Best Ernie Poems
To speak for those, who no longer have a voice,
were I to get it wrong, would they really have a choice?
No.., they didn't choose me as spokesperson, why would they?
I am not clairvoyant.
But they haunt my dreams still...cause me to rise, plead me to look back.
They won't let me alone, point in fact.
“I am waiting patiently. Goodbye my darlings"
Bill didn't have enough water to write much more than this.
Born on Valentine's day, with his heart set on Chubby,
eight days to dwell on a love that almost was, now missed.
Mia was a sad-eyed beauty, there's no denying that.,
she never got free the shadow cast, Ernie's early demise.
Though a mother's love, given and reciprocated,
found a fondness binding, throughout her short life.
Marty made the day special for friends and family,
never thinking of himself, a miracle and twin borne.
Forsaken in life's wishes, called only for justice seen,
lived life fitting of a brother they'll always mourn.
Save up the coins for the ferryman while you still can,
the days will bring swift recounting.
Leave lasting memory for love's empty hand,
and debts of the heart ever surmounting.
Well, here we were, me, Ernie, and Snowy on this new train,
Both of them were still inside my jacket and sound asleep.
I knew now that mice snored, could feel a strange vibration,
It came and went with a little wheezing sound under my ribs.
I sat there quietly and wondered now about our direction,
Figured it was most likely either west, south, or southwest.
Traveling any further east we would be heading for Europe,
I grinned as I imagined, that would be Captain Nemo style.
At 15 I could hold my breath for two swimming pool lengths,
Knew I'd need a submarine though for that big Atlantic pond.
Then I saw a sign along the highway that read, Mount Vernon,
We were passing near George Washington's home I thought.
I was in awe at that moment of the father of our country,
Would have stopped in respect but had no brake controls.
At least I knew now that we were rolling southward bound,
Later, saw some kids playing near the tracks at Jersey City.
Ernie and Snowy didn't wake up until we hit Philadelphia,
I told Ernie we were entering the city of brotherly love.
Ernie yawned and said, you mean the bulls there like us?
Well, not exactly Ernie I said, they're not our brothers.
Robert, you told me everyone are our brothers and sisters.
Yeah Ernie I said, but sometimes big brothers beat you up.
Robert, think we might meet some brothers here who love us?
I doubt it Ernie, not unless we go downtown into the city.
As we pulled into that Phillie train yard Ernie gave a sigh,
Robert, can't we sneak into the city tonight for a while?
Then Snowy chimed in and said Ernie, I'm afraid to do that,
Don't worry Snowy he said, brother Robert will protect us.
Will you Snowy said to me with those deep pink eyes of hers.
Now wait a minute you two, I said, I haven't said okay yet.
Oh please Robert, Ernie said, I want to go find a brother,
I know there have to be more like you who love us out there.
Ernie, people don't just love you simply because you exist,
You have to go out among them and show you deserve it.
They both sat there blinking up at me with curious eyes,
Okay okay we'll go downtown but don't say I didn't warn you.
(to be continued)
© Copyright 2014 Robert William Gruhn - All Rights Reserved
You were born in 1919 in Trenton, New Jersey,
Television would be your medium for comedy.
Your first appearance to the public was in 1950.
This was an early morning show broadcast by NBC
Preceding “The Today Show”, it was called “Three to Get Ready”.
Over the next several years, you would be seen on TV
on many different shows on both NBC and ABC.
From Philadelphia and New York with your wife Edie,
you entertained countless numbers with brilliant comedy.
musical trio of gorillas from Nairobi,
along with many of your different characters would be
appearing on your shows that boosted your popularity.
Poet Percy Dovetonsils was someone we would often see.
With his thick glasses, he would read us some funny poetry.
Many television viewers saw you with a cigar.
With your wife Edie Adams, your career certainly went far.
As well as television, you made several movies.
A car accident was the cause of your fatal injuries.
This happened just before your birthday in 1962.
Since January the thirteenth of that year, we have missed you.
I once knew a sleazy man, J. Ernie,
J. was a wild abusive attorney.
Killed his mob boss client,
looking so defiant-
Man was lucky all the cops were dirty!
* I chose lawyer *
Limerick II Contest
Joseph May
10-10-6-6-10 syllable count
howmanysyllables.com
January 13, 2019
One morning Ernie and I awoke to a noisy train yard,
It was that place many hitchers feared known as Chicago.
Since Ernie had traveled there before he warned me,
In that little voice he said don't open the door.
Praise our Creator my English lessons had actually taken,
He had spoken to me and I mean in no uncertain words.
I'd heard of animals whispering to humans in the past,
Yet this little hobo mouse had talked loud and clear.
We sat that day huddled together behind his wood crate,
Then in the afternoon someone shoved open that steel door.
He climbed inside and began tapping hard on the wood crates,
Feeling like forever he climbed back out and shut the door.
I whispered to Ernie and asked who was that invader?
