Sunday, October 12, 2008

Heaven

Heaven! How beautiful the sound.
Shout it all the world around.
The place where the creator lives
From whence to all his blessings gives.

A place where all the angels sing
And honor to the Lord do bring.
The place where the redeemed shall dwell
And of their victories shall tell.

O'er sin which once did tempt them sore
But hath this power o'er them no more,
Of how old Satan tried in vain
To win them to his fold again;

Of how their God in mighty power
Did lead them on each day and hour,
Of how they used to plead the blood
When Satan came in like a flood;

And like a lion did roar loud
With countenance like a thundercloud,
A place where God shall dry the tears
Of those who laboured through the years

To bring the light unto the lost
To save some soul at any cost,
A place where all shall live for aye
Rejoining in eternal day;

A place where evil cannot dwell,
A place just opposite of hell.
Let us go tell to all creation
That God inviteth every nation.

Oh Father when I sleep tonight
Let me dream of heaven's glory bright.

Vester Cooper
c 2008. Vester Cooper Trust. All rights reserved

Ah, Ghostly Pine

Ah, ghostly pine that stands alone
In barren waste of mountains.
Where once grew forests green and rank*
Where once gushed crystal fountains.

There are no branches on your trunk.
From you they have been taken.
They could not stand the strain you stood.
When by winds you were shaken.

The water down the canyons roars
When heavy rain is falling.
All filled with muddy sediment,
The sight is quite appalling.

The mat of leaves and straw and grass
When forests here were growing
Absorbing the rain as it fell
Kept rivers from o'erflowing

Along came man with saw in hand
Destroying game and timber.
With him came also forest fires
With glowing flame and ember.

The flames spread o'er the forest floor.
The dry leaves burned like tinder.
And leaping up into the trees
It burned with none to hinder.

The wind came whistling through the crown
Each dying blaze renewing.
Ah ruthless man your carelessness
Has been your own undoing.

The forests were a gift of God
With wildlife in them playing.
Now man for your destructiveness
The penalty is paying.

Vester Cooper
c 2008, Vester Cooper Trust. All rights reserved.

*This may be a different word. The handwriting is unclear.

Ah, Ghostly Pine (early draft)

There are multiple versions of this poem in Vester's hand. A draft which preceded the final version appears below.

Oh, ghostly pine standing alone
In barren waste of mountains
Where once grew trees so tall and green
Among the bubbling fountains.

There are no branches on your trunk.
From you they have been taken.
They could not stand the strain you stood.
When by winds you were shaken.

Old Pine you tower like a spire
While slowly you're decaying
Someday you will crash to the earth
The elements obeying.

The water down the canyons roll
When heavy rain is falling
All filled with muddy sediment
The sight is quite appalling.

The mat of needles, leaves and grass
When forests here were growing
Absorbing raindrops as they fell
Kept rivers from o'erflowing

Along came greedy, wasteful men
Destroying game and timber
With them came also many fires
With glowing flame and ember.

The flames spread o'er the forest floor
Its cover burned like tinder
Then leaping up into the trees
It burned with none to hinder.

The wind came whistling through the trees
ach dying blaze renewing
Ah ruthless man your carelessness
Has been your own undoing.

This forest was a gift from God
With wildlife in it playing.
Now man for your unthoughtfulness
The penalty is paying.

Vester Cooper
c 2008, Vester Cooper Trust. All rights reserved.

Jared

Jared was a little guy.
He lived with Mom and Dad.
And boots just like his Grandpa's
Were the only kind he had.

He was tough like the knotty oak
When with Grandpa he did play.
"Just spank me harder Grandpa,"
The little guy did say.

"Now run and play," Grandpa would say.
"I think I spanked you red."
"It didn't even hurt a bit,"
Is what he always said.

He played with all the kids around,
This plucky little guy.
And even if he did get hurt
Would seldom ever cry.

He knew about the plants and seeds
And liked to see them grow,
And if he saw a new one,
All about it he must know.

He played about so happily
And never ran away.
Somehow the laces in his boots
It seemed would never stay.

He said "I think they are too hard
To get on that away.

