Category: family

NaPoWriMo Apr 01

On By WinstonIn Choose Gratitude, family, Grateful, Memories, Personal1 Comment

My Mother’s Love

From heaven fell those gentle drops
to kiss each leaf and bloom,
A gentle, restful tapping on
The window of my room.

My mother laid a cool, damp cloth
Upon my fevered brow.
She took my hand, she stroked my hair
Made soothing noises now.

The fever burned much hotter now
Could scarcely see or hear,
Yet through it all still I could sense
My Mother’s touch so dear.

The rain fell on all through the night
As fever raged and burned
Yet when the morning finally came
A corner had been turned

And in the golden light of dawn
I saw my Mother smile
Then both exhausted from the night
We rested for a while.

Although she’s gone these many years
Each day still feel her love
Now when it rains each gentle drop
A touch from her above.

Cheers,

NaPoWriMo Day 26

On By WinstonIn family, Loving Life, my Dog, My Perfect Dog, NaPoWriMo, Personal, PoetryLeave a comment

As i was sitting and wondering what to write about tonight, my dog came and asked me why we hadn’t gone to bed yet. So yes, tonight’s poem is about Ducky. Enjoy!

Our Amazing Puppy

There is a puppy that I love,

This Ducky boy so sweet,

He’s gentle and adorable,

And has the cutest feet.

 

He likes the cooler weather best,

The heat cannot abide,

And when the summer gets too hot,

With his AC will hide.

 

But give him snow, and he will nap,

On my back step with joy,

And he will face surf all around,

Then he’s one happy boy.

 

He’s not a Husky, Newfoundland,

Or Bernese Mountain Dog,

He’s a mostly short-haired Beagle mix,

With sense God gave a log.

 

That’s not to say he is not smart,

He really is quite bright,

He get’s upset if we stay up,

Past his bedtime at night.

 

He’ll lie there in the living room,

And give the biggest sighs,

Then he gets up, stares at you with,

The saddest puppy eyes.

 

He does this ‘cause he knows it works,

Just like at mealtimes,

If I am writing, doesn’t care,

Loves food much more than rhymes.

 

He also is the kind of pup,

Who understands so much,

Attention’s not his big demand,

Content with just a touch.

 

If you go near, his tail thumps,

His belly rub request,

A back rub or an ear massage,

These things he loves the best.

 

As long as you are near to him,

He’s happy as a clam,

He is our awesome boy and I,

Know just how blessed I am.

Cheers,

NaPoWriMo Day 21

On By WinstonIn Extended Family,, family, Health, Love, Loving Life, My Awesome Wife, my blessed life, my Dog, NaPoWriMo, Personal, Poetry, Relationships, The Choices We MakeLeave a comment

As I have mentioned a few times, I have been off work for some time for health reasons. I’m finally going back in a week or two and financially, it’s not a moment too soon. Personally though the past few months have had one important upside. More time with my wife, dog and extended family. I’ve also been able to devote more time to my art. It’s been great… aside from the whole sick and broke thing. Anyway, today’s poem is about that. Enjoy!

The Value of Time

Another day, a dollar earned,

That’s how the stories go,

But what is paid for what is earned,

That’s something most don’t know.

 

But I have spent some time away,

From works’ mad, hectic pace,

And if I could, I would withdraw,

From that one-sided race.

 

For what is paid is my dear time,

And I have none to spare,

Time with my wife and with my dog,

All those for whom I care.

 

I know the company cares not,

Not what they’re there to do,

Don’t kid yourself that you’re unique,

There’s countless more like you.

 

They’ll suck you dry, then cast you off,

Replace you in a blink,

And you’ll have sold all of your time,

For far less than you think.

 

We must all work, I understand,

There’s nothing much for free,

So, trade my time with those I love,

For their security.

 

Though I’ve been sick and money’s tight,

This time I don’t resent,

For time at home with family,

Is always time well spent.

Cheers,

NaPoWriMo Day 20

On By WinstonIn A Blessing, Enlightenment, Extended Family,, family, Friendship, Love, Loving Life, my blessed life, NaPoWriMo, Personal, Poetry, Relationships, thank you, ValuesLeave a comment

A good friend of ours picked up our medication for us from the pharmacy. On her way to drop it off, she stopped and got us supper. She refused to let us pay for our supper, to her it was just something nice to do for people she cares about. It started me thinking about all the amazing friends i have in my life. This poem is about them. Enjoy!

