A ten year long journey, uphill both ways,
ended last night, toward the end of the day.
The wife of my brother, the mother of his sons,
a farewell message from the tips of their tongues.
Two young boys have now become men,
a battle was fought and has come to its end.
In the still of the night a soul was led home,
with our Lord Jesus Christ we are never alone.
The love for our family is second to none,
I couldn’t be more proud, of both of these sons.
With passion and strength, they’ve completed their task,
God please hear me now and grant what I ask.
I ask for your guidance and strength for these men,
please light their new path and bless them again.
In these upcoming days there will be one more fight,
please keep them strong and show them your light.
Mark Koplin
7-24-2023
When traveling a stretch of life's highway
Does it feel like it's uphill both ways?
Does it feel like winter's twelve months long?
Do you work like a dog for small pay?
Well welcome to a newly formed club
The Association of Chronic Bellyachers
We meet every Thursday at the crack of dawn
We're a bunch of cranky “whine” makers
No grins, guffaws, or laughter allowed
Could be thrown out on your rear
We've a couple of burly guards at the door
Wearing scowls from ear to ear
So if there's really nothing that bugs you
You ain't welcome at one of our meetings
Especially if you're really content with your life
You could even end up with a beating
We take this bellyaching seriously you know
It's developed into a new kind of art
The technique we've developed is really simple
Happiness never invades our heart
Now, if the real truth of the matter be known
With tongue planted firmly in my cheek
I'm really this sweet, kind hearted old codger
Never gripes, never lets out a peep!
Back when I was young,
When I went to school
I had to walk uphill both ways!
Yes, Dad, we’ve heard it all before,
but today it’s different, different, different.
Today I made my own decision,
and I didn’t die for it, not really.
So I don’t care how long you stayed
and supported your mother, mother,
mother, I’m leaving. As soon as I can stop
the beeping. As soon as I get unhooked
from this machine, as soon as I’m better
and the drugs, drugs, drugs are out of
my body, I swear I’ll listen, listen, listen
to all your stories. And I’ll learn something
this time, I promise.
For Christmas I got half a glass of Coke; nothing else was given.
If I wanted something else I could spill it and get a spanking in addition.
My parents washed my underwear for my birthday
That’s all I got, and I liked it that way!
My slip-n-slide was a roll of trash bags and a hose
There were cinder blocks to hold the rolled out bags down at the end of slip row.
So we had to slide carefully and roll off fast.
We put shampoo and soap on it so it would double as our weekly bath.
My four sisters and I had one pair of boots to share,
And if I was lucky I got a boot to wear.
My bike had no pedals, no handlebars, and no seat,
But it had two wheels I could push uphill both ways through the snow, at least.
We had only four channels, and when the President spoke he monopolized all four.
And I only wish I was your age once more.
When traveling a stretch of life's highway
Does it feel like it's uphill both ways?
Does it feel like winter's twelve months long?
Do you work like a dog for small pay?
Well welcome to a newly formed club
The Association of Chronic Bellyachers
We meet every Thursday at the crack of dawn
We're a bunch of cranky “whine” makers
No grins, guffaws, or laughter's allowed
Could be thrown out on your rear
We've a couple of burly guards at the door
Wearing scowls from ear to ear
So if there's really nothing that bugs you
You ain't welcome at one of our meetings
Especially if you're content with your life
You could even end up with a beating
We take this bellyaching seriously you know
It's developed into a new kind of art
The technique we've developed is really simple
Happiness never invades our heart
Now, if the real truth of the matter be known
With tongue planted firmly in my cheek
I'm really this sweet, kind hearted old codger
Never gripes, never lets out a peep!
© Jack Ellison 2013