" 'Sides, Grandpa don't have none in his.
I like them right this way.
And if I wear them just like this
And wear Grandpa's hat too,
I can walk around and look about
Just like my Grandpa do."

Vester Cooper
c 2008. Vester Cooper Trust. All rights reserved

Old Jolly

I am a jolly pumpkin,
And I grew up large and round
In a little backyard garden
In a pleasant little town.

As I lay there turning yellow
And gazing at the sky
I was dreaming of the day
That I would be a pumpkin pie.

Vester Cooper
c 2008, Vester Cooper Trust. All rights reserved.

Twas A Quarter Past Eight

Twas a quarter past eight,
The wife still in bed
"Another late breakfast,"
The old man said.

That woman can sleep
Like a polar bear
At the Arctic Circle
In an ice cave lair.

She was sleeping well
When he arose at six
With things to do
And things to fix.

So he got busy
With many things
And the clock ticked on
As time took wings.

He cleaned out ashes,
Built the fire up good.
Then he went outside
And packed in wood.

Made a pot of coffee
And drank it down.
While the sun did rise
On the sleepy town.

Fed the cow and calf
And the bunnies, too.
And tried to think
Of other things to do.

So he lay on the couch
And read a bit
And thought of his woman
Who was sleeping yet.

So he looked at the clock
About a quarter til nine
Said, "Surely my woman
Will rise and shine,

"And make my breakfast
before I croak
Or before her ribs
I have to poke

"And say, 'Look woman,
Get out of that bed.
You have a good man
Who has to be fed!' "

Vester Cooper
c 2008. The Vester Cooper Trust. All rights reserved

The Prayer of the Drunken Motorist

Now I lay me down to drink.
I pray thee, Lord, don't let me think
Of my little ones at home, my wife,
praying yet Lord to save my life.

Let me wallow with drunken speed.
I've proved to thee Lord that I can't need
Your grace tonight; I'm filled with cheer
I've tipped the bottom of a pack o' beer.

Though my face is red and my reflex slow,
I'm a lion tonight, so let me go
To the grave alone where a worm can chew
The last effects of a bottle of brew.

What jangling crash? What hideous roar ?
Doth fill my ears as the motor doth soar
Through my chest, my life, liberates my soul
Onward like lightening till it reaches its goal.

Where, O Lord, have I failed in life ?
You gave me, Father, a wonderful wife,
Three children at home, and they'll bear the shame
Of an ungodly father, a drunkard--the same.

You granted me, Lord, strength in my youth.
then I lifted my head, my heart grew aloof
I was proud of myself, I dabbled in sin
Till you slashed through my thread,
said "Enough. It's the end."

Vester Cooper
c 2008 Vester Cooper Trust. All rights reserved.

There Is A God

There is a God in heaven I know
Who watches me where'er I go

Listens to every word I say
Sees my doing night and day

Reads my thoughts and motives too
Knows the reason for things I do

Knows my weakness and my strength
At my sins he never winks.

Gives me all the strength I need
If I at his table feed

Guides me in the narrow way
Watches o'er me day by day

With discipline without a lack
Lovingly he calls me back.

When my heart would go astray
From His blessed holy way.

Vester Cooper
c 2008. Vester Coopeer Trust. All rights reserved.

Are You A Christian?

Are you a Christian
and believe God's holy Word?
You go to church on Sunday
and really love the Lord.

It's nice to hear you say it,
and it has a certain ring.
But to a poor, lost sinner
It just does not mean a thing.

If when you're in his presence
You will drink with him his beer,
And you laugh long and loudest
At the vulgar talk you hear

And when he tells a dirty joke
You smile and wink and nod,
Let me tell you this, my friend,
You're no witness for our God.

If you fight with your neighbor
O'er a frivolous little thing,
And songs like "Old Dan Tucker"
Is all he hears you sing.

If he sees you acting greedy
Each time you make a deal,
Your testimony for the Lord
Will sound more like a squeal.

So come on all pretenders
Let's do this thing up right.
Don't join yourself in battle
Unless you mean to fight.

For God would rather you would be
A sinner through and through.
Then maybe he could get you saved
A make some use of you.

We are the sinner's Bible,
and he reads us every day
So let's not lead him into hell
Where it's too late to pray.

