Category: Free bird Poetry

Poems about the lonely traveler

A Fairy Tale

      A Fairy Tale

I was walking down a country road.

Twilight was lengthening the shadows.

I heard the croaking of the toads.

I saw the nearby cattle.

Suddenly, I heard a cry!!

It came from somewhere in the woods.

Darkened trees flashed by my eyes,

as I ran as fast as I could.

Down the road, I reached the spot

from where the cry had come.

I started into the wooded lot,

at a creep and not a run.

Soon, I reached a waterfall.

There was moonlight shining down.

I moved closer at a crawl.

Careful not to make a sound.

Below the falls there was a pool.

From there I heard the voices.

At first I thought it wasn’t true.

But, there were no other choices.

There were fairies, small with wings.

They were sitting & playing in the water.

Many laughed while others would sing.

Still others, splashed around like otters.

I felt a magical peace of mind

watching the fairies in the moonlight.

Who would believe there exists their kind?

I had a feeling it was only right.

Suddenly, I had to sneeze.

The fairies all froze and looked.

I fell down upon my knees.

Not a ripple stirred within the brook.

Then, all the fairies took to the air.

They flew off into the night.

All that I could do, was stare

into the shimmering moonlight.

To this day, I still believe,

what took place that moonlit night.

The fairies I saw could not deceive,

even though they took to flight.

So, if you know a secluded spot to go

with lots of water around.

Go there when the moon is full

and fairies may be found.—————–R. W. Johnson—–(2004)

 

 

 

 

Yearning For The Gift

      Yearning for the gift

I can almost reach it.

It’s within my grasp.

When it is brightly lit,

it is like shining brass.

 

I have gone days

with it not around.

When it should amaze,

I am wearing a frown.

 

What is it I fear?

How come I can

never keep it near?

I need to be a man.

 

I want it close.

I want it to cover me.

When I need it most

is when I am running free.

 

Should I do my thing?

Or, let Him do His?

If I want Him to bring

me much more than a kiss.

 

I need to believe in Him.

To surrender totally.

He will take away the sin.

I can come to the cross boldly.

 

Then He will cover me.

I will be one of His.

I know what needs to be.

I must accept His gift.—————–R. W. Johnson—–(2014)

 

 

 

White, Cold, Water

      White, Cold, Water

I felt the cold of icy, white water

come flowing over as it pulled me down.

I saw my hand reaching out of the water

and grab a branch hanging low to the ground.

 

Flow white water.

Flow over me.

Take me down ,

then, out to the sea.

 

I heard you calling as I went running.

I should have waited by the streetlamp post.

But, in the moonlight, I went hunting.

Breath blowing white, like a ghost.

 

Flow white water.

Flow over me.

Take me down,

Then, out to the sea.

 

Into the calm and clear,

you ran, coming through the mists.

I can feel you near.

Straining to hear through the waters hiss.

The dogwoods on the banks

Glowing in the gloom.

On every naked branch,

a beautiful white bloom.

 

Flow white water.

Flow over me.

Take me down.

Then, out to the sea.

 

I see you running in the tall wild grasses.

Your body floating in the frosty air.

Young and free, coming to the river rapids.

Your hands, now reaching , yelling that you care.

 

Flow white water, flow.

Right on by.

Flow white water, flow.

Leave me high and dry.

 

Your there holding and cuddling me.

Whispering sweet nothings in my ear.

Doing your best to try and reach me.

Suddenly, I felt no fear.

Why I ran, had now departed.

I had no clue to why it was.

I know you are where my heart is.

Snug and warm and loved.

————————————————R. W. Johnson—–(2011)

 

Ode To The Bold

      Ode To The Bold

I stand in a wide flat land.

No shadow or shade about.

Yeagger is the kind of man

who will kill you without a doubt.

 

He’s after me, but I got away.

He’s been tracking me for a month.

I don’t even know the time of day.

I just keep moving. Avoid the hunt.

 

I was in town for a little fun.

I didn’t know Collette was his girl.

Since he caught us, I’ve been on the run.

But, she really gave my heart a whirl.

 

I got to get back to my Collette.

Though, Yeagger may gun me down.

He’ll never let me forget.

I never should of gone into that town.

 

I hear a horse way off in the distance.

I can just make out a horse & rider.

Yeagger is very persistent.

There is no place to hide here.

 

As I run, I spot a small gully.

I dive in & try to dig deeper.

After a time, he comes riding slowly.

I have one shot. I’ll be the reaper.

 

I blew him off his horse.

He hit the ground.

I buried him in the gully.

In the hopes he’ll never be found.

 

I ride into town searching for Collette.

I find her in the local saloon.

I am hoping that she didn’t forget.

