Nostalgia – Page 5 – Word Smith Wisdom

The Legend Of Robin Hood

The Legend Of Robin Hood

Robin Hood was a sly little fellow.

He would rob from the rich & give to the poor.

His band of ‘merry men’ were pretty mellow.

He became a thief to even the score.

The Sherriff was oppressing the peons.

Taxing them way beyond reason.

King Richard had been gone for eons.

He would be back in due season.

He would not stand for such oppression.

The Sherriff would get his neck stretched.

Meantime, Robin Hood took possession

of all the money the Sherriff had fetched.

Robin had one thing going for him.

It was his skill with a longbow.

He could shoot a bow like Cupid’s twin.

His long shots had never gone low.

The Sherriff wanted Robin’s head.

He couldn’t roust him from Sherwood Forrest.

So, he held a contest, instead.

The best archer would win, of course.

There was a big cash prize offered.

Robin couldn’t resist such a competition.

The money was taken from the tax coffers.

Robin wanted to win to make redemption.

Robin disguised himself as a common beggar.

He registered for the contest. He had a bow.

The contest started and there were wagers.

The final two would shoot a longbow.

It was the Sherriff’s best archer against

the strange beggar, who was very good.

The archer hit dead center & kissed his wench.

The beggar’s arrow split the archer’s wood.

Such a shot, no one had ever seen.

To split another’s arrow at such a distance,

could only mean the beggar wasn’t who he seemed.

He, grabbed the prize & avoided resistance.

All realized it was Robin Hood.

He threw the prize money to the poor.

The Sherriff was doing all he could.

Yet, Robin made it out the door

He got away and the Sherriff looked the fool.

Robin & his men were hero’s of the poor.

The Sherriff planned things that were really cruel.

Before long King Richard returned from the war.

He was informed of the total situation.

The Sherriff was arrested and hung.

Robin was pardoned with elation.

Maid Marion & Robin became as one.

So ends my prose of Robin Hood.

True or legends, he is still a hero.

One who goes around doing good.

Most people think of him as real.

—————————————–R. W. Johnson—–(2015)

The Home Coming

The Home Coming

Coming back home, where the oak trees grow.

Where the foothills thrive & rivers flow.

Where the mountains start their upward climb.

Where I left that love of mine.

Look at the changes that have happened here.

The small town has grown more than I feared.

The old homestead is still standing.

Sometimes, it isn’t easy understanding

why I ever left this little bit of heaven.

I guess my bread needed more leaven.

I needed to rise to the occasion.

Which I did, without hesitation.

All of that is behind me now.

Time to hitch the horses & get behind the plow.

Time to make a life here again for me.

Time to see if my old love is still free.

She hadn’t heard yet I was back in town.

She was surprised when I came around.

She threw herself into my arms.

I was aware of all of her charms.

She told me she thought I had died.

I said “No, I am very much alive.”

I told her I was surprised she had waited for me.

She told me that wasn’t how it was, you see.

She had dated many men. But, no one filled the bill.

Only I could ever give her a thrill.

I said I felt the same about her.

No one could replace her. That’s for sure.

So, our romance, that had been put on hold

began again. Like a whirlwind, we rode.

It led to our marriage and a family.

We made a go of this farm & its shanty.

We have a beautiful spread we call home.

Three fine kids and a life they have grown

to love each and every day. In every way.

The time will come for them to go away.

Hopefully, like I did, they will return.

Heart in hand for the one they yearn.

May their desires turn out as well as mine.

But, that will all happen at another time.

————————————-R. W. Johnson—–(2015)

The Bitter Truth

The Bitter Truth

Things have really gotten wild.

She wanted money for an unborn child.

People have sold their soul for success.

just to get ahead of all the rest.

People have thought they found a way.

To exploit others in every way, every day.

The mighty dollar rules all thought.

To get rich is all they have sought.

It seems honest ways are forgotten.

They are so corrupt, they are rotten.

They’d rob their mother to get ahead.

They won’t be missed when they are dead.

Jail time doesn’t detour them much.

They just scheme more to make the bucks.

They will switch to ‘white collar crimes.’

