Blackout

I sit in a blackout
What can I do
Wind is a howling
The rain's angry too

Windowsills rattle
High up on my floor
I live on the seventh
And hear every roar

I'm starting to find
A still quietness
Mixed with a thunder
Of solitudeness

I sit in a blackout
What will I do
I'll sit here and bask
In my gratitude

Bill MacEachern December 18, 2023

🎄 Ma’s Tree🎄

Bulbs, lights and tinsel
Ring memories
Each bulb a treasure
That went on Ma’s Tree

Unpacked with kid gloves
Like newborn baby’s
Kids dared not touch
Such fragility’s

Ma left the fun part
For all of us kids
Like licking the spoon
Us kids dug right in

Handfuls of tinsel
Were flung on Ma’s tree
Topped with her angel
High up on it’s peak

Bill MacEachern December 17, 2023

Guilt Distilled

I want to turn away
From all the misery
But if I close my eyes
The guilt distills in me

And if shout about
All that I believe
I sadly know by now
I’ll lose some family

But if I turn my back
To that, that must be seen
Well, then, I risk it all
And lose humanity

Copyright © Bill MacEachern | December 16, 2023

Disorderly Conduct

Keep to the right
Keep to the right
Teachers all taught
Keep to the right

Stay on the right
While we all walk
So it’s not chaos
Crossing crosswalks

Dodging and bumping
While in the store
Now it’s all madness
No order no more

Keep to the right
Is obsolete
It went in decline
For the…me me

Keep to your right
Or to your left
It’s about order
Not politics

Stay in your lane
Stay in your lane
It was so simple
Now it’s all lame

Wood Walk

I wood walk for leisure
I wood walk for me
I wood walk to listen
To old woods that creak

I wood walk at daybreak
I would walk and breathe
I wood walk and take in
The scent of wet leaves

I wood walk and ponder
I wood walk the trail
I wood walk the winter woods
When I want to feel

I wood walk in rhythm
I wood walk alone
I wood walk and listen
As birds sing along

I wood knock on knotted pine
I wood walk right in
And then walk the wooden pews
Of my church again

Bill MacEachern December 13, 2023

A Dorchester Christmas

Triple deckers decked in lights
Mostly colors, some just white
Christmas trees all dressed in tinsel
Glow at night though curtain windows

Kids with shovels dot the streets
Digging out from Christmas Eve
Some with smiles, some with frowns
All can’t wait to run back home

In our clan was seven kids
We shared gifts like Irish twins
Sisters got their stereo
Brothers played their pool table

On Christmas Day in Dorchester
Some gifts came from Globe Santa
Three sisters and four brothers
We had less and more than others

Bill MacEachern December 13, 2023

Rabbit Hole

I woke one morning
Everyone’s gone
We fell in that rabbit hole
In what we call phones

Gone is the laughter
It’s all lol
It’s not really funny
Not even giggles

Hello, Is that you
Or phisherman
You say you want
To be friends again

I miss the connections
That ring a ding a ling
Saying hello
With our voices again

I don’t want lyrics
I’d rather hear song
Volley’s of voices
Of words strung along

I woke this morning
Missing my friends
I’ll send you my feelings
In emoji sad grins

Bill MacEachern December 11, 2023

That Smell

That smell I know
But can not place
Is from my youth
A certain space

That smell I know
Is  so familiar
Musty and cold
Like an old root cellar

That smell I know
Brings me right back
Crawling, exploring
But not an attic

Now my nose knows
Like incense in church
That smell I remember
Playing under the porch

Bill MacEachern 2018

Everything Trees

They’re shade
From the sunshine
Shield from the rain
Pulp for the paper
And wood for whittling

They’re body’s
For climbing
Arms for a swing
Markers of time
And fruit for picking


They’re trunks
For the tapping
Billboards of love
Home for critters
High on up above

They’re kindling
For cooking
Heat in our hearths
Leaves for the looking
With your sweetheart

So everybody
Listen to me
Give a big hug
To the
Everything tree


Bill MacEachern
10/29/2021

Old Boy

In the valley
Of my soul
Lives a boy
Who never grows old

The kid’s a keeper
Of my regrets
He holds the key
To all my secrets

He opens the book
Of shame and self doubt
Turning pages
To purge it all out

Chapters need reading
And read with a shout
Ones like
The Boy And The Older Adults

