Mack Boyack's miles of poems...

Hello,
Welcome to my page of poems. These are poems that I have written throughout the years, on special occasions and while driving many, many miles across the country...

I hope you enjoy them.
Mack

Mack's Poems

The End Of A Long, Long Trail

As a young boy.
I dreamed of driving a truck.
When I saw them coming through town,
I was awestruck.

Then came my chance
To drive a “big rig”.
I hauled “Ore”
And shifted the “thing ama jig”.

When I started on this journey,
thought it was fun.
Then came the long hours without sleep,
And days and days of being rum dum.

For twenty-five years
I was on a sleeper team.
You could sleep half the time
If your partner wasn’t mean.

I haven’t been everywhere
Like Hank Snow said,
But I have seen a lot of places
And wore off a lot of tread.

The miles I have driven
Are now over four million.
The experiences I’ve had ,
Have been fulfilling, and sometimes thrilling.

I’ve seen some wonderful places
And met some very good people.
Toured places of history,
And learned much, from “Steeple” to “Steeple”.

I have learned about the places I’ve been,
And followed the “Mormon Trail”.
I’ve struggled against the elements
And learned a little of their travail.

It’s been a privilege
To roam this great land.
To feel its pulse and beauty,
And hear where people stand.

The sacrifices have been many
And we each have had our share.
Marva and the kids
Always kept me from despair.

We did a lot of things,
With the little time at home.
They’d have the camper ready,
And off we’d go, to roam.

My family’s influence
Has always been with me.
Sometimes Marva came along
When we could visit family.

NO, I have never been bored,
I created my own atmosphere.
I listened to tapes, and wrote poems and talks,
This time to me was very dear.

And now I’m coming to the end
Of a long, long road.
I look forward to watching the storms and wrecks
From the comfort of my Abode.

Written in the previous two months before
my retirement December 18th 1998

A Name to Remember: L E O N A

Through out my life
the records will show,
I've been more fortunate
than others I know.

For the "Lord On High"
has seen a need for me,
to surround my life
with "these" choice three.

ONE
The mother of my heart
brought me here to earth.
She taught me to have faith, in things to come.

That, to have faith in others brings happiness
and joy.

TWO
The mother of my dreams
gave her daughter to me.
And opened the door to hope, in the future,
and the joys throughout all Eternity

THREE
And our little daughter, Sharon Leona,
is the greatest of joy.
Radiant will shine, this little girl of ours,
she is the purest of the pure.

During life's struggle
I've watched and I've seen,
the trials for truth
and what their name will mean.

From these acts of
of real life's drama.
Have unfolded the meaning,
of the name LEONA.

L - Is for her LOVELINESS,
that radiates to all.
E - Is for EXAMPLE,
she has always been.

O - Is for the ORDER ,
she brought, to my life.

N - Is for NOSTALGIA,
a longing for the past.

A - Is for an ANGEL,
she will always be.

YOUR SON MACK
   YOUR SON-IN LAW- MACK
     and YOUR DAD MACK

Written about 1971
with the three Leona's in my life in mind......

My Mother in Law - Leona
My Mother - Leona
My Daughter - Sharon Leona

I See America

I travel the highways
of this promised land.
Where liberty and freedom
will make it’s last stand.

I travel the plains and canyons
and push through impetuous snows.
I cross rivers and fight winds,
to see America , where it really shows.

The snow covered mountains
on a moon light night.
Gives pause to reflect
on an inspirational sight.

On a dark night in Wyoming
when the sky is crisp and clear.
The heavens are twinkling
and the Northern lights seem near.

I see the barren desert
as it blooms into spring.
I survey it as my own,
and dream, I’m it’s king.

There are beautiful valleys
carpeted with grass.
And fresh mountain meadows
up near the pass.

I travel the Midwest
and watch the corn grow.
I cross the “Rockies”
where the crystal waters flow.

Out on the Prairie
where the sun sets, so low.
I watch it grow larger
with it’s warm afterglow.

