AMANDA by Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

The soft breeze played across the brow of Amanda young and fair –

She dreamed a dream of her life to come and the joys of life she’d share.

The years went by and with marriage, came a family of her own –

To this world she gave three daughters and two sons,

Her heart has known the sadness of losing her first mate –

But she had the courage to carry on with her unfaltering faith.

Her family raised to grown-ups have all made homes of their own.

Her descendants now   are many – thirty is the sum.

Amanda, she is old now – the dark tendrils, they are grey.

But those playful Ozark breezes find her heart and smile still young and gay,

Her footsteps are not so springy as they were in yesteryear –

But her voice is still happily singing and to me her tone is so dear.

You see I love Amanda dearly – she’s my grandmother you know –

And I ponder oh, so deeply, when the soft breezes blow –

That breeze that just now brushed my cheek – I wonder – could it be –

That first it kissed my Grandma’s face and then came on to me.

 

Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

April 23, 1963

Written for her Grandmother Amanda Elizabeth Morris

 

Copyright Roy Richard

A MARINE! by Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

I first looked upon the casket, silver gray and oh! So still –

Then I saw “OLD GLORY” and my eyes began to fill.

For above this silver casket in a frame of softest gold –

Was the smiling lad who lies here – who is now so quiet and cold.

Then my eyes moved on oh so slowly to the boy who gave his all.

I find him fair and handsome and I’m sure he stood quite tall,

Then his mother walked up to him and she gently stroked his hair –

And I’m sure the grief she’s feeling is so awfully hard to bear.

She must be living out a lifetime as she stands there looking on –

Her firstborn child – so young – so gay – her own marine. Her son.

She must see again a toddler – who can hardly walk as best –

She must think of all his illnesses and how she’d be upset.

She must be thinking of the last time he smiled and looked her way –

That would be when he left to serve – a sad and gloomy day.

For that day a question was within her heart and mind –

Oh God! Will he come home again – this precious Son of mine?

Then came the news so dreaded – heartbreaking was this day.

She hadn’t known how great this grief on the day he went away.

I do not know this boy before me – but my sadness is sincere –

And I tremble deep within myself and am haunted with great fear.

For all the young men fighting – wherever they may be –

Remembering that the cost is great – that they pay humanity.

I cannot help but have great feeling for the wounded and those who die –

Though I know them not – I’M SORRY – for the price they have paid is so high.

 

Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

 

Copyright Roy Richard

A CONFIRMATION NOTE TO A LITTLE GIRL I SPONSERED by Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

May your life be rich in blessings –

Your heart be full of love –

Your acts always reflect beauty and honesty –

Your faith in God be endless –

And as your future unfolds –

Mold it in the likeness of a rose –

Remembering always –

                                Few roses are perfect –

                                But all are beautiful.

 

Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

 

Copyright Roy Richard

40 by Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

 

Oh say can “Thou” see what has happened to “Thee”?

Why, just overnight – it has happened – Oh me!

I can’t understand “Thy” thinning hair –

And it seems “thy” waistline has drifted somewhere.

Now yesterday “Thou” was dapper and sporty!

Is this what happens when “Thy” turns 40?

 

Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

Written for Howard Bishop on his 40^th birthday

 

Copyright Roy Richard

40? by Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

Sweet “16” – long time gone –

“21” – has rolled along –

“29” – well, it’s gone too –

Though we’re not late models, we’re good as new,

The chassis, she ain’t what she once was I know –

But at times she can really get up and go.

A look to the future – what’s in store?

They say “40” is better than what’s been before!

So thinking back on the things we have done –

If “40” is better, we’re just getting ready to run,

By the looks of us now, as “40” draws near –

Who knows what happens in our “80^th” year!

                Cheer up!

 

Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

Written for Geneva Mosbey on her 40^th birthday.

 

Copyright Roy Richard

AUNT FANNIE by Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

 

Now you’re my aunt and you’re full of fun --

When I’ve run down, you’ve just begun

There are many tales you’ve told to me --

And they’re filled away in memory.

When I would visit you as a child

The stories you told me were far from mild.

Each night when we would go out to “wee”—

This is what you would say to me –

“It’s dark outside and in the woods –

Is a man who gets girls and boys who aren’t good.

He carries a bag upon his back and walks among the farms –

Inside that bag are the girls and boys, and he’s cut off their legs and arms”.

Many, many years ago I went home with you –

When dark came I got lonesome and was feeling blue.

I asked you to take me home – I promised to walk all the way –

But you said no, we’d have to pass the cemetery, and the dead would be sitting on their graves

One day in California, when my birthday rolled around –

You gave me a gift, it was socks for Joe, and I threw them on the ground.

