Henry's Poems

Remembrances (For Jody)

by Henry Custer

From the ice breaker trip to Port Aux Basque,
to the Florida swamps and the Sea of Grass.
And in between we've seen wonderful sights
from Kansas wheat to the Big Sur nights.

We've trod many places, You and I,
making beautiful memories that will never die.
The Canadian Glaciers, across the Great Divide,
To Telluride and the tragic Mud Slide.

From Montrose to Durango with it's twists and turns,
the million dollar highway where a miner still yearns
to uncover the gold that the roadway has taken,
it lies there forever, unused and forsaken.

From Durango to Silverton on the Narrow Gauge train
in an open car with the smoke and rain.
Along the Animas river 'neath the soaring peaks,
where the souls of the dead still come to speak.

The Rio De Los Animas was the river's first name,
The 'River of Lost Souls' where the Spanish first came.
And the Lake City site, where Alfred Packer was said
to have eaten his family who were already dead.

The small town museums along the byways
remind us that these are the real good old days.
Meeting ordinary people throughout the land
we realized who makes our country so grand.

The capitol buildings of each and every state
posed a feeling of grandeur that made us feel great.
The Smithsonian we toured for six tiring days
finding food for our minds in this wondrous maze.

Then the art shops of Taos, the OK corral,
and old Fort Sumner where Billy the Kid fell.
The Yuma prison with it's dry dusty cells,
a story of misery and death it still tells.

We loved the beaches of Old Mexico
and remember the friends with whom we'd go.
The Pyramids and relics of the Yucatan
speak of the life and struggle of man.

The friends that we met on mountain trails
who still visit often, if only by mail.
And isn't it nice to have done all these things
so we can better enjoy what later life brings!

Ashes to Ashes
by Henry Custer

I don't regret my role in this world
as my ashes blend with the wind and sand.
I believe that I have fulfilled my purpose
as I become a part of this beautiful land.

I've used up my time in this confusing world,
so don't be distressed by this traumatic event.
Just direct your thoughts to this one true fact,
I followed my path, my time was well spent.

I made my own way and lived by my rules,
What others thought was of little concern.
I found myself to be my most severe judge,
correcting and scolding at life's every turn.

Now I'm content to just be a part
of this wonderful world that gave me life,
I've truly been blessed from the start,
with wonderful kids and a loving wife.

It will be me smiling from heavens on high
when you see the moon or stars so bright.
When the wind whispers through the grass
to say that I love you and miss you tonight.

Wherever you find beauty in this old world,
whenever you see a wave roll to shore,
or the trees gently swaying in the breeze,
I'm there for you my love, forever more.

My Trail

by Henry Custer

For three score and ten years
I've cut my own trail,
never having to follow
another dogs tail.

If you're not the lead dog
your view will never change,
and your life will be lived
as others arrange.

So follow my lead
if a follower you be,
just don't try to force
your path upon me.

I will listen with care
to what others may say,
then make my own
choice and go my own way.

It works well for me
and it may work for you,
but even if it doesn't
to your own self be true !