Category: Free bird Poetry

Poems about the lonely traveler

Gone, But Not Forgotten

 

      Gone, But Not Forgotten

I thought the obituary surly lied.

How could Charlie have ever died?

I felt like crying, but tears wouldn’t come.

Way back, Charlie and I had so much fun.

 

Charlie was the kind of guy

who would take any dare, come do or die.

He did tons of crazy things.

Yet, he was never hurt. He earned his wings.

 

He had his way with the women too.

He scored with twice the girls as me & you.

He had a line that wouldn’t quit.

The women went for every bit of it.

 

He was the class clown in school.

He perfected the part of being the fool.

Charlie stood tall. A man among men.

A real hero, again and again.

 

We probably have all known a ‘Charlie.’

Somewhere back in our iniquity.

A guy with similar traits.

A guy who rarely made mistakes.

 

He married the most popular girl in school.

I wish she would have carried my books too.

He did his hitch in the Army.

Had an honorable discharge , then started farming.

 

He came to every school reunion.

The hearts of the girls he would soon win.

A guy like him always came out on top.

He would say: “Make the most of what you’ve got.”

 

He did that all his life, till that day

they found something that wouldn’t go away.

A deadly disease took him down.

What a way to put an end to the class clown.

 

He loved life to the fullest.

He’ll be remembered, I know it.

His oldest boy is just like him.

He might as well have been his twin.

 

As chance would have it, his name is Charlie too.

Of course, he is close to me and you.

Through him Charlie lives on.

Sometimes it’s almost like he was never gone.

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

 

I’m Caught In A Trap

         I’m caught in a trap

I’ve never met anyone so opposite of me.

No matter what, you always disagree.

We met through mutual friends.

That’s how a thing like this begins.

 

Somehow, we end up being together.

If I say it’s canvas, you say it’s leather.

If I say it’s black, you don’t say it’s white.

You say ”It’s blue,  so don’t get uptight.”

 

I hope I don’t fall in love with you.

If so, I won’t know what to do?

They say opposites attract.

I am praying that’s not a fact.

If I fall in love with you

I can only end up being a fool.

How could anything be so cruel?

I just don’t know what to do.

 

I tried to arrange things to be safe.

That night came & things didn’t wait.

One person was sick with the flu.

So I ended up, again, with you.

 

No matter how I try we can’t stay apart.

It’s really starting to affect my heart.

It starts beating faster when I see you.

Due to inner stress, or something new?

 

I hope I don’t fall in love with you.

If so, I won’t know what to do?

They say opposites attract.

I am praying that’s not a fact.

If I fall in love with you

I can only end up being a fool.

How can anything be so cruel?

I just don’t know what to do.

 

I have to break the loop. This can’t go on.

I am in a tither from dusk till dawn.

We will never be lovers, please take the cue.

Quit acting like you haven’t the slightest clue.

 

Things got turned around & here we are again.

“We see you two together a lot” friends said with a grin.

“There may be something happening here.”

That’s it. I’m done. Give me another beer.

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

 

 

 

 

 

Someone Like You

   Someone like you.

Someone like you.

Perfect in every way.

Everything that you do.

Makes you better every day.

 

Someone like me.

Loves the darkness & the night.

Everything that I see

makes me stay out of the light.

 

Then came the day.

Our paths crossed briefly.

Why you weren’t repelled, I couldn’t say.

I was shocked, completely.

 

I stay to myself.

I only go out at night.

I have very little wealth.

Crowds make me uptight.

 

Someone like you.

Stands out in a crowd.

People stick like glue.

Being near you makes them proud.

 

I am average in every way.

There is nothing worth a second look.

People see me & have little to say.

Some even worry I may be a crook.

 

You made my day.

When you asked for my help.

O.k. was all I could say.

When you asked as you knelt.

 

I would carry your luggage well.

I could see it was heavy for you.

Just a couple of blocks to the hotel.

You would be so thankful if I do.

 

You offered to pay me.

I said no, it was an honor.

A real gentleman, I see.

My face was red as I floundered.

 

Are you blushing she smiled.

Sorry, I am usually called worse.

For heaven’s sake, why? Was she in denial?

I am shy & a loner, a real curse.

 

You seem really special to me.

What?? Why would you say that.

You seem kind, courteous, and free.

Free? You mean not like a rat in a trap?

 

She laughed at that. It was beautiful.

It sounded like rain dripping on  a rainbow.

Such a beautiful laugh I said without ridicule.

Why thank you, she smiled. Her voice remained low.

