Our society is obsessed with the cell phone
That ever present handy little device
If we could just leave it behind
Sometimes that would be nice

I've observed people literally
Walk into a door
While looking down at their cell phone
As if gazing at the floor

A call a text or Instagram
Excuse me I have to check my mail
O my God!!!my batteries low!!
Please my phone do not fail

I know we're here for dinner
But I must text a friend
LOL and ***
Now it's time to send

Cell phones have their place
I guess in today's society
But there would not be one in existence
If it were up to me

No one can communicate
As in talking face to face
This type of interaction
Has by the cell phone been replaced

I guess that's just the way it is today
O how I long for the days of old
When you had to find a pay phone
In the heat or rain or cold

Drop a quarter in the slot
Or maybe just a dime
Better say what you want
Your running out of time

I'm just a little old fashioned I guess
I like the way it used to be
When two would sit and talk
Without interruption from technology

RLB

The home in which I grew
Where I was taught to do that which I should
Was held together by love
And everything that's good

It's floors were supported strong
By tenderness and caring
And it's roof was held in place
By the gentle act of sharing

It's walls stood strong and firm
Never were they shaken
Strength is gained by what you give
Not by what you have taken

A home is so much more
Than wood and nails and stone
It is made of truth, love, caring and sharing
These things , they make a house a home

While watching people I realized
That folks are a lot like squirrels
They don't pay much attention at all
To what's going on in their world

They scurry about to and fro
Doing what it is they do
Digging holes and burying nuts
A lot like me and you

They run aimlessly upon their way
Never looking both ways to cross the street
I guess that's why we see so many
Dead squirrels at our feet

Run to here and scurry to there
He lives within his own little world
Yep, watching people I realize
Folks are a lot like squirrels

The little thigs of life
Are to most of no great affair
Such as the warmth of the sunshines rays
Or the coolness of the evening air

The little things of life
Are so often unaccounted
But if we would stop and take notice
We would stand astounded

The little things of life
For such we have no time
The colorful leaves of fall
Or a ringing church bells chime

The little things of life
Come to us each passing hour
A thorny bush of roses
Or a welcomed springtime shower

The little things of life
Fill up life's empty spaces
Let's us know that God loves us
And reveal his many graces

The little things of life
Seem to be missed by our eyes
A trees limb bending in the wind
Or the beautiful azure sky

The little things of life
Quickly appear then they are gone
Such as a smile on a strangers face
Or a lonely sparrows song

The little things of life
Are given to us free
The sound of a gently flowing stream
Or the shade of an old oak tree

The little things of life
Like a word so kindly spoken
Can ease a wearied mind
Or help mend a heart that's broken

A thousand little things
Unnoticed by our eyes or ears
Is a thousand little blessings
Missed throughout our years.

RLB

Don't ask me why today I bought
That little balsa wood airplane
One like many I had when I was a kid
I want to think that I've grown up
But somewhere inside I never did
I saw it yesterday and I just had to have it
Though I don't know why
So I pulled out a few hard earned dollars
And bought this memory that flys
It has a red propeller
That's powered by a rubber band
And two red wheels attached with wire
To help it safely land
I can't recall how many of these
I've pioleted through the years
I'm sure at least a few or more
Way back in my yesteryears
It amazes me sometimes now that I am older
That the sight of such a little thing
Can bring a forgotten memory back to life
Like a balsa wood airplane

RLB

A canopy of gray covers all that lies below,
The trees are leafless and barren,
I can hear the bitter cold raindrops
As they crash into the leaves,
That lie dead upon the muddy ground,
I see colors of only dark gray and brown and black,
As I look into the woods beyond my window,
It is a peaceful scene,
Yet,mysterious and ancient ,
For some unknown reason,
I am taken back to another time,
A much harder time in mankinds life,
But a much simpler time for his soul,
A time when it was more quiet,
Man was more thoughtful ,
The world more serene,
Man more connected to nature,
Nature in all her forms,
Reveals to us such beauty,
Such overpowering serenity ,
If we will acknowledge it,
This scene that at this moment my eyes behold,
May be cold and gray and portray despair,
But it is as beautiful as a sunny mountain meadow in the spring,
For just as the meadow is,
This scene is a picture painted,
By the master of all nature,
GOD.
In the beginning God...........
Genesis1:1

