<![CDATA[Sylvia Green Chatman, Poet-Author

<![CDATA[Sylvia Green Chatman, Poet-Author - Blog]]>Mon, 21 May 2012 05:31:19 -0600Weebly<![CDATA[You Are the Star]]>Mon, 21 May 2012 06:26:40 -0600http://www.sylviachatman.com/1/post/2012/05/you-are-the-star.html

Here's the occasion poem I wrote and read for my pastor's appreciation this Saturday:

You Are the Star

Pastor, Happy Appreciation Day!
May you experience others—we pray.
Your seven point one decades of living
You have portrayed with generous giving.

Our efforts to applaud you, please allow.
Step up to center stage and take a bow.
We now celebrate you and who you are.
You own the leading role—you are the star.

This theater is without audition.
It is a Jesus-authored rendition.
The playwright handpicked you as the hero.
An extra for you—there exists zero.

When the Spirit narrates the production,
You require no speaker’s introduction.
Tickets sell out with only standing room.
You come dressed in the finest of costume.

You play the difficult part of pastor
With varied lines and scenes to master.
Sacrifice remains the theme of your life,
While you stay in character as a wife.

You face inner and external conflict,
Yet a sense of humor you still depict.
You hold your focus during the drama,
For your church audience know you as Mama.

Though the plot twists in mixed directions,
With your director, you keep connection.
When the people believe they can relax,
You usher the action to its climax.

Following your Bible script, you work hard.
For your performance, you deserve an award.
To God’s people, you reveal mysteries.
A trailblazer—you have made history.

Minister Chinn, we acknowledge you, too.
Without you by Pastor, what would she do?
Minus your input, she would act solo.
Just a monologue would become the show.

We salute you for your supporting role.
You bring balance to the piece as a whole.
When the curtains rise, you stand in place.
You from the picture, how could we erase?

When we cheer Pastor, you, we remember.
Of the cast, you are a vital member.
Your post by Pastor’s side, we recognize.
For staying the course, you deserve a prize.

Once again, we double honor you both.
May you continue to fulfill your oath.
Heaven has a record of your renown.
One day the Lord will present you a crown.

© 2011 Sylvia Green Chatman

]]><![CDATA[Unafraid to Dream™]]>Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:58:53 -0600http://www.sylviachatman.com/1/post/2012/02/unafraid-to-dream.html

Unafraid to Dream™

Yes, I am unafraid to dream,
For I play for the winning team.
When I place Christ first on my list,
All possibilities exist.

© 2012 Sylvia Green Chatman
(an except from Unafraid to Dream™,
one of my book of poems in the making)

]]><![CDATA[Be Ye Angry, and Sin Not]]>Wed, 26 Oct 2011 19:26:02 -0600http://www.sylviachatman.com/1/post/2011/10/be-ye-angry-and-sin-not.html

SIN NOT

Though you may get upset,
Avoid falling in sin.
Forgive before sunset.
Why let the devil win?

© 2011 Sylvia Green Chatman

The above verse is a paraphase of the Bible scripture, "Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil" (Ephesians 4:26-27KJV).

BE DISCREET

A man of discretion--
His anger, he defers.
Bypassing transgression
Is the way he prefers.

© 2011 Sylvia Green Chatman

The above verese is a paraphrase of the Bible scripture, "The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression" (Proverbs 19:11KJV).

]]><![CDATA[Satan's Finest Tools]]>Fri, 07 Oct 2011 13:40:33 -0600http://www.sylviachatman.com/1/post/2011/10/satans-finest-tools.html

Satan's Finest Tools
©2006 Sylvia Green Chatman

Anger rests in the bosom of fools.
It is one of Satan’s finest tools.
To make you livid and lose control--
This is one of his favorite goals.

Stay aware of your foe and observe
The ploys he tries to disturb your nerves.
Take caution and avoid a huge scene
Of spewing thoughts you do not mean.

Attempt to find a less hostile route
Before you let bitter words slip out.
Deny the devil satisfaction;
Pause a moment—ponder your actions.

Spurn being rash—lashing out in haste;
Swift conflict will leave a sour taste.
Petty arguments, decline to chase;
To the adversary, give no place.

