Love lets go
of whatever it must
in order to remain loving.

When he speaks, I hear the sound,
a president who's been around
speaking of the wife with cankle
not that she could care to rankle

Yo, BT, he fights for freedom
Rocky would be pleased to meet him
late at night when lights are lunar
on the road back home, a crooner

fools rush in, no longer Bing
the king of rock, old Pop can sing
a whispered line from any song
but suddenly I'm in the wrong

and one tough stooge I hear he bought a
tommy gun, and "why I oughta"
tell you something you don't know
it's Ahnold Schwanal ** dee doe

and then another voice will join
it's Raymond with his tenderloin
this sailor's gal has quite a name
he cooks his spinach in the same

a wealthy man on distant isle
who's wife is Lovey, makes me smile
Every single voice he's got
is good but when he's best it's not

the person he'll impersonate
but his own voice...it's getting late
but wait, there's more, but I am spent
on telling of the way it went

or so it goes and what'll come
the truth is, well, I love the ***

One dude's short, the other's tall
both are slim and that's not all
both are fat and both are jerky
both named Jim, I'd rather turkey.

What is it? It's Slim Jims. Yuck. Beef Jerky with Nitrates and heavy on sodium,  I saw the Perky Jerky, (it's Turkey Jerky) at Home Depot and I had to have it. Lower Sodium. Good source of protein. Lightweight. and NO Nitrates!

I'm messing with your heartstrings and you're feelin' out of tune
"FROM NOW ON NO ONE TOUCHES THESE!", you cry out to the moon
You're safe and sound concealed, packed within your hard-shell case
protected by a shield from the hitch, forget the chase.

And maybe you are best alone, a hard-shell case like me
prefer your friends to lovers, seems the way it ought to be
you've learned to tune your heartstrings to the symphony of life
rather than be messed with by a heavy handed wife.

Well I've got something to tell you, which I've learned along the way
and I hope this golden nugget's gonna bless your heart today
though life's a hard-core teacher, take a chance and fail a test,
you'd be wise to save your heartstrings for the one who'll play them the best.

Well they call me Uncle Rumpkin
my body's just a pumpkin
my hat, the pointed core
with a smile, I deliver
warm you up when you shiver
leave me lighted on the floor

Hey  I'm not a nasty fellow
in fact I'm rather mellow
an ordinary guy
on the porch, a Jack-0-lantern
with a torch, but the man turns
and I'm churned into a pie!

and I
would rather die
a broken shell smashed in the street
to be a trick, over a treat
for all your kids
who'd rather eat

well my face is close to human
my teeth can almost chew men
though I'm not that kinda dude
in the end when our eyes meet
you will see who's the pie's meat
when they're servin' up the food!

Golden words penned long ago
when I was young and zesty
occupied with lofty things
perhaps a lot less testy.

That which clouds my vision
tragic losses which destroyed
sweet perceptions
dark deceptions
left me underjoyed.

Of boyfriends unattainable
rejection would then smite
the hope of finding love,
which left me
just a bit uptight.

in the stretch to earn a living
well my boss is kind of rough
In trying to say something nice I'm on ice
'cause she's hard-headed, driving, and tough.

The high cost of living and then there's the tax
puts a strain on my old bank account
but that backbiting back-riding queen battleaxe
can jump from the ground to the mount.

and every day's the same old thing
like a hamster on the wheel
the same old thing is looking old
and I’m feeling cold as steel.

but still I ignore the passing of time
and balance hard work with clean fun
and believing that this is as good as it gets
I'll settle for less than the one.

seeking distraction from everything dull
and attracted to that which you are
I read self help books while you eats what I cooks
and you're lost in the Harper's Bazaar.

My cellulite was ill replete
and disappointments grew
and long before the smog moved in
it choked the thrill from you.

and out of this stress comes the need to digress
so we sleep and we play and we drink
and we drain our desires and ***** up our wires
and leave our *** life on the brink.

Simple amusements, the clutter of things
common to man and his beast
from the pretense of knowledge and so many things
to the Thanksgiving holiday feast.

And now we're blown out, you lie and I shout
there's a palpable distance that's haunted
I long for the day that you'll hold me and say
I was always the THE ONE that you wanted.

But now mediocre, you opt to play poker
and run with a sweat-pool of stink
and hoping to find something good on the street
in the morning you feel like a fink.

Left to your own devices
sleeping soundly, your heart's one desire
for passion it waits, while the office debates
and will do so until you expire.

Displacing my anger I'm less satisfied
and will never see straight, as you'll see
my own crooked finger was put through the wringer
and now it points straight back at me.

At the end of the day, it could go either way
much like at the end of this song
Well I write for a while then I sink to a smile
when I think how you draw me along.

Well we came with a story, a beautiful poem,
unheard verses locked deep in our soul
and to way to discover what's locked in a lover
find the key that will fit the keyhole.

Must we all be inspired? Seems like that's how I'm wired
I've got something to share, but it seems
that I still blame myself for what sits on the shelf
unreleased from my closet of dreams.

From rejection to strife, anger cuts like a knife
and it tore at the door to my pride
it was then your sweet voice through the keyhole rejoiced
and released the deadbolt from inside.

So now I can tell you just what's on my mind
I am corny and weird and unkind, sometimes
but I say what I feel 'cause i know what is real
and it sure beats what I left behind.