RLB

I am so often held in awe
Of the created beauty my eyes can see
Quietly to myself I think
How beautiful heaven must be

When I look upon all of creation
All that is made by Gods mighty hand
He has given such beauty here
How must it be in that heavenly land

I think upon the promise given
In the pages of Gods word so true
In my fathers house are many mansions
There I have a home built for you

So it is to this precious promise
That I so faithfully hold
Knowing someday I shall walk in his presence
In a land where the streets are paved with gold

When my thoughts take my eyes to the cross
Upon which my saviour bled and died
Jesus Christ I cannot see
No matter how hard I try


I behold that old and rugged tree
And the nails that pierced his feet and hands
But my Christ he is not there
Though today the tree still stands

To my soul it brings great joy
The empty cross of Calvary
For I know there he no longer hangs
Upon that bloodstained tree

My eyes can see my risen Lord
But not where he shed his blood for sin
The cross stands bare before an empty tomb
Christ Is Coming Back Again!

ISIS is a cesspool of individuals who are nothing more than a mere pathetic group of;
Impacable,
Scelestic,
Ideopraxist,
Sicarians.


RLB

There is peace,reassuring peace
In the quite of natures sound
In the very presence of God himself
Be still and know there God is found

There is peace, reassuring peace
Within the touch of the unseen wind
It washes over ones heart and soul
A peace so true does not offend

There is peace, reassuring peace
In a faith that is bold and strong
When such a faith fills ones heart
Ones heart can only sing a song

There is peace,reassuring peace
When Jesus takes us by our hand
And we trust him to gently lead us through
This dark and weary and fearful land

There is peace, reassuring peace
That only comes from heavens portal
Such a peace so reassuring
Given by God to me a mortal

RLB

In some early mornings dawn
When father time has brought the fall
Have you walked among the hardwoods
And below the oaks so tall

Have you stepped upon the leaves
Of orange and red and brown
Have you felt the breeze so cool
That gently brings them down

Have you heard the morning chatter
Of squirrels in the wind
And the chorus of a cardinal
As the day begins

Have you watched as the sun
Turns the sky from dark to blue
Or the honking sound of geese
As overhead they flew

There is such beauty in a woodland
On a quiet cool fall morning
A perfect place to be
A place to be returning

Some wore a uniform of gray
Some wore the one of blue
They were brothers from north and south
Some were sons and fathers too,

Each one was a soldier
A warrior in a fight
Now they are only ghost
Seen by men with sight,

Once their feet did march
Upon the battlefields grass
Now they are just an image
To be seen within the glass,

Many fell upon the field of battle
Some alone in a place so foreign
Now all that remains of them
Is a face on a sheet of iron,

When I look into the eyes on the faces
Of these men on iron or glass
I see not a ghost
But a man, a soldier from the past,

Though now he be only an image
He was once a soldier that in battle fell
And within each soldiers image
Is held a story he longs to tell.

RLB

I love an old pocket watch
Hanging at the end of its chain
To look upon its beauty
And to hear the ticking of its spring

To see through its cracked crystal
The beauty of the hands
As they slowly count the moments away
One by one as grains of sand

Painted upon an enamel face
I see the hours that are marked
The hours of ones life
Painted as a work of art

Whose eyes have looked upon you
By whose hands have you been wound
Who brought you to their ear
To hear your beautiful sound

O how I love the music played
So sweet is the watches tick and tock
There is a mystery that I love
In an old pocket watch

What is a photograph worth
With its edges bent and worn
Faded and yellowed with age
A picture that is cracked and worn

