Shit Happens, a Good Thing

I read that shit happens
and that made me think
this could be a good thing
well except for the stink.


Yup, our lives take a dump
and it's usually our fault
when we're trying something new
mistakes then mount an assault.


Now here's where the stink comes
here's where we are saddened
but if we don't pay attention
we'll miss what just happened.


A lesson was taught
yeah in a negative way
that if we choose the wrong option
there's a price we must pay.


So if shit didn't happen
we would miss a life lesson
so wake up pay attention
class still is in session.

It's Always Our Turn

It seems that as for me
It's about the message
Whether it's gotten through
Or not


I've got to keep it simple
So the lesson
Here for both of us
Doesn't end up lost


Sometimes it rhymes
But not all the times
See what I mean
That S on times
Just doesn't belong


And metre now gone
Is it still a poem
Don't lose track
Or you might as well have
Stayed home


You see, the lesson today
Is to help someone who strays
Without any delays
To keep their spirit from decay
What we wish to convey
We can't leave unfinished, halfway
Not to cause them dismay
It should be our love on display
Enter the healers cafe
Choose from it's buffet
It's a veritable array
Filled with all of love's bouquet
You see there are always ways
And most often they'll pay

Don't Wash Your Windows

In my chair
Relaxing
Peace and tranquility
They surround me
Soft music
Eases my mind
Into fond memories
Of my life
And
Family
Photos on the wall
Bring them close
Though they are grown
And away


The days light is failing
Yet it still seems early
The windows
They're dirty


Cleaned
The light
Again shines through


Standing gazing outside
Children fighting
Their parents
Cursing each other
Police cars arriving
Crime
War
Senseless killings
Of innocent people

Why did I ever wash that window

Can Salt Really Heal All Wounds?

Upon my eye
there forms a blister
salt water is the cure.


Though it stings
the healing begins
my comfort returns
once more.


But why add pain
when you already hurt
it doesn't sound quite right.


The reason it seems
is actually sound
as with it's cleansing
with salt infection we'll fight.


But what of a heart
when it's been broken
can salt then cure this wound.


Taste your tears
what you'll find
is a not so strange brine
that carries the poison away.


So giving it time
a brine used this way
can ease a heart broken
but I'm afraid

It generally takes more than a day.

Who's Glory

Isn't it all about intentions
The reasons we do the things we do
Do we really care about others
Or is it just to be seen by you

Good Morning

Good morning

A new day has come

With it a new beginning

Welcome it

Breathe in it's fresh air

This is a time for starting over

Open your eyes to your new path

Follow it to where it takes you

One step at a time

Allow your day

To advance on it's own

Do not force your pace

Worry not for the next step

This will only bring anxiety

A roadblock to your happiness

Live for the moment you have

It is special in itself

It has come as a blessing for you

Celebrate your new day

Celebrate life

Hiding The Hurt

When a man hurts
then hides it.
Though he spares others
his problems
he is being dishonest
with himself.
His dishonesty
only hides his problems
allowing them to grow
the hurt then multiplies.
He has entered
into a circle
that if it goes
unbroken
it will destroy
his soul.

For Me? For You?

Is my writing for me
or for others to see.


Is the truth yet not told
or will I be too old
for it to do any good
as the truths of life should.


It's often through strife
we learn the lessons of life.


When we learn them this way
there's a price that we'll pay
when we think rules don't apply
that price can be far too high.


Before too late we must learn
rather than let life's problems burn.


So it's essential while young
before by these problems we're stung
to learn these lessons of life
before reaching midlife.


Are these words here for me
or this writing for you?


Who knows maybe it's both!

How I wish that I knew.

The Kingdom Of The Flesh

To what level of darkness
does man descend through
the ignorance he displays
believing the lies of
the kingdom of the flesh
with it's lustful desires
for selfishness and greed.


The thought process' of
the ends justifying the means
and if it feels good do it
lead men to forget
how all of our lives
are intertwined
and affect one another.


