My Kingdom For A Smile

His rule was iron fisted

his subjects lived in fear

his wife and children hated him

no one dared to come too near

His knights they did stay loyal

defending all his land

ever living in the shadow

of the executioners hand

It was as he had no people

it was a feeling very strange

all this land and not a soul

with a smile to exchange

Throughout his kingdom he found no love

as he traveled mile after mile

with just one thought upon his mind

my kingdom for a smile

Winter

Wind blowing

snow flying

drifts growing

temperatures falling

schools closing

work places shutting down

folks being asked to stay off of the roads

the grip of winter this year is harsh

the cat has decided to imitate the bear

the dogs trips outside are short

she's not even circling to find her spot

the out of doors

is no place for man nor beast

inside

it is warm

the sweet scent of apple cobbler

the wonderful aroma of almond bread

they grace our senses as they bake

the harshness of winter

has not come

without its blessings

The Brook Beyond The Pines

I could hear the sounds of the brook

calling from beyond the pines

it's voice was soft, gentle and inviting

beckoning for me to visit

how could I resist its call

to sit upon its banks

with feet dangling in the pool

formed by the eddying currents

I knew the spot so well

we, the pool and I

had spent many a hot summers day together

but summer was gone

autumn too had passed

winter had set in

snow covered the path that I had traveled so often

I thought, what did that matter

I knew my way even in pitched blackness

how could a little snow deter me

I strapped on my boots

put on my parka

grabbed my hat, scarf and gloves

then I set out to visit my old friend

to spend time in a place of peace

away from the stress of everyday life

to once again commune with my soul

to remind myself of who I am

to renew my spirit

for me

the bank of the brook

beyond the pines

offers life 

Tired Of The Dyin'

I wonder what's wrong

with people today

so many goin'

outta their way

puttin' an end to their

number of days

tired of tryin'

thinkin' of dyin'

now folks I ain't lyin'

instead of just cryin'

they bottle it all up inside

don't wanna look weak

afraid to just speak

the truth of

their feelin's

it's their own

joy that their stealin'

they gotta wake up

fore they can't

no the problems

not measly

the cure

it ain't easy

if they'd only

look deeply

they might find

somethin' to live for

Not I Said The Blind Man

Man tends to believe

what he sees

When what he sees

is disagreeable

or disturbing

to him

he tends to look away

Removing his eye

from what he has viewed,

he pretends

that it doesn't exist

He has chosen

to close his eyes

to the world

around him

He has chosen blindness

over sight

He will tell you

“It's not my problem”

There is none so blind as he who will not see ~ Ray Stevens

Blind, Deaf and Heartless

Must we become blind

to see

Must we become deaf

to hear

Must we lose our hearts

in order to feel

When will we realize

the needs of the people

Aren't fake

they're actually real

So many go hungry

with nothing to eat

others traveling the roads

with no shoes for their feet

The homeless, the sick

in alleys lie dying

while others can't sleep

as their children are crying

These poor only beg

to be lifted from pain

while from the top

looked down upon

with utter disdain

I hear their words

“I got mine

go out

get your own”

Do they not have a heart

Do they not understand

That the greed of the rich

Has brought the downfall of man

Pro or Con, Which Way Do We Go?

Pro and con

so opposite these are

they just make me think

we haven't come very far

How can we today

once again as a nation

get moving forward

without a foundation

The folks at the bottom

must be healthy and strong

of this I am certain

I know I'm not wrong

So many homeless

starving and cold

just barely surviving

including our old

The congress doesn't care

unless there's something for them

they block any progress

while clearing their phlegm

“To hell with the poor

long as I've got mine

who cares if they're sick

it's not worth our time”

