Sounds Heard on a Summer Sunday Night

Like a passage in time summer’s arrival takes me back
to the days where kids played all day without a care;
on a baseball field hearing the contact of a ball with a bat
and the sounds of kids shrill excitement filling the air.
On summer days that seem to go on almost without end
then suddenly nighttime would arrive with a soft blowing wind;
but what was back then is no longer what it is today
for some of those things back then are no longer around.
Like fireflies that would intermittently flicker at night,
then we would anxiously await for them to relight;
seeing them in leaps and bounds we would advance
careful not to hurt them as we cupped them in our hands.
I recall playing with my cousins in the yard at night;
playing hide and go seek in shadows by the moonlight
as one counted down we'd try to hide as best as we could;
the shouting of “ready or not here I come!” was well understood.
But those scenes are all but just a distant memory now,
time has changed and doing things at night aren't as safe
as caution is needed when choosing a time and a place.
But last night I took my grandson to a park along a bayou,
my intent was to take some pictures of the Perigee moon.
As we arrived, a father and son were catching a football;
in the distance others strolling down the walking trail;
setting my camera on the tripod people would wish me well.
My grandson asked if I knew them and then telling them hi;
I told him no but it was good to see that people still care.
My 500mm lens made the moon seem so close to touch,
letting my grandson peer through the viewfinder to see
in his wildest imagination a vision he never beheld and
with every click of my camera he did with his toy one as well.
Edging towards nine pm I thought a few more pictures I’d take
Taking low light pictures of the cars leaving the park for home
like streaking strobe lights I told him the pictures would reveal;
though explaining the process to a seven year old is harder still.
With the moonroof open and playing “Something about You” we
drove home with smiles on our face and contentment in our hearts;
enjoying the sounds of a summer Sunday night ended when we arrived home.
But the best sounds were uttered from my grandson as I turned off the car
and he said, “Grandpa this is one of the best days I've had so far.”
Without a doubt I agreed as we walked inside I hugged him tight
he told me he loved me and after his bath I kissed him goodnight.




Copyright by NewLife2008

Bela Blues

The wrinkled fingers carry years of burden
with all that experience and life still uncertain;

so attaining sustenance became a necessity;
determined to succeed despite the inequities.

Diminutive upon the stool this person sat
with the instrument laid across the person's lap;
though slow and precise each chord was struck
the person displayed an impressive daft touch.
There was no facial expression yet the feeling did ooze,
since from deep within the heart out came the blues.
The guitar cried as if living a life of heartache and despair;
is seemed to talk to us with the sounds that filled the air.
With its melancholy tones and downhearted hues
it was telling us a story that we all can relate to.
Admiring the sounds some would gladly abide
dropping a bill here and there in the box by the curbside;
the person never uttered a word, no not one all day,
on the stool the person sat; just playing the blues away.





Copyright by NewLife2008

Status Quo

Walking out in the pouring rain
drenched and chilled to the bone;
surrounded by a rain symphony,
but it doesn't drown out the pain.
Walking away from all I've known;
yet it seems I’m still in captivity.

False illusions I've convinced myself

despite all the things I've come to know;
I realized that I can’t do this anymore.
As my feet hit the pavement ground,
further away but no closer to being free
the realization reverberates all around.

I've never been good with confrontation,

I'm sure it’s what stunted my maturation.
Realizing the problem is half the battle
yet I refuse to take off these shackles.
I can't quit this mindless life of excuses
as I've become use to my own abuses.

Out here on the West coast is where I now roam;

my self loathing and misery has found a home.
Even though I know my future is no guarantee
at least here no one expects anything of me.
With no motivation my life is at an impasse;
passing me by like the sands in an hourglass.

Truth be said I really hate myself and my life;

I try to ignore the truth but it cuts like a knife.
Like an open wound my mistakes are visible
I try to numb the pain but I'm still miserable;
my emotions in my life is the shade of gray and
no matter how far I walk I can never walk away.

Copyright by NewLife2008

Tilted Memory

Within these four corners steady is your stance;
the angled stare showing you in your past
reminding of what used to be.

A conversation piece regarding memories
of your life with friends and family;
oh how you shone so brightly.

With the rest of the pictures you're neatly organized;

no longer with us but forever immortalized,
knowing you'll always be with me.

Now those days are all but gone
but your memory will live on;

touching our hearts mightily.

I dust off that frame to ensure that
no part of your face is obscured;
since there you'll always remain.

Copyright by NewLife2008

Distraught

I dread seeing the morning sun arise;

another day of school I’ve come to despise.

I know what to expect when I enter the bus;

I never thought kids could be so callous.

Every day for me it begins again and

I wonder when all of this will end.

I don't understand why they're so unkind,

some of them used to be friends of mine;

Now it’s like I have no friend in the world

hitting me with fists and insults they hurl.

What have I done to be treated this way?

I wish this would stop and just all go away.

But I don't see this ending anytime soon;

school doesn't end until the 7^th of June.

The bus driver averts her ears and eyes

though she hears my painful cries.

I call her name but on deaf ears it falls;

it seems I have no voice at all.

There is no safe haven for me;

I'm tormented everyday mercilessly;

even though my parents intervene

the result is nothing it seems.

Black and blue and falling into despair;

it’s making me not want to be here.

I wish I could mete out what the dole

and take back the part of me they stole,

but there is no champion for the oppressed;

I'm just becoming more and more depressed.

No longer in school I just stay in my room

with bitterness and hate I’m being consumed.

All to myself as my malice thoughts fester,

I'll make sure I'm the last one they pester.

It seems there’s only one conclusion to arrive at;

the time has come for revenge, it’s time to act.

Today in the news my name will forever be;

I'll make them sorry that ever messed with me.

Copyright by NewLife2008

Rest Well Dad

In the early morning there you laid,

silenced by the last breathe you gave,

your mouth agape and eyes opened wide;

in that moment we could no longer deny

you had finally come to your end.

As we held your hands softly in the

quietness the moment finally settled in; we

painfully released tears deep from within

realizing  now nothing more of you remained;

no more struggles and no more pain.

Overcome from the memories we shared

the grief of losing you so hard to bear;

as we saw your vitality slowly stolen

all of your years came down to days;

what was given was terribly taken.

Even though you knew your eventual outcome,

you looked on life with a deep ponderance.

Exuding warmth and love was your essence;

words so profound yet simplistic in manner

touching others in an everlasting fashion.

Now comes the arduous task of moving on,

leaving all behind what was the past;

no choice now but for us to be strong.

I know deep inside that’s what you wanted

though the memories will still leave me haunted.

So, I’m leaving this place never to come back again;

too many memories that just brings up pain.

Carrying with me the ones that pleasantness brings,

your voice, your touch, your laughter and the such

knowing that I take the parts of you I loved so much.

Copyright by NewLife2008

Treacherous Heart

Wicked and twisted,

I never had a chance;

of petulant character

you refused to sympathize.

Slighted, you reasoned

a motive to capitalize,

unremorseful was your stance.

With a treacherous assault you attacked

with every ounce of your being;

you didn't think twice to hold back.

With such ferocity it sent me reeling,

taken aback not sure how to react;

my only thought is a painful recognition

of the irreversible damage you exact.

Never did I think this could happen;

of you I was so convinced

but now I’m on the floor grappling;

my mind trying to make some sense

of the aftermath you left me with.

Emotions torn like flesh on a barbed wired fence,

sadly I have only myself to blame for this.

so desperate yet I trusted you still,

now my life is all torn apart

to exact my revenge is my only will;

I’ll be done with you when I kill – my treacherous heart.

Copyright by NewLife2008