SOMETIMES I THINK I'M SILLY

 
            SOMETIMES I THINK I’M SILLY
            PUTTING MY THOUGHTS UPON A PAD
            BUT WHEN I SHARE WITH OTHERS
            IT ALWAYS MAKES ME GLAD
    
            TO SEE SMILES ON THEIR FACES
            AS MY THOUGHTS THEY COMPREHEND
            ITS LIKE THE COUPLING OF TWO SOULS
            WHEN THEY MEET, MESH AND BLEND

            TO REALIZE I HAVE MUCH TO SHARE
            TENDS TO SEND ME TO MY KNEES
            A FRANTIC PRAYER COMES TO MIND
            “DEAR LORD! HUMBLE ME PLEASE!”

            FOR I DO NOT SEEK FAVOR
            AND DEFINITELY, DON’T WANT FAME
            I JUST WANT TO BE WHO I AM
            AND LET GOD USE ME JUST THE SAME

HE IS THERE

 
            GOODNESS AND MERCY WILL FOLLOW ME
            AS I PROCEED BEFORE MY LORD
            IN THE CENTER OF HIS WILL I AM
            I KNOW THAT HE AND I ARE IN ONE ACCORD

            WHEN I WAKE UP HE IS BESIDE ME
            HE IS THERE WHEN I GO TO SLEEP
            NO HARM HE ALLOWS TO BEFALL ME
            IN HIS PALM, MY SOUL AND SPIRIT KEEPS

            HE IS THERE WHEN I HAVE A QUESTION
            HE IS THERE WHEN I AM AFRAID
            HE IS THERE WHEN SATAN TEMPTS ME
            FOR NO OTHER MASTER WOULD I TRADE

            HE IS THERE, MY LORD AND SAVIOR
            THE ONE WHO DIED UPON THAT CROSS
            HE IS THE ONE WHO WAS RESURRECTED
            SO THAT I COULD BE SAVED, NOT LOST

            HE IS THERE, SEATED BY GOD THE FATHER
            PLEADING MY CASE WHEN I MAKE MISTAKES
            HE IS THERE, PATIENTLY WAITING FOR ME
            TO CROSS OVER, HEAVENLY JOURNEY MAKE

            HE IS THERE, OF THAT I AM CONFIDENT
            HE IS THERE, MY SPIRIT TELLS ME SO
            HE IS THERE, THE ALPHA AND OMEGA
            HE IS THERE, ITS WHERE I PLAN TO GO

FURNITURE DISEASE

 
                It seems I have a sickness
                Most common in older men
                Something very hard to cure            
                No matter how much you spend

                Sometimes it can be fatal
                As drastic as it sounds
                Its cause is overeating
                Adding all those extra pounds

                My sickness has a name
                Its called “Furniture Disease”
                My chest has slid into my drawers
                Putting extra weight on my knees

                Every time I look into a mirror
                And see what’s happened to me
                Sir Isaac Newton named it
                I’m another victim of gravity!

THE EARTHQUAKE

 
                BOB WAS WORKING IN THE BASEMENT
                WHEN THE BUILDING BEGAN TO QUAKE
                FIRST THING TO CROSS HIS MIND
                “BAD PLACE TO RIDE OUT A QUAKE!”

                THE WALLS BUCKLED THEN CAVED IN
                AND THE CEILING BEGAN TO FALL
                SOMETHING HIT HIM VERY HARD
                PINNING HIM UP AGAINST A WALL

                ALL AROUND HIM THERE WAS DARKNESS
                THE BUILDING SWAYED AND GROANED
                PAIN CAME IN INCREDIBLE WAVES
                CAUSING BOB TO WEEP AND MOAN

                DESPERATE, HE CRIED FOR HELP
                AS HE FRANTICALLY REALIZED HIS PLIGHT
                AN UPHILL BATTLE HE WAS FACING
                WHILE TRAPPED AND BLEEDING THAT NIGHT

                SOMETHING LAY ACROSS HIS LEGS
                HIS ARMS BROKEN AND OF NO USE
                BLOOD POURED DOWN HIS FACE
                AN EXAMPLE OF PHYSICAL ABUSE

                SUDDENLY THERE WAS MOVEMENT
                HE WONDERED WHAT IT COULD BE
                RUSTLING, IT CAME MUCH CLOSER
                AND BRUSHED AGAINST HIS KNEE

                SCREAMING, HE SCARED IT OFF
                TRYING VERY HARD TO CALM DOWN
                COULD IT BE WHAT HE FEARED
                IF SO, THEN HE’D RATHER DROWN!

                THERE WERE RATS LIVING DOWN HERE
                HIS BOSS HAD TOLD HIM SO
                TERRIFIED, HE WONDERED WHAT TO DO
                WHILE DESPERATELY WANTING TO GO

                AFRAID TO FALL ASLEEP HE WAS
                BUT EXHAUSTION TOOK ITS TOLL
                TWO BEADY EYES WERE WATCHING
                AS IT VENTURED FROM ITS HOLE

                ATTRACTED BY THE BLOOD IT WAS
                OVERCOMING FEAR IT DREW NEAR
                IT SENSED THAT BOB WAS ASLEEP
                AND KNEW THE COAST WAS CLEAR

                BOB WOKE UP IN HORROR, SCREAMING
                AS THE RAT BEGAN TO EAT HIS FACE
                THE RESCUERS FOUND HIS UNIFORM
                BUT OF BOB THEY FOUND NO TRACE!

QUESTIONS FOR GOD

 
                I WISH THAT SOMEHOW I WAS ABLE
                TO SIT DOWN AND TALK WITH GOD
                HAVE HIM ANSWER ALL OF MY QUESTIONS
                NO MATTER IF THEY’RE  SERIOUS OR ODD

                ARE WE HIS ONE AND ONLY CREATION
                THAT SATAN HAS MANAGED TO CLAIM?
                DOES OUR HEAVENLY FATHER LOOK DOWN
                AT EARTH AND FEEL TERRIBLY ASHAMED?
    
                DO I HAVE MORE THAN ONE GUARDIAN ANGEL?
                IF SO, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THEIR NAMES.
                WHAT LANGUAGE IS MY PRAYER LANGUAGE?
                IN HEAVEN DOES SOMEONE SPEAK THE SAME?

                WILL I SEE MY MOM, DAD, GRANDPARENTS?
                WILL I LOOK AS I DO NOW?
                WILL I STILL BE OVERWEIGHT, HAVE GRAY HAIR
                AND A DEEPLY FURROWED BROW?

                WILL I GO HOME AT THE RAPTURE?
                OR WILL I ON EARTH SOMEDAY DIE?
                WILL I RIDE A HORSE TO ARMAGEDDON?
                WILL I THROUGH THE HEAVENS ONE DAY FLY?

                ARE THERE MANY JEWELS IN MY CROWN?
                WILL I SING IN THE HEAVENLY CHOIR?
                WILL I SEE MY NAME IN HIS BOOK?
                WILL I BE ROBED IN BRIGHT WHITE ATTIRE?

                WILL JESUS MEET ME AT THE GATE?
                WILL HE EMBRACE ME AS HIS BRIDE?
                WILL HE SMILE AND SAY “WELL DONE”
                AS HE USHERS ME THROUGH THE GATE INSIDE?