Thought the answer was finding the right key
for the words and the music to roll
but the Master unlocking life's sweet mystery
is the Love sown in each others soul.

For any time the urge to wring
an autumn gourd, this one's the thing
Smashing pumpkins, not so nice
but Butternut Squash, an honest vice

Long and beige, hard and smooth
you'd never guess it's power to sooth
that underneath the toughest skin
is meat like pumpkin, seeds within

A steamy bisque for autumn's chill,
peel and chop them as you will
Dump them into four cups broth*
add apple, pear, or applesauce

a cup or two will do just fine
and while you stand there, have some wine!
sautee onions, a cup and a half
dump them in and cry or laugh

and now to add your seasoning stuff
cumin, curry, nutmeg, Fluff
hold the Fluff, that ain't the truth
best to pull that old sweet tooth

Bisque is savory, better than sweet
warms the cockles, heart to feet
save your sweets for pumpkin pie
the after-apple of your eye

Back to seasonings, see above
a quarter teaspoon, more with love
I add pepper and take a gander
some folks call for coriander

heat the whole thing to a boil
for me, my crock ***'s always loyal
crock at high, about four hours
or low for six, and bring some flowers!

And now I'll play a little game
change my words to mean the same
if cook is butter and ****** is squash
then butter dat ****** and ****** dat gnosh

when you're hungry, under the wudder
ain't nuttin' better 'en butternut chudder
add some cream and squash your mash
mash your squash and whip your pash

I used a blender to make it creamy
cooked it down, so thick and steamy
add some butter, parsley's fine
butternut bisque with bread and wine!

Ahhhh!!!!!

*chicken broth

Ginger ale, coke, lemon and lime
Don’t have a watch, can't tell you the time
Iced Coffee with milk, no sugar for me.
Don’t care for sweeteners, prefer caffeine-free
used to drink Yoohoo, but can't seem to hold it
Once owned a Ford Falcon, but somebody stole it

My father is cool, he trims up the hedges
Mom's kind of smooth, but rough 'round the edges
Once found a seashell, put it to my ear
all I heard was a-guzzlin' beer
guzzling beer, not what I expected
had me a Mexican, but soon he defected

Looked for him everywhere,thought he was nappin'
But he'd hit the pavement, hirotchees were slappin'
Somebody told me he's back in Borrero
fryin' up churros in a fancy sombrero
next time i move, gonna keep it professional
hire a crew, and avoid the confessional

Dined on raw fish with a *****, beguiled
'Till he told me he'd die before having my child
Excuse me, I told him, I think you're mistaken
I'd rather have triplets by **** Clay Aiken
Been burned before,but I'm still kind of shocky
Swallowed my pride and swore off the Saki

Low and behold, a dude who says "Schmat-zah"
unorthodox fella, who can't stomach mat-zo
Head full of curls nice Hebrew diction
believes in his heart aliens are nonfiction.
He ain’t into me, prefers to be single
Made sure my milk and his meat didn't mingle

Stopped into Quick-chek to get me a bite
met up with Manny who put up a fight
mountain of misery, terrible liar
asked for a bike and he gave me a tire
Flattened but patched my heart isn't aching
I think it's a sign the thing was worth breaking

The back roads to Red Bank are bumpy and narrow
******* the bones but good for the marrow
I looked at the clouds, shook out the lining
can't see the forest for all of my pining.
Ironic that shells echo the sea
the old man batters 'em mercilessly

Mets beat the Yankees,what can I say?
Wanted for nothing, nothing got in my way
Got up to stretch, fell through the bleacher
and into the arms of a snake oil preacher.
Tinctures and ointments and warming love salve
can't erase hurt and the memories I have

Heard it before, how time is medicinal
But for healing the heart the price is additional
Beat for beat and measure for measure
grapes of gall and fermenting displeasure
tasted enough to know this can't be real
while mashing my heart in the search engine wheel

In taking that road to that carn-evil ground
for one lonely toad on the hairy-go-round,
something was lost in the folly and fun
as I'm counting the cost for all that I've done
I reach for forgiveness and snatched from the ride
am taken to places where nothing can hide

in the light of the One who is no longer mad
better than anything, more fun than sad
eternally loved, as it was from the start
the past is forgiven, all's well with my heart
as for my heroes, and the ***** I've pained
Nothing is lost and everything gained

Ginger ale, coke, lemon and lime
I've gotta watch now and won't give you the time.

De las Casas records in stark numbers the genocide that took place under Columbus and the Spaniards, writing that when he first came to Hispaniola in 1508, "there were 60,000 people living on this island, including the Indians; so that from 1494 to 1508, over three million people had perished from war, slavery, and the mines. Who in future generations will believe this? I myself writing it as a knowledgeable eyewitness can hardly believe it...."[80]

Columbus and his brothers lingered in jail for six weeks before busy King Ferdinand ordered their release. Not long after, the king and queen summoned the Columbus brothers to the Alhambra palace in Granada. There the royal couple heard the brothers' pleas; restored their freedom and wealth; and, after much persuasion, agreed to fund Columbus's fourth voyage. But the door was firmly shut on Columbus's role as governor. Henceforth Nicolás de Ovando y Cáceres was to be the new governor of the West Indies

Got the brand new budget inspiration blues
I'm gonna spend my money any old way I choose
come the first I'll pay the rent
Lord knows that money's heaven sent
and anyway you add it up you just can't lose
when you're payin with the brand new budget Inspiration Blues...

