Though I grow older
and closer to death
there's no reason at all
till I take my last breath
that I must act my age
or act as I'm old
I'll pause here a moment
you must find my statement quite bold

Yes I'm living longer
but I refuse to grow old
it's true, older I'll be
but the world I will see
through the mind and the eyes of a child
living my life free and wild
you see, youth
never goes out of style

He went away to save the world
at least that is what he thought
his government claimed that it was needed
a great lie that he had bought

But he went and served
then injured came home
where his government bailed
leaving him on his own

His body was broken
his mind had failed
no longer protecting him
he and his madness were jailed

Could no longer find work
losing his family and home
living now on the streets
he'd sit sadly alone

The days would pass by
one after another
till the day that he died
one more lost veteran brother

The sound of the wooden flute
it's as if I'm listening to the song of the warbler
those that visit at sunset
bringing rest and relaxation to the weary

Their song resting on a bed
of an ever present drone
of the didjeridoo
comforts and quiets me

There, the stick
beating on a block of wood
I feel as if there are
droplets of dew
falling from leaves from a tree above me
into a pool of water at my feet

It's as if the water of life
my life
is returning home

As the shamisens strings come alive
I see a field of wildflowers
they wave gently in the breeze
that is brought forth from its music

Peace is mine

Happiness abounds

My spirit is renewed

The bird
in the cage
each day
woke with rage
squawking till loosed
the man
loved his bird
and his thoughts
often heard
of his wonderment
about its behavior
blind
to what love was
the bird died
became only fuzz
what he couldn't see
was the birds need
to be free

The world it is mine
if it is here you wish to stay
one thing to remember
you'll live in it my way
for there is no variance
and no we do not play

You've now heard the rules
what is it that you say
accept or decline
there is only today
it is time to decide
or your body to go on display

To love
is not small
in fact
it's giving your all

Dying to self
when another has need
that's how it is seen
through that very deed

Oh yes, it can hurt
at times mortal pain
and sometimes frustration
can drive you insane

Yet you continue to give
and you'd have it no other way
not just for the moment
but until your dying day

Yes, this is true love
it's not infatuation
yet it's so seldom found
outside of imagination

If you've got it you're lucky
one of the few
and the blessings you have
are as droplets of dew

The dew is so fresh
these droplets so many, so fine
are a picture of love
brought forth from a mine

A mine that's been emptied
producing a treasure to give
to one truly special
for as long as they live

Is there a man more blind
than he who has closed his mind
to refuse to consider that which is new
his growth is halted
his path in life
becomes one of stagnation
overgrown with an algae
that chokes away any freshness
that his spirit requires
to remain useful
even to himself
everything about him
begins to develop the smell
of rotting vegetation

They came from the other side of the great water
they brought with them their customs
their religion
their guns
the only right way to live
was their way
and they had no tolerance for what they found
for here
at the end of their crossing
was a new people
people of a sort that they had never experienced

In the first days
it was these new found people
that helped them to survive
showing them the ways of this new land
but as these who had made this pilgrimage
learned to survive
they no longer found a use
for those who worshiped the earth
rather that their god

Did I mention
that they also brought with them
diseases

Today those diseases that they brought with them
are still rampant in our country
bigotry and hate are everywhere

I find myself alone
even the cats have slept in
there is a strange quiet that comforts the soul

Within my mind
there plays the soft music
the sounds of tranquility
dew dripping into the silent pool
doves gently cooing in the branches

I close my eyes
the moments pass
the music of remembrance continues

I have no need to seek peace
for it has found me

Though my shell
is of no further use in this world
my spirit soars

Chapter two
brings new life

Where have they gone
those days of old
when men had hearts
and weren't so cold

Family and friends
not thrown away
once you entered a heart
you were there to stay

Honesty, loyalty
the mark of real men
that was their measure
in those days way back then

These men dealt with honor
their word was their bond
it's these days of old
of which I am fond

I would they return
even if for only a day
that all men might learn
they've gone too far astray

Sitting, waiting
writing once more
it was a blessing of time
that had opened a door

Behind it were words
that begged to be heard
but needed assembling
so I brandished my sword

Putting pen unto paper
arranging them with great care
those words became poetry
a breath of fresh air

They say what doesn't **** ya
is what makes ya stronger
and when it comes
to man's fighting spirit
that's a fact

But when that spirit is gone
men become weak
as a fawn
and to stand on your own
is no easy act

There's a defeatist attitude
which fosters
their failing interlude
beating them down
as if they've been severely whacked