When the serpent’s at work, walk away;
It will just be trouble if you stay.
Don’t allow the enemy to trick you;
He wants to cause your temper to brew.

Shun easily throwing a tantrum;
Avoid joining in pointless bantam.
A man’s anger discretion defers–
This is the attitude God prefers.

© 2006 Sylvia Green Chatman

]]><![CDATA[I Apologize]]>Wed, 05 Oct 2011 18:35:44 -0600http://www.sylviachatman.com/1/post/2011/10/i-apologize.html

I APOLOGIZE
© 2011 Sylvia Green Chatman

I apologize
For the words I said.
Instead of my heart,
I spoke with my head.

I opened my mouth
With unintended hurt.
I forgot I should
Think before I blurt.

Your friendship means more
Than having last say.
I want to ensure
That we are okay.

Will you forgive me
For my misdoing?
A fresh start with you
I am pursuing.

]]><![CDATA[Taken by Surpise]]>Mon, 03 Oct 2011 19:15:46 -0600http://www.sylviachatman.com/1/post/2011/10/taken-by-surpise.html

This year alone, I attended five funerals. All of them were for family members: an uncle, age 62; an aunt, age 57; a brother-in-law, age 54; and two cousins-in-law, ages 54 and 45. Their deaths resulted from heart attacks, stroke, drowning, and one, allegedly, natural causes in the bathroom of a greyhound bus. The reactions I noticed expressed consistently by the bereaved, other than surprise, is regret. When loved ones pass away, people wish they had the opportunity to have said and done more. Hence, I was inspired to compose the following poem, “By Surprise”:

Taken by Surprise

Death often takes us by surprise.
Too soon, we must say our goodbyes.
The sudden passing of loved ones
Results in us feeling undone.

Thinking of all we failed to do,
We question, “Is this really true?”
Regret rises within our minds:
“If only more time I could find.”

We know this is only a wish.
Life has halted to a finish.
We then struggle to come to term
With the sad truth remaining firm.

Only God now offers us peace.
This burden, we have to release.
Although it hurts, we must let go--
Forgive ourselves of debts we owe.

We can avoid this hard process
If our shortcomings, we address.
Let’s change our ways before too late.
“I love you”—pause and demonstrate.

Perform your noble deeds today.
For tomorrow, fail to delay.
While able, your best strive to give.
Who knows how long we have to live?

Visit while you have a chance.
Why postpone for some circumstance?
Call, text, email, or write letters.
These gestures make you feel better.

When your family’s or your friend’s
Existence arrive at an end,
Your aching heart may rest content--
You expressed your sentiments.

© 2011 Sylvia Green Chatman

]]><![CDATA[Slip Away]]>Fri, 19 Aug 2011 09:25:48 -0600http://www.sylviachatman.com/1/post/2011/08/slip-away.html

Sometimes I have to slip away
And fall down on my knees to pray.
My heavy burdens, down I lay
To hear what the Lord has to say.
I must let Him show me the way.
Sometimes I have to slip away.

© 1995 Sylvia Green Chatman

"And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone." —Matthew 14:23KJV

]]><![CDATA[The Middle Child]]>Fri, 12 Aug 2011 08:06:04 -0600http://www.sylviachatman.com/1/post/2011/08/the-middle-child.html

Today is Middle Child's Day. According to www.holidayinsights.com, "Middle Child's Day gives a little well deserved recognition to the wonderful and special middle child in the family." Since a middle child is likely to feel left out, this is an excellent idea because "older and younger children tend to be more outgoing, or extroverted, and the middle child tends to be more introverted, quieter, perhaps a bit of a loner" (www.holidayinsight.com).

Today, as well as everyday, tell your "middle child" that you love him or her and that they are just as significant as your oldest and youngest child. Also, put forth an extra effort to push them in their endeavors. "Middle children have low self-esteem. They need support for anything they do," states middlechildpersonality.com. In addition, avoid showing favoritism and adding to the sibling rivalry that already naturally exists. As a parent, you want to promote a healthy relationship among your children. As the Bible admonishes, "...ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." (Ephesian 6:4KJV). With that said, mothers and fathers, let's cherish our children. In closing, the following poem is dedicated to all the middle children, especially my own son.