These men step away from
believing that others are equal
and deserve a show of respect.


Loving-kindness and compassion
begin to wither.


The joy that he has sought
through his selfishness
proves to be momentary
not lasting long enough
to satisfy his lust.


His heart drains to empty.

He has become a victim
of kingdom of the flesh.

Be More Than A Shadow

A heart filled with love
feeds mans spirit
keeping his soul alive.


But when it is empty
depression will grow
and all that is left is a shadow.

Kill The Snake

Within us there are two
one is false
the other true.


That false one
we know to be fake
must be looked at as a snake.


That lowly creature we despise
lives within
with all his lies.


A troubled life
he'll bring to us
and in this false one we should never trust.


Our other side
the one that's true
proves no need to ever hide.


We must be able
to love ourself
we can't do this if we're left on the shelf.


We must live as the true one and not as the lie.

Defeating the snake so that our heart does not die.

All Are Invited To Eat And Drink From The Poets Platter

Those quiet moments alone
in the middle of the night
offer the perfect conditions
for poets to write.


Undisturbed are they
by man nor beast
accompanied only by words
on which they will feast.


Assembling these words
so many different ways
sometimes in minutes
sometimes it takes days.


Those minutes or days
is not what really most matters
it's the way that they're served
upon these writers platters.


For poetry it seems
yes, right from the start
is inspired from within
and meant for your heart.


So eat of it, drink of it
take all that you will
as the poets are hoping
you'll be enjoying your fill.

Changing Our Corner Of The World

There is a path

That we can follow

To help renew our world

The beginning of it

You'll find is not far

It's the earth below your feet

Making our world

A better place

Starts with the corner we're given

When we give to the poor

From a generous heart

You renew their faith in man

Sharing kind words

With the people we meet

Will encourage respect within our circle

Serving others who hurt

Through our compassion

Will ease their burden and comfort their pain

The faith, respect and comfort

We shed upon this trail

Will go a long way

Toward renewing our world

An outbreak of civility

Is what we could unveil

Hell Visits The Navy Yard

Another shooting
what's wrong with people
why must they resort to a gun.
Twelve dead this time
and more that are wounded
their families will suffer as well.
What drives a person
to commit such crimes?
Where is our society bound?
Have we sunk to depths
that we've never known of?
It really seems as we're now in HELL.

Life Within

Life within

below the skin

is where real people are found.

For on the crust

there is no trust

of truth being there and present.

For people it seems

wish to live in their dreams

allowing them to be seen on the surface.

Then when meeting anew

what they often do

is come across as that person created.

It's a shame they're not proud

and crying out loud

here I am, can't you love me for me.

But with that need to fit in

they feel there's no way to win

except pretend that they've stepped out of a dream.

Desire of Name and Fame

Desire

of name and fame

often destroys

the soul and spirit.

Moving a person beyond

an inner acceptance

toward requiring

an outer attention from others.

Doing any and all

in order to please them

and leave behind a legacy

of a person

that they were not born to be.

They become a creation

of their imagination.

Life away from this creation

becomes empty.

True happiness

suffers

requiring more

from outside of themselves

to fill the hole

they've created within.

Standing In A Cloud

I stood within a cloud

the heavy mist swirling about me

so alone

so quiet

so peaceful

the silence finally broken

a train whistle off in the distance

the nearest tracks 10 miles away

the quiet returns

I am encompassed once more by the mist

I become part of the cloud

I’ve never felt so tranquil

how I wish this peace could spread over the entire earth.

Friends For A Season

Most friends they come for a season

they're with us just for a time

a moment for us to share our lives

and when they're gone it's almost like a crime.

It makes us feel quite abandoned

left behind and flat cast aside

as though we've lost a part of ourselves

like as if a little piece of us died.

What we don't understand

is they're not really gone

as within us

the sharing goes on.

We wouldn't without them

be who we are

and they really haven't left us at all.

