When Tomorrow Starts Without Me

This poem was on my Aunt Granny's obituary and it touched me deeply. It gave me a sense of happiness and sadness at the same time, both hope and hopelessness. It is hard to find the words to say to express how I feel about you, but this poem is a start. I think about you every day, and I know that my tomorrows will never be the same without you here to share them with me. I love you, Aunt Granny.

When Tomorrow Starts Without Me

by David Romano

When tomorrow starts without me, and I'm not there to see;

If the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me;

I wish so much you wouldn't cry the way you did today,

While thinking of the many things we didn't get to say.

I know how much you love me, as much as I love you,

And each time you think of me, I know you'll miss me, too.

But when tomorrow starts without me, please try and understand,

That an angel came and called my name and took me by the hand,

And said my place was ready in heaven far above,

And that I'd have to leave behind all those I dearly love.

But as I turned to walk away, a tear fell from my eye,

For all my life I'd always thought I didn't want to die.

I had so much to live for and so much yet to do,

It seemed almost impossible that I am leaving you.

I thought of all the yesterdays, the good ones and the bad,

I thought of all the love we shared and all the fun we had.

If I could relive yesterday, I thought, just for a while,

I'd say good-bye and kiss you and maybe see your smile.

But then I fully realized that this could never be.

For emptiness and memories would take the place of me.

And when I thought of worldly things that I'd miss come tomorrow,

I thought of you, and when I did, my heart was filled with sorrow.

But when I walked through heaven's gates, I felt so much at home.

When God look down and smiled at me, from His great golden throne.

He said, "This is eternity and all I've promised you,

Today your life on earth is past, but here it starts anew.

I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last,

And since each day's the same day, there's no longing for the past.

But you have been so faithful, so trusting and so true,

Though there were times you did some things you knew you shouldn't do.

But you have been forgiven, and now at last you’re free.

So won't you take my hand and share my life with me?"

So when tomorrow starts without me, don't think we're far apart,

For every time you think of me, I'm right here in your heart.

Phenomenal Woman

Phenomenal Woman

by Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Nobody Knows

Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen. 

Nobody knows the pain. 

Nobody knows I close my heart 

so it won’t hurt again.  

Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen, 

how many times I’ve cried. 

Nobody knows, nobody shows, 

so I keep it all inside.  

Nobody knows these troubles I’ve seen. 

Nobody stops to see. 

Nobody tries to break these walls 

I’ve built up around me.  

Nobody knows the troubles I’ve seen.

Nobody knows my woes. 

The only thing that I do know 

is I’m the nobody nobody knows.