Nostalgia – Page 4 – Word Smith Wisdom

A Better Way

The world today is such a mess.
It was all predicted, I guess.
The Bible has warned of such a time.
I can’t claim this time as mine.
I grew up in the decade of the 50’s.
It was even better than the 60’s.
Not a lot of money to go around.
But, things were cheap in town.
It was a peaceful time, for sure.
No social unrest, as it were.
A country setting was my life.
Here you seldom saw a fight.
We rode bikes to get around.
It was good exercise, I have found.
With several friends and my dog.
Fresh, clean air, above the fog.
Outside fun all the time.
No computers to occupy our mind.
Radio, then later B & W TV.
That was entertainment to me.
Religion was a big part of life.
Things were simpler. Way less strife.
I would love to go back again.
But, that can’t be, my friend.
Just take in stride what I say.
At one time, there was a better way.
Maybe there can be again.
It depends on how all this ends.

———————R. W. Johnson—–(2015)

Country Life

It’s a country life for me.
Just that feeling of being free.
A walk to lower your stress.
Country smells do the rest.
All the sights help you too.
Nature will feel close to you.
Breathe that clean country air.
Birds are singing everywhere.
Neighbors are friendly as can be.
You’re treated like kinfolk. Wait & see.
Walk through fields of wheat.
Eat fresh food. All you can eat.
Take a hike in the woods.
Butterflies will kiss you, if they could.
Go fishing in lake or stream.
Life is as peaceful as it seems.
It’s a great place to raise your kids.
You won’t nut up and flip your lid.
There is no smog to choke you up.
Go outside & play with your mutt.
Ride your bike to the swimming hole.
Life here is fun. Just take it slow.
Enjoy all these gifts from God.
There are no weirdo’s, looking odd.
Once you’re here and settled in,
you will be happy. Bring a friend.

———————–R. W. Johnson—–(2015)

Days Of Love Gone

Days Of Love Gone

I can’t take things the way they are.

I can feel every cut and scar.

Be it literal, or on the heart.

The end result is tearing us apart.

I remember much smoother days.

Making love was the popular craze.

Flower children pushed ‘flower power.’

How did we get to this crazy hour?

We need to start all over. Start all over.

Go back to kissing and smelling the clover.

Go back to loving and caring for others.

Our greatest work was under the covers.

We preached love and all it involved.

We were happy to be part of the crowd.

Today, trust no one, is a no brainer.

Who does the government have on retainer?

No one depends on one another,

only on the government. That’s a blunder.

We are becoming a nation of sheep.

We are organic robitoids in the keep.

The government tells us what to do.

I wouldn’t do that if I were you.

We need to start all over. Start all over.

Go back to kissing and smelling the clover.

Go back to loving and caring for others.

Our greatest work was under the covers.

We preached love and all it involved.

We were happy to be part of the crowd.

The hand writing is on the wall.

We can’t stand. We have to crawl.

We have no backbone of our own.

This is killing me to the bone.

There has got to be a better day.

Let’s go psychedelic all the way.

Bring back the flowers and the love.

Bring back the loving turtle dove.

——————————–R. W. Johnson—–(2015)

A Million To One

A Million To One

I was fairly new in town.

I wasn’t much into fooling around.

I drove down town for food.

I was in a pretty good mood.

I stopped into the A & W stand.

I feel like a root beer, when I can.

A sweet little honey skated up to me.

The waitresses wore roller skates, you see.

I placed an order & she gave me a wink.

I was so surprised I couldn’t think.

When my order came, there was a note

It was her name & #. Call me, she wrote.

I just looked at it, I was in shock.

It just wasn’t happening to me,—- or not.

I waited a couple of days.

Then I called her, wondering what to say.

She was apologetic for being so bold.

“I have never done that before”, she told.

“It’s the first time it’s happened to me.”

“I just can’t believe that.” She said with glee.

I said “Now that introductions are made

would go out with me? Don’t be afraid.”

She said yes and that she wasn’t scared.