An image of a moment so dear
A smile in a second of time
The comfort of a loved ones face
That you shall never more find

Is the face upon your photograph
Worth more than all earthly gain
An image of one you loved so dear
One who now in a grave is lain

What is this little squares value
To pay, what is the price
Is there an amount or profit
That for its value would suffice

Some might offer you gold
For an image your finger can touch
Would you even then refuse
And find no hope in such

Does the image your eyes now mirror
Hold more value than the earth could bring forth
Tha many stories and memories so dear
Tell me, what is a photograph worth

Have I missed the quiet of morning
When the sun begins to rise
And cast its golden light
Across an  endless azure sky

Have I missed the sweetened scent
Of freshly fallen rain
As it falls to the earth from heaven
And nourishes the golden grain

Have I never seen the singer
Have I never heard the song
Of the birds as they preform
Because I to quickly move along

Never does the flowers fragrance
Catch my imagination
Am I much to busy
For such an infatuation

Have I missed the lights of heaven
When the light of day is past
Because of worrying about tomorrow
Am I moving much to fast

We each should stop and take more time
As we travel this earthen sod
To look and see all natures beauty
Be still and know that He is God

No more Big City
No Working Man Blues
No more Swinging Doors
No more patriotic tunes

No more California Cottonfields
No Bonnie and Clyde
No Amazing Grace
No Always on My Mind

No more the Way I Am
No Waiting For A Train
No more Where Have All The Hobos Gone
Or When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again

Goodbye Mighty Merle
Thanks for the gift you gave
There will never be another
Who can take your place

To me you were the best
Singing for the working man
I only wish my friend
I could have shook your hand

RLB

You were the best country music has ever known.

Why do we grieve the heart of God
With the things that we men do
If God audibly spoke
He might say these words to you

Men talk about intolerance
Yet I still give mercy and grace
Men change the definition of marriage
And slap me in the face

Men bicker and argue and fight
About a waving flag
With all that's still to be done
About enough I've had

Men **** unborn babies
Yet I hardly hear a prayer
But the pleas of the unborn
They rise to me through the air

Men have taken me out of school
No longer there am I allowed within
Men have left me at the door
Of a place where once I had been

This list goes on and on
Men know the things I mean
Why can man not read my word
And from its pages wisdom glean

There is on the horizon a day
When every man will understand
When I come down from heaven
To give justice unto men

So go upon your merry way
Push the truths of God aside
Your guilt is not upon me
For to gain your obedience I tried

I will give unto men more time
I've an abundance of mercy and grace
But know within your heart o man
You will someday see my face

RLB

Help me Lord to set my mind
On things that reign above
So that when you appear in Glory
My life is hidden with you in love

Heavenly Father put to death
These things I do not need
Immorality , impurity, evil desires
Along with idolatry and greed

I know because of these
Your wrath is soon to come
At that time I pray I am hidden
In Jesus Christ the son

Help me rid myself O Lord
Of rage and malice and slander
Help me to put away my Lord
Filthy language and anger

Lord we know here there is
No Scythian , Gentile or Jew
For we are all the same
Securly held by you

Help us to be holy Lord
Making kindness our mission
Help us ** be clothed with humility
Gentleness and compassion

Teach us to forgive
Another's wrongs we see
Let love bind us each together
In perfect unity

Help us Lord to be thankful
As we teach through songs and psalms and hymns
Help us do all in the name of the Lord
Giving praise and thanks to Him.

RLB

Lazarus come forth
There's a new day dawning
Lazarus come forth
It's brand new morning
Lazarus come forth
From the deep dark tomb
Lazarus come forth
I give new life to you


This thought came to me this morning as I was
driving to work. It came in the way of a song
as I was singing bible verses to myself. .You
know , I will never be raised from death back
to life only to die again, but I will be raised from death to life eternal and live forevermore in heaven with my lord and my saviour
Jesus Christ.

