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