Facing Life

by Cheryl Merrick

Armed with only
a large shield,
I cowered behind
its protection,
til, supplied with a 
plethora of apt tools,
I stood forth to
courageously confront
the challenges of life.

Out in the Stillness

by Cheryl Merrick

When I was young, 
people who were quiet
were considered "defective".
They were seen as
malformed extraverts, 
"cold and withdrawn".
It was even whispered 
that they were "mentally ill."  
"Good", "mature" people were
friendly extraverts -- 
only they were truly loving.

Meeting Needs

by Cheryl Merrick
Yes, she is weak and incompetent,
but strength comes 
from facing hard things.

Yes, she is lonely,
but when you shut yourself
in your home,
refusing to reach out in love,
you cannot expect anything else.

Shining Brightly

by Cheryl Merrick

Afraid of appearing different,
I pause,
tempted to cover my light
with a politically correct basket.
I look up. 
As I do so, 
reflecting the Savior's great light,
my small light shines brightly,
its glow merging with the glow 
from myriads of others
who light the path home.

Fitting In

by Cheryl Merrick
Pushing and shoving,
I tried to force myself
into the prescribed mold;
"be outgoing",
"have an active lifestyle".

Assured that this is
the way to happiness,
I diligently persevered until,
stressed beyond my endurance,
I collapsed.

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.

Recluse

by Cheryl Merrick

Finding superficial
conversations tiring,
I minimize them.

Determining the running of errands
to be inefficient,
I shop from home.

Wounded by glazed looks
and uncomprehending stares
when sharing an idea,
I rarely present one.

Only a Volunteer

by Cheryl Merrick

I know myself to be a:
Certified Teacher
     with a current credential and
     who is School District Trained
Experienced Tutor
     who has helped children
     no other teacher could
Capable Educator
     who has managed large classes
     and ably planned lessons
Published Author & Editor
     with articles printed
     in the Ensign magazine and newspapers

Masked

by Cheryl Merrick

Masked by pain
    and long years of illness
I proceed through life,
    patronized, dismissed, ignored,
my talents hidden,
my capacities unused,
my strength underestimated.

Expectations

by Cheryl Merrick

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

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

Their work has value
Mine has none

Defining “work” as mere movement
they see themselves as “busy”
while I am “lazy”

Dancing

by Cheryl Merrick

I really tried to march,
     Though some claim
     I should have tried harder,
but my feet,
quickly boring of the monotonous cadence,
kept adding skips and hops,
and I kept leaping out of ranks
     to see an ant hill with a child,
     study some book,
     or comfort a friend.

Finally, as a flunked recruit,
I decided to get rid of all
the “required” guides and paraphernalia.
At last, in a world of simplicity,
I found room to dance.

Crusader

by Cheryl Merrick

I see confusion and fear in their eyes,
but knowing the way,
I issue the challenge
to follow principles and resolve problems.

Holding the banner high
I lead the way
shouting encouragement.

Soon I look behind,
only to see the rallied ranks
quietly slipping away
with their excuses, like cloaks,
wrapped protectively around them.

New Song

by Cheryl Merrick

Though I say it,
they won’t hear it,
But put in rhyme
they listen every time

Use a metaphor
and like a new song
it won’t be long
Til they smile
at my style
and carefully consider
my philosophical  ponderings

6/22/13

Lost Sunsets

by Cheryl Merrick

Wearing her busyness
as a badge of importance,
she spends her days meticulously
tending her possessions.

A woman of responsibility,
she rushes and bustles from thing to thing,
all the while complaining
that there is never enough time.

She hardly notices as sunsets and seasons
disappear into a speeding blur
of furious activity,
til in her winter season,
she is left to ponder her lost sunsets.

His Way

by Cheryl Merrick

Feeling I needed
to solve my own problems--
I failed.

My days were long and frustrating.
Why wasn’t I getting to
the writing and studying
I so wanted to do?

Paths

by Cheryl Merrick

Taking a consensus
of their values and strengths,
society prescribes our roles.

But I choose, instead,
my own individual path,
defined by the Lord.

Credentials

by Cheryl Merrick

Earning my credentials
has taken many years.

At first my assertions
of faith in the Lord’s wisdom
were dismissed.

With knowing nods,
they declared that
my faith had yet to be tried,
then that the trial just
hadn’t been long enough.

Approval

by Cheryl Merrick

Fearing disapproval,
I bury my talents.

Hoping for acceptance,
I try to be like others.

Endless details
done to please people
fill my day.

Thinking I am doing
what is expected of me,
I neglect my gifts.

Till, at last,
I remember the giver of all gifts,
and seeking only
His Approval,
begin to share my talents.

Work!

by Cheryl Merrick

What I do well and choose to do
is WORK.
It is necessary toil
and MUST be done.
It is essential activity
that contributes to
the well-being of society.
It is what all
SHOULD be doing.

Weakesses

by Cheryl Merrick

Why are my weaknesses
a “disability”,
while yours are
simple normality?

Why is my inability to
remember details
a sign of a brain defect,
while your inability to
creatively solve problems
is merely an area
where you aren’t gifted?