I treasure the moments
when my eyes catch an animal
hopping through a field of flowers
or even just a plain field.
In my headspace,
I metaphorically become both
the field and the rabbit.
Jumping through a field of flowers
feels like an intrusive jubilation
a sudden burst of hope,
a quiet sign that all will be well.
But a plain field speaks differently.
It feels dry. Unwell.
No bloom.
Lacking light.
And yet,
the rabbit is always there.
A blameless, alluring creature,
with a purity beyond human
comprehension or relativity.
Though the field may be plain,
and wary,
there is always hope nearby
maybe just a hop, skip,
and a jump away.
But always there.
On the ice where the cold winds blow,
A group of penguins put on a show.
With flippers that flap,
And feet that tap,
They danced in the moonlight's glow.
In tuxedos black and white,
They waltzed all through the night.
With a slide and a glide,
And a spin to the side,
Their moves were quite the sight.
They boogied to the beat of the drum,
Twirling on icebergs just for fun.
With a hop, skip, and jump,
They would thump, thump, thump,
Until the morning sun.
So if you ever feel blue,
Just think of the penguin crew.
With a dance and a prance,
In their icy dance stance,
They'll bring joy to you too!
I have been here, I’ve been there,
over yonder up and down.
Been back home and been long gone,
been nowhere but been around.
I’ve traveled for a far piece,
just a hop, skip and a jump.
I climbed clear up to the top,
hit rock bottom with a thump.
I’ve journeyed and I’ve traversed,
arrived here and went that way.
Headed out, trekked, and jetted,
fixin’ to go there someday.
Went when the Spirit moved me,
only if the creek don’t rise.
I’ll head out your way sometime,
if I make it be surprised.
I’ve voyaged, gadded about,
tramped, stomped, and drifted around.
Been where the sun did not shine,
just the other side of town.
I’ve flown over the rainbow,
the other side of the track.
I’ve crossed against the traffic,
walked away and not looked back.
Always marched to my own drum,
I’ve strolled down the avenue.
Danced, pranced, and pirouetted,
I’ve had nothing left to lose.
Where I’m bound, where I’m going,
don’t ask me ‘cause I can’t tell.
Some say I’m bound for Heaven,
others swear it’s straight to Hell.
A useless piece of paraphernalia
Is definitely the umbrella
It only keeps us dry from the neck up
Not too brilliant there fella
I suppose there are people out there
Think it's the cat's meow
Hop skip and a jump down life's lanes
Doesn't look too highbrow
Must be more common in rainy regions
Closer to the equater
Parts of the world rains are common
Umbellas were created
Days of solitude until the cell rings with too many invitations
Poet’s quote
Red Rover, Red Rover can I come over?
My way is blocked though I am free…
I see a friend - I won’t hover.
I wait, though I long for a spree.
I throw my rock, I am alone
and hop, skip and jump…it’s no game.
Without a friend, I’m on my own.
It’s me here! Remember my name?
I long to be hit with dodge ball.
No shoulder to shoulder align.
Can’t be eliminated y’all -
I’m yawning at friendship’s baseline.
Give me the red light…no, green light!
Don’t stop me! Keys in ignition…
BFF, I know we are tight!
so give me some recognition.
Daffodils blooming,
Robins tweeting in trees,
Pollen is looming,
Sky falling like seas.
Atlanta’s warming -
Bless it’s peachy heart.
Isn’t it charming,
The chill will not part.
Can’t put my clothes away.
Winter keeps springing up.
My woollen socks sashay.
Taunt of sweaters: “Wuz up?”
Kids hop, skip and jump,
The joy of April,
Let go of the slump -
Could be they’re grateful…
Tender leaves unfold,
Sun is inviting,
But on the threshold,
The cold’s still biting.
Can’t put my clothes away
Winter keeps springing up
My woollen socks sashay
Taunt of sweaters: “Wuz up?”
