Remembering Back

      Remembering Back

I have a fast car and I can go far.

I’ll pick you up right where you are.

We can cross the bridge into the city.

Did I mention, you’re looking pretty?

 

When we get there we’ll have some fun.

Some call it mischief, but were still young.

We’ll do a little cruising around.

See what’s happening all over town.

 

It’s a sports car, but there’s room for 3.

Because you’re sitting right next to me.

I’m looking good with my girl by my side.

I drive around glowing with pride.

 

Soon, we see some others we know.

We all decide to go to a show.

It’s a horror flick, the scary kind.

Everyone knows my girl is mine.

 

She is cuddled up real tight to me.

She hides her head so she won’t see

the real scary scenes of the movie.

I just think it is all so groovy.

 

After the show we are driving around.

Somehow, we end up on the far side of town.

We know we are not welcome there.

We get out of there fast, wind in our hair.

 

Soon, we are safe and she snuggles close.

These are the moments I love the most.

It is true, we are only young once, so

I cherish every second, I’m not one to boast.

 

Yet, I know I am the luckiest person around.

To have a girl like you, I have found.

You build me up & never let me down.

When you’re around I don’t feel like a clown.

 

You are prettier than sunset over the sea.

You bring out the very best in me.

I’m so pumped when I’m around you.

Sometimes, I don’t know what to do.

 

I find a love song on the radio.

I tell you the words say it so

perfectly how I feel about you.

You just smile & do what you do.

 

These are the greatest times of my life.

When I’m older I might have a wife.

I may have a love that will be superb.

But, our first love, always, is a special word.

—————————————–R. W. Johnson—–(2015)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fastest Gun In The West

      Fastest Gun In The West

I live in a one horse cowboy town.

Why is it called a ‘one horse’ town?

The saloon rail has room for one horse is all.

The Livery Stable only has one stall.

Yet, it is a fair sized town.

Lots of people live close around.

One day a drifter came into town.

Got off his horse and looked around.

He went into the only saloon.

He ordered a drink. It was just before noon.

He sat and drank for awhile.

I rarely saw him crack a smile.

Then, another ‘gun slinger’ came in.

He looked around. He didn’t grin.

He saw the drifter & walked over.

He pulled up a stool. He looked bolder.

He said “Did you think you could hide away?”

The drifter didn’t have a thing to say.

He then said “You can run, but you can’t hide.”

The drifter just looked him in the eye.

‘Were going to find out if you’re the best.”

The drifter slowly opened his vest.

“I am not wearing a gun.”

“Then, you had better get yourself one.”

“If you don’t I will gun you down.”

“Then tell everyone I’m the fastest around.”

“You only have one chance to live.”

“Face me in a fair gunfight, or look like a sieve.”

The drifter slowly got to his feet.

Then he walked into the street.

He went to his saddlebags and got a gun.

He then proceeded to strap it on. Not for fun.

He walked into the street with the sun at his back.

The gun slinger said “You’re a dead man. It’s a fact”

The gun slinger moved and faced him in the street.

Neither said a thing as they spread their feet.

Then, the gun slinger made his move.

He was like greased lightning. Don’t be fooled.

But, he had barely started his draw

when a bullet struck him in the jaw.

His gun hadn’t quite yet cleared his holster.

The drifter was not any kind of boaster.

He turned and took off his gun.

Put it back in his saddlebag. He was done.

He mounted his horse and rode out of town.

Left the town folk standing around.

They buried the gun slinger in an unmarked grave.

Everyone knew how he had behaved.

They felt the drifter had every right.

He was the fastest thing in sight.

Yet, no one knew his name.

Even though, just the same.

The rumors spread of a man with no name.

He had a draw so fast, it was insane.

The drifter was never heard from again.

Seems he wanted it that way, they said with a grin.

—————————————————R. W. Johnson—–(2015)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contemplating Love

 

        Contemplating Love

Walking by the sea alone.

Kicking up sand & little stones.

Contemplating my own love life.

Mostly, it is heartache & strife.

I find a large spiral shell.

I listen to it & hear the swell.

It sounds just like the sea.

Then, I think of your love for me.

They say nothing lasts forever.

Yet, it could be a whole lot better.

I wonder where it went astray?

My mind wanders to another day.

Another place, another time.

A time where you are always mine.

A place where all that we do

is done to show our love is true.

Such a place is called paradise.

A place where everything is nice.

It seems it only exists in the mind.

There, it is safe, all of the time.

If possible, I would go there with you.

Then all my dreams would come true.

Our love would become as one.

We would have an eternity of fun.

Anything we did or anywhere we went

would bring more joy than peppermint.

Our lives would go down in history.

The “Book Of Love” would be you & me.

Day dreams; a great form of escape.

A way out of reality’s fate.

But, then, it all comes to an end.