Got into an accident last week
Bust my craw
wired my jaw
now I can hardly speak
I don't care about the wreck
I'm waitin on that insurance check
but that Chevy I plowed into
well...it ain't no hit and run
'cause I'll be payin out the yin yan till it's 1991.

You were still asleep
        when from music I awakened
                to a sudden gale
And to my delight
      chimes played wildly in the night
                 wind is slicing wooden rail

Got me out of bed
       frozen in my sleepy head
                   clinging to the words
Could I keep this song?
      write the lyrics all night long?
                  theme for lonesome birds

stood to stretch and see
    caught a glimpse,  eternity
                 moon was center stage
sparkling diamonds perched
         far out in the universe
                glitter snow on page

beyond ice laden trees
    snow had nature on it's knees
          mean subzero chill
Funny just today
      sun broke icicles away  
           outside window sill        

Winter snow then ice
      weather man's advice, not a
                 time to drive alone
Not to drive at all!
         would be a better call to
               hunker down at home

Opened up the door
             chilled my carcass to the core
                   music of the snow.
Back inside again
         in the warmth of down and friend
                I decided to forgo

Winter lullaby
        soothes and lures a tired eye
                           back to dreamy home
Hearing starts to fade
       while wind chimes serenade
                           long and winded poem

He takes her love to meet his need
this bachelor is a selfish breed
she'll tolerate his cruelty for affection;
She's walked on eggshells, feeling sad
and breaking down she sees her dad
but why the anger, why all the correction?

Locked inside her cloud of love
so aimlessly she'll float above
the memories- each time his rage exploded;
and never being good enough
perplexed at why he seems so gruff
when only yesterday he swooned and doted.

She, the ever-loving type
would jump to fix his every gripe
and dance around him while his heart was hurtin'
believing then, "it must be me"
the source of all his angst, you see
but now she knows the truth, of this she's certain.

Taking one last chance she'll try
to reach out to this troubled guy
and longing to become his heart's desire
staged to win his softer side
she'll do her best to smile and hide
the fear, this saintly dear, her heart's a liar.

Never will there ever be
a stable point where they are free
to be, although she'd hoped their love was certain;
the disapproval in his eyes
is something she should recognize
it's been disguised until the final curtain

Though it's easy to speak of great joy and remember my Savior
I am baffled sometimes yet amused by my own strange behavior
I know,  like rawhide I can be rather rough
sand the edges, I've tried, but enough is enough
Let's just cut with the gruff and hang onto the stuff that we favor.

somewhere between nothing and something I'm feeling indifference
to spare you the details I speak in the vagueness of inference.
It's not everyday that we love and we lose
but it happened to me and it's time that I choose
so I'm taking a break cause at stake is my peace and my patience.

I stand at the doorway of reason and see that I'm failing
I know that it's not the right season but want to go sailing.
the edge of the keel will cut through the ice
and time out for healing is always so nice
so besides your advice I will take what is best for my ailing.

Let me drift though the sorrow and sort through the things that I'm feeling
and back here tomorrow I'll help you to paint up the ceiling.
you find yourself working and that is the way
you hold it together and get through the day
but I pray that in play we will both find a good kind of healing.

We all have to cope with these things and we know that it's coming
our lives are like houses, emotions are just like the plumbing.
you plan it all out and try not to rush
keep the lines clear and remember to flush
but all of my gripes are like pipes, clogged and so unbecoming.

Though it's easy to speak of great joy and remember my Savior
I'm baffled sometimes yet amused by my own strange behavior

i feel the density
the scarcity
of being me
not one to wait around
but suddenly this girl's a tree

of void
hey now let's contemplate
half empty?
no, half full today
congested is my current state
the chips fall
anywhere they may

i want to whisper
and have nothing coming
from the place of  (sigh)
I want a glimpse of what its like
to have the thought erase
and ( sigh)

I am not asking
to be mute, though you may
entertain the thought
be nice to simply hear
not what I'm thinking
more like what you've got.

i feel the silence
hear the sound  
inside my head it's humming
not short of pleasant but
much better to accompany
your strumming.

a conversation taking
place
an understanding in my soul
an instrument of perfect grace
i'll hand it to you
make me whole

forgive my talking  
nightlights glimmer
something i can't shake
my longing dear
is just to simmer
down to give and take

I love the feeling
when you're moved
about my bellyache
your comfort's soothing
teabag something
makes my honey quake

not knowing how or when
or why or is just the way it sometimes goes
to trust an answer
never comes
but known to God
whose loving shows..

steam from the coffee ***
brings more than this
it's coffee's kiss
beans roast by foreign hands
in foreign lands
brought me to this...
XO

I don't know how to tell you friend
don't feel like sayin' much at all
these days my words seem make-pretend
perhaps my pride before the fall

It's not unusual for me
to write a song without regard
for all the souls in misery
to play the sap, or happy card

but now I know just how it feels
wet sand is cold like soft concrete
and I can sit and dig my heels
'til burying my loathsome feet

and standing now without a keel
high tide they say, is coming in
I dig to break the salty seal
to free my legs to walk again....