They will work at home. They have time.

Is nothing anymore on the up and up?

Can you be sure they’re not out to make a buck?

What you would say: By hook or crook.

Opportunity for many is all it took.

Is society responsible for this downward turn?

Is it the destruction of the family unit, of concern?

Things just aren’t like the ‘good old days’.

When most people were honest at work or play

You didn’t have to lock your doors.

People respected your private hoard.

There was almost no ‘white collar crime.’

If you did the job, you did the time.

Things are on a downhill roll.

Things will get lower than low.

When we hit bottom it will be over.

We will be pushing up daises & clover.

There is no recovery in sight.

Start praying with all your might.

There is little else you can do.

The end is coming for me and you.-

———————————–R. W. Johnson—–(2015)

The Miracle

The Miracle

A miracle happened for me a few years ago.

I have been blessed since, I want you to know.

The miracle was the birth of my first child.

Not an easy thing because it took awhile.

He was a large baby and labor was long.

I wanted it over & my wife just wanted it gone.

She wanted the baby, she just wanted labor to end.

After 3 days, she was becoming unhinged.

Then, finally, the moment arrived.

I was there, watching with pride.

Then, to my greatest surprise.

I was looking at the little guy.

He looked exactly like me.

I couldn’t believe what I could see.

It was the greatest blessing there could be.

To know I procreated a minnie me.

He turned out to be my pride and joy.

Extremely smart and real coy.

He has since grown into a man.

I am still proud and say it whenever I can.

He excels in every way I did not.

A chip off the old block, or just a knot.

He is someone who would make any father proud.

I love him and will yell it out loud.

What greater miracle could there be?

To procreate a minnie me.

Then have him turn out better than me.

Only one miracle is better than this.

When God gave his Son, He would miss,

for someone as wretched as me.

No greater love could there possibly be.

———————————————R. W. Johnson—–(2015)

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)

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)

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)

True Friends

True Friends

I have two friends

who love one another.

Although, they love the Lord

even more than each other.

I have known him

since first grade in school.

I have known her

for a number of years too.

I was happy when they

married over 8 years ago.

The Lord’s been with them

for three years, or so.

They have two children.

A daughter and a son.

Now, they are planning

to adopt a little one.

They’re a musical family.

They sing for the Lord.

They sing in church, on TV,

whatever their accord.

They are great gospel workers,

these friends of mine.

With Bible lessons and singing,

they’re busy all the time.

God bless and protect

these friends that I love.

These friends that I treasure

and often think of.

God, please help them

in whatever they do.

For, if it wasn’t for them

I’d have never found you.—————–R. W. Johnson—–(1994)

Reminiscing

Reminiscing

Remember when bullies were few & far between?

It just wasn’t in people’s nature to be so mean.

People have called them the good old days.

I guess they were good in their own ways.

A whole lot different than things are today.

People spoke up if they had something to say.

They didn’t worry about drive by shootings.

They were more concerned with their shoestrings.

Did they have cardboard for the holes in their soles?

Were their clothes washed & hung between poles?

Sabbath days were days to look forward to.

First to church, then maybe to the zoo.

Or, at least a picnic, if the weather was nice.

The whole family came. We ate every bite.

During the summer free movies were shown.

Downtown, in the park, for the kids & grown.

No matter if you walked to school or rode a bus.

It was plenty of fun for all of us.

Riding your bike to the local swimming hole.

Racing other kids with your dog in tow.

Staying up late to look at the stars.

Trying to tell which one was Mars.

Building forts and tree houses too.

Throwing spit wads while in school.

Numerous other fun things we did.

are much different than today’s kids.

We had no computers to play games on.

We made up games to play on the lawn.

We did use guns, but, only for hunting.

We didn’t think killing was a fun thing.

We didn’t have a lot of money or things.

We still got by. We thought we were kings.

We learned to love God and trust in him.

We knew if it was wrong it was a sin.

We knew to treat others like ourselves.

We didn’t believe in pixies or elves.

We just loved life & all it was worth.

WE loved & respected this place called earth.

——————————————————R. W. Johnson—–(2013)

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)