Deep inside
The young man resides
Living with scars
His needs unrealized

Gifts from within
Came with no guide
Art, words and music
So little applied

Outside now
He runs a lame man
Running as fast
As doubting feet can

Keeping his friends
At bay with his plans
Rarely giving them
All that he can

Same with music
And all his art
Never near finished
But boy what a start

Always the actor
Doing his part
Playing for laughter
With a sad heart

Bill MacEachern September 2016

I Remember

I remember a time
When all was so bright
With bustling crowds
And neon lit nights

Covered wagon caterpillars
And bunnies of blue
Teacups that spun
You sat in them too

I remember the days
When scooters could fly
Pinball was king
And everything thrived

I remember the smells
Of hot dogs & beer
I remember it all
And wish it still there

Bill MacEachern
05/02/2022

Blue And Green

When we learn
To offer hands
We’ll understand
Our same hearts

Then we’ll see
You you & me
Shared earths *******
From the start

Earth is our mother
My sister my brother
We’re all children
Of the sea

Let us not wait
Till it’s too late
We’re all the same
Blue and green

Bill MacEachern December 9, 2023

Diem

Diem Diem
Carpe Diem
Soak up some sunshine
Forget about when

This days your day
Seize it and grin
Diem Diem
Carpe Diem

Take a short walk
On a long pier
Look see some dolphins
Swimming out there

Today Today
Do something new
Something much better
Than watching the news

Diem Diem
Carpe Diem
Live for today
And do it again

Bill MacEachern December 8, 2023

First Flakes

Yesterday came
With winters first flakes
Just a light dusting
No snowballs to make

Out my window
Like a snowglobe
Soaring snowflakes
Dance all alone

Yesterday came
Blowing first snow
Nothing too heavy
Just a light throw

Out my window
Through mornings night
Seeing first flakes
Was such a delight

Bill MacEachern December 7, 2023

Those Days

Those days
Those days
They come to an end
What was back then
Cannot be again
Bottle it up
Sip from it when
You long for
Those days
You thought would not end

Those days
Those days
Were just like that
Memorable times
We’ll never get back
That’s ok
Just dandy with me
Those days
Those days
Are now memories

Those days
Those days
My mothers baked bread
Still smelling swell
Just all in my head
That’s ok
For we all will see
Those days
Those days
Come back in our dreams

Those days
Those days
All those bygones
Treasure them well
They won’t last you long
Embrace what you loved
Forget all the rest
Those days
Those days
Were simply the best

Bill MacEachern December 6, 2023

Wingless Bird

I wasn’t taught
Reach for the stars
I never knew
It’s not too far

I knew to stop
Look both ways
And never touch
A burning flame

Encouragement
Was never heard
I left the nest
A wingless bird

Survival was
My only school
Doctorate in hit
And bachelors in *****

I left the nest
A wounded bird
Then found my wings
In written words

Bill MacEachern 11/28/23

Bomb Baby

How long how long
Can this **** go on
Born babies bombed
Who do no wrong

Born babies long
For their Mama’s song
Born babies bombed
No longer long on

Bill MacEachern 10/22/2023

Puzzle Box

Emotions and memories
Kept in a box
Pieces of puzzles
Thoughts that we thought

Unpacking words
Fractured pictures
This one looks good
This one fits better

Write a short story
In so many words
Don’t use a thousand
Fifty will serve

Make a big picture
Show what you see
With plenty of feeling
Of life’s memories

Bill MacEachern August 15,2023

No Exit No Retreat

We CHARGE
Into love
There is
No RETREAT
It’s instant addiction
That cannot be
Beat

Love’s addiction
Is like no other
While trying to
Abstain
Forever
You’ll love her

There are
No rehabs
No 12 steps
If the arrow is true
There are
No Exits

Bill MacEachern August 14,2023

Only Alone

Life alone
Isn’t lonely
Life alone
Only means only

Only I play
Only I write
Only I hear
The dawn birds delight

Only I seek
Only I trek
Only I gaze
At summer’s sunset

Life alone
Some can flourish
Gives one time
To live…
Re-nourish

Bill MacEachern August 12,2023

Boomers

Bottle caps were currency
Pop sticks were our props
Maple seeds
Were whirly birds
Spinning like a top

