The Poetry of Ann Margetson

On a hot summer day it is good to spend
A day in the country where worries all end,
And by now most of the biting bugs are gone,
So we can eat and play and have lots of fun.

Find somewhere quiet, away from the crowd,
A place to relax, and sounds are sweet, not loud,
Go to where the water flows clean and free,
That’s the special sort of place I want to be.

Neath the shade of a large oak, set up the food,
Then splash in the cool water till in the mood
For goodies eaten out in the open fresh air,
With the family all gathered around you there.

Look at all the bright things in nature seen,
Snakes sunning on rocks of mossed green,
Birds flying low, some singing their song,
You’ll think this is the place that you belong.

Is that a young fox in those bushes close by?
See the fish jump over the falls so high,
Those wild flowers freshen the air with their scent,
And look at the old trees all twisted and bent.

The place is so peaceful you don’t want to leave,
But eventually you homeward bound have to weave,
Come again into the country for at least one more day,
It will bring sweet peace and contentment your way.

M Ann Margetson
© August 8, 2000
2000/Adayin

I can still remember days on the beach
When sweet August came to us at last,
With anticipation cases we did reach,
Then off to the seaside like in the past.

Money was scarce, we saved every penny
So we could have donkey rides and a treat,
Maybe to the fair if money was in plenty,
Fighting the sea was best, we’d get it beat.

We never did win the battle with the sea,
We built boats and castles walls so tall,
But in sun and in cloud there we’d be
With bucket and spade with no chance at all.

When the tide was high, it had won again,
We would look in the stores on the prom,
And carefully look the right prize to gain,
So in latter years know where it came from.

The gifts have all gone now, none remain,
But the memories flood back like the tide,
I can close my eyes and see again and again,
Fights with the sea, and hope they always abide.

M. Ann Margetson
© August 16, 2000
2000/ Augustdays

All I want is a cottage, not too small, by a pretty lake,
And trees tall and stately that whispering sounds make,
A garden where can be grown flowers of every kind,
And all sorts of fruit trees and vegies to dazzle the mind.

It should look kind of pretty with a chimney tall,
A red roof that mingles with the colours in the fall,
A porch that goes three sides round, so you can see
A sun rise and a sun set, and in the sun always be.

Inside would be special, shiny floors and carpets bright.
Lots of little windows clean, letting in the sun’s light.
A large stone fireplace with comfy chairs all around,
When it snow’s, true warmth and comfort are found.

The kitchen will be large enough for us all to be together,
For many family reunions in all different sorts of weather.
So it should not be too far away, this dream cottage of mine,
For it would not be a home at all if folks did not stop to dine.

M. Ann Margetson
© August 1, 2000
2000/Alliwant

He was pinned on a jacket as proud as he could be,
Everyone admired him, for he was as cute as could be.
He was round and fat, a nose and little legs and ears,
He travelled far and wide, had no worries or fears.

One day he came to Canada on a jacket of black,
He seemed to enjoy himself, said, he’d not go back,
But hide away in a closet and find another coat,
Then he’s be seen different people, have a little gloat.

He was missed, we searched for high and low,
It seemed silly that a broach would be missed so.
But all the family looked all over the place,
But we could not see his happy chubby face.

He hid so well and never found the light of day,
Till part of the family upped and moved away,
And there behind the skirting board he was found,
Legs sticking up, head and his face to the ground.

Everyone was pleased that the pig was alive and well,
And soon he will travel to his owner a tale to tell
Of how he wished to wander across the world so fair,
But now he knows he wants his mistress to be there.

M Ann Margetson
© July 16, 2000
2000/Acute

I loved going to grandma’s house, it was so small,
Only two little bedrooms and no bathroom at all.
A parlour for special times and a kitchen bright clean,
Where all the living was done and things could be seen
That were not found in the newer homes of today,
But a paradise where us young children could play.
My siblings and cousins, we all managed to fit
Most of the summer there, where grandma would sit
On the porch, rocking and knitting us new clothes.
What fun we’d have climbing in the big apple tree,
Then, before it went dark, take turns to sit on her knee.
She would tell us of tales of long ago and far away,
Then pull out the big bath tub at the end of the day.
And there, with much splashing on the red kitchen floor.,
Each take a bath till the water ran through the door.
Milking the cow, getting the eggs, keep away from the goose,
These were a few of the things done when we were let loose,
When we all went to grandma’s house, part of summer through,
Not even missing once the normal things we always do.
The boys loved sleeping in the barn in the straw in the loft,
And us girls would share a big feather bed so very soft.
Now I’m a grandma and the children gather around
It is so hard to tell stories with the televison’s loud sound,
But one day they may listen to the tales told to me,
As I sat in the summer twilight, on my grandma’s knee.

M. Ann Margetson
© June 19, 2000
2000/Goingto

Fathers guide your children onward,
Guide them to their home above.
Be a father full of goodness
Be a father full of love
Guide your children, guide your children
To their heavenly home above.

