STORY-POEMS by Toni D. Helfrick, R.N. (page 1 of 2)   Click on any underlined title below to be linked to that story-poem: “ANOTHER DAY” (in eight parts):   ANOTHER DAY - Part One   ANOTHER DAY - Part Two   ANOTHER DAY - Part Three   ANOTHER DAY - Part Four   ANOTHER DAY - Part Five   ANOTHER DAY - Part Six   ANOTHER DAY - Part Seven   ANOTHER DAY  Part Eight  (click here for Page 2)   ANOTHER DAY - Part One © Toni D. Helfrick Another day, another way He’d start again and walk Away from home, he’d surely roam Though, seldom did he talk. He was fifteen, and in between His sisters, what a bother! Mom and the girls, with all their pearls At least, we have a father. His Dad is Joe, he scares him, though He’s glad they named him Rob- He packed his stuff, his note? Enough- He slowly held the knob. The door, no sound, no folks around As they were all asleep He wrote a note, lump in his throat But there was not a peep… And Rob had dreams, it surely seems That he would go away At night he’d sleep, with herder’s sheep And leave for more, this day. He traveled east, it’s warm, at least He’s wondering what he’ll find- And though he knows, of dirty clothes Some people have been kind. The lady swore, she’d hire no more, But her shop, it needed sweeping How could he say, “I’m going away– Thanks for the wash, Ms. Gleason.” Clean clothes he had, no it wasn’t bad He’ll soon have to do him planning “I’ll have to talk and also, walk” His skin should get wee bits of tanning!   ANOTHER DAY, Part Two © Toni D. Helfrick Rob wants to stay, but just can’t say, He surely does love Mrs. Gleason- On the road alone, without a phone He was wondering of his reason! “I think I know, that I will go It’s just to make them worry.” “Me family’s there, but they don’t care! Me belt, it needs some tightening.” Rob had not meat, or things to eat He wondered why he’s thinning- Somehow, some way, he’d eat today “Now, someday, I’ll be winning!” The boy was mad, and it was sad, His pride had made him falter- He won’t go home, he’ll have to roam He won’t see smiles on Walter. Cause Walter knows, that if Rob goes He’ll laugh his insides silly This teary lad, who feels so bad Rob walked back, willy-nilly. Now Rob he cried, just deep inside He went to Mrs. Gleason’s She saw his face, and they said grace She said, “Now, here is your eatins.” The lad would tell, of his awful hell, And Mrs. Gleason heard- She loved this child, and he’s not wild She’s sure not to tell a word! Mrs. Gleason is kind, and Rob, he’d unwind Rob’s awful times, he tells She hugs him there, in her rocking chair, An’ gets water from the well.   ANOTHER DAY - Part Three © Toni D. Helfrick And Rob can sleep, his secrets she’ll keep “How could anyone hurt this fine boy?” He is resting fine, and the Glory is Thine, She already sees bits of joy. ‘Mom Gleason,” said “Rob, come down from your bed” Your breakfast, why, it is now ready- When he was able, he sat at the table Rob loved having his life be ‘real steady’. He asked Mrs. Gleason, if there was a reason, That she’d have to send him back home- ‘There’s not even a doubt, I’ll NOT send you out- You’ll not have to leave here, or roam! In the ensuing days, he learned all her ways And he did all the chores just for her He was grateful and kind, pleasant thoughts in his mind If he were a cat, why, he’d purr! When there was little light, it soon would be night Well, they’d sit there with tea by the fire- And talk of the day, “a fine one”, he’d say They prayed, and they talked, ‘til they’d tire. Next morning, it came, ‘twas never the same, Each day a delight for them, true A knock at the door, she peeked to be sure She looked and saw yes, it WAS really Drew! Drew was her brother, though, she had no other A very nice guy and a gent ‘I came by to see, just little old me’ Rob thought that this man’s Heaven sent! They got along fine, Drew and Rob thought ‘divine’ And they did some work there, outside Mrs. Gleason was looking, with smiles, she was cooking It just warmed her heart, she would bide.   ANOTHER DAY. Part Four © Toni D. Helfrick She called them for lunch, and soon they will munch And Drew, he’ll teach Rob how to farm “Mrs. Gleason, it’s great, we will plant, I can’t wait!” Mum Gleason thought, ‘surely no harm.” And out in the field, Drew did explain ‘yields’ He showed Rob just how he should farm, Rob thought this was great, he just couldn’t wait In the evening were aches in his arms. To the Lord he would pray, most every day It made him feel good now, at last He still helped his ‘Mum’, and Drew was his chum He could hardly remember his past! But the old memories, we go back and see And Rob had some terrible dreams- She’d sit by his bed, stroking hair on his head Sometimes in the night, he would scream. ‘Mum’ thought this was gone, but nightmares kept on She and Drew knew were things they need to ‘right’- Drew didn’t live far, just a half of an hour ‘Sis’ asked Drew, if she’d please, “stay the nights.” Drew, alone in the wood, he’ll be here if he could “And Sis, I’ll be helping, for you.” She had extra space, it could be Drew’s place, And ‘Sis’ started cleaning it through. Next morning at dawn, they’d make plans and go on Then Rob would be coming to eat Drew had the day steady, he’d have Rob all ready He’d show Rob to farm and plant wheat. And alone, Rob was there, Drew and Sis would all share- The things that Rob’s nightmares had brought They’d then have a plan, helping Rob, if they can They’d have to get help, they both thought.   