A double Impatiens, am I
Very pleasing to the eye.
I hope that what you see
Makes this day go happily.

A pall of gloom hangs overhead
as darkness slides to ground
and sadness crushes life from love,
while tears fall on the breast
for an absent lover.

Years ago, very early in the day,
The month was December, icy cold.
Up before daylight, put on my clothes.
Put my gear in the truck, all covered with frost.
Stop for a coffee and something to eat,
Then driving to Monroe, to the river Sky.
Get out my rod and lures, I started to fish.
The rigging I used had surgical tubing for the weight.
An artificial lure, a long cast up stream,
Now this was fishing; you know what I mean.
The elusive Steelhead was waiting for me.
All I needed was the fish to see
The lure, moving close to the bed.
After several casts, my line would not move.
Looking at the rod tip, I looked twice
And found that the guides were covered in ice.
The line wouldn't move, not much for me,
So into the water, the rod tip went and now it was free.
Back to casting and I noticed my hands were cold,
Even with fingerless gloves, they'll work I was told.
Fishing for hours, with absolutely no luck,
I returned to the confines of my old truck.
No Steelhead for me on this fine day,
So back home I went to see the Seahawks play.

The story was...
From out of the heavens, it did fall.
A mysterious object, that's what I recall.
It wasn't located for many a year,
So the search, no longer did appear,
When by chance, on a Spring day,
It was discovered by children at play.
The object, was oblong, three feet in length
And took several children, using their strength,
To hoist into a wagon, a Radio Flyer.
The wagon was pulled through rock and mire,
Arriving home, where the dirt was hosed off.
Washing away they heard a small cough;
Now getting louder, from this space thing,
When the object suddenly began to sing.
Getting out tools, a gentle process began.
Suddenly there appeared a small little man.
A man/woman, unlike you or I.
The small creature then uttered a sigh
And said in a unique, accented tongue.
"Are you adults? For you appear very young."
This creature was thin like an axe.
For practical purposes, we named it Max.
We kept Max hidden, long after that,
It's size was about like a feral cat.
Many days and nights became years.
The lesson learned, was Harness Your Fears.
Max is gone now, I don't recall how,
But the lessons learned, we could use now.
That's our story, so in the end
Let's call it a happening. Let just pretend.

A double Impatiens,

Morning quiet, soft as
a whisper,
silently, as it breaks from
the dark.
Lighter and brighter, slowly
the dawning,
shadows receding creep
on the ground.
Sunlight enlightens the
soft subtle colors
as darkness relinquishes it's
hold and night
slips away.

I am a small little dog.
A Shih Tzu, to you.
My name is Pepe'
I love what I do.
That's to play fetch.
If you'll play with me,
I'll play for hours
And do it for free.
I was out in the street,
Where I'm not supposed to be,
Got hit by a Lincoln,
Much bigger than me.
My parents do take
Good care, you see,
So a trip to the Vet,
Who checked me out,
Then back home,
Where the family did provide,
All the love that I needed.
As for the Lincoln, it drove away,
and me, I'm back chasing
Balls thrown my way.

(Ode to my late grand dog
who is no longer with us.)

I awoke this morning.
Good news for me.
It's always good,
When awake, you see
The most beautiful face,
Laying next to me.
I love you so,
My dearest one.
No day is right
Until it is begun,
With you, in my life,
Where all is true
For a beautiful wife.
I do, so love you..

The words hang heavy
over my head,
pressing firmly,
around my neck,
weighing me down.
Without uttering a sound,
I have drowned,
in my silence.

(a little re-write from 12/2017)

A lonely tear, slides down my cheek
as I think of this life of ours.
It pains me when recalling you,
now the tear has become two.
I am not weeping, there is no more.
Just the tick of a clock.