Garlands of Grace
A Collection of Inspirational Poems and Songs
by
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The book, Garlands of Grace, by Dawn Escoto, has 81 poems. Eighteen of them are song lyrics with the accompanying notes. These are some of the author’s favorites from over 4,000 poems.
The author has divided her works into six sections. Section one contains poems used for celebration of a holiday or special occasion in someone’s life. The next section. “Divine Sentiments,” has poems of a theological nature, penned in a Victorian style. Sections 3-5 are all song lyrics. “Then Sings My Soul,” is a collection of songs, with original tunes, suitable for a choir anthem or solo. Section, four, “New Testament Psalms,” has praise choruses. The lyrics begin with a statement from Psalms or a prophecy and go on to demonstrate how New Testament truth fits in with these.
The final section of lyrics is from two collections, “New Wine, Old Wineskins,” and “Children’s Choruses.” There is a lot of variety in this section, but they all fit to hymn tunes or folk tunes
The last section deals with tributes the author has written to various people, living or deceased. Five of her poems are patriotic in nature; two are memorials to groups of young people who were victims of crazed gunmen in recent days. A few poems are dedicated to people of note known by the author. The remainder are to family members.
The author has included excerpts of poems from each section so that you can get a sense of her style and range of topics. If you find these poems uplifting, you may wish to purchase this book in its traditional form or as an e-book from Westbow Press or another online book company.
From Section One—“Garlands of Grace.” These are mainly greeting-card poems. They celebrate holidays or special occasions in a person’s life. Encouragement through poems and cards is an important ministry in which the author engages.
Imitation of Christ
As we adore the Savior, Decked with diadem divine, We scarcely can imagine How a glory so sublime
Could wrap itself in human flesh, Descend to earth below, Tread the Via Dolorosa, (stanzas 2 and 3 of 4 total)
Joy Came Down at Christmas
Joy came down at Christmas So many years ago. Mary and the Christ child, With faces all aglow, Welcomed lowly shepherds And wise men from afar. They worshipped the Messiah, Well-guided by the star. ( taken from 6 stanzas)
Her Soul Lives On (for parents of a stillborn child)
God gives to some threescore and ten; For others, years are few. Some precious souls see not the sun E'er their brief lives are through.
Our tears will all be wiped away. We'll see, upon His knees, The little ones of whom He said, "My kingdom's made of these." (stanzas 1 and 10 of 11 stanzas)
Ribbons for Sylvia
A ribbon for each teardrop You shed to ease the pain.
A ribbon for the courage To dare to hope again. (2 of 8 couplets, for a breast cancer survivor)
Section Two: “Divine Sentiments” These poems are Victorian in style, theological in nature.
VARIATION ON THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER*
A Pauper He became indeed That I a prince might be, Equipped to meet my every need Though stripped of royalty.
He mingled with earth's lowest caste, To scoffers turned the cheek, The Kingdom that was His to grasp, Relinquished to the meek. (stanzas 6 and 7 of 8 stanzas)
* The theme comes from Mark Twain’s The Prince and the Pauper.
Section Three: “ Then Sings My Soul” All of these have original tunes by the author.
Every Time I'm Wounded
How can I not forgive them Who've caused a bit of pain, When I have Christ's example? He forgave again and again (lines 25-28 of 32)
The Captain Speaks "Friend, do not abandon ship; Just let Me take the helm. Hold tightly to the Captain's hand When trials overwhelm. (lines 5-8 of 20)
Section Four: “New Testament Psalms” The music for these choruses is included in the book.
The King Is Enthralled (Psalm 45) The King is enthralled with your beauty; He invites you to come before Him. So put on your robe of pure linen; (lines 1-3 of 8 lines)
When I See Your Likeness (Psalm 17)
When I see Your likeness, My soul will be satisfied. When I behold the nailprints Of the One who was crucified, (lines 1-4 of 10 lines)
The Apple of Your Eye (Psalm 17) You keep me, dear Lord, as the apple of Your eye. You delight in me, Jehovah, El Shaddai. You guard my pathway by day and by night, (lines 1-4 of 10 lines)
Section Five “New Wine, Old Wineskins”
THE LORD, OUR GOD, IS FAITHFUL (TUNE: “LEAD ON, O KING ETERNAL”)
1. The Lord, our God, is faithful. In times of deep distress, We know He's right beside us. We trust His righteousness. He cannot break His promises; His Word shall never end. The Lord will fight our battles; On Him we can depend. (one of four stanzas)
SOLILOQUY OF LOVE (TUNE: “GRANDFATHER CLOCK”)
Your name is engraved in the palms of My hands, And your prayers are close to My heart. Your voice I would know from a far, distant land. May our souls never grow apart. (lines 1-4 of 10 lines)
Section Six: Tributes
The Cost of Freedom
As just a youth you traveled To distant, troubled shores, Relinquished friends and family To open freedom’s doors. (one of 6 stanzas, to a WWII vet)
Lincoln's Legacy
"Four score and seven years ago," Begins a speech we all love so. Lincoln's words, so very fine, Have echoed through the halls of time. (stanza one of seven)
In Remembrance of Columbine The Columbine, so precious, Adorns our old Southwest. Each day she greets her neighbors, Dressed in her Sunday best.
But beauty, charm, and fragrance Were not enough one day… (It has six more lines.)
Mujer de Virtud (Proverbios 31:10)
Cuidaba a los niños-- con sonrisa. SatisfacÍa necesidades de su esposo-- con sonrisa.
(stanza 1 of six—written for a cousin in Mexico)
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About the Book
Dawn Escoto has always loved poetry. She grew up on it—hearing readings as well as reading, memorizing, and writing poetry. Her mother taught her to appreciate the nineteenth-century American poets, especially Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
As an adult, Emily Dickinson became one of her favorites. But Escoto doesn’t really copy any particular poet; instead, she studies techniques from various writers and has created her own voice. Poetry runs through her veins. All of her siblings, along with cousins on both sides of the family, write poetry. She has published three volumes of poems on endangered species, under the title Going, Going, Gone.
Her journey as a poet began at age eight and has continued throughout her life. Since 1994 she has written over forty collections, with emphases on hymns; psalms set to music; words of encouragement; celebration of holidays and special occasions; synopses of sermons; tributes to heroes, family, and friends; endangered animals; flowers and birds; limericks; and more. This volume of poems contains examples from Garlands of Grace, Millennial Messages, Divine Sentiments, Then Sings My Soul, New Testament Psalms, New Wine, Old Wineskins, Children’s Choruses, and Tributes to Courage. It is her hope that these poems will draw you heavenward in worship of the One she exalts in her life and in her writings.
About the Author
Ms. Escoto taught English and world languages for thirty-six years in the U.S. and for three years in Africa. She has also had the privilege of traveling to eighteen countries and teaching ESL or Bible in eight of them. She is active in her church, serving in choir and on a board as well as making cards for the terminally ill and grieving. She enjoys using her gifts of teaching and writing to build up believers and speak to hurting hearts.