Don’t use me as your platform

To assuage your anger and your hate

I knew what I was doing

As I served my country and my state

I know how much you loved me,

That you disagreed with my choice

But never once did I agree

That you could be my voice

I have seen with my own eyes

The things that you have not

Tho’ it was hard, I did what’s right

Is that not what you have taught?

Until you’re there, until you see

You can never understand

The trouble that still permeates

A stark and troubled land

To cast a doubt, to cast a pall

On the work we’re called to do

Diminishes me, and all of us,

As much as it does you.

So remember me instead

As I stood before you last

A proud American soldier

True blue and steadfast.

©2005 LuAnn Gould

Katrina

Katrina rode in on the wings of the storm

Headed for New Orleans that day

The gulf was hot, she was ready to trot

There was nothing that could stand in her way

She barreled in, driving water and wind

As relentless as an old sea hag

As houses collapsed and trees toppled o’er

You could see the ol’ sea walls start to sag

There was nowhere to run, she’d jumped the gun

Cut ‘em off at every conceivable pass

Before she was done she’d shake every one

And leave them a quivering mass

Not man, nor beast, no one was spared

The brunt of her long pent up ire

Levee walls were pelted by relentless squalls

As she threw her down her bolts of fire

Slowly she moved through the city of jazz

Not stopping to hear Cajun or blues

She’d no love of the ol’ French Quarter

She sauntered as if quite amused

With one last breath Katrina howled

She blew out the lights, and her ire

In her eyes she’d come and she’d won

Nothing left but the muck and the mire.

But little did she know of the Cajun soul

For as long as there’s music there’s life

Give ‘em a bucket, a mop, a big ol’ cook pot

They don’t even have a word for strife.

Now Katrina is gone but New Orleans lives on

She won’t be defeated again.

She’s drying out, but have not a doubt

She’s waiting for Mardi Gras to begin….

©2005  LuAnn Gould

Life’s Rainbow

In this world we walk many paths,

Share many things, laugh many laughs.

God alone knows why we do what we do,

But does he really leave us with nary a clue?

He gives us friends to help share the pain.

Gives us a rainbow to remember the rain,

Gives us our loved ones so we may feel our heart,

Even though problems may tear us apart.

Gives us troubles and challenges to overcome,

Battles that leave us weary and numb.

Gives us a conscience to do what is right,

Though sometimes it takes all of our might.

But through it all He never leaves our side

Seeing us through it as we ride the rough tide.

For life is our rainbow, the colors our reward

For learning life’s lessons that can’t be ignored.

Red is for the love that is shared between two,

For their commitment to start life anew,

Soft glowing yellow portrays the Son,

Who dries our tears when our grief is done,

Pale promising green, so calm and serene,

Reminding us our slate’s been wiped clean,

Crystal clear blue reopens our eyes,

Allowing us to see truths, leaving us wise,

Lovely lavender, growing to vivid violet,

Urging us to live life without any regret.

©2005 LuAnn Gould

Remember Me

Don’t use me as your platform

To assuage your anger and your hate

I knew what I was doing

As I served my country and my state

I know how much you loved me,

That you disagreed with my choice

But never once did I agree

That you could be my voice

I have seen with my own eyes

The things that you have not

Tho’ it was hard, I did what’s right

Is that not what you have taught?

Until you’re there, until you see

You can never understand

The trouble that still permeates

A stark and troubled land

To cast a doubt, to cast a pall

On the work we’re called to do

Diminishes me, and all of us,

As much as it does you.

So remember me instead

As I stood before you last

A proud American soldier

True blue and steadfast.

©2005 LuAnn Gould

Grandma’s Hands

Grandma’s hands, once supple and smooth

Kneaded the bread and helped make up

Our bed.

She caressed our shoulders and cleaned up our wounds,

Kissed our boo-boos and patted our heads.

Grandma’s hands, once so strong

Opened the jars, made up the sandwiches

Of after school charm.

She guided our fingers in troublesome math

And wiped our tears during the teenage path.

Grandma’s hands, older and more frail

Still keeping busy but with less detail.

The pats are gentler, the hugs come more often.

Her protection still fierce but her grip has softened

Grandma’s hands, so tiny in mine

Ravaged by the trials won during her time.

Now I am the one who guides her today

In some kind of effort to help her in some way.

Grandma’s hands, so dear to me,

How I will miss them when they’re not here to see

So today we will sit holding hands as we talk

Cherishing each moment till we take that last walk.

©2005 LuAnn Gould