I hear these words, in my head.
"It's 4 AM, go back to bed.

From stubby stem
to a bud, I suppose
it grows into a Rose.
Through the Spring,
as the Summer goes,
now it is
an aging Rose.
Time will pass again
through Winter's cold,
and I do suppose,
There will be a Rose.

Nothing like a flower to brighten the day

Is there an outline,
that can define
the strength
of a man's
character?
Lying to yourself
becomes a large bother
when you take
and lie to another,
be it your wife,
sister or brother.
Care not of you,
what passes today
or the damage to do
all that you say.

Playing in a coaches league. Soccer in early Spring,
At Marymoor Park, it was a Male thing.
I had just received a pass from my mate,
When a player, from the other team
Hit me from behind, as I was kicking the ball.
My foot hit the ground, with a sizeable force.
I heard a SNAP, my ankle of course.
I limped to the side, swearing in vain
For I started to fell this terrible pain.
I sat down next to some friends
And took off my shoe on the injured leg.
Taking my foot out of the shoe
And watched as my foot swelled to almost
Double it's size. I was helped to my car,
Across a very wide ditch and drove
To our home, thankful for automatic.
I pulled into the driveway, which was on a slope,
Honked the horn, looking for help.
My wife came out and rescued me.
Going across the street to see
Our neighbor who was an Orthopedic, M. D.
He drove me down to his office
In Redmond, where he put on
A soft cast, up to my knee
To make sure I had circulation.
I went to the store and got me some crutches
And would meet the Dr. the next day.
He put me in a cast above my knee.
The pain, I recall was like stabs of
Fire, especially when I dropped my
Foot from my desk drawer, where it rested.
A short story but there is more to tell
About driving to Lincoln City, for vacation.

The enduring heart, is my love for you,
No matter what you say or do.
Our daily talks are hard for me.
I can't imagine what they do to thee.
This dread disease is a terrible affliction,
That affects your own good diction.
There is no patience on your part,
So I must do all I can
And do it now, not in ten,
To help you through these sad days
And bring a peace to your mind.
This I do for you, in kind.

A little lizard lived in the sand
Under a rock, in an arid land.
Hiding in the coolness, his hiding site,
Waiting for the darkness, comes the night.
Scurry, scurry, then stop and stare,
Making sure no snake is there.
Find some insects or other food,
Then hurry back to where he stood.
Crawl under the rock, to sleep away
And be ready for a new day.

I'm in the mud up to my knees.
I know that my Mom would not be pleased.
Wiggling my legs, feeling the sea breeze,
I slip out of my boots
As easy as you please,
I now feel mud, between my toes.
The smell of the mud, so not like a Rose,
But more like today, the smell of decay.
I pull up each boot out of the mud,
One at a time and wipe off my feet,
Freeing them of grime. I'll have to
Go clamming again;
Some other time.

Somewhere, in the darkest night,
While other children, are sleeping tight,
Children are locked in a squalid cell.
Unsanitary, abusive place of hell.
Treat the children as your own.
Provide them care, food and sanitation.
Demonstrate how great our Nation
really is. Not this treatment,
For it's not what we do with those
Children who wear unwashed clothes.
Fix this problem or you will see,
Your name forever etched in history.

Where to go. What to do.
My life's a mess, nothing new.
The one I love, will soon arise,
Bringing forth a new surprise.
Will she remember about her life
And recall she's my wife?
I don't know, but this I must
Be aware . In God I trust.