My Mom and I went home one day and found a man in bed –

To our relief, it was one of your pranks, it was a “dummy” instead.

I always liked to visit you and go swimming in the creek –

Until the day I went home from your house with poison ivy on both bottom cheeks.

Even throughout my life, you’ve scared me out of my wits –

I wouldn’t trade these memories for a billion times “two-bits”.

You’re really worth your weight in gold, and that’s a fact “by-granny” –

For in all this world there is no match for that Aunt of mine called Fannie.

 

Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

Written for Aunt Fannie Morris who tormented and teased constantly.

 

Copyright Roy Richard

A DOLLAR BILL by Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

 

This dollar bill – It ain’t the same – that you gave me today –

But yet it does resemble it – in several different ways.

I’ll keep the other and the note – to read in future days –

But you helped me with the levy book – and that I can’t repay.

So except that tabulation as a favor – Owed to you –

And take this back and spend it – and do it pdq!!!

 

Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

 

Written for Rhee Coleman. She sent me a note with the dollar. It read: It’s worn and shabbily but negotiable – and that’s what counts. Keep this. This was a contract between us – and I simply wouldn’t have asked you to do the job without reimbursement.

 

Copyright Roy Richard

25 YEARS by Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

 

The hotdogs we’ve served, we’d oft’ like know –

If put end to end, just how far they would go.

And the hamburgers we’ve fixed, you’ve consumed near and far –

If stacked on each other would reach for the stars.

Take the chili and the soup we’ve prepared with such ease –

If all poured together ‘twould make quite a sea.

If we’d then add the drinks, we have a good notion –

That sea would quickly become an ocean.

For twenty-five years, this had been our line.

Hasn’t all been easy and sublime.

If we sometimes seem grumpy, well you might too –

If, every day, you did what we do.

We fret if the cows were milked too late –

That one of customers had to wait.

And if our buns aren’t up to par –

Well, we’re not happy unless you are.

We’ve watched the neighborhood kids grow up –

We oft’ have time to sit and “sup”.

We spend many hours with “youth” every day –

While the mirror says ours is fading away.

But the age that is written across our face –

Are lines of expression, you’d know anyplace.

For the unlined brow and the uncrinkled eye –

Have let the joys of life slip by.

They haven’t laughed or shed the tears –

That show you’ve really lived your years.

So, Cheers to all our business crowd!

To all you marvelous kids, so loud!

You’ve made our days, you’ve fashioned our lives.

“Our Thanks” to you “all” – we’ve done ALRIGHT.

 

Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

Written for Ralph and Judy Diamond on the 25^th anniversary of their restaurant, West Side Coney Island.

 

Copyright Roy Richard

UNTITLED (08) by Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

 

The beauty and the grander –

                Of the canyon known as grand –

Surpasses all description –

                For there are no words by man –

                Color, depth and size.

One can only look in wonder –

                And in awe we realize –

That this universe we live in –

                Is far greater than we know –

And I’m thinking the creator,

                Had in mind to make it so.

 

Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

 

Copyright Roy Richard

Untitled (06) by Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

 

From Sedona, on the Prescott,

                Then the valley where you roamed –

Nestled down below the mountains,

                Rafters saw your home.

And the welcome you extended,

                All the time we spent with you –

Was so very kind and thoughtful,

                Just like all the things you do!

 

Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

 

Copyright Roy Richard

Untitled (04) by Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

 

Vast open spaces,

Mountains,

Crowded cities,

Homeless people (by choice or by chance),

Wildlife,

Palatial Homes.

Watching storm clouds gather,

Miles away in Mtn. Large,

Finally building to explode,

In a fury of jagged, long reaching bolts of lightning.

Tall pines,

Deep canyons.

And Joe and Rach.

 

Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

 

Copyright Roy Richard

? by Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

 

I do what I feel in my heart must be done –

I say what I feel should be said.

I ponder what’s right and wrong in each case –

Then I act without feelings of dread.

I do not know that I am correct –

In all that I say and do –

I only know it’s the answer I’ve found –

After seriously thinking things through.

 

Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

 

Copyright Roy Richard

LORI – WHO’S 4 by Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

 

 

Lori, the twister, can out twist them all –

For her age and her size, she will leave you appalled.

She is tiny and dainty to look at you see –

But her disposition would make up for three.

She can show more anger with a glimpse from her eyes –

Than any I know though they’re three times her size,

She not only eats with her shiny teeth –

With a bite she brings Randy ‘round to defeat.

Her lingo is charming – she talks all day long.

She does Rudolph the Reindeer with a great deal of pride –

And her lyrics will cause you to chuckle inside.

Rudolph doesn’t go down in history, oh, no!

To Lori he’s going down to Texaco,

She’s gay, she’s a charmer, a stinker and more –

She’s a sweet Li’l Niece Who’s all of “just 4”.

