Category: Random

poems from the lunatic fringe

I’ve Never Been In This Place Before

 

I’ve Never Been In This Place Before

I’m older now and my hair is gray.

But, I still feel good enough to play.

I thought I had done it all.

Summer is over. Here comes the fall.

Then came the high school reunion.

Seeing old friends that I knew then.

Then  from out of the blue

I got  an E-Mail from a girl I once knew.

She was so happy to have seen me

at the high school reunion party.

We started E mailing each other.

I was shocked to discover

she had a crush on me in school.

I tell you I didn’t have a clue.

We talked more and I found

this girl only lived right across town.

We both were single at this time.

We both had bad times left behind.

Things progressed then came the call.

We were talking and having a ball.

The time came when we would meet.

I was giddy as a dog in heat.

She had me feeling like a kid.

I knew my feelings were not well hid.

Was there fire in the heart after all these years?

There was a little fear but, there were no tears.

Will this take me where I’ve never been before?

Or, will I  be too scared to knock on her door?

I’ve never been in this place before.

It’s got me shaking to my very core.

Come on honey.—- Open that door.———R. W. Johnson—–(2012)

Hot Man, Cold Women

 

Hot Man, Cold Women

One thing I can’t understand.

Why your hot cause you’re a man?

Five women in a room. All cold.

You, however, are hot, we are told.

Could it be due to female hormones?

“Not that old story again”, he groans.

“There is no reason to be cold” he gloats.

“It’s hot enough to croak a goat.”

All the women then glare at him.

One of them asks if he can swim.

Then, the women start closing in.

He says “calm down now” with a grin.

Quickly he springs for the door.

He wasn’t going back there anymore.

The women then turned up the heat.

Then, all was well, from head to feet.

———————————————-R. W. Johnson—–(2011)

A Molester’s Dilemma

 

      A Molester’s Dilemma

Hey little girl in the high school sweater.

Don’t mess with her cause you know better.

You should not be near a school

I hope you registered . Don’t be a fool

 

Someone bothered that girl last night.

You better just stay out of sight.

I hear tell they’re looking for you.

Tell me now, what you’re going to do.

 

What do you mean, it wasn’t you?

You know they saw you by the school.

Don’t tell me you’ve changed your ways.

You’ll be that way till the end of days.

 

If you messed around you will get caught.

You can’t run from the onslot.

In the end you’ll pay the price.

The girl will too and that ain’t nice.

 

You should have kept it in your pants.

You never should have taken the chance.

They will lock you away for a long time.

Till you’re too old to do the crime.

 

Even though you are a sinner

You still can become a winner.

Neal down and repent of it all.

Become like Adam before the fall.

 

You’ll still have to do the time.

But, you’ll be forgiven for the crime.

That still does not make it right.

But, in Jesus eyes you’ll be alright.————-R. W. Johnson—-(2011)

 

 

The Tomb Of 10,000 Dead

 

The Tomb Of 10,000 Dead

I had a dream last night while lying in bed.

It was about the tomb of 10,000 dead.

It was thrilling and chilling to say the least.

I worried about awaking the sleeping beast.

 

Was it long ago or was the dream of today?

As to the exact date of it I cannot say.

Ancient ruins were lying all around.

I followed some stairs deep into the ground.

 

Through twists and turns I traveled on.

I had no idea how far I had gone.

The walls were wet and slick with slime.

I had no idea just what I would find.

 

I came to a door made of stone.

I shivered and felt so all alone.

I found a carved monstrous face.

I twisted it’s nose, which was out of place.

 

The door creaked and slowly opened.

A smell of musty air escaped unbroken.

I nervously shined my light within.

I saw endless  rows of caskets therein.

 

They were on shelves, reaching  twenty high.

They seemed to go on up to the sky.

There were no markers or other signs.

Nothing to indicate the date or time.

 

I slowly approached the first casket.

I pried it open using my hatchet.

My eyes grew large as I peeked within.

I thought: “Could this be a sin?”

 

The lid fell open with a creaking sound.

I could not believe what I had found.

A solitary  golden plaque lay within.

It said: “Peace on earth. Good will to men.”

——————————————————R. W. Johnson—-(2012)

 

Not This Way / The Way It’s Gotta Be

      Not This Way

It just can’t be this way.

An earthquake here.

A tsunami there.

Fighting in Iraq.

Depression everywhere.

 

It just can’t be this way.

People murdered here.

Terrorist attacks there.

Lovers in the sack.

Infidelity in the air.

 

It just can’t be this way.

My one and only love.

Sent from God above.

Walking out the door.

Never to return anymore.

 

It just can’t be this way.

So, for what it’s worth.

There is no heaven on earth.

Something’s gone all wrong.

Life is not a song.

 

It just can’t be this way.———————-R. W. Johnson—–(2005)

 

The Way It’s Gotta Be

For me———-.

She must be free to think,

to do her will.

Whatever it may be.

She can come and she can go.

As long as she shares her very soul——–.

With me.

That’s the way it’s gotta be.

Can’t you see?

For her to ever be part of me.

She’ll be free as the wind.

Blowing here & there & back again.

She’ll share her every whim——-.

With me.

That’s the way it’s gotta be.

Can’t you see?

For her to be a part of me.——————-R. W. Johnson—–(2005)

 

Turn The Dirt Over

 

      Turn The Dirt Over

Come closer to the window frame.

Look out on the field of snow.

Remember the summer fields aflame.

Your body’s tan a golden glow.

 

Oh, turn the snow over

if you want to go back.

You have to do it sober.

So, throw those shudders back.

 

You left your brother in a northern town.

