Just Listen

You say that you're down, again.
You probably need
a small dose of hope,
And a hug and a kiss and some love.
So I say smile, my friend
You've had this all all along
Listen...

Look outside, it is beautiful
You say that it's
too dark to see
And beauty is just what you long for.
So I say that night is full
Of beauty. that you've missed all along
Listen...

My dad only turned out the lights
When it was time
to go to bed and dream,
And to think of the morning to come,
And only after a kiss goodnight.
And God, God is much the same
So Listen...

Just before God darkens the sky
He kneels down
his cheek the horizon,
And he kisses you goodnight, with love.
With light, you need not cry
But smile, and dream good dreams
and Listen...

And before he came to tuck you in
He hugged you all day
in the warmth of the sun
And He loves you more than values life,
So don't be down my friend
Let your eyes shine and
Listen.

Listen.

Listen,
and smile,
and goodnight.



-by Ben Ankenmann
March 17, 2009
Hamilton

Twice As Bright

This is not the poem I tried to write
This is not that poem at all
But the poem I wrote didn't come out right
And this came out instead.

The poem I meant to write was written to one
To one I may never have seen
But she was probably sitting out under the stars
She was surrounded by fireflies

Though that poem did not turn out
Know that I still care
I meant all I said on that crumpled page
And I'll try to say it here

I said I'd try to grow, and try to learn
And I'd remember to pray for you
And I said that tens of thousands of stars,
Would be twice as bright with you

And I said that though I don't know who you are
And though I don't know your name
I know that you would dance under the stars
And I know that you'd sing

And I can picture you with arms outstretched
Spinning in circles and looking to God
As bits of moonlight bounce off your dress
You'd smile, as you do best

And I want you to know that when I hold your hand
I'll be walking on thousands of stars
And when I watch you dance and sing
Moonlight will glimmer on your diamond ring

And I want you to know we'll sail forever, together
On this two-man ship through the waves of life
Our sails ever filled by God above
Propelling us forward in hope and in love

And holding hands together we'll watch the horizon
Looking for heaven, our final destination
And at night we'll dance and we'll sing
For God is good, and love is unending.

-by Ben Ankenmann
March 11, 2009
Hamilton

Someday

Staring out to space
staring into a screen
eyes glazed, dazed.
where have i been?

Been sitting working for hours
just staring at a screen
it'd be so nice to hold the hand
of a girl who loves me

She could tell me it's alright
and that tomorrow is Sunday
and we could go for a walk
a quick break to talk

but I guess that's a dream
I don't really want filled.

Someday, sometime
when I'm a little less selfish
and a lot more mature.
when I really know God
and really love her

That day I'll hold hands
that day I'll talk
and that day we'll go
for a lovely long walk.

but for now I'll just stare into space
Dazed. Eyes glazed.
and get back to work.

-by Ben Ankenmann
March 7, 2009
Hamilton