Hopscotch drawn on
Down the streets
Jump ropes tied to reels
Double Dutch was fun to watch
Especially for the girls

Quarters pitched against a wall
Closest takes ‘em all
We played that game
With baseball cards
Some lost DiMaggio

We grew up fast
We learned the ropes
And mostly on our own
We’re called the Baby Boomers
We’re "like a rolling stone”

Bill MacEachern August 13, 2023

Old

Old

I feel it now
Getting old
I feel now how
It’s…not all gold

I feel it more
Since yesterday
I’d rather stay
Than go ’n' play

It’s not so bad
Don’t get me wrong
I’m really glad
I’ve lived this long

I travelled ‘round
By thumb 'n' car
Slept under bridges
In Florida

My pal Hohner
Tagging along
We’re always kissing
When blues come on

Been to rehab
Eyes wide open
We’re all in a struggle
We’re all a bit broken

I got to see
Niagara Falls
I got to hear
The lovebird call

I sweetly weeped
Obama’s win
And lived to see
Him win again

I feel it now
Growing old
All my memories
Just pure gold

Bill MacEachern August 9, 2023

AUGUST

The brakes of summer
Slowly get pumped
August is here
Tomatoes are plump

Schools ‘round the corner
Autumn near by
August is here
Season’s collide

Gardens grow fruitful
Leaves look luscious
Soon they’ll be painted
With natures brush’s

A paradise for picnics
Beach goers too
Air’s not so humid
Or sticky like glue

August is here
Relax and enjoy
Soon we’ll eat turkey
Then kid’s get their toys

Bill MacEachern  August 11, 2023

Nestlings

I write best
Close to the vest
I attest
It’s what I know
Best

In my nest
It’s what I
Behest
I write best
Close to the vest

Be my guest
I’ll unload
My chest
Be just like
An inner inquest

I write best
Close to the vest
Just sit tight
I’ll feed ya
The rest

Bill MacEachern
03/24/23

Solace Of The Willows

"He flew the coop"
Was what they said
Though I knew
Better
Was we who fled
We who cried
We who hid

I lost a dad
A dad
I never had
A dad
Who never cared

I still recall
The willows
Tall
Weeping
Weeping for us all

Blowing to the wind
Giving
Swaying
Whatever comfort
It can

At the doorstep
Of our new home
Told
You’re not welcome
Told
We must go

Broken
To shattered
Then scattered about
"He flew the coop”
While we all bailed out

Bill MacEachern
03/24/23

Pondance Of The Past

How long
Will it last
Before
It’s the past

What must
It be
To make
History

How should
It look
To make
The big book

Will what
Is said
Share only
A shred

I just
Want to know
Who told you
So

But what
I must ask
About all
The past

Will it
repeat
If we
All don’t think…

Bill MacEachern  
03/23/23

Roots On The Rock

Oh…
Newfoundland
Newfoundland
I’m here to see
My roots on
The Rock
Out here
On the sea
I’m Billy
From Boston
And happy
To be
Here in St. John’s
With my Newfie family

Oh…
Newfoundland
Newfoundland
I have to say
Your warmth
And your kindness
Make us want
To stay
We Drink
Of the screech
Then kiss a cod fish
I’m happy to stay
If that’s
All of your wish

Oh…
Newfoundland
Newfoundland
Grandpappy’s
Home
He left
You for Boston
When fish
Went to roam
He met
My grandma
A lass from Kilbride
Then both said "I do”
And became groom & bride

Oh…
Newfoundland
Newfoundland
I’m here to see
My roots on
The Rock
Out here
On the sea
I’m Billy
From Boston
And happy
To be
Here in St.John’s
With my Newfie family

Bill MacEachern March 12, 2023

Summer Daze

Summer days
Playful playful playful
Days ablaze
Joyful joyful joyful
Days of rays
Summer days

Summer days
Peaceful peaceful peaceful
Days of play
Gleeful gleeful gleeful
Good ole days
Summer days

Summer days
Brightly brightly brightly
Break of day
Sunny sunny sunny
Bright all day
Summer days

