Poems for Maggie
Hello, my name is Susan Rochat and, as you’ve just heard, I’ve been asked to say a few words about stewardship. I have brought my reinforcement team with me –this is my husband Roger who has promised to read the poem I have written this past week if I run into trouble.
What can I say to such a congregation as North Avenue? You love, you give, you serve, you pray. You have generously given of yourselves to diverse groups in this city and in the world. But I ask the question, especially to myself: have you, have I, really opened our hearts to the God who has created, loved, and ultimately given Himself for us? My poem is titled Open My Heart.
Susan Rochat October 29, 2000
I stand in awe by this act of love,
The Son of God crucified, this world to save,
For each of us His life He gave.
Yes, the Son of God died for you and me
Bearing our sins He hung on a tree,
Mocked, ridiculed, spat upon and scourged,
Yet he uttered not one contemptuous word.
“Father forgive them for they know not what they do” was his cry
“This day thou shalt be with me in Paradise” to the thief near by
What love was His, He gave his all
And can we do less than answer his call?
Lord, open my eyes that I may see
The world as You see it, this vast humanity
The hungry, the troubled, the oppressed and the lost
Lord open my heart, may I not count the cost.
Lord, open my eyes, my mind and my heart
Without you, this world is falling apart
Hate and fear rule, violence abounds
Your people are suffering the world around.
Lord, help me show your love to the world at my door:
My family, my neighbor, the lonely, the poor;
Open my eyes, let me run the race
Open my heart, may I see your face.
Thank you. I hope that we can give back in some small measure what we have so generously been given. (And Roger I’m glad I didn’t need your help.)
By Susan Ruth (nee Naug) Rochat, March 26, 1999
Dear Lord, what’s it like up in Heaven?
Up close to the stars and the moon.
It’s been five years since my dear mother
Went up to her own private room.
Up there in the mansions of glory,
With angels and trumpets and wings;
I know she must love being up there
Involved in impromptu hymn sings.
I wonder if she’s still just as feisty?
If she’s causing a ruckus again
With family and friends and archangels
Her husband and bright cherubim.
Is she playing badminton or billiards?
Or her favorite evening board games?
Of Scrabble and Mahjong, and beating
The pants off illustrious names?
Is she dancing with Sampson or David?
Or quibbling with Peter and Paul?
Is she lecturing poor doubting Thomas?
Or primping for the next Heavenly ball?
I guess what I’m trying to find out, Lord
(And the answers I may not get now),
Do we change when we get up to heaven?
Or will folks recognize us somehow?
Whatever the answer, I trust Lord
In all of your goodness to man
That your love is so perfect and more than
We could ever imagine or plan.
My mother is having a field day
She’s perfectly happy I’m told,
I’ll see her whenever it’s my day
To enter the city of gold.
On Neighborhood Dog Doo
By Susan Rochat, March 24, 1999
Published Atlanta Journal Constitution, April 29, 1999
If your dog is out here pooping
And you’re not behind him scooping,
Then we have something stern to say to thee.
It is disregustipating, and we’re not exaggerating
When your neighbors step in poop they do not see.
It is smelly, it is foul, and it really makes us howl
When we see it on the sidewalks and the yard
The landscape it is pretty, and we think it’s such a pity
That some folks have such a flagrant disregard.
We know your dog he has to do it
But the law says you must scoop it
So please be kind and follow county rules;
It will make your neighbors happy, and they won’t be quite so snappy
If they find you taking care of doggie doos!
By Susan Rochat, April 1, 1999
Be kind to your heart, it’s a most vital part
And something you can’t do without
Just an ounce of prevention is your only redemption
And that’s what this poem’s about.
Instead of talking, go walking; from computerizing to exercizing
You’ve heard all this before, I agree
Take your children out biking, or maybe go hiking
Run away from that ugly TV
Your heart will get better, the plaque will unfetter
Your lungs and your legs will grow strong
Your children will love you, your spouse will adore you
Because you may now live twice as long!
By Susan Rochat, January 16, 1999
To our Suzette, who is the best
She is far better than all the rest
And just in case you think I jest
(Hello, hello, this is a test)
I must confess, I do not jest
Suzette is just the very best.
And how you ask, can you say that?
I can say it sharp; I can say it flat
I can say it anyway I want, and that’s that.
Now go out and wipe your feet on the mat
Before you blow in, you sly pussycat.
You say she’s better than green eggs and ham?
Better than that old Sam I am?
Oh yes, she’s fine, and she doesn’t whine
We could put on a pantomime
And charge the patrons one whole dime
Just to show that she’s so very fine.
However, we may be going a little too far
If we say she’s like a shining star
She has a few flaws, just a few tiny bumps
(Now I’m not saying it’s great big lumps)
After all, what’s wrong with a lump or a bump?
And if you think there is, go take a jump!
With flaws and bumps and lumps and all
It doesn’t add up to a China doll
But a real live girl, who is by far
Better than a shining star.
And she can’t be beat
(Even if she does have two flat feet)
Who cares and who dares to disagree
She is by far the sweetest to me
And that’s because I’m her mommy!
Roger’s Mistress—sing to tune of
Oh Roger he’s a gardener for sure
He has a mistress we’ll call “Miss Manure”
Until he’s ninety-one, he’ll be playing in the dung
And for this illness there is no known cure.
Oh Roger has a mistress named Manure
His love affair forever will endure
He thinks she’s oh so lovely, he can gaze for hours idly
He’ll do anything for more of Miss Manure.
By now I thought you’d had enough of Miss Manure
But the trailer loads keep coming that’s for sure
My senses are overcome by the smell of horsey dung
But you think it gold and irresistibly demure.
Rog I thought you were a straight arrow guy for sure
Until you fell in love with Miss Manure
Now I have to bide my time, wait until you’re 99
Till I get you back from Miss Manure.
The Guilt Trip (or Hole in my heart)
27 May 1999
You left a hole in my heart today
I thought you might want to come home to stay
But you boarded a plane and went far away
You left a hole in my heart today.
Your college days have gone by so soon
I cleaned and dusted your empty room
But you decided you couldn’t stay
You left a hole in my heart today.
I guess you’ve grown up and are ready to fly
To try out your wings like the eagles on high
Get on with life’s living and give it your best
Become independent away from the rest.
God bless you, our daughter, you have nothing to fear
We can’t keep you home, though we may shed a tear
Facing all of life’s challenges one day at a time
We’re proud of your courage and values so fine.
The hole in my heart will mend some day
Though you are not near, I can always pray
Our kids leave the nest and fly far away
COLLEGE BOUND
Susan Rochat
You are leaving all too soon--
In a few short weeks your cozy room
Will be an empty space, uncluttered for a change!
We'll miss the clutter, but mostly we'll miss you,
Your sweet and gentle ways, your chatter and your smiles.
Our world is about to change, but not as much as yours.
Decisions will now be made on your own, and
We have every confidence that they will be the right ones.
We'll try not to worry, but you know mothers always do!
Please know that we are right here in the same place.
Pick up the phone and call to share a laugh, or a heartbreak...
Or call for no reason at all; we'll always want to hear your voice.
We're already looking forward to Thanksgiving,
To catch up with your new life, and see how you've grown and matured.
--Did I tell you yet that we love you so much,
and are ever so proud of you and who you are?
Go out into the world our daughter, and meet life's challenges head on.
God has equipped you with special talents--love, compassion, and justice.
Use them generously and God be with you always!