The sharing we've done

lives way down deep in our hearts

and those seasons of friendship live on.

Desire

desire

wish

thirst

hunger

yearning

greed

lust

covetousness

lasciviousness

lechery

why couldn't it just be

LOVE

Life Is

Life is

my morning coffee.

So how is it others thirst.

Life is

my family

knowing they are rested, fed and safe.

But for many others they are weary, hungry and scared.

Life is

putting my wife and her needs

before my wants.

And yet our society seems hell bent on selfishness.

Life is

the early morning relaxation times,

quiet and alone.

At other times turbulent and crowded.

Life is

at times, my trips to the golf course

with the beauty of nature surrounding me.

Yet some abuse the natural beauty of our world ruining it for others.

Life is

at times hectic

and other times calm.

Life is

sometimes confused

while other times clear.

Life can be

threatening

and sometimes secure.

Life

can be violent

while at other times gentle.

But most importantly

Life is.

We can only accept the moment we're given

and live it to its fullest.

Rain From The Heart

The rain of the heart
Cleanses the soul
Heals the spirit
Makes us whole



They ease our pain
And chase our sorrow
Help us survive
To see a tomorrow



Pain and sorrow
Quite often consume
Leaving depression
Move you closer to a tomb



When troubles do visit
And raise their alarm
The tears that we shed
Can protect us from harm



So let the storms come
We have our protection
The rains of our hearts

Were the good Lords invention

September 15, 1963

How many people

remembered these girls

their smiling faces

their hair filled with curls.

Victims of hatred

because they were black

prejudice raised its head

and just couldn't sit back.

In a Birmingham church

on a Sunday morning

a bomb killed four children

four innocent girls.

That splinter group known as

the Cahaba River Bridge Boys

treated their beloved KKK

to its demonic joys.

But once push came to shove

and the loss of life hit so hard

the Civil Rights Act was born

equalities next card.

Unknowingly these girls

gave their all for our people

in their death they became heroes

from under that steeple.

Their Names

Addie Mae Collins (age 14)

Denise McNair (age 11)

Carole Robertson (age 14)

Cynthia Wesley (age 14)

9 11 2013

Never forget

has become

the cry of the day

but to live in the past

only muddies our way

we'll never move forward

if all we seek is pay-back

you see when that's the case

it's a heart

that we lack

vengeance it seems

turns hearts into stone

and once this happens

we're set apart

all alone

and the hate

causing bitterness

with a bad attitude

makes others around us

follow our mood

our hearts though were meant

to share love

with all men

not seek vengeance with hate

can I get an amen

Life Is For The Living

There is a time to surrender yourself to that which is taking you along for the ride.

This is not giving up it is giving in to that moment in life that has come upon you.

These moments in life have a way of taking you to places that are intended to mold you.

To kick against the pricks during these times holds you back from becoming the person you were meant to be.

Each day brings with it a brand new start, a learning experience and an opportunity to move forward.

We should not waste these moments by living in the past or being afraid of what the future might bring.

Live now in the moment you have been given to the fullest.

Life is for the living, celebrate life.