Summer days
Burning burning burning
Heatwave days
Blinding blinding blinding
Solar haze
Sunny Daze

Bill MacEachern 3/21/23

Happy Man

I wanna be
A happy man
Live and playing
All I can

Love and giving
All of me
A happy man
I will be

I wanna be
A loving man
Care and lending
A helping hand

Make ‘em laugh
Just a little bit
Make a bit
Of a difference

I wanna see
A world that’s free
All living life
In harmony

I wanna hear
The bluebirds song
I want the dance
Go on n on

I wanna be
A happy sort
Who’s living life
For all it’s worth

I’m gonna be
A happy guy
And then I’ll fly
High in the sky

Bill MacEachern 3/18/23

Arranging Words

Arranging words
Telling stories
Like a film noirs
Of make believe

Writing it alright
String you all along
With savior-faire
Like a love song

Draw you right in
Like a big straw
Take a joyride
In cartoons cars

All read along
I’ll spin you a yarn
About a girl
And a man full of charm

Arranging words
Of make believe
Like a film noir
Tell a story

Bill MacEachern 3/19/23

Therefore, I Am

All the way
Everyday
Everywhere
With you

It’s the way
We have stayed
Together
While we grew

Always here
With my fears
Sharing in
My gloom

Always here
Like a prayer
Since my
Mothers womb

Bill MacEachern 2/14/22

No Distance No Time

Their love
Had no distance
No paper
No time
Their love
Was a lifeline
To last
A lifetime

They knew
The moment
Their love
Drew them in
Two mates
One soul
Was what
Would begin

Bill MacEachern

Furious Flame

I once knew a love
Of passion and pain
Mad for each other
A furious flame

Shouldn’t have lasted
The years that we did
Made for each other
So Hot & torrid

Epic chapters
In each others life
Never dull
Just, not always nice

I once knew a love
Much louder than thunder
I don’t miss that clash
Though do miss the wonder

By: Bill MacEachern 12/08/2022

Role Playing With Fire

Fact and fiction
Role play with fire
Black is now white
Truth now a liar

Shall I be silent
Blindfold my tears
Bury my head
Dismiss all my fears

Shall I do nothing
Sit on my fists
Ignore all the hatred
That surely exists

Shall I be deaf
Cotton my ears
Block out the drumbeat
Of doom in the air

If I see something
Shall I say something
Or just walk on by
Ignore what’s occurring

Shall I self censor
Let truth expire
While Fact & fiction
Role play with fire

Photo & Poem By: Bill MacEachern
November 3, 2022

Rain

Rain
Dripping wet
Tires spray
Drip drop drip

Puddles splash
Wipers swish
Colorform leaves
Stick stick stick

Signals shine
Mirrored roads
Raindrops fall
It pours n pours

Coffee brews
Slippers donned
Rain rain rain
All day long

By: Bill MacEachern
October 23, 2022

Knight Dreams

Walk with me
In my dreams
Tell me all
Of everything

I’ll reply
With a smile
Then we’ll walk
And reconcile

Stroll along
To our song
Talk of things
Of years now gone

Reminisce
With our lips
Wouldn’t that be
Marvelous

I’m your Knight
You’re my Queen
We can meet
In my dreams

Photo & Poetry
By: Bill MacEachern
October 22, 2022

Amorous Odyssey’s

We’re for each other
It’s plain to see
All our countless
Mutuality’s

Like locknecked swan’s
Swooning on a pond
We’ll sing together
As we float along

We’re for each other
That , there’s no doubt
We always know
Just what we’re talking about

We’re puzzle pieces
Not quite the same
But, us together
Make a burning flame

We’ll hold our hands
Then share our hearts
And keep it steady
While love lights a spark

We’ll be more epic
Than Love Story
Set our sights on
Amorous Odyssey’s

By: Bill MacEachern
October 19, 2022

Popeye

I’m a ruffian
I’m unrefined
Still unpolished
What’s mine is mine

I’m a ruffian
An un-tumbled stone
Got rough edges
So I live all alone

I’m a ruffian
Like Popeye says
"I am what I am,
And that’s all that I am.”

