Ever the Optimists,
We Men.
Wee Men, we.
Wowed by
Simplicity.
Confused by
Complexity.
Slain by
Women's smiles.
Ever the Optimists,
We Men, we.

Wheeeeee!

Forgive me, sir, forgive me,
I think I'll just walk by;
I see unbridled anger;
I hear voices shouting high.

Cinders in your voices,
Fire in the skies,
I'm weary of your anger;
I think I'll just pass by.

Venom on the posters,
Riots in the air;
The innocent are losers
If anybody cares.

So, forgive me kindly, sister,
I think I'll pass you by;
I've lover, home, and children,
I must reach before the fight.

In a far off country have I roamed
Away from family, away from home.

Chaser of visions, Dreamer of dreams
Long have I been so far away.

What have I to speak?
To whom might I say,
"Forgive me, I have been away.
Remember me, I have been away."

To see her dancing with Jesus,
Free of pain
Celebrating finally
In some uncharacteristic way.
Do so by all means.

I tend to look backwards
To the memories I know
My mother, standing at the window,
Worrying over our father,
Miles away at the close of day,
Winter winds blowing,
Seven miles away in the winter pasture
He was opening a spring
Forcing his way in the deep snow,
To let the cattle drink.

Cherubs fed and washed, lie slumbering.
In dying light, in gathering gloom,
Upon the shadowed floors of living room,
Picking up the toys that scattered lie,
Stooping, she sighs to gather scattered things,
Orders them to wait awhile till morning.
Toys rest with arms akimbo, heads a-droop.
Stuffed bears and rabbits sag and dream.
She finishes the tidying and leaves the room.
She smiles a weary smile that lightens gloom,
Remembering when she was herself, alone.

River birch flowers hang green-gold,
Dangling earrings on beautiful ears;
Morning sun about to break horizon
I never tire of spring, however old;
Her call to life again brings my heart cheer;
I live on promises; Spring delivers here.

A billion, billion blades of grass stand dewed,
Reflecting golden light of rising sun;
They put me in an easy-breathing mood -
Another war with winter has been won.
Now shall I venture out to breathe spring air,
The smell of earth announcing fertile loam,
And I shall leave behind my winter care,
My thrilling blood has stirred me up to roam.

Young horses skitter, so riders beware
Their temperaments flighty,
They launch into air
At the drop of a cap
Or a jackrabbit's leap
They blow up in a second;
You'll land in a heap.

Old horses are easy, calm to the end,
Content to stand faithful and waiting,
Patient with kids and old men,
Almost never unnerved,
They'll take you home always,
Unconscious or tired or drunk,
They're used to your unspoken ways.