In the echoes of my mind, you live
unforgotten dreams, of a distant past
of love and bitter moments
of a bond that did not last.
Of a touched and tortured heart
of a human spirit, bleeding
of strong desires, crushed
left with a soul that's needing.
Left with remorse and sorrow
both - empty and adrift
when the differences appeared
and life began to shift.=
Bruised and battered is the heart that hides
ravaged by the hurt and pain
no one sees the tears of spoken lies
they fall silently, like April rain.
Lamentation is the final song
we put away the misery with stoic grace
smile and laugh, as we move on
letting no one see our own true face.

Father from above, you called my name
brought me out of darkness, to the light
forgave my sins and lasting shame
strengthened me for the daily fight.
Showed me truth when there was doubt
gave me blessings, showered me with love
when I found what life was all about
when I looked and found You up above.
You gave me hope and not despair
Your Holy Spirit gave me power
now I have love ad strength to share
and I am safe, in Your high tower.
Father God, King of Creation
You are the refuge I do seek
You are the Rock of my salvation
the Great Eternal, of which I speak.
You are the Father of us all
and very worthy to be praised
with Grace and Joy, we can stand tall
and in the resurrection, we will be raised!

If I could hold you
just a little while
put my arms around you
and hold you close
I would melt into
you and stay still until
enough minutes had past,
I would not remember how long
it
had been when
last I did that.
Time moves so slowly when
such contact is repressed.
But you run and hide and
laugh at my unmet desires.
The game is getting old...and
darling, so am I.

Don't care much for politics
let me tell you why
they make too many promises
they smile at you and lie.
They slander one another
with ******, cold remarks
revealing absolutely nothing
they go off on their own larks.
The economy is awful
the border is a mess
abortion is outrageous
who's winning/ It's anybody's guess.
No one likes our choices
Trump is mad at everyone
Kamala should be a model
they're is no one else to run.
Vance and Waltz keep dancing
vying for second place
the whole caboddle's rotten
a total grand disgrace.
That's my take on politics
it's not something I adore
it's slimy and it's crude
alas, a dismal boor!!

Charlie my boy, oh Charlie my boy
twenty-five pounds of canine fun
you fill me, your a bundle of joy
I laugh to see you play and run.
Your legs are stocky and short
your coat is fluffy just like a lamb
when your sleeping, you tend to snort
sometimes you're quiet as a clam.
Eight years old  and full of vigor
you've replaced the guy we had
it's funny and I can't figure
why dogs can't live longer, it's sad.
So much love they give to all
with their antics and their love
there always at our brck and call
I think they were sent from Him above.
Charlie, your the greatest friend
wish you could live forever
cause you love, it will not end
never...never...never!

Unexpected rain falls softly
on the arid ground I walk
glistening in the shadows
of the twisted weedy stalk.
Clouds drifted like a shroud
somber, gray and creeping
like wandering ghosts in fog
silent -   wispy -   weeping.
The coolness of the morning
embraced my face with pleasure
it kissed my cheek and brow
like a momentary treasure.
How sweet the breath of life
in 45 minutes of walking
no traffic and no noise at all
nothing marred by talking.
Unexpected rain fell softly
tickled my nose round every bend
as I left the trail of cottonwood trees
and finished at its end.

If I give you love
what will I get in return?
will it be acknowledged?
or will it be but spurned?
If I offer my love
will you be mine forever?
or will you laugh at me
and say to me   - not ever.
Am I just a fool in love?
head over heels and blind?
silly and sheepish, blushing
not knowing what's in my mind?
I stand on the steps of happiness
worried, lest I fall
falling at your feet
all curled up in a ball.
Columbus took a chance
and by God - he did all right
I cannot leave you now
without putting up a fight.
I smiled and said I love you
my voice began to crack
but your eyes lit up I swear
as you smiled at me right back!