enchanted rock or bust
3-29-09 a freezing 29 degrees
5:30 am leaving the cabin
gypsy outside in her sheepskin bed
on the road in the dark
headed for the
enchanted rock duathlon
father nick mother sheri
grandmother milnor
and seven week old
Hadley Jace Milnor
during the road trip
we tried to avoid stopping
at red stoplights
because Hadley securely strapped
in her car seat has
the red stoplight syndrome
if you stop she cries
nick will run cycle
and run again to the top
on enchanted rock
nick had gone to get ready
the rest of us were
preparing to go watch him
as the sun came up sheri was
was cleaning a massive
squash colored mess
Hadley had made in her diaper
that somehow reached her shoulders
not an easy job in the back seat
of the truck followed by
wrapping Hadley in blankets
and her winnie the pooh hat
and hooking her into a carrier
that held her to sheris body
she slipped her jacket over her
and her 7 week old baby
with the sun just saying hi
the three of us headed down
the trail to watch nick
we almost missed the start
back to the truck again to get warm
we caught nick later in the race
in the now warm sunny texas day
Hadley took her first trip
up enchanted rock
still strapped tightly to sheri
this place had to feel much like
the waterworld where she
had just spent 9 months
we hung around for nick to
get his piece of the rock for
placing in his age group
Hadley Jace
slept all the way home
too tired to catch
the red lights
flashing in her dreams
Monday, March 30, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
"Decisions""
things aren't the way
they could be
the way I think
I want them
change would be good
maybe I'm not sure
what is missing
a good decision
a smart decision
a decision
what about my plans
born on the wings
of dreamless decisions
that have brought my
life to a halt
my plans
what about my plans
get out of your way
and go out and live
the rest of your life
the life that is out there
waiting for you
waiting for
your good decision
they could be
the way I think
I want them
change would be good
maybe I'm not sure
what is missing
a good decision
a smart decision
a decision
what about my plans
born on the wings
of dreamless decisions
that have brought my
life to a halt
my plans
what about my plans
get out of your way
and go out and live
the rest of your life
the life that is out there
waiting for you
waiting for
your good decision
"Don't Wait for Regrets"
it's the little things
never the big ones
the unexpected things
that catch you off guard
with no quick good answer
the stuff that has taken
up housekeeping in the
back of you brain
it never goes away
and you never get to it
it haunts you in quiet moments
and gets lost in the hustle
and bustle of everyday
should I have
how could I have forgotten
why didn't I
regrets
my loss
how could you have so easily
slipped away, and the others
all gone but for the
regrets
never the big ones
the unexpected things
that catch you off guard
with no quick good answer
the stuff that has taken
up housekeeping in the
back of you brain
it never goes away
and you never get to it
it haunts you in quiet moments
and gets lost in the hustle
and bustle of everyday
should I have
how could I have forgotten
why didn't I
regrets
my loss
how could you have so easily
slipped away, and the others
all gone but for the
regrets
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
"A Sad Song"
my shoulder aches
my elbow in sore
my wrist is painful
my fingers are stiff
my butt is numb
my back is bent
my eyes are crossed
my mouth is dry
my knees won't bend
to get me out
of this chair
a writers sad song
it just isn't fair
my elbow in sore
my wrist is painful
my fingers are stiff
my butt is numb
my back is bent
my eyes are crossed
my mouth is dry
my knees won't bend
to get me out
of this chair
a writers sad song
it just isn't fair
"Apple Pie Oatmeal"
what now
what's this all about
someone said to cook
oatmeal in apple cider
try it I must
wondering what's
all the fuss
apple pie oatmeal
not sauce or a salad
we think it good
if we could
we would
eat it everyday
we should
what's this all about
someone said to cook
oatmeal in apple cider
try it I must
wondering what's
all the fuss
apple pie oatmeal
not sauce or a salad
we think it good
if we could
we would
eat it everyday
we should
"Where for Art Thou End?"