She just wanted me to know she cared.

We went to dinner & to a movie.

She was as snuggly as can be.

I dropped her off & kissed her goodbye.

Leaving, I thought, not bad. I didn’t even try.

After several more dates she was my girl.

When I’m with her I get a thrill.

All summer long we were together.

We had a blast. Her name was Heather.

We did everything you could think of.

My heart was higher than the clouds above.

By autumn, it became true love. What a game.

I’ve known other girls. It wasn’t the same.

We each had Senior year of high school to do.

I was sticking with her. I was no fool.

It was one of the best years of my life.

The fact we were going steady made it just right.

After graduation we were both off to college.

If she dated others, it was without my knowledge.

After college, we had to decide.

Were we together only for the ride?

If not, we had to make serious plans.

She became mine & I became her man.

Many years later I look back at all this.

Could there have been something I had missed?

Absolutely not!! I have what I wanted.

I am glad we pushed on, undaunted.

———————————————R. W. Johnson—–(2015)

Pirate Faire

Pirate Faire

Have you gone to a Pirate’s Faire?

Checked out everyone there?

People dressed like sea going pirates.

Many buxom beauties. You should try it.

There are many jewelry booths.

Lots of games and other loot.

There are swords, knives, and axes.

Lots of fun but, the fact is:

There is pirate sights galore.

Nothing there is a bore.

Lots of clothes booths from pirate days.

Boots and leather goods to praise.

There is every type of pirate hat.

Tell me what you think of that.

There are pubs and other such places,

selling mead, ale, and rum, by buxoms with laces.

There is a ship that sails by, firing it’s cannons.

Those on shore fire back. Lots of men to man them.

There is a food area, selling fitting food.

A tent with live acts to entertain your mood.

You can sit, eat, and watch the show.

Watch until you are ready to go.

It takes a few hours to see it all.

The whole time you will have a ball.

So, next time one is near you,

be sure to go, if you have nothing else to do.

——————————————-R. W. Johnson—–(2015)

A Beautiful Day

A Beautiful Day

Well, it’s a day. Oh, what a day.

The sun is shining & I want to play.

I head out and I walk around.

I start walking towards down town.

Before long, I see some kids.

They are playing Make A Wish.

I asked one what he wished for.

He said vacation. He wanted more.

I laughed and went on my way.

It is such a beautiful day.

Down town, people were in a hurry.

Going here & there with such a worry.

I was kicked back, taking my time.

I was in no hurry. I didn’t mind.

I saw a guy and a parking maid.

They were arguing about a ticket she made.

He said he was only a minute late.

She said it’s o.k. This is not a date.

I walked on with a smile on my face.

Things were happening all over the place.

I walked by The Farmer’s Market.

People zoomed in like it was a target.

Fresh fruits and vegetables galore.

Who could ask for anything more.

Eventually, I came to the park.

Fortunately, it wasn’t yet dark.

People were having a picnic lunch.

Kids were playing. There was a bunch.

Everyone seemed to be having fun.

They were all enjoying the sun.

Then, on my walk back home.

I saw a dog burying a bone.

He was in the middle of the lawn.

A man ran out and he was gone.

The guy looked mad as hell.

But, he seemed to take it well.

Further along some lovers were kissing.

I passed by. I knew what I was missing.

When I got home I called my girl.

Talking with her gives me a thrill.

We made plans for later in the evening.

What a day. It was very pleasing.

—————————————-R. W. Johnson—–(2015)

“Old Pappy Quotes”

“Old Pappy Quotes”

When I was young I would always moan.

He would say “Don’t even ask. It’s set in stone.”

What exactly did this mean to me?

Not very much then, as you can see.

Now that I am fully grown,

I catch myself saying “It’s set in stone.”

What a thing.—– Just pass it along.

They might as well put it in a song.

I am sure my kids think “What does that mean?”

It’s a ‘Pappy Quote.’ Your grandfather, it seems,

thought this was the answer to anything.

It was enough back then to make me scream.

