Healing Poems from the Heart

Healing Poems from the Heart

Donald Halstead

ISBN 979-8-89243-800-1 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-89428-659-4 (hardcover)

ISBN 979-8-89243-801-8 (digital)

Copyright © 2024 by Donald Halstead

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Noi

Our Catie

Family

A Valentine's Wish

Where Is Heaven?

From the Heart

Alone

Teddy Bear

Angels

Remembering

Hear Me Calling

Special Someone

Ever Thought?

Meng

Why Me?

My Love

What's in a Name?

To Whom It May Concern

Just Thinking

Songs

Tell Me Why

Drinking My Beer

Missing You

My Mother

One Wish

To All Who Have Served and Still Serve

Find Myself

Beginning

In God's Hands

Cruisin' Time

Birthday

God's Greatest Gift

Superheroes

My Beautiful Wife

Hear Me Talking

Special Day

Last Kiss

The Last Goodbye

Voice from Above

Beauty

A Veteran's Prayer

Love Will Keep Us Alive

Empty Feeling

What Could Have Been

Only in Dreams

Only in Heaven

Such Is Life

Lucky Man

Beyond Words

If Tomorrow Never Comes

Relationships

Soul Search

Love of My Life

An Angel Sent from Above

Letting Go

Hole in My Heart

To My Mother

Night to Remember

October 1, 2017

The Venue

Fifty-Eight Angels

Heroes

No Touch

United We Stand

Friends

What Is Love?

That Hits the Heart

Did You Ever Wonder?

Special Bond

Virus

Chance

Freedom

Through Your Eyes

What Is a Warrior?

I Am a Survivor

A Christmas Wish

Just Let It Go

Sound of Silence

A Broken Heart

Back Then

The Unknown

A Survivor's Prayer

Remember That Night

Your Voice

Our Animal Friends

Summer Breeze

A Loving Boy

Another Year

Echoes in the Park

Tattoo

Meaning of a Tattoo

Can't Sleep

Through Your Eyes

If Tomorrow Never Comes II

Appreciation

What It Means to Me

58

Left Behind

Precious Life

Self-Destruct

Why?

The One I Love

Las Vegas

Heartbroken

Memorial Day

Fear

Route 91

Don't Let Go

Music

Pictures

My Life

Father's Day

Tears in Heaven

Looking Back

Uvalde Strong

Borderline 12

Gramma

Five Years Later

Hometown Heroes

My Brother

There's a Hole in My Soul

About the Author

Healing Poems from the Heart is dedicated to my wife, whose life was cut short by Alzheimer's in 2011. That day changed my life and gave me the inspiration to sit and write poetry. They come to me at nighttime or when I'm just sitting in my chair or just going for a drive.

I also dedicate this to anyone who has lost a special someone or just to a special person in your life.

As well, I extend this dedication out to the families suffering from any tragedy, most especially to my Route 91 Vegas family, whom I had the pleasure to meet after the Vegas shootings. My wife and I were there that tragic week, so a lot of these I have sent to the families of the Route 91 tragedy, just to try and take away some of the pain and to give relief to the families.

The poem Noi recounts my first overseas experience during the Vietnam War in September of 1973. I had been in a relationship with a girl from the States for three years, but it ended unsuccessfully. It was then that I met my late wife in Thailand, near the air force base in Udorn, Thailand.

Noi

I had a girl from the States,

she was so young and made mistakes.

I thought she would be the one in hand,

But found out she had married another man.

I went over across to a foreign land,

To fight for my country and make a stand.

Did not know what to see and do,

Was just trying to get over you.

Went to this place to get something to eat,

and there you were, so young and so sweet.

Your eyes, your hair, I could not think,

And then I just sat and gave you a wink.

I asked you to come and stay with me,

Then I got the nerve to ask you to marry me.

I went with you to Kalasin,

Was hoping your mom would believe in me.

We partied all night, and you all had fun,

but had to leave as soon as we saw the sun.

Came to the States in the middle of fall,

kept you warm, not caring at all.

Been together for over thirty years,

And now all I can do is to cry many tears.

We loved, we cried, and now it's time to go,

Your mom and dad are waiting, don't be slow.

I'll love you forever and till the day that I die,

But will always remember that tear in your eye.

My mom and my brothers will always love you,

just remember we will be together soon.

Noi, your eyes and your smile will remain in me.

I love you forever, from now to eternity.

Your loving husband,

Donnie

The poem Our Catie is about how my niece and her husband made us grandparents to their first daughter, Catherine, because my wife and I couldn't have children. We became godparents back in '92, marking the happiest day of our lives. As of last year, she served seven years in the air force and is married, expecting her first child in 2020.