So please don't criticize
when you see someone broken
help them to stand
and don't be a token
show them you care
with more than words
merely spoken
become the strength
that they've lacked

Tears spilt for children
the hungry
the dead
the dying

We can feed the world
but we don't

We can stop the killing
but we won't

How many more innocents
must die
before these tears
need no longer be shed

Lives lost
a terrible cost
for the stupidity
of men seeking power

Many children do starve
with no turkey to carve
for the stupidity
of men seeking power

Many more are now homeless
as the people grow hopeless
for the stupidity
of men seeking power

It's this power they seek
that paints a picture so bleak
for their stupidity
of caring only for power

The failure to thrive
the longer man is alive
is the result
of when he quits trying

He feels he's played his last card
to move on much to hard
there's no hope
is what he's implying

Then his spirit it dies
as his mind tells him lies
and deep within
his heart is left crying

But now it's too late
once backed off from the plate
striking out
with little left but the dying

Blind in the one
I see ok out the other
but the ears
they be ringin' all day
the knees ache when I rise
it's a pain I despise
an the back
needs support in some way
now the nose sometimes works
but can't identify much
the taste buds confused
whether food's sweet or sour
it seems I'm declining
with each passing hour
but it don't matter much
as you should be believin'
all that really matters is
that I'm still here breathin'

Their words came as fire
scorching the spirits of men
Earth's peace now in flames

They rode to war
outnumbered yet unconcerned
right was on their side
so they believed

no enemy could stand before them
their creator would ensure victory
should they die
he would welcome them home

the combatants met
the battlefield was as a sponge
soaking up the blood
of both armies

the soldiers spirits left their bodies
rose to the heavenly home they were promised
and enemies met once again
only to find they fought in the name of the same creator

These wars my friends
have gone on way too long
the deaths of the innocents
are so totally wrong

they call it collateral damage
there's no winner in war
and accepting those deaths
not just evil, much more

We've entered the desert
the horse has a name
we rode it to war
the day terrorists came
killing so many innocents
and today it's the same
because of that day 9/11

The lives lost
the mounting cost
how many did fall
who answered the call
to fight in a war
that can't even a score
delivered that day 9/11

For in the desert
our children still dying
families at home
left behind crying
so many because
of government lying
concerning that day 9/11

And the war still goes on
the region out of control
how many more
will we need to console
have we even considered
what will be the toll
of the horse we call 9/11

So few days
but in many ways
the journey too long
the things that went wrong
there seemed no return
from the terrible burn
the flames of failure deliver

The dream too soon over
I'd counted on clover
but luck wasn't with me
it just wasn't to be
now everything lost
I had not realized the cost
then I began to shiver

Then my life turned around
I emerged from the ground
it didn't take long
to find that new song
which extinguished the fire
lifting me out of the pyre
the world then began to shimmer

Where is the road
the path they claim
leads to happiness

A hedge of despair
blocks it from view
as if trapped in a maze
with walls too tall
how am I to know
left, right or continue

I have come too far to return
to the safety of my old
and miserable ways

Oh how I want that to change
to leave depression behind

It has been my understanding
moving left or right
is lateral and gains no ground
I cannot simply move on
imprisoned by who I was
I must somehow move forward

The hedge still stands in my way

Is it really an epiphany
when the answer
is so plain to so many others

The only answer it to remove
that which stands in my way
and learn to laugh

Whispers
shadowed words
said behind backs
when said aloud
they are often
hurtful

So much carelessness

These words unheard
leave behind insecurity
they breaks bonds
often forever
ruined lives
are left in their wake

Kindness has no need to be hidden
it is pain that resides in the shadows

Sitting
waiting
music playing

the peace within is extraordinary

alone in a crowded waiting room
isolated as I enter my own little private world

people are in too much of a rush today
way too much
slowing down brings so much joy
lets my mind wander

I sit
relax
and travel
to places that have to be recorded in some way

but how do I paint all that I see
I haven't the words to describe
the places that have been shrouded
by a veil created through
today's rat race

there has always been a mist
blocking me from seeing reality
or was I just hoping that reality
was something else altogether

if I'm not given the words
how can I share these wonders
my inner most self has been attacked
by my own lack of belief in myself

my peace has become threatened
I feel the crowd
it seems as they are closing in around me

they demand that which I cannot deliver

how is it that I must continue to sit and wait
even the music has abandoned me

why must I be required to return
from my own little private world

What we know as a limerick were truly his swan
And over the poet we often did fawn
They were wrote in a flash
By the great Ogden Nash
But it seemed when he died they were gone