                ALL OF THESE QUESTIONS I WANT TO ASK
                BUT I DOUBT I’LL EVER GET THE CHANCE
                HOWEVER, I KNOW THAT IN THE FUTURE I’LL
                STAND BEFORE HIM WITH SONG AND DANCE

                HE WILL UNLOCK MY MIND TO HIS WONDERS
                ALL MY QUESTION’S ANSWERS I’LL UNDERSTAND
                MY ETERNAL SECURITY, IT’S BEEN GIVEN ME
                WITH MY JESUS WE’LL WALK HAND IN HAND

SIX FEET APART

 
                SIX FEET APART WE STAND
                I HAVE A MASK ON MY FACE
‘                SOCIAL DISTANCING IT’S CALLED
                DEALING WITH A VIRUS’S EMBRACE

                OUT OF NECESSITY I AM
                DOING THE BEST TO COMPLY
                WHAT I SEE IS DISTURBING
                IGNORANT PEOPLE WHO DON’T TRY

                “IT WON’T HAPPEN TO ME!”
                “I HATE THIS STUPID MASK!”
                “RUBBER GLOVES ARE AWKWARD!”
                “PUTTING THEM ON IS A TASK!”

                ALL OF THIS I HAVE HEARD
                PLUS SO MANY MORE
                I SHAKE MY HEAD IN ANGER
                AS I EXIT THE STORE DOOR

                IT SEEMS THAT THEY DON’T CARE
                WHETHER THEY LIVE OR DIE
                MAYBE THEY ARE TOO LAZY
                TO GIVE SELF PRESERVATION A TRY

                UNLESS GOD KILLS THIS VIRUS
                THE DEATH RATE WILL SOAR
                THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT
                STAY HOME BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

ONE MORE BOX

 
            ONE MORE BOX THE VOLUNTEER LOADED
            HE WAS WEARY, EXHAUSTED BEYOND BELIEF
            AN UNENDING LINE OF CARS AND TRUCKS
            WAITING PATIENTLY, SEEKING HELP AND RELIEF

            ONE MORE BOX FROM THE LOCAL PANTRY
            BREAD, CANNED GOODS OF ALL KINDS
            THE HOMELESS, NEEDY, RECENTLY LAID OFF
            SEEKING ANYTHING THAT THEY COULD FIND

            ONE MORE BOX FULL OF URGENT HOPE
            NO ONE TONIGHT WOULD GO HUNGRY
            A FULL BOX OF  FOOD TO TIDE THEM OVER
            AS THE VIRUS ROAMS THIS COUNTRY

            ONE MORE BOX FILLED WITH KINDNESS
            GIVEN FREELY, NO STRINGS ATTACHED
            REMOVED WITH LOVE FROM THE STOREHOUSE
            SORTED, PACKED FROM A DONATED BATCH

            ONE MORE BOX THE VOLUNTEER HEFTED
            AND THEN LOADED IT WITH A SMILE
            RECEIVED THANKS, WATCHED TEARS FLOW
            IT MADE HIM TURN, CRY A LITTLE WHILE

            ONE MORE BOX THEN DAY WAS OVER
             HE SAT DOWN TO GET SOME REST
            TOMORROW WOULD BE MORE OF THE SAME
            AND HE KNEW HE’D DO HIS VERY BEST

            ONE MORE BOX HE LATER THOUGHT
            AND HE KNEW THAT IT WAS GOOD
            HIS MINISTRY, THE CHURCH FOOD PANTRY
            AND HE WOULD DO ALL THAT HE COULD

A SHATTERED DREAM

 
            HE HAD SCRIMPED, SAVED AND DONE WITHOUT
            HIS DREAM, ONE DAY WORKING FOR HIMSELF
            THAT DAY FINALLY CAME, HE OPENED HIS SHOP
            HOURS OF CLEANING, PAINTING, STOCKING SHELFS

            AT FIRST THE GOING WAS INCREDIBLY TOUGH
            AS IS USUAL FOR A BUSINESS STARTED NEW
            LONG HOURS HE WORKED, SACRIFICED WEEKENDS
            HE DID EVERYTHING HE KNEW HOW TO DO

            OVER THE YEARS HIS BUSINESS STEADILY GREW
            HE TOOK PRIDE IN WHAT HE HAD DONE
            A PILLAR OF HIS COMMUNITY HE BECAME
            THE OUTSTANDING BUSINESS AWARD HE WON

            AND THEN ONE DAY THE CORONA VIRUS CAME
            OVER NIGHT HIS DREAM VANISHED, DISAPPEARED
            NOT CONSIDERED AN ESSENTIAL BUSINESS
            HIS DOORS ABRUPTLY CLOSED AS HE HAD FEARED

            EMPLOYEES, LOYAL FRIENDS HE HAD TO LET GO
            HE WATCHED AS FEAR AND PANIC SETTLED IN
            THE UNCERTAINTY OF THEIR FUTURE LOOMED
            A SOLUTION, HE HAD NO IDEA WHERE TO BEGIN

            “WOULD LIFE RETURN TO NORMAL?” HE WONDERED
            ODDS OF HIS BUSINESS SURVIVING WERE SLIM
            HIS ONE OPTION, A JOB MAKING MINIMUM WAGE
            AS THE VIRUS WREAKED HAVOC, DEADLY AND GRIM

            IT IS SAD WHEN ONE’S DREAMS ARE SHATTERED
            WHEN SOMETHING PRECIOUS IS TAKEN AWAY
            YOU CAN GIVE UP, HAVE YOURSELF A PITY PARTY
            OR BE OPTIMISTIC, THERE’S ALWAYS ANOTHER DAY

            YOU HAVE TO ROLL WITH LIFE’S PUNCHES
            AND SOMETIMES YOU WILL TAKE ONE ON YOUR CHIN
            SO PICK YOURSELF UP AND BRUSH YOURSELF OFF
            IT’S THE AMERICAN WAY, YOU START ALL OVER AGAIN

MY MOM

 
            FOR NINETY YEARS MY MOM LIVED
            SOUND OF MIND UNTIL SHE DIED
            SHE DID HER BEST TO BE HAPPY
            LOVE FOR HER CHILDREN WAS NOT DENIED

            SHE WAS A LOYAL CHURCH MEMBER
            SHE TAUGHT ME RIGHT FROM WRONG
            LOVED SINGING IN THE CHURCH CHOIR
            ENJOYED HYMNS AND GOSPEL SONGS

            SHORT OF STATURE SHE WAS
            AND I NEVER LET HER LIVE IT DOWN
            BY THE TIME I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL
            SHE WOULD LOOK UP AT ME AND FROWN

            MY MOM, SHE NEVER MET A STRANGER\        
            FOR HER TO BE SILENT WOULD BE A SHOCK
            IT WAS A JOKE IN OUR FAMILY
            SHE COULD HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH A ROCK

            SHE COULDN’T KEEP A SECRET
            NO MATTER HOW HARD SHE TRIED
            WE WOULD ALWAYS TRY TO TRICK HER
            FROM HER ANSWERS WE WOULD PRY

