One Small Step
©2002 Celeste Billhartz (Use/reprint by permission only)
What if Babe Ruth sat the bench and never swung a bat?
He'd never have those records if he'd said, "I can't ... I'm fat."
And can you just imagine what a loss it would have been
If Kate Smith said, "I'll wait to sing ... until I'm very thin."
What if the Two Fat Ladies said NO to Food TV?
"I can't stand before the lens ... it puts 20 lbs on me!!"
And what if Mr. Domino got scared and said, "Aw, rats ...
Nobody's gonna pay to hear a guy whose name is 'Fats'!"
Spirit gave you a life's work, or maybe two or three
It's a crime to wait to shine until you're like a reed
So, put aside your reasons why you do not feel some pride
All it takes is one small step for fear to fall aside
Teaching, sharing, bringing joy ... that's what Life's about
What if Miss Oprah Winfrey had stayed home ... and just worked out?
Winston Churchill didn't wait to let his words be heard
And no man did more for one church than Pope John XXIII
Sebelius and Brahms were plump ... two roly-poly guys
Imagine no "Finlandia" or lovely lullabyes
We have Buddha, Barney, B.B. King ... all blessings from above
Chubby Checkers, Santa Claus ... there's just more to love ...
Life is filled with blessings, there's abundance all around
Look at all you're missing, don't let dress-size keep you down
Step up to your calling ... and give it all you've got
One success beats loneliness ... and regret for what you're not.
What if Babe Ruth sat the bench and never swung a bat?
He'd never have those records if he'd said, "I can't ... I'm fat."
And can you just imagine what a loss it would have been
If Kate Smith said, "I'll wait to sing ... until I'm very thin."
Reunion
©2006 Celeste Billhartz (Use/reprint by permission only)
Let us have compassion for the never-married Moms
Who had no choice
Who had no voice
Whose mothers let them down
Whose world did not welcome their babies
Whose class and church and state sent them far away
Let us have compassion for the babies
Who had no choice
Who had no voice
Whose oh-so-middle class did not welcome them
Whose grandmothers --- gave them away
Let the grandmothers own their crime
Let them see their wretched deed
Let them know the lifelong harm they never meant
Let them say the truth, the sad, sad fact:
"I was afraid of what my world would think and say of me.''
Let us give patience to these adopted grown-up ones
Who believe what they were told
Who find the mothers they once had
Who are quick to blame and cool-to-touch
Who dare not, dare not --- remember much
Let us find forgiveness for the grandmothers
Who had a choice
Who had a voice
Who let their daughters down, gave their own away
Who dare to say, today, "Oh, call me Grandma!"
Dreamer-Girl
©2003 Celeste Billhartz (Use/reprint by permission only)
I am blessed with lovely friends, some are near and some afar
A few I met in old Key West, lunch at Pepe's, near the bar
Some have known me half my life, others newly met
I think one thing they'd all agree ... what you see is what you get
Ginny juggles work and kids, so we rarely get to share
All we have is mirror-talk when I'm in her beauty chair
We have just 40 minutes over shampoo, cut and style
But what we give each other makes the long wait so worthwhile
Gretchen, Paula, Esther all have places in my heart
I marvel at their parenting, their kids are sweet and smart
Verne is stern, her message clear, she doesn't mess around
Not big on encouragement, she's good on standing ground
Donna is my dreamer-girl, the one whose heart is true
That gentle voice across the miles ..."Oh, I believe in you!"
We know we are each other's nest, where each can nurture words
Yet, if we shared a living space ... we both would go berserk!
I am Virgo, rigid, tight and she is loosy-goose
Boundaries are my comforters; she has to stretch the rules
Back in 1962 she was a happy, hippie mom
Raising kids and milking goats ... while i was convent-bound
Next week I'm off to see her, just a visit ... not to stay
She lives in Arizona, house is solar and straw bale
We really love each other, yet, our differences are true:
"CB, we'll put you in the yurt!"
"Dear, the Radisson will do."