I wrote this poem about an old home place that I have passed many times on my way to Eureka Springs Ark. with my wife. The old house even in its aged and worn condition is beautiful and intriguing .The sets just off of Highway 62 in a small clump of trees, alone. There is no other structure around it. It is leaning more each time we pass. It's outside boards are gone and it is completely grey in color. I know that it is just a matter of time before it falls into a pile of forgotten memories. I always stop to take a picture and spend a few moments looking upon this old home place. The joys the sadness, the Thanksgivings and Christmases celebrated. Family gatherings . Warm summers and cold winters, beautiful springs and peaceful fall days. Children running to and fro . What stories would you tell me if you could.But sadly, someday it will be gone, taking with it all the scenes and memories of all that happened there. Then it will be forgotten, and remembered no more. If only the past could speak to us.

If you have some time to visit
I have some words to tell
So if it is you can
Please stop and stay a spell

But if you must hurry on
Don't worry, I will understand
You are young and busy
But please stop if you can

I was once like you
Young and full of life
But the years they have flown
Like a bird into the night

I have long withstood
The blowing winds of time
As I stubbornly grasp
This place I know as mine

And with each passing storm
My foundation weaker grows
And my strength is slowly lost
As from my frame it flows

I was beautiful once
Here underneath these trees
And folks that were passing by
Would stop to gaze at me

My paint was clean and crisp
And I did firmly stand
I was proud of who I was
As I stood tall and grand

A family from long ago
They once called me home
Inside where they lived
I saw true love was shone

I recall the many sounds
The old clocks tick that counted time
The laughter as memories were made
Each day and at special times

I have also felt the sadness
My floors have been stained with tears
From many times of sorrow
Suffered through the years

Their many words are echoed
Within my empty halls
And the ghost of those who loved here
Speak and rest within my walls

But to your ear there is only silence
For my family now has gone
And I have been left here
These many years alone

Each of them one by one
Left to go away
And I had always hoped
They would return someday

But so many years have past
And I have grown weak and worn
Now I am grey
And my boards are bent and torn

I know not how much longer
I will have the strength to hold
The precious memories within
Worth so much more than gold

I know that I will someday fall
Into finality
No more remembered here
A home or a family

If you dont mind my friend
May ask you to mark this place
And remember here once stood a home
Full of love and grace

Here in Texas we have a sayin
We don't call 911
We take care of things ourself
That way we know it's done

But that sayin ain't exactly true
Why, I've called 911 myself
If I had the time
And felt I need their help

911 will always come
No matter the time of day
If you have a need
Call and they are on their way

There are times their help is needed
Especially when things look dire
Such as a serious accident
Or if your house is on fire

I love the men and women of 911
Those heros do the best they can
But they just can't always be quick enough
To lend a helping hand

There are many circumstances
In which you can call and wait
For 911 to arrive
Though in our mind their always late

But there are as many situations
In which 911 is not an option
And as an individual you are forced
To take or not take action

In these types of situations
We do what must be done
And after we are safe
Then we call 911

So here In Texas friend
Know we do not run
If we can we will call
But we don't depend on 911

RLB

A horseshoe made of iron
Strikes against the ground
As the horse carries his rider
To the place which he is bound

The riders horse is quick
Traveling under a midnight sky
Gliding silently through the night
As lightly as a butterfly

The horses stride is long
And like a musket ball in flight
He moves about unheard
Unseen within the night

At last the morning comes
But no rider no horse no sound
Yet there upon the trail
A horseshoe print is found

RLB

Today,my memory has taken me back
To a time when all was good
Back to when I was just a boy so young
Playing cowboy in my old neighborhood

I suppose there is not enough ink and paper
To record this young cowboys dreams
If I were to settle down and write
And record each cherished scene

Of days that are so distant now
And of images that are fading fast
When I begin to recall how it was I wish
These days could forever last

The hand of time changes all it touches
A childhood lingers for only a while
But the hand of time cannot take from me
Childhood memories that cause me to smile

At the old home place I see a simpler time
And I hear old familiar sounds
There dwell the voices and faces I used to know
I see my footprints embedded upon the ground

These old memories I hold so dear
To recall them I shall always endeavor
I carry them deep within my heart
These days that I  wish would last forever.

