NaPoWriMo Day 30

Well, I’ve survived another month of poetry without my brain actually dribbling out my ears. Now I just have to wait for it to stop automatically trying to rhyme every single word I think of. So grateful to everyone who takes a few minutes from their day to read these. Speaking of gratitude… Enjoy!

Choose Gratitude

To work, to work, alas it’s time,

That I must now return,

To pay, to pay, the bills I have,

Some money I must earn.

For that is how the story goes,

We must all work to live,

To have a roof and food and clothes,

Must have some cash to give.

Yes, even those who will not play,

Choose to live off the grid,

Will have to work far harder than,

In their old jobs they did.

Go on and thrash, and kick and scream,

Until you lose your voice,

There’s no escape, all rats must race,

There really is no choice,

When finally you see this truth,

Some peace at last may find,

And understand this is the way,

Leave freedom far behind.

The only freedom we may know,

Is how we face these facts,

Just how we choose to see the world,

Each defined by our acts.

So turn that negative around,

See sunbeams through that cloud,

Now turn your mind to bluer skies,

Cast off that sullen shroud.

Instead of grumbling, gratitude,

That choice is mine to make,

Be grateful for the life I live,

Not it for granted take,

To work, to work, at least I have,

A job that I don’t hate,

To pay, to pay for all I have,

That deal seems pretty great.

Cheers,

NaPoWriMo Day 28

Before coming to write today’s poem I said, “I love you very much.” to my wife. It’s something I say to her… a lot. So much, that sometimes I worry she thinks it’s just automatic. This poem is about that. Enjoy!

I Love You…. Seriously…

I Mean It

So many times each day you hear,

Me say I love you so,

Although I say these words to you,

I wonder if you know.

I wonder if you truly know,

How loved you really are,

You help me find my way in life,

You are my guiding star.

And do you know, that you are loved,

More than I love my life?

And do you know how blessed I am,

To have you for my wife?

Through all our highs and all our lows,

One thing I know is true,

That after twenty years and some,

I’m still in love with you.

So I’ll still say it all the time,

Don’t know if I could quit,

Not just a little bit.

Because I love you so damn much,

And though I say it all the time,

Please know that I’m sincere,

It’s not a habit or a whim,

It’s true each time you hear.

Cheers,

NaPoWriMo Day 26

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

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

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 17

Being off work at the moment, and unable to do much, I’ve had a lot of free time on my hands. So I’ve been reading, watching movies, watching documentaries and…. reading some more. This poem is about that. Enjoy

Friends I’ve Never Met

I’d like to say a thank you to,

Some friends I’ve never met,

They’ve made my life so much richer,

I never will forget.

They’ve shown me ten million sights,

Where I will never go,

They’ve taught me things, that without them,

I’d have no chance to know.

I’ve read a ton of books or two,

Watched movies by the score,

Read comic books, and magazines,

And blogs and so much more.

The friends I’ve mentioned, have you guessed,

Whose words have led me here,

The storytellers of the world,

Who raise their voices clear.

Through fiction and non-fiction works,

They seek to strike that spark,

Their stories brightening the world,

Like lanterns in the dark.

And my life they have brightened so,

When greatest was my need,

I’d turn to them, beloved friends,

Get lost in what I’d read.

So now in turn I write this verse,

To emulate their deeds,

‘Tis but a weed amongst the dross,

Grown from such noble seeds.

All who create are each a part,

Of one great tapestry,

And though I have no famous name,

This bit was made by me.

Cheers,

NaPoWriMo Day 16

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 13

No April would be complete without at least one poem dedicated to my incredible wife Lynn. She is inarguably the best and most incredible thing to ever happen to me! This poem is for her… Enjoy!

For My Angel

If thirty years ago you’d asked,

Me to forecast my life,

I’d not have thought to even guess,

It would include a wife.

Twenty-five years now we have shared,

Who knows how many more.

What years we have, I’ll share with you,

Our future to explore.

I love the years I’ve shared with you,

Each sweeter than the last,

The worst of them still better than,

Those in my lonely past.

I see the colours of this world,

More clearly through your eyes,

And every bit of time with you,

Wish I could memorize.

You see all that is good in me,

Help me with all the rest,

And want the world to see me as,

You do when at my best.

When I am anxious, stressed or scared,

You always understand,

It’s then you wrap me in your arms,

Sometimes just take my hand.

And slowly it all melts away,

As our love takes its place,

Your touch, your gaze, your gentle words,

All fill me with your grace.

So thank you for this life we share,

I’d never dreamed could be,

You are the greatest blessing love,

That there could be for me.

Cheers,

NaPoWriMo Day 9

Again today, I allowed my mind to wander off and write this without too much direction from me.  Sometimes it surprises me with what it comes up with.  Enjoy!

Something To Think About

As I sit down to write this verse,

My mind goes wand`ring free,

Then it returns, comes back at last,

It seems to say to me…

Closely attend and listen well,

To wisdom I did glean,

For we are blessed more than we know,

You`ll see just what I mean.

You sit here and you write these lines,

No real cares it`s true,

You are well fed, and housed and clothed,

No one is threatening you.

Sure you`ve some problems, don`t we all,

But none existential,

You may not have all that you want,

But more than essential.

I don`t say this to put you down,

Or make you feel small,

I`d only hope you`d understand,

To some, you have it all.

A spouse, a kid, a house, a dog,

And so much more than that,

You`ve never faced a winter yet,

Without a decent hat.

You`ve always had enough to eat,

Though maybe not ideal,

I know except sometimes by choice,

You`ve never missed a meal.

Sure you`ve been bullied, beaten up,

Bad actors seen your share,

You`ve never held a friend who`s shot,

Begged God in des`prate prayer.

We live in an oasis here,

So sheltered we`ve gone blind,

To so much in the world around,

It overwhelms the mind.

As my mind talked, I promised I`d,

Take some time every day,

To focus on how blessed I am,

In every single way.

Cheers,

NaPoWriMo Day 8

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,