4/8/2023
As I rise, your smile sets upon the Horizon & clear blue skies,
Making today a day of beauty, joy, happiness & love,
As I rise, the morning sun shines bright on your melanated skin, How loving and courageous you are from within,
As I rise,the clock ticks and counts down to the beginning of our future forever,
Your Love is warm and buzzing like a Bee Hive,
No matter how Near or Far, I plan to hop,skip, & fly to wherever you are,
As I rise
You are precious, you are special, You are worthy of my Love, everyday I’m Thanking the Most High Above,
As I rise, your smile sets upon the Horizon & clear blue skies,
Making today a day of beauty, joy, happiness & love,
FIFTIES FOOTLES
flirty
dancing
ladies
excuse-me
quick-step
fox trot
hop skip
jive trip
last waltz
so slow
hold close
love flowed
Do you want to play?
Oh, yes! Indeed!
Let’s dance and twirl and make loud steps.
Let’s invite the boy with the wheels.
Okay.
Let's invite the white girl who has freckles
Okay.
Let's invite the kid whose hair is beaded and braided.
Okay.
Let’s invite EVERYBODY!
Okay.
At six, they include everybody.
They invite everybody.
They love everybody.
Unless they have been taught differently.
These lucky children have not been taught differently.
It is twirl, whirl, dance, hop, skip and laugh.
They hold hands and begin spontaneously singing.
Their parents and grandparents’ faces crack from ear to ear.
Enthusiasm, love, inclusion and joy bring hope into the world every time.
Kindergarten students are on a planet of their own
They dance, hop, skip, sing, in every kind of tone.
Their excited voices raise up high enough to break glass.
If I am going to sub and I see kindergarten, I promptly pass.
Kindergarten students will play with fuzz on your zippers or your shirt.
They will act all prissy when you introduce worms, gardens or dirt.
Their parents have no secrets, they tell everything they ever know.
Kindergarten students skip, prance, jump, nothing they do is ever slow.
They get under your elbows and cry when you raise your voice.
They do not answer to their Christian name, no one told them it was Royce.
They fight over each toy, and they tattle as fast as a snake rattles his stuff.
I cannot substitute teach in kindergarten, it is simply too tough!
Ken Colyer&his 50's band
in dance halls across England
With hop skip&jive
he made 'trad jazz' come alive
I wake up, to celebrate the morning
It's gonna be, a beautiful day
Birds are singing, without warning
I'll take my pills, last night or yesterday
You know I've got, no patience for complaining
Who gives a hoot, if cats and dogs it's raining
Even if, the sunshine is abstaining
Deep in my heart, it never went away
How do you do, How do you do
I want to see the real you
Shout for joy, dance and sing
Positivity's the thing!
So get up, put on your best smile
Take a run, even go a mile
Wave Hi to folks, you see in the turnstiles
Hop, skip and jump, you are so versatile
How do you do, How do you do
I want to see the real you
Shout for joy, dance and sing
Positivity's the thing!
October 27, 2022
Brian Strand Premiere Choice
Contest Entry
Rain won't let me down, I'm happiness bound
I'm still known as the happiest dude in town
With a hop skip and jump
Sometimes fall on my rump
Walk with a wobble but still a happy old clown
Pirate Joe was drinking rum from a keg
Fell overboard and a shark had his leg
They hauled him back in
And stopped the bleedin
And chippy fitted him with a wood peg.
Of good quality you could see the grain
Joe said " it's great to be walking again
But as time went by
Wood started to dry
And wet rot set in because of the rain.
One day his peg fell off with a loud thump
And now Joe has one good leg and a stump
But the story I'm told
He had one made of gold
Now he drags it with a hop, skip and jump...
Written on 22nd July 2022
hello ocean
it has been quiet a long time
i miss everchanging movements of your tides
though childish ways have dissipated
though childish things are rummage sales in my memory bank
i still hop, skip, and jump up and down in my heart as well as my mind
it is always something about you, ocean
the mountains said hello
the lake still says 'CHALLENGE!'
all roads send a friendly, nonjudgmental smile
i always wish goodbye would not come so fast
blame it all on my mental
God Controls All Time
i know i need to stop innerin' and get to enjoyin' and relaxin'
thank you, dear ocean
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