RLB

From out of the ashes of the old
A new year has arrived
Out of the many downs and lows
By grace we have survived

This day begins the start
Of a slate that is brand new
A chance to strive for what is right
A chance to renew

A time to let others know
That by you they are loved
A time to forgive a wrong
A new hope for peace and love

Out of the ashes of the old
We have been given another year
Go forth in faith and courage
Leave behind all doubt and fear .
RLB

If you possess kindness
Show it to another
If you have forgiveness
Give it to a brother

If you have a hand to lend
Give it to a stranger
If you have courage
Help one in fear through danger

If you have encouragement
Encourage the one defeated
If you can inspire
Inspire one who needs it

If you have a smile
Show it to your neighbor
If you have a willing hand
Help someone in their labor

If you have an adversary
Try to make of him a friend
If you know someone alone
Seek them to befriend

Show grace to all you meet
Treat every person right
Show to all the truest love
Show the love of Jesus Christ

RLB

I've always been one to stand and wave goodbye
When a loved one leaves my home
Stand and wave and watch till they are out of sight
It's just something I've always done

Like when mom and dad came to visit
I think it was in the spring
When the temperature was starting to warm
And the birds were beginning to sing

We would gather around the supper table
I'd get my Moma to laughing at me
Then she'd look outside and say "It's getting dark"
Then tell dad it's time to leave

I'd walk them both out to their car
Moma always had a few last words to say
I'd hug and kiss her tender cheek
Then I'd stand and wave as they drove away

I'd stand there and wave goodbye
Till mom and dad were out of sight
I only wish I could remember though
The date that marked that night

Moma always waved right back
Till in the distance behind she could no longer see
I waved goodbye see you soon
And Moma waved the same to me

That day I never thought that never again
Would Moma visit my home on a spring time day
I never knew that would be the last time I waved
Goodbye as they drove away

Moma if you can hear look down from heaven
See me as I wave
It's not a wave goodbye but see you soon
For I to am on my way.

RLB

Recalling the last time my mother came to my house to visit.
Someday we will never again wave goodbye.
Love you Moma .

Hi there Moma
It's your one and only son
How are things in heaven
Are you having a lot of fun

All here is good Moma
Except I guess you know
We get a little sad sometime
Because you had to go

We think about you often
Well, really all the time
And how good things must be
Now that you are fine

Today's your birthday Moma
Are you going to celebrate
With Jesus and everyone
Did Grandma bake you a cake

I won't keep you long Moma
On this your special day
I just wanted to write
And tell you
Happy Birthday!


I wrote this in remembrance of my beautiful mother who now calls heaven home and Jesus her neighbor. I love you Moma as much today as I did when you were here. I cannot wait to see you.
This world was made a better place on Feb 21 1945 and then you left for that perfect place on June 27 2005
For 63 years your smile brought comfort to all who were blessed to have known you.
Love you Moma
Your number one son
Robbie Lee

Our Hope
Our Faith
Our Trust
Our Saviuor,
He Is Risen!

There exist within this world,
Those who proclaim,
"I am a man"
They are men,but only in a physical sense,
These self proclaimed men decieve themselves ,
And will never know the truth ,
Of what it is like ,
To be a real man,
A man who lives his life,
By a set of morals and standards,
Set not by men,
But set by God,
Who created men,
To serve him,
A real man needs not to tell you,
He is a man,
You will know he is a real man,
Simply by what you observe in him,
How he speaks,
How he acts,
How he responds to adversity,
How he treats others,
How he loves,
You will know a man is a real man,
By the way he lives his life.

