In the blink of an eye from the time I was born and I first started to drool
I was dressed up and heading out the door on my first day of school.
In the blink of an eye I was married and Oh my God! Heaven forbid!
Before I knew it, before I turned round I had a wife, a job and two kids.
In the blink of an eye from the time they were born and they first started to drool
My children were dressed up and out the door on their first day of school.
In the blink of an eye there was a divorce and remarriage and another child makes three
How quickly we turned from two awkward groups into one blended family.
In the blink of an eye like so many I didn’t know where the time had flown
For our children were now independent, and Deborah and I were alone.
In the blink of an eye there were grandchildren and soon after they started to drool
They were dressed up and heading out the door on their first day of school.
Isn’t it funny when we look back on our lives, we smile or we cry or we sigh
Because all of our moments, whether happy or sad, take place in the blink of an eye.
A daughter's plea.
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(image from fiestapinata.com)
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Hung low
upon the strongest branch
of your oak tree,
I allowed my own slaughter,
our blindfolded children
you and that other woman
so kindly raised to master
use of your verbal machetes,
you spun them
'round and 'round with twisted truths,
cunningly directed them for many years,
by your pathetic, hopeless fears,
with skillful cowardice,
weilding their innocence
to carve the gashes just so,
slicing me open,
like a party pinata
at a reunion,
you.
and your sick family,
you always used to say
how much you hated being
outnumbered by women
growing up,
i hang lifeless now
in their eyes,
from the butchering,
the tree branches curved,
and the leaves withered,
and as my blood drips down
to feed your roots,
the only scintilla
of honesty you seem to
be able to muster from all those years,
--that you have not changed at all,
and for myself,
my once empty hand is full of
what is left,
--only compassion for you,
feeling what it must be like
to be you,
and who i was
long ago.
2:34 AM 8/13/2013 ©
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I watched my grandson Aden at his Tae Kwon Do class today
I was filled with many emotions...which I will gladly now convey.
Tae Kwon Do is a martial art...the oldest of its kind.
Literally it means the way of the foot...the hand...and the mind.
It teaches combat and self-defense through sport and exercise
Taught by a grandmaster who is strict yet kind and wise.
Aden earned his green belt and we were all completely floored
When he bowed then in an instant, with his foot he broke a board!
He is learning respect and patience, traits that will help him to succeed.
As he develops strength, flexibility, stamina and speed.
It is inspiring watching Aden and the rest of his class perform
In an atmosphere that is accepting, challenging and warm.
It was easy to see how happy and proud our Aden felt
It was written on his smile as he slipped on that green belt.
And we’ll be in attendance to help see Aden through
When he attempt to earn his next belt...I believe that one is blue.
For though we know confidence and respect are Tae Kwon Do’s reward
It sure is kind of special when Aden breaks that board.
As a parent you may or may not sit down and discuss this with your wife
But you want your children to be healthy and have a happy life.
And though you know your life is blessed...are there any parents out there who
Don’t somehow wish your children will have a better life than you?
And when they do, your are overjoyed, there’s no envy...not a trace
You sit back somewhat cheerfully...with a smile upon your face.
And if you’re lucky (and I hope you are) you have grandchildren to adore
Because with grandchildren the rules of parenting aren’t applicable anymore.
As a grandparent you don’t often say no...”Sure have a second piece of cake,
Do you want ice cream cones for breakfast...how about a donut with that shake”
You have the time to enjoy them, fill them full of wonder... full of snacks
And when they’re tired, cranky and filled with sugar you simply take them back!
You get to observe from a distance without the rules and regulations
Yes grandparenting, if you’re lucky, is like one huge vacation.
And though you know your life is blessed...are there any grandparents out there who
Don’t know your grandchildren are taller, smarter, stronger and prettier than you.
And once again you find yourself overjoyed; there’s no envy...not a trace
As you sit back somewhat cheerfully...with a smile upon your face.
For now you have the time to discuss this with your wife
How you’re glad your children and their children have a healthy, happy life.
