stay right there awhile
But the winds will change and in a bit you’ll have gone another mile
My stream’s down to a trickle but I know it’s not the end
The winds will change and pretty soon I’ll be off around the bend
I don’t know where it will take me, but I won’t be denied
I can’t wait to see what’s next; I’ve so enjoyed this ride

Mdailey - 7/3/09

Ten Dollar Bill

I heard this story in a sermon and decided to put it to rhyme.  I hope you enjoy my version.
He held up a ten dollar bill
All heads turned; the room got still
Who would like this brand new bill?
All hands were in the air
He crumpled up that brand new bill
And asked if they would like it still
This crumpled up but still good bill
All hands were in the air
He threw the bill upon the ground
Stepped on it and ground it down
Who wants this bill all bent and brown?
All hands were in the air
But this ten dollar bill is not crisp and clean
It’s crumpled and dirty and no longer green
Who would still want this, it is almost obscene
All hands were in the air

My friends, many times in our lives I have found
We are down and we’re crumpled like dirt on the ground
But even at that our value is sound
Our lives are worth living still
So consider this lesson whenever you meet
The crumpled, the fallen, the man on the street
His worth is not less it is merely discrete
Like this crumpled up ten dollar bill

  Mdailey     02/19/09

His Hand on My Shoulder

I wrote this awhile back but never got around to posting it.  Let me know if it does anything for you.

As a youth I was a Christian
Knowing not what I believe
Heard the words but I just didn’t listen
It was more than my mind could conceive

Then all at once He touched my shoulder
Turning me now to His path
Showing me how to be bolder
By leaning much more on his staff

In the Army in my first real battle
Pinned down by the enemy fire
Kneeling so my knees wouldn’t rattle
Praying to God my desire

Then all at once He touched my shoulder
Turning me back to His path
And the heat of the battle turned colder
As I leaned on my Lord and his staff

Down through the years I’ve been trying
To constantly follow His leads
And I know there is no denying
He’s been there through all of my needs

Then all at once He touched my shoulder
Leading me now on His path
Knowing I won’t get much older
I’m leaning much more on his staff

Mdailey     4/21/08

The Man That I AM

I have opened the door that no one can close
I have given you choices – which ones have you chose
I have done what I came for – done all that I can
I have shown that I’m more than the man that I am


I’ve walked through each country – blessed all that I could
I’ve taught you the good news and how to be good
I’ve cured deafness and blindness – you know that I can
I have shown that I’m more than the man that I am


I’ve talked of the mission that I’ve given to you
I’ve sent you the spirit to help you get through
You know why I came here and done all that I can
Can’t you see that I’m more than the man that I am


And what did it get me – what was the cost
You cursed me and beat me – hung me up on a cross
I didn’t repay you in kind – though I can
But then I wouldn’t be more than the man that I am

Mdailey   2/19/08

Blameless on the Cross

I wrote this a few years ago.  I had heard the phrase "blameless on the cross" and wanted to see where that took me in verse.  Here it is.



You were there hanging blameless on the cross
You were there all alone as if your cause were lost
I could not see the path you laid before me
For I did not understand
You were blameless on the cross
For all the sins of man


I’ve heard about your preaching – some said you are the one
But you’re hanging up there on the cross as if it’s said and done
And me, I’m just a simple man hanging out here on the edge
Waiting for a simple sign that shows God kept his pledge
And even you – if you are the one – cried out as if forsaken
And those along the edge with me our faith was surely shaken


For we all had such high hopes for the one to lead the way
To show the world we are the chosen ones to rule the day
But you – you seem a simple man so frail and so slim
The only fire you ever show is the fire that burns within
You tell us to forgive our debtors and to turn the other cheek
For the world will be given to the gentle and meek
But for those on the edge we’re feeling lonely and lost
For you’re hanging blamelessly up there on the cross


Many years have come and gone and still some wonder
Were you a man or truly God own son
Me – I’ve got a faith no man can put asunder
I know deep in my heart you are the ONE
You were hanging blameless on the cross
Not alone, your cause had not been lost
All the sins of man were hanging too
Paid for by your love we were made anew

