A red and white patterned ball,
emblazoned with blue stars,
rolls across the lawn of green,

Across a gray concrete retaining wall
muddy brown red water reaches
for the land with every windy wave.

Orange washers fly through the air
looking to land in the yellow trough,
in the opposite direction, red washers fly.

Giggling children sprint by with water guns,
stopping only to grab dad and friends another beer
with blue mountains on chrome out of the cooler.

Silver smoke curls out of the red stack,
the smell of brisket and ribs barbecuing,
mixes with the coconut smell of sunscreen.

Camo and flag patterned bikinis
worn by wives and girlfriends
are a stark contrast to the pink floats.

The women bob happily on the lake,
tied to a stake in the shallows,
enjoying frozen margaritas in the sun.

We all await the night's show
fireworks sparking in the night sky
the booming of beautiful artillery shells.

Winking skies,
artificial fireflies,
amazing colors flash,
my heart begins to dash.

Crimson, copper,
cadmium green,
explosions in the night,
in the sky and between us.

Carbonated bubbles of passion,
fizz and float around and inside us,
let's shake the bottle,
once again.

Hidden in the closet,
chained to walls,
they live in fear of me,
I am not like them.

Enigmatic music plays in my head,
setting the scene for what is to come,
my cryptic grin seems out of place,
but my mind is three scenes ahead.

Rarely does reality follow my oracular thoughts,
perplexinglingly  though, I am rarely surprised
as to the actual outcomes of the scenarios.
I am entertained, but rarely a victim of my own mind.

Ambiguous questions, resulting in vagaries,
an answer is usually never close,
just more questions, basically rhetorical,
all good ideas with no way to execute.

Lost in the miasma of the everyday,
details distract, like a squirrel on a dogs trail,
or the sight of a beautiful girl, walking the aisle at Wal-Mart,
hey, it happens.

Running a hamster wheel with purpose and destination,
yet never getting to any of the planned actions,
such is life, or so they say.
Roll the dice and read the card, Good Luck.

Upon the streets,
faces were hidden,
armed with ***** and beads.

In my hand a swirling hurricane,
as I walk down Bourbon street,
numb I am, like novocaine.

Swaying hips from side to side,
dressed like Carnival in Brazil,
how I do long to be inside.

A turn, a smile, a pose, and flash,
and the exchange of some beads,
pictures on my phone, memories to rehash.

She laces her fingers into mine,
walks me off the street,
her lips taste like the finest wine.

Unmasked now with carnal need,
in the alley, just off the quarter,
on each other we feed.

Friday afternoon trying to get home.
On down this dusty road, I must roam.
Barstools and Banjos on the radio.
Moccasin Creek kicking hick-hop flow.

Windows down in my pick-up truck.
Behind this 18 wheeler I am stuck.
Heavy traffic on the oil field road.
Off till Monday, I'm furloughed.

Pretty wife and a couple kids.
In the front yard on my cooler lid.
It’s full of beer and the charcoals hot.
To grill some redfish I had caught.

Couple months ago in the bay.
Gonna be one hella buffet.
Friends are coming with *** luck.
Ready to grill this corn in the shuck.

Beer is flowing and the food is good.
Send the kids to start gathering wood.
Bonfire burning and were feeling great.
Sitting around on an old milk crate.

All of a sudden the cops show up.
Their off duty just want to fill a cup.
Laughing and talking old times.
Feeling this good ought to be a crime.

