Monday, October 11, 2010

Scotch and Bingo




Funny thing, some may say
you sit , watching, intent on
figuring the stories
of all faces around you, wondering
what brought them here?

Faded, skin of leather worn
years of harsh living without
benefit of shelter from the
horrors, visible to those
who take the time to notice

Images of hell, seen in the eyes
of Marge. She plays thirty cards
every week, one for each year
served as a widow to the Marine Corps
Ole Marv, a regular player
suffers the hell of nights.
Listen closely and you can
hear the screams muffled
by a pillow.

Chairs dragging on worn tiles
fidgeting bodies move about
aimless as teen with his
assault weapon placed without
respect, upon his shaking hands

Callers yelling, often repeating
the numeric ball as those
who come to escape , waiting for their
number to come up.

Earl sits at the corner, best
stool in the post. Motioning
to the keep, two fingers, maybe four
enjoying the heat , the burn
as the scotch glides over his mind.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

While My Child Sleeps


Written by: the heart of AmandaLyn


.

I watch lovingly as my child sleeps
Wrapped in blankets warm, secure
Roof and shoes, bellies full.
Reality the calm disturbs
In dangerous and different world
Another son makes sacrifice
Soul or limb or still-young life
His mother waits in pride and fear
As my child sleeps.

Around this bed, in wispy realm
The souls of those who daily chore
To stand a watch, to lead patrol
To guard the weak, protect, defend
To stay the course until the end
As their children slept.

And what of those once there, now home
The horrors, torments they have known
Still borne by them, in dreams relived
For us endured, courageous fear
Now tossed aside, unheard, uncared
Still they cannot sleep.

Our nature true is eye for eye
Each baby born must some day die
But learned minds their cross to bear
To fight the fight not just for might
To earn the right, Before in
Ivory tower sleep.

Forgive me please, I beg of you
My words won’t salve tormented soul
Or broken hearts those mothers know
No peace of mind can I provide
Just deep respect and thankful prayer
I wish you peace and restful sleep

To you a promise I will make
This blanket comfort we will not take
For granted, he will know its source.
And if, dear God, he heads a call
That issues I hope from honest ivory hall
We both will trod in footsteps deep
Where slippers paced, where boots have trod
My head held high, in secret cry
As he, in fearful courage fights.

But until then, with blanket clutched
I’ll stand the watch, you have my back
As my child sleeps.

To All Who Served


Today and everyday, my heartfelt “Thank You” for all you gave, for all you braved and for the unquestioning pride which you served with.

You served with pride , reserved resolution


Full of courageous fear

Freedom you sought for faceless humanity

Some by force of a draft

Shipped out at night to land of unknown

Wearing prententious mask of bravado

Force of arms to kill, maim or scar

Creating memories you’d wish to forget

Often not questioning the voice of command

Some came home with medal awards

Others shipped back in a box

Limbs left behind as a token of hell

For a conflict not yours

Mission complete

Our business is done

Return to your life, as if

Come home to strange land

Deal with your haunting ghosts

We’ll give you a check

Send you off on your way

How do you come home and pick up the pieces

When life is no longer the same

Your blackboard of life won’t erase from your mind

Years have gone by in months at a time

“Who am I now” asked of self

Family and Friends know not of your fright

For they have not looked through your eyes

Friday, October 30, 2009

The Soul is but a Passing Tide


I remember that day
held the child close,
not just a hug
a part of me
I remember that day

Funny thing, the sun
up every morning
down at eve
ever try to hug the sun
I did, that day in may
those things held tight
don't let go,
you can ride your bike
no worries child you'll get it soon
there you go, you got it now


first days are much the same
school house strange
yet warm soft rooms
a hint of some strange smell in child
oh Lord don't let those days divide

as said before oft true and tried
the soul is but a passing tide
yet as we mourn that day divide
old sun rises sure as love's soft smile
down it goes in ever more
to find that child
hugged by the sun

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Lost in Profound


Uncertain of shadows cast by my soul, I follow,
listening for the call
crawling through complicated obscurity ,
message unclear,lost in profound cause.
Incomplete mission, in search of equivocal ending
Conflicted oppression colliding with reawakenings of lives lived past
Constant uncertain purpose, checking for prints left by burdened shod
Turning back for part of the path, signs of direction unseen
Quick to change direction back to future, wondering always
if the questions cloud the answers sought

Friday, October 9, 2009

Without a Shadow of Doubt


Collaborated by : AmandaLyn and Paula


All aboard, find a seat
Watch and learn
He won’t be beat
Expert in the craft of pity
With tales of woe, downtrod and gritty
that feed a paranoia profound
with vanity he's surly found
Search for intentions, interpreted wrong
he sits, sulking, with face so long
Scraps of dignity, shards of pride
in desperation, cast aside
looking for validity
Yes, please do
pity me

Monday, October 5, 2009

I'll Call Tomorrow


Casual friends , schoolyard mates
Almost related beyond the heart
Years and miles separate memories
Of laughter shared, yesterday
You come to mind often
I tell myself, “I should give Bill a call”
Tomorrow, perhaps I’ll find time
An article, you’ve done well
Military career, a wife, a child
Happiness spread across your face
Christmas cards sent, short notes penned
“How’ve you been? Where have you lived?”
Not enough of these catch up calls or notes
Telling myself, I’ll call tomorrow
A month of tomorrows turn into years
Today , I phone , ready to hear
What has taken place in your life
How’s your career, your kids, your wife?
“ I’m sorry to tell you, Bill’s passed away
He went in his sleep just yesterday”
How did this happen, too young and fit
I should have called that long ago tomorrow
I should have made time,
Before the sorrow
Forgive me friend, I know it don’t count
I thought of you often
I’d call ,
tomorrow