unsocial social butterfly
finds a sunlit place to rest
the lightest breeze will pass her by
and stir again the vacant nest

she's seen a fairly ugly past
hung in, the pillar of her peers
and now the warming rays alas
will dry her bitter butter tears

and staring now, just down below
the spider's web has never freed
but pitched a battle, awesome show
which spoke again to butter's need

The words we tend to weave within
dark thoughts can surely build a wall
to block the sun and thickly spin
our pride, so fierce before the fall...

and caterpiller's stiff cocoon
gave place for wings like silk adorned
with patterns, colored matching moons
in darkened place her future formed

I speak in words, which make it real
the stuff,  it all comes pouring out
a substance formed and packed with zeal
for all the things I talk about

but some not nice have taken flight
and reaching, caught within your net
like thunder in your morning; light
I spoke too soon and now regret

sometimes I tend to overthink
and miss the point, that awesome prize
I sleep, awaken,  eat and drink
yet somehow came to realize

That YOU, my very precious one
sweet salty butterfly of grace
a brand new life has finally come
and gee, I LOVE that butter face!

It's not unusual for me
to write a song without regard
for all the souls in misery
to play the sap, or happy card

but more unusual to write
a poems which ends without a word
the butterfly in silent flight
the sweetest thing I've ever heard.... :)

Coughing up the phlegm
I've come to realize, this big surprise
no longer can I keep it to myself
Stuff like this can grow inside the body
and it's snotty
but you need to know the facts now for yourself.

and if the sputum's yellow,
be assured that it is viral
but can spiral
into something worse
a curse or so they say
so take the time to rest
and yes,
drink water and some juice
and for a boost,
vitamin C, 1000 mgs
just twice a day.

and by all means
take your cold to Walgreen, Eckerts, CVS, or Rite Aid,
where there's medicines that might aid and I might add
many brands that you can choose from~
Robitussin stops your fussin'
Advil Sinus for your highness,
by and far my favored Nyquil night-time
is the stuff I get my snooze from

if you've got a fever and it's green
you're infected, should be seen
do not delay if it is grey
or other colors of the day
because these bugs are nasty
downright mean!

cozy up with Vicks upon your chest
mentholatum tends to clear the passage best
a little dab will also do
beneath the nares it is true
external balms and lotions help you rest.

a clean humidifier by the bed
keeps the moisture in your tissues
and that said
keep a box of Kleenex near
the softest kind will feel most dear
and place your favorite pillow 'neath your head.

It's good to keep some chicken soup on hand
it's value has been known throughout the land
keep the heat on, be a ***** and
and crack the window just a pinch
and try to sleep as much as you can stand.

in time you will recover from this hell
your symptoms will subside and you can tell
but be sure to keep your guard up,
avoid crowds
and don't be hard up,
just insist they keep their distance,
and stay well!

Caught a glimmer of joy in his eyes, icy cold
as I left on that bus, he was smiling,
though the memory's quite old and the shimmer has dulled,
it's a full-color framed, out of filing.

Sepia pictures more often I hold
old negatives covered in grime
it's a shame, though foretold, that we're all growing old
with limited space and less time.

Considering self, I'm content on that shelf,
with my picture fresh smile set in stone
just like Walter Mitty, whose lost in a city
of thought, I am mostly alone.

Despite all the charm which my countenance exudes,
these tattered old blinds can't conceal
soft light filters truth from my cheap platitudes
and the good from the dark stuff I feel.

Over there in the closet, a huge bank deposit
I'm saving for something worth while
been trusting the Lord. yet can never afford
that 'single and lovin it' smile.

The clock on wall tells me just where I stand
and it's chime brings the heartache of doom
as the seconds tick by, I can't help but cry
all alone in my heart's old dark room.

Watching my step, I tread deep within
without the desire to save face
I gaze at a skin, done by guilt of that sin
in the light of God's love and sweet grace.

Though my heart is your home I've n'er let You roam
through these passages marked 'Do Not Enter'
they lead to the room where the waft meets the loom
forming poems wherein I am the center.

The fabric you see in that heap seems to weep
burdened down with my aches and my pains
I've asked that you'd heal all this stuff while I sleep
but I wake and the damage remains

Your Spirit reminds me, at home in my heart
how you've taken my sin to the grave
it's your pleasure to clean up, yet I must forgive
and let go of the garbage I save.

Afraid now to look any further for fear
we'll discover the worst yet to come
You tell me to follow, for You hold me dear
since we're no longer two now but one.

Beginning to see how I'd lost all my hope
when I left on that bus in the rain
I forgive him for not being able to cope
without love and the will to remain.

You Lord, my comfort have been here within
you know how my heart is in shambles
You've rolled back the stone, I'm no longer my own
and you smile though my poetry rambles.

So welcome, my friend, yes it's been quite a while
since we've bathed in the sun and run free
got a mind for preserving your beautiful smile
in my state of the heart gallery!

when the dishwasher is running I feel like I am not alone here. Maybe I should just turn on the radio.

sometimes it's better to wish than to have what you might
       for wishing gives wings to the promise of things
           and brings hope as you move toward the flight
so you do what you must, have to clean out the rust
                feel the thrill which is building inside
            as  you wait for the air which will lift you from there
                   to the place where more wishes reside...