All of the kids have gone to sleep.
I pray this great feeling, I can keep.
Pretty wife and I, are headed to bed.
Make a little love and rest our heads

I stand in knee deep water
cold and quickly flowing
I cast my fly back and forth
where the water lillie's growing

Strip the line a few times
no bites so cast again
Take a few steps downstream
and simply rebegin

Fish for a while
no nibbles so change the fly
cast over a stump
bite knocks my bait in the sky

Cast back across
the old rotten stump
strip a few feet of line
and feel a little bump

The fight is on
not much but its fun
a green warmouth
catching fish in the sun

My little yellow fly
really does its job
so many little warmouths
on the stump, in a mob

I caught quite a few
not big enough to eat
so I move along
on a rock, I take a seat

Cool water flowing by
I relax in the sun
cast my lure to a point
I consider being done

One final cast
on the edge of some moss
Twitch my wooly ******
gets hammered by a hoss

she goes on a run
fly line is peeling
I can see the backing
drag is loudly squealing

The fight is truly on
I turn her and begin to reel
flashes or silver and green
she has fight left in her still

Tired out she finally gives up
I reel her to my side
an 8-pound bass, selfie
and I let her go in stride

I didn't catch a lot
but had a blue clear sky
If anybody asks if I caught
I'll say, I went didn't I

From Friday night lights,
to construction sites,
from the king of campus
to new and nameless.

New Job, new town,
on his face he wears a frown,
can't yet drink a beer,
he is young, full of fear.

Covered over with bluster and bravado,
but the truth is, there's no place he can go,
burnt all his bridges on the day he left.
she left for college and left him bereft.

No word, no goodbye, she said it was over,
nothing to do so on he must soldier,
off to a new place to try something new,
he hopes to get passed and pull through.

So skipping college to learn a skill,
walking high iron, adrenaline thrill,
like dodging rushers in the big game,
but no one here knows his name.

And up the ladder of life he goes
making fewer friends and many foes,
but suddenly, from nowhere, a new lover at last
and has unhinged himself from a rocky past.

With gray in his hair and memories full,
on the beach, from a glass, he takes a pull,
the burn of whiskey, and grit of sand,
he looks and grins while holding her hand.

Skimming rock
splashes times five
disturbing the stillness

Casting lines
telling lies
hoping for a nibble

As the leaves fall
the beach ball flattens, forgotten
winter winds cover it in snow

Once happy
and candy sweet,
spelled with sugared hearts
as on Valentine's day.

The pain of love,
lost in the wind,
like leaves swept away
from the common limb.

Soul dissection,
heart removal,
the drying stain
of spilled blood.

Once removed,
all is blue and black,
bruises are the only thing
that remain, along with the depression.

The memories and feelings,
that cannot be excised,
shadow pains continue
though the source is no more.

Feathers float on winds of change,
riding high up on the thermals,
ocean waves crash the beach,
in regular sequence like a second hand.

Crash, crash, crash, crash,
tick, tick, tick, tick,
time rides a run away train,
on flat tracks, with no way to stop.

The hopes and dreams,
of the innocent young,
left sitting at the depot,
as there can be only one bag checked.

The train is full of others,
help them if you can,
feed them, clothe them,
provide a little comfort.

Then climb the ladder to the roof,
spread your wings and fly,
only the brave will do this,
the rest are content to ride.

Soar while you can,
but still tethered to the train,
see past the tracks and the trees,
look at the hills and valleys.

Then one day your feathers,
will float down to the sea,
where a final wave will wash,
and you will cease to be.

See green of pine and white of snow,
lets the city's gray blues go,
clean air is cathartic, breathe in deep,
let's take a walk down to lovers leap.

Holding hands on the trail,
only the feeling of joy prevails,
through the woods, we rejoice,
listening to the mountain's voice.

From high upon a terrace,
above the Mediterranean Sea,
the view steals your breath,
from the breadth that can be seen.

Like a from a spring a tear forms,
the various greens of grass and tree,
the blues in ocean waves,
sets bottled up emotions free.

Creamy canvas  puffed out sails,
pushing wooded chestnut hulls,
the silver wake following behind,
being chased by laughing gulls.

The tray on the table,
adds to the scene so well,
mouthwatering olives and feta cheese,
such a tasty a glorious smell.

The goblet of red wine,
reflecting golden beams,
I had to pinch myself,
is this vacation or a dream.