Mdailey    2/19/08

Hope: A Path to Fulfillment

There is suffering down here on Earth
Since long before Biblical times
But it’s not an inditement on what we are worth
It is part of the grander designs
We suffer because we are human
We give in to corruption and greed
Admit it – you do it too, man
You always want more than you need
But God’s promised a brighter tomorrow
As only our God could conceive
A path of fulfillment – not sorrow
Hope – for those that believe

Mdailey - 05/18/09

I Saw an Angel

With the passing of a friend, I thought of this poem I wrote a while back as a comfort to a co-worker who had lost his wife.  I thought I would share it with all of you.

 And then at once, I saw an angel
Sitting there as if at rest
I thought my lord, where have you gone
I loved you so, you loved me best
 The stone was rolled back from the tomb front
There in your place, an angel sat
He said don’t fear, he has arisen
If you’ll recall, he told you that


Thus did the Bible tell the story
Of our lord’s defeat of death
Twas truth back then as is today
Still takes away my very breath


And so today I think about him
And the love that we all share
As I sit here close by your bedside
Holding hands in silent prayer


You lived a life but now it’s ending
There’s still so much I’d like to say
But in silence I’ll just stay here
Close my eyes, I kneel and pray


And then at once, I saw an angel
Sitting there as if at rest
I thought my lord, where have you gone
I loved you so, God loved you best

Mdailey   05/14/08

A Teacher

A good friend passed away last week and we attended her memorial on the 23rd.  That morning as I sat in bed, I wrote my own little memorial to her.


The angels said “A teacher
A teacher’s what we need
Someone to guide the others
Someone to take the lead
Someone with that special skill
Someone who’s always done His will
Someone who will do it still
A teacher’s what we need”


So God looked down upon this earth
To find someone of special worth
He found so few – then picked the best
Who clearly out shown all the rest
Each time He put her to the test
A teacher – yes indeed

A loving mother, loving wife
Who dedicated her whole life
Who gave herself unselfishly
To church, to school, to family
To those in need that she did see
A teacher – yes indeed


She was so loved, she will be missed
By all of those whose lives she kissed
Her earthly strings He has untied
So we can use her as our guide
And she’ll fit nicely at his side
A teacher – yes indeed

Mdailey 4/23/10

Remembering a friend

We had a good friend pass away last week.  She was only 59 years old and appeared to be in good health and then all of a sudden she was gone.  Talking to my wife and thinking about our friend, I tried to capture my thoughts in a couple of poems.  The first was written from the persceptive of our friend, the second from the perspective of the one she left behind.

You’re Grieving



I know that you are grieving
Don’t think of me as leaving
Think of me as somewhere down the road
Ahead of you, preparing
That life that we’ll be sharing
Once we leave our earth abode
I know that there’ll be crying
With my far too soon goodbying
But I really don’t want you to be sad
You’ll always have my love and
I’ll be watching from above and
Remembering the good times that we had
So grieve, then go on living
Loving and forgiving
Knowing that our true love will not die
And I will be here waiting
Greatly anticipating
Until we’re back together by and by

Mdailey 4/18/10

Mountain in the Road



How can I bear the load
There’s a mountain in the road
A mountain that appeared when you were gone
And it makes the road I travel
All my life plans to unravel
And makes me wonder how I can go on


Oh, I know I’ll take it step by step
In spite of all the tears I wept
I’ll find a way to make it ore’ the mound
And I’ll take it all in stride
Till I’m on the other side
And finally living back on level ground


And someday looking back
Along my life long track
I’ll realize my life did not implode
But you’re leaving is so haunting
And to go on is so daunting
You see, you left a mountain in the road

Mdailey 4/18/10

I Remember Easter

I Remember – Easter  -  I am not sure this qualifies as a spiritual poem or not but it shows that I have mixed memories of Easter - some of them very secular and some more mundane.  Some from early childhood and some from a more grown up perspective.  What is it you remember about Easter?