            MY MOM INVENTED THE WORD “WORRY”
            IT WAS SOMETHING THAT SHE DID BEST
            IF SHE RAN OUT OF THINGS TO WORRY ABOUT
            SHE’D CALL A NEIGHBOR IN DISTRESS

            SHE NEVER MISSED A GARAGE SALE
            THE CAR WOULD SKID TO A STOP
            OUT SHE’D GO, LITTLE LEGS CHURNING
            BECAUSE SHE JUST HAD TO SHOP

            FLOWERS WERE HER FAVORITE THINGS
            SHE USED TO WORK IN A FLOWER SHOP
            CRAFTING, DESIGNING, MAKING BOUQUETS
             ARTHRITIC FINGERS FORCED HER TO STOP

            MY MOM, SHE COULD HAVE A TEMPER
            GET HER MAD HER FACE BECAME BEET RED
            AND IF YOU DID SOMETHING REALLY BAD
            HER WOODEN PADDLE YOU WOULD DREAD

THE HEART

 
                THE HEART IS SUCH A COMPLEX THING
                DESIGNED FROM FLESH AND BLOOD
                IT NOURISHES ALL YOUR BODY’S NEEDS
                THRU YOUR VEINS, BLOOD IT FLOODS

                IT’S AN ORGAN NOT TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY
                IN IMPORTANCE ITS THE MOST
                TO KNOW YOU HAVE A HEALTHY ONE
                CAN GIVE YOU A REASON TO BOAST

                IT HAS SO MANY DIFFERENT ASPECTS
                IN THE PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL REALM
                AND WHEN GOD HAS IT IN HIS CONTROL
                YOU’LL KNOW THAT HE’S AT THE HELM

                HE’S IN CHARGE OF ALL HEART MATTERS
                HOLDS IT IN THE PALM OF HIS HAND
                GENTLY BLOWS HIS SPIRIT UPON IT
                TO MAKE IT THE SOFTEST IN THE LAND

                NOW EVERYBODY HAS A HEART
                AND THIS WE ALL SURELY DO KNOW
                BUT THE HEART THAT I WANT THE MOST
                IS GOD’S FOR ME TO EVERY DAY SHOW

STAND AND SHOUT

 
In the middle of his sermon
The pastor stopped and looked around
What he saw startled him
Was disturbed by snoring sounds

He began searching out faces
He didn’t like what he observed
Seems not many paid attention
As he shared God’s Holy Word

People were looking at cell phones
Others were talking out loud
Half a dozen were sound asleep
The teenagers were a rowdy crowd

A deacon was reading a book
In the foyer was played a game
No one was taking him serious
On whom should it be blamed

The pastor decided it was enough
“Everybody is going to Hell!”
He said it with loud authority
“If you agree stand up and yell!”

Out of its stupor, the church arose
And resounded with a shout
The pastor sadly turned away
In Hhs ministry he began to doubt

His church realized their error
Their facial expressions were sad
They had failed their pastor
What they had done was bad

A deacon said, “You tricked us!”
The pastor answered, “I guess you’re right”
“Tell me, why are you here
At our service on Sunday night?”

“God gave me tonight’s message”
“He evidently wanted it preached”
“The reaction I got from you
You didn’t want to be reached.”

“A bedroom this is definitely not
Nor a library will it ever be.”
“Cell phones, leave them at home”
“Play games! Don’t let me see.”


“God’s house it will always be”
“Don’t agree then stay at home”
“I’d rather preach to empty pews
If you have no desire to atone.”

“So, fire me if you want to”
“God is my provider, not you”
“If I stay there will be changes”
“What are you going to do?”

One by one they began to weep
To the altar, they went to pray
Forgiveness was offered, received
And Pastor preached another day

THE DEVICE OF THE AGES

 
                THE DEVICE OF THE CENTURY
                A MARVEL SO HIGHLY TOUTED
                IT HAS CHANGED OUR HISTORY
                IT’S PLAUDITS LOUDLY SHOUTED

                FOR GOOD AMD BAD ITS USED
                IN ORDER TO PROVE AN ISSUE
                SOMETIMES GOOD COMES FROM IT
                AND OTHERS YOU NEED A TISSUE

                A TELEVISION SET IT’S CALLED
                IT’S MEANT TO ENTERTAIN US ALL
                MANY THINK IT IS WONDERFUL
                AND IT’S AN INDIVIDUAL’S CALL

                SOME CALL IT A BOOB TUBE
                IT’S A COLOSSAL WASTE OF TIME
                ELECTRONICS TOUTED AS SMART
                IN REALITY IT’S A MEDIA CRIME

                IT’S SAD WHEN THE BEST THINGS
                ARE RERUNS OF SIXTIES SHOWS
                NOTHING ELSE IS WORTH WATCHING
                AND THIS ALL OF US DO KNOW

                THE NETWORKS ARE ALL THE SAME
                CAN’T COME UP WITH ANYTHING NEW
                BORING KNOCKOFFS OF FORMER HITS
                IS ALL THEY OFFER US TO VIEW

                I THINK WE ARE “DUMBING” DOWN            
                BECAUSE OF THE THINGS WE SEE
                TURNING IT OFF, FINDING A GOOD BOOK
                SEEMS LIKE AN ALTERNATIVE TO ME

MARY JANE

 
            ON THE SIDEWALK SHE WAS MASTER
            THERE WAS NONE WHO COULD GO FASTER
            NO ONE COULD EVER EVER PASS HER
            ACROSS THE FINISH LINE FIRSTER NOT LASTER

            IN A RACE SHE TOOK ON ALL COMERS
            IN WINTER, SPRING, FALL OR SUMMER
            LOSING TO HER WAS ALWAYS A BUMMER
            MAKING THE DEFEATED FEEL MUCH DUMBER

            ALWAYS AHEAD, HER PIGTAILS FLYING
            SHE’S GIGGLING WHILE YOU ARE CRYING
            SORE MUSCLES STRAINING, YOU’RE TRYING
            TRAIL OF TEARS BEHIND YOU ARE LYING

            A VICTORY LAP SHE LAUGHS AND SQUEALS
            MAKING YOUR LOSS SUCH A BIG DEAL
            ADDING MUCH INSULT TO HOW YOU FEEL
            LOSING TO MARY JANE ON HER BIG WHEEL!