Vester Cooper
c 2008, Vester Cooper Trust. All rights reserved.

Sleepy Head

I know a little sleepy head
Who always sleeps with me in bed.

And when at six I do arise
She sleeps right on to my surprise.

I light a fire and watch it burn
And for a time for breakfast yearn.

Then read a while, rebuild the fire
Go feed the cows and start the car.

Haul up some wood and wonder then
If I'll have breakfast now or when.

Well, some need sleep and some need food.
Somehow is doesn't help my mood.

So while I wait for her to nap
Guess I will don my coat and cap

And work a while. At any rate,
Perhaps I'll lose a little weight.

So brothers do not weep for me.
I'm full of logic, as you see.

So if at 10 she does arise
I'll manage to philosophize

Vester Cooper
c 2008. Vester Cooper Trust. All rights reserved.

I Believe You Holy Father

I believe you Holy Father.
I do trust you precious Lord.
I will labor and be faithful
In the sending of your word.

I will help to to lift the fallen,
Help to cheer the lone and sad,
Help to feed the tired and hungry,
Make some cheerless person glad.

But this won't buy my pardon
Won't redeem me from my sin
Won't me you great, God my (illegible)
The poem ends with no concluding line

By Vester Cooper
c 2008. Vester Cooper Trust. All rights reserved.

God Gave To Each Two Ends To Use

God gave to each two ends to use.
With one we sit, the other muse .
Success depends on which we use.
Heads we win; tails we lose.

Vester Cooper
c 2008. Vester Cooper Trust. All rights reserved

Oh I Went To Church Last Sunday

Oh I went to church last Sunday,
And the preacher preached the word.
Then I wondered and I pondered
All the things that I had heard.

All have sinned, the preacher told us,
But if we would come today
And confess our sins to Jesus
He would cleanse them all away.

So I hurried to the altar
On my knees began to pray
And I said, "Oh dear Lord Jesus,
Please, please take my sins away."

Then I felt the love of Jesus
Flow into my sin-sick soul,
And my sins were all forgiven
For his blood had made me whole.

Then I cried "Oh thank you, Jesus,
But I have no way to pray.
Please just let me be your love slave
And just live for you always."

Then he smiled and said "I'll help you,
And went home with me that day.
Now I have his Holy Spirit living deep within my heart
And from such a glorious master I never will depart.

Vester Cooper
c 2008. Vester Cooper Trust. All Rights reserved

He Took His Nap

He took his nap
With utmost glee
For newly retired
From the job was he.

Oh, he had jobs
That he should do,
But he said the nap
He needed, too.

He would work early,
And he would work late;
But he took that nap
At any rate.

Then early at night
He went to bed.
"Got to have my sleep,"
He always said.

So he kissed his wife
And said "Good night."
She tucked him in
And said, "Sleep tight."

And sleep he did
Until about five
And then that fellow
Just came alive.

And up he came
From out of that bed
Now a cup of coffee
To himself he had.

Now his little wife
Had stayed up until ten
With things to make
And things to mend

To read a while
Or tend the fire.
She never early
Would retire.

But then she liked
To sleep in late
But hardly ever
Later than eight

He thought she slept
Away her life,
But since the fellow
Loved his wife

He oh so patiently
Did wait
Although his breakfast
Might be late.

Vester Cooper
c 2008. Vester Cooper Trust. All rights reserved.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Galoshes and a Diaper Bag

written for my aunt, Oza Mae Cooper

Oh come and hear my story
Of the lady and her shoes
She was such a happy lady,
And she never sang the blues.

She was kind to every person.
She did nobody wrong.
She went about her housework
With laughter and with song.

For shoes she wore galoshes,
And she liked them oh so well.
She often took them in her hands
And polished them a spell.

And if someone should hide them
She might not be so nice.
And they always came up with them
When she pinched them once or twice.

You could see her in the garden
Just working to and fro.
It was hoed out oh so nicely
With galosh tracks down each row.

Her "Daddy love" would often say,
"Sweetheart you look so neat
With your pretty clothes and ribbons
And galoshes on your feet."

And when she travelled with a group
She behind would never lag.
She was wearing her galoshes,
And she had her diaper bag.

