Anticipating The Moment

by Cheryl Merrick

Dutifully following the leadership
of our “elders”,
we begin our career.
Seeking their counsel and advice,
we slowly gain experience.

Finally, they are gone,
leaving us to pass along 
the torch of experience,

Mail Truck

by Cheryl Merrick

Like a bee
   flying from
   flower to flower,
the mail truck 
   winds it’s way
   down the street
diligently visiting
   each mail box.

This is my husband's favorite poem. He was a mail man for forty-five years. 

Wishes

by Cheryl Merrick

Wishes are
just dreams
without action

Light Bearer

by Cheryl Merrick


Its source lies within.
Born from quiet moments
and deep reflection.
Nourished by hours
of pondering and prayer.
Energized by intense feeling.
Guided by true principles
and focused upon eternal goals,
The strength of faith glows,
producing a light
to guide safely home.

The Navigator

by Cheryl Merrick

Like the navigator of old,
she carefully plots
their homeward course.

Adjusting for the winds and currents
of today’s world,
and striving to avoid
hidden shoals of evilness,
silently she ponders the stars,
safely guiding
her family toward
their eternal home.

Lighthouse

by Cheryl Merrick

Once I thought my happiness
depended upon the happiness of others.
Now, accepting their need
to learn from their own mistakes, 
I accept my mission 
to set a righteous example.

Letting Go of Fantasies

by Cheryl Merrick

With an acceptance
which comes from
years of love,
we finally allow
the other to
be themselves.

Appreciating his passion
for projects,
I no longer expect him

Harvesting Dreams

by Cheryl Merrick

Once  I dreamed of unearned harvests,
a life of wealth and ease 
surrounded by my sensitive husband 
and adoring children.

Now I look back 
seeing the planting
of real dreams

Growing More One

by Cheryl Merrick


Pushing the tattered remnants
of old fears aside,

Trusting that he will
support my goals,

Sharing with him
my hopes and plans,

Force

by Cheryl Merrick

Claiming a just God
“Wouldn’t let this happen”,
they relegate Him 
to the position of a mere pawn 
who carries out their desires.

With power they want 
others’ actions controlled,
but not theirs.
While others are to be forced
to do what they want,
they should be allowed
the freedom 
to make mistakes.

Not Alone

by Cheryl Merrick

To the cry
“It is too hard!”
Comes the reply
“Just try.
You do not have to do it alone.
I am here
and will help you.”

Step-by Step

by Cheryl Merrick

I have been lead 

to learn the lessons
     I’ve needed to know

to overcome weaknesses
     and become whole

to develop strengths
     I didn’t know

The Riddle

by Cheryl Merrick

Many men have sought me,
   but I vanish from 
   their grasping hands.
Kings and others in authority
   have ordered my appearance,
   but I do not come.

Justice and Mercy

by Cheryl Merrick


In his determination for revenge
he gave no quarter
to mercy

Absolute Justice
was his demand

Til experiencing
its crushing weight,

He cried out,
Mercy!

Blogging

by Cheryl Merrick

Like drawing upon the sand
my thoughts disappear,
wiped away
with each incoming wave of details
as I "get to work". 

"What does it matter?"
I disparagingly mumble, 
"No one cares about my 'great thoughts' anyway". 

Glory

by Cheryl Merrick

A blaze of yellow against a deep blue sky,
Full of hope, beauty, and life,
I long for this moment to remain. 
I don’t want the bleak, bare world of November.
Within me I cry - Stay!
But then I remember that 
the leaves must fall.

Fall

by Cheryl Merrick

Fall

Cool, crisp

Blowing, tumbling, twirling,

Excitement in the air

Autumn

Bats

by Cheryl Merrick

B orn to hang upside down
A lmost never out at day
T wilight is the time to
S ee bats flying out to play

Paintng

by Cheryl Merrick

Like paint
    I apply the layers of words,
choosing just the right
    color and shade,
arranging them carefully
    a picture takes form.

Quail

by Cheryl Merrick

Scurrying across our driveway
Strolling along the fence top
Walking down tree branches

These family birds
live their lives
Step by careful step.

photo by Bev Benson

Pumpkin Moon

                                                                       by Cheryl Merrick

 Pumpkin moon

glowing orange

slowly raises its head

to peer through

tree branches

and grin upon a 

Halloween night

Balancing Act

by Cheryl Merrick

Trying to balance
People and Things,
Relating and Pondering,

Anchored

by Cheryl Merrick


The anchor of my soul sinks deep,
     secured in quiet moments
where the clanging of demands
     stills slowly to silence.

Centered

by Cheryl Merrick

Listening to the Lord’s voice;

The blare of impatient buzzers,

throbbing music, rushing traffic, 

and relentless demands,

quiet to a soft mummer;

Flickering computer screens, big screen images,

and glitzy advertizing hype;

slowly fade into the distant horizon;

Leaving my soul centered

Peace

by Cheryl Merrick

Feeling His love,
Seeking His wisdom,
Listening to His counsel,
Following His example,

She trusts her life to
His protecting care,
and walks confidently 
into the darkness
Knowing He will guide
her home again. 

Candles

by Cheryl Merrick

A candle shines
the brightest
in the deepest night

Let us fill the world
with light
one candle at a time


This is my response when a person told me that the world was so evil- why try to do good.

Good Neighbors

 by Cheryl Merrick

We knew that our new neighbors
needed to get to know each other,
But what could we do?

Of Microscopes and Telescopes

by Cheryl Merrick

With unerring
attentiveness,
you fix upon
the earth,
noticing details.