He told me it was a dangerous bull not to confront.
Confused I asked him what he meant by that comment,
He said it was a mean human called a train policeman.
That day I almost learned a lesson in home invasion,
Ernie said he would have killed us both if he'd spotted us.
I said not even an animal would be so ruthless as that,
Ernie said animals only attack when cornered or starving.
The next morning our almost coffin pulled from that yard,
Our temporary home on wheels now had became our savior.
Such is the irony of what it is to be a mortal creature,
Both of us embracing in celebration of our lives saved.
We traveled the rest of that day never closer than before,
Each and every mile of our U.S.A. journey appreciated.
So very grateful for this wonderful land given to us,
Given by so many who gave their lives so we may live free.
I'll never forget the day we rolled into Washington D.C.,
Ernie said it was so poignant it was my first time there.
How ironic that a mere mouse had been there before me,
I told him that a monument should be built there for him.
He blinked up at me with that stare that always captured me,
Robert my human friend why would you say such a thing?
I said because you are that smallest giant friend,
One that has helped me so truly to love my country.
In the beginning I had tried to teach you to understand,
And now Ernie you have opened my mind to my being's center.
If only most humans could be touched by your friendship,
Maybe enough might bow to the reality of changing our world.
(to be continued)
Copyright © 2014 Robert William Gruhn A.R.R.
One morning I sat down with Ernie to explain English,
I know you're a mouse but that squeak can only go so far.
He looked up at me blinked and then bared his teeth,
I said I'll take that for a smile so let's get started.
Ernie, quit staring out that box car door at the scenery,
You'll never learn to talk the King's language that way.
This is no tiny feat for you so please pay attention,
He sat up on hind legs and truly seemed to listen.
I told him that I was a young vagabond train traveler,
And explained that he was the smallest hobo of all time.
So if he could just learn to speak he would become famous,
My tiny friend it's just a matter of adjusting vocal chords.
Remember that if I can mimic your squeaks than why not,
Why could you not imitate my simple gibberish stated?
My God, right then I could see he understood my point,
Ernie's eyes lit up and he proceeded to write hobo on wall.
Actually he chewed the letters into that wood for me to see,
I knew all creatures were intelligent but what a revelation.
My friend Ernie could write so how far from speak was he?
Was so amazed was almost afraid to ask him next question.
Still I asked him where all his intelligence came from?
He turned his back and curled his tail into a question mark.
Was then I knew that not only did he understand questions,
He was asking me what I thought made me so extra special.
That night he chewed some questions for me into that wall,
Why war? Why kill unborn humans? Why kill nature? Why?
There I was the glorious teacher with no definitive answers,
Yet now that I've grown older I've also grown a conscience.
So easy when young to think you are center and will not die,
Those immortal thoughts soon withering on flesh bone tree.
To think it took my dear tiny friend Ernie to wake me,
It is truly humbling to bow before wisdom of a mouse.
That next day Ernie and I just sat there watching scenery,
He atop my knee and I marveling at my wonderful friend.
This train we rode directly through American history,
Passing by old settlements and battlefields of sorrow.
He saw my pain that day and nuzzled each tear from my eyes,
Knowing useless deaths with no respect for nature lived on.
We would travel together after that as ocean ship stowaways,
Still I will finish telling of our train travels together.
To be continued!
© Copyright 2014 Robert William Gruhn - All Rights Reserved
I walked in Draper Park
Saw a family at a table, heard a dog bark
"Ernie's friendly," said the Mommy, "he won't bite"
A large goofy dog came at me, seemed alright.
Ernie growled, maybe because I smelled of beer
Or maybe because I didn't let him sniff my rear
But in Ernie's genes, a wolf pack in the night
from pet to threat, he transformed in plain sight
I sprinted to my car, I could read Ernie's mind
But Ernie wasn't far behind
Like a cheetah on the chase, he covered the ground
Ernie became Cerberus of Hades, that mythical hound
I made it to the car, Ernie's owner looked aghast
She said "he can sense personality; did you have a criminal past?
I said "I volunteer at homeless shelters; I clean up hikers' trails
I donate to museums, never been in any jails."
The lady still looked at me as if I was to blame
Maybe people aren't rational, don't want to feel shame
It got me thinking, maybe all I've believed ain't true
Ernie really bites, maybe 4 ain't 2 and 2?
The told me in kindergarten that we can be any gender
And if we say we're not racist, we must be a pretender
Under Hamas rule, they assured, Palestine will be free
And under Kamala rule, we'll still have an economy
They warned we're in a patriarchy and must see the light.
Can I be sure that's all true, and that Ernie won't bite?
So now I live off the grid, on a houseboat,
I read what the great philosophers wrote
I prefer quiet waves, the seashore light
I left humans behind, because I got such a fright
The day that I found out that Ernie does bite.
Eccentric
Radiance
Natural
Impactful
Earthlike