Parents

Always there, that's how it seems,
though fear they'll go
shows up in dreams.
The most familiar faces
that we know.

The kind and loving world we know,
hands to hold,
a place to grow.
The way they always see to it
the world we see is whole.

They hold us on their shoulders
so we see the parade.
They leave the light on
when we're scared,
so we won't be afraid.

How to be kind, and how to love,
are things they always teach us.
And stray too far, or climb too high -
they always try to reach us.

The little world they wrap us in,
a nice way for life to begin,
the strength they show,
the tears they dry,
the fact that all they ask
is that we try.

And when one day that world they made
is sadly, cruelly, gone,
because of them and memories
we've what it takes
to somehow carry on.

Some say we never know just
how our parents love us
as we grow;
so Mum and Dad - wherever you are -
I hope you knew
I know.

Don't Pity Me

If you see that I struggle

because I'm a child,

don't pity me.

See that I'm learning.

See what I've learned.

If you see that the years show

in these tired eyes,

don't pity me.

See all my riches.

Know that I'm whole.

When my burden is heavy

or my journey too far,

don't pity me.

See that I'm strong.

See how I keep going on.

While battering storms winds

unsettle this life,

don't pity me.

See I'm still standing.

Know I'm still strong.

When the rain beats down

and tears turn to floods,

don't pity me.

Know tears won't kill me.

Know, too, I'll still find

some sun.

If you know that I'm hungry

then give me some food.

If you know that I'm tired

then help me.

If you know that I'm friendless

then just be my friend.

but don't pity me.

Though struggles and sadness

will challenge a soul.

Pity's for the pitiful.

Don't pity me.

I am whole.

On Getting A Common Cold

A scratchy throat,
a sniffly nose,
fever and chills
right down to my toes.

A hacking cough,
a foggy brain.
Hey, universe - why not
throw in some rain.

I hate the Winter.
Turn up the heat.
Dig out the snugly, warm socks
for my feet.

Get out the lemon
and honey and tea.
Get out the package
of Vitamin C.

Prepare for a diet
of only toast.
The Rhinovirus
found its host.

Get out the blanket
and favorite CD.
I think I need
some time for me.

Tell all the friends to
stay away.
Hello, Work? I won't
be in today.

First Love

Forever was never on my mind,
nor thoughts of time at all;
and yet moments spent together
were measured
in moments left,
but never moments left behind.

Moments seeming never-ending,
yet, as well, too brief
for hearts so young.
Forever was never on my mind
when moments whispered, "always",
oblivious to time.

Fairy dust, magic, love songs;
kisses that happened
or promised to happen -
but sometimes didn't matter,
for Valentine cards were
their own kind of kisses
to save in a scrapbook,
and treasure forever.

First love, we learn,
to our dismay and gratitude,
like silver-haired dandelions,
falls apart and flies away.
And with it, takes the
fairy dust and magic,
the love songs, and kisses that happened
or didn't, and now never will.

More fragile than snowflakes,
or butterfly wings;
memories of magic
that grow beyond tears;
when off to the winds
silver-haired dandelions flew,
forever was never on mind.

Yet forever I'll always remember
those moments and magic,
long after first love
flew away.

On Artificial Christmas Trees

Real trees are life
cut down in its prime,
thrown out in the cold
after Christmas time.

Real trees have needles
that mess up the room,
and you spend through July
with a vacuum and broom.

So leave the real trees
in the woods, wild and free -
and give me my beautiful,
FAKE Christmas tree.

A Day In An Ordinary Life

Rising sun, coffee's on;
There are things I must get done.
Write some checks, sort a drawer,
Rake the yard, wash a floor.

Meeting at 9, kids to call,
Move that chest from
the back hall;
Plan a meal, business calls,
Internet and shopping malls.

Talk to daughter, think of one son,
call other son before day's through.
Sign for package, do some work.
Customer service person was a jerk.

Plan to worry from 1 to 2.
That's a sensible thing to do.
Worry, too, from 9 to 10;
from 12 to 1, worry again.

Notice fine lines under eyes,
Mental note of cream to buy.
Water ivy, feed the cat,
Buy blueberries. They're low-fat.

Plan a life, manage money.
Take a walk, the day is sunny.
Find more work; find some meaning.
More to life than work and cleaning.

Back at PC, work some more,
Clean up cat "sick" from the floor.
Make a list, and make another.
Each day's different from the other.

The Atheist

Shall I do what is good
and the right thing to do
just because I fear someone
is watching?
Or shall I do what is good
and the right thing to do
because my soul and my heart
tell me to?

In my awe of the Earth
and its wonders,
in my love for my fellow man,
when the beauty of all
Nature's creatures
fills my soul with wonder,
am I so devoid of virtue?

If I love with a love
that's so grand and so strong,
If I feed the hungry, give to the poor;
If I share what I have and then
share what I know,
If I try not to hurt anyone or the world
can I be so devoid of good?

If I'm wrong and I find
that He really exists,
and I get to the gates of His Heaven;
Will He forgive me for not believing?
Will He bless me for all of the
good that I've done?
If He'd send me to Hell in spite of it all
then it won't have been I who have failed.

If I'm right that there's nobody watching
then I've been the best man that
I know how to be.
I will rest in that peace.

Author's Note: This verse does not necessarily reflect my own personal beliefs.