All With Love
©2001 Celeste Billhartz (Use/reprint by permission only)
The carpenter, the potter, too
The one who sells new shoes to you
The woman with her comb and shears
The mother soothing hurts and fears
We must do it all with love, we must do it all with love
Everything before our eyes, every action tells our lives
Grandma snapped the beans with care
Auntie gently braided hair
Sister Mary Edna knew
She must love the child who's blue
We must do it all with love, we must do it all with love
Everything before our eyes, every action tells our lives
Chefs in their kitchens and farmers, too
The workers who manufacture glue (!)
All the singers in the Sunday choir
And the storyteller by the evening fire
We must do it all with love, we must do it all with love
Everything before our eyes, every action tells our lives
Ben
©2002 Celeste Billhartz (Use/reprint by permission only)
What do we say to our college chums
Whose faces bear the pain that numbs?
We nod hello, share hugs in line
Promise e-mail another time
Slowly, slowly ... two by two
We say goodbye to their son we knew
We are friends of color and diversity
And we met, so long ago, at university
It was the 60's and we were cool
Quick of wit, nobody's fool
We learned our lessons 'bout Truth and war
Travellin' in our beetle car
The church is filled with familiar faces
Dear old friends from distant places ...
Once so bright, so limber, tall
Now stooped and gray ... if hair at all!
To a soul, we found our good
In teaching, law and motherhood
Well-married, most ... some not, some twice
And through it all, paid any price
To keep our children safe and warm
Would put our lives 'tween them and harm
But nothing in that fine degree
Prepared us for this tragedy
Slowly, slowly ... two by two
We say goodbye to their son we knew
We lay to rest this golden one
Dearest brother, beloved son
Not war nor crash nor murderous rage
Pulled him from his well-earned stage
He took no spill, no race he ran ...
'Twas influenza killed the man
Charles
©2002 Celeste Billhartz (Use/reprint by permission only)
Charles is oft emboldened to
Tell the world his point of view
Topics range from A to Z
His phrases turn so cleverly
Gathered we to chat and dine
Six good friends ... a lovely time
Four are pairs matched perfectly
And two have troubles all can see
The liquor flowed, the laughter grew
Tales were told, some jokes were blue
The cook was praised and the plates refilled
Then, banter slowed ... and finally chilled
Charles, it seems, fell out of sorts
His comments turned to sharp retorts
Hints nor pinch could mollify
His twinkle turned to cold fish-eye
'Gainst teens and taxes did he rail
And on hurtful words his wife impale
Was it liquor loosed his jaw?
Or too much sugar in his maw?
Our silence eased him from the rant
His churlish grin passed for recant
The evening air had thickened so
Dear Lucy smiled and said, "We'll go."
Gather we to chat and dine
Five good friends ... a lovely time
Missing from this festive scene
Charles ... and his vented spleen!
Eager Estrogen
©2002 Celeste Billhartz (Use/reprint by permission only)
Dear Holy Father of my church, this is my fervent plea
Let my sisters say the Mass ... let women serve as priests
It's not as though the chalice is too heavy for their hand
Or that they might look silly in that silk and lace so grand
The women have such gifts to give to families far and near
They've been waiting patiently for about 2000 years
The church, it seems, has plenty work ... the duties overflow
You've all this eager estrogen ... and less testosterone
Besides, of late, things ain't so great ... in fact, they're rather sad
Short on shepherds for the flock, you've kept the ones who're bad
Bishops cover up the deeds and move them town to town
You fellas better fix this thing .. or see the dollars tumble down
Dear Holy Father of my church, this is my fervent plea
Let my sisters say the Mass ... let women serve as priests
It's not as though the chalice is too heavy for their hand
Or that they might look silly in that silk and lace so grand
Welcome back the married priests; they, too, have much to share
Faithfulness, maturity ... seems the church is lacking there
And, Holy Father, let's be fair ... welcome Joan and Grace and Jill
They ask only to serve God ... and do Her holy will!