THE CAT FROM HELL

 
                I WILL NEVER FORGET THE DAY
                I RECEIVED THAT FATEFUL CALL
                IT WAS MY BEST FRIEND, JOHN
                WHOM I’D HELPED, JOBS BIG AND SMALL

                “MY CAT HAS DONE SOMETHING STUPID”
                “YOU KNOW, SADIE, THE SIAMESE”
                “I CAN’T HELP HER BY MYSELF”
                “WILL YOU COME OVER, PRETTY PLEASE”

                WHAT I SAW WHEN I ARRIVED
                MADE ME LAUGH TIL IT BROUGHT TEARS
                FOR SADIE STOOD BEFORE ME
                RUBBER BAND PROTRUDING FROM HER REAR

                SHE WAS MAKING A MOURNFUL SOUND
                AS BOWLEGGED AS SHE COULD BE
                AS JOHN AND I STOOD AND PONDERED
                ON REMOVING IT, JUST HOW DO WE

                “SHE STARTED OUT BY EATING
                THE ELASTIC TOPS FROM MY SOCKS”
                “BUT TO GRADUATE TO THIS
                HAS COME AS QUITE A SHOCK”

                JOHN WENT TO FIND SOME TWEEZERS
                WHILE I PICKED UP THAT STUPID CAT
                GENTLY THEN I ROLLED HER UP
                INSIDE JOHN’S FRONT DOOR WELCOME MAT

                SADIE BEGAN TO SQUALL AND SQUIRM
                AS JOHN GRABBED HOLD OF THE BAND
                PULLING HARD, THE TWEEZERS SLIPPED
                AND THINGS GOT RAPIDLY OUT OF HAND
                
                SHE TOOK OFF LIKE A FIERY ROCKER
                AND UP THE CURTAINS SHE FLEW
                AROUND AND AROUND THE ROOM WE RACED
                CATCHING HER, WE HAD NO CLUE

                FINALLY SHE WAS CORNERED
                A RAGING BEAST SHE HAD BECOME
                A TOWEL TOSSED, HASTY GRAB
                THE DEMON DID FINALLY SUCCUMB



                HOLDING HER BECAME AN ORDEAL
                AS SHE FOUGHT US TOOTH AND NAIL
                THE TWEEZERS SLIPPED, HER BUTT POPPED
                AGAIN FROM MY ARMS SHE BAILED

                FINALLY THE TASK WAS COMPLETED
                WITH LOSS OF BLOOD AND SKIN
                SADIE DISAPPEARED TO NURSE HER BUTT
                WE DOUBT SHE’LL DO IT AGAIN!!!

LONELINESS

 
            LONELINESS IS A TERRIBLE THING
            DESIGNED TO TEST ONE’S WORTH
            FOR AREN’T WE SUPPOSED TO BE SOCIAL
            PROGRAMMED INTO US AT BIRTH?

            TO BE AT HOME ALONE AT NIGHT
            ISN’T AT ALL APPEALING
            BECAUSE YOU HAVEN’T ANYONE THERE
            TO SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS

            IF YOU DWELL ON IT FOR VERY LONG
            IT CAN BECOME QUITE AN ISSUE
            FOR I LONG FOR THE OPPORTUNITY
            TO COME HOME AND SAY “ I MISSED YOU”

            FOR SOME TO BE ALONE IS FINE
            AND CAN HANDLE IT VERY WELL
            AS FOR ME I FIRMLY BELIEVE
            IT’S FROM THE PIT OF HELL!

IN THE MIST OF TIME

 
                IN THE MIST OF TIME
                THEY WERE ALWAYS HERE
                THREE WORKING AS ONE
                IN A HOLY ATMOSPHERE

                IN THE MIST OF TIME
                OUR CREATION, IT BEGAN
                SPOKEN INTO EXISTENCE
                ACCORDING TO THEIR PLAN

                IN THE MIST OF TIME
                THIS WORLD TOOK SHAPE
                THE MOUNTAINS AND VALLEYS
                A PRISTINE LANDSCAPE

                IN THE MIST OF TIME
                IT ALL CAME TOGETHER
                THE OCEANS AND LAKES
                AND ALL KINDS OF WEATHER

                IN THE MIST OF TIME
                BEASTS IN THE FIELDS
                FAUNA, FISH AND BIRDS
                GRAIN CROPS THAT YIELD

                IN THE MIST OF TIME
                DUST, IT BECAME MAN
                HE WAS MADE TO LOOK
                LIKE THE GREAT I AM

                IN THE MIST OF TIME
                GOD PUT IT TOGETHER
                WE ARE TIED TO HIM
                WITH A HEAVENLY TETHER

                IN THE MIST OF THE FUTURE
                UP IN HEAVEN WITH HIM
                NO MORE PAIN OR SORROW
                VIBRANT, EYES NOT DIMMED

AFRAID BUT WILLING TO DIE

 
            HE WAS AFRAID, BUT WILLING TO DIE
            IN THE RECRUITING OFFICE HE NOW STOOD
            IT WAS A TRADITION IN HIS FAMILY
            SERVING HIS COUNTRY, HE KNEW HE WOULD

            WHILE WAITING HIS TURN HE THOUGHT ABOUT
            THE MANY STORIES HE’D BEEN TOLD
            OF THE EXPLOITS OF HIS FAMILY MEMBERS
            HOW THEY HAD BEEN BOTH BRAVE AND BOLD

            ONE HAD COME OVER ON THE MAYFLOWER
            WITH HIS MUSKET HELD THE INDIANS AT BAY
            ANOTHER WAS A MEMBER OF ROGER’S RANGERS
            KEEPING NEW ENGLAND SAFE EVERY DAY

            YET ANOTHER STOOD HIS GROUND AT CONCORD
            PUTTING A STOP TO THE BRITISH TYRANNY
            ANOTHER WAS WITH ANDY JACKSON IN 1815
            AGAIN BRINGING THE BRITISH TO THEIR KNEES

            ANOTHER SACRIFICED HIS LIFE AT THE ALAMO
            IN ORDER FOR THE TEXANS TO BE FREE
            AND ANOTHER FOUGHT AND DIED AT GETTYSBURG
            PICKETT’S CHARGE WAS A SIGHT TO SEE

            ONE RODE INTO THE VALLEY WITH CUSTER
            HOPING THAT HE WOULD COME OUT ALIVE
            YET ANOTHER RODE WITH THE ROUGH RIDERS
            A SAN JUAN HILL VICTORY HE DID DERIVE

            HIS GREAT GRANDFATHER FOUGHT IN FRANCE
            IN A CONFLICT CALLED WORLD WAR ONE
            HIS GRANDFATHER FOUGHT AT IWO JIMA
            DEFEATING THE JAPANESE RISING SUN

            ANOTHER ABOARD THE ARIZONA WAS KILLED
            ASLEEP BELOW, HE NEVER HAD A CHANCE
            ANOTHER WAS AT THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE
            HIS DIVISION STOPPED THE GERMAN ADVANCE

            HIS DAD’S UNCLE WAS AT PORK CHOP HILL
            HE CAME HOME AND WAS NEVER THE SAME
            ANOTHER WAS CAPTURED, WAS IN A POW CAMP
            HE DIED, FROZE TO DEATH WAS THE CLAIM

          

            YET ANOTHER FOUGHT BRAVELY IN VIET NAM
            BADLY WOUNDED, SHIPPED BACK TO THE STATES
            PROTESTERS MET HIM AT THE AIRPORT
            THEY SPAT ON HIM COMING THRU THE GATE

            HIS FATHER, HE SERVED DURING DESERT STORM
            PROUFLY DEFEATING SADDAM HUSSEIN’S IRAQ
            HIS SECOND COUSIN, A MARINE CORPORAL
            WAS WOUNDED BEATING BACK AN ISIS ATTACK

            NOW IT WAS FINALLY HIS TURN TO SERVE
            TO KEEP THE FAMILY TRADITION GOING, HE’D TRY
            HE VOWED TO DEFEND THE COUNTRY HE LOVED
            AND HE WAS MORE THAN WILLING TO DIE