Friends Are Blessings

I have been blessed throughout my life,

With such amazing friends,

Forever we will stand as one,

True friendship never ends.

Whenever I am feeling low,

My spirits they will lift,

They never judge, just offer help,

Such caring is a gift.

They know they all can count on me,

As in them I can trust,

We rarely ask and would refuse,

All help until we must.

Yet when that dire time is come,

And our need is most great,

No doubt at all that help will come,

Friends save us from our fate.

It need not be calamitous,

Or huge, excessive pain,

To stop and visit with someone,

Who feels alone again.

They say that many hands will make,

A heavy load seem light,

And many hearts can bring one soul,

To sunshine from the night.

To all my friends I thank you for,

This gift you’ve given me,

I pray I’ve loved you all as well,

As you’ve deserved to be.

Cheers,

NaPoWriMo Day 16

On By WinstonIn Ducky, family, Love, Loving Life, my blessed life, my Dog, My Perfect Dog, NaPoWriMo, Personal, PoetryLeave a comment

Ducky really is the perfect dog for us. He is super chill and laid back. He isn’t perfect, but then neither are we. I guess that’s what makes us all perfect together! Enjoy!

Ducky

I have a little puppy who,

Is my best friend no doubt,

Whenever I am doing things,

He follows me about.

He’s seven now and when most look,

A “dog” is all they see,

But in my heart he’s evergreen,

Will always “puppy” be.

He is a lover not a fighter,

But still he loves his bark,

Loves walks to go see all his friends,

And chillin’ at the park.

He loves his food and loves his treats,

Would sure love our food too,

Sadly, he’s a little thick,

Less food’s what we must do.

For we want him to stay with us,

Just as long as he can,

And sometimes that means less is more,

My puppy’s meal plan.

It’s not just me my puppy loves,

He loves his Mommy too,

She is the Sun and Moon for him,

When she’s out he’s so blue.

When she comes back, then stand aside,

Best not get in his way,

For when he sees his Mommy’s home,

It just makes his whole day!

Yes, Ducky is our perfect pup,

So blessed to share his time,

And he deserves much better than,

This small, imperfect rhyme.

Cheers,

NaPoWriMo Day 11

On By WinstonIn Extended Family,, family, Friendship, NaPoWriMo, Personal, Poetry, Reaping What We've Sown, Relationships, This crew of mine, Values, Work WifeLeave a comment

I’m the deputy supervisor of my team at work and I’ve been off for a while for health reasons. During that time, several of my staff have reached out to see when I’m going to be back, or if I need any help. One of them even offered to shovel my driveway during the winter. Lately, I’ve been missing my “other” family.

My Extended Family

I have another family,

That I spend time with too,

Sometimes they drive me to the brink,

I don’t know what to do.

They have their spats as fam’lies do,

Then all tell me their woes,

What’s every side to every beef?

I am the one who knows.

All of them know that they can come,

When something’s on their mind,

While maybe I can’t fix it all,

A friendly ear they’ll find.

And when the news is something good,

I’m there to celebrate,

I build them up and help them grow,

My goal to make them great.

There’s some who don’t appreciate,

The effort that I make,

They don’t believe I really care,

Say all they see is fake.

But that’s okay, that’s how it goes,

I still treat them the same,

For in the end, we’re all one team,

All playing the same game.

I am a supervisor see,

This family my staff,

Some days they make me tear my hair,

But still find time to laugh.

If for each other, we don’t care,

Then just who will I ask,

Such kindness looks like weakness so,

Let’s focus on the task.

A rising tide lifts every boat,

And happy staff do more,

Head office thinks that’s why I fight,

To help my people soar.

The truth is I was one of them,

Before I got this spot,

I understand and so would ease,

The burden of their lot.

They’re my extended family,

For better or for worse,

As my phone rings, I’m wondering,

A blessing or a curse.