She rushes into my arms & swoons.

 

“I was so worried. but, where is Yeagger.”

I tell her all as she turns white.

“He was my older brother:—- Yeagger.”

I listen & my heart drops out of sight.

 

“Why didn’t you tell me ?” I said with shock.

“I thought you knew” she said in tears.

So ends the tale of me & Collette.

I never saw her again.

But, on this you can bet.

Her hand, I could never win.—————–R.W. Johnson—–(2011)

 

 

 

Bad Reputation

 

      Bad Reputation

Friday night again, and, I’m home alone.

My friends are all out with their dates.

But, no one calls me on the phone.

Unless it’s the kind of call I hate.

 

I have a bad reputation.

 

“No, I’m not that kind of girl”, I say.

They say “That’s not what I have heard.”

“I heard you will go all the way”

I slam the phone down without a word.

 

I have a bad reputation.

 

Because I went out with the  football star.

It was fine till he decided to park.

I stopped him before he went very far.

He said “No one jerks around my heart.”

 

I have a bad reputation.

 

Ever since that night, rumors spread.

Kids would rather believe shit.

They wouldn’t believe what I said

Instead they rubbed my face in it.

 

I have a bad reputation.

 

Suddenly there was a knock on the door.

It was the next door neighbor, Dave.

I was so shocked, I nearly hit the floor.

”Would you like to go to a movie?” said Dave.

 

I have a bad reputation.

 

I said “What’s up? You know my reputation.”

“I don’t believe a word of it, I say.”

What I heard must be my imagination?

I said “What, —-What did you say?”

 

I have a bad reputation.

 

He said “I’ve wanted to ask you out for years.”

“I have always been too shy to ask you.”

“Then when I heard the rumors it brought tears”

“I knew the rumors could NOT be true”

 

But,– I have a bad reputation.

 

“I determined to ask you out, no matter what”

“I would defend your honor to anyone, you know.”

I was in shock. “yes” I said with trembling gut.

I had never known that Dave liked me so.

 

Bad reputation,—be gone..

 

That first date grew into sincere love.

We got married soon after graduation.

Placed on a pedestal high above.

My reputation now shines like a gold creation.

——————————————————-R.W. Johnson—-(2011)

 

 

 

 

 

The Drifter

      The Drifter

One summer day he drifted into town.

His time was spent just roaming around.

He would go from one job to another.

Never had a dad. Never had a mother.

 

Raised in an orphanage, I’ve been told.

Somewhere up north where it is cold.

He didn’t say much. Kinda quiet & shy.

If he spoke at all, he just said hi.

 

He got a job working in a store.

All he owned was the clothes that he wore.

He worked long hours to earn his pay.

It didn’t leave him much time to play.

 

Then one day a woman came in.

Young, good looking, and real trim.

He smiled & said “Can I help you mamm?”

She smiled & said “You sure can”

 

It seemed that she needed some shoes.

She had legs that would make front page news.

He blushed as he helped her try on a pair.

Then she ran her fingers through his hair.

 

She said “Oh, I’m sorry to be so bold”.

“Usually people just call me cold”

“But, you remind me of my brother so much”

“I couldn’t help it, I had to touch”.

 

“See, he was killed last year in Iraq”.

“I want so much to bring him back”.

“That’s so sad it breaks my heart”

He said, as he shuddered & fell apart.

 

“That’s so kind. Don’t be embarrassed”.

“Usually people say I could care less”

“Because I am quiet & shy”

“But, somehow you have changed this guy”.

 

They started talking. It lasted for hours.

Before she left he gave her flowers.

They started dating. He settled down.

Soon they were seen all over town.

 

In time they married and had a child.

He ran for mayor. Now, that was wild.

His platform was: I WILL STICK AROUND.

I WAS A DRIFTER TILL I HIT THIS TOWN.

 

People liked his style. They voted for him.

The best mayor they ever voted in.

When asked why he stayed in this place?

He looked at his wife with a smile on his face.

 

I remind her of her brother, was all he said.

——————————————————-R.W. Johnson—-(2011)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just Any Old Kind Of Day

      Just Any Old Kind Of Day

Sitting here, relaxing in my easy chair.

Just some time to rest my tired eyes.

Thinking about the State Fair.

Thinking about how time flys.

Thinking how my grandson really tries.

 

It was just an any old kind of day.

The kind that comes and slips away.

The kind that fills up easy my life’s time.

The night brought any old kind of dark.

I felt the beating of my heart.

Seems to me that everything is fine.

 

Wondering about my old friends?

Hope their all doing fine?

Thinking how it all begins?

Then wondering about the end of the line.

Knowing there’s more to kill than time.

 

It was just an any old kind of day.