I remember
Mom’s big hat
Where we sat
At Easter
I remember
New church shoes
Old church pews
At Easter
I remember
Moms and sisters
New shoe blisters
At Easter
I remember
Pure white dresses
Summer tresses
At Easter
I remember
Festive bonnet
Flowers upon it
At Easter
I remember
Flowered purses
Bible verses
At Easter
I remember
Choirs sang
Church bells rang
At Easter
I remember
Peter Rabbit
Nuns in habit
At Easter
I remember
Fake green grass
Latin Mass
At Easter
I remember
Dressing up
The wine and cup
At Easter
I remember
World and heaven
Bread unleavened
At Easter
I remember
Hidden treasure
Love unmeasured
At Easter
I remember
Flowers bloom
The empty tomb
At Easter
I remember
Candy sweet
Satan’s defeat
At Easter
I remember
Spiral ham
The great I AM
At Easter
I remember
Our Lord Jesus
How he freed us
At Easter

Mdailey 3/22/10

FAITH

This was another poem composed while driving.  I think the rhythm of the road gets my mind to working on poetry better than just sitting at my desk.  I hope this means something to someone out there.  I would love to hear any comments you might have.    Mike

Faith, you gotta show it
If not, you simply blow it
Inaction – and your faith just isn’t real
For eternal satisfaction
You have to take some action
You have to show the world just how you feel

Examples? Look through Bible pages
Throughout history; all the ages
Men and women took their chances
And found eternal life enhances

Faith can move mountains
But YOU have to push
Get off of your knees
Get off of your tush
Get out in the world
Wear your faith on your sleeve
So that others can see
What you truly believe


Help your father, help your mother
Help your sister, help your brother
And do it just because you know it’s right
Even better, help a stranger
Be a modern day “Lone Ranger”
Do it even when you’re out of sight


As Nike says – Just do it
There’s really not much to it
If you believe, you act on that belief
For faith is love in action
And heaven’s great attraction
And that is this week’s spiritual in brief

Mdailey 3/12/10

God Hears

I wrote this on the drive from Wilmington, NC down to our place in Ocean Ridge - about an hour's drive.  I like to compose poems in my head while I drive but sometimes I get a little nrevous about remembering all the words in my head when I finally get to my destination and write them down.  Today was no exception.  I hope this poem inspires you to say a prayer for someone you love - you never realize just how much that helps.

When I get to the pearly gate
I’ll simply tell Saint Peter
That I’m sorry that I’m late


But I had loved ones praying
Hard for me each day
And I am simply living proof
God hears us when we pray


When I was young I drank some
Much more than my fair share
If I heard there would be drinking
I’d try to be right there


But I had loved ones praying
That I would change some day
And I am simply living proof
God hears us when we pray


When I was just out driving
I knew I drove too fast
And when I hit that slick spot
Thought my end had come at last


But I had loved ones praying
That I would be OK
And I am simply living proof
God hears us when we pray


And if I ever doubted
God was in my life
I only had to think about
The day I met my wife


For I had loved ones praying
That she’d show me the way
And I am simply living proof
God hears us when we pray

Mdailey            3/10/10

The Garden Gate

I was unable to write a new poem for this week. I have a theme and some thoughts rattling around in my head for a new poem but the words just are not coming. So this week I am sending you one I wrote a while back. It was originally part of a longer one but I split it into two poems as the two parts did not mesh all that well I only had to tweak it a little to stand alone. I don’t recall circulating this one before. It is short and to the point without my usual ramblings. If you like it pass it on to someone else.


Every day in every life you come to that fork in the road
Turn left or turn right it all depends upon the weight of your load
Take the one more traveled; in case you may break down
If you doubt your mode of travel - if your faith is not that sound
Or take the road less traveled, its narrow but it’s straight
It leads to where you want to go, straight to the garden gate


The Bible is your guide book with key turns pointed out
From the Garden to the desert and wanderings all about
With the simplest of guidelines – just listen to the Lord
He ask no more of any man than what he can afford
Love each man as your brother; let there be none you hate
And you will find your savior waiting at the garden gate

Mdailey 2/19/08