early morning sun
your Maw Maws love on a plate
biscuits and gravy

A tall frosted glass
some sweet sugary nectar
freshly brewed today

A persons manners
are a reflection
of their true colors

Long summer nights
the sky is filled with stars
humid breezes across the grass
back porch sitting is required
along with a glass of tea
crickets chirping at the moon
an old hound dog scratching
lightning bugs dancing in the air
the smell of BBQ lingers

It takes so much more energy to hold a grudge, forgiveness will heal your heart not theirs...

Mawmaw Sez...

wash your hands before every meal
and don't forget to say grace
no elbows on the table
or I'll put you in your place

sit up straight and use your manners
and never follow the crowd
learn these lessons quickly
and of that I will be proud

always listen politely
don't chew your food like a cow
after you finish all your asparagus
it is then you can take a bow

be nice to the neighbors when you can
and help old ladies across the street
before you walk into my house
remember to wipe your feet

There was a boy I knew
in my younger days
I tried to get to kiss me
using my womanly ways

I thought he really liked me
though he really didn't say
but when I tried to kiss him
he up and ran away

eat your dinner
and do it fast
these cornbread muffins
will never last

the gravy's boiling
and the chickens done
we'll eat some pie
'fore the day is done

apple, blueberry
and brown sugar peach
prize winning fruit
within your reach

now sit up straight
let's say the grace
we always do
at mawmaws place

Your moods
should not dictate
your use of manners

and remember

Two of the most
magical words
you will ever utter
please and thank you

I find myself wondering
about young men today
why don't they open doors
for their women?
What happened to chivalry?
Please don't start screaming
about women "burning their bras"
because there's more to it than that
What happened to the generation
of fathers that taught their sons
about respecting ladies
and protecting them?
now it seems most of the
younger male generation
use girls for ****** gratification
and personal idolization
I have granddaughters
they have been taught well
they will not degrade themselves
for some pimple faced ****
with a bad attitude
come on down to Maw Maws house
I'll give a lesson or two about manners
yup me, my sweet tea and my trusty 347
bring it on *******
this old lady ain't no frump

Big back porch
a good old rocking chair
crickets and pond frogs
a big glass of sweet tea
the fire pit roaring
children with marshmallows
on newly carved sticks
people laughing
old guys telling stories
fire flies
and shooting stars
welcome to the
southern summer night

always use your manners
even when you're home
nothing wrong with etiquette
where ever you may roam

please and thank you always
and never get too loud
remember to stay humble
and make your Maw Maw proud

always help the elderly
and don't be in a rush
speak kindly to young ladies
their hearts you should not crush

no smoking, no drinking
and staying out all night
use your words instead of fists
and please try not to fight

wash your face and cut your hair
and try to dress a little snappy
cause it's your job to try and keep
your mawmaw very happy

Here's a lesson
and I ain't messin
never touch
my Smith & Wesson

long summer nights
back porch swinging
and sips of cold tea
music drifting
from the bedroom window
and crickets singing along
an end to a beautiful day

remember to be kind to your mother
and always respect her wishes
and if you're still living in her house
get off your **** and do some dishes

grab a broom and sweep some floors
it'll really do you some good
wash the car and take out the trash
and then go chop some wood

go do some grocery shopping
and buy some bags of food
and maybe cook a dinner
for your mom and the rest of the brood

always take care of your parents
if not for them you would surely be dead
that might be an over exaggeration
I know that just messed with your head

always use some compassion
and don't even tell a small lie
if you lose your integrity
the price you pay will be high

at night say a prayer to our father
and thank him for being your friend
and ask him if at all possible
tomorrow you'd like to do it again

Eating quietly
is the thing to do
so please don't talk
whilst you chew

Smacking and slurping
I will never allow
or spitting and drooling
like an old milk cow

No laughing or giggling
at the table round
mess with Maw Maw
and I'll take you down

When asking for something
you should always say please
if I hear ya getting rude
I'll drop ya to your knees

Always use your thank you
don't ever be a *****
if I catch ya being mean
I'll beat you with a switch

No interrupting people
this I already said
you better use “excuse me”
or I'll cuff you in the head

When ever you're in doubt
always ask permission
if you don't do this
you'll be taken out of commission

Keep your negativity to yourself
and never ever be crass
if I catch you mouthin' off
I'll kick you in the ***

No making fun of appearances
I won't put up with that
if I hear you doing this
I'll smash you with a bat

Never open up a door
without knocking first
let me catch you doing that
your bubble I will burst

Use your quiet voice inside
you really shouldn't yell
If Maw Maw hears you doing that
you're gonna catch some hell

No one likes a ***** mouth
you really shouldn't cuss
don't you even do it
or you'll really make me fuss

I hope you learn these lessons
and try not to be bad
use your manners daily
and never make Maw Maw mad

If I could have only one wish
it would be

to be by your side
through thick and thin
in good times and the bad

when your feeling down
or still unloved
and even when you're sad

to love you when your grumpy
when you snore throughout the night
to love you when we're arguing
even though I'm right

I want to be your confidant
and I'll always be your friend
just you and me old man
until the bitter end

Be good to each other
and forgive when you can
lend a hand to the weary
and be kind even when it hurts
spread the love all over town
and defend your family
respect your elders
and mostly love yourself
you're worth it

You can create an aura
of beauty or ugliness
with your actions
It's your choice

My bones are really aching
and I think I have the flu
I need some cottony tissues
and some very hot chicken stew

But

don't you think for a minute
that Maw Maw's really sick
just cause Ima scratchin'
like a hound dog with a tick

Give me just a day or two
and I'll be good as gold
don't ever go and count me out
just because I'm old

Humid summer nights
makes it hard for me to sleep
I need a new fan

Look for the light
in every soul
that walks
upon this earth
extend your hand
in friendship
and show compassion
for the poor
stand tall
for what you
believe in
and don't let
people dictate
how your story
is going to end
reach for the heavens
and be glad
for every breath
rejoice in knowing
that nature
will continue
long after
you are gone
teach the young
how to cleanse
the mighty earth
and heal each other
with undying love
express yourself
in a kind manner
and help the man
that falls to his
own personal demons
we are but fragile
dysfunctional beings
that need the human touch
the one that heals
the sick and injured
be righteous
and courageous
and most of all
forgive yourself
for all shortcomings
and be grateful
for all that you have

my health is going straight to hell
my hair is falling out
"I'm not ready for the great beyond"
I would like to clearly shout

I'll clutch and scream until the end
and make a great big fuss
I'll swig a bottle of whiskey
and then I'll start to cuss

I'll throw things out the window
toss my pillows on the floor
sing until my throat is scratchy
and then I'll sing some more

I'll eat sandwiches at midnight
peanut butter, jelly and bread
cutting all the crust away
shoving it under my bed

I will see you in the morning
if I make it through the night
one more favor for me
please shut off the light.....

I pray in the morning
and I pray at night
I pray that people
will see the light

God is good
and He loves you so
when you're way up high
or you're way down low

You can talk to Him
whenever you need
He'll always listen
oh yes indeed

He'll love you when you're good
and He'll love you when you're bad
He'll love you when you're happy
and even when you're sad

Whether you're heterosexual
or a person that is gay
skinny, fat, short or tall
He'll love you anyway

Every night before I sleep
I have to kneel to pray
and thank the good Lord
for such a wonderful day

He hears me in the morning
and he still listens in the night
He listens to my confessions
and helps me make it right

He will always be there for me
this I already know
I am one of His chosen
because He loves me so

The shifting winds are bringing change
the truth is in the pudding
things have a way of working themselves out
just you wait and see