The kind that comes and slips away.

The kind that fills up easy my life’s time.

The night brought any old kind of dark.

I felt the beating of my heart.

Seems to me that everything is fine.

 

I heard what sounded like a chicken.

Coming from the field out in back.

Then I heard the clock a ticking.

Telling me it’s time to hit the rack.

Time enough for thinking in the sack.

 

It was just an any old kind of day.

The kind that comes and slips away.

The kind that fills up easy my life’s time.

The night brought any old kind of dark.

I felt the beating of my heart.

Seems to me that everything is fine.

————————————————–R. W. Johnson—-(2011)

 

It Really Doesn’t Matter Anymore

It Really Doesn’t Matter Anymore

When I was little, I was very shy.

I couldn’t look a person in the eye.

A few years later I didn’t like to fight.

To avoid a hassle I would take flight.

As an adult I resisted going to war.

I didn’t want to be here anymore.

 

Now I’m old & set in my ways.

I think back to those earlier days.

I am still set against any wars.

But,— it doesn’t matter anymore.

 

I got married & we had children.

Both were really strong willed then.

Now that I think, they still are now.

They could make you have a cow.

But, neither thinks much of war.

They dislike it to the core.

 

Now I’m old & set in my ways.

I think back to those earlier days.

I am still set against any wars.

But,—It doesn’t matter anymore.

 

As an adult I found the Lord.

My life changed. I’m no longer bored.

I’m looking at life with a different view.

Thinking of more than me and you.

Helping others to make the change.

Getting away from sorrow and pain.

 

Now I’m old & set in my ways.

I think back to those earlier days.

I am still against any wars.

But, it really doesn’t matter anymore.

 

Were in the end days. It will end soon.

The Lord will come outshining sun & moon.

That will be the end of strife & wars.

He’ll shake this earth to it’s very core.

The righteous will be caught up in the air.

The wicked will die in shame & despair.

 

Now I’m old & set in my ways.

I think back to those earlier days.

I am still set against any wars.

Soon, none of this will matter anymore.

—————————————————R.W. Johnson—-(2011)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sincerity

      Sincerity

How can I explain to you.

Without me feeling like a fool.

Please don’t turn your head in shame.

I know that I’m the one to blame.

I wish that you were not crying so,

For each tear burns my very soul.

Nothing said can ease the pain.

Everything lost- – – Nothing gained.

All destroyed in the name of lust.

Nothing now can gain your trust.

There’s nowhere now that I can run.

Nothing can change what’s already done.

I need for you to believe in me.

I want your love for eternity.

If you could look within my mind,

It’s only you there all the time.

If I could lift from you your shame,

and take away all of your pain.

No matter what it took to do.

I would do this thing for you.

There’s no excuse for what I’ve done.

I know that you’re the only one.

What possessed me, I do not know.

I know I’ve never felt so low.

I plead you’ll take me back once more.

Please forgive me I implore.——————-R. W. Johnson—-(1994)

 

The Fly And The Crow

      The Fly And The Crow

I woke with the sun blazing in my eyes.

Another night if groveling in the dirt.

Fighting the demons with the Rye.

Is there no end to this miserable life?

 

I saw in the air above

six blackbirds chasing a crow.

He was flying, swooping, dodging.

But, he was just too slow.

 

Those blackbirds were giving him hell.

Sort of reminded me of myself.

Lying in the dirt, not doing well.

Is there no escape from this miserable life?

 

My life was a living hell.

Death would be a sweet release.

No, I wasn’t doing well.

There was only misery in my life.

 

Then, nearby. I saw a fly.

Trapped in a spider’s web.

He had caught the spider’s eye.

He was trying to get loose.

 

As the spider moved on in,

the fly struggled and fought.

But, he knew he couldn’t win.

Exactly how I was feeling.

 

This brought about a change in me.

I threw myself on the ground.

“God, are you there? Can you hear me?”

I prayed from my very soul.

 

“I know I can never win.”

“But, if you’ll forgive my feeble attempts,

I’ll walk away from the bottle and sin.”

I meant it with all my heart.

 

“But, like the fly and the crow,

I can do nothing to help myself.”

“It’s up to you God to help me grow.”

I laid it all before the Lord.

 

—————O—————

 

The man got up, brushed off his pants,

Then threw away his bottle.

He knew he had a second chance.

He would follow the Holy Spirit where he led.

 

He changed his ways.

He changed so much you wouldn’t believe

If you saw him this very day.

It was like the difference between black and white.

 

He’s now the Pastor down on skid row.

His sermons cause quite a stir.

Especially, when he preaches about the fly and the crow.

Praise the Lord in all he does!!!

—————————————————–R. W. Johnson——(2002)