RLB

In the town where I grew up
You still can hear the chime
Of the old courthouse clock
As it counts away the time

Uncountable are the days
That too this place have come and gone
Causing so much here to change
In this town that I call home

The passing of the time
Has taken loved ones dear
And nothing is the same
Without their presence here

Time changes everything
It doesn't slow nor stop
So continues the counting chime
Of the old courthouse clock

RLB

I keep the things I love
Hidden within a box
Little things I love the most
Things that to me mean so much

Fathers old pocket watch
Momas golden mothers ring
Carefully put away
Safe in a box unseen

A precious letter written
By a loved ones tender hand
Gently wrapped in an aged cloth
And tied by a ribbon band

A photo from long ago
Taken at a special time
Kept through so many years
Brings back a memory fine

I keep these things I cherish
That can never be replaced
Inside a box of memories
Where there I think them safe

Today, I take them from the box
To look upon them every day
So that the memories they recall
In my mind shall never fade

RLB
January 22,2017

If I held the master clock
And controlled it's turning hands of time
I would add forevermore
To these fleeing days of yours and mine

I would turn your seconds into minutes
Your minutes into hours
Your hours into days
And time would hold no power

Time would be no more
As men know time to be
Time would be known simply
As eternity

No more age and death
No more our bodies worn
All would have the hope
Of a precious babe newborn

No more tears of sorrow
Shed for a loved one lost to death
No more prayers would need be spoken
Pleading for just one more breath

No more of this life's decaying
No more backs heavy laden
No more time now gone
No more memories fading

Man will never hold this power
We are but slave to the tick and tock
The power of time is held in the hand
Of the one who made the master clock

RLB

My body bares the weight
Of passed and passing time
After time is used
And is no longer mine

I think that it shall be
When I am called to heavens shore
My soul will forever live
As time dies and is no more

RLB

Trust in Jesus
Have no fear
He is your courage
He is always near

RLB

The only friend I have
Others eyes are never seeing
Speaks to me each day
With a voice of keening

He tells me that he loves me
His deceitful voice full of dread
Says" Outwardly you appear as living,
But inside you are dead"

This friend to which I cling
For there is no one else
Takes all my life from me
And claims it for himself

I have tried to fight him
A struggle to no avail
Repeatedly he rises up against me
From the depths of hell

You ask" What is his name"?
To you only will I confess
Do you not know he who is always with me?
My unwanted friend called Loneliness

RLB

The wind still dances
The living still breathe
Despite death has come
And given reprieve

Your battle was fought
Between these two foes
Growing tired and weak
You submitted to deaths blows

Life is a soldier
Powerful and strong
But in succumbing to death
Lifes strength now is gone

It is appointed unto men
For all once to die
Though man he resist
And struggle and fight

Your battle now is over
You no more languish in pain
You won a hard fight
Now rest is your gain

RLB

My wife's best friend lost her husband just a few moments ago. He had battled cancer for a couple of years and today , he won the fight. Others may say you lost the fight you were engaged in for so long but I say "The victory is yours my friend"

Matthew 11:28
Come into me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.

There are many paths in life
Though we know not where each may lead
But of the many there is only one
That guides to the one we need

Forgive me lord I pray
When I fail to recognize
The blessings you bestow
Please, help me to relize

So much I have been given
Yet so often I do not see
Your gentle hand outstretched
Reaching down to me

My days so often crowded
With things that hold no meaning
And my failure to know
The process of  your gleaning

Lord please forgive me
That I complain I regret
When the world presses in on me
I pray I not forget.

Gods love has no border
It is an ocean with no shore
A universe with no ending
An opening with no door

It has no edge to mark
No line where its complete
It is an endless depth
It has no bounds to keep

No wall can hold it back
No river is too wide
Gods love is always reaching
Even through the tears you've cried

Forever it carries on
Into the great abyss
Never has man known
A love such as this

Christ the living saviour
Once died upon the cross
He willingly gave his life
For men like us , Lost

He was tortured , beaten, mocked
Then nailed upon the tree
This great pain he endured
For men like you and me

Upon the cross he hung
A spear ****** into his side
Father please forgive them
Are words our saviour cried