I have watched dams built
from the bottom to the top.
I have seen lakes backed up,
and streams without a drop.

I see the change of seasons
as they march across the lands.
Each, in all their splendor,
making strong demands.

I have seen tornados
rip across the land.
With thunder and lightening
ignoring puny man.

When I’m in a blizzard
I always think of home.
With my family and a fire,
a place where love is shown.

I see the troubles of the world
go rolling past my door.
The travels of the rich
and the movements of the poor.

Many friendly people
I have met along the way.
Sharing this land of “Freedom”,
in the things we do and say.

Many things I’ve learned
through my radio and tapes.
I listen to “Dr. Laura”,
she educates.

I love this land of “Freedom”.
and all it represents.
To be able to move around,
and not have to climb a fence.

A seasoned traveler
Mack Boyack

I RememberMy Dad

17 Years of Marital Bliss, (mostly)

When I have approached
the crossroads in life.
My direction was influenced,
by a love for my wife.

While traveling life's highway,
of trouble and woe.
We've fought a good fight,
against a common foe.

Pastures of compassion,
we have walked hand in hand.
It's been a happy and fruitful life,
in this, the "promised land".

You have followed the paths
of truth and right.
Looked for Sunbeams,
out of our sight.

In the seventeen years
of our married life.
I've learned what it is ,
to have a good wife.

A gracious and loving woman
is a precious gift from God.
You've given me a desire,
to hold fast "the iron rod".

That beautiful glow of Motherhood,
is composed of love and pride.
Your unselfish motives, we all know,
a fact you cannot hide.

The most beautiful things
are those of the heart.
My love for you ,
there, had it's start.

Our Seventeenth Wedding Anniversary
Sep. 7th 1971

Christen Edward

Jesus Lightened My Way

Where do you find happiness ?
How can you, feel at peace ?
Are you surrounded with problems ?
And will they, ever cease ?

Happiness is a by-product,
Of what we give, and what we do.
Happiness comes from within,
And living a life, that is true.

Jesus said; “Come follow me”,
Now we must choose our path.
He truly wants to bless us,
And give us “all”, the Father hath.

Believe that life is worth living,
And it will be so.
Attitude sets our course,
And determines, where we go.

Commitment to God’s plan,
Is what we must declare.
These principle, understood and applied,
Will keep us from despair.

There are many roads to choose,
Just look where others have been.
When you choose a road,
You also choose, the other end.

There is a law, called “harvest”,
That says to plant and grow.
If we think about reaping,
We’d be more careful, what we sow.

Jesus, “the light of the world”,
Will guide us, bless us, enlighten our mind.
“When we walk towards the light,
The shadows of life, fall behind”.

“Darkness always yields to light”,
A principle that is true.
“Jesus lightened my way”,
As he will do for you.

This poem was written for a blind friend
that died from all the problems of
diabetes. She had chosen the phrase
“Jesus Lightened My Way”, to go on her
head stone six months she died.

The Road of Life
October 1992

How many roads, have you been down?
How many bridges have you crossed?
How many storms, have you been in?
How many times, were you lost?

Are you wandering and confused?
   Are you stuck in the sands of time?
Are you lost in a worldly fog,
   Where the blind lead the blind?

Where is your Map?
   What is your Goal?
       Which is your route?
           And what is your role?

To answer life’s questions,
   you must study the gospel plan.
For there, you will learn principles,
   of where to go, and "Who I Am".

The roads are many
   and you must make the choice.
The Holy Ghost will guide you,
   if you will listen to His voice.

We have a Prophet,
   to guide us through the storm.
He has told us over and over,
"To read the Book Of Mormon".

When you choose a road,
   you also choose the other end.
Look for the blessings others have,
   and you will see a trend.

If you know a destination,
   and do not plan your route,
You may be deceived
   and find yourself without.

At times, you’ll make wrong turns
   on the highway of life.
Then consult your Gospel Map,
   and detour misery and strife.

The descent into “hell” is steep,
   the “return”, an awesome climb.
Repentance will never start,
   if “Satan” controls the mind!

