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Best Poems Written by Jim Martin

Below are the all-time best Jim Martin poems as chosen by PoetrySoup members

Details | Jim Martin Poem

Alzheimer's

I sit at the window just staring to space
A woman sits by me, they say she’s my wife
I try to remember, I look in her face
I know she’s been with me for most of my life.

My memory’s dying
Of that there’s no doubt
Will I become trying
Thus forcing her out.

I try to be cheerful,
I try to be brave
But I’m oh so fearful
Of how I’ll behave.

I live now in anger, I live now in rage,
My memory stolen because of my age.

Details | Jim Martin Poem

What's It Like To Be a Twin

The answer used to come with great ease
My answer wasn’t an answer at all, but a complimentary question,
“What’s it like to not be a twin?”

I bypassed the story of the grape jelly on mom’s new carpet when we were toddlers, 

The 8 years of elementary school and junior high where we shared a classroom,
In 8 years I never had to write down an assignment, she was the conscientious one,

I played the violin, she played the piano, when my brother came home from the seminary  UNSUPPORTED CODE WE UNSUPPORTED CODE  gave him a concert

We weren’t identical, she was the cautious one, I was the adventurer
She took a job in high school, and when time came to retire, she was still working for that company,

On the other hand I changed employers every few years, “the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence”.

She never lived more than about 5 miles from our childhood home, yet in her travels to Europe she probably logged more passenger miles than I did including two tours of duty in Thailand and four on Guam.

Now I am alone, my coconspirator has passed on,
I’ll have to take blame for the jelly on the carpet, take down my own assignments, and do everything the same way that single birth people have always done.

What’s it like to be a twin?
It’s like no experience you have ever had, you’re always connected, you grow up with a built in playmate, you have someone that always takes a special interest in your wellbeing.  

I realize all this now because she’s gone,  now I see what  it’s like to be a single birth and frankly, it’s a much bleaker existence than being a twin, to be more direct, being a single sucks, I want my twin back.

Details | Jim Martin Poem

Subaru - Plieades Form

Seen in the deep forest
Seven Indian maids
Seeking fun and frolic
Scared by a massive bear
Shooting rock arises
Scratching bear in pursuit
Safety in the heavens



This is the Kiowa legend of the creation of Devils Tower and the Plieades in the sky.

Subaru is the Japanese name of the Plieades

Details | Jim Martin Poem

On My Way

I've escaped from Lehi town
The place I felt alone
I was sent to Pleasant Grove
It was to be my home

I've done my time, I've paid my dues
I've left the Salt Lake City
When I'm recieved at Pleasant Grove
I hope they'll think I"m pretty

By Truck, By Train, by Aeroplane,
It's been a long, long trip
I won't get lost again I hope
The sender he would flip

The end is near, I'm nearly there
My journey's nearly through
I'm headed for a wall I hope
For all her friends to view

I'm on my way

Details | Jim Martin Poem

Lost Art

Going to Utah
In busy sorting center
Fallen on the floor

Details | Jim Martin Poem

9114901123086828174022

September 26, 2014 , 11:49 am Acceptance DALLAS, TX 75241
It's so nice to be accepted, and they added this nifty bar code.

September 26, 2014 , 5:14 pm Departed Post Office DALLAS, TX 75241 
I"m off on the adventure of my life 

September 29, 2014 , 7:06 am, Arrived at Post Office, LEHI, UT 84043 
They told me I've arrived, but I've been talking to the other packages
The other packages told me I'm in Lehi, I want to go to Pleasant Grove
Help!!! Help!!!! Help!!!!

September 29, 2014 , 8:07 am, Sorting Complete, LEHI, UT 84043
Wow, a ride on a conveyor belt, what a thrill to be a package

September 29, 2014 , 8:17 am, Out for Delivery, LEHI, UT 84043 
I'm on a tour of postal routes, anybody here go to Pleaant Grove
 
                                                                                                                         September 29, 2014 , 8:29 am, Arrived at USPS Facility, LEHI, UT 84043 
I thought I had a one way ticket, what's this round trip business???