Goals Give Us Strength

Goals give us strength

To shoulder the load

They can make our trek lighter

As we follow the road

We must set our sites high

Always viewing the prize

Not wavering away

Nor averting our eyes

Then once we arrive

It's a victory we'll claim

And the fear that we had

We've now overcame

But one word of warning

Your resolve shouldn't crack

Now that you've claimed it

Don't give that victory back

The Seasons Of Our Lives

spring so beautiful

bringing new life

into this world

new growth

walking and talking

are adventures in themselves

summer then arrives

in wonder and glory

and the adventure grows

through our play

and school years

we learn to become

social beings

forming friendships

that will help carry us

through our lives

autumn is much more

than a time of work

true, we plant

nurture and harvest

families of our own

yet all its beauty

provides us with visuals

that we may enjoy

throughout our days

our memories

winter brings with it

a hard earned time of rest

a time of renewal

of the earth

but also

for our spirits

a time of reflection

upon all that has brought us

to who we've become

a time to sit back

relax and enjoy

all that we have worked towards

though the numbers of

days, weeks and years

may differ

the seasons of life

are shown us

in each passing year

Lost Words

Lost words

Where do they go

Has anyone seen them

Does anyone know

Just what does become

Of those words I once had

Are they now gone forever

Has my mind gone that bad

Can't seem to remember

Ideas that had come

I no longer can hold them

Close under my thumb

Could it be that I thought

They were actually mine

Was it because of their purpose

This is like paying a fine

Could the words I've not lost

be only on borrow

With the final intent

To lift someone from sorrow

If so I don't care

About the words that I've lost

As the final result

Was well worth the cost

Take A Gentle Walk Through Life

A gentle gait

should be our way

as we travel

along life's path.

We're not alone

upon this stone

and we really should see

others as brothers.

Showing respect

offering love

helping folks

see that they matter.

Our words and ways

never hurtful nor hindering

rather they should be

kind and uplifting.

Caring for others

treating them right

might just save this world

from all this evil in sight.

Giving Up

Giving up is sad

It is admitting defeat

Condoning failure

Works

Many churches complain about works

but you know they're really a good deal.

Especially when they're done for others

leastwise that's how I kinda feel.

The preachers they say “it's by grace

not of works lest all ye should boast”

then attendees sit back in their pews

claiming “saved” and they coast.

They act as if their prayers

will be the cure for all life's woes

then quite often they quickly become

for the poor, their most formidable foes.

Nothing at all gets done

and the needy go without

the providing for the hungry

is a never ending bout.

Shelter from the elements

some warmth from all that cold

it's the kind of help that's needed

that we never should withhold.

Now it's not just the homeless

there are many many more poor.

Can't we see out of our windows

don't we even know the score.

You see it's up to individual people

to help others when we see that it's needed

getting up off our backsides

forgetting for a moment about the word seeded.

For if all it is that we offer

is kind words and or prayers

then all that we're really showing them is

that we're good at putting on airs.

So where are all the churches

far too many just won't act

seldom practicin' what they been preachin'

and you know that that's a fact.

Retribution

An eye for an eye

Is often the call

But if the truth be told

This will be mans greatest fall

Now justice is one thing

Revenge is another

Alone we're not meant to be

Judge, jury and executioner of a brother

We've a system for that

Our courts and our laws

There to keep us above

Retribution from teeth and the claws

For once it is started

In the end we will find

That an eye for an eye

Only leaves all men blind

Let Them Fly Free

Freedom

It's cost

Can come with a loss

But then

What is it's worth

If pain

It does bring

Is it really something

To strive for

And give to our children

You see, our kids

They grow up

Go look, close-up

It's become time

That they rise with spread wings

It's so hard

Letting go

But what we really should know

It must be done

To show trust and love

The worth

Of freedom it seems

Is the answer to dreams

Our children's love

When we let them fly free

Allowing your little bird to fly free offers it the greatest love man can share

Where Has My Happiness Gone

I remember when we first got our new car.

I was so happy.

A smile came to my face each time I thought of it,

never mind when I got into it for a drive.

It's older now

it doesn't seem to bring that same smile any longer.

The day we had a hot tub installed

I was so happy.

We used it all the time

but not so much anymore.

It's just not the same as it used to be.

My smile leaves whenever I see it needs cleaning.

The day we closed on the new house

I was so happy.

It was our pride and joy for a while

but now

it's just a lot of work.

The smiles it brought have disappeared.

I just knew that the new garden would make me happy.

Not so much for very long.

That new TV,

that ought to make me happy I thought.

Didn't take long to just become the TV.

The trips and vacations!

They should have done it.

Why doesn't the happiness last?

Why is it so temporary?

Maybe they were right.

Maybe I am looking in the wrong places.

Maybe I should have looked within myself.