But, why continue to say it today?

Is it just something that is handy to say?

Whip the tykes into line till they moan.

“Don’t even ask. It’s set in stone.”

Some things are passed on down the line.

Generation to generation, they think it’s fine.

Sayings and other things we do

that were passed on from me to you.

I could write a book of ‘Old Pappy sayings.’

Like “It ain’t worth kneeling unless you’re praying.”

‘Old Pappy’ had advice on everything.

The witticisms he would repeat were really keen.

A regular Will Rogers without a rope.

Yet, it all could give you hope.

Words to learn,—— to live by.

I miss hearing them now, I sigh.

My ‘Old Pappy’ was saying things

long before “Maverick” was even a dream.

In the old western TV show

Maverick would quote his ‘Old Pappy’, you know.

So, I catch myself doing the same.

Quoting my ‘Old Pappy.’ It’s not insane.

‘Old Pappy’ was pretty smart in his day.

He is still pretty smart.——- Even today.

——————————————R. W. Johnson—–(2015)

The Radio Days

The Radio Days

For better times and better ways,

I started thinking of radio days.

I remember those good old times.

You got food, drink, maybe some wine.

Then the family gathered around the radio.

Just to hear your favorite shows.

There were comedies like Amos ‘n’ Andy.

Abbot & Costello were really dandy.

Westerns like The Lone Ranger.

Gunsmoke and other dangers.

Mysteries, like The Shadow Knows.

Ever wonder where The Shadow goes?

There was Dragnet and Gang Busters.

Buzz Cory and The Space Patrol.

Inner Sanctum and other shows.

There were many, many more.

We often sat around on the floor.

Yes, we enjoyed these family times.

Most of the shows were just fine.

Quite a different activity from today.

But then, we were different in every way.

Things back then were easy going.

The shows we heard left little showing.

Not the fast paced rush of today.

There was lots more time to play.

To each his own as to what they like.

But, I’ll take the old days. They were all right.

—————————————–R. W. Johnson—–(2015)

A Lifetime Of Commitment

A Lifetime Of Commitment

It was a year I will never forget.

It wasn’t much on the National net.

Yet, personally, it was a real high.

It leaves a twinkle in my eye.

It was the year we became one.

You said yes and it was done..

We have been together ever after.

If it wasn’t us, it didn’t matter.

We have had our ups and downs.

Everyone does, I have found.

Yet, the flame still burns bright .

Love carries us through each night.

Overall, one would call it average.

For us, it has been very savage.

By that, I mean we have gotten down.

Really into the love we have found.

I’m her tiger and she’s my pet.

She’s the hottest one I have met.

I would never trade her for another.

I love her like I love my mother.

With a never ending burning love.

Only surpassed by love from above.

We have been blessed in many ways.

But, the greatest of these, I must say.

Is what you have meant to me.

Without you I could never be.

I exist to fulfill all you desire.

So it will be,—– till I retire.

———————-R. W. Johnson—–(2015)

Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day

Tomorrow is Mother’s Day again.

Once a year we honor them.

My mother is no longer around.

She stepped into tomorrow, I found.

It is an easier way to look at death.

Thank God, her memory hasn’t faded yet.

For all with mothers still alive.

Tomorrow, her special day will arrive.

Treat her to a special meal or outing.

Maybe flowers or candy. No pouting.

Tell her you love her because you do.

Without her, you wouldn’t be you.

Being a mother is a very tough job.

God didn’t want this to be odd.

He made a woman ready to do the job.

It is a job that really reflects God.

Not all mothers are loved by their own.

Often, it is not her fault, it is shown.

The cases where a mother has fallen short,

there are extenuating circumstances to sort.

Most of us love our mothers with good reason.

To say we don’t would fall just short of treason.

Our mothers gave their lives to raise us right.

A mother’s love for their offspring is no respite.

So do your best to make her proud.

Make your love stand out in the crowd.

God would do no less for me & you.

Your mother is special. She loves you too.

———————————————R. W. Johnson—–(2015)