In a Paul Simon song
Called “Old Friends,” an exchange
Mentions how being 70’s
“Terribly strange.”
When he wrote those lyrics,
Let me underscore,
Simon’s age was, believe it
Or not, 24.
Most folks in their 20’s
Or decades way past,
Have no clue just how long
Their own vigor may last
Since we, each of us, age
At a different pace.
Some may carry their youth;
Others don’t hold a trace.
Yet Paul got one thing right,
For we must rearrange
Thoughts of “old” as we age
And it’s terribly strange.
Small town hospital in Chariton, Iowa, USA
1952
Dr. Yocum had a recurring dream every night for weeks
God was telling him that he had to buy an incubator.
In 1952
An incubator cost $100,000!
He finally broke down and bought it.
My identical twin and I were born at three pounds each.
We were five weeks early
That incubator saved our lives.
Dr. Yocum’s wife felt invested in us.
She bought us tiny pink going home outfits with matching hats and booties.
We were in the hospital for two months!
Our mother's blood would not clot, so we almost lost her.
She was in the hospital a month or two longer than us.
We went home to grandma and grandpa with seven aunts and uncles
They fought over who was going to carry us around.
Mom told us we were TERRIBLY spoiled by the time she got us.
Written 5-20-2022
Poetry Contest: Divine Intervention
Sponsor: Chantelle Anne Cooke
And I believed it,
Like a fool.
I packed some lavenders
And rushed to you,
Like a fool.
I took the first train
And got some donuts
From on the way,
Like a fool.
I hoped my stars
To not disappoint
Me again,
Like a fool.
The time you told me
That you missed my
Touch, terribly,
I ran up to your
Apartment, rushed
Through the stairs,
Like a fool.
I stood there, waiting,
For you to
Open the door,
Like a fool.
The time you told me
You missed my laugh,
Terribly,
I looked again on the
Phone, still standing,
Outside your door, "never mind"
Read the text.
I still waited for you to
Open that door
With the lavenders,
Still blooming,
Like a fool.
Beryl was terribly fat
So huge she just wore a hat
This wasn't rude
She had to be nude
She could have done better than that
How terribly Unusual, was m’ Bride!
She loved to shock her brother with weird things!
As honeysuckle, sweet! But evening-tide
Would find her fast asleep, while the dusk-bird sings!
A cup of coffee made her take a nap,
Long, skinny feet that needed skinny shoes!
Her hair was wild, she never wore a cap,
And ugly images gave her the blues!
She loved to tutor, but it made her tired,
So that she stayed in bed, throughout next day,
Could not switch off her mind, once she was wired,
And if she pushed, Life always made her pay.
And now, she is in Heaven, dear sweet one!
She’ll greet me, when my own sunset is done!
7/17/2019
I thought you meant Whitney Houston
not whiney.
Trump Winey With a Thing Terribly Tiny
Trump may always be weird and winey,
When someone said his is terribly tiny;
Likes to brawl;
On wall scrawl;
His brilliant things seem to be so shiny.
Jim Horn
What was snow white is becoming dark red
and all forbidden elements, we now touch.
Honesty and charity hanging on a thread
the society having no positive influence from the church.
Why can’t we understand that everyone is everyone’s kindred?
It doesn’t matter if you’re African or Dutch.
Discipline and perseverance we dread
Spirituality and godliness, hated so much.
Corruption and hate we eat in one loaf of bread
but baked so sweet and soft of such.
Our minds, losing their Authority
to the robbers of perversion.
My weeping spirit scares this ink
to stop this out pour from a melting heart.
Time ticks, but unfortunately in a terrible direction
Even though you've been dead for two years, I still miss you terribly.
While you were alive, I meant a lot to you and you meant a lot to me.
You were an excellent mother and that is certainly true.
When it came to having a mom, I was proud to have you.
I still miss you terribly even though it has been twenty-seven months since you died.
Yesterday I was feeling pretty sad about your death and I damn nearly cried.
But I am feeling some better than I did just one year before.
I still miss you terribly because you're not around anymore.
[Dedicated to Agnes Johnson (1948-2013) who passed away on March 6, 2013.]
Light fades fast into darkness, forever a word of past
Hope hides helpless now, in the midst of this turmoil
Lost lonely sorrow, no pleasure, how long can I last
Better days will come, to this it's taught stay steadfast
Covered by black storm clouds, faith continues loyal
Light fades fast into darkness, forever a word of past
Happiness of youth, an idea we once encompassed
Time moves fast making body, soul and heart spoil
Lost lonely sorrow, no pleasure, how long can I last
A day or reckoning If the soul can endure and outlast
We look, examine our lives, many, sadly left to recoil
Light fades fast into darkness, forever a word of past
To one end, weak or strong, a shadow we must cast
For that purpose, all strive, search, conspire and toil
Lost lonely sorrow, no pleasure, how long can I last
I just had to fix this poem. I was searching for something and saw how badly it was off form.
Finding meaning in life, a quest that has turned vast
However it's always elusive, at times angers to a boil
Light fades fast into darkness, forever a word of past
Lost lonely sorrow, no pleasure, how long can I last
How terribly beautiful is life
How terrible fate can be
How beautiful love can be
How terribly beautiful life can be
I’ve seen how terrible life can be
And how beautiful love can be
If I isolated myself from love
Is my life terrible?
I’ve seen how beautiful destiny can be
And how terrible fate can be
If I isolate myself from fate
Is my destiny beautiful?
I believe so
And yet I don’t believe so
For love can be beautiful and terrible
Fate also can be terrible and beautiful
So what path is a good path?
No one can live without a heart
And no one can live without a fate
So who can there be a beautiful live?
Without Love
Or without fate
A beautiful life
Is a terribly beautiful life
I can't stop thinking of you
until the day is through
when the lights go down
and not a sound
can be heard
Not one word
Will I mutter
of my love for you
although it may last forever
when the day is done
and night has come
not one word will I say
about my love for you.
My lips shall
Stay closed
I’ll hold myself close
Pretending,
Wishing it was you
But you’re gone
And in the night
I think of you
And in the day
I think of you
My light,
My sunshine,
My angel,
In the darkness,
I think of you
Your memory
Keeps me going
Keeps my heart beating
Let’s me know
That it’s all alright.
Not another word
will I whisper
Not another
Want shall I moan
No matter how much I want you,
My angel,
My angel,
I’ll stay quiet
And watch you
As you live on
Without me
My memory
Haunting you
Like shadows on the walls
As you live on
Needing me
As much as I need you
An unforgettable love
We share.
So
When the lights go down
And all is dead
I’ll try my best
To stop thinking of you
My girl.
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