Thursday, January 13, 2022

Check Box

 Hiding in plain sight, the moment is here

It seems hard to find but it's quite clear

They don't see it because it isn't checked

And placed in the box of their lives that is wrecked


They spend all their days planning ahead

And abusing the time that's divided and spread

Dedicated and focused on accomplishing a chore

Attacking the task but there is always more


Resting isn't an option when there are things to do

Can't move on, sing a song or play with you

Everything's urgent no matter the cost

For love, life and all else are tossed


Experience the breath of people and things

Without the noose of life's nagging strings

Devote only part time for those to mark

Leaving precious hours for that special spark


So ease on the pressure of being right

Embrace the warmth of a summer night

Because time is short and can't go on

So enjoy every moment before they are gone












Tuesday, November 16, 2021

V is for Veteran

They joined to serve and so much more

Giving back to those who stood before

To better their lives and standing proud

Honor and duty, shouting out loud


They did what was told, no matter the cost

With all the stress, they never got lost

Following orders, always a team

Rising to the top, just like cream


Brothers and sisters, forever linked

In harms way, they never blinked

Marching in step, head held high

Squads and troops all unify


So on this day give them your thanks

Who put on the uni and worked in the ranks

And surrendered their years for the family they love

For you and me and God above


Monday, June 07, 2021

Right Reasons



They charged ahead although they were scared

There is nothing I know that can be compared

Their brothers and sisters felt the heat of the fight

The battles that continued long into the night



We honor this day without feeling the why

With grilling and sports to celebrate the high

While Gold Star families mourn the brave

And stand at attention for Old Glory's wave



So remember this day for all the right reasons

And not a holiday to celebrate the seasons

Or a chance for us to sleep til noon

But to honor those who left us too soon

Tuesday, January 05, 2021

Unseen


Deep in the park, under the trees

Hiding from view, they crouch on their knees

Dirty and worn, so skinny and sick

Hair matted and greasy, so tangled and thick


All drive by, avoiding their gaze

Occasionally donating on special days

Thousands of stories brought them to this place

But no one listens and stares off to space


Veterans and addicts and those down on their luck

No longer trying because their life is stuck

Reliving the days that dragged them here

Fighting for scraps in spite of the fear


Unseen they are by the fortunate ones

Who whine and complain and bang on their drums

Who think they have it so hard and so bad

But nothing compared to the permanently sad


So the next time you drive or walk by the crowd

Watching them tired with heads lowely bowed

Remember that once they were just like you

That they deserve respect and sympathy too


Thursday, August 20, 2020

No Matter How

 I'm lost in a gaze but can't be seen

Illuminated haze that's not so keen

Arms stretched far to feel the way through

No matter how I strain, I can't see you


Tender songs that I don't hear

The melodic tone that falls to the rear

I cradle my ears to cling to what's true

No matter how I listen, I can't hear you


Sweetness her breath I just can't smell

Bland aroma makes it hard to tell

Roses and perfumes never break through

No matter how I inhale, I can't breathe you


Velvet petals are numb to the touch

Each finger stretches but not too much

Soft and supple is the skin so new

No matter how I touch, I can't feel you


Radiant smile and eyes that invite

Softly motions like angelic sprite

All my senses have become askew

No matter how I dream, I can't have you




Wednesday, July 01, 2020

Shoeless Pain

We don't know what it's like to be in their shoes
Or how much life they stand to lose
We really don't know the pain that they felt
Or understand the reasons on why they knelt

We don't get it, we're in our bubble
Deflecting blame for all the trouble
Focusing on the looters and not the speech
Missing opportunities for us to teach

Maybe the preachers were right all along
Trust in God to make everyone strong
Get to know your neighbor without a good reason
For the act of love is never out of season

So take a deep breath and gather your wits
Suppress all the hate and don't call it quits
Remember the lessons our parents had shared
And remove all reason for us to be scared



Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Fade to Black

The room is dark with streams of light
Slumped in the corner without delight
His shirt is stained with bile of pain
Faces the trial of a convicted reign


Crawls to bed but knows not why
The loss has taken his reason to cry
Struggles to face the lined up days
Engulfed in a crowd but alone he stays


Saws away at the house blown down
The water rises as he starts to drown
Empty is the space they shared as own
Now she's gone and he's left alone


Slowly he stands to take the next
Pulled on up it says in text
Morning shines as he wears his shades
The grief subsides but never fades


On he moves and plans the phase
Washes away the tattooed haze
Smiles inside and stands straight up
Takes a sip from the half full cup