By: Bill MacEachern
October 17, 2022

Awakenings

Waking thoughts
Fields are clear
Morning’s harvest
Reap idea’s

Grab a keyboard
Grab a pen
Or grab a ***
But start digging

Morning moments
Nurture notions
At this time
Our thoughts are potent

By: Bill MacEachern
October 14, 2022

Love Song

I want to write a love song
On what I feel inside
I want to say I love you
In ways that make us cry

I want to sing it out
All my working days
Until I head back home
In your arms again

I want to show my love
In ways you’ll know for sure
Just like a waiting puppy
Just sitting by the door

I want to write it all down
On all you mean to me
And it will be our love song
As long as love will be

By Bill MacEachern
October 11, 2022

“Lang May Your Lum Reek"

Leave
A light on
Like
A fire aglow
Keep
One burning
As
A warm hello

Leave
A light on
Illuminate
The way
Let
Neighbors know
They’re
Welcome to stay

Leave
A light on
Not
Just for books
It’s says
You’re welcome
Come
Into my nook

Leave a light on
Its
Simple to do
If
Down turns them
Off
It’s
All up for you

By Bill MacEachern
October 10, 2022

I’ve never fathered children
To say or call my own
Though
Do Have many offspring
Of things
I’ve seen, then sown

I’ve fathered many words
Which fathered many more
Some grew into poems
Though none
We’re named…
"Lenore"

I developed many photos
Tweaking
Here and there
They may live on forever
I’ll leave them in your care

I’ve conjured many dishes
Some
I’ve written down
Other's
Will expire
They’ll go
When I am gone

I’ve never fathered children
Though
Leave this legacy
I know
It’s not the same
But…
Keeps good company

By: Bill MacEachern
October 13, 2022

Big Buoy Bob

There is a big buoy
Named Bob
He has an unusual job
He sits on the grass
With his ever flat ***
Never to ring
His ding ****

Road Trip

I Love a road trip
With no where to go
Just hop in the car
And go with the flow

I love a road trip
That turns into more
Breakfast in Boston
Then off to the shore

I love a road trip
With ice cream and clams
A stroll on the beach
No cares and no plans

I love being out
With me and with you
I love a road trip
With all of its views

By Bill MacEachern
8/13/2022

I don’t believe in god
Though
Do believe in you
And hope someday
We’ll tolerate
Our different points
Of view

By Bill MacEachern
8/6/2022

Natural Wonder

If there were an earthquake  
They surely wouldn’t know
Their love is so tremendous
They’d hardly feel the blow

If there were a twister
They wouldn’t even sneeze
Love is their shelter
They’d only feel a breeze

If there were a flood
They’d stay high & dry
Love is a mountain  
Their ark in the sky

If there were a riot
Or even a stampede
Their love is like a shield
For all the world to see

Loves force of nature
Will nullify the rest
A true natural wonder
Can weather any test

By Bill MacEachern
2018
Photo Credit: Richard Lam

Life’s Linguistics

Music is language
That speaks
To us all
It asks
And it tells
Like human
Bird calls

Food is our greeter
It says…
Come on in!
It gives
Then it feeds
With warm
Welcome grins

Art is the glue
That says
We’re all human
It draws us
All in
While we’re all
Bloomin’

By Bill MacEachern
August 5, 2022

Sides

Born into sides
Religious and tribal
Learning quite young
To fear and to rival

If we are Catholic
We hate  the Jews
If we are white
We do as we do

If we are men
We do as we want
If we are women
We’re told that we can’t

If we are black
We’re told to go back
If we are red…
We’re mostly all dead

If we’re ALL Human
We’re on the same side
No one to fear
No need to hide

I’m a humanist
I love all my tribe
Won’t you come join us
Just take the Human Side

By Bill MacEachern 03/23/2022

Words have flavor
Though not eaten
Some are sour
Others sweetened

Words can darken
Teach true hate
Or preach love
And Illuminate


Words are sticks
And they’re stones
Can be bricks
In well read homes

Words can color
In many hues
Or make duller
And smear you blue

Discover America
Come all aboard
We’re sailing to freedom
Like all those before

Leif Erikson, Columbus
Then CONQUISTADORS!!!!
They came, they saw
But noticed NO door

Discover America
Like all those before
It’s yours for the taking
Ignore the border