A misfit in Liverpool
I think of oranges when I see a painting by Constable of a morning sun
that looked like blood orange dripping nectar down on some
fishermen trying to catch eels on the dark surface of the bay.
There were sail-ships too ready to hoist sail in the morning wind.
When I lived in England, I met several police constables, most
of them, nice blokes, but during the miners´ strike, they became
radicalized, they had a good talking to by those higher up and
were also promised plenty of overtime.
John, a police constable fifteen years on the beat and no promotion-
a friend of mine refused to partake in hitting miners over the head,
he continued his lonely beat, but at the station, he was ostracised,
a lonely figure in need of a friend- He often came into my cafe after
hours, we drank vodka with orange juice, lamenting the time we lived in. John took early retirement, and I sold my cafe.
Never Neglect 2022 Financial Goals
Miracle Man’s Opinion
12/29/2021
It was that time of year, while thinking resolutions,
we surveyed our problems seeking possible solutions.
We thought anything’s possible, if together, we had a plan,
We made goals not wishes covering a long term span.
On one bathroom mirror I once listed these goals,
both were reminded daily as each played our roles.
We checked net worth yearly, leaving no areas gray,
still thinking early retirement at an opportune day.
But early retirement would require more than saving,
so as novices we started investing money made slaving.
We understood that risk was commensurate with reward,
so we invested weekly in those things once explored.
Soon we were investing in things having more risk,
checking progress monthly storing on a floppy disk.
Often things went against us and didn’t make money,
but we stayed with our goals until they turned sunny.
The stock market is like baseball, some days produce doubt,
“You win some, lose some, and some are rained out.”
God has blessed us greatly and we’ve learned a few tricks,
enabling both to retire early, me at age fifty six.
My dear Donald Trump
At your tender age
you shouldn't be bumped
into early retirement, and so
I want you in my new Cabinet, although
to your unique talents the position must fit...
Therefore, after mulling things over a bit
There's an idea that makes perfect sense
A new, complementary position to old 'Defense'
~I hereby appoint you my 'Secretary of Offense'
His back pain never ceases
since the crash,
when the other driver
failed to see the red light.
The active and early retirement
he enjoyed for thirty years
changed in a moment,
as if someone pressed the “stop” button.
He now spends his days in a favorite chair
looking out the front door
at a narrow view of the neighborhood,
like a wounded race horse in a stall.
The TV is never on during the day
and no radio can be seen nearby,
as he finds comfort in the only place
that conforms to his malformed spine.
I’ve known him for five years
and visit him periodically,
because he seems to enjoy company.
He’s full of stories
that frequently repeat themselves,
while I listen as if they’re new—
good one’s worth relishing again
on a lazy afternoon.
I lift his spirits by being there
and seek no recompense.
To see him smile
and hear an occasional laugh
is my reward.
He is a friend,
albeit limited due to circumstances,
and I’ll miss him,
as time takes its toll
and strength recedes
in increments too small to measure.
Zero to five. Can't say that I remember anything.
Five to seventeen. School, work, play; see you later.
Seventeen to twenty-two. Working and going to college.
Twenty-two to forty-four found me getting married, raising
children, and working 'way above' and 'far beyond' nine to five.
Forty-four to fifty-nine took me into a time when we became empty
nesters, and I began to feel as if I were emotionally in decline; and
I worked and worked all the time like I was out of my mind. At the age of fifty-nine, I started coasting into early retirement at sixty-two. And now, I'm having fun writing mini stories and poems at sixty-nine.
09242018PoSoup
I got bad feet,
diabetically speaking
The proper medical terminology,
or so the doctors tell me,
it’s chronic neuropathy
These feet don’t have feelings
like the rest of my body
I’m just a live man walking on dead feet
You can step on my toes
and I won’t feel it
Now if you step on my heart,
well, that’s a matter altogether different
Not feeling it ain’t all bad —
early retirement
is a fruit smoothie table side
and a lounge chair ...
kicking my feet up in the air
Feet if you fail me now,
I really don’t care
Can you dig where this brother’s coming from ...
can you feel the pain I do occasionally get in my feet?
Crippling pain which makes you a potted plant
that can’t even run
It feels like you’re walking on hot needles
shot from a blow dryer gun
You say you’re not feeling it,
well good for you
Just remember, one day
them might not be
your most comfortable shoes
I'm Rudolph stuck in traffic, and on this of all the nights,
and up to now my nose has matched each set of traffic lights,
the fat guy in the back keeps bridling at our progress slow,
why I get saddled with him each year, I harnessly don't know.
When other Reindeer used to help, back then boy, we could fly
but they've been made redundant since their running costs were high.
Dasher's now a quarterback for Minnesota Vikings,
and Dancer's in a chorus line, it's much more to her liking.
Prancer's found a new life with the Spanish riding school
and Vixen works the shopping Malls, which I think is pretty cool.
Cupid isn't stupid he went for early retirement
and Comet just lives off the land, Lichen his sole requirement.