Our Catie

February 3, 2011

Here I sit all alone,

Wishing you were here at home.

While all I can do is sit and cry,

Just watching days go by and by.

I dream of those days that we had,

Some were happy and some were sad.

But with your smile and with your heart,

God could never keep us apart.

But God did give us something new,

He gave us Catie, and that is true.

We thanked her parents all so much,

For giving us such a beautiful touch.

Her smile is like the sunshine up above,

Just like two turtle doves, full of love.

Each time when I see her smile,

It reminds me of you all the while.

I know the hurt will always be,

Just the simple things in life will wait for me.

When Catie gets older, she will know,

Just how much we love her so.

The godparents were picked by love,

But one of us is now up above.

I know she is looking down,

Watching her godchild and being proud.

So to you, Catie, I will say,

We love you each and every day.

And to my darling Noi, wherever you may be,

I will love you forever, and that comes from me.

Donnie

The poem Family was written after the funeral for my wife, showcasing the profound love our family shares for one another. She had a significant impact on anyone who met her.

Family

When we were young and didn't show,

Just how much a family knows.

Never caring about the things we did,

But our mother knew we were just kids.

No matter if it was cloudy or gray,

She would tell us to go out and play.

We are close as close as can be,

You mess with them, you mess with me.

Family is there no matter what we find,

We help each other 'cause we are kind.

Through good times and bad times, we really don't care,

It's our family's love that we are willing to share.

You know some families are not as close as we,

I could only hope that they could see.

That family has a very special bond,

You can't get that with a magic wand.

My mom and dad to me are the best,

There is no one from east to west.

Family will always be in my heart,

Till it's time for me to part.

My love for them will always be,

Just like the waters in an endless sea.

My darling wife, may God lead the way,

Until my family and I may meet some day.

So you see what families can do,

Trust your heart and stay real true.

I love my family with all my heart,

Till now and forever until we part.

Your loving brother,

Donnie

The poem A Valentine's Wish was written on the first Valentine's Day after I lost my wife. I remember the first time being home after serving overseas as well as her first Valentine's Day when I brought her a dozen roses and a box of chocolates. Seeing the expression on her face was priceless, especially as she had come from a country where they don't celebrate the holidays we do.

A Valentine's Wish

Sometimes when I'm all alone,

How I wish you were home.

Remembering all the good times that we had,

You were happy, and I was glad.

There are holidays every year,

I bought you earrings for your ears.

You never wanted to go back home,

Sometimes I knew you felt so all alone.

I tried to make it the best I could,

You never complained, dear, and you never would.

Your heart was like the morning sun,

Always smiling and full of fun.

Halloween and Christmas were just okay,

You went about your business day after day.

Easter was always for kids to enjoy,

You made sure candy was for the girls and boys.

So when Valentine's comes and you can see,

Just how much love you've given to me.

You see, when the one you love so true,

Not even the worst day can make you blue.

I think of you and, while holding your hand,

Kiss your lips and think how lucky I am.

So for all of you that have that special love,

Tell them that you love them and to God up above.

Love is special and love is grand,

Hold that person and take their hand.

Valentine's Day is for lovers,

And lovers are forever.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Don

The poem Where Is Heaven? comes from two weeks after her passing. I was on my computer, just going through pictures of her when we met and videos of when she was in the nursing home. You kind of question yourself on the things you did and the things you didn't do. After experiencing something like my losing my dad fifteen years earlier, you kind of ask yourself where heaven is. Hopefully, they are all together, with Noi seeing both of her parents who passed away years ago.

Where Is Heaven?

We all know that someday when we die,

That our souls go up in the sky.

But do we really know why we part

When we have so much love in our heart?

Some say that God knows when it's time,

So tell me why my life ain't worth a dime.

Sometimes I lie in bed at night and think,

I can lie for hours and not even blink.

You took the best thing that I ever had,

But I know now she is home, and I am glad.

When I drive in my car and think about heaven,

I just remember that smile; the time was eleven.

I know it is so far, far away,

And to get there, all I have to do is pray.

I was brought up to believe in the Lord,

But when you passed, I was really floored.

Your face was so soft and so sweet,

While John was rubbing your soft, warm feet.

Dick was talking and showing no fear,

Then all of a sudden, you shed a tear.

I knew then God was calling for you,

We all said our goodbyes and that we loved you too.

Heaven is a place where you should be,

Where you are loved, and your soul is free.

So if anyone asks when you die where your soul is heading,

You just turn and tell them that you're going to heaven.

My soul