Not caring one bit

for the needs of the poor

yet padding their pockets

giving themselves so much more

When will we move forward

will we again see progress

or keep moving backward

because of congress

Where Art Thou Philadelphia

This day

filled with poison

has mounted its attack

bruising my inner most being

my spirit has been poured out and withers

my soul now parched as the desert

my heart broken, calling

for an end to

this day

An end

is what we need

to this social disease

civility has lost its way

respect has become a thing of the past

WHERE ART THOU PHILADELPHIA

the love of our brother

today came to

an end

This Smile Is For You

Someone once told me

this smile is for you

it's the one thing you'll need

to carry you through

When things seem the darkest

and your cup seems to drain

go and look in the mirror

put that smile on again

It seems to work well

as every day as I wake

I go to the looking glass

and a face I do make

Uplifted am I

as I start each new day

here, this smile's now for you

just my way to repay

You're Not Old Enough

That which has been hidden

is something we must see

That which has been refused

is something we must have

That which has been forbidden

is that something that is truly the most desired

Growing up

the old folks said

don't smoke

don't drink

no sex

you kids are just not

old enough

but as kids are

when hearing this

you know what's coming next

Forbidding

just ain't good enough

saying don't

doesn't get it done

See what they hear

from you all day

is you're not allowed

to share our fun

Well there they go

off on their own

they heard but never listened

The example you set

by the way you lived

was what in their eyes did glisten

The Megalomaniac

The megalomaniac

does oft have his day

attacking all others

demanding his way

his ego too great

with thoughts he's a god

with no understanding

why others think he is odd

in his mind he's omnipotent

its power he brings

not to mention omniscient

of his knowledge he sings

he suffers paranoia

as if under attack

then makes the first strike

believing he's on the right track

but the problems much deeper

he's a victim you know

of his behavior itself

he has no control

he's trying to cope

with frustration and loss

it's his mental defense

he's got to be boss

Giving

When a man is really giving

of the life that he is living

there'll be no need of a forgiving

of any debt from his alms-giving

For to him this is not a trade

his priorities are not mislaid

the rewards to him already paid

they're in his heart and will never fade

I tell you this in verity

there is no need for parity

for this is truly charity

I know, I know a rarity

For most men only give to get

to reap some benefit in their net

and what you'll find it's a pretty safe bet

is they'll place on you a big old debt

The Great Mist

This great mist

brought on by the fog

I find myself walking within a cloud

Alone

I find myself in this is a place of peace

this place isolated

from the troubles of the world

Tranquility

The sounds of nature

that normally surround me

have grown strangely quiet

Thoughts

My mind so active

wondering where

my world has gone

Dreams

Enter my consciousness

of what life could be like

without the hate that exists in this world

Awakened

The sound of a train whistle

the closest tracks ten miles away

brings me back

Reality

Now leaving me wanting

to walk within the cloud

for eternity

Heads or Tails

Every coin and dollar bill has two sides, to refuse either side you will be left with empty pockets.

Of Sorrow and Joy

To deny sorrow its moment in time within will only keep you from recognizing joy.

So, Who Wins

Should I be civil

or should I fight back

peacefully protest

or mount an attack

There is no real winning

when men go to war

there's really no point to it

what the hell is it for

When men have a difference

and neither will budge

what is argued doesn't matter

it won't give them a nudge

Their minds are made up

and the hollering starts

respect then gets lost

and reasoning departs

There's no wonder

there are so many killings today

folks have forgot how to talk

it's just no longer their way

Fear, the Motivation

The greed of man

just how far does it stretch

must he possess

all that he sees

upon this earth

For what purpose

must he in his

apparent hunger

deprive others of

their basic needs

What is it that drives him

does he not tire of

a never ending toil

storing up more

than he could possibly ever use

And he answered saying, “Yes, I am satisfied, nay, I am weary of eating and drinking; but I am afraid that tomorrow there will be no more earth to eat and no more sea to to drink.” ~ Khalil Gibran

Purpose

Said a sheet of snow-white paper, "Pure was I created, and pure will I remain forever.  I would rather be burnt and turn to white ashes than suffer darkness to touch me or the unclean to come near me." ~ Khalil Gibran

What is my purpose

am I here just for me

doing those things

that ensure purity

Staying untouched

as I take care for the needs

of people around me

who suffer from poverty

Yet I still feel so empty

somethings not quite right

I've given and given

but don't see the light

I refuse what they offer

I must turn them down

and it's breaking my heart

when their smile turns to frown

All of my life

I've thought giving was best

and helping out others

I'd be totally blessed

But wait I think I see

my purpose is not just for me

not only to give and care for others

but also to receive and truly be brothers

Ah now there's that filling

my heart now can soar

we're sharing nothing but smiles

between me and these poor

We must do our part in the lives of others and let others do their part in our lives to accomplish our purpose in life.

Is It Worth The Time To Share Rhythm And Rhyme

I often wonder

is it worth my time

to share my thoughts

in rhythm and rhyme

To make the effort

with words take a stroll

opening my heart

and baring my soul

This is a huge question

that is quite often asked

but sharing your poetry

is what you've now been tasked

Put it out there for others

simply to read

you may touch a few hearts

give them just what they need

Whatever blessing you give them

a laugh or a smile

you've made their day better

and I'd say that's worthwhile

Trimming Our Sails

Cut flowers

live longer

gracing us

with their beauty

when their stems

are trimmed

Dogs

whose claws

are not worn down

develop a problem walking

when their claws

are not trimmed

The sail boat

makes optimum use

of the wind

sailing more efficiently

when it's sails

are trimmed

Ultimately

we should

hold on to

our beauty

walk unhindered

and keep our lives

on the right course

by once in a while

trimming our sails

Those Heroic Leaves

Leaves fall

now free

from the tree

this new freedom is short

it's life's blood, the sap

flows no more

no longer does it grow

it's time of death

and decay has come

yet this death

decay and freedom

has not gone without purpose

the leaves return to the earth

creating the food

needed by all to continue

their lives

Those who are willing to give their lives for the preservation of others carry the heart of heroes.

