Secure

by Cheryl Merrick

Chilled by the cool night air as we travel,
a lone car,
across the Nevada desert.

Surrounded by the comforting bulk
and lulled by the vibration
of our 1950 Pontiac,
we speed toward my grandparent’s home
in Pocatello, Idaho.

I awake, roused by the discomfort of sleeping
on hard, lumpy suitcases tucked in our foot space,
to see Dad driving and my mother and brother sleeping.

Peacefully secure,
I raise my five year old eyes heavenward,
and embraced by quietness,
gaze in wonder into a sky filled
with sparkling stars.

11/15/07

Once Again

by Cheryl Merrick

A long ago moment–
captured,
and held carefully
like a jewel in a cupped hand.

Smiles and joys
once again shared
as we watch those no longer here,
as toddlers and boys
play on a beach long sense deserted,
and see women,
once again full of youth and beauty,
gaze embarrassingly
into the camera’s lens.

Kindred Spirits

by Cheryl Merrick

I thought I was alone
in my beliefs,
a creative, inquiring spirit,
lost in a troop of practical souls,
then I met you,
my ancestors.

You fled to this new land
to live your principles.

You knew the old ways
needed changing
and looked to the Lord
to restore His truths.

When He did,
you embraced them.

Warmed by the strength of your convictions,
I feel a new sense of family support
from you,
my kindred spirits.




11/25/07

I Choose

by Cheryl Merrick

To come to the earth
To listen to intuitive thoughts
To relate personally, in depth
To be a member of the Church
To have faith in the purpose of life

To be married
To be a mother
To be a homemaker
To have a clean, orderly home
To manage and decorate our home
To live in Utah

Advantages of Limiting Details

by Cheryl Merrick

Better Companion, Mother, & Friend
Happier All Day
More Loving and Receptive to Spirit
Manage Home Better
Think, Understand, & Remember  better
Handle few details better; more efficient
Plan Better
Feel Better - more energy

Thought Prints

by Cheryl Merrick

My history lies in the pages,
my thoughts in the words.
Moments of time gently held
to remind of stages past;
glimpses of a past self,
of long ago concerns.

Pondering this process of change,
I move forward
recording my journey
in thought prints.

Setting Bounds

by Cheryl Merrick

Contentedly, I settle quietly within my my own field,
Knowing that I will no longer find myself lost
as I follow friendly herds to goals that are not mine

Secure in the protection my new fences provide
I, at last, find the time to be myself
and replenish lost energies

No longer trying to help everyone– Now!
I’ve chosen only a few to nurture

Not Prepared

by Cheryl Merrick

Though I might not be
here for the Second Coming,
the time will come
when I must stand and be judged.

Even though I’m striving
to improve as I
repent and apologize,
build relationships,
nurture myself, my husband, family
friends and others,
seek things of the Spirit
through study and prayer,
have my home in order,
rebuild my health,
live a relaxed life,
and share my talents,
I’m unprepared.

As my health failed this winter,
I realized that
my family history work
was not ready to be passed on.
I was not prepared.

At BYU - Again

by Cheryl Merrick

What do they see when they see me?
Will they view my husband differently now?
Together we are awesome;
separate - pathetic
Do they see our unity and love?
Did they feel encouraged to have faith?
Did they see marriage as something desirable?
Something fun and joyous?

We were thanked for coming
and told we were like a comedy routine,
that we were cute,
and one young man even wanted to be like us.

My Debt

by Cheryl Merrick
They left homes and property
Seeking religious freedom
Believing in revelation from God
Puritans, Pilgrims and Quakers
They came to America
Some came on the Mayflower
Later one, a young boy, became an orphan 
when his parents died on the voyage

Following My Ancestors

by Cheryl Merrick

You left England

searching for religious freedom.

Several sailed on the Mayflower.

Some settled in Puritan Massachusetts,

and others as Quakers in Pennsylvania.

You were one third of the signers of both

the Declaration of Independence

and the Constitution of the United States.