............
who cares if there
are flowers on my corpse
if I'm dead?
if love is your intent
then bring me
some good memories
and things you learned
to make your life easier
and more worth living.
wrap it up in a rusted coffee can
from some dark alley where babies lie in dumpsters
and place it somewhere all can see and be comforted
that someone thought about them, and cared
about why their lives ended, and tried to understand
not to punish, but to prevent it.
give me life in my death,
and not sorrow for
what you forgot to do
or not do, to prevent
yourself from being hurt
on the day I leave here.
funerals are for the ones who are left here,
because the only thing I intend
to leave you after material possessions
are divied out,
is the same thing since the day
I first looked in your eyes,
the gratitude for having shared moments together.
we have all been dying since the day we were born,
and if we arrive at our final resting place in peace,
and not at the hands of violence,
then we have been granted more than enough
to say we have been blessed.
I spend my days now thinking what a beautiful soul you are.
5:35 PM 8/4/2013 ©
inspired by http://www.postpoems.org/authors/huliganfish/poem/964713
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I was watching the news this morning and amidst the Wieners, war and strife
I saw a 2 year old boy named Logan and heard the story of his life.
He has a disease that ends in ‘a’ and hasn’t much time left
He will leave the world a little emptier and his family bereft.
And though death hovered over his story- he won’t escape it- then who can?
At the wedding of his mom and dad- Logan will be the best man.
Mom will carry Logan down the aisle and I’m sure words can’t convey
The pride and jubilance they’ll feel as he gives his Dad away.
To Sean and Christine I wish you well for you I cannot help admiring
As the love I felt through my TV was truly awe inspiring.
Somehow you found joy in your tragedy and you worked hard to revive it.
Perhaps finding happiness in adversity is one way to survive it.
No one knows what tomorrow brings in our realm of time and space
But I’m sure memories of Logan will always bring a smile to your face.
As stories of war and Wieners on the morning news unfurl
I think our time would be better spent on the Logans of this world.
Stories of people, family and their love, like Logan’s dad and mother
Would help us see what’s truly important and connect with one another.
For if we saw each person as members of our family
Just think what a wonderful place this world of ours would be.
How exciting would it be for us to then explore
A world without the scandals, the hatred and the war…
In the meantime, Logan, when the wedding’s over and you have a chance to play
May you listen to Elvis, eat spaghetti and dance the night away.
Speaking for those of us who this wedding will not be attending
Remember, at an open bar it’s polite to tip the man bartending. :)
Forgive me for my tainted mind, it’s imperfect and not created to perfection
We’re all different, never the same; but I counted on you to lead me in the right direction
Our family is dysfunctional and I wouldn’t want to change
However, the way I see it your personality should be rearranged
Mistakes have been made but it doesn’t mean you should be judge me
Mother, Mother; your words had injured me consciously, can you see?
To my heart; to unlock its secrets you once held the key
But that was long ago in childhood where I was too young to understand what was between you and me
All I really wanted is to look up to you
Your immense strength I lacked as it as you tried to take over my world, then again I never followed your rules
The dreams you never supported, the emotional hurt through verbal use crawled in my skin
You wanted to know the answers to the questions you seek by my actions but I never let you in
Do I regret it? Always; you linger in my thoughts like a bad habit negatively leaving a bad taste
The past can never be erased
Aiding in my wants has nothing to do with what I needed
It’s not like I haven’t given you a chance . . . my fair self-called out your insolent behavior and pleaded
My interest in you died once the realization of that you abused my mental sensitivity all these years
No matter how hard you’ll try to comfort me now, you cannot wipe away the dried up past tears
Let me tell you about my cousin Debbie.
She helps me and so does her husband Eddie.
They're very nice people and I like them a lot.
Debbie is certainly the best cousin that I've got.
Debbie and Eddie are caring people and Debbie is sweet.
Eddie patched my roof for free and now it doesn't leak.
They took me to see my mom in the hospital before she passed.
When they take me places, they don't even ask me to reimburse them for gas.
Debbie truly loves Eddie and he loves her too.
I'm lucky to have them in my life and that is true.