Donner runs a kebab shop, he's doing pretty well
and Blitzen helped but left because he couldn't stand the smell.
So here I am, life can be cruel, it never reins it pours,
stuck in a line of SUVs instead of home indoors,
and Santa's whining at the fact I cannot be cold started,
and that is why I warmed him up, I clenched my cheeks and farted.
(All spelling intentional)
For contest 'Christmas Rhymes', sponsor Kim Rodrigues
November 27th 2017
A new start is always good
beginning afresh completely new
this opportunity came to me late
least expected it not having a clue
But when it came it was a thrill
to do my own thing in my time
using this time what I thought best
relaxing at peace life's a rhyme
An opportunity to enjoy nature's best
walking in the hills forever green
seeing the countryside at it's loveliest
such a sight so real to be seen
I could also read all I promised
to feast my eyes upon before
such history I hadn't known
now I could let my mind soar
To give more time to poetry
read and write to my hearts content
write real images in your mind
blessed is this for it's divinely meant
(This is based on my new life of early retirement which began four years ago.)
A misfit in Liverpool
I think of oranges saw a painting by Constable of a morning sun
that looked like blood orange dripping nectar down on some
fishermen trying to catch eels on the dark surface in the bay.
There were sail-ships too ready to hoist sail in the morning wind.
When I lived in England I met several police constables, most
of them, nice blokes, alas, during the miner´s strike they became
radicalized, they had a good talking to by those higher up and
were also promised plenty of overtime.
John, the constable, - fifteen years on the beat and no promotion-
a friend of mine refused to partake in hitting miners over the head,
he continued his lonely beat but at the station he was ostracised,
a lonely figure in need of a friend- He often came into my cafe after
hours and we drank vodka with orange juice lamenting the time we
lived in. John got an early retirement and I sold my cafe.
In Other Words
By Elton Camp
Euphemisms verbally avert our eyes
Thus, the unbearable truth disguise
Unpleasant facts from selves to keep
I had my faithful dog “put to sleep”
Aunt Jane recently “passed on”
When into death she has gone
Salacious Sally “turned a trick”
Prostitution carries such ick
“Ethnic cleansing” is easier to abide
Than calling the action genocide
“Negative patient outcome” can hide
The plain fact that the person died
A lady always “powders her nose”
When it’s to urinate that she goes
An “early retirement option” I took
Better than “I was fired” it’ll look
“Culturally deprived neighborhood”
Sounds better than “a slum” would
To say “enhanced interrogation”
To avoid “torture” connotation
These are examples of tries
Unpleasant truths to disguise
Eh, pal what are your chances of winning?
Ah, you could have banked all this saving
for an early retirement...
to cherish that sentiment!
When you're completely broke, start cringing!
Natural landscapes embrace the small town Crickhowell,
Comforted in a lush cocooned valley.
The Black Mountains that stretch for an eternity,
And casting of high shadows for an early retirement.
Beauty that will never be duplicated.
Singing rivers run wild through this place,
A calm melody of the Usk in the mist of the morning,
To a raging bull as it approaches a water fall in Tal-Y-Bont.
Power of a world that is unable to convince with words.
Diverse landscapes capture the essence of your heart
As you travel from deep plentiful woods in the Beacons,
Then imagine the most beautiful shoreline ever seen.
Long sandy beaches of Tenby to the cliffs of Landwit Major.
You stare at yourself as you gaze out to sea.
The breeze that touches your face is like a kiss of passion,
A paradise purpose built by Earth for all to see.
History and knowledge owned by its people from the Rhondda,
The true wealth of community still runs free here.
Born are the stars that have extreme influence on the world,
This by all counts is not a coincidence.
A true asset to the World, Wales.
another train passes
along the tracks of an addict
sweet liquid poppy
never was a good parent
although one may be found
at your nearest stop and go
anything to escape
those white picket fences
many clean shaven men
have stepped from the closet
lost in a woman's world
as guilt sends them to repent
within a cenobitic community
it is there they learn true love
yet remain confused
by the closed door of confession
which has become just another closet
a sixty year old maiden teacher
has settled for early retirement
to pursue an education of bliss
forfeited for the benefit of others
deflowered by a tainted gardener
marking an early exit from life
another lesson taught......
Bob Shank-Nov. 21st, 2006
When people succumb via genocide
When stalking rapists spring surprise
When planes and buildings fall from skies
When murderers conspire to bring about demise
A tear for a tear means an eye for an eye
Plunder the earth as pollution thrives
Then vengeance is a natural exercise
When worldly pressures lead to suicide
And leave those left behind traumatized
When drunken drivers paralyze
As orphaned babies voice their cries
Bad day when a prostitute denies
Drug & human traffickers who demoralize
Whilst aids & cancers tranquilize
And hunger pains dehumanize
When you do my bid and don’t realize
Innocence is lost and hope has died
Early retirement in my future lies
‘cause love and peace I so despise
Take credit for a job well done
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