~ The following poem was submitted by my son Aaron as part of the annual Gibraltar Heritage Trust competition.  It came second!  Way to go Aaron-boy!!!!!!

~ Following is a beautiful work of poetry by Lebanese poet Khalil Gibran:

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gait,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

William Ernest Henley (1875)

photo credit: Frank Taillandier [audio:20091125-wildox-poem-forgetmenot.mp3] Forget me not when I am old When I repeat the same things When I insist on having my way When I forget your name When I spoil your plans Forget me not when I am old When I am just taking-up space When I am a burden on your day When I call you a hundred times When I seem to presume too much My child, afford me a little dignity - spare me a little patience - show me a little kindness Forget me not when I am old for this much I have earned: Through countless sleepless nights -caring for you Through a thousand tiring days -working hard for you Through these many years -watching over you -to see the beauty of who you have become Forget me not when I am old For your care of me Brings out the best in you and sows the seeds of your own tomorrow. (c) 2009 - John K. Baw

This little poem is offerred, in the spirit of being pro-choice - it is lovingly offered to those being denied the choice.  The choice of whether they want to live and breathe, to love and be loved.  The greatest moral tragedy unfolding in history is the legalized slaughter of our unborn babies.  To those silent cries, I dedicate this: Who am I? Who am I? I am the one denied the dawn the one without an embrace The sun my skin will not warm the rain won't dance on my face Who am I? I am the weakest of them all The one without a voice My dreams destined to fall My hopes hostage to "choice" Who am I? I am the one who will not be allowed to smile at the moon, to frown at the cloud Nobody gave me the benefit of the doubt Nobody gave me the chance to shout I am the one given no room my life snuffed out..... from womb, to tomb It could have been you, instead of me Denied a voice, by some decree It could have been you, instead of me Never knowing what it is to be free.

photo credit: I wrote this poem after I was scandalized by the number of illegal immigrants who needlessly drown every year trying to make the crossing of the Straits of Gibraltar into Spain, in search of a better future in Europe. Another Body washed ashore. Thousands die in a dark abyss an ocean never satisfied Driven by fear and hopes of bliss no guidance from the qualified They dream of a better tomorrow they escape a ghoulish hell An extra day they cannot borrow another story they will not tell A watery grave receives them hordes of poor with hope deferred When will we rise up and condemn life discounted so absurd How many more must die how many more must perish When will the rich ones try their lives to save and cherish? Enough tears of the orphan enough of the widow's mourn I see their bodies often floating lifeless ripped and torn Thousands die in a dark abyss no chance to have a dream Something here is so amiss for I no longer hear their scream.

The smooth clear rain, Tapping on the road, The nice clean rain, Running down the lane, If you want to know, It goes down the drain. Aaron Baw - Age 7 - (c) 2005

T'was a day like any other, Divine light shone in my heart. T'was the will of our Heavenly Father, My foolish plans to pull apart. For with a Love I could not understand, Grace rescued this poor wretch. With a stretched-out, merciful hand, A long-lost soul did He fetch. He lifted me up from the miry clay, My sin-laden heart to clean. Translated He me from the night to the day, Forever His Truths to glean. And why should I love him? Why should I care? Why should I serve Him? And His Gospel share? He changed my heart - a new man to be, He rescued my soul - He died here for me. So this is my motive - this much I can see, That I do love Him - 'Cos He first Loved me. (c) - 2003 - John K. Baw

Thank you for loving and holding me near, Life with you is so precious, my dear. My love for you each day does rise, It only takes a look from those dazzling green eyes. Our home is a nest of love, life and toys, Within it our treasure, God's gift of two boys. They will indeed grow, In our bond of True Love. They will one day know, It all came from Above. I cherish a treasure, A distinct gem of choice. Happiness beyond measure, Does make me rejoice. Thank you for caring, loving and more, For you are the one, I have come to adore. (c) - John Baw

If only I would behold, as in a glass Your plan and your purpose coming to pass If only I would catch a glimpse of Thee My soul to take captive in bonds to be If only I would feel the Highest's embrace My heart to melt in moments of Grace If only I would answer this worthy call An ideal so noble deserves my all If only I would make my election sure And walk in this Way of Life so Pure If only I would receive your Love so deep Bountiful treasures and joy to reap If only I would today hear your Voice And wait on you to make the right choice If only I would shun this earthy life The weight of sin, the pain of strife If only I would burst into Eternity's realm By living my life with You at the helm If only I would choose your way above my own One day I would sit with You on your Throne. (c) 2000 - John K. Baw