Out of It

I don’t have much to say

No one listens anyway

Just share stuff with my dog

And post it here on this blog

Because he doesn’t read

And only cares about his feed

Or if I scratch his scruff

Obsolescence can be tough.

Treasured

I try my best to give my hoard away

Despite a less-than-consequential stash,

At times I do it every single day

But couplets aren’t the same as cold hard cash,

They’re worth a whole lot more (at least to me)

Each word a priceless treasure on its own

And value will go up substantially

When proper placement chills one to the bone.

I hope some future person on a quest

Alights upon this shore in cyberspace

Excited by a shining gem or two

And feels a sudden thrumming in their chest

As their quiescent heart begins to race

With passion that I helped them spark anew.

***Well this is it true believers, today marks 20 years of posting on this blog. The first poem I put here was about classic poetry books I found at a garage sale, and to me they were worth their weight in gold. I shall continue writing and maybe get another 20 in. Thanks to all who have read and commented over the years. I love you all – RCH***

Subject of Interest

Our overlords are little dots of light that cross the sky

And you can only see them if you take the time to try

But once you actually notice them, there’s not much you can do

Except to pray with all your might - they haven’t noticed you.

Dynamic

Consistently inconsistent 

Described him to a tee

Apparently only persistent 

At always wanting to be

Undeniably different 

Than anyone else alive

Consistently inconsistent 

A curious way to survive.

Another Lonely Song

Her hips will hypnotize

Luscious lips will tell you lies

And you are hers to compromise

You knew it all along

For when you watch her walk that way

You feel your heart begin to sway

There’s nothing you can do but play

Another lonely song

Another lonely song

To listen to all night long

While wishing she was there by your side

A haunting melody

That you can sing in any key

To help you forget your wounded pride

Her legs are looking good

So much better than they should

It’s time to quit, you wish you could

You know you’re not that strong

Remembering way back when

Turn your guitar to ten

Then grab the nearest pen

And write another lonely song

Sticky

Three times four or four times three

It really doesn’t matter to me

A dozen's a dozen, unless of course

You choose to fudge without remorse.

Threnody

The crickets sing in harmony

As Fall begins its reign

A wistful tune in a somber key

An ode to sunlight slain,

A heartfelt hind-leg homily

That prudent creatures heed

For soon the barren time will be

Upon us causing need,

They sing together heartily 

A roundabout refrain 

Beneath the old crabapple tree

Where I now entertain

Thoughts of living happily

Before my days recede

And crickets croon a dirge for me

My spirit finally freed.

Worth It

Don’t feel anything

Then, you can’t get hurt.

Opposed to passion's poignant sting?

Make your heart inert.

But if you are the daring type

Who prospers from some pain

Believe the hoopla and the hype

There’s so much more to gain.

Star Power

The new moon was nubile

All curvy and thin

Venus the vixen

Smiled brighter to win

The eyes of the gazers

Who watched them compete

Enjoying the showdown

Their wonder complete

Until they were blinded

By a glamorous glow

As the headliner came

And stole the whole show.

Leaving Providence

Don't dicker with a deity

It'll never go your way

They’ll spurn your spontaneity

And really make you pay.

Dazzler

A drop of dew embraced the morning sun

So lovingly a burst of light was born,

A signal that the new day had begun

To grant a glint of hope to the forlorn.

Reflection really had me seeing red

Which then began to scintillate to blue,

The more this little glowing imp was fed

The brighter its intense demeanor grew.

Such burning passion quickly took a toll,

The tender drip was rapidly consumed

But it had seared a purpose in my soul,

To give my all, while knowing I am doomed.

Despite my current journey through the dark

I'll always have the keepsake of that spark.

Take Note

Fifths and thirds

Are for the birds

And octaves for the shrill

That is unless

Excessive clef

Makes it deeper still

Every tone

Whether glee or groan

Excites one with an ear

While those with tin

May curse the din

For noise is all they hear.

