A TIME FOR GRIEF

With grief your hearts have been laid low
as to His altar all must go,
in tears and sorrow, pain and loss
the nails that fix you to the cross.

He gives and then He takes away
‘why’, we ask, this pain today,
your hearts so wounded, bleeding, torn
void of the part for which you mourn.

Tomorrow’s path you have to walk
to family, friends and God do talk,
in time His plan we all will know
in life’s lessons we must stretch and grow.

The sun has set, it seems so dark
sadness has benumbed your hearts,
soon its rays will be outpouring
and there will be ‘joy in the morning’.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
July 31, 1995

THE TONGUE

It is small but packs the power
of wounding or of giving,
words of praise and words of love
that make life worth the living.

Sticks and stones we know break bones
but in the end they heal,
harsh words, lashed out in anger
put a seal on how we feel.

We cease to grow, and to express
our deepest inner cares,
low self-esteem, inadequate
we’re not free to fully share.

Let us daily try to change
let it start right here with me,
to raise up high my fellow man
treat him respectfully.

For they hurt the same as you
when cut, their wounds too bleed,
let us raise our voice and pray for him
see to his every need

Margaret Rose Larrivee
July 25, 1995.

GIFT OF FAITH

My robe of faith was given me
when in the womb I came to be,
it shone with pure celestial light
His desire borne beyond all sight.

My robe it daily grew with me
with each Sacrament it came to be,
more resplendent, more aglow
as its giver, I came more to know.

Then when in the Spirit born
I came upon a new day shorn,
of all the darkness and the fog
that dimmed my view of Almighty God.

New eyes, new ears, new heart rejoiced
new praises deep within were voiced,
my faith forever now to grow
in the Spirit of Love, for all to glow.

I’m free, I’m free, I’m free at last
from fears that lurked back in the past,
my heart and mind He has made still
as I go forth to do His Will.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
July 17, 1995

THE SIMPLE THINGS

The simple things have always been
the joy within my days,
as I look back in wonder
to the past my heart does stray.

When as a child upon my back
in fields of hay and flowers,
I wiled away in youthful bliss
discerning clouds for hours.

Listening to the hum of life
and smelling earth’s perfumes,
with eyes that never tired
of its abundant, fragrant blooms.

The air was ever pregnant
with sweet mysteries and more,
and just around each corner
were new worlds to explore.

I skipped and played till nine o’clock
all the joyous summer games,
with all the kids upon our street
we were a little less than tame.

And oh, the fun of swinging
back and forth and higher and higher,
singing all those childhood songs
with voice and heart inspired.

I’m thankful for these simple things
that were given unto me,
and pray that I will always
see with eyes that truly see.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
July 09, 1995

SAVING RIVER

Oh River of Peace
fount of joy evermore,
through my life coursing
new paths to explore.

Flooding old channels
opening new,
bringing light where once darkness
was all that I knew.

The floodgates were opened
when You died on the Cross,
the cleansing You promised
for us not to be lost.

Oh Precious Blood flowing
from the hill through my heart,
cleanse and nourish all people
to each a new birth impart.

When my life is ebbing
may I flow with the tide,
on Your Saving River
to Your Heart, I’ll abide.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
July 08,1995

THE GIFT OF JOY

I want to tell you of the joy
that in my heart does dwell,
given to me by my Saviour
my mind could not foretell.

That with each beat the rhythm
of His gracious gift does grow,
until the dam within me breaks
and the praises overflow.

Even then it’s so inadequate
no words, no hymns of praise,
can tell you what’s inside me
as the tide begins to raise.

I can only wait and bide my time
and write faint words like these,
until that day He calls me
all my joy, for Him, to please.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
July 05, 1995