The days of limericks
gone with the tide
thought as old fashioned
were they too hard to rhyme
or maybe thought childish
no longer taught in the schools
i hope we're not raising
a generation of fools
even old timers
seem to leave them alone
setting rhyme up with meter
is a skill that they hone
if we'd just write a few
and sharpen our mind
I think a lot of great poetry
is what we would find

The flames do wane
yet the embers remain
there is still life within
a heart filled
with memories
a spirit and soul
warmed by them
my time upon this great blue marble
far from over
there is much yet to see
and hear
they bring new adventures
for the mind
it is as if new wood
has been found
placed upon the embers
creating a new life
from a revived flame

To sing
laugh
and dance
is life
when we stop
our spirit dies

Life in itself
can imitate paradise
when one has love in his heart for all
and lives respectful with everyone

Being satisfied with the little things
he will find joy in his heart
and beauty in all that he sees
there is no man more fortunate

Hawks
birds of prey
prefer fresh meat
bring a violent death
to their meal
the people of a nation
go hungry

The problem with whiskey
I think it's been said
is that it's after effects
go straight to the head
and if one is not careful
his spirit will shred
and when control is all lost
likely wind up as dead

A little is good
a lot oh so bad
I learned that the hard way
which made me quite mad
yes when push came to shove
those times they were sad
only myself there to blame
losing the control that I had

Changes, always changes
bringing ends that are unseen
at times
make a life sheen
but then a flip side
later seen
an ugliness
that's turned mean

But the changes do come
no time for a breath
we must accept them and roll
or face a bleak death
for once left behind
it's joy we find missing
and have no reason at all
to continue life's dancing

If all you do is just sit there
your spirit will soon tear
so take them and roll
continue life's stroll
the joy you may find
just might bring peace of mind
they determine your fate
yes your changes await

This just needs to be said, and it seems that the job seems to have been handed to me.  You see, i believe that words and ideas are given to people in order for them to be shared.  So, here goes!

It seems that today there has been an influx of wannabe English teachers. The misuse of  quite a few words brings them out of the woodwork giving them the opportunity to show the rest of the world just how smart they are. Me personally, I could care less. I read for understanding rather than to pick apart another persons misuse of grammatical correctness. Yes, I like trying to use the proper forms of the words to/too/two, there/their/they're and you're/your/yore. Hang on though folks, it's not/knot the end of the world if the wrong form of the word bare/bear or wear/where gets used if you can still understand the point of what is being said. Punctuation is another sore point. If you can understand what is being said in that two hundred and fifteen word run-on sentence, just move on to the next statement. Capitalization, c'mon, if it's missing does it really change the meaning of the word at the beginning of a sentence?  Does it make dover, delaware a different city for the lack of capital letters?

It's time to grow up folks. This is the internet, not a job application for a teaching position.  If you can understand it, quit trying to prove yourselves superior in the belittlement of others.

Why  lie
what is there to gain
a life of slavery
to a story that's lame

lies are tough to remember
they morph and become strange
while the truth is so simple
as it never does change

why not live free
unbridled from lies
gain peace in your heart
find joy in your eyes

there will be new respect
folks will form a great trust
all because of a practice
of truth being a must

Feet, they're wonderful things
to the body a purpose they bring
not very pretty at all
but when you are walking
or even standing and talking
thank them as they don't let you fall

that's right you can't win
they're as ugly as sin
go ahead paint the nails if you must
just be grateful they're there
you're not on your derriere
for your balance in them you can trust

The home of the brave
the land of the free
folks enslaved by the rat race
well except two or three

these folks live off the grid
yeah out there on their own
in ways they work harder
but then, nature's their home

their needs are quite basic
a roof, clothing and food
what they became is rustic
no, they're not crude

it's the simple life
and it can be a great thing
providing that is
you make it through winter to spring

enslaved by the dollar
that's what we are
and the pittance received
it don't go very far

folks keep working harder
and production goes up
while their wages stay flat
the profits go up

often forced to apply
for help from the state
workers become labeled takers
was this stigma their fate

then complaints are put forth
about the redistribution of wealth
but that's how capitalism is supposed to work
thanks trickle down stealth

today's dollar trickles up
to the pockets of the rich
as daily more do without
ain't redistribution a *****!