.SOL

An obsolete extension

Will cancel comprehension

So future minds will never know

The ink infused intention

Of one between the ages

Who went from crumpled pages

To ancient code that doesn’t show

The war that progress wages.

Unthinkable

 I really hate to fight

Now every day’s a struggle

I relished the delight

I'm desperate for a snuggle

I never counted years

The gap is so apparent

When logic disappears

Decisions will be errant.

Sentimental Son

If there was just one soul

You knew that you could save

By digging your own hole

Would your choice be grave,

Could you make that sacrifice?

I think I’d choose to pay the price

And simply take my leave

The world would’ve survived

If she never did conceive

Perhaps she would have thrived,

But since the past can’t be undone

I'm just a sentimental son.

Very Carefully

Well my bleeding heart

is a telltale sign

That all the things I lost 

weren't meant to be mine

And as I've lived my life

I learned some facts

You can't change your fate

and there's no turning back 

I'm a man who's gonna take his chances

Very carefully 

'Cause I want to win the game

That's going on between you and me 

I spent my money

on diamond rings

I've given you all

of life's fancy things

But I haven't given you 

all I've got 

Because I'm not really sure

if you want me or not

CHORUS

I'm happy go lucky 

with a heart of gold 

as I am sure

you don't have to be told

 

And if you do right 

do right by me

we'll always be together 

that's a guarantee 

CHORUS

Baked

It’s staring him right in the face

He used his allotment of grace

While losing every single dream he ever tried to chase

If only no fire was lit

He wouldn’t have taken the hit

But there’s no point lamenting when someone’s too stupid to quit.

Kickoff

My dog is old like me

I wipe his eyes so tenderly

And hope that I can find

Someone who will be so kind

When I can barely see.

I’m loyal just like him

There is no task I find too grim

Although it makes me sad

Remembering the fun we had

Before his sight grew dim.

Whether you are fierce or tame

We all wind up the same,

He stayed by me until the end

An undeniable friend,

And then, the fall came.

Meant to be Blue

I've had my ups
Had my downs
But this time I’m feelin’
Lower than the ground
Seems no matter what I do
My life was meant to be blue

When I was young
I found out
Life is filled
With loneliness and doubt
And from a tender age I knew
My life is meant to be blue

My mama crawled inside a bottle to die
Friends I thought I had turn their heads when I walk by
I’ve watched so many dreams crumble down to dust
But I just keep on going because I must, I simply must

The days go by
The nights are long
Before I die
I have got to sing my song
In my one and only favorite hue
My life was meant to be blue
My life will always be blue.

Preseason

My dog is almost dead
My car already died
I have no food or bread
And getting lean on pride.

My life is a charade
Where I keep hiding from
Some bonehead moves I made
When I was young and dumb

And couldn’t quite conceive
The shortness of the day
Or that I’d seek reprieve
The fall a week away.

Understand the Blues

To understand the blues

You’ve got to face some stone cold facts

That nothing good comes easy

And surely never lasts

You’ve got to be forgiving

And you’ve got to have some soul

And you’ve got to know when

To let the rhythm take control

To understand the blues

To understand the blues

To understand the blues

You’ve got to know what it’s like to lose

To understand the blues

You’ve got to take it on the chin

And never get so bitter

That you forget to grin

You have to go against the wind

And not begin to sway

Unless the music calls you

When the band begins to play

(CHORUS)

To understand the blues

You’ve got to kiss some dreams goodbye

And swallow down regret

When you fail to even try

And though you may get beat

You must stay in the game

When you understand the blues

Things will never be the same

(CHORUS)

Mechanisms

That’s all I do: eat, sleep, work

No time for something new

While those with money lounge and smirk,

Eat, sleep, work, that’s all I do.

Deep down inside: I wish, dream, hope

For wins each time I’ve tried

But losers find a way to cope—

I wish, dream, hope, deep down inside.

