Valentine

by Cheryl Merrick
Delicate cards made from

lacy romantic hopes

slowly lose their fragileness

as years of sharing,

supporting and growing

temper our love into

something strong enough 

to withstand even the gales

of catastrophic illness

and endure forever.

Written during our 50th year of marriage after a year fighting stage 3 ovarian cancer which is now in remission. 

To my husband on our 49th Valentine's Day by Cheryl Merrick

You are my safe                     shelter from storms

 You are the quiet peace            of a desert landscape

You are the sun breaking               through the clouds

You're the comforting warmth                 of a fire on a rainy day

You are the dependability of               waves returning to the shore

You are the routines which                 provide structure to my life

You are "the listening ear" and the     "caring" heart which supports me

You are the sunshine of hope when my parade has been rained upon

You are the one who knows me better than anyone else and still loves me

You are "the listening ear" and the "caring" heart which supports me

You are the financial manager who makes sure the bills are paid

You are the person who makes sure the little details get done

You are the "Jack-of-all-trades" who keeps our home repaired

You are my best admirer and most enthusiastic cheerleader

You are the "voice of reason" keeping me tethered to reality

You are the implementer who makes my dreams come true

You are my associate in championing the true and good

You are the supplier of the qualities and skills that I lack

You are the "rocks" which fill the "holes" in my head

You are the rock which anchors me in the present

You are my "patron" supporting me as I create

You are the assurance which quiets my fears

You are the one I've chosen above all others

You are my advisor who keeps me balanced

You are my partner and best friend

You are my love and 

I am yours

A New Year Begins

by Cheryl Merrick

Brashly announcing its entrance
 with horns and bells,
the New Year soon settles, 
gratefully, back into familiar routine. 

Fading are the sound of bells.
Dimming are the twinkling lights.
With the gifts given and 
the festive meals eaten,
the jovial bustle of the holiday season
quickly dissolves into 
an amiable quietness.

Pioneer Day

by Cheryl Merrick

Town Event
Blaring calls to awake
5K run and ribbons
Excitement & sirens
Lining up & setting up

Parade down Main Street
  Yearly Theme
Primary Children
   on floats and bikes
High School Band
    lawnmowers and horses

Mapleton Pioneer Day 2012

by Cheryl Merrick

Awakened by police sirens, we begin our holiday.
My husband joins the runners gathering at the city building.
Sun not yet over the mountains, the races begin.
Young men, competing with each other,
are encouraged by family cheers.
Fathers, pacing to shorter legs, allow their children
to just beat them over the finish line,
Mothers running pushing strollers,
Children struggling through their first race,
and gray headed men and women,
are all cheered as they cross the finish line.

Christmas

by Cheryl Merrick

The angels proclaimed peace
and joy to the world
on the night the Savior was born.

But how far from peace is the woman
    rushing from store to store
    seeking the illusive “perfect gift”?

Christmas Questions

by Cheryl Merrick

As I attempt to do more in two weeks 
than I normally do in two months,
I begin to ask Questions

Can I really do all this?
Should I be doing it?

Christmas Memories

by Cheryl Merrick

Bright, pine scented memories
of candles and tinkling chimes,
and of the great tree my grandfather had cut
filling their living room with balls and light.

Warm, happy memories
of the family gathering around the dinning table
to enjoy the Christmas feast, together.