Don't Thank Me!

I've been released, I have to go.
You want to say thanks, but please, no -
I must thank you, I've been over paid,
At my door were the blessings laid.

If I looked extra happy, when doing my job
It's because I felt needed, by my friends and my God.
I've stored away treasures in Heaven this year
And gained new friendships, I'll always hold dear.

My testimony has been enriched
Some old habits I've even ditched.
So you see I've gained, and what did I give?
Did I do my best, and a good example live?

Well, - the good Lord and I - we know I tried,
But could have done better, that can't be denied.
So please don't thank me, I want to thank you,
For the encouragement, the help. those things that you do.

But especially to thank the Lord up above
For His mercy, His wisdom, His counsel and love
And pray that soon He'll choose me again
To help serve - and be helped by me fellow men.

barbara cope
copyright 1964

A Testimony

It's a funny thing about a testimony,

You can't put it back on a shelf

You can't let it rest

You can't let it hide

Or it will disintegrate itself.

You may think it sure

You may be content

And say, "I have quiet enough

Of fasting and study and praying

And all the religious stuff."

But sure as you do

And sure as you fail

To build, to strengthen, to strive

You'll find that your precious testimony

May no longer be alive.

So give it a kick!

A shot in the arm,

Stop the excuses and the baloney.

It's time to strive, to work and revive

Your precious testimony!

barbara cope

copyright 1970

My Chrysanthemums

I have a small vase with large, white, bright chrysanthemums

On  my kitchen window.

Three things are special about them.

First , they were given to me by a very handsome young man,

Out of love, and a desire to please.

Though - the stems are too short and they were not yet in full bloom.

Second, I had planted them myself a year ago -

And although they had been neglected,

And left un-watered through the summer heat,

An had been abused by the children's play,

They still persevered

And brought pleasure to me today.

And third, although as I mentioned, 

When Brent gave them to me,

They were not in their prettiest bloom,

Each day , they grow more beautiful

And more bright and white,

And bring more happiness into my kitchen.

I wish I were like the chrysanthemums.

Growing strong on my own -

Through the discomforts of life -

Unruffled by the children's play -

And always ready to give of myself 

To make another's day brighter and happier.

barbara cope
copyright  Oct. 29, 1967

Our Breakfast Room

In the corner of our house stand a room

     so bright and cheerful

And it holds our memories

     whether gay or tearful.

This is the room where

     memories were made,

Where through the years of family life,

     our hopes and dreams were laid.

Where mother baked her bread and goodies

     that filled us kids with sheer delight,

And daddy balanced the budget

     or played games with us till way into the night.

Where sister took the phone

     from noise to get away,

And brother worked a crossword puzzle

     on a lazy day.

Through its window the sun

     has welcomed each new day.

Around its table sat the family

     to eat or work or play.

Every house should have a room

     where memories are made,

That sits in summer sunshine

     or in the winter shade.

And turns a house into a home

     through years of love and pain

To let the children always know

     they can come home again.

barbara cope

Copyright Feb 26, 1962

Big Brother

There's something special about big brothers,

As some of you may know.

And I have one that's special to me now,

As he was years ago.

There's nothing a big brother can't do

Or anyone he can't lick.

Somehow he's always there

And there's nothing he can't fix.

He's the guy that makes you laugh

When you most want to cry.

He ALWAYS let you have your way,

But teased you till you thought you'ed die.

A big brother's a pal, a counselor, a clown.

He's wise and strong and picks you up 

When your world's turned up-side-down.

Remember when you spent those hours

Listening to him talk

Or praised him when he'd sing off key,

Or just go for a long walk?

And when he'd ask you to do things

You'ed jump down and run,

He didn't think it was anything

But to you it was special and fun.

Mostly, he like you to rub his back,

Or have you scratch his head.

But sometimes he'd make you do the dishes all alone,

Or bride you till you'd make his bed.

But as the years come and go

You know within your heart

There'll always be a special place

Where big brother takes the part.

*

But then the day comes when he's found someone else

To share his hopes and dreams

And you find a fear within your heart

That she won't know what they all mean.

You silly little sister -

Don't you understand?

A big brother as wonderful as him

Could only have picked someone - just as grand!

barbara cope

copyright 1958

Dear Mother

     Although I can't be with you
On this your special day,
     My thoughts and all my love
Have come there anyway.

     Dear Mother I know now
Why, why you have loved the violet so,
     For it expresses all you are
And how I want to grow.

     The violet stands for humility,
Tenderness and love,
     And these are gifts, given to you,
Given from up above.

     And so dear mother let me now

In my own small way,
     Dedicate this flower to you,
For this and everyday.

     And when I see this flower,
A violet sweet and true,
     There I will look and I shall see
The smiling face of you.

     A face that brings humility,
Encouragement, and love,
     A face that will glow in heaven,
When you are raised above.

     My heart is with you always,
In everything I do
     And this is why, I want to wish
A very happy Mother's Day for you.

                   Barbara Cope
                   Copyright April 30, 1954
 (This is the first poem Barbara wrote.
    It was written to her mother as a Mother's Day
    gift while Barbara was away from home attending BYU in Provo, Utah.)

A Tribute To My Mother

"If it had to be done, you can do it."

My mother use to say,

"If you look hard enough and think through it,

I know you'll find a way."

Etta Mary Allen 1930

"If you need a fancy house

For a funny little mouse

Or a costume of a kind,

You can do most anything.

If you want to, and you have to,

You can figure out a way

To fix, or build or sew that thing

In just another day."

If it doesn't work the first time,

It's really not a mystery.

The answer to those problem lie

In the work, you see."

Now mother was magic.

There were things she couldn't do,

But - if it had to be done , she do it,

Work at it till she got through it.

So much my mother taught me.

So many days and nights

We worked at this or that

Till the project turned out right.

Grandma Etta 1965

How grateful I am now

For the time well spent, she gave.

She alone deserves the credit for

The project I have made.

For she's the one who planted

That eager little seed

The confidence I needed

To finish up the deed.

barbara cope

copyright Oct 1978