- Volume 1 -

The Tear & The Tender

A collection of verse

 by Dahni

Note: This work is NOT intended for publication. It is is auto-biographical in nature and covers my life from birth until age 44 when it was completed in 1997. The table of contents follow here, as it may have significance to some that may view this page. Some of the entries I will share in pages to follow here, or from time to time somewhere on this website. Many of the poems are to be found in Volume II, 'Life's A Trip,' which is available. As written before, 'THE TEAR & THE TENDER is NOT nor will be available. Perhaps it is a potential pre-planned posthumous publication (available after I am dead). The work itself contains many of my original illustrations, graphics or otherwise rudimentary colored drawings. Several of the poems are actually lyrics to songs I composed in the past. The work is just too personal to publish and many of the subjects are still alive. To protect their feelings and identities, I will not publish this work.

Dahni

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The Tear & The Tender

1997                                                                                                                                                  Dahni 

 INTRODUCTION -

    This work represents over forty years of a man's life.  It does not contain every poem ever written.  There are many filed away and more still, given away over the years.  God willing, more to come! 

   This work has been arranged in such a way as I believe captures and expresses my heart.  It has been ar­ranged to be perhaps, easier and the most enjoyable to read. 

    There are many sensitive subjects herein, but they all have been a part of my life.  I have endeavored to honestly share my joys and sorrows, and thus the title - The Tear & The Tender.

   Some who read here may not consider any of this poetry, but rhyme, verse or prose.  It is what it is!  It was written for my son  (who knows little of me) that he might come to know something of the man who helped to bring him into this world.  It is written, that it might inspire, encourage or help anyone who may read it.  It was written as my humble thanks to all the countless individuals who have touched me over the years.  It is written as my thanks to my parents who brought me here into this life.  It is written to say THANK YOU to my HEAVENLY FATHER who has allowed me to live, despite my many flaws.

    There are eight sections here and a broad range of subject matter.  Perhaps, there is something here for most anyone.  You may like to read the table of contents and pick out a title which interests you.  However you read, my desire is, that you read it all.  Maybe not in one setting, but over time.  May the contents en­rich your lives or allow you to learn something.  Feel free to pass a poem or poems on to others you think it might bless, help or encourage.

    It is with great joy, that this is finished!  For many years, I was strong in beginnings and could see the end of many things.  It was the middle or the follow-through where I lacked strength.  So, it is with pride and a sense of accomplishment, that this intro. is being written last, as this work "...is finished!"  May God bless you and yours abundantly!  Yes, "...exceedingly, abundantly, above all you can ask or think!"  May your life be full of -

 The Tear & The Tender

 Michigan

 © February 14, 1995

(revised, amended and added to:  Arkansas 1996 - 1997)

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 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS -

 I am eternally grateful:

 To GOD, my MOTHER and FATHER!

 Without them, there would be no me or you, to write this for

or knowledge, wisdom and understanding of -

 The Tear & The Tender

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 FOR -

 Daniel, may you come to know and understand something

 of the man who helped to bring you into this world.  I loved you

and I love you!

_________________________________________________________________________

DEDICATION -

 To:

 Ann Marie.

For your countless hours of listening to me

read many of these poems and verses.  For your

love of poetry and for me.  For your inspiration to

collect these and put them into book form.  Finally,

for your precious friendship to me these

several years.  All the best in this

and the next life to YOU and yours!

THANK YOU!

  

To:

 Janet.

For your countless hours of listening to me

read many of these poems and verses.  For your

 love of poetry and for me.  For your often help in typing,

editing, encouraging and for allowing me the time

to write.  Finally, for your precious friendship, constant

companionship and comfort.  All the best in this

 and the next life to You and yours!

THANK YOU!