The cobras flatten and raise their heads,
their heads begin to bob and weave,
the pungi plays with hypnotic dread,
the crowd is scared but refuse to leave.

Porch swing chains squeak,
an orange and gray cat rolls in the sand,
a dozen different birds sing
not a breath of wind stirs the leaves.

A mosquito buzzes incessantly,
the crows loud caw drowns out everything
a deer glides through the woods,
as I continue to swing and watch.

Down the hill, a red robin glows neon
against the brown and green backdrop
of oak, sweetgum, elm, and pine,
a woodpecker begins it's drumming.

Purple finches rummage through leaf litter,
below a hanging seed feeder,
in early morning sunlight beams,
I have to cough, it silences the woods.

But only for a moment.

The darkness fuels
my muse's motor
she is set alight
in dark shadowed corners

Comes awake as sunlight fails
and the creatures come out
the ones that scurry
the ones that ****

My muse is a demon creature
gathering power from fear
as the last light
is flushed from the day

Thoughts mesmerize
and form on the page
starlight inspiration
muted on full moons

And at full power
during the eclipse
and overcast nights
dripping rain

Questions flood!
Where?
Why?
Who?
How?

My name eludes me

I recognize nothing
landscape
location
faces
buildings


All alone
in a crowd
on a busy street


I read the signs
and understand the words
but they tell me nothing

Breathing hard
dripping sweat
I look for a place to retreat

Dark alley
off the street
all alone

The questions flood again
Who?
Where?
How?
Why?

Hidden meanings,
trapped in memories,
released by,
the piercing whine.

The rumbling tracks,
once punctuated by an
exclamation point of smoke,
now nothing.

An escape,
I jump on,
as it trundles by
to someplace.

Empty boxcar,
I hide in the shadows,
curled up in the corner,
waiting for where it stops.

Contrails drift across the full moon,
like from a Halloween witches broom,
the clouds are furrowed like a garden,
as they blow soft shadows harden.

Gleaming light from the sea of tranquility,
the smoke blows and curls with fluidity,
so bright out here no flashlight needed,
nights normal darkness has been impeded.

The campfire heats,
the soles of my feet,
wintertimes coldness,
I wish to cheat.

On this night,
so clear and bright,
let's go cuddle up
and say goodnight.

Crystal clear liquid in a mason jar,
lifted into the night skies,
the full moon's light is blurred,
as the two moonshine's mix.

My vision is transformed
from the mundane, everyday
to the extraordinary,
as a drop hits my lips.

The third eye is opened,
spirits and colors reveal
themselves in the corners,
and in the periphery.

They try to hide,
but they are spotlighted,
like the lead singer on a stage,
by the moonshine's glow.

Our rhymes
Are on time
And our wit
Is hard to get

But your gas to my fire
Is enough to spark wires
And inspire heat

But not the kind
That burns down shanties
But the kind that excites
And slides down *******

The dry and calloused hands
of wit sharpened
and refined

The keeping of the fire
as her arousal, assured
playing with her mind

It's not a simple variance
each puzzle, a different kind of view
getting her excited, and her bra removed

No ******* and no bra
I look in wonder, stare in awe
At the statuesque beauty in front of me
My eyes capture and store what it sees

A tentative touch of skin to skin
I may not know the trouble I'm in
As thoughts turn to original sin
At this point the line is mighty thin

So I cross it with a kiss
Roam her body, no spot I miss
Friction sparks ignite the flame
Man I love to play this game

Flick of my Bic
Or of my tongue
Either way
She will squirm
From my licks
Or my words
Both can cause
Passions to burn

Tongue tip
Long **** sip
Juices flow
See the glow
Here to dine
For a time

Sliding into memories,
her scent, her feel, her remedies
Breaking bad, breaking me,
repair, a simple thought you see
Her silken hands and gentle touch, setting me forever, free

Her needs are mine, her smallest thoughts, decree
My body hers, my confusion swept, as if debris

I hold to what I know is true, there is no me, without, you....

cervisiam
ternum sal,
calcis suci,
litus,
solis,
pulchrae puellae
ducens vitam Pellitos
confundito
et fruar

Translation

Beer,
pinch of salt,
lime juice,
beach,
sun,
beautiful girls
******* clad
mix together
and enjoy

A generation raised,
only being praised,
never having to succeed,
just being handed gold trophies.

