I wrote this about the time that 4 year old David was lost for a short while in and around the library in Germantown (Philadelphia.) It’s the closest I’ve ever come to feeling total panic; yet I had to reign it in because I didn’t want to frighten Julie, age 2. Pretty sure I frightened him with my tears and fears later, though, but I could no longer hold it in afterwards.
Panic
By Sharon L. Bratcher
Little boy – missing.
Little boy – wandered?
Little boy – lost?
Little boy – taken?
Scream forced down.
Wild eyes searching
Employees helping = some comfort
Little boy – gone!
Little boy – God, help us!
Little boy – found!!!
Relief, thanksgiving
Tears held back
Employees found him.
Best hug ever.
I wrote this in 1994. Today is the first time in many years that I will spend Father’s Day with my Dad. 🙂
Father’s Day from far away
By Sharon L. Bratcher
You’re terribly far away,
Yet you’re with me in an instant
A touch of the phone and there’s your voice–
I love to hear your words, your laugh,
Your stories, your jokes, your love.
I wish we could talk once a week.
Even when we don’t talk
Just knowing you’re there is reassuring–
The possibiliity for contact comforts.
Certain tasks and mannerisms
Bring you near to me – like
Hearing myself sound like you.
And always, always, the sound of a circular saw outside.
I hope we’ll have a lot more Father’s Days together–
Or at least in our minds.
Oh, joyful time! My parents were driving from MI to PA to see us again! But life was frenetic with driving to school and part time work, six kids, which included a two year old, and a husband who worked a lot of hours. I did not have time to prepare our home the way I would like to, so I quickly made a big poster and hung it up. 🙂
BRATCHER HOUSE, circa 1994
You have the unique privilege of being one of the few visitors to visit this important historic site in its original and inimproved state. Yes, this the the home not only of future honored citizens David and Brian Bratcher, but also to future men of the year Timothy and Kevin Bratcher. It is also the home of authors Dennis and Sharon Bratcher and the even better-known authors, their daughters Julie and Amy.
See: original and unretouched fingerprints on walls and doorways
View: their rooms, exactly as they have lived in them
Walk past: treasures collected and uniquely stacked within the lower level
Marvel: at the ingenious use of common dirt to block out harmful UV rays attempting to come through windows
Witness: an incredible piano recital which overcomes the challenges presented by the 82 year old piano
Recall: in years to come, that you saw it BEFORE it was redone
Comprehend: that this dwelling has safely housed these notables through exactly 5 years of love, laughter, learning, tension, tears, and tumult. LIFE HAS BEEN LIVED HERE!
Join: with the Bratchers in giving thanks to God for that fact.
We suffered devastating emotions as our church went through a “split” back in 1984-85. In many ways this experience has defined our life. This was jotted down on 7-18-85.
Endurance
By Sharon L. Bratcher
How long must I endure this place–
Memories of sadness, bitter tastes,
Polite dismissals, fading smiles,
Pains in my heart from numerous trials.
Must one lie in the bed one has made?
Or in some cases can one make a trade?
I ache to start out afresh, it’s true,
To learn from the old, begin the new.
I started writing poems after being inspired by Maureen LeLacheur in my freshman English class at Detroit Bible College. I wrote at least 20 poems in college, and most were written when I was upset and trying to sort out what was what. I have written a few since then too, and I suppose I’ll be presenting them in no particular order. This was written in September 1983, which happened to be a really low point in our married life. I don’t mind admitting that because I think that all marriages have their ups and downs. It definitely got better. 🙂
Yo-Yo Emotions
By, Sharon L. Bratcher
Filled with sadness,
Filled with joy–
Back and forth emotion flows
Plunged to depths
Of deep despair;
Raised up high, it onward goes.
All too human thoughts weigh down
Godly thoughts make highs of lows.
I wrote this in 1994 on a scrap of paper from the office where I was working part time. Life with husband, six kids and a part time job was a lot to handle at the time, especially since I was driving the kids to school (13 miles each way) and picking them up. The five students were 13, 11, 9, 9, and 7.5 and the youngest was 2 and a half. After two more years of this I quit the part time job and it was the best decision ever.
