The Flower Child

Her hair was soiled and matted,
and died an odd shade of red.
She was wearing combat boots,
looking very underfed.
-
Her clothes were worn and ragged,
I just could not get involved
with such a loathsome creature
who had problems unresolved.
-
Then a soft voice spoke to me
to ask my destination.
I couldn't just ignore her
and so, with resignation,
-
I answered, and a pleasant,
long conversation ensued.
I found inside the cover,
a beautiful attitude.
-
We talked of life and living,
and the reasons we were here.
We talked of love and sharing,
and of courage and of fear.
-
Her years were only nineteen,
with a wisdom so profound.
I learned a valued lesson
from this child who'd been around.

Where is Spring????

My calendar tells me
that it is spring.
So, where are all the flowers,
and robins on the wing?
-
I haven't seen a crocus
or yellow daffodil,
I haven't seen a sparrow
or heard a whip-or-will.
-
Where are all the tulips,
and violets, so shy?
I haven't even seen
one little butterfly.
-
I have seen lots and lots
and lots of rain,
and I believe that in the hills
it's snowing once again.
-
I think I'll check my calendar
to see if it needs fixed,
it's either that or the seasons
are getting badly mixed.

Control

I am the master of my fate
and the captain of my soul.
I have it within my power
to maintain complete control.
-
I may choose to wear a smile
and keep my head held high,
or I may opt to wear a frown
and moan and groan and sigh.
-
No one has the power to
determine how I feel,
unless I relinquish my grasp
and let another take the wheel.
-
So, why do I react the way I do
whenever you appear?
You fill my day with sunshine
whenever you are near.

A Ride On The Train

I made a trip to D.C.
to discuss my poetry.
Who would have thunk it?
I tried hard to debunk it.
They all said they'd heard of me!
-
Li'l ole me, from Wenatchee,
a place unknown in D.C.
Some of them had heard my name
spoken with minor acclaim.
This is my great fantasy!
-
I'm coming home in a dream.
This trip was creme DE la creme!
I had a chance to sell books,
I received admiring looks,
and became a part of the team.
-
I sold more books on the train
to friends I hope to retain.
May our lives once again pass,
in either coach or first class.
Friendship is our greatest gain.

Loneliness

She wiped a teardrop from her eye,
saying, "Ella, don't you see?
Virg is gone, I miss him so!
There'll be no other love for me!
He shared my life for many years,
now I'm alone at eighty three."

They all say I talk a lot, and
that with words, I am very good.
For once in my life, I was without
words, to show her I understood.
I wanted to take away her pain, and
make things right . . . oh! If only I could!
-
Each of them had wed before,
their's was not a lifelong love.
Tho married in their twilight years,
they fit together like a hand in a glove.
They helped each other to stretch and grow,
both looking to God above.
-
Through his illness she nursed him,
his debilitation broke her heart.
This was not what she had bargained for,
he was healthy and strong at the start.
But tho she too, was growing old,
she gave all as she played out her part.
-
She's comfortable, able to pay her bills,
not hungry, so why give her pity?
There are so many people without
money food and shelter in every city.
But, I see her tears, and I know
that being forever alone is not pretty.

A Night Out At The Movies

Once upon a time,
a long, long time ago,
a family would dress up
and go downtown to see a show.
-
Buying goodies to sustain you,
then picking out your seat,
filled with great excitement,
the whole evening was a treat.
-
They always had double features,
two movies for the price of one.
For the space of an hour or two
you put your worries on the run.
-
Then a Drive In opened up
just on the edge of town.
No more reason to dress up,
pajama'ed kids in back laying down.
-
This was great for lovers,
in the privacy of their cars.
They were able to act out the movie
and compete with movie stars.
-
Ah, I remember them fondly,
those good old days of yore!
Then, the advent of T.V.
movies are enjoyed no more.
-
You await a T.V. special,
and, as the movie starts
you run to answer the door,
missing significant parts.
-
Then the endless commercials,
selling most everything.
The movie returns, and you
hear the telephone ring.
-
The dog stands in front of the T.V.
somebody steps on the cat.
The kids get into a squabble,
can't take anymore of that!
-
I still see my movies downtown,
I find T. V. is for the birds!
I pay for my ticket, sit and relax,
and avoid the thundering herds!

Mothers Day - 1

We honor our Mothers

one day out of the year.

The Mother, who, when we were hurting

dried each and every tear.

She gave us life with

much suffering and pain,

she kissed our hurts and

lifted us again and again.

She fed, sheltered and clothed us

the best way she knew how,

she taught us and nursed us

and soothed our fevered brow.

As we entered adolescence,

and started to date,

she worried and prayed for us

each time we stayed out late.

So, we buy her candy and flowers,

and maybe, even a card.

Not much! But you know something?

To her it is ample reward.