National Adult Literacy Database

July 19, 1999

This poem was written by Linda Coffey, from St. John's, Newfoundland. She is a divorced mother of a 25-year old daughter and a 15-year old son. Linda is 43 years old and is a recipient of Social Assistance. She loves listening to music, singing and playing her guitar. She also enjoys writing poetry. She is presently doing ABE at the Atlantic Construction Training Centre in St. John's. Linda quit school at the age of 16, due to circumstances beyond her control, but she has spent the past 28 years regretting it. After being out of the classroom for that long, she was nervous going back to school. She knew it wouldn't be easy, and there were times she didn't think she'd get through it, but with the help and encouragement of the instructors and staff at ATCT, she believes in herself and in her ability to complete her ABE. Linda knows that the only thing that will give her the opportunity to make her dreams a reality and to reach her goals, is her Grade 12 diploma.

The Picture on the Wall

by Linda Coffey

When I was just a little child
My mother used to say
There's someone watching over you
Through every night and day.
So don't fret too much, my little one.
If you stumble and you fall
Just get back up, and take a look,
at the picture on the wall.

It's a picture of our saviour,
The creator of mankind.
He fashioned you, just how you are.
His own unique design.
He carved you in His image
From your head down to your toes.
When he finished with your body,
He then gave you a soul.

The years went by so quickly,
and I was fully grown.
I now became the mother,
With children of my own.
I tried to teach them right from wrong, but
if they stumble and they fall.
I tell them just to take a look, at the
picture on the wall.

Now my life has took some ups and down,
And lots of twists and turns.
I've been knocked down, I've been picked up.
I've smiled and I've frowned.
When bad memories surround me, and the good I can't recall.....
I bow my head,
And raise my eyes, to the picture on the wall.

Then a voice inside me whispers,
Take out your looking glass, and take
a real good look inside, at who is staring back.
Now ask the lady in the mirror,
Any question that you like.
I'm sure she will be honest, to herself
she'd never lie.
The pain that others caused you,
was never all your fault.
Now turn and whisper "Thank you", to the
picture on the wall.

Life is not a bed of roses, but it won't
seem so bad
If I take the time, to make the best,
of everything I have.
For storms don't last,
Clouds roll away, and the sun
comes shining through.
If I put the past behind me,
And start each day anew.
But if despair still gets me down,
and trouble pays a call.
I'll just bow my head,
and say a prayer,
to the picture on the wall.