7am
sat down to think
with nothing in mind to find
except the fact that I had
nothing to write about
if you don't sit down and try
you may create a slump
think about what hides
in nothings
3pm
still writing
still in my pajamas
ate breakfast lunch
thought about
taking a shower
getting dressed
walking the dog
but the writer in me
said don't stop
can't stop
don't want to stop
how do I stop when
the words fall like
rain line after line
where for art thou
end
sat down to think
with nothing in mind to find
except the fact that I had
nothing to write about
if you don't sit down and try
you may create a slump
think about what hides
in nothings
3pm
still writing
still in my pajamas
ate breakfast lunch
thought about
taking a shower
getting dressed
walking the dog
but the writer in me
said don't stop
can't stop
don't want to stop
how do I stop when
the words fall like
rain line after line
where for art thou
end
"BROWN SUGAR""
by 1949 I had stopped
sucking my thumb
and aquired a liking for Brown Sugar
the oposite of white sugar
mother sprinkled white sugar and cinnamon
on the extra pie dough
and baked it along with the pies
we waited savoring the aroma
my mother cooked all our food
which came from my fathers
very large garden
pretty simple
she used Brown Sugar in her cakes
cookies pies on the top of
and in her cinnamon rolls
it melted slowly in our hot oatmeal
cream of wheat and malt-o meal
and best of all there was
Myrtle Webers warm home made bread
(she ran the towns only bakery)
with butter and Brown Sugar on it
along with mayonnise and onion
sandwiches we lived well
2009 I tasted my first
Brown Sugar ice cream
the Brown Sugar memories
brought tears to my eyes
filling my mind
with each spoonful
it occured to me
Brown Sugar alone
is enough to make
life worth living
(dip a strawberry in sour cream
or greek yogurt and then
BROWN SUGAR)
sucking my thumb
and aquired a liking for Brown Sugar
the oposite of white sugar
mother sprinkled white sugar and cinnamon
on the extra pie dough
and baked it along with the pies
we waited savoring the aroma
my mother cooked all our food
which came from my fathers
very large garden
pretty simple
she used Brown Sugar in her cakes
cookies pies on the top of
and in her cinnamon rolls
it melted slowly in our hot oatmeal
cream of wheat and malt-o meal
and best of all there was
Myrtle Webers warm home made bread
(she ran the towns only bakery)
with butter and Brown Sugar on it
along with mayonnise and onion
sandwiches we lived well
2009 I tasted my first
Brown Sugar ice cream
the Brown Sugar memories
brought tears to my eyes
filling my mind
with each spoonful
it occured to me
Brown Sugar alone
is enough to make
life worth living
(dip a strawberry in sour cream
or greek yogurt and then
BROWN SUGAR)
"Five Free Zones of Peace"
sometime they will put peace
in the grease of a grease gun
allowing us to squeeze it into
even the smallest cracks
you can imagine
borders fences brains earths divisions
settling in the dust of wars
for peace distilled
to save the world
that can only be
saved by our minds
that only hold peaceful thoughts
that drip one at a time into
the five free zones
in the grease of a grease gun
allowing us to squeeze it into
even the smallest cracks
you can imagine
borders fences brains earths divisions
settling in the dust of wars
for peace distilled
to save the world
that can only be
saved by our minds
that only hold peaceful thoughts
that drip one at a time into
the five free zones
" Fighting Hummingbirds"
hummimgbird scouts have come
to check out the location
of last years feeders
first came the first
then the second
the fighting began
and will continue
as long as the hummimgbirds
continue to come
and they will
fighting still
to check out the location
of last years feeders
first came the first
then the second
the fighting began
and will continue
as long as the hummimgbirds
continue to come
and they will
fighting still
"Learning From the Past"
sometimes I write about
what I wrote about
in the past
sometimes I even learn
stuff like the way the world
buzzes around devouring
your aura making it
all frantic and losing it
like they did
before they found them
on the ground
holding on to each other
next to their car
out by the old quarry
they said after the autopsy
that it looked like they had been
attacked by a swarm of bees
who stingly stung their hopes away
as they whispered their last
and I checked my aura
and wrote about the past
what I wrote about
in the past
sometimes I even learn
stuff like the way the world
buzzes around devouring
your aura making it
all frantic and losing it
like they did
before they found them
on the ground
holding on to each other
next to their car
out by the old quarry
they said after the autopsy
that it looked like they had been
attacked by a swarm of bees
who stingly stung their hopes away
as they whispered their last
and I checked my aura
