by Dennis Patton
ALL ARE WELCOME
Come
Ye who are weary,
I will give you rest,
Come
Ye who are walking in darkness,
I am the light of the world.
Come
Ye who are lost and wandering,
I will help you find your way.
Come
Ye who are sad and lonely,
I will hold you through the night. Come
Ye who are warring,
I am the Prince of Peace.
Many are the souls covered in their sins whom I have washed clean.
Many are the souls searching for guidance of whom I have become their Father. Many are the souls on the road to Hell whom I have led to Heaven.
I stand with open arms.
All are welcome.
—Laura Bridges Sherwood
BRIGHT SIDE
There once was a fellow named Moe Who said, “I often feel so low that a neurosis or strong psychosis would make me feel better I know.”
Howard Nobles Deceased
SENYRU
the 90-year-old buying a shredder…fear of identity theft
—Pat Laster Benton
CINDERELLA
Sequins dance on the water in the pale moonlight; they remind me of my daughter, who also shines in the spotlight,
Though she remains quite the lady, the princess under the umbrella; tonight, I’ll turn back the clock… And dance with Cinderella.
—-Mike Pafundi Deceased
THE BIRDS STILL SING
In some places,
tornadoes are on the ground Earthquakes worldwide now abound-chaos all around.
This horrible Coronovirus it seems is never ending.
But in this early mornin’,
I hear the birds are still singing.
—-Jeanette Heffington Benton
THE VISIT
She comes to visit each Sunday talks reads walks wipes the drool for his chin in his small room.
She comes to visit each Sunday Talks reads clasps his hands in prayer in his bare room.
She comes to visit each Sunday talks clasps her hands in prayer by his cold space beneath a stone.
She comes to visit this Sunday rests by his side in their space beneath a stone.
—Dewell H. Byrd Deceased
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To submit poems for publication, please send poems of 16 or fewer lines to Dennis Patton, 2512 Springhill Circle, Alexander, AR 72002, or patton_dr@hotmail.com. The Saline County Branch of PRA is scheduled to meet on October 23 at Tyndall Park, Pavilion #4, 913 East Sevier Street, Benton, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Anyone who enjoys poetry is invited to attend.