In my box, with rictus grin
they could not straighten with a pin~
I lay before my friends and folks
and seemed to smile at silent jokes~

and some did wonder, what was planned
but little could they understand
how I looked on from up above
and hovered over those I love~

it all went off without a hitch
the biker said I was a *****
and with that word, the motley crew,
they blocked the doors so none passed through~

They dimmed the lights, to set the mood
and turned the music down to 'brood'
and every guest then took a seat
and fanned the sweat of stinky feet.

The biker wiped his eyes, and said,
'It's very hard to see her dead,
but it should come as no surprise,
that Nagi, with her smiling eyes,

made this request of all her friends,
and here's the list, and there's some pens.
She'd like you all to listen, while
her written works are read 'in style'.

And if one title strikes a note
of relevance, is what she wrote,
then jot it down and pass it to
the one beside you in the pew.

and at the end of every row
stood someone with a basket though
it wasn't clear where this would go
my friends and family had to know

the basket filled to overflowing
you read the one you picked, not knowing
I was watching from on high
and busting out, my old laugh-cry

'Twas several hours that had passed
and people dying to be gassed
Could this one be the very last?
the final poem that Nagi cast?

The friends and folk of my rich past
applauded, it was done at last!
and headed for the open air,
and as they reached the doorway there~

a book was handed to each guest
My dying wish, you'd all be blessed,
and finally you would have, to own,
a coffee table book, a tome

And every poem I ever wrote
contained within the pages, note
the title, it was all my own
'The Forced Readings of
Nagi Ramone.'

let me get the lyrics right
i wrote 'em on the bus the night
i'd had enough and left him for the city
he sat me down there on the floor
'cause all the seats were sold before
and i don't mind, I'm fine, so save your pity

and as he turned, I saw him smile
and more relieved with every mile
"it's for the best" was just the way I heard it
hollowed by the cold and shame
the wounded heart, it places blame
or tries to make you think that you deserved it.

and as the lonely hour passed
I caught him in the looking glass
the driver, he reminded me of Poppy
He'd shown us mercy, must have sensed
the urgency and hurt condensed
beneath the smiles, the goodbye kiss so choppy.

It didn't really matter though
Slid down this mountain in the snow
and one last ride beside it was exciting
and wiping tears with my coat sleeve
last night he asked me not to leave
but we were just so tired of all the fighting

and as I sat there in a haze
my purple mind reviewed the days
since marriage hell had swallowed up my joy
As everything I'd done before
so blindly trusting, nothing more
mistaken for true love, I wed the boy.

but from that point, the veil was lifted
I was lame and he was gifted
or so that was the way that it all appeared
and so I bought the lie each day
to be a good wife come what may
and hold in my contentions for I feared

that he was right and I was wrong
and we had nothing all along
a thought beyond that which I could conceive
and rather than just cut our losses
pack it in and tell The Boss, he
opted then to cheat and then deceive.

And thinking he could do no wrong
I wrote this stupid little song
as though the man was faithful to the end
strange that he had left behind
a trail of clues for me to find
but at the time, a comfort to pretend.

And down in Denver it became
so clear to me, he had to blame
another woman, could it be, was waiting?
I didn't have the energy
to see more of the worst in me
decided, there and then that he was dating.

Misery loves company
the woman sitting next to me
had something going on with her digestion
I'd like to say she burped a lot
and as it was she slurped a lot
but either way, I moved at her suggestion.

And every stop was getting worse
the seats were reeking of the curse
and three days penance was the price for freedom
and then my final destiny
Grand Central Station was to me
the answer to my prayers, that's where I'd meet 'em.

with a heavy heart and broken pride
we come to places deep inside
but older now, we see the lies and shed them.
I made the choice, against advice
of parents who are rather nice
and saw through all the heat and vice,
with wisdom.

I see the young ******* the bus
she didn't drink and couldn't cuss
unless the moon was full on with her saddness
and then she'd turn and rant and get
to marinating in regret
and have a few to mellow out the madness.

had she known what she knows now
or I should say, what I know now
I would have taken flight before that bus
I would have come back home that summer
met my friend, and what a ******
saved myself three days of stink and fuss.

save it for a better day
another heart will come my way
and in the end it's just another story.
Another chapter that was read
He breathed new life into the dead
and cleaned it up and now it's for His Glory

Minding our own
barely making it rhyme,
it's all coming out
there's dust in the drought
but the rain comes in time.

Nothing held back
I've got nothing to say,
let it roll off my shoulders
puts less your mind
and it's better that way.

And isn't this nice?
you like hot tea on ice
thank you, yes, I can follow directions
so please don't think twice.
And isn't this great?
we can stay out real late
watching millions of sparkling stars
while you're lickin' that plate?

I said nothing at all
it's that horse in the stall
my foot fell asleep but I'm not gonna weep
I can drag it or crawl.

Now the wind's in the trees
and your hand's on my knees
and the warmth of your breath on my neck
puts my tired mind at ease.

All I wanted
      porch
                    swing
            rhythm
 ­   back
              and
        forth
        with you babe
                         All I needed
                          porch
                 swing
        rhythm
back
       and
                  forth
                with you.

Minding our own
barely making it rhyme,
it's all coming out
and there's dust in the drought
but the rain comes in time
Distracted, it's true
idle chatter won't do
Better nothing to say
put the music on play
and be quiet
with you.