ANOTHER DAY, Part  Five © Toni D. Helfrick Sis told all she knew, about Rob to Drew- And Drew was appalled, to be sure “This boy is in pain, with nothing to gain, Unless, we can all make a plan.” And Sis said, “You’re right, and with all of my might I’ll find him someone who can help.” And Drew and Sis knew, of what Rob’s gone through Whatever they must, they will do. That evening, Drew, saw Rob planting, too, And Drew told him he had worked long, And, Rob was quite proud, “Oh how nice that does sound!” To Rob, the words sound like a song! The three ate their meal, of potatoes and veal Rob said, ‘This compliment’s my first!” Oh, will there be any? Drew knew there are many ‘Cause, he knows the best from the worst. They all went to bed, and rested their heads, Next morning, ‘Mum’ packed lunch, like mother And Drew had a plan, to see Pastor Dan- He told Sis, “He can’t tell another.” “Drew, why is it so, that others can’t know?” Drew said that they’ll take Rob away! Pastor Dan, don’t ye see, he can’t tell a flea! Come on, Sis, we need go TODAY. They knocked at the door, they both did implore The Pastor to help this young man, Pastor D. listened well, and his eyes they did swell- He said he’d do all that he can. Pastor Dan asked to meet, the young man to seat But Sis and Drew both were afraid Pastor gave them his word, no one will have heard They thanked him- a friend they had made.   ANOTHER DAY, Part Six © Toni D. Helfrick When the clock, it was one, Sis felt good, but not done They both knew, they need Pastor Dan, And Drew he agreed, was pleased yes, indeed But Rob didn’t know of the plan. Rob and Drew worked all day, at the farm with the hay- They needed to cover the seed- For it wouldn’t sprout, if no hay was out ‘Cause birds would come eat it, indeed! And Rob’s a fast learner, someday, a fine earner- And Drew, is quite pleased how Rob seems, But they must talk it out, cause Rob’s past is about, And nightmares are still in his dreams. He woke this morning at six, the darkness and breakfast didn’t mix, But he learned many things on the farm, “The back pasture I cleared, it’s for corn, I hear- And I know now, it won’t hurt my arm! Tomorrow, they’ll walk, Pastor Dan, he will talk And Rob will be told of his nights- And then after eating, they’ll have a short meeting So Rob will be home then, tonight. So onward, they walked, and seldom, they talked, Rob’s silence, it showed he was scared; “We love you”, said Sis, and she gave him a kiss, Drew said not to worry, “We care!” They saw Pastor Dan, a quite caring man, And Rob didn’t quite know his place But Rob looked at Dan, a most special man “Son, the pains of your past, you’ll erase.” And wide-eyed was he, Rob said he’d agree To come and see old Pastor Dan, He couldn’t begin, ‘cause he’s kept it all in- But somehow, they both know he can.   ANOTHER DAY, Part Seven © Toni D. Helfrick And each day thereafter, Rob soon felt some laughter And feeling this, it did make him be strong- Now the sessions were tense, and made such good sense And Pastor Dan showed right from wrong. And Rob did agree, he was starting to see The things he recalled from his mind- As he walked the road, he had lightened his ‘load’, Pastor Dan helped him talk, and Rob was kind. Each couple of days, they went on their ways, Rob knew Pastor Dan won’t forget- He trusted the Pastor, as that’s all that matters. It rained the way back, he was wet. “Sis hugged him today, she was happy to say That Rob had been sleeping quite well, And Drew, he was pleased- Rob did farming with ease They talked about harvest, to sell. “This mornin’ said, “Sis, is a day we can’t miss ‘Cause Rob will be sixteen today”!  Rob and Drew had to be, at the farm until three And Sis will fix dinner and stay. Thank you, Lord today, do help us we pray We know just how fine is our pastor, Pastor Dan- He’s helped Rob so much, and Drew’s magic touch, Please guide us to help, so we can. The cake had been baked, as Drew and Rob raked, To clean out the barn and the hay- Sis left fast as she can, to invite Pastor Dan For he surely should be here, this day! Cooked goose and rice, and vegetables? Nice! The Pastor had come for the party- Rob and Drew came inside, Drew game him a ride ‘Twas a fine meal, for each one ate hearty.   ANOTHER DAY, Part Eight © Toni D. Helfrick The others gave a box, some new clothes and socks Pastor Dan had a special gift, too- The Ice cream and cake, almost made their hearts break For Rob told them, “How much I love you!” There were so many tears, through all of those years, But Rob knew, that he would be fine He had people who care, and he did love this here- Rob hoped that ‘this family was mine’. At the end of the day, Pastor Dan went his way And Rob stood and thanked him for all, For there were no dreams, he is happy, it seems- And he now could see beauty this Fall. “Praise be”, Sis had said, as they all went to bed, It’s so good to see Rob here like this- “I’m happy to see, you’re just smilin’ at me!” And Rob came and gave her a kiss. Last month, Drew had tried, to give Rob a surprise For Drew went to town just to see- When a man is sixteen, and nothing between, No custody hearing need be! So Rob came to be, a good friend, you see- He’d also worked hard on the land, And Drew took him down, on into the town And Drew helped Rob file, since he can. It was a nice day, quite fine, I would say And Rob, he is now on his own- He’ll work at the farm, the planting and barn And hard work and goodness has shown! ~Epilogue Poem:~ His tears came down, just like the rain-      He’d wipe them, then, they’d come again “I have to stay, I know a way,      Someday, will be Another Day.” © T. Helfrick   “Another Day” - story-poem in eight parts “The Colorado Gambler and The Lady” - story-poem series “River For the Lonely” - story-poem series Other story-poems by Toni D. Helfrick Poetry by Toni D. Helfrick Essays by Toni Short Stories by Toni   Website Home Page