In the 60’s we protested
Out on the quads
With our armbands and banners and signs
‘Til the rage manifested
By police riot squads
Put a damper on all our designs.
We erected no tents
And we went home to sleep
But were sure we could orchestrate change.
Yet these current events
Which on campuses sweep
Seem, to me, very different and strange.
There is always the sound of footsteps trailing behind me
And no matter how much I attempt to discover who it is
I have never seen to be successful at all
Everyone believes me insane when I speak of it to them
Telling me that it's my imagination running wild
But I know what I'm hearing
For it's neither loud nor is it quiet
It follows me everywhere I go
Even in my home where it echoes throughout the empty house
It will always fall short of my bedroom door when I slumber
It keeps me restless all night long
And leave me wondering in my head
If it ever enters the room
So I can finally learn the mystery behind the footsteps
But I'm disappointed every single night as the sun arises
It will follow me no matter the weather
The worst of them all is the snow
As the snow makes it seem louder than ever
Frightening me even more
I'm always on edge because of it
And it has put a damper on my relationship with everyone
But that wouldn't stop me not by a long shot
I will prove to everyone that it exists
And then they will stop believing that I'm insane
Right?
I am the wind
You cannot hold me back
Rain cannot put a damper on me
I race to be seen.
I twirl and whirl with joy.
My life is the bomb!
I am living my truth.
Someone throws out words that mean nothing today
I am in full blown play mood.
You cannot stop me or even put me on pause.
I will do and say and live how I want.
Today is mine.
The sun is shining, and the birds are singing.
I am in full blown joy mood.
I am the wind.
You cannot hold me back.
Of course non of these words are true to my life, I have to say it’s just a fun write or else I would be flying my kite.
Have I ever told you that...
Your hair has a beautiful glossy shine
Well, it did once upon a long, long time
That your pearly teeth are whiter than white,
Pity that they have to come out at night.
I always saw you as my Adonis
Then gravity put a damper on it
I loved that our eyes always met so much
Now if I get a glance, I am in luck.
Have I ever told you that you sing well
My hearings long gone, so now I can't tell
That I loved the way round the room we'd dance
Till arthritis waved farewell to romance.
That you once made this old heart of mine soar
What once was magic, sadly is no more
But I wouldn't change anything that thou art
In my eyes you shine brighter than the stars.
*******
10th November 2020
HAVE I EVER TOLD YOU THAT...... Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: John Lawless
I watched discretely as the thirty something
couple struggled through an obvious first date
His manners were impeccable and her
appreciation showed as little by little
they warmed to each other
Encouraged by the progress he mentioned politics
"I think that we should make it a rule
to not discuss politics on our first date"..and he smiled
She smiled back, "I agree wholeheartedly! That Trump is such a jerk
it might put a damper on the evening!"
"I worked on his campaign."said he.
"Oh." said she
Talk became small just before it stopped altogether
I left there that night grateful for my old age!
8/2/2017
For contest First Date for Kim Rodrigues
Our nature is to dream,
and want to win what we don't have now.
When disappointed,
wouldn't it be nice to have the ability to be patient,
when we don't get what we want this minute.
When enthusiasm is diminished due to a loss,
can't we learn to resist,
letting it put a damper on trying new things.
Then we might realize winning could be in the excitement generated by
sharing, and being caught up in the enjoyment of a moment, with a friend.
Valuable to our spirits,
not our ledgers.
The reason for this poem is all about joy
There's enough other crap going down
Ignore it and think only happiness thoughts
You can trick your old brain I've found
Pretend everyday is your happiest one yet
And nothing will put a damper on that
Greet everyone with a dirty big smile
Sing and dance and throw off your hat
It can be contagious as soon you will see
It will seem like a broadway musical
News crews will soon descend on the scene
It will all feel quite therapeutical
Never know you might be discovered
And star in a brand new show
Hope you'll remember who helped you along
To stardom and all that big dough
© Jack Ellison 2014
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