IS IT TIME?

FORGIVE AND FORGET

 

Time goes by so fast,

And it takes two to let go of the past.

Their lives are not over yet,

If they are ready to forgive and forget.

He’s still got his kids

Though his life is on the skids.

It is not a good time to dump him.

She considers his needs

And why he closes the door.

But she needs to talk, to feel his hurt,

She can’t stand silence anymore.

The children expect presents and fun,

While his life is coming undone.

But it’s not a good time to dump him.

She wonders why their relationship

Is completely off the track

Maybe it is over and done

And they might never get it back!

Birthdays, anniversaries,

All are markers of time.

Is this the time to dump him?

Holidays are coming

And the world is full of joy and peace.

Will wonders never cease?

Is this the time to dump him?

At first she tries to fight

But his barbed words rip her deep.

She thought she could win the war,

But the price for winning is steep.

She stumbles as she walks,

Her voice breaks as she talks.

Her eyes are soft and clear

But her face shows wear and tear.

Her feelings are dripping with hate

Her emotions are burning within,

If he won’t listen

She will find a way to punish him.

Things said are venomous and terse,

As they attack again and again.

But the battle only gets worse.  

There is no way either can win.

Is this the time to dump him?

barbed,August 14, 2017

A LAMB WITH GOLDEN FLEECE

A LAMB WITH GOLDEN FLEECE

And lo, I saw a lamb with golden fleece,
Asking for reason, pleading for peace.
I asked my friends, “What does this mean?”
No one could describe what they’d never seen.
The lamb’s eyes were bleeding, swollen and raw,
There must be danger in something she saw.
From the mountains came a man from the East,
With a fierce countenance, and the mark from the beast.
The man asked, “What would it take for a war to start?”
He saluted and said, “I’m ready to blow this world apart!”
I thought about that as I traveled towards the sun,
He was right. The world’s troubles have just begun.
It only takes one crazed leader to light the fuse.
He could be already well-known and all over the news.
The lamb was quiet and then she said,
“Why do you ignore me? Do you wish to be dead?
Three large countries are ready to expand,
Where will they get their new-found land?
Will they destroy the people who live there now?
Will you defend the weak and helpless somehow?
The rules of war say be cautious, you can’t use gas,
Or other weapons of destruction, the threats will pass.
But I know your hearts,” the lamb said sadly.
“Nuclear bombs will be used, and the war will end badly.”
I could see in her eyes how the war would unfold,
Countless men lying on the ground, lifeless and cold.
And the deaths will include mothers, daughters and sons,
No one will be safe until the carnage is done.
There is one final chance for the world to have peace.”
She walked into the sunset in a blaze of golden fleece.
But I heard her words of wisdom coming from high above,
I listened then and thought she said, “It’s all about love.
We must speak up now. Every person must have a voice.
It’s now or never. We have no other choice!”

I’m only a poet trying to make sense of what I see.
I’m not ready for Armageddon and I hope you agree,
We can learn to share the world; it’s not too small for me.
We can’t ignore it much longer unless it’s meant to be.
May 15, 2017

AS IMPORTANT AS….

As Important as

I think I’m almost as important as the President.
I get noticed by the I.R.S. every year,
Although no one makes fun of me on SNL.
No dignitaries come to visit, (or want to).
I still get to watch sports in person
Without anyone watching me.
Even though I know how to text on my phone,
Everyone leaves me alone.
Most people don’t care if I ignore them
Because my texts, e-mails, etc.
Don’t get snagged by the FBI and whoever.
No one is watching or listening to me.
Why do I think I’m important?
Because I am a common man,
A citizen of one of the greatest countries of the world.
You may disagree with me,
You can do that in this country.
You have rights and privileges,
Whether man or woman, rich or poor.
Together, united we stand.
I salute my countrymen.
You should be proud of who we are. April 17, 2017

Measure

He decided to measure the board one more time to be sure. His apprentice was quick but when no one was watching, the apprentice would rush things. Often when the foreman thought a job was finished, he would go back and measure again. It didn’t hurt to be certain. His father taught him to be exact. Why couldn’t his apprentice do the same? Measure, measure, measure. Measure three times and cut once and there were few mistakes. His son, the apprentice, didn’t seem to care. How many times could he forgive his son? Did he have to be perfect? The foreman knew his crew and knew they waited for his decision. Would he hire the girl who worked slower and precisely or would he keep his apprentice, his son, who didn’t follow his dad’s instructions? Would the son ever measure up to the foreman’s expectations?

HEARD

The message in your voice was clear.
You needed me and I needed you.
We agreed.
I heard you.
In the still of the night
When all was quiet
Your heart called for me.
I heard you.
All you ever needed to say
Was written in your eyes,
Even without words.
I heard you.

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