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