No Work On Sunday - pipTalk Forums

How to Join	Member's Area	Private Library	Search	Sanctuary		Login
Main Forums	Discussion	Tech Talk	Mature Content	Archives	A home without a wall, Our haven without ends, A circle we all call Our Family of Friends!

Joyce Johnson

Member Rara Avis

since 2001-03-10

Posts 9912
Washington State

0 posted 2001-10-18 06:33 PM

Do you recall from long ago,
The special feel of Sunday?
When all of time was set on slow,
And work was left for Monday?
Of course we had to milk the cows
Daddy allowed that was all right;
But hands must never touch the plows
On the Sabbath, day or night.

Sunday school began at ten;
Then came the preacher's sermon.
Sometimes he talked too long and then,
'Twould be hard to keep from squirmin.
Daddy said "Amen," out loud.
Some souls were ripe for reaping.
I sneaked a peek around the crowd,
To see who might be sleeping.

I tried to keep my pious thought,
Didn't want to be a sinner.
This silent searching only brought,
Eagerness for Sunday dinner.
Mother ready if she could,
So she needn't work on Sunday;
But fixing good meals for her brood,
No putting off 'til Monday.

Dressing chickens the day before,
All ready for the skillet.
She could clean a pullet for herself,
But Daddy had to kill it.
Biscuits light enough to fly.
Mashed potatoes and gravy too;
And then perhaps her apple pie
Were on Mother's Sunday menu.

The preacher used to come around,
Perhaps he could smell her cooking
He'd take an extra piece of pie,
And hope God wasn't looking.
The rest of that long afternoon,
Was reserved for having fun day.
But Daddy said "Don't be too loud.
Remember it is Sunday."

Those peaceful days are in the past.
It now is malls and shopping,
Or motor cars or baseball games,
And even some bar hopping.
I would that time could take me back
To those Sunday days of rest;
To mother's meals and quiet times
And a day God truly blessed.

Joyce Johnson: Published in "Good Old Days" Nov. 2001.

BloomingRose
Member Elite

since 2000-08-09

Posts 3092
Florida

1 posted 2001-10-18 06:41 PM

There's nothing more beautiful than time with God in worship, and then time with family for fellowship and good food.
God knew what he was doing when he gave us the commandment to keep the sabbath holy.
To bad so many have lost sight of that.
Wonderful reminder you have written.

Deb

Trillium

Member Patricius

since 2001-03-09

Posts 12098
Idaho, USA

2 posted 2001-10-18 06:56 PM

Dear Joyce: I just love this poem! It brought back some of the same wonderful memories for me, as you are sharing.

Also congratulations on having it published next month! That's wonderful and I am proud of you!

Betty Lou Hebert

Joyce Johnson

Member Rara Avis

since 2001-03-10

Posts 9912
Washington State

3 posted 2001-10-18 07:59 PM

Thanks Trillium and Blooming Rose. This November issue has been out for a month, I already have the December issue. So I didn't jump the gun. It's been almost a year since they bought it. Joyce

BSC

Moderator

Member Elite

since 2000-02-04

Posts 2919
New York, USA

4 posted 2001-10-19 11:41 PM

Oh what wonderful, warm memories this has brought back Joyce ~ This is just wonderful...one I will read again and again. Bonnie

Lighthousebob
Member Elite

since 2000-06-14

Posts 4725
California

5 posted 2001-10-20 12:43 PM

Joyce,

This is a wonderful poem of nostalgia.... Oh, how I also long at times to return to those days when I was a child and all seemed so pure.... those days of spending time with my 3 grandmothers in church... I truly miss them all. Thank you for refreshing some fond and wonderful memories. -Bob

Marge Tindal

Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-06

Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores

6 posted 2001-10-20 11:52 AM

Joyce~
This is just WONDERFUL !
Congratulations on the publishing of this piece~
How marvelous that others are able to share your thoughts~
*Hugs*
~*Marge*~

~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com

Wanda
Member

since 2001-10-23

Posts 461

7 posted 2001-10-25 11:05 PM

Joyce; Thank you for suggesting I read this poem. Oh my, did that bring back memories of my childhood. How I long for those days, but as you say, "Those days are in the past." The only difference with my Mother and your Mother in the chicken dept. is that my Mother did kill and dress the chicken. Oh, I can still taste her chicken and biscuits. Thanks for stirring those memories for me once again. Wanda

	⇧ top of page ⇧
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.