My Poems

Poetry is not my main interest, but every now and then I will put pen to paper with a thought. I hope you enjoy reading them, and if you find a use for any of them please feel free to use them. If you find them helpful, I would appreciate an e-mail from you!

The following poem was written for an old pastor friend of mine. He had been a pastor for many years, but had been in declining health for several years. He had gone blind, and was a severe diabetic. Over the course of time, those he served had abandoned him. He lived alone with his wife, and had little contact with others due to his health. I met him through a visit one day, while on church visitation, and we became good friends. I ended up making weekly trips to his house to talk about the Bible, old times, how his week was going, and just generally formed a really good friendship over about a year. My brief visits turned into about an hour to an hour and a half each visit.

His name was Waylon, and one Sunday evening at church I received a call from his wife. Waylon had fallen and broken his hip. I rushed to the hospital just in time to see him before he died from a blood clot which had formed around the broken hip.

His wife asked me to do the funeral, and I was honored to do it. But it was very hard. I wrote this poem to read at his funeral.

"Where I Am Now"
by Thom Tapp

Don’t linger on the thought of death,
But think of life instead!
I’ve gone to be with Jesus,
Don’t think of me as dead!

I see splendor all about me now,
And walk on streets of gold!
I can see so clearly now,
Great beauty I behold!

Those who died before me,
Are gathering all around!
I now know joy eternal,
Shall evermore abound!

And now I see a brilliant light!
And those around me cheer!
I know it is my Jesus!
And my eyes are filled with tears!

Oh I’ve got to go now!
And praise my Savior’s name!
To throw my arms around Him,
Who took away my pain!

I now wait for you to come,
And join me in this place
Prepared for those who love Him,
Who long to see His face!

So do His will while we’re apart,
Love others in His name,
Give your heart to Jesus,
And praise His Holy Name!

---------------------------------------------------------

This next poem expresses how I feel at this "moment" in time. My wife and I are going through some tough times right now, and I wanted to express it the best way I could. Let it be a lesson to anyone who has spent his or her life in service of others to the detriment of their own well being. While somewhat depressing, I hope you can feel what I wanted to express here.

The “Golden” Years

by Thom Tapp

Don’t call these years the golden ones, it’s much too hard to bear.
I spent all my “gold” on medicine and now I live in fear.
You say the journey is the thing and your goal to live each day,
But my thoughts go to my yesteryears, when I could run and play.

I worked and struggled hard to serve, and help the down and out,
And now I find that others shun my weak unsteady plight.
We spent our youth on lofty things and put our needs aside,
My precious love who gave herself to join me on this ride.

I can’t endure another tear, another well wished word of cheer,
I now can see, as I look back, that I have failed to care.
Not able now to do those things, I once considered fun,
I find my love and I have lost our will to run.

Don’t tell me that these years are best, or age will bring it’s own,
Don’t tell me it’s been worth it,  while we deal with this alone.
Don’t think you know just how we feel, because it is a lie,
The pain we feel is like a fire that makes us long to die.

So if while young you put aside, the things that bring deep joy,
To buy the time you need today your missions to deploy,
Remember me, and my dear love, cast aside, discarded,
And live for now, invest in joy, and don’t be disappointed.