 

Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

Written for her niece, Lori Stogsdill’s 4^th birthday.

Copyright Roy Richard

PLAYBOYS by Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

 

 

Two nephews have I! They’ve an interest in girls!

Not in their clothes, their smiles, or their pearls.

They marvel at the different shapes!

Those “PLAYBOY” curves, they appreciate!

BUT NEPHEWS!

Whether you know it now not –

This phase will pass – that is our lot.

With age there’s more to “bare” in mind –

Then “knockers” and a “bare behind”.

Have fun –

 

Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

Written for her two nephews, Randy and Tim Stogsdill. While on a fishing trip, they showed no desire to go out on the lake. After returning home the “adults” found a stash of adult magazines under the mattress in the camper. Seems the boys wanted to stay at camp and research girls.

 

Copyright Roy Richard

ECTOME? OTOMY? PHYS? PSY? by Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

 

Hours you’ve spent in getting’ your schoolin’ –

Hard work you’ve accomplished and that’s no foolin’ –

You’ve learned a lot on “anatomy” –

And how our “innards” are s’posed to be.

You’ve studied what’s proper for us to eat –

And watched in “surgery”, while they sliced “meat”.

You’ve found blood pressures vary for other reasons –

Than the “opposite Sex” and “mating season”.

You know a “bedpan” has other “uses” –

Then eliminating “highway” abuses.

Your vocabulary now has many words –

That a few years ago, you’d never heard.

“Ectomy” and “otomy” are only two –

Then “ism” and “itis” – who knows better than you?

Of the work behind the “phys” and “pay” –

And the strain the studying put on your eyes.

So take all your “larnin” and education –

And be the “best darned nurse” in the entire nation.

 

Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

Copyright Roy Richard

THE SEXY OCTOPUS by Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

 

In the year of 1973 –

There was a commercial on TV.

A sexy octopus comes on to tell –

As an underarm expert, what she’d sell.

Arid was dry and would never sting –

And Dee also began to sing.

Then Aunt Gayle hung a sexy octopus on her Christmas tree –

And this brought forth a special jingle by Dee.

She looked at the tree with a shine in her eye –

Saying, “Oh, look, there is NEBER, NEBER, NEBER, - DI, DI, DI!!!

 

Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

1973

Written for Deanna Salazar

 

Copyright Roy Richard

Randy Graduates by Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

 

If you ever have a mountain to climb –

And everything ‘round you was smooth and sublime –

Just think how dull your life would seem –

If there was no reason to plan and dream.

So when the “going” gets a little tough –

And solving a problem is extra rough –

Just dig right in and climb that mountain –

And savor the taste of “success” from life’s fountain.

 

Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

Written for her nephew, Randy Lee Stogsdill when he graduated from high school in June, 1973. He graduated from Southwestern High School, Flint, Michigan

 

Copyright Roy Richard

Humming Bird by Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

 

Remember Great Gramma’s humming bird –

And the honeysuckle vine.

And how we’d love to sit and watch,

In the good ole summertime.

Those days are gone but not forgot –

We’ll remember through the years.

And those lovely, joyous memories,

Will wipe away our tears.

 

Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

Copyright Roy Richard

Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

Gail 1941

 

I have been blessed with another poet in my life; allow me to introduce you to Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill, my mother in-law. She was a great woman with a kind and loving heart. Always willing to help out and take care of business.

 

She was born in Lanton, Missouri in 1931. The only child of Eulis Kenslow and Minnie (Eldringhoff) Kenslow. Lanton wasn’t much more than a Post Office and a General Store. They farmed and raised cattle for a living. The local one room school was staffed by one of her aunts. She later graduated from West Plains High School, home of the Zizzers.

 

• Her childhood contained many adventures:
• Her parents divorced and her father ‘kidnapped’ her binging her to Michigan.
• They reconciled and remarried.
• She lived through the Great Depression
• Her family traveled to California where they sought work as Fruit Tramps, traveling from farm to farm in search of work.
• They lived for a time outside of Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri managing a motel for the workers that were building the camp.
• While at the camp she learned how to gamble (successfully) by throwing dice.
• Seen her father shot in the leg by a man admiring his pistol.
• Worked in the Brown Shoe Factory alongside Porter Waggoner.
• Graduated from Business School in Springfield Missouri
• Traveled by bus to Flint, Michigan to meet her fiancé Herb and get married.

Gail wrote poetry to honor a special event or person and to celebrate holidays. Her wit and wisdom is missed greatly.

She passed in 2015 and is buried in Glenwood Cemetery in Flint, Michigan.

Herb & Gail 1950             Herb, Gail & Kirstie 2012

Copyright Roy Richard