Progressive Baptist Church's Website
Poetry Corner
Poetry for Special Occasions
Mother's Day
RED OR WHITE ROSE
A pretty red rose if she's here today
A nice white one if she's in Heaven to stay.
Red for the smile when her child comes near
White for the memories that you hold so dear.
If she can kiss your forehead before going to bed
Then you are lucky, you can take red.
But if she's gone today, can't even wish you goodnight
Just remember the good times and take the white.
Red for her prayers and being your friend
Knowing on her you could always depend.
White if she's crossed that Great Divide
She taught you to live right ending "up" by her side.
You may take red or you'll take the other
But either color rose means you love your dear MOTHER.
(poem written by church member Jackie Alston in memory of her mother, Rosa Howard.)
MOTHER, MOTHER!
Mother, Mother! You remember the lunch I took today?
Five little loaves and two dried fish?
I gave it all away!
They gave me back some bread He blessed, and some, too, of the fish
Mother, Mother, all five thousand ate, all they could wish.
Yes, and there were little children and their mothers, too.
Oh, but they had all they wanted, I brought some back to you.
No, no, mother- I'm not crazy, they had naught to eat;
One called Andrew told the Master, "Here are bread and meat."
In His strong, firm, hands He took them, (How His face did shine!)
Blessed and broke, and fed them all, with my food, Mother, Mine!
I was frightened--all those people! Such a little bit!
Mother, Mother, just suppose....I had not given it!
MOTHER WITH LARGEST FAMILY
In honor of the many joys that come with motherhood,
In honor of the many needs your heart has understood-
The million childish troubles that only mothers mend.
The hours of pain-filled worry that only mothers spend.
In honor of the sacrifice that is a mother's way.
We pay symbolic tribute to Mrs.__________________this Mother's Day.
OLDEST MOTHER
In honor of your motherhood of devotion through the years.
Of patient tender methods in drying childhood tears.
Though the years ahead are yours, though your time is free.
Your heart is chained unto the past with loving memory.
Age makes little difference when a mother you are,
And as you grow older, seems you're more precious by far.
So now we like to show in some little way
That we think of the oldest as special today.
And because you have lived more years than any other,
Today Mrs.______________, you are and honored Mother.
MOTHER WITH LONGSTANDING MEMBERSHIP
For the month of January through the month of December,
Faithfully attending church for years, our longstanding member.
Whether the congregation was large or small,
You still attended faithfully showing loyalty to all.
You haven't stayed this long for glory or fame,
Stand up and be appreciated as we call your name. Mrs.___________.
Happy Mother's Day and an abundance of blessings to you.
Progressive Baptist Church thanks you for being so true.
(poem written by church member Florence Sanders.)
MOTHER SECRETARY
Every Sunday, your minutes from meetings you share,
Working with determination, you guard confidence with care.
We can search high and low, no matter where we look,
We'll never find another secretary like you to keep Progressive's book.
So someone, take these minutes and notice they will say,
We really appreciate Mrs.________________on this special Mother's Day.
(poem written by Florence Sanders)
MOTHER FOREVER
If I could live ten thousand years,
I still would think of Mother.
Remembering her smiles and tears,
And how we loved each other.
Years cannot dim that vision bright,
I count my dearest treasure;
They only seem to shed more light
Upon her worth and measure.
The Christian faith that through her shone
Is still my inspiration:
The wisdom of her ways I own
With more appreciation.
If I could live ten thousand years,
How think you, friend and brother,
Could I forget that dream that cheers,
And oft brings back my Mother?