A crown of painful thorns
Was pressed upon his head
His blood flowed down his body
Till the saviour at last was dead

A thief hung on his left
A thief hung on his right
When Christ gave up the ghost
The day was turned to night

Placed into a borrowed tomb
His body laid as if it were froze
Then just as he had promised
On the third day he arose

With victory over death
He came forth from the grave
With victory over death
That men through faith in him be saved

He showed himself to many
Then to heaven he did ascend
An angel said to those present
This same Christ you shall see again

To the earth he shall return
The words written they are true
Christ he is coming back
For men like me and you

There was once a raid
On a little Kansas town
All the raiders were killed
All except just one
He lived to tell their story
And to explain the reason why
"We was seeking glory,
We didn't mean to die"

RLB

Many a night have I gazed
Looking up from a mountain high
Admiring the stars of heaven
That hang like candles in the sky

Each star specifically placed
Just where in the heavens it should be
Shining like a friendly campfire
There to help guide you and me

The skies of the north the south the east the west
All are filled with light
And at each star I am amazed
At how they shine so bright

The Big Trail Boss knew what he was doing
When he created the stars
And placed them out of the reach of man
In a place so very far

To shine as he intended
Untouched by human hand
To guide us through the great open prairie of heaven
When we journey home to the promised land

Before
Any
Home
Can
Endure,
Love
Must
Be
It's
Cornerstone .

Our lives are quietly passing
Upon this earth that quickly spins
The things we planned to do today
Will we ever have the chance to do again?

We have no words but what we speak
We only posses what we at this moment see
Quietly passing, quickly spinning
Both are true for you and me

The thoughts you had of things to say
In that letter you said you would write
But you are busy and tired now
How quickly the day has turned to night

You say tomorrows sun soon will rise
And give to me another chance
But for many tomorrows sun is never seen
Will you be the one to miss the dance

I'll stop by to visit you
This you tell a friend
Then evening comes and day is gone
And you find you have cancelled once again

Life grows shorter with each breath taken
Each day we are drawn closer to our mortal end
Do today all you had planned
Write and visit your family and friends

For death comes to soon and unannounced
And closes life's open door
Then you can no more speak or write
To friends or loved ones from that distant shore

Death may come first to you
Or to the one that you hold dear
It may be you who cannot speak
Or they that cannot hear

What makes us dream?
Is it thoughts and memories
Plans that we once had
That are now fading entity's

Could it be our past?
The faces that then we knew
A love we felt so long ago
A hope we believe in our heart is true

Could it be the present?
Our troubles our joys our tears
Maybe our strengths and courage
Or possibly our worries and fears

Could it be the future?
The unknowns that remain unseen
The distant mystery that lies before us
Do these make up our dreams?

RLB

Why are our minds so filled
With worthless useless thoughts
Things that have no worth
Things we should think not

Why can we not focus
On what is good and kind and right
Think on thoughts that edify
And escape the dark thoughts of night

The things we let into our mind
An image a word a sound
Are sown as seed and planted there
Growing till only those thoughts abound

Be ever mindful of the crop
That in your mind you grow
For what it is we think
Over time we shall surley sow

Heavy on my mind
Is the thought of what might have been
As I look back on the days
The days of what could have been

At this moment I am breathing
Breaths of what I wish had been
Pondering the thoughts I have
Of what I had hoped would have been

These images plaque my mind
Of what If what I desired had been
What might my life be today
If what I desired had truly been

But what I had hoped is not
I realize now it has never been
And as I have grown much older
I know it never will;
Have been.

Have you ever stopped to listen
To raindrops falling down
And heard the music made
As they come to rest upon the ground

Instruments of beauty
That can only be played by God
Sent down from heavens throne
To nurish the earthen sod

As these miracles fall from heaven
They play a melody
Upon the highest rooftops
And on the leaves within the trees

A sound so refreshing
To hold within ones ear
Raindrops play a symphony
If you will only hear

RLB