Sept. 26, 1994

When first she came to me she barely knew her name
“Rosey in the Corner” who’s knight in armour never came
She was holding on to nothing and staring into space
She was lost in no direction and looking for a place
Where she could feel special yet never have to change
Where everything’s familiar yet everything is strange
And who am I to deny I was looking for the same
It’s a strange old world when you’re new to the game

When first she came to me she opened up my eyes
Reflecting the beauty of the wild and gracious skies
We fell off of a mountain into love above the clouds
Cinderella and the young prince – both singing far too loud
Still too young to know better and yet too old to ask why
Caught up in the moment and the height of their flight
And who am I to deny I was looking for the same
It’s a strange old world when you’re new to the game

When first she came to me she was so unaware
Of the hardships of life and the struggles to bare
She was hopes and balloons and ice-cream turtle pies
She was “Boo Boo” and “Darling” and “hold me when I cry”
It’s amazing how time can fan flames or blow them out
It’s amazing how you find out what life is all about
And who am I to deny I was looking for the same
It’s a strange old world when you’re new to the game

J. H. Webb

Sept. 28 1979

He staples his life
to a bulletin board
and reads the notices
his wife puts there
on Tuesdays
and builds his home
with nothing more
than a memory of its cause
and a worn-out hammer
that has no claws.

J. H. Webb

Feb 3 1978

There is no substance to you
you float like a feather
you behave like a child
you are composed of little laughs
and tiny giggles
glued together by flour and water.
The only reason you drink
is so it will collect in your eyes.
You put on your finest stockings
you look in the mirror
and lift you dress up your thighs
Your legs are still shapely and smooth
You know you are a woman
you feel that hunger.
You unbutton your top
a little lower
and get a light for your cigarette.
To hell with independence,
you’re getting older
you need a man.

J. H. Webb

(In loving memory of my mother, Diana Rose 1921-2000)

Today is a day for tears. Today is a day to cry
For long before the sun arose, a rose began to die
A rose of strength and beauty; a rose unique and rare
For that rose she was my mother for whom I deeply cared
And her passing leaves me empty and feeling incomplete
For I'll never find another love who will love me quite so sweet

Today is a day for sorrow. So don't hide your tears away
Let them flow like her love flowed, my sisters, it's okay
For to show the world we loved her there is no better way
And to cleanse our hearts of sorrow we must begin today
Only then can we rejoice and celebrate her life
Only then can happiness overcome the pain and strife

Today is a day for tears. Today is a day to cry
For long before the sun arose A rose began to fly

J. H. Webb

I miss the nights
when we sat in the darkness
because the lightning storms had taken out the hydro poles.
Candle light the only light,
dancing on a ***** wall.
The mood was very subdued.
Not much to do in the darkness like that
but think and imagine.

But now I don’t even have enough imagination left
to imagine being that age again.
Just a feeling, a memory of the darkness

*J. H. Webb

May 21, 2000

I would like to start a new religion today
One that has no God to hinder it
One that gives no promise of retribution
One that gives no promise of salvation
One that gives no promise it is right
One that believes we become God
By being as warm hearted and considerate and loving as we can
By achieving a point in history
Where the words "lonely" and "depression"
Have fallen from everyday speech
And people are free to strive to help others
And want to

J. H. Webb

Jan 31/93

Full bodied soul and a spirited mind
Are vague definitions for one of your kind
No mere words could ever explain
The woman you are and the love you contain
So I hang my head but how can I complain
When I held you near me then sent you away again

Total commitment has such a high cost
Your prayers can be answered or you dreams can be lost
I've given up gambling with such dangerous stakes
And so I lay lonely in this bed that I make
So I hang my head but how can I complain
When I held you near me then sent you away again

Deep apprehensions. Once burnt twice shy
I'd reach for the moon if it weren't for the sky
No one can win who's afraid to lose
Now I know that as surely as the beauty in you
So I hang my head but how can I complain
When I held you near me then sent you away again

James H. Webb