Opposites

by Cheryl Merrick

How can he be so different from me?
Was this really meant to be?
I’ve heard opposites attract
but isn’t this carrying it too far?

Should

by Cheryl Merrick

He “should . . .”,
She “should . . .”

We clumsily navigate through marriage  
entangled in our fantasies
like ribbons gone mad 
tripping our feet and
hindering our progression.

Fantasy Princes

by Cheryl Merrick

Once I dreamed of days
filled with intimate talks 
and tender embraces.
Where my husband’s completely understood me
 and his total focus
was on me and my needs.

Clutter

by Cheryl Merrick

There is so much to do today,
or so I tell myself,
as I rush from one thing
to another.

I have no time to stop
and admire the changing light,

Of Hyacinths

by Cheryl Merrick

Like hyacinths,
     my poems
     bloom
     to brighten our day.

Fortunately, 
     I have a husband
     who enjoys
     dining on Hyacinths.  

The Artistic Homemaker

by Cheryl Merrick

Having only what adds to my life
Cleaning as needed:
a little here and there
My house remains the same,
Simple and Clean

With colors, shapes,
and patterns,
music and art,
relationships and order,
 I create a home filled with
Beauty and Peace

Structured World

by Cheryl Merrick

Tired past tired,
All has been given.
It is time to rest.
The class has begun.

Being Me

by Cheryl Merrick

I really have no choice.
Who else could I be?
I could try to be different,
but why?

Expections

by Cheryl Merrick
(written why I was young)

Their activity is “work”
while mine is merely “play”

They accomplish much,
but I “do nothing” all day

Appreciating Differences

by Cheryl Merrick

Young, still focused
on myself
I naively, yearned for
reassurance of my worth
in sameness
by trying to remake
my husband, mother, children, 
friends and neighbors
in my image

Soaring Free

by Cheryl Merrick

Liberated from time and routine
I embrace the soft silence
and borne upon the wings of inspiration
soar into the 
realm of possibilities.

Swan

by Cheryl Merrick

Clumsily pattering around the barnyard,
Never fitting in,
Different, but ever longing for acceptance,
time passes.

Til one glistening spring day
a strong, snow white swan
stretches out its wings,
and rises into the deep blue sky.

Just Being Me

by Cheryl Merrick

With a heart softened and prepared,
I lead by sharing my experiences
and encouraging others.

No longer dependent
on other people to
define who I am,
or give me a chance,
I simply share my talents.

Following the still quiet voice,
opportunities appear.
Finally, I am filled with joy in
Just Being Me.

Carrots & Daisies

by Cheryl Merrick


Desiring peace and beauty,
I plant a garden of daisies.

Why then am I surprised
to find no carrots?

Rose in the Vegetable Garden

by Cheryl Merrick

I feel a little strange
     out here among
     the cabbages and squash,
then I remember
     that The Gardener
     who planted them
     also planted me.

Blame

by Cheryl Merrick

He was selfish,
all the women agreed.
Look at the poor woman,
her home in disrepair,
her clothes worn.
Yes, all agreed
his ways must change,
all but one.

Appreciation

by Cheryl Merrick


Wishing for someone like ourselves,
but needing a complement 
to bring us wholeness,
we narrowly squint at our mate,
enumerating his “faults”.

Allowing More

by Cheryl Merrick

He drops me off at doors,
so I can walk in stores.
He pushes my wheelchair uphill, 
so I can admire art.
He does the shopping the runs the errands,
so I can rest.
He does the finances, 
so I don’t stress.

Aging Together

by Cheryl Merrick

A touch of arthritis, skin cancer, 
thinning hair and fatigue
Adrenal glands that can no longer
control blood pressure, blood sugar,
temperature, and metabolism
Medication and patience
Working through problems
Encouraging and Comforting
Laughing and sharing
We are
Aging Together

A New Love

 by Cheryl Merrick


It is too soon to even speak of marriage
with a love so new,
but the love is there.
Unaware of the intensity of their feelings, 
they believe these is nothing to show.
But I have seen their love
in the tender sparkle of his eyes
and the glow on my daughter’s face.

Fatherhood

by Cheryl Merrick

It begins when he first holds
his tiny child in his arms.
No one has ever had such a need
for his protection.

As he teaches and cares for
his little son or daughter,
they both grow.

And slowly, through days of
bike rides, wrestling matches,
working together,

Different Ways to Say I Love You

by Cheryl Merrick

Mom, a creator of beauty, sewed me a closet of dresses
Dad, an active person,took us on hikes

Mom made birthday cakes--doll in the middle, and cake her dress
Dad lead the party games–skunk tag and statues

Mom kept our home clean and orderly
Dad taught us to “scrub down” before eating

Mom cooked good healthy meals
Dad played the ukelele and drums and sang to us

Dangerous People

by Cheryl Merrick

Like a person drowning,
those who don’t feel loved
desperately grab
at whoever is near.

Children's Gardens

by Cheryl Merrick
(outing with grandchildren)

Smiles and wonder
Shoots of water
Going through a cave
Sailing boats downstream
Climbing on the playground
Making music and dancing

Births

by Cheryl Merrick
(the birth of our first grandchild)

Tears brimming,
     I listen to the suffering in my son’s voice
    as he quietly whispers of his wife’s long hours of pain,
    and the fear for their baby’s life.
I long to remove this experience.
If only I could endure it for them.
I envision my son alone, lost without his wife or child.
The moment of fear washes over, then passes,
     leaving a calm assurance that whatever happens,
     all will be well.