 Dahni 1997

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The Tear & The Tender

1997                                                                                                                                                  Dahni

 Table of Contents

 

Section I - The Tear & The Tender                                                                                                  PAGE #

1.   The Tear & The Tender............................................................................................................1                                                                      
2.   From A Journal...........................................................................................................................4
3.   Remember & Do The Same.......................................................................................................5
4.   Hell Hath No Fury Like The Roaring Mind............................................................................7
5.   I'm Glad I Took The Chance.....................................................................................................13
6.   Speak To Each Other.................................................................................................................14

Section II - Friends & Lovers                                                                                                             PAGE #

 1.   Me'Lissa......................................................................................................................................15
2.   X’ & O’s.......................................................................................................................................17
3.  GrandSlam.....................................................................................................................................18                                                                                                                             
4.   Lady of The Green Dress...........................................................................................................19                                                                                                         
5.   Deep Waters................................................................................................................................27
6.   The Richest of All Riches..........................................................................................................31
7.   To Janice in England .................................................................................................................32                                                                                    
8.   Ann...............................................................................................................................................34
9.   Mary Jane.....................................................................................................................................35                                                                                                       
10. Blondie..........................................................................................................................................36                                                                                                                 
11. Roy Key........................................................................................................................................38
12. Brandi............................................................................................................................................40
13. Greetings.......................................................................................................................................41
14. To a Friend/To a Loved One......................................................................................................41                                                                                                       
15. Christopher...................................................................................................................................42     
16. Alicia..............................................................................................................................................43
17. Mr. C.E. Bass................................................................................................................................44
18. Richard...........................................................................................................................................45
19. Carol...............................................................................................................................................46
20. Love Letters..................................................................................................................................47
21. For: 'The Teacher’........................................................................................................................48
22. Dr. Andy....................................................................................................................................... 50 
23. The Man In Love With You........................................................................................................51
24. Oscar ‘Pa’ Burt..............................................................................................................................55
25. Ann Marie......................................................................................................................................57  

Section III - Places & Times                                                                                                                   PAGE #

1.   From Missouri to California.........................................................................................................59
2.   Holidays I, II, & III........................................................................................................................63 
 3.   Remember......................................................................................................................................65
4.   Knoxville, TN at The World's Fair..............................................................................................72
5.   From 35 To Caddy.........................................................................................................................73
6.   My Father.......................................................................................................................................74
7.   My Mom & I..................................................................................................................................77
8.   Can’t Fill His Shoes......................................................................................................................89
9.   Living In America..........................................................................................................................91
10. Passing on Etiquette.....................................................................................................................94
11. Coming Home................................................................................................................................97

Section IV - Potpourri Places & Times                                                                                                   PAGE #

1.   Just To be - I With You and You With Me..............................................................................98                                                                                  
2.   Me...................................................................................................................................................98
3.   You Were Never Born..................................................................................................................99
4.   To Teach The Child......................................................................................................................101
5.   For and of Children (a series of poems) I - IV...........................................................................103
6.   Little Baby......................................................................................................................................103
7.   Mom................................................................................................................................................104
8.   Dad..................................................................................................................................................104        
9.   Untitled poems I - III.....................................................................................................................105
10. Once - Twice - Thrice....................................................................................................................106
11. Excuses............................................................................................................................................106                                                                                                    
12. Attitubes.........................................................................................................................................107
13. A' Wish'n........................................................................................................................................109
14. Treasures........................................................................................................................................109
                                                                          
Section V - Inspirational                                                                                                                         PAGE #
 
 1.   Thy Word......................................................................................................................................110
2.   Skopéo (aim towards)....................................................................................................................111
3.   The Red Thread..............................................................................................................................112
4.   Lori....................................................................................................................................................113
5.   For Alicia..........................................................................................................................................113
6.   Lover's Moon..................................................................................................................................114
7.   No man is Indispensable................................................................................................................115                                                                                         
8.   No Tear to Dim The Eye.................................................................................................................116                                                                                   
9.   There Was a Man............................................................................................................................117
10. Two Tears.........................................................................................................................................117  
11. A Fallow Field No More.................................................................................................................118                                                                                                               
12. Changing of The Guard..................................................................................................................119 
13. Cast Down, But Not Forsaken.......................................................................................................120                                                                                                          
14. Ostracized..........................................................................................................................................121     
15. Moment Masters..............................................................................................................................123
16. Joy in Thy Labors............................................................................................................................124                                                                                                
17. Always...............................................................................................................................................126
18. Why Give (The Cardinal & The Blue jay).....................................................................................127                                                                           
19. Wise as Serpents - Harmless as Doves.........................................................................................130
20. The lordship of Jesus Christ...........................................................................................................131
21. The lordship of The Word...............................................................................................................132
22. The Lordship of Love.......................................................................................................................133
23. Camp Joy............................................................................................................................................134
24. Faces...................................................................................................................................................135
 