Participation ribbons,
despite the effort given,
no winner and no loser dealings,
because we might hurt their feelings.

Afraid of ideas and of words,
triggers, micro aggressions are absurd,
in need of a safe space,
think life is candy and lace.

No work ethic has been instilled,
expects the government to deal,
out the stuff they deserve,
the Constitution unpreserved.

Thin skinned crybabies now in charge,
destruction of the world at large,
everything, given on their plate,
we have created a nanny state.

Hurtling through space and time,
but these thoughts not worth a dime,
just geometric shapes in a black and white,
but this jumble is quite a sight.

Running running, can't stop running,
something behind me just keeps coming,
so I run the parkour course with it's twists and turns,
looking for the resting spot as my muscles burn.

Jumping and climbing all the time,
from each shape and each line,
circumferences of the circle made,
leaping to the free floating Ray.

Now up the ramp of a triangle,
vaulting to the rectangle,
sprinting toward a massive gap,
now flipping and flying some arm swing *****.

Landing on the squares edge with a tumbled roll,
on the move once again, surprised that I'm still whole,
but the danger still lurks behind,. so onward I roam,
suddenly a dark barks and I wake in my bed at home.

Curvy country roads
let me lighten my load,
Texas hill country is the plan,
truck windows down, all the way to
Concan.

Cold Frio river,
makes us all shiver,
inner tubing it all the way down,
Bluetooth speaker jammin' country sounds.

Floating cooler tied to me,
easing down river feeling free,
Texas flag and camo bikinis
just like wishes from a genie.

Cause you got to get away,
pick a weekend and go play,
leave your inhibitions, be wild and free,
making memories you and me.

Rope swing dangles in the wind,
swinging out and jumping in,
Ice cold beer and Josh Abbot Band,
my redhead girl, we're hand in hand.

Hill country sunset, hidden by trees,
orange, pink and blues, a sight to see,
perfect weather, nothing missing,
end the day with some kissing.

There she sits,
with eyes that see,
the things to be,
but costs a fee,
nothing is free.

The answer key,
resides in me,
the future, no longer a mystery.
Godly advice,
awaits delivery.

Simple questions asked,
always taken to task.
cryptic answers provided,
interpretations divided.

Highest authority, at the stone temple pilot site.
Pytho hides,
whispered secrets, divinely lied.
scribed from sky moon tides,
certified spirit guides, leave the naive mystified.

Priestess words at Delphi,
suggestions, from on high,
simply meant to deceive,
from hints hidden up her sleeve.

Silently bleed and plead, from Apollo's creed.
Greek, kings to vagrants seek to critique.
now all believe, in prophecies.
societies deceived, by deity mythology,
from B.C. to A.D.

Dueling desks sitting inside,
gates of heaven where they reside.
Dealing with the tides that flow,
and with dim bulbs, with no glow.

Guarding the gods from lesser beings,
dropping shade, most miss the meaning.
One brunette, and one, who knows!
either way, they run the show.

Each a beauty with cutting wit,
they can see through your ****.
and if you think that you are smart,
just wait for the, bless your heart!

Or something better spouted in greek,
I simply love their tongue in cheek.
A bit of crazy in their veins,
not afraid to cause you pain.

If you know how to be,
they are a lot of fun you'll see,
telling jokes, till you cross the line,
but come back later, you'll be fine.

In the end, this duo's supreme,
they float to the top just like cream.
Their laughter is music made,
and silky smooth, like fine suede.