The Middle Chid

Even though your not the oldest,
or youngest, you see,
Being in the middle of a sandwich
is the most important part,
And in the middle of your body,
you will find your heart.
The engine in the middle
is what runs a good machine;
And your family wouldn't be
the same without you in between.

Author Unknown

]]><![CDATA[Hidden Treasures]]>Thu, 11 Aug 2011 12:54:23 -0600http://www.sylviachatman.com/1/post/2011/08/hidden-treasures.html

When I took my son to the dentist, I ran into an acquaintance from college who told me about all the delightful items that she was acquiring from the American Thrift Store. She said that she had even found expensive, name brand items with the tags still on them. I was excited because I used to frequent that store when it was in another location. I thought it had gone out of business. Now, I learned that it had only moved. Therefore, when my son asked me to go to the music store, I stopped at the thrift store.

Being the poetry lover that I am, I headed straight for the book section to see if I would find at least one book of verse. My search failed to disappoint me. On the shelves labeled, Poetry and Art, I found six books of poems and one book of quotations for a little over $5.00:

• Wings of Silver, Jo Petty (1967)
• The Gift of Love (an Ambassador cards booklet)
• Love, Love, Love, Susan Polis Schultz (1989)
• The Gold of Friendship, Patricia Dreier (1998)
• Crossword Poems: Volumes One and Two, Robert Norton (2000)
• La Sinfonia de la Vida, Salesian Missions (1995)

Though one of the poetry books was written in Spanish, I was unable to resist it because the cover was so beautiful—a violin next to a bouquet of flowers. I think I will send that one to my cousin for her birthday this month since she is fluent in the language. Well, I believe I got my money's worth—something for myself as well as someone else.

In the past, I have found three other poetry collections for a little of nothing at a thrift store and a yard sale: Tender Is the Earth (1973), Close to God in Thought and Prayer (1970), and The Golden Book of Prayer (1941). I also bought two books, Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman (1955) and Modern Religious Poems (1964), from the public library's discarded book table for 25 cents. In addition, I have acquired some other poetry books online at Amazon for only one cents plus $3.99 shipping. Therefore, refuse to let the economy stop you from enjoying the pleasure of some good rhymes. You can discover the hidden treasure of poetry books in places that you would least expect.

]]><![CDATA[Book Lovers Day]]>Tue, 09 Aug 2011 13:18:41 -0600http://www.sylviachatman.com/1/post/2011/08/book-lovers-day.html

Did you know today is Book Lovers Day? Yes, it is. People celebrate this day on August 9th as well as on the first Saturday of November. What is the significance of this day?

Well, according to the holiday listing resource, http://ww.holidayinsights.com, "Book Lovers Day encourages you to find a place in the shade to relax with a good book." Now, that sounds like a winning idea. I enjoy the company of a book every day

What book will you have the pleasure of reading today? My favorite types of books are the Bible, self-help, devotionals, Christian fiction, and poetry. Some books that I currently recommend are as follows: Holy Bible (King James Version); Possess a Vision—Motivational
Poems; Gift of Life—Inspirational Poems; Thankful We Met—Poems of Love; The Poems and Prayers of Helen Steiner Rice; Helen Steiner Rice—The Healing Touch: Poems, Letters, and Life Stories; In the Vineyard of the Lord (Helen Steiner Rice); 30 Days to Taming Your Tongue; 30 Days to a Great Attitude; Sassy, Single, and Satisfied; Single and Waiting (Dr. Jacqueline Lawrence); Silly Women; Single Minded Devotion; Whispers of Wisdom for Single Moms; Chicken Soup
for the Soul; Gumbo for the Soul; The Small Business Bible; and

The Practical ABCs of Reducing Stress. However, your reading selection is
up to you. Just choose one and read it. In the words of Joe Ryan, "there's
nothing to match curling up with a good book when there's a repair job to be
done around the house."

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
Let books be your dining table,
And you shall be full of delights
Let them be your mattress
And you shall sleep restful nights.
~Author Unknown

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