WHEN HE COMES

 
            A COMPLETE SILENCE SURROUNDS ME
            AS I PERUSE MY INNER THOUGHTS
            I’VE LEARNED TO LISTEN INTENTLY
            AS MY TIMES ARE WASTED FOR NOUGHT

            FOR I USUALLY HAVE A VISITOR
            ALTHOUGH HE DOESN’T USE THE DOOR
            WHEN HE AND MY SOUL MERGE
            I ALWAYS KNOW WHO HAS THE FLOOR

            HE FILLS MY MIND WITH SUCH WONDER
            THEN HELPS ME DIRECT IT TO A PAGE
            FOR WHAT I HEAR FLOWS SO FREELY
            WHEN MY PEN AND PAPER DO ENGAGE

            SOMETIMES THE WORDS COME RAPIDLY
            URGENT, AS ONLY HE KNOWS WHY
            OTHERS, A SIMPLE LINE TO START
            THEN HIS PROVENANCE MAKES ME CRY

            FOR I COULDN’T WRITE LIKE HE DOES
            I’D HAVE NO IDEA WHERE TO START
            AS HE’S THE ONLY ONE CAPABLE
            OF HANDLING MATTERS OF THE HEART

             I IMPLORE HIM TO PLEASE USE ME
            LET ME BE A FUNNEL FOR HIS WORDS
            HUMBLE, BROKEN, LYING AT HIS FEET
            THRU ME LET HIS VOICE BE HEARD

            NOW ONCE AGAIN I SIT IN SILENCE
            WAITING FOR HIS WORDS TO ARRIVE
            AS THEY COME JOY FILLS MY HEART
            REALIZING THAT THRU ME HE’S ALIVE

SHAME

 
                BRICKS FLY THROUGH THE AIR
                WINDOWS ARE BEING SMASHED
                FIRES BURNING OUT OF CONTROL
                LOOT FROM STORES IS STASHED

                IT’S ANOTHER NIGHT OF RIOTS
                BECAUSE OF POLICE TACTICS, BAD
                AGAINST A RACE STEREOTYPED VIOLENT
                IN AN UPROAR, RAGING MAD

                WHY DOES VIOLENCE ALWAYS HAPPEN?
                WHY DO PROTESTS GO BAD?
                WHY DOES RIOTING AND LOOTING
                OCCUR BECAUSE YOU’RE MAD?

                WHAT POINT DOES IT MAKE
                TO LOOT, PILLAGE AND STEAL
                DESTROY SOMEONE ELSE’S DREAM
                TO TRY TO PROVE ONE’S IDEAL

                THERE’S A REASON FOR ALL OF THIS
                IT’S OBVIOUS FOR ALL TO SEE
                GET THE CHIP OFF YOUR SHOULDER
                A BETTER WORLD THIS WOULD BE

                TO GET ALONG IN THIS WORLD
                THE SECRET IS TO BEHAVE
                NO MATTER IF IN YOUR PAST
                YOUR FAMILY WAS FREE OR SLAVES

                IF I’M WRONG THEN PROVE IT
                REVENGE, DON’T GO LOOKING FOR
                IF YOU CONTINUE AS ALWAYS
                TROUBLE WILL ALWAYS FIND YOUR DOOR

                IN REALITY, ALL RACES MATTER
                BE TREATED EQUAL, THEY SHOULD
                UNTIL WE FINALLY COME TO TERMS
                BAD WILL ALWAYS OVERCOME GOOD

                IF THIS UPSETS YOU, MAKES YOU MAD
                THE ANSWER IS TO CHANGE
                IF YOU DON’T, THEN I AM SORRY
                YOU’LL ALWAYS BE ENRAGED`

RAISE MY HAND

 
            I HAVE A DISEASE CALLED “RAISE MY HAND”
            AND IT USUALLY GETS ME IN DEEP TROUBLE
            BECAUSE WHENEVER I GET BRAVE AND DO IT
            PROBLEMS, THEY SOMEHOW ALWAYS GET DOUBLED

            IN SCHOOL I WOULD SOMETIMES RAISE MY HAND
            THINKING OF THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION I KNEW
            THEN A MOMENT OF SHEER PANIC WOULD SET IN
            CAUSING DUMBNESS, THE ANSWER I’D HAVE NO CLUE

            I’VE BEEN CHOSEN TO PLAY ON SPORTS TEAMS
            PICKED FROM MANY IN LINE WE WOULD STAND
            I HAVE VOTED WHEN THE OUTCOME WAS DECIDED
            BY COUNTING THE NUMBER OF RAISED HANDS

            THE PHYSICAL FOR MILITARY SERVICE I TOOK
            I FAILED, BACK ISSUES, COULDN’T SERVE THIS LAND
            IF PASSED, NAVY BOUND I WOULD HAVE BEEN
            WOULD HAVE BEEN SWORN IN, RAISED MY HAND

            AT WORK I HAVE GOOFED, LIFTED IT UP
            THEN WAS GIVEN TASKS BOTH NASTY AND BAD
            AT CHURCH I WOULD SOMETIMES VOLUNTEER
            DOING THE LORD’S WORK WOULD MAKE ME GLAD

            IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING LIFE’S DECISIONS
            YOU MUST TAKE A STAND, RAISE YOUR HAND
            FOR THERE WILL COME A TIME, IT ALWAYS DOES
            WHEN YOU MUST RAISE YOUR HAND, BE A MAN

YUM!

 
                    Apple, pumpkin, custard, cherry
                Strawberry, chocolate, peach
                Lemon, butterscotch, rhubarb
                Usually for pecan I will reach

                All of them are delicious
                Freshly baked and still warm
                Hot or cold, it doesn’t matter
                I like it in every shape or form

                Maybe covered, cheddar cheese
                Or ice cream scooped on top
                My willpower is shattered
                I know that I can’t possibly stop

                Whipped cream or meringue
                On crust baked golden brown
                The aroma of juices bubbling
                You”ll never see me frown

                One day I’ll enjoy raspberry
                The next, blueberry it will be
                I can’t help it, I’m addicted
                A hopeless pie-aholic, it’s me!`

TELL ME WHY

 
                TELL ME WHY
                IN THIS LAND THAT I LOVE
                IS IT ONLY COINCIDENCE
                OR ARE WE BEING JUDGED FROM ABOVE?

                TELL ME WHY
                AS I WRITE THIS WITH MY TEARS
                MY CONCERN IS FOR OUR COUNTRY
                TRYING HARD TO CONTROL MY FEAR

                TELL ME WHY
                TIMES CAN’T BE AS THEY WERE
                WHEN FAMILY WAS WHAT MATTERED
                AND YOUR FUTURE WAS SECURE

                TELL ME WHY
                WHEN YOUR NEIGHBORS WERE YOUR FRIENDS
                YOU KNEW THEM BY THEIR FIRST NAMES
                AND IN NEED ON THEM YOU COULD DEPEND

                TELL ME WHY
                PRAYER WAS REMOVED FROM OUR SCHOOLS
                DID MADELYN MURRAY O’HARE
                GET HER WAY AND MAKE US LOOK LIKE FOOLS?