The smell of manure and dust in the air,
sounds of livestock, must be time for the fair,
lots of things to see and food to eat,
but you know what is my favorite treat.

Girls at the fair are looking tight,
hair got curled, make up just right,
shined up boots and denim and lace,
walking around with country girl grace.

Jeans cut so short they're pockets hang out
everybody is smiling too excited to pout,
blingy shorts shining in the sun,
way more loaded than any gun.

How they got them on it's hard to figure,
but I'm just about ready to pull the trigger,
cut one out of the milling herd,
the redhead there who hasn't said a word.

Asked her if she wants some roasted corn,
answer drowned out by the 8 second horn,
the bull ride is on and the crowd is screaming
she said yes again, I hope I'm not dreaming.

Girls at the fair are looking tight,
hair got curled, make up just right,
shined up boots and denim and lace,
walking around with country girl grace.

Got some corn and some lemonade,
I'm feeling like I got it made,
Strolling the midway hand in hand
Winning stuffed animals in demand

Walking on over to the concert
Blonde looks at me and starts to flirt,
I flash her a smile and just keep walking
This red and I just started talking.

Girls at the fair are looking tight,
hair got curled, make up just right,
shined up boots and denim and lace,
walking around with country girl grace

The music plays, presses her lips to mine
This evening has turned divine
Singing and dancing between the kisses
My aim is on there are no misses

I picked this one and with precision
I'm glad I made this decision
She is gorgeous with the wind in her hair
Man I'm glad I came to the fair

Girls at the fair are looking tight,
hair got curled, make up just right,
shined up boots and denim and lace,
walking around with country girl grace.

Girls laying out,
a sight you can't forget,
oily and shiny,
see the beads of sweat.

Laying on her stomach,
she's not trying to hide,
Confederate bikini,
strings untied.

Hair *******,
she gives it a shake,
decides it's hot,
takes a dip in the lake.

Glad I'm from the south,
all hail that flag,
swaying her hips,
with so much swag.

Rubbing on lotion
that SPF thirty,
a smile and a wink,
she's feeling flirty.

I hold up a glass,
full of margarita,
she sashays over,
one hot seniorita.

Sun freckled face
breaks out in a smile,
gives me a kiss,
that drives me wild.

Eyes rolled back
Rainbow bridge
Traveling to another dimension
Engulfed in warmth

Pleasure complete
for the moment
As its now my turn
To transport her
To the land of unicorns

Head squeezed
Hands pressed in
Fluids churned
Amazing taste

Gasping for breath
Both take a second
As we begin again
Climbing into one another

Lips and tongues
Hands and fingers
Bodies piston
Collapsed in passion

Give me a beach, on a jungle shore,
while it might take some work, it won't be a chore,
fishing for dinner, and gathering fruit,
building thatched huts with palm fronds for roofs.

Let me dig clams or mussels, or catch rays,
barter them with neighbors, a good catch really pays,
swap them for milk, a goat, or some meat from wild boar,
although we have no stuff, were not close to poor.

The crashing waves sing a rhythmic lullaby,
as I hang in my hammock and close my eyes,
my crab trap is baited to catch overnight,
it will be full, in the dawns early light.

So give me a beach, with white sand and surf,
I have no need of a house and manicured turf,
The salt spray and sun are good for my bones,
I'll be happy to sit on my sugar cane throne.

grinding ice travels
across a billion years
forming the landscape

In the deep, dank, dark expanse,
stinging scorpions and crawling ants,
empty-eyed skulls stare
into swampy phosphorescent gasses.

Creatures with slumped shoulders
and heads hung low,
mumble quietly,
covered in oozing blue-green algae.

The moon glow shadows
show us unwanted images,
movie projected on the ever present
wind blown, glowing mist rising.

A lonesome howl in the near distance,
like a warning siren as the tornado approaches,
bring heads up, and sets the scene in chaos,
anguish, and terror, palpable and tasting.