Somewhere in this place
I came around
Someone spoke a word
into my soul
Somewhere in this house
my heart was found
Someone took the reigns
and made me whole

cause I've been running
so long now
changing horses
switching plows
mending fences
milking cows
chasing varmint
from the fields
charming farmhouse
harvest yields
and plenty more
of what is everything I need.

this old life
out here
just what the doctor called for dear
for there's no time like the present
which gets better every year
no time clock to keep the hours
and as for lunch we'll sit 'til three
let the sunrise til it sets  
because we work for you and me.

Keep the cowboy
coyote calls
guard my mind
from stumbles and falls
take the plug out
from the wall
listen close
for natures call
love is near
just hold her steady
cut some slack
and take my side
easy does it
Trust our Maker
take a rest
and let her ride.

Somewhere in this place
I came around
Someone spoke a word
into my soul
Somewhere in this house
my heart was found
Someone took the reigns
and made me whole

The other day I phoned a friend, I shan't be usin' names
"Not alright, I tell ya, Gee, my eyeball's shootin' flames!"
"Owie! Owie! Owie! Oh!, Chiliman I like ya so
do tell me what has happened though I know you will be well"

"While chopping jalapenos without the proper guise
I washed my hands both 'fore and aft' but much to my demise
I went to pop my contact in and soon would realize
a flaming side of poppers and a sizzling batch of fries!"

Well I knew he wasn't faking and it took me by surprise
that my heart was feeling something which I couldn't minimize
he must have sensed me crying, guess it opened up his eyes...........
(that awkward length of silence which one-sided love implies)

and sensing he could break me down, I felt I must disguise
so I layered up and told him, "I've got onions in my eyes!"
"Woe is you and oh so woe, Gee girl how I like you so
tell me what has happened though I know you will be well."

"While chopping up the onions without the proper guise
I washed my hands before and aft' but much to my demise
can't blame me now for hoping we could do without the lies
But I'm just a bloomin' onion and I need to guard my...eyes."

And with the sharin' of the troubles and the things that caused us pain
there's comfort in the knowing, for what else have we to gain?
But if I lose you then tomorrow, because today I have been real
Best I learned another thing, to hold back what I feel.

And when everything which must be added is put in the Chili-man's crock
a five-to-one hand wash of water and bleach is best to avoid pepper shock.

The last he spoke he said it all
he said your back was to the wall.
and far from being her best friend
a man who'd rather see it end

You just can't argue
with his truth
it's just his way, for in his youth
He dreamed of places
make-pretend
big open spaces
where he'd spend
In long embraces
hours on end
through fields chasing closest friend.
but that's not how
it's gonna go
he won't reaping what you sow.

Born at night
but not last night
I see the problem with his plight
He wants to make
the pieces fit
complete the scene his mind has writ
but forcing love
to take it's place
to glue the pieces down, a waste
just take a picture
make it last
'cause that one will be fading fast
Let her go
and shut the door
Sow true love and reap far more.

the last we spoke
I said it all
my tendency to blame the fall
and all the angst
scorned love could spare
on fires of Hell, which can't compare
how well I argue
with the truth
it's been that way since troubled youth

I dreamed of forests
not pretend
of wooded hollows with my friend
where trees grew tall
but wind could bend
where fires could rage but love would send
the rain which hastens
souls to mend
that's not our story, so, The End.

everybody got a big house
everybody got an acre
...at least
everybody got a 2 story
foyer
and a fancy staircase
...no lease!
everybody got a new car
everybody need a 2 car
everybody got a S--U--V
except for
you
and
me
'cause we live fancy free

we got our small house
we got our backyard
we got our big sky
so high
stars fly
we got our TV
it was a free-bee
we got our used car, a die-hard
but we don't drive far

not everybody is a bootleg
not everybody has a full keg
not everybody got a two legs
or even one leg to stand on

not everybody got a washer
not everybody got a dryer
and then you gotta have a friend
or at least a lot of quarters

and we've got family
like everybody
though many don't
we have our health
and that's enough
it's all the same stuff
life's one big cream puff
and we can choose
to win or lose
to binge or *****
no matter who's
got more of what
it's just enough.

and in all fairness
with this awareness
we have all this
and so much bliss
we shouldn't brag
and much less rag
whose got it rough
and all that stuff...
it's just enough
more than enough

a
hi
and
hello
are nice
words to
begin a chat
but sometimes
I can become a little
over-wordy preparing the
segue, pronounced Segway, aptly
named for the two wheeled transporter
in which a single person gets around like on
a dolly in the standing up position, but while all of
this clarification is going on here, I will suddenly have an
itch and scratch my nose and then I may sneeze  and
forget what it was I had wanted to say in the first
place and well, I simply just have to say some
little thing and forgive me for saying so,
and not for nothing but something
strange happened recently that
caused me to think a new
thought and the thing
that occurred to me
is that while the
poem is for
everyone,
that it's
really
for
me
and I
am not
saying that
it could not  be
for anyone else and
in fact you can have at it
but the fact remains that it
was something that sprung up
out of a certain nervousness and fatigue
it continues to almost write it-
self into something of a silly
waffling exercise of sort
which, in truth means
nada,nothing, zero,
zilch and nuttin'
however, were
it to bring a
smile or
frown
It is
ok
you
see, I
like to
think it as
part of my
creative bent
to find a pattern
and I understand
that most people may
avoid this kind of irritation
and if that is the case, please feel free
to stop right here> right here or
allow me to bring this last
thought to a proper
closing and that
it will take the
last words
to make
it look
right
for
U.

