There I was with the light getting dim.
I could barely see the back of the rim.
The rim on a basketball hoop
was my target.
My coach instructed me in this way,
the back of the hoop is your target.
It was getting late in the day, but
I wanted to shoot more and play.
So dribble I would, with either hand
for "playing ball, what I lived for,
unfortunately at that age,
I was only 5 foot four.

A place that I worked
was a large room full
of cubicles.
I managed a Customer
Service function,
in a Manufacturing Company.
I would keep a large jar,
of plain M & M's, it had
a glass lid.
Many times when I left my cube
I would hear the glass lid rattle.
Looking back, I would see
a co-worker looking back at me.

I think of you, my young friend,
wondering if we might have been,
star crossed lovers, in another life,
or if we married and you were my wife?
You left me so sudden, saying
if you need help, just let me know.
It's been two months, plus a few days
and my mind is now in a haze.
Contact me please, I say to you
for at this time I worry about you.

A glorious day; it was in the Spring.
Grabbing my fishing pole, I then went
out to the forest, to do my thing.
Walked to the creek from my parked car,
it was close to the road, not very far.
I fished from the bank, perhaps for a mile.
It was a beautiful scene, not seen in awhile.
I climbed on a log, laying over the stream,
espied some movement, back on the shore,
when a Momma Black Bear, came into view.
She had a cub, trailing her now.
For some reason, I'm still not sure why,
I opened my mouth to say hi.
A short, woof, woof, is what I said
and Mom stood up, looking all around.
I didn't move, making nary a sound.
I decided it was best, and pretended to be
a small picture that looked like a tree.
Fortunately, I was upwind,
so no scent she would get.
The Bear and cub moved on
and then it was me,
seeing a Bear that was looking for me.

How can you pine for someone,
when a Pine is a tree?

There will be a tomorrow,
that is most certain.
In spite of all the sorrow,
there won't be a final curtain.
That curtain of black cloth,
blocking the morning Sun.
Searching the broad horizon,
looking for our life's fun.
"Is it me?", she said one day.
"I'm sure I'm not the only one,
or can I be sure and say,
my life has now begun?"

A single line of Tulips
across the hallowed ground,
lies the remains of our heroes
where they always will be found.

There lies Sgt. Smith;
a marker with his name,
who gave his life for Country
for a World he never knew.
He lies, interred, in the ground
for all, not just a few.

Pray for him and the others
at this most revered site,
for they were all our Brothers,
who died the noble fight.

Hello to you,
my young charge.
It's good to see
your smile.
I enjoyed our visit,
when last we met
over a cup of coffee.
Memories from
so long ago,
about 20 years
or more.
You still make
me smile.

Oh me, oh my, this is swell
as my old body is on a slow ride
straight to Hell.

The Raven called, in dead of night,
for me. I know not of thee,
nor of what life is to be.
I pray with vigor and with might,
that those I love will be alright