Alligators with golden eyes glide
through frothy waters,
waiting on the edges,
in the sawgrass, in ambush mode.

The rest of us simply disappear,
burrowing into the muddy ground,
to anticipate safer junctures,
and the light of the new sun.
(If it ever comes.)

Going separate ways
one up one down
flying away
crawling afar

Two separate paths
have been taken
what once was love
has been forsaken
so now we go our separate ways
what could have been, flushed away

Fears and lies
can paralyze
or leave us paranoid
drifting with no meaning, alone in the void

One final look
and a knowing wink
gone forever
the chain has a broken link

When friends become more,
In such a short time,
Not quite like blood,
But partners in crime.

Weekday dinners eaten,
Weekends binged away,
Hunting and fishing,
What more can I say.

Concerts and road trips,
In all seasons and weather
At Walmart causing a scene
Like birds of a feather.

Watching kids grow
Parenting all three
FFA and YHEC
Pie auctions and shooting.

Fourth of July's
At Cedar Creek Lake
you're moving away,
makes our heart ache.

When throws us curves,
We must take a swing,
We wish you good luck,
Success in everyrhing.

So give one more whooooo,
Just like Rick Flair,
raise up your glasses,
Into the air.

Just one last toast,
But we won't say good bye,
Just see you down the road,
With a tear in our eye.

fill my simple cup
no gold or silver chalice
just love to sustain me

Into the depths she glides
Natures killing machine
Muscles and teeth
The great white
Looks up at the surface

Waiting, waiting
For a seal to silhouette
In the sun
Suddenly with a thrusting tail
Heads to the surface like a torpedo

Collision course
Seal impact
Teeth gnash
Blood runs
Lunch is served

Pack a bag!
Get in the car.
Where are we going?
Not very far.

When will we get there?
When we arrive.
How will we feel?
Alive and revived.

How long will it take?
As long as it will.
Why does it matter?
We have time to ****!

What will we do?
Have some fun.
Enjoy each other,
in the summer sun.

Will there be mountains
or will there be beach?
I'll let you know,
just as soon as we reach.

Will we go swimming
or will we fish?
Whatever you want,
whatever you wish.

Destination unknown,
full speed travel
Straight on till morning,
questions unraveled.

Silver moon, silver back,
the beast guards her.

Thought, deeds, and evil needs,
lurk in the night.

In moonlight glow, his eyeshine shows,
keeping creatures at bay.

She is naive, and cannot believe,
that he is keeping her safe.

Clear-aquamarine water waves lap the beach
making small gurgling noises,
out in what should be the surf are
barely noticeable two-inch tall rolling waves,
there is no foam to be seen.

Bits of seaweed float in clumps here and there,
gulls work, a hundred yards out, diving and loudly laughing;
I am armed with khaki wading shorts and a coral Columbia shirt
along with a green Tilley hat and blue mirrored Costas,
a St. Croix rod and a Shimano reel.

Shuffle and slide my feet as I wade out chest deep,
the water's cool battles the early June sun,
at my left chest, a poking and jabbing feeling,
a shrimp spine, in my pocketful of live bait,
the smell of a meal, if the fish refuse to bite them.

The hook slides through the shrimps head
as it squirms in my hand, now ready,
I reach back and cast my lead weight,
taking the baited hook directly in the water
underneath the gathering cloud of birds.

I feel the bump as the lead hits bottom,
immediately a thump, thump, and a ****,
counting mentally three seconds pass,
I reel down and set the hook,
it bites in as the battle begins.

Leaping out of the water, fighting my attempts
at keeping it down, a large silver and spotted
sea trout pulls drag briefly before I get it turned,
I begin to back up into shallower water,
as I pull the fish towards me.

Ten feet away now, the fish makes a final jump,
as a huge swirl underneath it reveals a fin,
the heaviness on my line increases then reduces by half,
I continue to reel in my prize or what is left of it.
just the trouts head, vampire teeth shining in the sun.