Section VI - High Tech. & Other Stuff                                                                                                      PAGE #
 
1.   Answering Machine - Voice or E-Mail Bits..................................................................................136
2.   Telephone Stuff.................................................................................................................................140
3.   Telephone Etiquette..........................................................................................................................141
4.   Dah’ Computers.................................................................................................................................142
5.   Surfin' The Net...................................................................................................................................143
6.   Language?..........................................................................................................................................145

Section VII -  'Sooky' & Silly                                                                                                                   PAGE #

1.   Sooky.........................................................................................................................................        146
2.  Relieve or Greed.........................................................................................................................       146
3.  Ode to Late Night at Kalamazoo Shell.....................................................................................      147
4.  Twelve Days of  Summer............................................................................................................     149
5.  Twelve days of Winter...............................................................................................................     149
6.  Note:..............................................................................................................................................     149
7.  Haiku.............................................................................................................................................     150
8.  Limerick........................................................................................................................................      150
9.  To Do or TADAH.......................................................................................................................     151
10. The Foxes & Boxes of Rocks-es..............................................................................................     152
11. Something Strange.....................................................................................................................     153
12. The Pencil Sharpener.................................................................................................................     155
13. I Just Wanted To Get Published!.............................................................................................     155
14. Lines.............................................................................................................................................     156
15. To You Junk?  To Me My Stuff!..............................................................................................     158
16. Stuff..............................................................................................................................................     159
17. Leaves Me Alone.......................................................................................................................     160
18. Short Weekend...........................................................................................................................     161
19. ‘501’..............................................................................................................................................     163
20. To Bathe or Which to Bathe?  That is The Question!..........................................................     165
21. Little White Convertible............................................................................................................     167
22. To Ponder The Universe...........................................................................................................     168
23. To The Collector of My Debt...................................................................................................     169

Section VIII - New Beginnings                                                                                                                 PAGE #

1.   Ah - Nah.......................................................................................................................................     170
2.   Tragedy........................................................................................................................................     175
3.   I'm Still Alive................................................................................................................................     176
4.   How Nice it Was.........................................................................................................................     178
5.   The One Who Dares..................................................................................................................     180
6.   When............................................................................................................................................     181
7.   In & Out of Course.....................................................................................................................     182
8.   Fame.............................................................................................................................................      184
9.   Anybody Can Say......................................................................................................................     186
10. Defining Greatness (The ‘P’ Poem)..........................................................................................     187
11. Saddlesoap Hill............................................................................................................................     188
12. Poiéma...........................................................................................................................................     190
13. The Wind In My Hair (the trail of a nomad)............................................................................     191
 14. Transitions & Shifting Paradigms............................................................................................     193
15. Posture..........................................................................................................................................     194
16. Dreamstorm...................................................................................................................................     195
17. I Wonder?.....................................................................................................................................     196
18. Sand Poet......................................................................................................................................     198
19. Soar................................................................................................................................................     206
20. To Daniel My Son.......................................................................................................................     208
21. Appearances................................................................................................................................     208
22. Thank You....................................................................................................................................     209
23. Better.............................................................................................................................................     209
 
THE TEAR & THE TENDER A collection of verse by Dahni
 
Copyright © 1997 by Dahni & I-Magine Publications
  
All rights reserved.  NOT for publication. Publication rights controlled in the United States by I-Magine Publications, Rochester, NY 14612.  No part of this book may be used in any manner whatsoever without written permission by both the author and the publisher except in the case of brief quotations in critical articles or reviews.

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Unpublished - NOT available

(some poems appear in other collections)

 

 

 
 
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