Month: December 2014

Insight Needed Badly

      Insight Needed Badly

Looking into the maelstrom, trying to get a view.

Trying to, somehow, better understand you.

It’s like riding a mechanical bull.

The ups and downs take its toll.

It’s true. A woman thinks different than a man.

But, this much difference, I can’t understand.

The contrast is wide and somewhat twisted.

The real cause of her death is often not listed.

Not that it would come to that.

But, radical reactions is where it is at.

I make all effort to stay under control.

Life around you is never at a lull.

I can say something is black.

You will say it is white, then attack.

What is a no no for others is o.k. for you.

This keeps everybody in a stew.

You project onto others all that is wrong.

Never seeing it was you all along.

What a twisted tale we tell.

When we lie to ourselves like hell.

How long till you see that it is true?

You can never run away from you.

I am bailing. It is too much for me.

Let someone else give it a try and see.

Until you finally come to your senses,

your life will always  be blocked by fences.

Fences you’ve created in your own mind.

A spinster life for you would be kind.——–R. W. Johnson—–(2014)

 

 

 

 

Pacos Pete

      Pacos Pete

Pacos Pete was ornery old sot.

Lived in a shack & slept on a cot.

This old goat was a loner, it seems.

Most people he met was in his dreams.

Some say a hermit is what he was.

It was harsh, though he never had a love.

The desert was his home.

He liked living alone.

A small spring in the back of his place

was enough for Pete to wash his face.

It was enough for other little things.

A bath was rare, usually in the spring.

Pete didn’t like other people around.

Only once a month he went into town.

A feisty coot, even though he was old.

He would pay for his supplies in gold.

No one ever bothered old Pete.

Town folk made sure he got something to eat.

One day , some ’no gooders’  came to town.

They were out just roaming around.

Here came Pete on his way into town.

The bad boys looked at Pete with a frown.

Pete went into the general store.

Loaded up his truck & went back for more.

How can he afford that the baddies thought?

Look at how much stuff he has bought.

Pete went into the café for a bite.

Just as soon as he was out of sight

the baddies went into the general store.

They asked the clerk how the old guy scored.

“What?” said the clerk.  “Did he have cash?”

“No, he pays in gold.” said the clerk with a laugh.

The bad boys were shocked to hear this.

One of them said “Well, ain’t that a bitch.”

They planned to follow Pete when he left.

This would be their biggest theft.

Pete came out & drove away in his truck.

The bad boys followed crossing their fingers for luck.

Pete headed straight into the desert.

It was very hot that day in the desert.

Pete kept driving. He had a long way to go.

The bad boys car was starting to slow.

Pete made it home a little after dark.

Next morning he was awakened by a lark.

He went outside  & saw buzzards circling.

Pete knew that could only mean one thing.

He got in his truck to check it out.

It was  drier than usual due to the drought.

He found the bad boys car dead in the road.

The ‘owners were nowhere around,  it’s told.

Pete knew the buzzards meant they didn’t make it.

Just as well he thought. most people can’t take it.

Pete had no knowledge what almost happened to him.

But, Pete didn’t worry. It wasn’t in him.

So goes the tale of Pacos Pete.

If you pass his way bring him a treat.

Pete will be polite, but he won’t be a friend.

Pete will live alone till the very end.

—————————————————-R. W. Johnson—–(2014)

 

 

 

 

 

I Lost My Memory Because Of You

     I Lost My Memory Because Of You.

There it is. That same old house.

I came up quiet as a mouse.

With hesitation, I knocked on the door.

Soon, a woman came to the door.

She smiled and said ”Hi.” and no more.

“Excuse me but, have I been here before?”

She looked at me with surprise & said “No.”

”Oh, one more thing before you go.”

“Do you happen to know my name?”

“You don’t even know your own name?”

“No, you see. I have lost my memory.”

“What happened? Can you tell me?”

“I woke up in the hospital 3 days ago.”

“They said I was found lying next to the road.”

“They assumed I had been hit by a car.”

“Minor cuts & bruises was all so far.’

“Also a concussion from when I fell.”

“I had no memory of it as well.”

“Where did this all happen?”

“They found me on Valencia near Main.”

Suddenly, very pale, she became.

“You said this was 3 days ago?”

“That’s what they told me before they let me go.”

“I was driving there that night.”

“Something banged my door on the right.”

“I thought the tire flipped something up.”

“Or, maybe, I had hit a big rut.”

“I saw nothing in my rear view mirror.”

“I think it was you that I hit, I fear.”

“How did you know to come here to find me?”

“I had money to stay several days in a hotel, see.”