I may as well enjoy my time in Lehi, no telling if I'll ever see it again
I think I"ll just turn over and get some rest

Still here in Lehi
Hopefully I'll leave soon

Another day in Lehi,
Maybe if I jump up and down the postmaster will see me

Still another day in Lehi
I raise my hand to get someone's attention 
Oh My Gosh, I've got no hands what will I do???

The postal worker just threw me on a gurney 
I'm out the door on my way to a new adventure. 

October 7, 2014 , 7:20 am, Arrived at USPS Facility, SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84199
Wow, this building is huge, I better get out my camera to take photos
Oh drat, no camera, he didn't pack it what a bummer

October 7, 2014 , 9:57 am, Departed USPS Facility, SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84199 

Your item departed our USPS facility in SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84199 on October 7, 2014 at 9:57 am. The item is currently in transit to the destination. Information, if available, is updated periodically throughout the day. Please check again later.

Did I get to my destination?
Did I ever meet another package so that we could marry and have little envelopes?
What other adventures will I have???

For further updates, check usps.com just use my title as a tracking number

Details | Jim Martin Poem

Lost Package Lament

On my way to Pleasant Grove
I  found myself in Lehi
I feel so lost and all alone
And no one here can find me

I left last month from Dallas town
A gift for poems borrowed
I'm sitting in a real dark place
'cause no one here can find me

A second gift is sent this week
Replacement 'cause I'm tardy
I was the first and now I'm not
I wish that they could find me

I hope the next won't share my fate
Of sitting here in Lehi
I hope he'll got to Pleasant Grove
I don't want him to find me

Details | Jim Martin Poem

Dis-Satisfaction

The Chicagoan:

I’ll live in the tropics 
Away from it all.
From troubles so big,
And troubles so small.

I’ll live in Bermuda,
So close to the sea.
My friends and my neighbors 
Will all envy me.

Away from the snowfall
Away from the crowd
I’ll make myself over
I’ll make myself proud.

I can take it no longer
So frantic the pace
I feel like a cog,
Just running a race.

The Bermudan:

I’ll live in Chicago
Removed far away.
I’ll go there to work
I’ll go there to play.

I’ll see the fresh snowfall
I’ll see the big crowd,
I’ll make myself over
I’ll make myself proud.

I can take it no longer
So boring the pace,
I feel like a tortoise
I’m losing the race.

I’ll earn a big paycheck
Of that there’s no doubt
No eating at home,
I’ll always eat out.

The Wanderer:

If you don't  like it here
You won't like it there.
You always bring with you
Your woe and your care.

The places I’ve lived 
Weren’t important you see
Because where I’ve lived
I’ve been there with me.

Details | Jim Martin Poem

Change Is Not Progress

To them it was a weed
That grew up there from seed.
It grew just over here
For only half a year.
A victim of the race
To "beautify" this place.

Replaced by plain old sod
A lawn both long and broad. 
A place for us to walk
And maybe sit and talk. 
Gone yellow, green and brown
They 'dozed that sunflower down.

All in the name of progress.
How misguided!

Details | Jim Martin Poem

What Did I Do

I fought for my country 
I gave eighteen months
But the war was unloved
And I was called baby killer
The only death that counted
Was my best friend

I served for ten years
Protecting against a foe that could destroy us all
Away from my family a week at a time, 
I spent nights at college, 
To provide for my kids

When I became a civilian my job was now gone 
I’d served for ten years it was considered too long.
I supported my bosses it without caring why
But then in the end they just said Good=bye

I worked countless hours to keep things afloat
I pulled lone all nighters when computers were broke
They gave me assurance that money would come,
But then came reviews, they thought me a bum
I found a new job three hours away
I worked for a pittance,  long hours each day

They moved me to Dallas with nary a word, 
Still working at College like I was a nerd.
My kids are all gone,
They speak to me not,
My wife is gone too
I grumble a lot.

I know that I’m lonely 
I think up a way
To find some new friends 
To help pass the day.
I can’t find a partner
They all seem so cold
My crime and my sin
Is becoming old

I live with my cats
I must be a sight
I’m sitting here waiting
To turn out the light