 

She asked my name & told me hers.

The angels must have named you.

Why is that? she referred.

A beautiful name to match your looks, as they do.

 

She turned red now, to my surprise.

Are you blushing I asked?

I guess I am . your compliments are not disguised.

How could they be?, you are a super catch.

 

She grabbed my arm then and held on tight.

We walked to the hotel talking in whispers.

She said she would like diner with me tonight.

I stammered yes & could hardly control my jitters.

 

Someone like you.

Has made a totally different me.

I am in heaven with all I do.

For she has set me free.

 

My life will never be the same.

She saw in me something I never knew was there.

Yet, she agreed to take my last name.

The rest is written in the stars somewhere.——–R. W. Johnson—–(2015)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Imagination Rules

 

      Imagination Rules

A fictional life in a real world is a novel.

A real life in a fictional world is a gamer.

Fun with words can apply to either.

Let your imagination be neither.

 

Go anywhere or do anything.

Your imagination has no limits.

You can control your own destiny.

Your imagination is the key.

 

If you can’t imagine it on your own.

Let novels, games, or poetry help.

There is no limits in sight.

Your imagination is up to the fight.

 

There is little that you can’t do.

The limits are set by you.

Think of it and you are there.

You control power unbelievable.

 

The happiness that comes to you

is determined by all that you do.

Or, by all that you can imagine.

You control all that will be.

 

If not on your own, others can take you there.

Through stories, songs, & poetry, you’re anywhere.

Anywhere that the idea takes you to.

Accept it and enjoy the ride .———————-R. W. Johnson—–(2015)

 

 

 

Almost Late For A Date

      Almost Late For A Date

Like a sack of potatoes lying in the sun.

I am soaking up rays, just having fun.

I am building up my vitamin D.

Not a single fear of skin cancer, you see.

 

I awake with a start & look around.

All is dark. The sun has gone down.

What is that in the shadows I see?

Is my mind is playing tricks on me?

 

It looks like a ghost, but it’s not moving.

Then, it starts dancing,  really grooving.

It’s hopping and bopping and getting it on.

Now it’s doing the ‘robot’ on the lawn.

 

It starts to ‘moon walk’ as my eyes adjust.

Then I can see clearer. What the heck??

It is my girlfriend who is the groovy ghost.

She is, by far, the ghost with the most.

 

“Hey!!” “ What are you doing here?”

“You’re late for our date” she sneered.

“What?  What time is it? I fell asleep.”

“It is obvious you were counting sheep.”

 

“I thought you were a ghost. I was losing it.”

She said, “Oh, be real and use your wit”

“Let me shower, shit, shine, and shave.”

She said, “Hurry it up or we will be late.”

 

I spiffed up and in a bit, off we went.

We had plans. I will give you a hint.

It has a slot—- and it goes like hell.

Does “Slot Car Races”  ring a bell?

 

She had her car and I had mine.

Mine was faster. I beat her every time.

Yet, she still liked the excitement.

The race was on without any enticement.

 

She kicked butt on all the female racers.

Most guys only saw a trace of her.

I barely squeezed past on the last turn.

She said, ”That’s o.k. I have a lot to learn.”

 

A fun night for us overall.

I would call the night a draw.

We made an ice cream stop after that.

Then headed home in nothing flat.

 

“Why are you speeding?” she asked.

I said “Oops, my foot stuck on the gas.”

Once home, we cuddled for awhile.

Then, she said goodnight with a smile.

 

What a good day it turned out to be.

I think tomorrow I will see.

Start with a nap in the sun.

Then, later on, I will have more fun.—————–R. W. Johnson—–(2015)

 

 

 

 

 

 

So Wrong, Yet Felt So Right

 

So Wrong, Yet Felt So Right.

Knowing that it is true

doesn’t always make it right.

That night I was close to you.

I was holding you real tight.

 

It was a night I will never forget.

I keep flashing back to that time.

It was too frightening —–I regret.

Yet, I knew, for awhile, you were mine.

 

It was storming and we were alone.

Trapped in a building with no escape.

A psychotic killer on the roam.

Letting him see us, was a mistake.

 

You belonged to another then.

How we ended up here is a long story.

It all happened,—– so why pretend?

At least it didn’t end up gory.

 

The killer was after us, without a doubt.

We witnessed what he did to that girl.

Then,—– you began to shout.

He faced us, his fist began to curl.

 

We ran like we never had before.

He was hot on our trail wanting our blood.

We hid in this building after breaking in the door.

He kicked the door in further with a thud.