The boss is a pusher
hollers
just get it done
while the leader
takes part
and makes the job fun

when pushed
just like cattle
workers stray everywhere
but being led
by a shepherd
the job gets done with great care

you see
being in charge
is more than just having your say
and the respect
you'll receive
is different as night and day

be a boss
be a leader
go ahead take your pick
but you should
be forewarned
the result could make you sick

we must look again
at the words PRO and CON
neither is is perfect
nor either all wrong

but if we as a people
wish to grow and move on
PRO is more needed
there's no movement in CON

when being PROgressive
we can attain great new heights
but if too CONservative
we'll find the pathway there bites

so PRO or Con
where do we stand
are we for or against
the many issues at hand

if we want move forward
and make real PROgress
we should never depend
on that group we call CONgress

We've had enough
we want our boys home
there's no need for more dying
on battle fields all alone

These wars stealing lives
and not just of the soldiers
broken hearts of their families
dealing with new burdened shoulders

Dead, disabled
body and spirit
the families cry out ENOUGH
but our leaders don't hear it

Playing their politics
doing so for their profit
the war machine must continue
and reelection first on the docket

They've forgotten the people
the little guy no longer matters
since Citizens United
allowed these politicians new handlers

The ballot belongs to the rich
it's money stuffing the box
and one of these days
we'll find our country on blocks

when will they end
they're killing our men
the wars in the east
have gone on way too long

they just keep sending our boys
treating them like plastic toys
while they sit back and profit
that's wrong

the dead and the dying
the maimed none of them lying
they're just numbers
in the countries archives

what's the hell's wrong with our leaders
it seems they've become bottom feeders
feeding their glutinous appetites
while the have-nots pay with their lives

We often disdain
that which gives us our gain
we just won't entertain
yes we'd rather abstain
holding fast in our brain
this lousy dark stain
while we're dragged by a train
on a chain we call pain

if this to you is arcane
and you think it inane
you might go talk to Sir Gawain
maybe he will explain
it won't be mundane
but will likely drive you insane
you see it's a whole new terrain
and even odder domain
but it's time to restrain
and no longer complain
about pain

Awakened by the brook washing over the tiny set of falls

I hear the birds singing a welcome to the new day

natures song is being played

its flute has come alive

the ivory of her keys are caressed gently

my ears gather their blessing

the peaceful surrounding have brought tranquility to my spirit

my heart fills with joy

how fortunate I am to see another day dawn

My back
it hurts
the pain
it comes in spurts

The task
at hand
is to simply
try to stand

From hot packs
unto cold
I don't like this
getting old

It's become so hard to walk
I don't even want to talk
all I want is some relief
from this nagging pain and grief

It's even hard now just to think
seeing I've hurt my weakest link
and although I'm sharing ink
it's times like these that really stink

The pain brought rain
the eyes watered while burning
it seldom subsided
and was always returning

It became so hard to read
and equally hard to write
when the hell would it end
it was not a good night

My thought was why me
why must I live in this state
but then I met another
who suffered from a worse fate

He sat in his chair
no legs crippled arms
but the words that he spoke
were filled with great charms

I became ashamed of myself
as all I'd done was cry
this man had conquered hopelessness
while I didn't even try

This great mist
brought on by the fog
I find myself walking within a cloud

Alone

I find myself in this is a place of peace
this place isolated
from the troubles of the world

Tranquility

The sounds of nature
that normally surround me
have grown strangely quiet

Thoughts

My mind so active
wondering where
my world has gone

Dreams

Enter my consciousness
of what life could be like
without the hate that exists in this world

Awakened

The sound of a train whistle
the closest tracks ten miles away
brings me back

Reality

Now leaving me wanting
to walk within the cloud
for eternity

Total quiet
of heart
of soul
brings peace
tranquility
and harmony
to the life
we've been born to.

Our spirit
is fed
and nourished
it grows
giving us
the comforting
knowledge of
who we are.

We become one
with our surroundings
part of nature
and of all things
as we dive
deeper
into ourselves
to our very core.

Here
in this
time
and place
of quiet
we learn
to love.

While telling your lie
you become a slave till you die
to a story
that's hard to remember

But with the truth you'll be free
as that story won't flee
and you'll know it
even in life's December

Will we ever know peace
will we wait till too late
how many will be left
will man wait
until he has no neighbor
a world of loneliness
only brings horrid memories
of the devastation of wars
brought on by greed
of political power
and religious zealotry
I pray man gives himself a chance
to awaken to the reality
that we must share this planet
in harmony and peace.