Annoyed and with jitters, I re-bait and cast out
aware that a 6-foot bull shark roams these waters;
studying, I see a dark shadow heading back out
towards the splashing fish, and diving birds.
I patiently wait on another bite.

Now gather around and listen to this
This is something that you don’t want to miss
A song about, fishing, shooting and hunting deer
I imagine we will mention some beer

Might even talk about whiskey and coke
Forty creek and Seven and maybe a smoke
Might quote the Doors, and even The Who
Ask, WWJD, What would Jed do

Well since you ask its time to cast
A top water out and work it back fast
Zara ***** on an ABU 5500C3
St. Croix rod as good as it can be

Fishing some pads on the south side of Fork
Waiting to set the hook, and reel with some torque
10 pound bass, explodes on my lure
Up from the depths, an attack that’s pure

Count to 3 set the hook in her lip
She comes up, tail walks and backflips
Pulls lots of drag, it’s a hell of a fight
But I’m gonna win, try as she might

Tournament lift into the floor of the boat
Make my buddy take my picture, while I gloat
Post it to Facebook, not telling how many likes
Its chorus time now, gonna sing in the mic

My buddies and me, man we love the outdoors
Say let’s go and listen for the slamming doors
Gear being loaded and Pickup trucks crank
Gravel flies down the drive, hear it click and clank
Off the fenders and bumper we’re on the way
Boys with toys headed out to play

This time though were at the caliche pit
Shooting pistols and talking ****
Brought every gun in the arsenal to shoot
12 gauge muzzle on the toe of my boot

Hollering pull, let the clays fly
From over my head they whizz by
Draw a bead and slap the trigger
Next guy in line is really eager

Clay turns to dust, he is out of luck
It’s still my turn, so he’s stuck
I finally miss and its on to the next
Pull out the .50 muscles flexed

Way down range bucketful of water explodes
Underneath it the grass and dirt erodes
One shot one **** those rounds cost
Out come the AR’s, everyone’s bossed

Shoot a few more rounds, its getting dark
Loaded it all back up in the truck that’s parked
Get it all on home, its dinner time
Give my wife a kiss, man is she fine
White tail stew and some home fries
Had a good time hanging out with the guys

My buddies and me, man we love the outdoors
Say let’s go and listen for the slamming doors
Gear being loaded and Pickup trucks crank
Gravel flies down the drive, hear it click and clank
Off the fenders and bumper we’re on the way
Boys with toys headed out to play

Its November, and you know what that means
Headed to the lease in my camo jeans
Up in the morning, out to the stand
13 inches wide is what the state demands

Binos around my neck, 270 leaned
In the corner of my stand, hear the corn fling
Feeder went off like mornings alarm
Grab the rifle throw it up on my arm

Muzzle out the window, not long to wait
9 point buck and his cute little date
My freezer is empty, time to refill
They finally line up and stand still

One shot two kills, both through and through
My buddy call, asks, hey was that you
I tell him yes, and we have work to do

Rack was so big, didn’t need a ruler
Deer all quartered, cleaned and in the cooler
Time for a cigar, and some Whiskey and coke
Sit around and celebrate enjoy the smoke

Steak on the grill, fire burning in the pit
Buddy says this is the life isn’t it
I just nod and take another sip
He nods back sticks in a dip

Morning comes pack it up and go
Back to the house where the love flows
For the wife and kids and the **** dog
Its where I am the boss hog
Make time for your family and friends
You just never know when it will end

My buddies and me, man we love the outdoors
Say let’s go and listen for the slamming doors
Gear being loaded and Pickup trucks crank
Gravel flies down the drive, hear it click and clank
Off the fenders and bumper we’re on the way
Boys with toys headed out to play

Frizzled and fried
emotions on high
a breathe on my trigger

My wit has been sharpened
my tongue has been honed
my pen, extended and ready

Focused rage becomes
pinpoint laser burns
pixelated words

Lyrical tirades flow forth
to enchant the true believers
and to gut the haters

Which one shall you be?