He ran a ferry over the waters of the bay.

His body covered by the water when it went down.

His name on a plaque to remember the day.

 

Oh, turn the water over.

If you want to see the light again.

Run thru the fields of clover.

Take a chance & let it begin.

 

Come softly to the window frame.

Open the shudders, let the moonlight in.

See the sky from which the snow came.

Welcome back to this world of sin.

 

Turn the dirt over

if you want to go back.

You have to do it sober.

So, throw those shudders back.

 

I want you back from the dark & cold.

You blame yourself for everything.

You must return. Try to be bold.

I’ll be there to help you take wing.

 

Oh, turn the dirt over

if you want to get back.

You have to do it sober.

So, throw those shudders back.

 

It’s good to have you back!!——————-R. W. Johnson—–(2010)

 

 

 

Your Friendship

      Your Friendship

Your friendship to me is like diamonds and gold to a stingy rich man.

Your friendship is the candle I go to sleep by each night.

It is the bright shining star I wake up to each morning.

The thought of existence without that friendship is bleak.

It would be like a black hole  in the center of my soul,

sucking the joy and life out of everything I hold dear.

 

Your friendship is more than two ships passing in the night.

You have reached out and touched what makes me  me.

Your cheerful, uplifting attitude raises me to a new level.

Forget cloud 9, I am elevated to infinity and beyond!!

Your love for the Lord of lords is icing on the cake.

You are a diamond in the rough but, still beautiful to behold.

 

All are greatly blessed by knowing you and being around you.

But, those fortunate enough to be called friend by you are

truly blessed beyond their wildest imagination.

You not only leave them with a feeling that they are loved

but, that they truly mean something to you beyond friendship.

Such a gift few are blessed to have and you excel at it.

 

Friendship is often defined as a good friend or friends.

This comes far short of what is involved  being your friend.

You lift me up when I am down and restore my worth.

I am a living legacy of a friendship that knows no end.

I can’t put into words the connection you have made with me.

Except to thank you. Will you be my friend for eternity??

——————————————————-R. W. Johnson—-(2012)

 

 

The Road Of Life

      The Road Of Life

Wandering down the road of life.

I turn to the left. I turn to the right.

No dead ends seem to be in sight.

There were a few rough roads .

With ruts and some potholes.

There were speed bumps too.

Especially when I met you.

There were times when I could speed.

Other times were slow with signs to heed.

If I didn’t follow the rules.

I paid for it like any fool.

I’ve had some wrecks along life’s way.

I’ve broken down, or so others say.

I didn’t win any spectacular races.

But, I didn’t lose the smiling faces.

Loving people all around.

Keeping my feet on the ground.

Keeping me on the straight & narrow.

Heading truer than an arrow.

Straight into the promised land.

The race will end with prize in hand.———R. W. Johnson—–(2012)

 

 

Rambling Man / Reality

      Rambling Man

I’ve always been a wayfaring wanderer.

Rambling back & forth across this land.

I’ve never wanted to settle down.

I’m just a fun loving traveling man.

 

Then I met that little gal.

Way down in Abilene.

She made my heart skip a beat.

As pretty as a beauty queen.

 

She looked my way & I was hooked.

I knew my rambling days were through.

But, it was more than just her looks.

My mama didn’t raise no fool.

 

She had the charms & manners of high class.

Yet, she could talk to me like an average Joe.

She was intelligent & well versed.

Yet, never made me feel stupid or low.

 

I stayed around & we dated some.

We fit together like a hand in a glove

I knew that I had found my soulmate.

Friends said “Ask her” & gave me a shove.

 

I proposed & the rest is history.

She is my woman. She is my life.

I gave up my rambling ways.

Just to make this woman my wife.————R. W. Johnson—–(2006)

 

      Reality

My reality is slipping fast.

I think I’m sitting in a draft.

It is blowing my reality away.

Out the door like paper machae’ .

My only hope is to cling to you.

Comfort me, like you always do.

Keep me stable & on firm ground.

Keep my eyes from looking around.

For I may slip & flip right out.

An ugly sight, without a doubt.

Stop the demons from screaming in my head.

Before they tie me down to a bed.

Be my friend & guide me through.

Back to reality & back to you.——————R. W. Johnson—–(2002)

 

 

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Hop, The Frog / Wild Places

 

Hop, The Frog

I knew a frog.

His name was Hop.

A friendly frog.

I liked him alot.

One day he ate

my favorite fly.

The sight of that

just made me cry.

Hop was sorry,

but, couldn’t resist.

“I was hungry”,

as he smacked his lips.

“Would you rather

I ate a Gnu?

Or, maybe, chewed

an old shoe?”

“I will be nice

as you will see.

Before you decide

you will eat me.”

At such a thought

I started to shake.

“I wouldn’t eat you

for heaven’s sake.”

Hop then said;

“I’m glad of that,

But, don’t be upset

if I have a snack.”—————-R. W. Johnson—–(2003)

 

      Wild Places

Daily, it seems, our lives were hanging by a thread.

Never twice in the same place to rest our weary heads.

Listening at night, with our hearts full of fright.

Often, running for our lives in the middle of the night.

 

We searched for wild places.

Places where we can touch the Father’s hand.

We longed for wild places.

Places that are untouched by human hands.

 

We plan to rebuild the fountains.

Let the gardens spread across the land.

Bring back art, music, poetry, & books.

All the beautiful things that were so grand.

 

For now, we seek wild places.

Places where we can touch the Father’s hand.

We long for wild places.

For all the rest has been destroyed by man.

——————————————————R. W. Johnson—–(2006)