“THE ROAD OF LIFE” is hard,
   and we often lose our way.
The Lord will always help us,
   if we will kneel and pray.

“DECISIONS
      DETERMINE
           DESTINY” !!!!!!!!!!!!
                 (Pres Thomas Monson)

Our Silver Anniversary
September 1979

For twenty’five years
   we have worked as a team.
Now and forever
   you are my queen.

You have a deep abiding love,
   in which I participate.
I have felt that love
   from our very first date.

Your love I still treasure
   as I have from the first.
It has blossomed and grown
   like a rose bud burst.

Each time I look into your eyes,
   I fall in love anew.
I see love and patience
   in that deep depth of blue.

Cradled in your arms
   I get lost in my dreams.
The outside world
   is not as tough as it seems.

I’m always greeted
   with a smile and a kiss.
And when I depart,
   I’m assured I’ll be missed.

My love for you is total,
   my thoughts of you supreme.
I often feel you near me,
   when I see you in my dreams

I carry you in my heart
   wherever I go.
I feel your presence near me,
   when I’m discouraged and low.

You are a beautiful spirit
   so noble and pure.
Full of love and compassion,
   that helps my ills to cure.

Your tender loving care
   has left its mark on us.
We value your judgement
   and honor your trust.

For a quarter of a century
   we’ve been husband and wife.
Your love, has been
   the "light of my life"!

The riches of our life
   can never be sold.
The past is in silver,
   and the future in gold.

Love you--Mack

Guest Contributions...

What is a Boyack?
by Merrilee A. Boyack

I have surveyed Boyacks far and wide
And discovered to my surprise
That they're a lot alike in many ways
More than noses, hair, or eyes.

So what is a Boyack, you may ask
And just what makes them unique?
Well the answers are quite simple,
At my list you may take a peek.

A Boyack is very generous
With treats and gifts galore
But frankly the grandkids are spoiled
And the grandparents just pile on more!

A Boyack can work very hard
And stay 'til the task is done.
They're very handy to have around
To make the work seem fun.

Now this you must also know--
All Boyacks love to eat sweets.
They love ice cream and cookies
And pop and all other treats.

A Boyack loves to shop
To go both morning and night
And loves to be in fashion
And dress themselves just right.

Now Boyack girls love crafts
Their creativity never fails;
But Boyack boys are adventurous
On bikes or mountains or trails.

Sundays are special to Boyacks,
As their families gather round,
To talk of things that matter
And pass the popcorn around!

And this is also true
A Boyack saves and saves
Whether books and tapes or clothes
They've got it for rainy days!

Boyacks make the cutest babies,
Chubby towheads all around,
And everyone dotes on the youngest
But plenty of love abounds.

A Boyack has great faith
And loves our Savior true,
And tries their best to do what's right
And be good neighbors too.

But most of all Boyacks have one thing
More important than the rest,
A Boyack has love for all other Boyacks
And feels all Boyacks are best.

How We Love You
by: Elizabeth Billings Boyack
Christmas 1999

On holidays and birthdays,
Mothers’ and Father’s day,
We search for gifts and cards
And with these try to say
How much we love you

And if we had a fortune
We’d shower you with things
New home, new car, vacations
And all that money brings
To show we love you

But life has taught you wisdom
Learned through trials and tears
The greatest gift is family
And time shared over the years
With those who love you

And this gift you’ve given to us
The example of a good life
How to love and teach our children
Be good hubands and wives
How much you have loved us!

We know no gift can rightly express
Those feelings we hold so dear.
I try today, with paper and pen
To bring those feelings near.
Merry Christmas, We love you!

There Once Was a Trucker Named "Mack"
by: Steven Boyack

There once was a trucker named "Mack",
Who drove cross-country and back...
He never forgot,
His home or his lot,
And never his kids did he whack!

(although sometimes ~~they~~ Steve deserved it...)

The above poems are copyright by Mack Boyack and may only be used with permission of the author. Guest Contribution poems are copywright protected by their respective owners and are used here with their permission.