AFTER… a poem

overlooking view of mountains and sunrise

Subsequent to dying

I took a little tour

And discovered

All that I’d missed

And just a little more

The beauty within colors

That paint the morning sky

A field of flowers

All in bloom

Upon a mountainside

Precious little children

So dependent

And so sweet

Coo and smile

All the while

They play at momma’s feet

Fish within the ocean

Varieties – every kind

Birds so small

I’d have missed them all

If I hadn’t died

Creatures hiding in the bush

Some up in the trees

If only I had seen them

Before I sprouted wings

And while you do not hear me

My words are in the wind

Always say I love you

For we all come to an end

EIGHT DAYS FROM SOMEDAY… a poem

Eight days from someday

A quiet night on the cove

Beneath the eyes

Of a moon so high

With no mention of snow

—

A beach that’s living in my dreams

Perhaps it will come true

Eight days from someday

A time for me and you

—

Your blue eyes sparkle, and they shine

Reflecting like the moonlight

Off the gentle lapping waves

Paradise, awe… just right

—

But here we are awaiting

For that future to come true

Eight days from someday

And I’ll spend it all with you

silhouette of palm tree at night time

TO YOU AND YOUR GIFT… a Christian song

Slipping through crevices and cracks in my life

How do I make one more day

Rolling with punches

While holding on tight

It’s time I kneel down and pray

~~~

Father, won’t you help me

I’ve fallen again

Somehow, I veered off the road

To wrestle with judgement

And all – to what end

It’s not how to live – So, I’m told

Forgive me, again, as the web that I weave

Takes me further and further off-pace

In this prayer I lift

To You and Your Gift

Knowing, I’m not alone in this race

~~~

Failing at marriage

And failing with friends

Perhaps this old mirror

Is lying again

Taking me down

The old devil’s at hand

Arresting my virtue

Destroying this man

~~~

But, I have a weapon

And Satan’s aware

Though trying to con-fuse my way

Forgiveness and loving

Without this despair

Will set this road again – straight

~~~

Father, won’t you help me

I’ve fallen again

Somehow, I veered off the road

To wrestle with judgement

And all – to what end

It’s not how to live – So, I’m told

Forgive me, again, as the web that I weave

Takes me further and further off-pace

In this prayer I lift

To You and Your Gift

Knowing, I’m not alone in this race

In this prayer I lift

To You and Your Gift

Knowing, I’m not alone in this race

Redwood National Park, California

WINGS… a poem/ballad

It was just an old shirt and worn out old hat

Folded up and sitting on a shelf

The last time I touched em

Was when I moved to this house

And that was a few years ago

***

She was so curious exploring all the time

As she wondered from room to room

Looking for treasures, at least in her mind

Hoping to find something new

***

I was sitting on the porch swing enjoying the day

Sipping on a glass of sweet tea

When my little granddaughter came laughing my way

Saying, “Papa… Look what I found!  Do you see?”

***

And I thought that my heart would jump out of my chest

When I saw what granddaughter wore

It was all I could do to hold back the tears

While emotions constricted my core

***

She jumped on my lap and hugged me so tight

While the tears escaped down my face

She never knew her mother

But the resemblance was strong

And my mind went to another place

***

“Papa, what’s wrong?  Why are you crying?”

She said as she hugged me again

I said, “These were your mother’s.” 

As I pointed to the clothes

You remind me of her way back when

***

We sat for awhile

And listened to the birds

And watched as the wind blew the leaves

I said a silent prayer

And looked up to Heaven

Where I know my daughter has wings

Angel, Woman, Wing, Female, Angel Figure

ODE TO A FRIEND… short song

I sing this dirge to my long-lost best friend

The times that we had were grand

The womens and boozes

And afternoon snoozes

Were a hell of a life for this man

—

But you left before me

Though you said you’d not go

And you’d wait for your friend of many years

Now I toast to your grave

Oh, the mess that you made

Now, I’m left with these memories and tears

Man Walking on Green Grass

THE FOOL… a silly poem

At breakneck speed

He rounded that curve

Slinging up dust

Some cursing was heard

~~~

Faster and faster

Did his tennis shoes tread

Don’t you dare slow down

Or you will end up dead

~~~

With broom in hand

She pursued his sorry soul

Caught him kissing on her sister

Now to the ground he’s gonna roll

~~~

Her parents tried to tell her

That he wasn’t worth her time

Hindsight’s 20/20

When they cross that line

~~~

But something’s got to give

Before this day is through

I wouldn’t want to be him

When she catches that fool

man running along seashore during golden hour