Vester Cooper
copyright 2008. Vester Cooper Trust. All rights reserved

She Was In The Backyard Playing

She was in the backyard playing
While her daddy worked nearby,
A little girl three years of age
Had baked a playhouse pie.

She had some beans and spinach
With some fresh strawberries, too.
Some were the same as the time before,
Yet one or two were brand new.

She called out to her daddy,
"It is time for dinner now."
When her daddy came and joined her,
She her little head did bow.

Saying, "Our dear God we thank you
Because you gave us this food."
And she scolded at her daddy,
Said his manners were too crude.

Said, "You really need not hurry,
'Cause that old work can wait .
So just talk to me my Daddy
While I fix another plate."

But he said, "Ah, no, my baby.
That is very kind of you.
Yet my work I still must finish
All before the day is through."

So he just got started working
When a little voice so sweet
Called out, "Daddy, dinner's ready.
And you must come and eat."

Now the scene in memory lingers
And I hear a little voice
Saying, "Daddy, dinner's ready,"
And it makes my heart rejoice.

Now she has grown up and left us
And sometimes I nearly cry
When I see her baby picture
With her playhouse standing by.

Vester Cooper
c 2008. Vester Cooper Trust. All rights reserved.

Smile

Smile while you're working for the master.
Smile and show the world your heart is light.
Smile when evil forces surround you.
Happy smiles will help you win the fight.

Smile when by gloom clouds you're o'ershadowed.
Smile because you know you're in the right.
Satan cannot face a smiling christian
Smile, and he will surely take his flight.

Vester Cooper
Copyright 2008. Vester Cooper Trust. All rights reserved.

Golden Anniversary

At last our Golden day is here
We long have waited it my dear
And did not doubt it Would arrive
If God kept both of us alive.

The day has dawned for us my dear
The sun is shining bright and clear.
No cloud I see in that blue sky
The day seems made for you and I.

We did not earn this golden day,
But God just gave it anyway;
So we'll be glad when friends of yore
Arrive to visit us once more

And wish another fifty years
Some with smiles, some with tears
Of course we know that will not be
But we always with that agree

When neighbors, too, come by to say
We wish you well on this your day.
They chat awhile then on they go
There are other coming in you know

But we made room for all who come
For that is just a rule of thumb.
And we just feel so glad to be
On this our anniversary

When all have come and all have gone,
And we are left there all alone.
We read the cards and then we say
Oh! Wasn't this a lovely day.

Vester Cooper
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved

Do You Believe?

"Do you believe in God, my friend?"
One asked another one.
"Do you believe in Jesus Christ,
God's one begotten Son?"

"Do you believe that all have sinned'
Yes, all of Adam's seed?
And Jesus Christ was crucified
To satisfy this need.

"That mortal man was lost, so lost,
He could not find his way,
Was stooped and bound and steeped in sin
And just grew worse each day.

"He did not even love this God
Who watched him from on high
And reached so far, so very far
To lift him to the sky.

"Had there been any other way
To bring us to His side,
God would not have allowed His Son
To thus be crucified.

"Yet many walk right through His blood
And go right on their way
To spend eternity in hell
And none may tell them nay.

"For God gives every man a right
To make a choice his own
Yet He inviteth everyone
To gather at His Throne.

"And there receive a Crown of Life
Oh, God, give this to me.
A hope in Christ, my soul redeemed,
Eternal life in Thee."

Vester Cooper
c 2008. Vester Cooper Trust. All rights reserved

She Was Sweet Sixteen And One Year More

She was sweet sixteen and one year more
When I met her at the church house door.
She was the friendly type, quite pretty and gay.
I made her acquaintance, then went my way.

I talked with her more on another day
And seemed to liker her right a way.
I asked for a date and she said, “Why, Yes!”
She was waiting for just those words, I guess.

I dated her then more than a year,
And she was always such a sweet little dear.
Then I though if she would just be my wife;
We could be happy the rest of our life.

When I asked her about it, she said, “Well, I guess.
If you will me give time for a nice wedding dress.”
Now for sixty-five years, we have known many joys
With our two pretty girls and three stalwart boys.

Vester Cooper
c 2008. Vester Cooper Trust. All rights reserved