poetry, memorization and such

There is a great speech by Sister Tanner titled "Learning by Heart" in which she tells of her husband's request for memorized poems for gifts. She says" He has always felt that memorization gives our children and me a chance to give himsomething that we can also keep for ourselves. It is a gift from the heart when we learn things by heart. "
I decided to compile all the poems written for Mother's Day by the "boyz" and also some others so here is a sample:
Maybe I'll Write You a Mother's Day Poem by Bryce
Maybe I'll write you A Mothers Day poem When you're home all alone
And there's no one to phone. At least you'll have A Mother's Day poem.
Maybe I'll write you A Mother's Day poem When it's hard as a stone
And you're starting to zone. At least you'll have A Mother's Day Poem.....
Maybe I'll write you A Mothers Day Poem Now you're children are grown
And you might want to moan But remember you have A Mother's Day Poem.
Here is Tylers:
Mom is great, mom is nice,
Mom does give me great advice,
When I think she's done it all,
Mom goes the extra mile and orders pizza from Papa Johns.
Here are two from McKay:
My mom she is really great,
She waits for me when I'm out late.
She is so neat,
and awfully sweet
And always puts food on my plate.

I wrote this poem on Mother's day
just to say a simple 'hey'
I like to eat toast
and will always love you most
even when you are old and grey.

Here is one your dad wrote many years ago:
I've thought what I could give you on this special day.
More flowers? Candy? or a new
Piano you could play?
But dreams are for the dreamer.
these gifts will come in time.
Today I'll be much nicer,
I'll be gentle, warm, and kind.
I'll change our darlings' diapers,
I'll cook our every meal,
I'll make your work olad lighter,
And on my knees I'll kneel,
To thank my Heavenly Father
For a wife so kind and true.
And ask to bless our daughter
That she'll become like you.

Here is one from my grandmother Fife:
Do you think you could be bright, dear,
Just like the beautiful sun?
Do you think you could be happy,
As the brooklet you see run;
Or happy as the birds
That sing in orchard trees;
Or be always busy, busy,
Like the happy little bees?

If tempted to do wrong or steal,
Would it be an easy task--
Would you stop and think about it,
Would you steal or go right past?
If some day you were tempted
To tell an awful lie,
Don't you think you'd always see it,
Printed high up in the sky?

Which way would be the best, now,
To scould, or be just bright?
Think before you leap,
And you'll always come out right.

Winnie Bowring/ Age 12