The sun goes down & the wind comes up.

The beach is nothing but a deserted cup.

Something to hold my tears of sorrow.

I sit here & cry, thinking of tomorrow.

I drive home, trying to think of a way.

A way to bring you to paradise for the day.

Let that day stretch into years.

No more sorrow, no more tears.

Just you and me, making history.

It will happen dear, if you’ll just stick with me.

———————————————R. W. Johnson—–2015)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Edict Of Depression

      The Edict Of Depression

Saturday and Sunday has blurred into one.

I spent time in a bar, walking the streets,

or in my small, one room flat, drinking rum.

I hardly remember what I had to eat.

I cannot recall the point where I became

the person who lives here in this existence.

Not sending Christmas or birthday cards is lame.

I become exhausted instead of tired, without resistance.

Things rarely start & stop at identifiable points.

Life tends to shade from one state to another.

To evolve, then dissolve, to grow like moving joints,

then fade & fall away—- like all others.

Books and poems with their words hide this.

With their quantized approach to reality.

With their pretence that emotional starts & stops exist.

That you can be in one state, then another, callously

refers to a life that is in one continual flux.

Yet, it all blends together, like a mental storm.

Nothing stays with me, except my tortured gut.

This is a perpetual hell into which I was born.

Alcohol just rounds off the sharp edges.

Things roll along easier when one is blotto.

I never give money or make any pledges.

Just to half-heartedly ‘ maintain,’ is my motto.

Nothing to look forward to. The past is a blur.

I live in an existence that is like a fog.

Don’t ask me where I’m going, I’m not sure.

I pass out each night and sleep like a log.

In the morning, nothing has changed.

No one is concerned.— No one cares.

I guess there is no one else to blame.

Loneliness is a state that is impossible to share.

———————————————R. W. Johnson—–(2015)

 

 

 

 

Hooked By Love

 

Hooked By Love

It’s  another affair of the heart.

The kind that often happens.

The emotions can tear you apart.

Is it a result of your actions?

 

It started innocent enough.

You were along for the ride.

Then, things got a little tough.

You could have run,— or lied.

 

Yet,—- you didn’t leave.

You stayed on for a reason.

What is it you want to achieve?

Is it coming in due season?

 

You must go a lot deeper this time.

Emotions run deep in the well of love.

To understand the reasons & rhyme,

you need to nurture the wild wind dove.

You need to seek true redemption.

Before you even try to mention

your true feelings concerning her.

 

The relationship develops.

Like they always do.

Soon, all will be enveloped.

Covering all you say & do.

 

Your total life revolves around her.

You don’t want it any other way.

You are hooked this time for sure.

You want it to work out, you pray.

 

You have tried your best to understand.

You try to enlighten every emotion.

You try your best to cope, like a man.

You just pray she has the same notion.

 

You must go a lot deeper this time.

Emotions run deep in the well of love.

To understand the reasons & rhyme,

you need to nurture the wild wind dove.

You need to seek true redemption.

Before you can even try to mention

your true feelings concerning her.—R. W. Johnson—–(2015)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valentine’s Day

 

      Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is here again.

A day for love and flying cupids.

A day for romance to begin.

Not a day for acting stupid.

 

First give her a special card.

One that expresses your love.

Things you failed to regard

all year, like you should of.

 

Then, follow up with flowers,

chocolates, or some other gift.

Be aware of February showers,

as the limo gives you both a lift.

 

A nice dinner, then a movie.

Maybe, somewhere else .

Your choice. Make it groovy.

Make sure your feelings are felt.

 

Make her happy and loved.

She will return it in full.

It’s a gift from God above.

It’s all more than just a show.

 

It is how you really feel.

Time to express all of it.

Let her know your love is real.

Pour out your heart. Every bit.

 

In the days that follow your love will grow.

Deeper love and respect will flourish.

Without Valentine’s Day, you might never know.

Just how great love is when it’s nourished.

————————————————-R.W. Johnson—–(2015)

 

 

 

 

 

Something In The Night

 

     Something In The Night

As I laid down for the night.

I heard a thump, off to the right.

I sat up and looked around.

Nothing unusual could be found

I reached up & turned out the light.

Before long, I had a fright.

I felt a presence standing there.

I could feel it in the air.

The hair on my head stood up.

I felt trapped, like I was stuck.

Quick, like a bunny, I turned on the light.

I looked left and I looked right.

I couldn’t see anyone around.

My spouse lay next to me, sleeping sound.

I left the light on for awhile.

Eventually, I turned it off, with a smile.

My imagination was working overtime.

It was that short horror stories book of mine.

I was reading it to kill some time.

Before I started it, everything was fine.

I tried to get comfortable & go to sleep.

I prayed to the Lord my soul to keep.

I was just dosing when my wife awoke.

“Someone is here”, she spoke.