 

We were hiding behind a bunch of boxes.

You were clinging to me very tight.

He went by & we snuck out like foxes.

Being careful to stay out of the light.

 

We ran & ran till we dropped.

Much too tired to go on.

The comfort of each other, we sought.

It still sticks in my mind—– like a song.

 

We found a pay phone and called the police.

They came quickly and took us to the station.

We told our story before our release.

First, we looked at mug shots, to try and place him.

 

Weeks later, the killer was caught.

We felt lucky to have gotten away that night.

Still,—– I have not forgot

what happened between us that felt so right.

 

It may be the truth, but it doesn’t make it right.

You belong to another and so it will be.

Just two ships passing in the night.

Yet, it will always be a special moment for me.–R. W. Johnson—–(2015)

 

 

 

Ode To Terry

      Ode To Terry

Its been a long, long time.

Ya know its long been on my mind.

To find a way to have you understand.

The way I feel about you.

And just how much I love you.

To talk and tell you what I’ve found

when there’s no one else around.

 

Its long been a dream of mine.

Ya know, if I only had the time

to share with you all I see and do.

If I can find the time to get away.

So we can have the time to play.

So that we can be together.

No matter what the weather.

 

You see, I’d like to share my life with you.

To be the closest friend to you.

To share my deepest feelings with.

I’ll always want to have you there.

To show you always how much I care.

To be there for you to lean on.

During times when you feel put upon.

 

I’ve always wanted to be the one

you’d turn to when times are looking bum.

To give you all the love and comfort you need.

To supply a shoulder when times are sad.

And give a hug when times are glad.

I want to lift your heart and make it soar.

All for your love and nothing more.——————-R. W. Johnson—–(2015)

 

 

Dragon Tears

  Dragon Tears

As life flows

through the years,

it can be bitter

like dragon tears.

 

It can be sweet,

like music to your ears.

It can be scary,

like your inner fears.

 

But, always remember.

As life’s end nears,

it was your life

through all those years.

 

You were the one

who made those tears.

As sweet as honey,

or—-dragon tears.————R. W. Johnson—–(1994)

Poet Goes Off Track

 

      Poet goes off track.

I’ve tried it once & I’ve tried it twice.

The camels have ‘hump day’. Is that nice?

Being hit can leave you black and blue.

I’m not drinking gas. I ain’t no fool.

If I could sing, people would gather around.

Have you ever heard of an ugly clown?

Mickey Mouse was once a rat.

How the heck does he do that?

I have a car that runs like a sewer.

It gurgles and burps. I wish it was newer.

It is cold. My lips are blue.

One flew over the cookoo’s  nest too.

Video games are full of violence and hate.

At least they aren’t playing Crazy Eights.

The power went off, then came back on.

I had a poem done, but now it’s gone.

I’ve gone off track. I am now on tilt.

I sure hope my flowers don’t wilt.

Everything is spinning around inside.

I couldn’t produce a poem if I tried.

ahhh,—- love and affection.

Do you see a human connection?

I am leaving it up to you.

I think I’m coming down with the flu.

Forget this poem writing, it’s late.

This doesn’t look good for my fate.———–R. W. Johnson—–(2014)

 

 

The Root Of Confusion

 

      The Root Of Confusion

Driving down this country road,

feeling like I’m growing old.

Windshield wipers are keeping time,

as I mull things over in my mind.

 

The day is dark, dreary, and wet.

How much darker can my mind get?

I try to find some sort of pattern.

Thoughts are circling like the Rings Of Saturn

 

It is not a mystery

as many say it seems to be.

Round and round

goes the secrecy.

No way ever to

set yourself free.

Sometimes the meaning

starts to become clear.

Then it blurs

and leaves me in fear.

 

On I drive, on this miserable day.

My destination, I cannot say.

I don’t know if I can go on?

Yet,  I must.  It’s not a con.

 

Someone like you can understand.

Why it is so hard for a man.

My thoughts keep spinning with no focus.

I don’t even know what the joke is?

 

It is not a mystery

as many say it seems to be.

Round and round

goes the secrecy.

No way ever to

set yourself free.

Sometimes the meaning

starts to become clear.

Then it blurs

and leaves me in fear.

 

I’ve gone so far I’ve lost my way.

I am not even sure of the day.

It is not a mid life crisis.

I’m still young. It’s what the price is.

 

I could be lost for eternity.

Till someone makes it clear to me.

It’s the way it is when in this trap.

If I only knew where I was at?—————–R. W. Johnson—–(2014)