The Torture of Selfishness

If you could leave your selfishness, you would see how you've been torturing your soul ~ Rumi

Holding on and never giving to another

even a small part of ourselves

steals from us the perfect storm of joy

intended for our souls

My take on Gibran's ~ Garments

When the twins of both sides of the coin were born they took two paths.

As they grew apart in their own worlds one grew impatient. not caring for anything other than to feed his greed. Walking over others to reach his goals and grew ugly.

His twin walked a different path through life. He was patient to wait for all things to fall into place naturally. He shared what he could with others along his way, treating all with respect. He grew to be a very beautiful person.

The twins never the less where twins. They continued to have a relationship and visited with each other.

There was a day that they decided to go for a swim. They left their clothing on the bank and enjoyed their swim together.

This day, ugly had tired first and decided to leave. He looked upon his brothers clothing and decided those were for him and others would treat him better thinking that he were his brother beautiful.

Upon leaving the water, beautiful discovered that his own clothing was missing and what was left was his brothers. Too modest to walk naked back to his house he dressed in his brothers clothing.

Many who looked upon them and the clothing they were wearing thought precisly what the ugly brother had hoped.

Those who beheld the face of the beautiful twin recognized him regardless of the clothing.

Those who came across the other saw his ugliness for what it was as the grandest raiment could not cover it.

  

Could Poetry Save The World

Words

given in poems

that a poet

might share

Carry the hope

that someday

the world

may learn

to care

If they

just reach

one heart

even one

at a time

Mankind

might have

a chance

through

their rhythm

and rhyme

Share What You Can

Preserve what we have

give to those who do need

live our lives sharing kindness

it's the souls finest feed

Our spirits then lifted

our hearts filled with joy

even if starting

with one girl or one boy

It's uncanny to think

of the difference we'd make

if we'd just share a smile

and a moment we'd take

A moment for them

yes those poor and down hearted

we could help heal this world

if we'd only get started

That Wonderful Snow

I'm not a rock

nor an island

I cannot

stand alone

Words of a song

Paul Simon wrote

my mind

and heart did hone

His freshly fallen

silent shroud of snow

showed a special purity

yet of this I've always known

Still when I hear these words he wrote

a picture comes to me

perfectly white and undisturbed

as beautiful as can be

The dirt of our world

hidden from sight

although for just a short time

we forget the blight

We've seen enough of the hate

way too much of the killing

we need a snow storm of kindness

it's so much more fulfilling

“Kindness is like snow,

it beautifies everything

it covers”

~~~Khalil Gibran~~~

Our Favorite Retreats

Funny how things of old

can mold themselves

into our very best friends

Somehow their comfort

can live on

long past their integrity

Worn and tattered

faded and falling apart

They attract us

as if they were

a long lost lover

A sanctuary

of peace

and harmony

for our soul

The Mean Streets Of Winter

He was a poor man

Homeless

Clothed in rags

The dirt and filth

of the streets

had not only taken toll

of his clothing

but his body as well

Struggling to breathe

from the years of exposure

to the cities foul air

Emaciated

from the lack of food

and nutrition

with little to eat

Cold

he had found his way

into a back alley

to escape the wind

and frozen temperatures

that had come with winter

What he found

was unbearable

for him to look upon

A dog huddled

in a far corner

skin and bone

was all that could be seen

The poor beast shivering

looked up at the man

it's eyes held only despair

and loneliness

Hunger and thirst

were too obvious

Frozen and

on the threshold

of death

The sight of this dog

was too much

for the mans heart to bear

his tears began to flow

running down and freezing

upon his cheeks

As he laid down

next to the dog

his company

and what little warmth

he could share

was accepted

He gave the dog

the last of his water

His last few crumbs of bread

As they spent their

last few moments

upon this earth

together

they felt at peace

as they had each others

love and

compassion  

Celebrate The New Year

This new year is upon us

it's up to us to make it grand

don't pass up opportunities

to seize each day and take command

It's your life not another's

do those things that you enjoy

whether for yourself or someone else

matters not it will bring joy

Don't wait until tomorrow

forget your yesterday

this moment is what you've been given

celebrate that life today