the story of a marriage
is one of
trials
and
tribulations
forgiveness
and
letting go
of errors made
love
and
anger
compromise
and
patience
walking together
through life
sharing times
good
and
bad
most of all
reveling
in each other’s
company
until death
do us part
From the moment we first met many, many years ago,
I wanted to know you
To have you in my life.
There was something about your laugh,
Your smile, your sparkling eyes
That drew me in.
It wasn’t because of shared interests
As we were just beginning to enjoy
Things in common.
It wasn’t because of things we made
Or cooked or read.
It was almost as if it was meant to be.
The sun shone when you entered my life.
It continues to blaze whenever we are together,
Even in the middle of a downpour
For the light that you bring isn’t ordinary,
But ethereal.
Even when we are miles apart,
I think of you and the part you’ve played in my life.
The blessings you bring,
The kindnesses you’ve shared,
The shoulders you’ve offered
And they way you’re never judgmental.
You are special,
My dear, dear friend.
I am so glad we met
And continue to meet
And each time I feel like saying,
“Hello, my friend.”
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?
Yosemite National Park is
One of the most exquisite beauties.
Standing in its grass covered valley,
Energized by roaring waterfalls,
My heart expands: incomparable,
Incredible vistas surround me.
Tremendous witnessed awesome power.
Escapist’s vacation location.
Nothing impresses me more than this
Admirable verdant valley, with its
Towering, tree-devoid mountain peaks,
Iconic, historic wood buildings,
On-rushing river, wilderness trails,
Newly blossomed colorful flowers.
All gathered into a preserved spot
Left for generations to enjoy.
Protected from all development.
Absolutely stunning to the eye.
Reminder of the glory of God
Kept as a witness to His power.
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
children at play
laugh all the day
rejoice in life
without much strife
wide-eyes surprise
springs from their eyes
dancing, singing
joking, laughing
bubbling with joy
each girl and boy
create the earth
from their own birth
to something new
mystical brew
nary a thought
of something bought
giggling, shouting
each believing
laugh all the day
children at play
From my window
I see children at play
Two tiny boys
Brothers
Bouncing a seemingly large basketball
With skills beyond their sizes
Three girls, maybe eight or nine,
Ride matching pink bikes
Around and around
Weaving in and out of driveways
Between parked cars
Smiling and giggling loudly
A young teen washes his old car
Rubs hard at the rust spots
On the bumper
As if, by that simple act,
He could remove the damages
Of time
One of my neighbors turns on
His electric lawnmower
And all sound is obliterated
obnoxious reverberations
erase the pleasantries
of the summer day
calling me back to
my workday world
I miss the exuberance of children,
The intensity of the teenager,
And the innocent belief in a world
Becalmed in a storm of noise.
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.
Words and Thoughts 