and wrote about the past
"Free at Last"
free verse
it really does it
I'm free at last
a few weeks ago
I wrote "The Voice"
I talked about how
it chatters constantly
in my head all day long
and keeps me awake
when I try to sleep
I don't know where
all the words came from
or how they formed the lines
like they did
but several lines
stayed with me
the voice doesn't know
how to be happy
or how to make happiness
here is what I learned
the voice in my head has changed
my writing about it
was what it took to satisfy it
and put it to rest
there is now a quiet white sand
turquoise colored lake
of peace and quiet
in my contented mind
what it told me is
I have moved on
my mind now plays
in the crystal clear water
of happiness
free at last
it really does it
I'm free at last
a few weeks ago
I wrote "The Voice"
I talked about how
it chatters constantly
in my head all day long
and keeps me awake
when I try to sleep
I don't know where
all the words came from
or how they formed the lines
like they did
but several lines
stayed with me
the voice doesn't know
how to be happy
or how to make happiness
here is what I learned
the voice in my head has changed
my writing about it
was what it took to satisfy it
and put it to rest
there is now a quiet white sand
turquoise colored lake
of peace and quiet
in my contented mind
what it told me is
I have moved on
my mind now plays
in the crystal clear water
of happiness
free at last
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
"Remember"
go someplace where
you can listen and remember
where you can't hear the traffic
where you can't hear
a machine of any kind
where no one is talking
where no music is playing
leave your tv and computer behind
stay out of your car
where you can only hear
the wind in the trees
the ocean waves
a trickling stream
doves calling
squirrels scolding
fish jumping
cats purring
natures laughter
remember what it's like
to be young because you
won't be able to remember
what it's like to be old
remember the first days
are not always the best
remember age brings wonderful
gifts along with it
like you my friend, like you
remember
you can listen and remember
where you can't hear the traffic
where you can't hear
a machine of any kind
where no one is talking
where no music is playing
leave your tv and computer behind
stay out of your car
where you can only hear
the wind in the trees
the ocean waves
a trickling stream
doves calling
squirrels scolding
fish jumping
cats purring
natures laughter
remember what it's like
to be young because you
won't be able to remember
what it's like to be old
remember the first days
are not always the best
remember age brings wonderful
gifts along with it
like you my friend, like you
remember
"A Cat"
if life can't find you
stop and watch a cat
if you don't have one
get one
you will learn all
you need to know
stop and watch a cat
if you don't have one
get one
you will learn all
you need to know
Sunday, March 15, 2009
" Rainy Day Memories"
the rains finally came to our cabin in the woods
everything was waiting and took a big drink
the trees are showing their buds
spring flowers are popping up everywhere
the sun is trying to come out as I write
I must brush the white dog hair off of my computer
Gypsy is everywhere in my life
when we were on her cabin porch this morning
watching and listening to the slow gentle rain
I remember another rain that signaled an event
as a child growing up in a small rural town in ohio
with no tv and only a big wooden telephone behind
the swinging door that lead from the dinningroom
into the kitchen we had to entertain ourselves
so on rainy summer days we gathered the neighborhood
comic books and put them on the wide
white wooden railing that was part of our front porch
when you stepped up the five steps to the porch the railing
was off tp the right and just the right width to hold
all the comic books spread out in a long row
so you could see what each one was
wonder woman batman superman archie
and many more were present on the railing
when the porch chairs ran out we sat on the porch floor
mom would pop a huge dishpan size bowl of popcorn
with salt and butter accompanied by a large pitcher of lemonade
the neighborhood kids and I were set for the afternoon
in the rain out on the front porch reading comic books
and drinking lemonade
later in the day we might play hide and seek or kick the can
before dark we would often play arrow
when you divide up into two groups and using chalk one group
would go all over town making arrows on trees sidewalks
and anything else that would work and the other group
would have to follow the first groups arrows
until they found them it was safe for us to go all over town
everyone knew everyone and watched out for you
when we went to the only movie theatre in town the princess
we would walk the four blocks to main street and then on main street
to the theatre it cost a dime to go to the movies
