when our mind is full of great ideas
we want to write them down
yet there are times when we  discover
that there is no connection from our brain
to all the instruments we use
to transcribe our flighty thoughts
    to give them shape on paper, screen, or in the sand

sometimes it helps to pause a bit and reconsider
what we do really want to say  
    focus and concentrate
    articulate precisely yet suggestively
our indomitable urge to formulate
    the turmoil of emotions we may harbor
    our wild ideas of revolution
    the overbearing pain of loss and separation
    grey landscapes of depression
    attractions of dramatic suicide
also the joy and pleasures of deep love
    of unexpected friendships found
        where even angels fear to tread
    the happiness of our children
    the love we recognize
        often too late
    our parents have bestowed on us

et cetera  et cetera

the catalogue of our themes
expands through our lives
so do the challenges
of how to tell the tale

it helps to aim for clarity
we have to  let our instruments of writing know
which of our turbulently swirling thoughts
should earn the privilege
to become words
    and be communicated
to people who
    before they read our verse
have no idea at all
    that we exist

At home presents are wrapped
Drinking eggnog and spreading cheer.
Got the tree all lit up
It is that time of year.

Toys for Jim and Mary
Robes for mom and dad,
Don't forget Aunt Betty,
It is that time of year.

The house is full of joy,
The're parties everywhere.
The kids are so excited,
It is that time of year.

Say a prayer for Tommy,
He's in Viet Nam this year.
Come on in neighbors,
Let's have a drink of cheer.

There's one more present coming
I helped to fill the body bag.
We shipped it from Saigon,
It is that time of year.

Merry Christmas

The years have come
The years have passed,
All I can think is
They have gone so fast.

I remember thinking of
The things I wanted to do,
New places and people,
Every day would be new.

Now here I am,
Tired, old and fat,
Sitting in my rocker,
Me, my dog and cat.

Every day I would watch
As the trains went speeding by.
Next one, I told myself,
A ticket I would buy.

"Hey dad," I heard,
"Let's do this, let's do that"
Still sitting in the corner
Is my bag and my hat.

The kids are gone,
It is my traveling time.
The ticket is a quarter,
I've two nickels and a dime.

Back to my rocker,
I'm on the road I know.
My mind is full of wonder
For the places I didn't go.

I am by myself
But I am not alone.

I hear a song
From 50 years ago
And a memory
Tiptoes thru my mind.

I am by myself
But I am not alone.

I hear children laughing
And playing in a park.
  And in my mind
I hear my children playing.

I am by myself
But I am not alone.

A teenage boy and girl walk by
Laughing and holding hands,
I smile thinking to myself
How young we once were.

I am by myself
But I am not alone.

A song, a laugh, a kiss,
They bring memories to life.
And everyday with memories
I am wrapped in love.

I am by myself
But I am not alone.

A crack trailed down
The center of my heart
When I saw my dad cry
As his world fell apart

I remember him sitting
On the living room floor
Crying as his wife told him
He can't see his kids anymore

I got down beside him
And hugged him so tight
Wishing that I could make
Every thing right

But mommy was leaving
And taking us along
So he told us he loved us
And said to be strong

I take deep breaths

And plan a ******

To **** the bird that flew

Over the crow's nest


On a summer night

I feel the warmth

Of the day not yet done

The sound of laughter

Is all around me

This is cool- I say


I find myself lying on a surgery table

Holding an apple in my hand

I throw it against the floor

And landing there

It bursts into a million

Children of my mind

Spreading into every

Country on the planet

I am the new master

As my children grow and grow

Still in rags I speak

And throw my thoughts into a bin

Their work is finished you see


Still the sound of laughter

Carries on around me

Living is easy

With your head

In the clouds


I saw- and still I hear

The giggles and noises

Of delightful romances being

Born

These should be mine

But they are not mine

Such things are little more than

Mist or whispers

Promises not yet realised

My children sympathise

And bringing me a woman

To sit with me in the tall grass

Together we shall

Plan a life instead

The Lord sets us free
Free of sin
Free to begin

Yet here we remain
Dwelling in pain
Our purity we stain

But by His grace
Those sins erase
And we return to His embrace