I remember the nights
when the sound of your voice
would caress my soul and reassure me.
The gentle warmth of your words
would embrace me and convince me
that everything would be alright.
AP: Honorable Mention 2026
Meet me in the corridor after lesson
it’s been a long week, this weekend is our blessing
we’ll go to lunch and discuss the latest person we can’t stand
and I’ll show you that new song,
remember?
the one from my favourite indie band
the way home is long and so far away
yet before we know it we’re living the next day
that test was tough but throughout it I knew
I would be okay because there’d be you
laughing with me at this broken place
planting a smile on my face
When I reach home, I’ll message you
and we’ll avoid all the work we need to do
I state my dreams at the dinner table
and no one doubts just how much I’m able
I am impatient for a taste of life
a taste of freedom when this is out of sight
I climb into bed and I turn off the light
in years to come, these will be simpler times
Thus, do I write of simpler things
Of missing buttons, knotted strings
Of mystery when the doorbell rings
For I have seen the snowman fail
To answer long forgotten mail
Crazed pumpkin faces slowly scowl
As quickly fades the midnight howl
I write of fingers new to mittens
The tempting lure of purring kittens
Of threadbare shirts and tattered jeans
Of baby steps, of living’s themes
For soup is better when it’s slurped
And babies happier when burped
I write of ripples, not of waves
Of what one gives, not what one saves
I seed the edges of the soul
For loneliness makes no one whole
And dare not peek over my shoulder
For I am aging not growing older
John G. Lawless
©7/28/2026
How lucky was I
To be young at a time
With no cellphones or Snap Chat
Just a kitchen landline
Coccooned in my own world
Safe from IG
No clickbait or comments
Just my 3 speed and me
I'd ride thru the backwoods
My location unknown
No airtags or status
Hiding from home
Didn't care about followers
About DMs or chats
Had my skates and my paper route
My green visor hat
I do miss those days
Unaccounted and free
Cartoons ,Luke and Laura
On an antenna TV
I was so hard to get to
and unable to find
Just a weak chance of reaching
On a kitchen landline
Life of country boys
Rocks amd branch for toys
A car comes this way
Boy no longer play
Dirt road boy clears way
Car stops white man says
Passion fruits that is
My tutu, tutu
Car ... man say, do you ... (breathless run)
Man say, passion fruit
Maybe, ... parachute
Out there! Li-Li-Koi?
Yes you silly boy.
Go and pick for them
They gave bubble gum.
Smiles car drives away
Country Boy at play.
Was there ever a ‘simpler time?’
I will bet you one whole dime
It only seems so in retrospect ~
when we select what to resurrect
To live simple ways
you can visit yesterday
or tune out the news
I remember the simpler days
when worries would just up and walk away
like the moon as she's crossing the sky
my eyes were so open wide
oh how I wish we could all just go there
where life was all about peace and good cheer
a coming together from one heart to another
we were all sisters, we were all brothers
I miss the simpler days
when love wouldn't get out of the way
where kisses appeared on a cheek from your dear
and life was full without fear
Two friends that life separated for a Time
Who's reunitation can only be described as Sublime
On this day we are all fortunate to share in their bliss
From when they both say I do to their first married kiss
I was there at the start when their second chance begins
I am blessed in this life to call you both friends
May this day be the beginning of a forest planted with two seeds
May your love help them grow and meet all of your needs
May the sun shine down onto them helping them grow
May their branches intertwine like the love you both know
May the shade from them protect you both on this earth
May all who look apon them see what love is worth
For what could be Simpler for J.R. and Megan
Then to share in the Joy where their forever began
To you, my friend, who enjoys things unique and strange,
Take this token as a reminder of simpler times.
Though before you were born, it was a world amidst change,
A world between wars, longing to be in its prime.
Find pleasure in the simpler things of life
Enjoyment should be in your vocabulary
Take up crocheting or playing the fife!
Find pleasure in the simpler things of life
A walk in the woods can dissipate strife
Eschew arguing and merely being contrary
Find pleasure in the simpler things of life
Enjoyment should be in your vocabulary.
Written April 12, 2022
Remembering simpler times through photography
When most entertainment was unelectrified,
Before the golden age of complex technology
Little was known of intricate human psychology.
When most entertainment was unelectrified,
Families quickly congregated when someone died
Little was known of intricate human psychology,
Behaving ourselves was considered dignified.
Families quickly congregated when someone died
Much time was spent exploring family genealogy,
Behaving ourselves was considered dignified
Afront of the slightest sort demanded an apology.
Much time was spent exploring family genealogy
Only the most affluent could travel across the pond,
Afront of the slightest sort demanded an apology
Now we travel around the world and even beyond.
Only the most affluent could travel across the pond
Before the golden age of complex technology,
Now we travel around the world and even beyond
Remembering simpler times through photography.
Written January 28, 2022
“Peace on earth, goodwill to [wo]men,”
When I was a child unburdened by worry
Takes me a long way back to a time when,
With not a care in the world, why hurry?
Everything was simpler, less chaotic then.
written December 20, 2021
Horse driven carriages and umbrellas in the snow
Grey pavement, oh so dark
Gloomy every morning when the men are on the go
So happy when we used to have dinner as a whole
Oh my! Did you see that Mary has a telephone
Fascinating is not, let's go have a look
Maybe the girls and I will stop by for a cup of tea
And we'll admire the Boston sky as we sip in glee
Those were simpler times when we took pride in our own land
Had paper maps to guide our path
Went on joyous journeys, glad
Those were simpler times when we took pride in our own clan
What Hercules did is irrelevant
To me and all my lads
Oh for the good old days, life was simpler then
Up with the birdies, then to the office we went
Traffic was a breeze
No, you first please!
Now it's amazing, to survive without dents
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