                TELL ME WHY
                IT’S WRONG TO DISCIPLINE A CHILD
                A WHACK OR TWO FROM MY DAD
                KEPT ME FROM GOING WILD

                TELL ME WHY
                YOU EXPECT TEACHERS TO RAISE YOUR KIDS
                SHAME ON YOU, ITS NOT THEIR JOB
                FROM RESPONSIBILITY YOU’VE HID

                TELL ME WHY
                ALL OUR POLITICIANS DO IS FIGHT
                IF THEY COULD GROW UP, WORK TOGETHER
                THEN THIS COUNTRY WOULD BE ALL RIGHT
                TELL ME WHY
                OUR NATION IS IN SO MUCH DEBT
                IF OUR CREDITORS DEMANDED FULL PAYMENT
                THEN WE DESERVE WHAT WE GET

                TELL ME WHY
                UNBORN BABIES ARE ALLOWED TO DIE
                IT’S A SHAME THAT THEIR MOTHERS
                WON’T HEAR THEIR NEWBORN’S CRY

                TELL ME WHY
                SUPER POWER WE’RE SUPPOSED TO BE
                NO WAR’S BEEN WON SINCE WORLD WAR TWO
                I PRAY THERE’S NOT A WORLD WAR THREE

                TELL ME WHY
                OUR CHILDREN CAN’T GO OUT AND PLAY
                BECAUSE MOLESTATION AND KIDNAPPING
                IS A THREAT TO THEM EACH AND EVERY DAY

                TELL ME WHY
                DISPUTES ARE SOMETIMES WON
                BY LETTING GO OF SELF CONTROL
                AND THE SHOOTING OF A GUN

                TELL ME WHY
                WHEN GOING TO CHURCH WAS THE RULE
                WE ALLOW HATRED, STRIFE, PERSECUTION
                EMPTY PEWS AS SATAN’S TOOLS

                TELL ME WHY
                CONTROVERSY IS FORCED ON ME
                BY INSULTING OUR NATION’S FLAG
                WHILE DOWN ON BENDED KNEE

                PLEASE TELL ME WHY
                WE CAN’T SEEM TO GET ALONG
                “BE PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN”
                LIVE UP TO THIS PATRIOTIC SONG

A QUESTION IN THE RAIN

 
                A LIGHT COLD RAIN WAS FALLING
                AS I LEFT THE HOUSE THAT DAY
                A WESTERN WIND WAS BLOWING
                THROUGH THAT OVERCAST OF GRAY

                PUDDLES FILLED THE STREETS
                AS I BEGAN MY DAILY WALK
                STEADY PATTER ON MY UMBRELLA
                I SHIVERED BUT DIDN’T BALK

                SHOD WITH RUBBER BOOTS I WAS
                THE HEAVY INSULATED KIND
                WOOL SWEATER AND WINDBREAKER
                WARMEST HAT THAT I COULD FIND

                FACING INTO THE WIND I TROD
                ON A DAY BOTH DARK AND BLEAK
                WALKING, A QUESTION FORMED
                AND AN ANSWER I NEEDED TO SEEK

                “GOD, I KNOW THAT YOU HEAR ME”
                “THERE’S SOMETHING I MUST KNOW”
                “MUST WE HAVE THESE NASTY DAYS”
                “WHY, IT’S COLD ENOUGH TO SNOW!”

                CHUCKLING, HE ANSWERED ME
                AND I WON’T FORGET WHAT HE SAID
                IT MAKES MY TREKS MUCH EASIER
                BY THE LIGHT THAT HE SHED

                “EVERYONE LOVES THE SUNSHINE”
                “IT MAKES THEM HAPPY AND GLAD”
                “BUT CAN THEY KEEP THAT FEELING
                ON A DAY BOTH NASTY AND BAD?”

                “I CREATED THESE DAYS AS A TEST
                TO SEE HOW THEY WILL REACT”
                “HOPING THAT THEY’LL STILL SEEK ME
                ON BAD DAYS, MATTER OF FACT”
                “THAT’S THE PURPOSE FOR THE RAIN
                AND WHY I SEND THE SNOW”
                “JUST MAYBE THEY WILL THINK OF ME
                AS THEIR DAILY LIVES I SLOW”

THE SCAVENGER

                     THE SCAVENGER

            HE HOPED THAT HE WAS THE FIRST ONE
            TO MAKE THE ROUNDS FOR FOOD THAT NIGHT
            PAST EXPERIENCES HAD BEEN TRAUMATIC
            OCCASIONALLY HE HAD BEEN FORCED TO FIGHT

            EMBARRASSED, HE RAISED THE DUMPSTER LID
            HIS HUNGER WAS OVERCOMING HIS PRIDE
            TAKING A CHANCE, HE QUICKLY SCAVENGED
            A BAG OF APPLES, HE SMILED, THEN HE CRIED

            QUICKLY CLUTCHING HIS PRIZE TO HIS CHEST
            HE HURRIED AWAY, HOPING NOT TO BE SEEN
            KNOWING THAT PEOPLE WOULDN’T UNDERSTAND
            WOULD CRITICIZE, SAY WORDS HARSH AND MEAN

            EVER SINCE THE DAY HE HAD BEEN LAID OFF
            FEEDING HIS FAMILY HAD BEEN INCREDIBLY HARD
            THE GOOD JOB HE HAD WORKED AND ENJOYED
            HAD VANISHED AND CAUGHT HIM OFF GUARD

            WITH FOUR KIDS AND A PREGNANT WIFE
            MONEY, THERE NEVER SEEMED TO BE ENOUGH
            HIS UNEMPLOYMENT CHECK WAS BARELY ABLE
            TO BUY NECESSITIES, PAYING UTILITIES WAS TOUGH

            NOW HIS PRIDE TOOK A KICK IN THE PANTS
            THERE WAS YET ANOTHER DUMPSTER AHEAD
            HE KNEW THAT HE WOULD DO HIS VERY BEST
            TO AVOID SENDING HIS HUNGRY KIDS TO BED

MY PET PEEVE

 
            DOES ANYONE HAVE A PET PEEVE
            LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT MINE
            IT HAPPENS AT MANY RETAIL STORES
            WHILE STANDING IN CHECKOUT LINES

            I HAVE MY PLASTIC IN MY HAND
            AND WHAT COMES UP ON THE SCREEN
            ENGLISH OR ESPANOL ARE MY OPTIONS
            I KNOW I’M GONNA BE MEAN!

            I TELL THE CLERK “I’M NONE OF THOSE”
            “WHERE’S MY LANGUAGE PLEASE”
            I GET IGNORED, TREATED LIKE A FOOL
            LAUGHED AT FOR EVERYONE TO SEE

            DISCRIMINATED AGAINST, PROBABLY
            BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO CARE
            IT’S ENOUGH TO MAKE ME ANGRY
            AND PULL OUT ALL OF MY HAIR

            I WANT TO LITIGATE AND GET EVEN
            AND SOMEHOW PROVE I’M RIGHT
            IF YOU LIVE HERE LEARN THE LANGUAGE
            DON’T EXPECT FAVORS, FEEL CONTRITE

            IF STORES HAD TO PUT UP SIGNS
            WRITTEN IN EVERY LANGUAGE THERE IS
            IT WOULD STOP ALL OF THIS INSANITY
            AND NONE OF US WOULD GET PISSED!