Busy Mom
By Sharon L. Bratcher
Busy schedule, like a race
Never home, but on the chase
Moving, moving constantly
Mega output energy.
Buildings, smog and dirty slush
Pass them, always in a rush
Most of life is have-to-dos
Do them all, don’t miss your cues.
Oh, to sit awhile and sit
Real still, no guilt, a real long sit.
Just start around and smell the air
And mostly, not go anywhere.
A respote from our daily grind–
If on our journey this we find.
I’d like to watch the flowers grow,
My children running to and fro.
My Dad wrote most of this song in the hopes that it would influence people to be more careful about their sexual behavior. It was 1988 and AIDS had only been recognized for about 5 years then. I smoothed it out and we gave it a tune and even sent it a couple places in hopes of some country singer wanting to use it. Then, like many ideas, it got filed away.
One Night With Tommy (An Ode to AIDS)
By Marvin C. Osborne and Sharon L. Bratcher
Listen to this song: it just might save your life!
1. Dear Lord, I was lonely on one certain night
For Johnny and I had just had a big fight.
Then Tom came along, he was strong as could be
He said, “I’ll take you home; you’ll be all right with me.”
2. And then on the way home, we talked and we smiled
And we stopped by the side of the road for a while
We really meant no harm, but lust had its play
Tom had me that night in a quite special way.
3. But, Lord, I didn’t know that Tommy had AIDS
And I am so sorry, and I’m so afraid
It was only one time–it hardly seems fair
That the punishment for this mistake I must bear
4. Lord, crying and pleading won’t change my disease
I’m locked in a prison that hasn’t got keys
I’m going to die soon–my young life is lost
My one night with Tommy wasn’t worth what it cost.
CODA:
Please let others know, Lord, my young life is lost
And my one night with Tommy wasn’t worth what it cost.
I wrote this when Tim was only 2 months old. I like to think that the eyes have passed to his son Isaac too, although the mom’s side has its share of blue-eyed beauties too.
Tim’s Eyes
By Sharon L. Bratcher
I’ve see those eyes
A million times before;
Tho’ you, my tiny son
Have only looked through them
For two months.
I turn from my book to gaze at you
And I’m surprised
At the familiarity I feel.
Yes, I’ve see those eyes,
In my daughter,
My sister, my Dad,
In the mirror,
And now in you.
Brian used to make a humorous growling sound when he was a baby. I had forgotten about it until I came across this little song I wrote at the time. His daughter Zoey (8 months) is enjoying making a funny growling sound these days – not sure if it is the same but who knows? Like father, like daughter? This was written on 8/9/85 when Brian was 6 months old.
Brian’s Roar
By Sharon L. Bratcher
There’s a fierce sound coming from a corner in our house.
Could it be a dog or cat? Could it be a mouse?
It’s a big loud growling that sounds like a lion–
No! It’s not! It’s just little Brian!
This humorous poem was written from, uh, experiences. 🙂 Anyone over thirty will probably get it.
I sent it in to WMUZ radio and “Harvey in the morning” read it on the air on Valentine’s Day, and sent me a sweatshirt for sending it in.
Mature Love
By Sharon L. Bratcher
Kiss me, darling, kiss me!
(But, don’t pull hard on my neck)
Place your arms around me
(Is the door locked? Better check.)
Let your finger tenderly
Caress my hip and thigh.
(Ow! My knee–please move your leg
Lest pain intensify.)
Lie upon me, let me feel
The love that I now lack.
(Nope, move over, sorry,
But that really hurts my back.)
Well, kiss me, darling, kiss me!
(Oh, that’s right, you have a cold.)
Pull me closer to you
(Wish these aches could be controlled.)
(Sigh) Shall we at this present time
Our mutual love promote?
(Never mind, just hit the light
And hand me the remote.)
🙂
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