Heart of Whimsy !

  It is time. You are formed and ready The world awaits to greet you. Who are you?  Infant debutant, show yourself. An anxious life begins. It unfolds. So much to see. So much to learn. So many choices. You question, you try. You laugh, you cry. You feel, you grow. You're not alone. Others are here. You share and play. You have your own will. You find your way. Days for fun, days for tears, You know joy, confusion, fear. Victories won, battles lost. Mistakes are made. Nevertheless, you endure. You bear your guilt. Those who dare judge neglect their own shame. Only your pardon, can ease your pain. Only your pardon will ease your pain. I know. I know well. Release your pain. Learn, grow, live on. You are wiser, stronger,  You forgive and know forgiveness. Your mettle is forged. You will know love. You will share love. This purpose alone is your raison d'être.

Two Views ( Dueling verses but no banjoes) by Marc E. Brodeur and  Bob Brodeur A concrete canyon of steel and stone. A din of eight million voices, More hive than home. A concrete canyon of steel and stone. A chorus of eight million voices, They are home. Be it din, or chorus or cacophony New York City is a sight to see. Visitors in awe will gaze, as they navigate the concrete maze. But we who bask in Fenway ranks, Thumb our nose at those damned Yanks. If I dare continue this friendly duel  I fear I am not in your league. What you craft in mere minutes, takes me more hours than say, extra innings. I have navigated those mazes, And yes, gazed in some awe. And yes, we who bask in Fenway franks, 'er I mean ranks, Flip our proboscis at those damned Yanks! Oh echo from my younger branch, our efforts are a lark. What will be said of we two clowns, one Robert and then Marc? What spirit coursing in your blood provokes t...

And so my friends we have arrived Another year to bless our lives The past is but a memory It's ghosts no longer breathe through me While auld lang syne rings midnight's bliss We'll seal our yearnings with a kiss With hope and joy and revelry We trust in God what is to be This night pledge love in all you do Good and happy lives to you Happy New Year! 2017 Anno Domini

   Tyranny! Unsuspected seed of freedom.    We acknowledge you our sire.    An earnest rage you kindle when you bend our knee with fire.    Terror!  Without your specter, we easily forget.    Complacently we fritter about in doltish bliss.    Humanity, why must luminance of good require this?    Yet know that freedom's mettle, you forge with each assault.    Each witless volley cast upon our shore,    Steels Truth's resolve, our lifeblood all the more.    You cannot shake us. Not by word, nor with violent act.    We will endure in sacrifice and tears.    You will not break us. We do not yield to fear.    We are Liberty.    Our faith is elemental.    No evil will destroy us. Our nobility is quintessential.    We are strong, America! From shore to plain to peak.    We are just, America. Veracit...

What dark portense of winter's sky bids morbid dread to souls' content? Is it the frigid gale of night that serenades with dark lament? Angelic psalms through windswept sky warn of darkness' frigid bite. Guard heart's repose 'neath blanket's shield. Pray God to bless your peace this night. Oh Lord we welcome Heaven's cloak. So pure that wondrous dress. A sheen of glory, white and bare, Your soothing, tranquil, holy crest. Hark! The joy of children's glee. A choir of cherubic mirth. Out of frigid season's clay, A winter tribe is given birth. There is life within the tomb that issues forth from Jack Frost's breath Faith's confidence repeals the fear. Love's strengh transcends deceitful death. God tempers life in rhythmic season Spring yields Summer, then Fall's delight. We must allow that Wisdom reigns in blessed Winter's holy rite. Copyright © 2011 by Marc Ernest Brodeur

This Swedish version of the Lord's Prayer was retrieved from a church in Sweden during a family visit. Fader vår, som är i himmelen! Helgat varde ditt namn; tillkomme ditt rike; ske din vilja såsom i himmelen så ock på jorden; vårt dagliga bröd giv oss i dag; och förlåt oss våra skulder, såsom ock vi förlåta dem oss skyldiga äro; och inled oss inte i frestelse, utan fräls oss ifrån ondo ty riket är ditt och makten och härligheten i evighet. Amen.

( With thanks to my friend and schoolmate, Madeleine Lavoie Vrona for recovering these French versions of the Rosary prayers. We certainly recited these more times than we can remember throughout our years at St. Anne School. ) Notre Père, qui êtes aux cieux; Que votre nom soit sanctifié; Qui votre règne arrive; Que votre volonté soit faite sur la terre comme au ciel; Donnez-nous aujourd'hui notre pain de chaque jour; Pardonnez-nous nos offenses comme nous pardonnons à ceux qui nous ont offensés; Et ne nous laissez pas succomber à la tentation. Mais délivrez-nous du mal. Ainsi soit-il. Je vous salue, Marie, pleine de grâce, Le Seigneur est avec vous. Vous êtes bénie entre toutes les femmes, et Jésus, le fruit de vos entrailles, est béni. Sainte Marie, Mère de Dieu, priez pour nous pécheurs, maintenant et à l'heure de notre mort. Ainsi soit-il Gloire au Père, et au Fils et au Saint-Esprit. Comme il était au commencement, et maintenant et toujour...