Rocks and Holes

by Cheryl Merrick

They say we are a perfect match,
     for the rocks in his head
     fill the holes in mine.

Is that another way of saying
     we are complementary?
I admire his strengths and he mine.

I am weak where he is strong.
I am strong where he is weak.

What I hate doing, he enjoys.
What he avoids, I embrace.

What I procrastinate, he performs.
What I manage, he shuns.

Yes, a perfect match is
     often made from
     rocks and holes.

Projects and Havens

by Cheryl Merrick

Rallying to cries of,
“This is how it should be done!
It will take less work.
It will be cheaper.
It will be tougher.
It will look better.
I must do good work.
and
I just want it!”
He charges ahead to complete
HIS PROJECT!

New Gardeners

by Cheryl Merrick

I long for them to always nurture their love,
so that they might avoid years of neglect,
and drought of faith & affection,
May they never allow cares and concerns,
like flourishing weeds
to crowd out their relationship.
And may they always find joy in their garden.

Missing

by Cheryl Merrick

Your protection
in the dark hours of the night
Your handling of details
allowing me to fly in the clouds
Your engaged activity
improving our home
Your proficient dealing with problems
making us secure
but most of all
I miss your caring warmth

Lovely Days

by Cheryl Merrick

Cool summer morning
Bagpipes playing
Plaids and kilts
Silver pins and swords
Poles & rock throwing contests
Scottish dances
Clans gathering

Home again,
We sit under our tree
Expressing dreams,
Solving problems,
Testifying of truths,
Giving encouragement,
Supporting each other,
Sharing joys,
Our lives being bound together
In Lovely Days

Loved

by Cheryl Merrick

Through a childhood lens,

     distorted by immaturity,

I saw myself

as merely a tool,

of value only when

achieving another’s aims.

Later, I envisioned

a stern, unfeeling taskmaster

who inflicted continual pain

in an unrelenting effort to 

force me to grow.

Now, I know the tenderness

of a caring friend

who wants me to be happy

and is saddened when I suffer.

At last, 

because He is loving,

I feel loved. 

Love Languages

by Cheryl Merrick

What language do you speak?
Do you show love by baking a special pie?
Not I
Do you build a cabinet or repair a drip?
Do you play ball together
or go to sporting events?
Do you listen to concerts
and attend plays?
Do you climb mountains and go camping?
Do you empathically listen
and offer advice?

Love Is

by Cheryl Merrick

A touch in the dark
A pat in passing
Sharing events of our day
Discussing news and ideas
Expressing concerns
Solving problems
Giving hugs
Taking care of one another
Making plans together
Helping each’s dreams happen
Seeing the other’s potential
Believing in good intentions
Ignoring thoughtless acts
Forgiving and forgetting
Sharing our talents
Patiently teaching each other
Becoming more together than alone
Giving all, Receiving all,
Love Is

Listening With the Heart

by Cheryl Merrick

I asked for a simple thing.
His reply to my reasonable request
was, “No”.
Though confused and a little annoyed,
I paused,
reminding myself of my need
to have faith
in his love for me.

Waiting for a better moment,
I gently inquired again,
smiling as I learned
he had misheard my question,
and grateful I had not merely
reacted to the his words,
but had instead
listened with my heart.

Lack of Faith

by Cheryl Merrick

She, needing understanding,
wants him to listen.
He, desiring to help her,
offers solutions.

Feeling rejected,
the wife no longer
shares her feelings.
Rebuffed, the husband
turns more and more
to his own interests.