8 SECONDS

 
            Big Red knew what was coming
            When he ambled off that truck
            Tonight another cowboy would try
            To beat the odds, have some luck

            In the bovine world, he was king
            Eighteen hundred pounds of hooded hell
            Until now nobody had stayed aboard
            To hear that eight-second bell

            He was such a magnificent beast
            Muscled shoulders of a copper hue
            If there was a physical weakness
            There were no obvious clues

            In the distance, he heard an uproar
            Knew that time was drawing near
            For him to do what he did best
            Intimidate, doing his best to create fear

            He was loaded into a narrow chute
            Felt a weight settle on his back
            Bucked, strained, he created havoc
            Coiling his muscles for the attack

            The gate opened and off they went
            Cowboy, he was determined to unseat
            A whirling dervish he now became
            In his mind no way could he be beat

            The uproar was intense, deafening
            People were screaming, on their feet
            Sensing that this could be the night
            When Big Red finally tasted defeat

            The cowboy thought he knew Red’s moves
            But Big Red had one he kept in reserve
            If he was going to throw this cowboy
            It was now while he had the nerve

            Out of a tight spin, he went down
            And went into a deadly barrel roll
            Unable to clear the saddle in time
            The cowboy’s life Big Red stole

            That night Big Red was retired
            And hamburger he almost became
            Instead, a sign was nailed to his stall
            “Here lives a killer, Big Red’s his name”

THE HOME RUN HIT

 
            “ WHAT IS THAT SOUND?” HE WONDERED
            AS HE CURIOUSLY CREPT DOWN THE HALL
            WHAT HE SAW IN HIS PARENT’S BEDROOM
            MADE HIM RETREAT, MAKE A 911 CALL

            “SOMEONE’S BREAKING IN,” HE SAID
            THE OPERATOR SAID,”HELP IS ON THE WAY.”
            “GET OUT OF THE HOUSE,” SHE URGED
            “PLEASE HURRY AND DON’T DELAY.”

            DOWN ON ALL FOURS HE CRAWLED
            INTO HIS ROOM FOR HIS BASEBALL BAT
            RETRIEVING IT, HE WENT DOWN THE HALL
            BUT NOT BEFORE DONNING HIS TEAM HAT

            INTO HIS PARENT’S ROOM HE CRAWLED
            STOOD UP, ALUMINUM BAT IN HIS HAND
            STEADIED HIMSELF BESIDE THE WINDOW
            WAITED FOR THE HOODED MASKED MAN

            THE WINDOW WENT UP, IN HE CAME
            AND THE YOUNGSTER WAS IN FULL SWING
            CRACK OF THE BAT, HOME RUN HE HIT
            KNOCKED OUT, THE BURGLAR GOT DINGED

            THE POLICE ARRIVED, PERUSED THE SCENE
            HANDCUFFED THE BLOODY, UNCONSCIOUS THIEF
            “RIGHT BETWEEN THE EYES, WHAT A HIT!”
            “CRUSHED HIS SINUS CAVITIES! GOOD GRIEF!”

            “I HEAR HE’S LITTLE LEAGUE HOME RUN KING”
            “HE SURE HIT A HOMER TODAY!”
            “WHEN THE GUY GETS OUT OF THE HOSPITAL
            IN JAIL FOR RECOVERY HE’LL STAY!”

            THE BOY KNEW THAT HE HAD DISOBEYED
            BUT HE WAS PROUD OF WHAT HE DID
            ONE THING THE BURGLAR WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER
            IS THE SWING OF A TEN YEAR OLD KID

KERPLUNK!

 
                KERPLUNK THE BOBBER WENT
                AS I HOOKED ANOTHER FISH
                KERPLUNK THE BOBBER WENT
                ANOTHER FILET FOR MY DISH

                KERPLUNK, THE BOBBER WENT
                I HOPE ITS SOMETHING BIG
                KERPLUNK THE BOBBER WENT
                A HOLE FOR FISH GUTS TO DIG

                KERPLUNK THE BOBBER WENT
                I’M HAVING A LOT OF FUN
                KERPLUNK THE BOBBER WENT
                WHILE SITTING IN THE SUN

                KERPLUNK THE BOBBER WENT
                MY STRINGERS GETTING FULL
                KERPLUNK THE BOBBER WENT
                JUST FEEL THAT BIG ONE PULL

                KERPLUNK THE BOBBER WENT
                ITS NOW TIME TO GO HOME
                KERPLUNK THE BOBBER WENT
                ITS TIME TO END THIS POEM!

THE LETTERS

 
                BETWEEN THE WALLS THEY RESTED
                PARCHMENT PAPER AND INDIGO INK
                MEMOIRS OF A LIFE LONG PAST
                BUNDLED IN RIBBONS, BLUE AND PINK

                HIDDEN AWAY, LOST FOR DECADES
                WAITING TO SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY
                A CHRONICLE OF A LONG LOST LOVE
                AT THE OLD COTTAGE BY THE BAY

                DISCOVERED DURING REMODELING
                THE FAMILY WAS PROMPTLY NOTIFIED
                PAGE BY PAGE THEY WERE READ
                CAUSING THE CHILDREN TO SOFTLY CRY

                LOVE LETTERS BETWEEN THEIR PARENTS
                WHEN DADDY HAD GONE OF TO WAR
                THINGS THEIR MOTHER HADN’T SHARED
                OF THE HARD TIMES ENDURED BEFORE

                THEY BARELY REMEMBERED THEIR DADDY
                BUT RECALLED THE DAY MOTHER CRIED
                TWO OFFICERS HAD COME TO THE HOUSE
                TOLD HER THAT THEIR DADDY HAD DIED

                OF THE LETTERS THEY HAD NO CLUE
                THEIR EXISTENCE HADN’T BEEN REVEALED
                NOW THEY READ OF THEIR PARENTS LOVE
                OF HOPE, WORRY, PRAYER UNSEALED

                WHY THEY WERE HIDDEN BEHIND A WALL
                THEY COULD ONLY MAKE A GUESS
                BUT NOW THEY HAVE A NEW HOME
                RESIDING IN THE FAMILY’S MEMORY CHEST

HEAVENS TO BETSY

 
Heavens To Betsy, You’re Cute As A Button
Come on, Shoot The Breeze, Spill The Beans
You’re As Fit As A Fiddle, Fine As Frog Hair
You’re Driving Me Up A Wall, come clean

It was nasty outside, Raining Cats And Dogs
A Real Toad Strangler, it was coming down good
It was Like A Cow Peeing On A Flat Rock
Does A Bear Really Live In The Woods?

