Poems

This Love – Dedicated to the German soccer team

As the stars shine above me, let there be love

As the day starts with a sunrise, let this love be shared

And as the night falls and the stars shine once again, let this love be spread throughout

May this love soar, as smooth as the flight of an eagle

May this love outlive the forever existence of the earth and sky

May this love drift as a single snowflake floating softly to the cold ground

And may this love grow as the dew forms on the grass

And may the purity of this love, flow the same as the clear waters in a mountain stream

And let this love be found as the clouds roam the heavens above

And for every gently foe, this love is here to be found and shared

Written by Michelle Gallardo (affectionately called Shella, by the German soccer team)

April 1980

Makes Me, Me
I wanna watch football and then a love story, I wanna two step and then rock to Journey
I wanna  eat out four nights in a row, Because I don’t feel like turning on the stove
I wanna try new recipes when I’m in the mood, Then go get a burger because it wasn’t any good
I wanna drink a little, but not too much, I wanna laugh a little and then too much
I wanna kick a little ass while playing pool, I wanna see a scary movie and scream like a fool
I wanna cry when I lose someone I love, And pray they are happy with God above
I wanna dance with my children and see them smile, Or just sit and talk with them for awhile
I wanna stay busy, I don’t like to keep still, I wanna live each day so I get my fill
I wanna move forward and not live in the past, I wanna see my kids grow, but not too fast
All these things make me, me, I need someone who can let them be
The serious, the funny and even the angry, Share and come with, don’t leave me alone
Don’t expect me to do this all on my own, I’ll run so I can live and don’t have to stay home

Written by Michelle Gallardo, January 22, 2015

A Friend

Although we’ve never met your encouragement kept me going

Your stories are so perfect, I thought I was there watching

Your tales help me disappear into a world of mysterious wonder

The words that we both write brought us close together

I wanted to share my words but I was still a little nervous

You gave me a positive push and I began to feel courageous

What if no one likes the song lyrics floating in my head?

From across the globe we support each other now I’m confident instead

So thank you to my dear sweet friend from across the Atlantic Ocean

We both love to write and get inspired by simple actions

I look forward to the day we meet even if it takes years

I’m glad our paths have crossed, you helped me conquer some of my fears

Written by Michelle Gallardo, March 8, 2015

A Smile

A smile can change a bad mood into a good mood

A smile can change a person’s entire attitude

A smile can be innocent like one from a child

Or a smile can be sexy, passionate and wild

A smile can be a simple hello from a stranger

Or it can even be uncertain or a threat of danger

But every now and then you find that perfect smile

One that welcomes you, so you feel better for a while

The one that is innocent, sexy and heart warming

A smile that grabs your attention, a little alarming

It will melt your heart or have you wonder what’s up

But you just want to stare over your coffee cup

A smile that’s childlike, humble and full of life

One that cuts through bad times just like a knife

I love finding that smile on a big strong man

Tough outside, boy at heart and mom’s his biggest fan

They say the eyes are a window into your soul

But a smile can comfort you and make you feel whole

So keep a smile on your face and one in your heart

Pass one along and give someone a fresh start.

Written by Michelle Gallardo, April 8, 2015

My Kids

My kids were both so tiny the day that they were born

They arrived a little early and my heart was very torn

My son struggled for hours to breathe all on his own

My daughter was a little stronger, but I still went home alone

It’s never easy to see your baby hooked up to machines

They were the sweetest, most amazing things I’d ever seen

An incubator with tubes was my son’s very first bed

He’s going to be OK was what the nurses always said

Thirteen years later my daughter’s journey was better

Her heart and lungs were stronger, but she was not a good eater

Today my son is twenty, six foot three and plays the drums

My daughter now is seven, likes art and to write poems

My kids are so amazing, I can’t imagine life without them

I love them every day, even when they’re causing mayhem

I know life is a winding road, but hopefully they’ll be ready

My true desire for them is that they’re both always happy

Written by Michelle Gallardo, March 7, 2015

Brian – dedicated to Brian (4/15/66 – 8/3/1984)

I had a friend who made me smile

We traveled together for miles and miles

Then the good Lord came and took his hand

And now I’m just trying to understand

I know he’s at peace with his heart and soul

It used to make me feel empty and cold

But his absence brought me close to the Lord

Oh, how I miss him more and more

I used to feel he left me behind

But the love he left made me change my mind

I close my eyes and see his face

And with all my strength, I keep the faith

Living without him sometimes makes me cry

But the memory of our love can dry my eyes

Sometimes I want to scream out with pain

But knowing he’s with the Lord, I can’t complain

Oh precious Lord, in the heavens above,

Please protect my only true love

He’s in your hands now, I know he’s well

And Lord, I love him, please do tell

Written by Michelle Gallardo, April 22, 1988