Pop the top, love that sound
Especially with friends around
Couple of sips with lime and salt
Wondering if enough beer was bought

Can in my hand, it's getting light
Sun is going down, man it’s bright
Slip my shades back down off my head
Walked up to my buddies and this is what I said

Is my can half full or at the half empty line?
They simply nod and wait for the punchline
Asked again, I said did you hear?
I’m simply halfway to another beer!

Finally dark, stories are being told
About the glorious days of old
Football tales and fishing trips
Las Vegas winnings, piles of chips

Buddy twists a can and walks away
Tries to be subtle knows the game I play
He is at the cooler and I holler sensuous
Knows what I mean, brings back one for each of us

Chugging beer right on down
When I hear that sloshing sound
Know what that means?, Room in the can!
At the halfway mark once again

Is my can half full or at the half empty line?
They simply nod and wait for the punchline
Asked again, I said did you hear?
I’m simply halfway to another beer

Ancient drawings on the wall
come sentient in flickering firelight,
the bow draws and arrows fly in carvings,
taking down long extinct prey.

Imagination runs rampant,
inside of granite caves,
hearing ancient drums
bah ***, *** ***, bah ***.

Pebbles roll, jerking eyes
searching out the origin,
nothing moves in the night,
feet of the long dead perchance.

A howl, or a scream?
from the mouth of the cave
sends hair standing,
and triggers fight or flight feelings.

Temperatures drop undeterred
adding more wood to the fire,
the energy absorbed by phantoms
that move on the edges of vision.

Liquid shadows flow toward me
touching me, eyes turn obsidian
encased in burning fires
fading down.

Headdressed dark wrinkled men
wearing furs of different creatures
surround me in a circle
eyes glowing.

I hear nothing, but see afflictions,
dying peoples, falling trees,
rabid animals, and raging conflagrations,
followed by icy glaciers, creeping across the land.

A spear pierces my side drawing crimson,
several feather fletched arrows impact me,
phosphorescent blade, cuts into my carotid
discharging a torrent.

Soaked in sweat as daylight breaks,
a scream is coming from my throat,
as my hands reach, staunching wounds that are not there,
I search out understanding in the madness, as breathing slows.

Happy birthday to my bride
you simply take the years in stride
ageless beauty you possess
simply better than the rest

I have no gift of sparkling gold
but my love can not be sold
it belongs to you forever more
and that does not come from a store

Words on paper from my mind
hope to tighten, ties that bind
let you know my heart stands clear
I love you, Happy Birthday Dear.

The world is a vampire,
it feeds on you, slowly,
year after year,
frustrations and agony.

******* the life out of you,
allowing you only moments of peace,
small bits of joy and love,
to let you recharge.

Then the feedings begin again,
perhaps this is the matrix,
and we are but rechargeable batteries,
powering something, of which we are not aware.

Farmed in massive arrays,
and kept alive for power,
and the amusement,
of our owners.

Costa glasses on my nose,
truck pointed down the road,
plastic worms and rods and reels,
coolers full, you know the deal.

Headed for some clear fresh water,
down on the Texas, Mexico border,
6 hours out of eddy county,
those bass are big and have a bounty.

Boat gassed up and backed on in,
ready to fight, hand to fin,
High-speed cruise to Evans creek,
down in the water, green silver streaks.

Trolling motor down and bait tied on
reach back and cast it long,
tequila worm, purple and black,
feel the line and rake up the slack.

Work it in, and cast it out,
feel a bite. Fish on I shout,
love the fight, feel the rush,
8-pound bass pulled out of the brush.

One of many for the trip,
pose for a picture, my buddies flip,
comments on Facebook all jealousy,
I reply should have come with me.