I’ve known you since Knee High To A Grasshopper
Where ever we went I would Ride Shotgun
Beauty parlors, Pass The Buck, say “Eat My Dust”
One rainy day stopped without me, a change had begun

Really, I’m not as Dumb As A Box Of Rocks
I’m Running In Circles, You’re On My Last Nerve
So, Put Up Or Shut Up, don’t Plead The Fifth
I’m having a Conniption Fit I don’t deserve

So you’ve got me Behind The Eight Ball
I’m becoming Mean As The Junk Yard Dog
There’s More Than One Way To Skin A Cat
I’m Going Postal, You’re Telling Me, Whole Hog

Your complexion is White As A Ghost
No longer do you look Old As The Hills
Don’t Hold Your Horses, you Penny Pincher
Tell me The Whole Nine Yards, don’t be still

I will Jump For Joy, be Free As A Bird
Once In A Blue Moon, Go Jump In A Lake
Is it A Piece Of Cake? Say It Ain’t So
Jump On The Bandwagon, my John Hancock make

Dumb As A Doorknob, I’m Quitting Cold Turkey
My Blind As A Bat has Bought The Farm
My hair, not Crooked As A Snake’s Hind Leg
Beautified, I’m Snug As A Bug In A Rug

SOUNDS IN THE NIGHT

 
Do you ever stop and wonder
About the sounds during the night?
Sounds other than the normal ones
That gives you quite a fright

I’m talking about the unexplained
The ones that you don’t know
The creak, the scratch, the knock
Things lurking, hidden down below

Are they a mere coincidence?
Or are they meant to scare?
Do they cause you to shudder?
Or stand on end your hair?

Nothing like a bump in the night
To make your imagination race
Has something accidentally fallen?
A thought your mind can’t erase

Is it something far more sinister?
Something out to do you harm?
Or has your mind totally snapped
And you tend to raise false alarms?

And one thing for sure is certain
There are things evil out there
When you hear a bump in the night
Remember that you must beware!

SUMMERTIME IN INDIANA

                
                ITS SUMMERTIME IN INDIANA
                NINETY DEGREES IN THE SHADE
                THE HUMIDITY, IT IS OVERBEARING
                YOU COULD CUT IT WITH A BLADE

                POLLEN’S HEAVY, FLOATING IN THE AIR
                YOU KNOW THAT IT’S THE CORN
                SNEEZING AND YOUR EYES ITCHING
                YOU WISH YOU’D NEVER BEEN BORN

                OUTSIDE WORK IS DONE EARLY
                WATERING FLOWERS, TOMATO PLANTS
                MOWING THE YARD AT NOON?
                TOO HOT! NO WAY! I SIMPLY CAN’T!

                AIR CONDITIONER IS WORKING OVERTIME
                SWEET TEA IS IN HIGH DEMAND
                FRY AN EGG ON THE SIDEWALK
                GET SUNBURNED INSTEAD OF TANNED

                SOME JOBS YOU TRY HARD TO AVOID
                BALING HAY, LAYING NEW ASPHALT
                PUTTING ON A SHEET METAL ROOF
                WHILE SWEATING AWAY YOUR SALT

                OTHERS SAY THAT WHERE THEY LIVE
                IT CAN GET UNBEARABLY HOT
                TIME SPENT IN AN INDIANA HAY MOW
                TAKES ALL THE WILLPOWER YOU’VE GOT

                WHEN THE SWEAT BURNS YOUR EYES
                SO BAD THAT YOU CAN BARELY SEE
                YOU KNOW THAT YOU’RE IN INDIANA
                WHERE ELSE COULD YOU POSSIBLY BE?

NIGHT BREEZES

 
When the night breezes come a wafting
Stirring my curtains, entering my room
The sweet smell of honeysuckle invades
I inhale the fragrance in the nighttime’s gloom

To my window, the moonbeams beckon me
I arise from my bed, I slowly approach
In the distance, I hear a hoot owl’s call
It’s plaintive cry, silence it does broach

To the door I go, I am hesitant to go out
Something is calling, imploring me to come
Resist it, I have no resistance, I weaken
I know that invariably I will succumb

Across the lawn, I go, to the calling trees
I should be afraid, but surprisingly I’m not
My breath, it becomes shallow and ragged
My skin crawls and I am incredibly hot

Into the trees, I wander, wondering why I’m here
The whispers I keep hearing of a gentle voice
“Come away, my child, spend some time with me”
Let us walk and talk, please, it is your choice”

In the moonlight, we slowly walk, hand in hand
Safe and secure, I am in His embrace
A time of intimacy only He and I can share
As He lovingly showers me with His grace

The gentle voice that sometimes comes a wafting
Riding upon the currents of a nighttime breeze
Is one of the ways God reveals himself
To the ones that will listen, His presence they seize

THE DRUNK

 
            OUT THE DOOR THE DRUNK STUMBLED
            TWO IN THE MORNING, WAS KICKED OUT
            THE BARTENDER HAD TAKEN HIS CAR KEYS
            HE’D PROTESTED WITH INCOHERENT SHOUTS

            NOW HE FACED A LONG WALK HOME
            PULLED HIS COAT UP AROUND HIS EARS
            STAGGERING DOWN THE SIDEWALK HE WENT
            HIS BREATH REEKING, THE ODOR OF BEER

            IN THE FOG OF HIS INEBRIATED MIND
            HE SUDDENLY THOUGHT OF A SHORTCUT
            A ROUTE HE HAD USED ONCE BEFORE
            THROUGH THE ALLEY BEHIND THE PIZZA HUT

            IN THE SHADOWS HE WENT HIS WAY
            WANTING TO AVOID THE POLICE, WAS WARY
            AHEAD HIS ROUTE WOULD TAKE HIM
            THROUGH THE DARK, FOREBODING CEMETERY

            WEAVING HIS WAY THROUGH THE STONES
            HIS DESTINATION WAS IN HIS SIGHT
            UNBEKNOWNST TO HIM WHAT WAS UP AHEAD
            WOULD SOBER HIM UP THAT DARK NIGHT

            A FRESH GRAVE HAD THAT DAY BEEN DUG
            AND INTO IT HE STUMBLED AND FELL
            SIX FEET DOWN, HE LANDED IN A HEAP
            PANICKED, JUMPED UP, BEGAN TO YELL

            THE GRAVE WAS HUGE, IT TOOK TWO PLOTS
            WAS DUG FOR A SIX HUNDRED POUND MAN
            BEING CLAUSTROPHOBIC, THE DRUNK WAS OKAY
            TRIED TO COME UP WITH AN ESCAPE PLAN

            BEING SMALL OF STATURE, HE COULDN’T GET OUT
            IN A CORNER HE DEJECTEDLY SAT DOWN
            HIS SHOUTS UNHEARD, HE FINALLY WENT TO SLEEP
            IN A CORNER ON COLD, DAMP GROUND

            SUDDENLY HE AWOKE WITH AN ABRUPT START
            SOME ONE ELSE HAD FALLEN IN WITH HIM
            SCREAMING, THEY TRIED TO CLAW THEIR WAY OUT        
            BUT COULDN’T BROACH THAT GRAVE SITE RIM

            

            STANDING UP, THE DRUNK APPROACHED THE MAN
            HAND ON HIS SHOULDER, “YOU CAN’T GET OUT!”
            WITH A SCREAM THE MAN JUMPED, WAS GONE
            HE RACED AWAY WITH UNINTELLIGIBLE SHOUTS

            THE DRUNK SHRUGGED, THEN LAY BACK DOWN
            DECIDED THAT A DIFFERENT ROUTE HE’D CHOOSE
            FROM NOW ON NO MORE CEMETERY SHORTCUTS
            AFTER DRINKING WAY TOO MUCH BOOZE!