Restrictions

I’ve got more bags than the friendly skies

You can see the excess beneath my eyes

Perhaps that’s why I have found

It difficult to leave the ground,

This nagging ache inside of me

The only sore I’ll ever see

Unless I find a way to shed

This weight and touch the clouds instead.

Rotten

A rusted can

From a distant life

A different man

A happy wife

They seemed content

Though they were poor

Until they went

And moved next door

The floor fell through

Too much was owed

I guess it’s true

All things corrode.

Daring

How fast can ivy crawl

Up the locust tree?

She reached the top of the wall,

It only took her three

Determined years, but it’s tall.

A cicada way up high

Will drone on and on,

‘C'mon give it your best try!’

But he'll be long gone

Before she reaches sky.

(Not So) Grate Expectations

Go out of your way to be nice

You often pay the price

Things best left unsaid 

Will echo in your head

So now you'll think twice

Before you give a shred.

Recyclable

 What do you do when something's stale

Continue to choke it down

Or launch a jumper at the garbage pail

Like you’re shooting from downtown?

And what about if rot begins

Should you simply chuck it all?

Relentlessly the orrery spins

Regardless of your call.

Cold Front

The Blue Jay is bellicose

The Mourning Dove morose

And Robin seems quite reticent today,

His lack of luster shows

Perhaps because he knows

That winter is careening right this way.

Afield

The heady scent of milkweed flowers

Fills my skull to the brim

With memories of corn filled towers

And days of youthful vim

Those fragrant fields were free and fertile

Much like my young mind

That couldn’t grasp how fast I’d hurtle

Here, where I now find

Myself within a dismal prison

I designed so well

And every waving milkweed risen

Haunts me with its smell

As every hair begins to bristle

All along my nape

With urges that defy dismissal

And whisper of escape.

The Optimal Myth

If I waited for life to get better

Before I chose to proceed 

I'd never get anywhere brother,

Just wander around in the weeds.

Brighten

Plants compete for light

Humans for money or love

Why do we choose not to fight

For that which comes from above?

Yes, love is divine

When spurred by selfless grace

But lusts often tarnish the shine

That could illuminate our race,

Point your limbs towards the sky

Sink your roots in the clay

If someone’s in shadow nearby

Help them catch every last ray.

Repellent

Leeches in suits

They’re all in cahoots

They suck and they suck

Till you’re just empty boots

If you want to romp

Be joyful and stomp

Avoid all the muck

Stay away from the swamp.

Solution

There are those who know

But seldom say so

And the rest with no clue

That swear they always knew

But if we’re being fair

The majority don’t care

They simply nod along

In concert with the throng

Endeavor to become

One who seeks the sum

Or mindlessly obey

Those who seldom say.

Unsolved

 I need to reach entanglement

And lay in twisted covers, spent,

The urge to taste your lips some more

Exploding from each atom's core

As every contour of your form

Ignites another fervent storm

Of longing I cannot explain

The physics tend to hurt my brain.

Unmentionable

 My dog must think I'm daft

as I scramble for the nearest shaft

of sunlight so I can try to bask,

a just about impossible task,

when hit by another icy draft

right down my... well, don't ask.

Hangar

 Today is the day he arrived

A soul who never quite thrived

But stubbornly survived

Despite not knowing his part

He wondered in his heart

On what day he would depart.

Leaving Port

I gaze into the eastern sky

A bit more lost, a bit less spry

In search of some celestial guide

The sky is very dark today

There is no one to light my way

But this I always take in stride

I hope you’ve learned from watching me

That you don’t always have to see

Just listen to that voice inside

In two years you will really start

And I can only pray your chart

Will bring you back here on the tide.

***Happy 16th birthday Westin 😍***

Reading You

Despite the din

We hear within

The voice of those we long to win

It seems absurd

But without a word

All they want to say is heard.

Such is Love

Should you tell someone you’ve never met

That they’re the one you can’t forget

And how each word they write resounds

Within your soul, and your heart pounds

With passion when you contemplate

The chance that they'll reciprocate—

Does that make much sense to you?

Well such is love, but you already knew.