I never missed Roy Rodgers and all movies were in black and white
on saturday night there was not an empty seat in the theatre
everything was waiting and took a big drink
the trees are showing their buds
spring flowers are popping up everywhere
the sun is trying to come out as I write
I must brush the white dog hair off of my computer
Gypsy is everywhere in my life
when we were on her cabin porch this morning
watching and listening to the slow gentle rain
I remember another rain that signaled an event
as a child growing up in a small rural town in ohio
with no tv and only a big wooden telephone behind
the swinging door that lead from the dinningroom
into the kitchen we had to entertain ourselves
so on rainy summer days we gathered the neighborhood
comic books and put them on the wide
white wooden railing that was part of our front porch
when you stepped up the five steps to the porch the railing
was off tp the right and just the right width to hold
all the comic books spread out in a long row
so you could see what each one was
wonder woman batman superman archie
and many more were present on the railing
when the porch chairs ran out we sat on the porch floor
mom would pop a huge dishpan size bowl of popcorn
with salt and butter accompanied by a large pitcher of lemonade
the neighborhood kids and I were set for the afternoon
in the rain out on the front porch reading comic books
and drinking lemonade
later in the day we might play hide and seek or kick the can
before dark we would often play arrow
when you divide up into two groups and using chalk one group
would go all over town making arrows on trees sidewalks
and anything else that would work and the other group
would have to follow the first groups arrows
until they found them it was safe for us to go all over town
everyone knew everyone and watched out for you
when we went to the only movie theatre in town the princess
we would walk the four blocks to main street and then on main street
to the theatre it cost a dime to go to the movies
I never missed Roy Rodgers and all movies were in black and white
on saturday night there was not an empty seat in the theatre
Saturday, March 14, 2009
"Puppet on a String"
the puppeteer our life
manipulating us with dancing threads
providing us a wealth of material
a seamstress sewing words onto the page
writing the stories making the words
go through the hole the needle
makes through the paper
pulled along on the thread
in the eye of the needle
fastening it to the page
making it all stay together
a novel a newspaper a short story
taking big ideas and stitching them
in place with little ideas
making them big and important
the seamstress writes about life
life all over the place
my life your life everyones life
the part that happens when you are
turning the pages of plans
great plans that never happen
your shadow gets ahead of you
even when you are trying to dodge fate
if you knew what tomorrow would bring
it would do you no good
we are only a stitch in time
knowing we don't know where we are
or where we are going
is the only and best way
love faith and trust
guide the seamstress
keeping lifes words in order
we are just a puppet on a string
manipulating us with dancing threads
providing us a wealth of material
a seamstress sewing words onto the page
writing the stories making the words
go through the hole the needle
makes through the paper
pulled along on the thread
in the eye of the needle
fastening it to the page
making it all stay together
a novel a newspaper a short story
taking big ideas and stitching them
in place with little ideas
making them big and important
the seamstress writes about life
life all over the place
my life your life everyones life
the part that happens when you are
turning the pages of plans
great plans that never happen
your shadow gets ahead of you
even when you are trying to dodge fate
if you knew what tomorrow would bring
it would do you no good
we are only a stitch in time
knowing we don't know where we are
or where we are going
is the only and best way
love faith and trust
guide the seamstress
keeping lifes words in order
we are just a puppet on a string
"The Glory in a Story"
And what do you do? "I live an exciting, happy, peaceful life, one day at a time putting one foot in front of the other. I work to love abundantly, to listen carefully, to rest peacefully and to pray to the Lord our God fervently and frequently." Kathleen Whitmer, "The Glory in a Story"
Friday, March 13, 2009
"Texas"
reaching a conclusion
of that I am sure
not a delusion
but very pure
Texas has my heart
it's hill country is best
we will never part
better than the rest
like no other state
near or far
Texas is great
a days drive in a car
Texans let you be
mind their own business
biggest best their key
not settling for less
some states get colder
some have more laws
Texans are bolder
