Captain Bee of the Ship McKee had a reputation all over the Seventh Seas
A pirate narcissist, who made people grovel down to their knees
He had cold steely blue eyes, and he was fearsome to the point of absurd.
I was fearful of this pirate, until I realized that Captain Bee is a canary bird.
McKee Springs petroglyphs
southeast flank of the Ulnta Mountains
twenty-two miles past Quarry Visitor Center
a long ways from Kansas City
take island park Road
it is impassible during wet or winter weather
call and ask before you attempt passage
do not touch the story-telling petroglyphs
they are fragile and irreplaceable
do not trace or rub, you could ruin them
the park is heavily patrolled too
dinosaur remains are visible there also
embedded in the rocks
hinting at earlier civilizations and species
both cultures there to view and visualize as you may
feelings of connectedness with both ancients and dinosaurs
found few places in the continental USA
but found there
Hannah Rayburn*
shared virtues she did learn
blest in her growing-up endeavor
inspired by Dad, a Holocaust survivor.
Emma 'Grace' McKee
showed values of spirited glee
along joyously functional friendship**
midst socialite Mom’s absentee-partnership.
*Hannah and Grace are the main characters in “State of Grace” which is an American comedy-drama series that ran for two seasons on the Fox Family Channel later ABC Family during 2001 and 2002.
** Proverbs 17:17 A friend loveth at all times…
October 28, 2021
1st place, "A STRAND (1066)" Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Brian Strand; judged on 2/5/2022.
Charlie McKee against wise advice,
Went into Lucas Swamp cold as ice,
Told of savage beast that kills on sight,
Thought he was day’s true king and dark’s bold knight.
He held the Swamp’s risks were oversold,
But threat of dangers had been foretold,
He yielded to his gigantic ego,
And misjudged the Swamp’s vile entrapment pro.
There are eyes on you, a vile fiend,
Dark probing eyes of livid green,
O'er the jaws of a razor-sharp grin,
Pearly whites much like needle pins.
On windy nights, folk can hear howling,
From out of Lucas Swamp, loud growling,
Bloodcurdling screams fill their souls with fright,
Charlie went in the Swamp, but didn’t come out.
Deep in the heart of Ireland there runs
A dark belief the future rests on guns
In the midst of a riot in the city of Derry
That sinister undercurrent was in play
It was then that Lyra, just doing her job
Took snaps to record the rioting mob.
Here was a promising young reporter
Whom many a paper hankered after
Yet a single bullet from an illicit gun
Ended a career so bravely begun.
This innocent target felled by a single shot
Became the shadowy gunman's scabrous blot
For out of that Good Friday's grim testament
There has grown full community agreement
That terrorists must never again stalk the land
To dismantle the dialogue of peace long since planned.
Out of the ashes , we hope , of the martyrdom of Lyra McKee
Will Ireland from vile and callous terrorism be now set free.
Wise Mother McKee of venerable age
Was rocking herself to blissful sleep
A recalled melody played in her thoughts
To a fiddler's merry jig
Was rocking herself to blissful sleep
Dancing with family who had predeceased
To a fiddler's merry jig
As sunset's halo lit up her face
Dancing with family who had predeceased
A recalled melody played in her thoughts
As sunset's halo lit up her face
Wise Mother McKee of venerable age
Just behind the crystal gaze
wrest with defeat and crumbled name
know me though you cannot see
Silver ghost haunting me.
shadows passing mind to mind
A thought to hide forbidden
and while peering eyes to eyes
the random hope is hidden .
Oh haste defeat this vexing stare
This would unshackle you .
The crystal Gaze entrances all
Wipe your eyes and seek for truth .
By L. Dale McKee
When life is done and all a mist
What was it worth to live?
If all we've done is take it in
and rarely chose to give,
All you'll have left is life ahead
for someone just behind you.
Their Love for you is worth a lot
Their gratitude revives you.
By L. Dale Mckee
The lair
I had a secret treasure I had buried in my soul
Buried in an empty void when I was young , strong and almost whole.
I was proud to have a treasure as I kept it from my peers.
A hint I'd give them now and then for years and years and years
.
It seemed good cause to lift my head and as long as it was there
Their protest didn't matter . I just didn't care.
I had advantage over all who didn't know that it was there
There were times I needed it but it was in a dragons lair.
The dragon blew its' flames at me each time I thought to spend it.
If someone came too close to it the dragon would defend it.
As ages took my strength from me I finally realized
I couldn't use the treasure for the dragon grew in size.
Feeding on my treasure he consumed it day by day
the dragon fed on love you see and defended it with flames.
The Dragons name was Grudges as you may have figured out by now.
IF YOU HAVE A TREASURE CHEST of LOVE
THEN CAST SMALL GRUDGES OUT
By L. Dale McKee
Sadie Thompson where have you gone?
Too many Matrix's in my mind
Sadie McKee and Our Dancing Daughters
Our Blushing Brides have left me
Suggestive romance has forsaken me for
poignant lust is present now
He has stolen my love by the Gaslight
We have been bamboozled by the women and hunted by the men
The new one has blackened me by the razors edge of the screen
I confess my distrust of thee
For my very thrust has forsaken all others
Susan and God, when summers die, there is no more for the innocent eye
The Time has passed ,remember the night
the lady's eve has given me fright
Norman Bates double edged true
the shining hour has stolen you
Subtleness is gone!