Bye!

Snuggled in Downey, five-hundred thread county, creating,
in brushed cotton flannel she's sewn his panels, he's waiting
when down in the subway he sits on a nail
and jumping up, empties his cup on the rail
the coppers subdue him, and drag him to jail, parading.

Stripped to the drawers for a search they discovered the flannel
panel
when asked of the man who had frozen his can in the English
channel
he gave them the name of his seamstress and then
discovered that inside the panel was penned,
a note from the woman who goes by Sangwen de Lemanel:

"If you find this it means you have bust loose the seams of your winsulation
come back to my shack, I'll be happy to tack without hintsulation
of course, if by chance, you'd be wanting some scones
while I fix up your pants, you can warm up your bones
and I'll double the thickness and strength for your own consolation".

Though the note in the pants, at a glance, hardly worth the debating
somewhat cryptic in places, suggested the seamstress was dating
could it be that this maiden with needle and thread
was hiding an inmate who'd recently fled
it was suspect, her stitch-work, a cover: abetting and aiding.

Intent upon solving the case of the note in the panel
Sherlock Dannel rode down to the seamstress and brought her some flannel
"I've sewn quilts, without guilt, for the queen, rest her soul,
and the king wore my hats, though his head had a hole
but the rest of my work will attest to my innocence, Dannel".

And Sherlock, so taken with Sangwen, whose voice was sedating
missed the gist of her kiss, but the point of this pistol elating
"See I'm really quite good with a needle and thread
but in cases left traces of blood on the dead
when my needles were shed from drawers of the bores who were waiting."

The man was immersed, but well versed in the curse of the smitten
he saw that this seamstress was shrewd and her verses well written
and hiding her needles and notes could avail
in busting loose criminals down at the jail
and if he had his way, on this day, in the pen she'd be knittin'

Skimming is like cheating
why bother to pretend?
so you can say you've read the book,
a mad rush to the end?

Best do like me, and start a few
and it's exactly what I do
before I will attack it, read
the back and jacket too.

I start in on the chapter list
and read it 'til I've got the gist,
a nice prologue and introduction
if omitted, sorely missed.

I take the words and read 'em over
what was meant, I try to gleen
and if no message was encoded
just what did the author mean?

I'll do the same on every page
until I understand, or age
and when I'm satisfied
unless I've died, I'll turn the page.

I will continue on that course
unless the author beats his horse
and gives me every reason, just to
end it there without remorse.

but if I'm thoroughly engaged
and my boredom not enraged
I must admit I've skimmed a chapter
in the crapper for the aged.

and if I make it to the chase
which has rarely been the case
I will mark it, and then park it
to allow it proper place.

The End

You were still asleep
        when from dreams I awakened
                to a sudden gale
And to my delight
      chimes played wildly in the night
                 wind is slicing wooden rail

Got me out of bed
       frozen in my sleepy head
                   clinging to the words
Could I keep this song?
      write the lyrics all night long?
                  theme for lonesome birds

stood to stretch and see
    caught a glimpse,  eternity
                 moon was center stage
sparkling diamonds perched
         far out in the universe
                glitter snow on page

beyond ice laden trees
    snow had nature on it's knees
          mean subzero chill
Funny just today
      sun broke icicles away  
           outside window sill        

Winter snow then ice
      weather man's advice, not a
                 time to drive alone
Not to drive at all!
         would be a better call to
               hunker down at home

Opened up the door
             chilled my carcass to the core
                   music of the snow.
Back inside again
         in the warmth of down and friend
                I decided to forgo

Winter lullaby
        soothes and lures a tired eye
                           back to dreamy home
Hearing starts to fade
       while wind chimes serenade
                           long and winded poem

"Alright!", I said. " I'll write all night"
while clinging to my coffee cup
but sleep my body could not fight
convinced my mind to give it up.

and mind came back with one swell punch
these thoughts won't keep until the day
but slumber promised body lunch
Just put it down, and back away!

These thoughts which long for font and pen
are stronger than fatigue's attack
and rising up will win again
just offer *** a midnight snack.

but sleep and hunger spoke their mind,
to mind and body, we are friend
we're just as smart as we are kind
without us both would be your end!

So sleep I do, it beckons me
before the midnight toll is nigh'
and eat my veggies one two three
and mind and *** are feeling high!

It would have been the grandest thing~
had we wed then, and bore offspring.

And they'd have grown to call you Pop~
and ask you for advice, but STOP...

Instead, we have the quiet life~
without the nonsense and the strife.

Without the blessed little things~
that parenthood most often brings.

The homemade gift and bedtime prayer~
the hug and kiss that shows you care.

The baseball games, the prom and date~
the stern word when she comes in late.

The BBQ for all her friends~
and be there when her marriage ends.

A shoulder in the worst of storms~
advice not taken reaps the throrns!

Family life, with all the bliss~
Instead our paths have come to this...

Your tears well up, please don't be sad
From now on, Babe, I'll call you ' Dad'.

Happy  Non-Father's Day

Wanting for something worth having and waiting around
having seems better but wanting is all that I've found.

