WAITING FOR ACTION

I’m brave sometimes and I mingle with a crowd,
Even if it becomes too rambunctious or too loud.
I’m not crazy so why do I listen to politicians
Who promise the moon and tell everyone to sacrifice?
If they followed their own advice,
That would suffice,
And I would listen.
I am a trouble-maker for sure,
I dare to raise funds for cures
For diseases like cancer.
So why do I ask
For all to do a task?
How can I help make this world a better place,
If I urge others to a faster pace
And only use words?
My words are sometimes silent,
But waiting for action.
For action speaks louder than words.

March 25, 2017

Older

Another birthday, hip, hip, hooray!
I get to face another fine day.
A birthday cake I make for myself,
If I want to blow out candles
That have been hiding on the shelf.
I’ll be careful not to burn my house down
All the candles represent all I’ve found,
The truths about love and hate
My life I’ve denied and blaimed it on fate.
one candle for others I’ve hurt on the way
Another for loved ones, too many to say.
Candles for all the debts I need to pay.
A giant cake, with candles galore,
My heart is melting, and yet there is more.
Another birthday, and I’m all alone,
Wait! Is someone calling on the phone?
Someone’s knocking on my door,
It seems my life is not quite as bad,
I still have friends and I’m not so sad.
Another birthday to cheer and celebrate,
But I don’t want to leave it up to fate.
Tomorrow I’ll visit family and my friends,
Get out of my house and make amends.
Everything I have is more than I need
I’ll share with others and plant the seeds
Of love and hope.
Another birthday? one more way
To love others and make their day.
.

A DAY TO PARLAY

This had to be my lucky day.
I had returned, ready to parlay
My meager winnings into something big.
Already a crowd was gathering,
To see what I might do,
Curious as to what might ensue,
Whether I won or if I lost,
Anxious to determine the cost.
I started out small,
Trying to build confidence
With each call.
Two jacks, a straight, a flush,
I was getting a rush,
Thinking I was beating the house,
But I caught myself in time.
Something was not quite right.
Perhaps another game tonight
Might quell my fears.
I stopped at a table on my way out. I knew I could roll the dice. I had no doubt. With permission I rolled three, then a four. SEVEN. I was sure I had help from Heaven. I could do it again. Three, then four again. It was time to walk out the door. I didn’t need to win anymore. I smiled and said, “The dice are hot. One more time, and the future is mine.” A three again. No more bets. I would parlay my earnings into treasure. Confidently I cast my second die. It skipped happily across the plush velvet. Another three. I thought I was a gambler but that was all for me. The crowd cheered and said that was brave of me to try one more time. Be that as it may, I’d rather parlay my winnings into something big.

GRANDPA

He sat there rocking back and forth,
Ruminating about the past,
Wondering how it had gone so fast.
“I never realized that this old hickory chair
Would always be here.
This old chair was around
When Alice and I settled down.
She was my queen until Mildred came to town.
‘Mildred?’ She was my mail order bride,
I couldn’t have chosen a finer woman.
Alice waited patiently outside.
‘Alice? Oh yes, Alice. Alice was my favorite.
Mildred was jealous for awhile
But she realized we couldn’t get work done
Without that mule.
Mildred wasn’t a fool.
My first kiss,
I hope you get all this.
It was something special.
But those times are long gone
And I don’t go to town alone.
Now there’s just you and me
And this old rocking chair of hickory.
Enjoy your time, boy,
And take a moment to ruminate
Before it’s too late.”
Grandpa and me don’t talk much anymore.
I don’t understand his life,
And I’m not sure if he had a wife.
But I just try to be near
If he has something he wants me to hear.

ANOTHER DAY

I’ve been given another day
To work,love, or waste it away.
It’s my choice
And there’s no pressure
from any source.
Should I undo any wrongs I’ve done?
I’ll never fill my bucket
With good deeds.
So why the bonus day,
When I see others more likely
To do good?
There are doctors, lawyers,
Mechanics, Ordinary guys,
Who serve others without asking why.
So why am I given this bonus day?
What makes me special?
I have no answers that suffice,
But my heart is warm and will melt
Any ice
That I encounter today.
Hello, welcome to my world.
There’s always room for another friend.
Tomorrow, I’ll love and laugh
And welcome another day
If one should happen to come my way.