Soul Music Volumes 1 And 2: The Potter's Hands

By MaryAnn Zilko

To my readers, I have always loved lighthouses. In fact, I have gathered a small collection over the years. I was also fortunate enough to be able to see seven of them while on vacation with my two sisters at Old Orchard Beach in Maine. They are even more majestic than their photos. They remind me of safety, clear paths, assurance, and help to find the way.In my poems, I have followed the same message. Some of the poems tell of finding hope in the darkest news you receive-"An Unexpected Journey," "Time to Say Goodbye," and "His Garden." Some of them are humorous-"Bambi and Kin in My Front Yard," "Goodbye Romance," and "Into the Woods." Some are patriotic-"God Bless Our Heroes," "Tribute-Memorial Day," and "My Flag."All of them are really poems of praise to the Father of all creation. His splendor and majesty are everywhere you look. His creation is so magnificent you can't help but to rejoice and thank Him for giving us so much beauty to enjoy.My poems are my way of saying thank you to the Lord of all. They were written with much prayer and thought. As you read them, I hope you enjoy them as much as I did in writing them. And as a breast-cancer survivor, I must say that God is good!Thank you so much, and God bless.MaryAnn

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Apr 12, 2021
• ISBN: 9781098037789

Book preview

Soul Music

Poetry is the music of the soul

Once it captures you

You are lost in its control

From somewhere deep within you

The song slowly comes into view

A poet paints a picture

Without using a brush

As rhyme and reason tumble forth in a rush

You can capture the moment

Or draw upon the past

Allowing your fondest hopes and dreams

To make a statement that lasts

Each time the music plays

A new story unfolds

Bringing to life the treasure

You invite all to behold

August 2003

All She Needs

She didn’t ask him to move mountains or gather any stars

She didn’t ask for the moon or any expensive cars

She didn’t need furs, diamonds, or gold

She only needed him to have and to hold

She only wanted him to always be there

To love and want her and show her that he cared

She thought that when they married, they had found their dream

But, as each year went by, life wasn’t what it seemed

They had become strangers living in the same place

With a house big enough so both could have their space

Now, as they’d grown older, they needed more than they did before

They couldn’t settle for the silence and coldly be ignored

Her heart was aching for the man whom she wed

Her body still longed to share their marriage bed

This test that they were going through,

She hoped won’t break her heart

And, if it was not too late, they could make a brand-new start

June 1997

Angels Unaware

V is for VALUABLE

O is for OUTGOING

L is for LEADER

U is for UNSELFISH

N is for NEEDED

T is for TREASURE

E is for EARNEST

E is for ENDLESS

R is for RELIABLE

As the letters in the word explain

You see your work is not in vain

No one can fully understand just how much you do

But we want you to know we cannot do it without you

You do so much for everyone and still you offer more

At times I’m sure you wonder, Is this what my life is for?

You may not be told often enough

But surely you have guessed

To have such wonderful volunteers

Any organization will be truly blessed

April 1995

An Unexpected Journey

I’m among many millions of women who have ventured on this trip

Wishing that this was a part of my life, that I would rather skip

It doesn’t seem real when the results are first heard

A tumor…we think…surely you’re mistaken, why this is absurd

Then reality hits and the world starts closing in

The world of doctors, hospitals, and medicine…

Dear God, where do I begin

Feeling sorry for myself has never been my style

But deep inside I felt as though I was on trial

I took care of my body, what did I do wrong…

What didn’t I do right

Do I have the strength…will I be able to fight

We almost lose charge of our lives when medicine takes control

We become like children and must reverse our established roles

We are told where to go, what to do, and who to see

All the while, inside we’re screaming…why can’t I just be me

Not a statistic for a survey, not a number on some chart

I need to feel loved and cared for, I need to share my heart

But, I’m afraid to share my condition with all who are dear

Because, even without saying it, I can see in their eyes the fear

Fear that they may lose their wife, their mother, or their friend

Fear that they are helpless and can’t control the end

My children can’t help me, even though they try

But, each is secretly praying…please, don’t allow my mom to die

My husband is bewildered and simply can’t see, that for once

He can’t understand, it’s not about him, it’s all about me

Having my faith to cling to and keep me in control

Has made this journey easier and played the most important role

My Father watches over me and loves me more than I can say

He is always there for me and has taught me how to pray

He holds me close and comforts me and wipes away each tear

He assures me of His Presence and takes away my fear

Bless me, Father God, and give me Your strength to carry on

Bless my family and friends and thank You

For each new day that dawns

Give me Your joy to share with friends and

Your peace to ease their pain

And every day I will thank You and praise Your most holy Name

January 1999

A Friend

A friend is one who cares when you are feeling sad

A friend is one who rejoices when you are feeling glad

A friend can lift you up when you are feeling down

A friend can just listen when there’s no one else around

A friend can cry with you when you are in pain

Just to help you through it with nothing else to gain

From the days of our childhood and all the years since then

I am most blessed to still call you my friend

May 1997

A Quiet Celebration

I celebrate in my heart on this Independence Day

You see, my Dad was one of those, who came from far away

He was only twelve when he left his home behind

Coming to