Mom: Force of Nature

My mom was a force of nature-- 
Like a thunderstorm when mad,
But she'd always make me laugh 
If I was feeling sad.
She was my greatest champion, 
Even when I'd erred.
She loved without condition.
Her actions showed she cared.
She wanted to protect me
From hurts that she'd lived through; 
To spare me pain and sorrow, 
She'd do all she could do

My mom was a force of nature. 
Her laughter filled a space. 
And when she sang, her joy was like 
The sunshine on her face.
She liked to act "tough" sometimes; 
And tough she was, for sure-- 
For she'd suffered things that no one
Should ever have to endure.
Yet her generosity flourished;

Her heart was as big as the sky,
And she'd give you the shirt off her back 
Without a mere blink of an eye.

My mom was a force of nature--
A lightning bolt of spunk--
Not clouded by others' opinions;
She'd chalk them up as bunk.
She wasn't an intellectual 
And didn’t like watching the news;
And when politics came up,
Her "discussion" was to refuse.
She possessed a deeper wisdom 
And a faith like a mighty tree.
Yes, Mom was a force of nature, 
And that nature lives in me.

Buddy

"Buddy" is a term I use

To show that you are mine
Not everyone's my buddy
Not  all receive my time
But you, my darling grandson,
Mean more than average folks
You are immensely treasured
And you smile at Grandma's jokes

I'm glad you are my buddy.
You make my life  the best
I'll always love you, Buddy,
And count myself as blessed.

© 2025 Teresa Miles Kephart 

Fire in My Heart

It ignites unexpectedly,
Calls to the mind
To pull words together,
New meaning to find.
To pull from a challenge,
From whimsy, background--
Incorporate new words
I've randomly found.
To bring new perspective,
Give others delight--
Each phrase from the heart,
Through a fire that burns bright.

© 2025 Teresa Miles Kephart 

Your Own Food

Plant cabbage, onions,
Carrots, broccoli, garlic
To harvest at home

To have a garden
Is to grow satisfaction
And flavor from seeds

Weed, water, nurture
With enthusiasm and
Garden green craving 

© 2025 Teresa Miles Kephart 

Best Snacks

At the movies, smuggling in purse;
While writing,  verse after verse;
A road trip with friends or with kids.
Fruits, veggies in dishes with lids--
And dips with those for taste.
Snacks can't be packed in haste.
Pretzels, Cheez-its, jerky,
Curds, diced ham or turkey.
And cookies can't be overlooked,
Especially when tickets are booked
On a plane, a train, or a ship--
Oatmeal-raisin or chocolate chip.
And there's always crackers and cheese
To pull off a journey with ease,
Or popcorn if you'd prefer.
Perhaps yogurt--just give it a stir.
Mixed nuts, rice cakes, pub mix,
Or even dry cereal like Trix.
A trip to the zoo, Zip-locs loaded
With things that are candy-coated.
An afternoon swim would fall flat
Without a beef stick or Kit-Kat.
Bananas can be appealing
On a fishing trip, after reeling.
And soccer games, baseball, track
All demand the perfect snack.
So, bring the best snacks--don't forget--
It's a choice you won't regret.

© 2025 Teresa Miles Kephart 

95%

You might be a brain
Or have a keen mind
You might be a wiz at all things
You might be a genius
A prodigy marked
By the joy that an A+ mark brings
Or maybe you keep your books open
And stay in a studious state
Achievement most often takes work
To make GPAs elevate
So whether it's smarts or a combo--
Academics and intellect--
95% or above
Is the logical grade to expect

© 2025 Teresa Miles Kephart 

At Last

When good fortune shows up in your life
And something long hoped for takes place,
With a beautiful sunset horizon
Inducing a smile on your face,
There's a sense of fulfillment arising--
A "blessed beyond measure" delight.
Too good to be true, yet it is!
It has happened at last; all is right.

© 2025 Teresa Miles Kephart 

A New Leaf

I am buying a Volkswagen Beetle
'Cause I want to have fun on the road
It's a new and impractical twist
To embark on a newfangled mode
It's a blueprint for untried adventure
A ticket to uncharted trails
Just me and my bug on the highway
And all that this new leaf entails

© 2025 Teresa Miles Kephart 

Refresh

Dad prefers lemonade
While Sister likes iced tea;
Perhaps a Red Bull for Brother

It's important to note
That what refreshes one
May not refresh another

It's likewise with pursuits,
Tasks, hobbies, and the like
A passion's a singular drive
So if it's your fondness
Or it fosters your joy
Be refreshed by it--let it thrive

© 2025 Teresa Miles Kephart 

Dolly: Warm Welcome

‘Well, howdy. I’m so pleased
You could meet me here today’
Are, in my mind, the words I trust
That Dolly’d likely say.
Her welcoming demeanor,
A hallmark of her style,
Is bound to make a person
Want to sit and stay a while.
She doesn’t put on pretense
Or worry ‘bout the rules,
And those who offer insults
I’ll bet she’d count as fools.
She’s never been a bragger.
Her charm is bona fide.
Her loving smile is bound
To make a guest feel warm inside.
I’d really love to meet her;
I know it would be sweet.
My guess is she’s the nicest gal
You’d ever hope to meet.

© 2025 Teresa Miles Kephart