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 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 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 11

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

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 19

I was talking with my wife Lynn this morning and thinking how blessed I am to have her in my life. We each have our fair share of issues, but we are aware of them and we are working at dealing with them. Neither of us is perfect, but we are perfect for each other.

Perfect Imperfection

We are not perfect people true,

Are flawed as we can be.

But all your broken pieces fit,

In all the cracks in me.

God knows that I’ve got my defects,

Of that I’m well aware.

It’s not about perfection though,

But working with what’s there.

You know you are not perfect love,

Your flaws are all you see.

Though you can’t see your perfection,

You are perfect for me.

Without the flaws that marks us though,

We’d not be who we are.

If we were anyone but us,

Could we have come this far?

I’ll pick up all your broken bits,

With your help I’ll be fine.

There’s no one else I’d do this with,

‘O perfect Angel mine.

Cheers, Winston

NaPoWriMo 2022 Day 6

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 2021 Day 30!

Here we are at the end of the marathon for another year. Of course, that may be a bit premature. I haven’t written the poem to go under this header yet. I’m pretty confident that something will come to me… but then again, maybe not. I still have time to fail today. But I’ve also succeeded for the last twenty-nine days. So often in life we focus on the one sour note in a flawless symphony and call the whole thing a failure. So even if I don’t write that last poem, I’m going to look at the other twenty-nine and call this project a success. It’s all about perspective and the story we tell ourselves.

Until next year… Be Kind To Yourselves And To Each Other

The Muse of All Muses

The deed is done, these lines define,

Another year complete.

With thirty of these ditties writ,

A victory so sweet.

Calliope and Erato,

Polyhymnia too.

To all these muses owe some thanks,

But mostly Lynn to you.

You are the one who lifts me up,

Brings out the best of me.

You are aware of all my flaws,

But they’re not all you see.

When inspiration’s fled from me,

Restore it with a word.

Then listen to each verse like it’s,

The best you’ve ever heard.

You are the sweetest, kindest soul,

That I could hope to know.

I’m blessed to have you in my life,

As through the years we go.

Now as I close this month of verse,

I want to make it clear.

I could not write these rhymes of mine,

Without your love my dear.

So thank you Lynn for all you do,

The blessing that you are.

The rock on which I build my life,

My muse. My guiding star.

Cheers, Winston

NaPoWriMo 2021 Day 16

To my angel Lynn. My love, my muse and my best friend. Thank you for being my perfect person. ❤

My Ideal Wife

“Good morning Love.” I say to her,

Receive a sleepy smile.

And marvel at the luck I’ve found,

Just gaze at her a while.

Her soul as beautiful I swear,

As anyone could be.

I know I’ll never understand,

Why my Angel chose me.

I fix her breakfast coffee too,

Then with our pup go walk.

And as our dog sniffs everything,

My love and I just talk.

We talk of things we’d like to do,

And things we’re dreaming of.

Still after twenty years and more,

Were never more in love.

Back home I sit and rub her feet,

She drifts on edge of sleep.

She murmurs if I just do that,

Then I’m the one she’ll keep.

I close my eyes and thank the Gods,

For my near perfect life.

I know that it would not be so,

Without my ideal wife.

Cheers, Winston