and have no flaws
you can't beat
what Texas has to give
so take a seat
it's a great place to live
of that I am sure
not a delusion
but very pure
Texas has my heart
it's hill country is best
we will never part
better than the rest
like no other state
near or far
Texas is great
a days drive in a car
Texans let you be
mind their own business
biggest best their key
not settling for less
some states get colder
some have more laws
Texans are bolder
and have no flaws
you can't beat
what Texas has to give
so take a seat
it's a great place to live
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
"Dream Thief"
reason is silent
wisdom forlorn
our way troubled
struggling to see
where to step in the mess
handed to us
maybe we will find our way
uncertain in uncertainty
we don't know how long
to our destination
or what it might be
still in love
holding hands and laughing
the world is revolving around us
spinning like a top
that will not stop
we must not lose our balance
if the sounds of hope stop
in our field of dreams
the dream thief will catch us
if we don't watch out
our heartbeats of love
must break the silence
wisdom forlorn
our way troubled
struggling to see
where to step in the mess
handed to us
maybe we will find our way
uncertain in uncertainty
we don't know how long
to our destination
or what it might be
still in love
holding hands and laughing
the world is revolving around us
spinning like a top
that will not stop
we must not lose our balance
if the sounds of hope stop
in our field of dreams
the dream thief will catch us
if we don't watch out
our heartbeats of love
must break the silence
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
"He Would Never Know"
he would never know
his promise broken
footprints in the sand
marking his way
to the silent depth
that claimed him
she was waiting
the shaded moonlight fell across
the wooden cabin floor
the wind was blowing
whistling as it found the crack
around the door
she waited by the warm fire
her eyes reflected the flickering
embers as the fire slowly died
like everything else in her life
tears covered her cheeks
smearing her eye makeup
her nose was running
she tasted it on her upper lip
he would not see
her new dress
he would not hear her crying
or see her tears
he would never know
how much she loved him
the rain had finally come
after a long drought
she remembered seeing a few
spring flowers blooming
when she swept the cabin porch
earlier in the day
he would never know
his promise broken
footprints in the sand
marking his way
to the silent depth
that claimed him
she was waiting
the shaded moonlight fell across
the wooden cabin floor
the wind was blowing
whistling as it found the crack
around the door
she waited by the warm fire
her eyes reflected the flickering
embers as the fire slowly died
like everything else in her life
tears covered her cheeks
smearing her eye makeup
her nose was running
she tasted it on her upper lip
he would not see
her new dress
he would not hear her crying
or see her tears
he would never know
how much she loved him
the rain had finally come
after a long drought
she remembered seeing a few
spring flowers blooming
when she swept the cabin porch
earlier in the day
he would never know
"The Voice"
chattering constantly
inside the mind
follow the bouncing ball
above the notes
of the song it sings
catch it
stop it
fold the corner of the page
hold the exclamation point
cut the roots
melt the chocolate coating
relentlessly devouring
attached to memories
be a good boy
be a good girl
be nice be sweet
be right no mistakes
childhood bruises
hiding behind it
stealing happiness
taking the moment away
consuming thoughts
because it doesn't know
how to be happy
or how to make
happiness
do you
inside the mind
follow the bouncing ball
above the notes
of the song it sings
catch it
stop it
fold the corner of the page
hold the exclamation point
cut the roots
melt the chocolate coating
relentlessly devouring
attached to memories
be a good boy
be a good girl
be nice be sweet
be right no mistakes
childhood bruises
hiding behind it
stealing happiness
taking the moment away
consuming thoughts
because it doesn't know
how to be happy
or how to make
happiness
do you
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
"Love"
Love
Fall in love again today
Find something or someone
To love anew in some special way
Don’t stop till your done
Love transcends what it must
A wonderful powerful force
In God’s love we trust
To keep us on course
We all need to know
His love is on its way
Helping us grow
A new love each day
Fall in love again today
Find something or someone
To love anew in some special way
Don’t stop till your done
Love transcends what it must
A wonderful powerful force
In God’s love we trust
To keep us on course
We all need to know
His love is on its way
Helping us grow
A new love each day
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