Cheers,

NaPoWriMo Day 8

On By WinstonIn A Blessing, family, Friendship, homesickness, Love, Loving Life, Memories, my blessed life, NaPoWriMo, Personal, Poetry, Relationships, The Choices We Make, ValuesLeave a comment

I moved away from my hometown 25 years ago. I left behind my family and almost everyone I knew. I made a new start and haven’t regretted that decision for a minute. But that doesn’t mean I don’t miss them. This weekend, my brother and his wife were in the area visiting her family so we had the chance to get together. It was like we’ve never been apart. That is a gift and a blessing. Happy Easter to those who celebrate it. Enjoy!

My Family Blessing

I have been blessed throughout my life,
With family I have found,
Both that which I was born into,
And those life brought around.

They’ve brought me through my darkest times,
Been there to celebrate,
They praise me when I’m doing well,
Coach when I’m not so great.

But mostly they are always there,
Though they aren’t seen for years,
For when we talk, we still will share,
Our laughter and our tears.

Sometimes we argue, disagree,
As people sometimes do,
Sometimes our tongues get sharper than,
They should, I know it’s true.

But then we talk and work it out,
Remember who we are,
Remember that without them all,
We’d not have come so far.

Though we may not forget some slight,
Forgiveness is our way,
Remember there’s more good than bad,
Whatever pride may say.

For that’s what family means to us,
And always will to me,
Forever one, forever loved,
And ever more will be.

Cheers,

NaPoWriMo 2022 Day 25

On By WinstonIn A Father's Wish, family, Love, my blessed life, my daughter, NaPoWriMo, Personal, PoetryLeave a comment

I’ve written poems about my wife, and about my dogs, but I don’t think I’ve ever written one about my daughter. This one is for her.

A Father’s Wish

I wish you joy to temper pain,

Some sun your clouds to chase.

I wish you love to lift you up,

To gently touch your face.

I wish you peace when weariness,

Tells you you can’t go on.

I wish you friends to carry you,

When all your strength is gone.

I wish you luck for everyone,

I know needs luck at times.

I wish you hope to not give up,

In spite of all life’s crimes.

But most of all I wish you sight,

To see the one I see.

And courage that you may become,

Who’ere you’re meant to be.

I pray that every wish you wish,

Is someday coming true.

Because your joy is my one wish,

My daughter I love you.

Cheers, Winston

NaPoWriMo 2022 Day 6

On By WinstonIn Enlightenment, family, Friendship, Love, Loving Life, Memories, NaPoWriMo, Personal, Poetry, RelationshipsLeave a comment

To every person who has blessed me with the honorific “friend”, I love you and thank you for the moments we have shared be they many or few. Each of you has helped me become who I am. Time is the only gift that truly matters. Thank you all for this most precious gift you have given me.

Don’t Just Take Time, Give It

Don’t grieve for me when I am gone,

Laugh with me while I’m here.

And then when all is said and done,

Then shed a happy tear.

So call me now or come see me,

While we’ve yet time to spend.

Not leave unspoke the love we share,

My dear and precious friend.

Too many times, someone has said,

“I wish I’d been there more.”

It is too late when we are gone,

Let’s spend the time before.

Let’s laugh and sing or sit and talk,

Or just together be.

Your company a magic balm,

Which brings such peace to me.

So this I vow, I will reach out,

To friends I have not seen.

To chat and laugh and marvel at,

Just how long it has been.

If each of us takes up this vow,

To reach out to someone.

There’ll be less guilt and less regret,

When our brief time is done.

In Kindness, Winston

NaPoWriMo 2022 Day 3

On By WinstonIn family, Friendship, Love, Memories, Personal, ValuesLeave a comment

My friend Kim passed away after a brief, horrific fight with cancer. She was a truly beautiful soul who was a blessing to all around her. Her light in this world will be greatly missed.

In her memory, I ask that you spend time with a loved one, family member or friend. And take the time to help someone. Kim was one of the most caring and generous people I’ve known and there could be no finer tribute to her.

Take The Time While We Can

It breaks my heart to see how quick,

Someone can slip away.

I did not see, I could not know,

That my friend could not stay.

Now suddenly there is a hole,

Shaped like them in my heart.

Though I did not see them often,

Their light was still a part.

Yet now that light has vanished and,

The world’s a darker place.

I could not say just what I’d give,

To once more see their face.

Had I but guessed, or somehow known,

More time I would have found.

To spend with them and fill my soul,

While they were yet around.

So listen well and understand,

Our loved ones wear no clock.

So spend the time, be with them now,

Before that final walk.

Winston