"As The Crow Flies"

I want to fly
as the crow flies
just to try
high in the sky

Wings in place
radar as well
wide open space
a story to tell

A straight line it flies
searching for food
hoarse squawking calls
to feed a brood

Black shiny feathers
cover them all
never a tether
free to fall

We see them each day
straight on their way
where we can't say
we know it's ok

Alerting animals for good
if danger is near
doing what they should
without any fear

They do disturb nests
and cause a problem or two
are sometimes pests
until they get through

But my, how they fly
straight to the spot
not judging the sky
and that's quit alot

We just see them up there
where they want to be
not having a care
and best of all free

As the crow flies
I know it's for me
there be no sighs
for flying I'll be

"Maxine"

Life is big when you are small
much you can't reach
too big and tall
what can it teach

Maxine was a big girl
our neighbor as well
dark hair and blue cruel eyes
when she pushed, I fell

She was ten and tall
looking for me
I was six and small
hiding behind that tree


I was leggy and scrawney
the youngest of three
had to stop this brawn
can you see?

What could I do
the days went by
I got a clue
something to try

In front of my house
Maxine was waiting for me
oh say can you see
not a good place for me

My path was not clear
this was abuse
maybe a spear
what's the use

Suddenly a thought
A message for me
without getting caught
I could see

The worst to do
I can win
spit on her shoe
kicked her on the shin

Crying she went
laughing was I
She had been sent
with only one try

She left me sublime
after that chance meet
happiness was mine
as I watched her retreat

"Magnificent, Possibly Severe Thunderstorm"

A "Magnificent, Possibly Severe Thunderstorm" arrived with the first light this morning. The lightening flashed through the cabin windows and the thunder rolled as the heavy rain fell on the metal roof. We opened the windows that are protected by a porch on the front and back of the cabin. The falling rain sounded like a mountain, trout stream, music to our ears. The storm seemed to huddle and hold our cabin in its arms as it slowly moved overhead. We saw shadows of dark objects moving above and through the dark storm clouds. We saw lights flashing, but thought it was just lightening, or was it? We wondered who could possibly move around in such severe storms? Gypsy wanted to go outside to protect her stash. I told her as I have often done before, you cannot go outside when it is lightening. I told her the rabbit, lizard, bird and squirrel mothers are not allowing their offspring to go outside during such a storm. I told her she was not missing anything but possibly being struck by lightening. There was alot of that and when it hit our electric poll, our lights went out and flickered. Now, this was not serious except for the fact that my expresso that was steaming on the electric stove was in peril. The power came back on and my expresso continued to finish up producing my usual morning treat. By this time the storm had moved on past us alittle, but the lightening was still flashingand the thunder was still rumbling. Gypsy and I decided to venture outside and sit on the porch. What a magnificent storm. The air was clear and cool, perfect. We watched the ominous dark clouds as they continued to move on their way, still producing lightening that introduced the thunder that shook the ground under the cabin porch. The rain was gobbled up by the woods so thirsty after a long dry spell. Gypsy kept wanting to leave the porch to check on her buried items and critters. She was keeping close watch for the arrival of her playmates. As she kept trying to sneak off the porch, my resounding no, reminded her it was not a good idea. Each time this happened she would return to her braided, porch rug and sit down by my feet. However, she went to one of her critter observation points just out of my direct vision and jumped off the porch. A bolt of lightening later she was back on the porch, sitting on her rug by my feet. We finally had to move inside due to the arrival of another storm. The lightening and thunder told us to take cover as the heavy rain started. It was still fairly dark, so we came inside and lighted our wick burning rock. As the light flickered around the cabin inside the lightening kept in tune outside. Her toys and biscuits in check, Gypsy came and sat next to me as the thunder once again shook the cabin rattling the windows. I could detect a small shaking as I stroked the soft, white, hair down her back. The thunder unnerves her just a bit, a fact she does not want anyone to know. She came to sit by me, because she knows the lightening and thunder sometimes unnerves me just alittle bit. She is so thoughtful, a truly wonderful girl. She looks after me as any friend and companion would.
The birds return to the log cabin birdfeeder outside our kitchen window, signals the end of the danger of the storms. We are sad to see them go. They have provided us with an interesting and beautiful morning. Spending time with a few magnificent, possibly severe thunderstorms is a treat for us. They told their story well and entertained us for several hours.
Our phone rang several times during these storms, but no one was there when we pick up the phone to answer it. We think it was the aliens who were trying to locate our alien self parking area telling us the weather was too bad for them to land. We were sure we had seen something moving through the clouds, flshing their lights, and now we were pretty sure what it was. Who else could travel in such inclement weather? Who else would travel in "Magnificent, Possibly Severe Thunderstormms?"

"Leftover Thoughts"

Leftover thoughts
roaming in my head
looking for fingertips
clean white pages
for others

Coming from where
no place to go
lost in memory
surviving
wasted

Unfinished business
tired
tried
toiled
spoiled

Save them
what for
thoughts are snakes
crawling
living

Wait
leftover thoughts
will be better
tomorrow
or the next day

"Howard"

Where is Howard
when there is work
to to be done,
out on the golf course
just having fun

Never a care in his
daily life
for he has Nedra
his loyal wife

The house is full, the babies
are crying
but Howard is out
where the golf balls are flying

Nedra has Katie and John
and dinner to prepare
Laura and Rich
are not yet there

Margaret and Temel
are gone as well
leaving Grandma
to do show and tell

Hurry home Howard
grandma is only one
and hard as she tries
she will never get done

She is having fun
grandkids are a joy
her work in never done
with this girl and boy

Nothing she would change
to alter her charge
Katie and John are her range
Grandmas love is large

For all we know
Howard is lamenting
To miss this home show
obligations are preventing

Fun will be had
to those who are here
all will be glad
pass the butter Howard dear

"A Day in the Life of a Blessing"

Blessings are there
drifting in air
round, flat and square
caught by your snare

Bustling about
carrying their clout
fulfilling our doubt
inspiring our route

To many to count
never sold by the ounce
not here to trounce
only to pounce

So, take time today
it's really ok
see what they say
devine in every way

They cushion your past
cover today like a cast
the future so vast
your ships mast

Don't miss them you see
they won't let you be
seeing is the key
there is no fee

Happiness they bring
it's joy they sing
stay on their wing
a gift from the King

Be grateful for all
long, short and tall
life is the call
hang on don't fall

Don't miss the plan
so many can
blessings the fan
for the shadow in man