Fathers follow Christ’s example
In all the things you do and say.
Show them with much tender loving
Show the true and faithful way
Show your children, show your children
By the things you do and say.

Fathers never force your children
To do the right things each day.
Show them gently, show them kindly
Freedom to choose the right way
Teach your children, teach your children
Choose the right things every day.

Fathers, one day you’ll be worthy
Of a kingly throne on high.
Lead your children onward, upward
To be together when you die.
Love your children, love your children
With a love that never dies.

M. Ann Margetson
© May 21, 2000
2000/Fathersguide

Sing to Hymn Number 83, Hymnal of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

I always looked forward to the summer holidays
For my dear dad would be home from work.
We may go away for a week or take odd days
And go to special places, where he would never shirk
In finding wonderful things to do, games and to play.
We’d walk through the sand dunes flying a kite,
Build sandcastles to fight the sea at the end of the day,
Then take me for a walk to see all the stars at night.
He was always so very busy the whole year through,
I saw him at breakfast as we all rushed around,
Then at the evening meal and share the chores too.
He was my special pal, no better one could be found.
So to have him for one whole week in the summer time
Was something I looked forward too every single day.
When I grew up I looked for a boy who would be mine,
One thing I wanted in him, the quality of a good dad.
Many hours I’ve seen him play, fight the sea in the sun,
Climbed mountains and wiped a child’s eyes when sad.
Fixed things when broken, bathed them when day was done.
Dad’s sometimes find it hard to tell you that they care
But never worry, a true dad will always be there.

M. Ann Margetson
© May 16, 2000
2000/Wonderfuldads

Am I worthy to be called mother dear?
My actions good, show God’s love is near,
Do I measure up well to that noble name
Or should I bow my head in utter shame?

Help me Lord to always choose the right,
Help me keep thy countenance in sight
As I press forward daily, striving to be
A mother worthy for now and eternity.

Help me pray for guidance and love,
Keep me aiming for heaven above,
Help me try to find kindly ways
With love, to guide though all my days.

Give me understanding dear Lord,
Help in me find a soft, gentle word,
A heart that will always judge fairly
And try no favourite child to display.

I long to be a mother fit for God above,
Fit to meet each child with perfect love,
Fit to see the family gathered all around
And so my eternal purpose truly found.

M. Ann Margetson
© May 5, 2000
POEMS 2000/Amiworthy

Kindly loving mothers, we think of you today,
Think of all your goodness, things you do and say,
Guiding gently onward up to heaven above,
Led by inspiration and God’s pure love.

Refrain
Mothers are like light from heaven showing us the way
We will try to love them forever and a day

Your eyes reflect God’s goodness, shows us tender care,
Your hands are hands of giving, always being there,
No task is beneath you, mother kind and true,
You show God’s presence, in all you say and do.

Refrain

Mothers never leave us, we may stay behind,
But they wait in heaven, there sweet joy to find
Waiting with the patience known to them world wide,
Could there be a heaven if she were not by your side?

Refrain

No, for a mothers loving is part of Fathers plan,
Families together for the good of man.
Mothers help it happen, show the better way
To progress though life and so in heaven stay.

Refrain

M. Ann Margetson
© May 3, 2000
POEMS 2000/Ourkindly

Can be sung to ‘Sing We Now At Parting’, hymn 156 without refrain or ‘Onward Ward Christian Soldiers’, hymn 246 with refrain (Hymn numbers are from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Hymnal)

Have you ever seen the love-light in a mother’s eyes
As she gently holds her new baby, hears the first cries?
It’s like a light from heaven, it shines from up above
As she feeds her baby, she is filled with boundless love.

That love-light never dims as through this life we tread.
It will be there through joy and hours of fear and dread.
As each new child enters into this special mortal live
A mother’s love expands, she is a better mother and wife.

When a child goes astray, a deep, sad pain can be seen,
Now tears of sorrow shine where joy had so far has been,
The anguish as a mother watches her child fill with sin,
Is like a sharpened sword, cuts her heart deep within.

Yet she smiles and loves them, then takes a special care
To show by love, right from wrong, is always there.
One day when her child turns from wrong to right,
Oh, the radiance that shows will dim morning’s light.

When a child is sick or dying, she wants to take that place
You can tell that by that special kind of look on her face,
Every pain she feels twice, as she watches prayerfully
Oh the love that is felt in that mothers heart so tirelessly.

For a mother’s love is given to hearts that know and feel,
So that a little taste of heaven seems close and so very real.
It could be the touch of a hand, a smile on a tired face
A hearts that beats for others, countenance full of God’s grace.

M. Ann Margetson
© May 1, 2000
POEMS 2000/ Amothers

Written for the Mississauga Ward Mother’s Day Sacrament Meeting