Short and fat and blonde and stunning
the girl from Crestwood Village goes running
and when she chases the squirrels
they all run away...

Something struck me out of the blue
and cut my dorsal fin
worst pain I'll say I ever knew
guess it's due for mess I'm in

Thankfully, I am just fine
next time I'll be more careful
and watch out for the fisherman's line
and try to be more prayerful

This one's not that into fish
though fish he did one night
caught me hanging out beside
the boat to my delight.

He spoke to me as if I were
the chicken of the sea
and said some things I won't repeat
but took as flattery.

So play we did and had a ball
that fisherman and I,
I must say though, along the way
the man, he caught my eye.

He shared a couple of tales there
that I could scarce believe
'bout a women who had landed
that old heart upon on his sleeve.

Before the sun had set
I felt a certain sting of pain
he said, " Ya know if you were not a fish
I'd take you out again".

"I do appreciate the thought"
as I entertained the notion,
"so put me in some salt water here
or jump in to my ocean."

"I got a funny feeling",
said the fisherman to me
"that if I were to take you out
you'd be too much for me."

It was then I got his number
I knew that line, you see
Been hooked perhaps a dozen times
and thrown back in the sea.

"The sunset's sweet and lures you, man,
I love that sugar stupor
but you're just a fast food ******
and will never ******* grouper."

no, just go
please. keep on writing
sometimes slow
yet so inviting
I'm compelled to keep delighting
moon is full,  there's no use hiding

let the thoughts flow freely through you
open up and see what's in you
sometimes we don't know just how to
say what's meant and yet it's all true

every word is dreamlike flowing
meaning something deeper, knowing
what you need to say it's glowing
like the moon, not always showing.

so just go
please keep on writing

Not sure how it landed here,
I found it in my lot
and bending down to pick it up
amused at what I'd got

I looked a little closer
since I had a little time
It's a good thing that  I bothered  
for the thing inspired this rhyme.

Though you can't tell from poetry
if the writer knows your name
I could see by four lines in
the gender and it's aim.

The poem, it was well written
on a scrap and by his hand
just two lines in, I'm smitten
although four is my demand.

and this one was a couplet
seems he'd written it for fun
just four lines to tell his girl
she's got his heart undone.

as giddy as my thoughts can be
this struck me sad, my dear,
since poems that mean to say as much
are often less than clear.

The first two lines he scribbled down
were warming at the start
" I'd love to drive you home tonight
and fire up your heart."

The second two I do believe
had crumpled note in part,
"If I could have that honor, dear
I'll need some gas to cart."

I understood his poetry
weird rhymes can flow with ease
apparently his bottom line
was not a point to please.

Or maybe he had never passed
that note, and thrown it down
perhaps the wind had taken it
and blown it through the town

and just perhaps it ended up
this couplet, just for me
to understand how words can halt  
or fuel my love for thee.

A reminder of the shorter days
the orange globe sinks into haze
no longer casting warming rays
but shadows into night

the coolness of softest sand
beneath my back and in my hand
from where I lay there
breathing
taking in this awesome sight~

fighting sleep and fascinated
I face the setting sun
and every stroke of the painter's brush
lingers
before it's done.

firey red excites the soul
and set the mood in motion
orange and pink elicit sighs
like a full moon upon the ocean

streaks of purple are always fun
and bring on the bluegreen hues
a symphony for the setting sun
but gimmee the midnight blues

I want to gaze into the glory
tell me another story
oh bring on the colors
don't let me sleep too long~

I want to sing of your greatness
inspite of all my lateness
and whatever else my troubles
you see in me no wrong~

oh Lord, You are amazing
all creation should be praising,
I'll wait for you forever
or 'til the sun sets on my song.

daylight has passed quickly
that sunset was the best
in the darkness now, we hear the waves
which won't disrurb our rest

He went around
and came around, and went around again~
Then he came around, went back around
and came around again.

"What's with all the run-around?"
I asked my breathless friend
"Guess what goes around, will come around
and right up to the end."

"But what's all this you're chasin, then?"
I asked the weary clown~
"Been chasin' all these wimin,
and they've yet to slow me down."

"Who runs this ride, you run beside,
and can't they cut the speed?"
"I have no clue, but maybe you
can jump this thing, and plead."

"One last run around, dear girl
take a ride and wait for me,
it won't be long, enjoy the song,
I'm a sick sorry son of a b."

I hopped aboard his dream machine
where ladies rode the poles
and pushed passed blown out ******
to the room which housed controls.

I peeked inside the window there
and much to my surprise
no one was manning anything
on this carousel of lies.

A sea of lovely lonelies
ride 'The Future' from the past
around again a few more times
our lives are fading fast.

Suddenly he's on the ground
and draggin' on his knees
with sweat upon his forehead,
I said, "*******, LET GO, please."

"One last run around, dear girl,
don't you worry none 'bout me
appreciate your deep concern
I'm a sick sorry son of a b".

Well, it took some major doing
to release his grip of fear
and then I jumped, and bruised and bumped
was finally in the clear.

"we've cashed in all our chips today,
but we'll be back, you see-
you push to run the Future
and I'm a freakin' fool for thee.

We hobbled from the Carn-evil,
my weary friend and me
what goes around will come around
dear God please set us free.