Oh, to be a kitten
To pounce
And leap
With joyful abandon
Instead of the earthbound soul that I am.
Oh, to be a dolphin
To spin
And soar
And splash
With creative pleasure
Instead of the earthbound soul that I am.
Oh, to be an eagle
To dive
And float
And hunt
With crafty precision
Instead of the earthbound soul that I am.
Pouncing, leaping, playing.
Spinning, soaring, splashing.
Diving, floating, hunting.
Loving, laughing, living
The life I’ve been given
As the earthbound soul that I am.
I wonder where my dad is now
What country or what town?
Do the people even know he’s there?
And care about his men?
I wonder what he’s thinking of?
While I stare at the clouds?
Does he see the same sky that I see?
And smile at the bright sun?
I wonder if he questions
What the war is all about?
Does it make a difference what he does?
And how will it all come out?
I wonder when he does come home
Whom he will smile at first?
Do you think he’ll even recognize me?
And know that I’m his son?
I wonder if he wonders
What I’m thinking of today?
Does he pray for me on bended knee?
And whisper I love you?
Sunny summer days
Drift along
Taking my lazy ways
Across river deep and wide
Burst-of-color leaves
Silently fall
Calling my soul to grieve
For things unfinished
Speckled blue skies
Fill with migrating birds
Loudly, their cries
Call, inviting me along
I yearn to travel
To see family far away
Concerns, worries unravel
Twisting around my fingers
Earth-bound am I
As winter approaches
Eager eyes look to the sky
Seeking freedom
winds blow me away
to a land where
peace prospers
respect rules
equality exists
carry me far, far from here
to someplace new
wonders wait
marvels multiply
magic mystifies
above the blossoming clouds
freer than feathery friends
bouncing bravely
viewing vistas
amazingly awed
allow me to soar on breezes
free-wheelin’
experience ecstasy
senses stretched
eyes enlightened
I await the revelation
the days of glory revealed
whispery winds
far-flung journeys
colossal clouds
wonders whisper
awe-struck ageless
eyes envision
a land where
winds will blow me away
I’m feeling lazy
Nothing inspires me,
nothing motivates me
to run and jump and play
like when a child
on a hot Ohio day
To be that young again
when the joys of a cold
sprinkler far outweighs
the best new-bought toy
or movie at the theater
Running free as the breeze
half-clothed
hair dripping with sweat
rivulets pouring down
my suntanned face
and I don’t care, for
I’m having the time of my life
Give me an ice-cold glass
of water, sparkling clear
with a wedge of lemon
precariously perched on the edge
and I’m happy these days
Sit me in front of a fan turned
on high. Mine and mine alone.
Toss me a bowl of low-fat ice cream
and I’ll scream for joy
Throw on some blueberries and
I’m yours for life
The simple pleasures of life
become simpler as we age
Give me free time to read,
write, and cuddle with my cats
and I’m in pure ecstasy.
Ah, there’s nothing like
summertime
Caught in a dark, sepia-toned world,
A desperate child cries in the night
Yearning for a mother’s love unfurled
Strong enough to scare away the fright
Hiding in corners to block out the fears
The abandoned child screams silently
Not bothering to wipe away the tears
He clings to dreams with such certainty
That reality flies far away
Swept up in a swirling gust of wind
The child’s home, a staircase of decay
The child’s heart, believing to the end
Mother, are you ever coming back?
I am so hungry, cold, and weak, that
It is hard to breathe. Your love, I lack.
You left me nothing: not coat, gloves, or hat.
His cries float into the starless night
Reaching no friendly heart. He gives up.
No more do the ravages of night
Disturb the boy. Empty is his cup.
Death came knocking upon my door
‘cause I was feeling mighty poor
and then I gazed in that firm face,
the scariest in human race.
“Come, my true friend,” to me She spoke,
to which in tears I quickly broke.
“Please, not now,” I heartily cried.
“This must not be the day I died.
For I have much I want to do
to better live all through and through.”
“Come, my best friend,” She said again.
And soon the room commenced to spin.
Around and around we both went
until my life was nearly spent.
“Arise,” Miss Death quietly said,
and lifted me from the still bed.
Golden rays shone around my head
telling me that I sure was dead
settled in a heavenly place
staring straight at God’s kindly face.
Smiles lit up my worshipping eyes
“Come to me, child,” He softly cries.
Into His open arms I fall,
breaking Dream’s terrible dread pall.
I arose with first light of dawn,
knowing I was not yet Death’s spawn.
But given chance to live again,
I choose to be full free of sin.
So praising God, to whom I sing,
of goodness that the Lord will bring
to simple souls who promise love
with our heavenly Father above.
The rails are calling me
Clickety-clack
I’m yearning to be free
Never look back
Black engine rolls along
Puffing my name
Grunting and groaning strong
As in fame
Cities, fields, and hills fly by
Magical blur
Free as a bird, I cry
Contented purr
Look outside! See new things
Happiness abounds
Wonderful offerings
Mystical sounds
Engine picks up the pace
Fly, fly away
Wind blows against my face
Feeling quite gay
My heart echoes the sound
Of wheels on track
Knows I’ll not be around
Take a new tack.
I’m yearning to be free
Clickety-clack
The rails are calling me
Never look back.
The saints went walking down my street
waving flags and shouting, “Amen.”
They marched to a steady beat,
calling children, women and men
to join God’s growing army squad.
Beaming bright with an inner glow
they stood, maybe forty abroad
and aligned in six even rows.
“Come, join our ranks,” they loudly cried
and sang the most heavenly tune.
My neighbors hopped aboard the ride.
I waited, not brave to commit too soon.
Just as the parade passed me by
a rainbow appeared high in the sky
and a horde of angels asked, “Why?”
I fell upon my knees to cry
and beg for forgiveness so kind.
One young saint raised a mighty hand
and grace flooded my trembling mind.
I knew then, that in all the land
I was called to follow God’s way.
I stood, strong from heavenly grace.
With steady legs I did not sway
as I rushed to find my own place
among that blessed saintly band.
So now with them I proudly say
to doubters across all the land,
“It’s time to jump aboard God’s way.
It’s now or never,” I demand
of all who just bow down to pray
without sincerity at their hand.
It’s not enough just to obey.
So with the saints I now march by.
Open your heart, ears, hands, and eyes.
Don’t stop to think or question why,
Just step right up. Win the great prize.
My hero rode in on fiery “steed,”
perfectly timed in my hour of need.
His welcoming smile offered relief.
This man became my personal chief.
He unsheathed his sword with knightly poise,
bowed deeply to the riotous noise
of my pounding heart and whispered gasp,
then quickly my two hands he did clasp.
“My darling love, to you I do bow
and offer all the law will allow.
If you agree to wed me some day,
on both my knees I will fall today.”
He swept me up and held me so tight,
then embraced throughout the starlit night.
When morn arrived with the rising sun,
I knew he was my awaited one.
For thirty-three years he’s loved me so.
We’re not done yet: there’s still room to grow.
My personal Valentine stands strong,
Together we will always belong.
Words and Thoughts 