This sent a shiver of fear down my back.

I turned on the lamp, expecting a trap.

Again,—- no one was there.

“They could be hiding anywhere.”

I said “I’ll check it out”

I grabbed a flashlight & moved about.

I checked the house from bottom to top.

Checked windows, doors, and every lock.

All was secure. No one was there.

Nothing out of place anywhere.

She said “Maybe it was a ghost?”

“No such thing,” I tried to boast.

Again, we tried to get to sleep.

The scraping sound made me feel weak.

I jumped up with flashlight in hand.

I was ready to clobber the ‘man.’

No one there.— Not a sound.

Nothing unusual could be found.

We agreed to sleep with the light on.

It was fine till the light was gone.

We awoke with the lights out.

“What the hell!!,” I began to shout.

Our bed started shaking for no reason.

No earthquake, out of season.

We were scared. She started to scream.

We just wanted to split the scene.

Then, everything went completely still.

Not a single sound to give us a thrill.

Nothing ever happened again.

Our explanations were looking dim.

Years later, we don’t mention it anymore.

Yet, we sleep with light on & a locked door.

————————————–R. W. Johnson—–(2015)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mirror, Mirror On The Wall

 

      Mirror, Mirror On The Wall

I walked by the mirror & glanced at it.

I snapped around and looked again.

I just stood there looking for a bit.

I turned around, not believing it then.

I looked the same as ever.

But, the background had changed.

It wasn’t my bedroom. Very clever.

It seems castle walls had been arranged.

I knew it had to be somehow a joke.

I went to the bathroom mirror.

I looked at it and what a jolt.

It was the same, that was clear.

I went running out of the place.

Picked up my girl and brought her back.

I told her about it to her face.

“I was warned you were crazy, but that?”

“Your family was cursed, so were you.”

“I’ll check out the mirrors for the fact.”

She looked in both mirrors & it was true.

She was shocked, but suspected a trick.

We checked behind the mirrors.

Nothing there. We just didn’t get it.

She was so shaken she was almost in tears.

Then, I put my hand on one of them.

My hand went right into the mirror.

I pulled it out quickly, like it was sin.

I said, “ It felt cold and queer.”

We realized we could go right in .

We feared to do so. Could we get out?

What if it trapped us within?

Would it do us any good to shout?

We covered the mirrors & disposed of them.

We dumped them at the city dump.

They were never mentioned again.

There was one mirror left in a trunk.

Out of sight, out of mind, ——until????

—————————————–R. W. Johnson—–(2015)

 

Long Enduring Love

      Long Enduring Love

Coming into town on the afternoon train.

I hope this long trip is not in vain.

I have been gone for way too long.

I know its been eons I have been gone.

 

The shadows from trees flash across my face

as I contemplate going back to the place.

Back to where and when it all started.

I often wish we had never parted.

 

Yet, I had to leave for the reasons you know.

You said you would wait through sleet and snow.

It has taken much longer than expected.

My letters to you were never neglected.

 

But, lately, responses have been fewer.

I am nervous, thinking that you flew.

Our romance, put on hold too long.

Till, eventually, another came along.

 

The train is finally slowing in its approach.

I am praying I am not met with reproach.

Passengers unload and then it’s my turn.

I can feel my stomach began to churn.

 

I step down and you fly into my arms.

All kisses and tears and all your charms.

I am overwhelmed with joy and tears.

I hold you like I won’t let go for years.

 

I will never be going away again.

It is over. I am staying until the end.

We have a lot to catch up on.

But, we have time. Now is our song.

———————————–R. W. Johnson—–(2015)

 

Love Finally Found

      Love Finally Found

I’m on the road to never, never land.

I have to find out who I really am.

I’ve searched the whole world over.

Yet, I never found my 4 leaf clover.

My sweet honey suckle companion.

The one who I will meet at land’s end.

Once she is found, I will settle down.

With no one but her around.

Until then, I travel on day to day.

Stumbling along. Trying to find my way.

The ins & outs of relationships

can be a rocky road leading only to friendships.

I must dive deeper into the human gene pool.

Scuba diving for a pearl in the blue.

One more precious than life itself.

I will never just set it on the shelf.

She will be the world to me.

Can anyone be her, I plea?

There is so much to learn and do.

Yet, I must continue on, to get to you.

There is never an easy way.

I learn that lesson every day.

Stubborn persistence finally paid off.

I found her one day, up in the loft.

A farm girl, with the charms of forever.

Left me standing out in the wet weather.

After the shock wore off, I explained.

She smiled and made it very plain.

She did things the old fashioned way.

A fellow would have to court her every day.

This I did with great exuberance.

I hoped that this would move her hence.

It worked like a charm. Now, we are one.

Now, the fun has really begun.

———————————————-R. W. Johnson—–(2015)