Burning embers molten ash
The residue of yesterday’s trash.
Flames that flicker in the dark
From cuts of wood and old tree bark.
Smoke that dances in the breeze
A heat that warms arthritic knees.
Cups of hot chocolate and self made smores
Tonight’s reward for today’s finished chores.
Tales of truth with some *******
Stories that are told around the fire-pit.

Laying my head down I close my eyes
Seeing scattered visions of purple flowers
My head spinning around like a fairground whip
From drinking tequila into the small hours
My clothing consists of stuff I’ve begged, stole or borrowed
It’s in need of a wash, we’ll maybe tomorrow
For food, I drink the devils fire water
Whatever I can get, as long as it’s strong
It helps me to forget
For this is where I belong
The sidewalk is smooth
And good for my back
My only concern
Is a random attack
It’s happened before
As I’ve been laying there sleeping
They try to rob you
But I have nothing worth keeping
They call me a ***
A stain on society
I can’t keep a job
For my lack of Sobriety
When I die, I’ll be thrown
Into some unmarked grave
Not fit for your charity
Or able to be saved
Yet, I’ve forgotten more
Than some of you will know
And been to places
That you would love to go
I lived in a mansion
A palace no less
Now the street is my home
And I’m labeled homeless.

In a twisted game of Russian roulette
Every chamber is loaded
Although only 3 years old I too am a target
My trusted bear with one chewed ear
Laying silent in my grasp
And although tears run down our cheeks
We’ve been instructed not to cry
The whistling of bullets heard over our heads
Are deafened by an explosion nearby
We are to move but my body feels frozen
I use to run and play but that was before.
Before my father was killed and life turned gray
My mother grabs my hand and says run
But my legs have not thawed and I stumble
Dropping my bear as she pulls me up
I escape her clutches and turn for my bear
I hear shots………..game over.

A couple are walking hand in hand
One is a fella, the other a man
They walk so close, it’s hard to tell them apart
Do your eyes have a prejudice heart?

A young woman kisses her brand-new bride
They wear their love like a badge of pride
Their life together they’re about to start
Do your eyes have a prejudice heart?

The calling from the mosque brings them to prayer
The women in a side room, cause only men go in there
Their faith deems it necessary to pray apart
Do your eyes have a prejudice heart?

They look quite normal when seen from the back
Yet one is white and the other is black
Both of them worldly and both of them smart
Do your eyes have a prejudice heart?

Looking down from my vantage point
Surveying the carnage below
I saw the truth about my life
In the tears of the people, I know.
Memories of regret for things I’d said
With remorse for what I didn’t say.
Procrastinating has left chores undone
Now, there will not be another day.
Its to late to accept apologies
Unable to forgive and forget.
I was going to do so many things
I just hadn’t got round to it yet.
Knowing I could have changed things
Or at least I should have tried.
Letting animosity end, while making amends
Before I went and died.
Each other we should treasure
Our time, more wisely spent
Material things are worthless
But we all are Heaven sent.
So, take note of words of wisdom
In the good book their written in red.
They’re words that we should live by
It’s to late when we are dead.

Christmas doesn’t feel the same anymore

Absent friends and love ones who are no more.

Yuletide carols I no longer hear

Family’s don’t gather cause they don’t live near.

The nativity scene is hidden as it might offend

It’s so hard now to distinguish between foe or friend.

Questions that were normal, you’re afraid to ask

You can’t kiss under the mistletoe while you wear your mask.

Children’s expectations make their parents blue

A stocking with a small toy and some fruit won’t do.

Remembering times from yesteryear brings a tear or two

So in an old fashioned way let me say to you.

I wish you all a Christmas of love and good cheer

And I hope for you there is happiness in this New Year.

We use to sit around the table and play a game

We don’t do that anymore, because Christmas ain’t the same.