“I had no I.D. on me when I was found.”

“There was this money lying around.”

“They said maybe I was out for a walk.”

“I might live near there, within a few blocks.”

“ I started walking all around from there.”

“Each time I was drawn to this house , I swear.”

“Now you know as much as me.”

“Come in & stay awhile with me”

“At least until your memory comes back.”

“It’s the least I can do after the fact.”

I stayed there and time went by.

She was single and pretty shy.

Gradually, my memory did return.

I lived close by, I did learn.

I had come by the money honestly.

I was not married I was glad to see.

I have to cut this story short.

But, this is my favorite retort.

“Here is my wife who I remember now.”

“She wasn’t at the start but, she is now.”

—————————————————R. W. Johnson—–(2014)

 

 

 

A Better Time & Place

      A Better Time & Place

Think of a world with no TV.

Would you then be closer to me?

Think of a world with no internet.

Would that bring you closer yet?

Think of a world without any phones.

Could we then spend time alone?

Think how wonderful it would be.

It would be great for you and me.

We would find lots of things to do.

All of them bringing me closer to you.

It’s only a dream that won’t come true.

Some say such talk is real cruel.

But, I remember a time when it was like that.

I may be old but, it is a fact.

In those days most married for life.

You loved no one more than your wife.

This modern world has it’s pros & cons.

But, if I had a magic wand.

I would wave it & go back in time.

Back when I would be yours & you would be mine.

——————————————————R. W. Johnson—–(2014)

 

 

Soapbox Poet Gives Thanks

 

      Soapbox poet gives thanks

Writing poems all the time like I do.

I thought I would write this poem for you.

So reader of this poem, enjoy it much.

It won’t be about violence or lust.

It won’t be about how people betray.

Or about how players play.

It won’t have a sad and tearful ending.

No, not this poem I am sending.

It won’t have fantasy or magic in it.

It won’t be comical. Don’t have a fit.

It won’t be about nature, which I really love.

It won’t be a message from God above.

I know you often like many of these.

But, this poem is special from me.

Why? Because I am writing it for you.

It is what I want to do.

I can’t rhyme orange, purple, or silver either.

But, they are colors true to the believer.

So I will leave them alone.

They have a place all on their own.

This poem is about my gratitude.

That, in your busy life you would include

a little time to read my poems.

You read them without me paying you coins.

You often have kind things to say.

This will often make my day.

This poem isn’t much except a way to say thanks.

I appreciate the responses without any pranks.

It makes my efforts worth it all.

So, thank you now, one and all.—————-R. W. Johnson—–(2014)

 

 

 

You’re Different, It’s True

         You’re Different, It’s True

It’s very odd when I think about you.

The things you do only you would do.

On our first date you said to dress warm.

You drove us way into the mountains .

I was getting nervous being with you.

it wasn’t long before I found out then.

You’ve been this way since you were born.

We ended up at a little lake frozen over.

You got skates out of the back. New, never worn.

We had our own private skating rink.

We zipped around till we got bolder.

We had a ball, like in the Olympics.

It was so fun I could hardly think.

Another time you said we’d see a show.

We ended way up on top of a hill.

We saw a meteor shower at night.

It was the best theater place we could go.

It felt so romantic watching it on the hill.

Somehow, I felt that this was right.

 

I never know what you have in mind.

I never know what you’re going to do.

It seems it is different every time.

Just keep on doing what you do.

It is still odd when I think of you.

I can’t think what I would do without you.

 

We have been seeing each other for awhile .

I look forward to our next date with a smile.

I wonder if you feel the same as I do.

You say you love doing things with me.

You never get tired of planning things.

We may be bird watching at the zoo.

We may watch whales on the open sea.

I found listening to nature as it sings

to be as beautiful as an opera sounds.

On a trip new things are seen I never knew.

You are so observant you see it all.

You point it out to me as I am overwhelmed.

A new world opened before me as I look around.

I hope our relationship is never threw.

I just want to cling to you and never fall.

You talk to me and new insights are opened.

I never saw so deeply into myself or you.

You say you have deep feelings & you’re not joking.

You want to pour out your love & not feel like a fool.

 

I never know what you have in mind.

I never know what you’re going to do.

it seems it is different every time.

Just keep doing what you do.

It is still odd when I think of you.

I can’t think what I would do without you.

—————————————————R. W. Johnson—–(2014)

 

 

 

 

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Cruise Night

      Cruise Night

Remember those days when you were young?

Remember ‘cruise night’ was so much fun.

Every Friday night we drove to the city.

Cruising up & down the streets looking pretty.

“American Graffiti” before it was a movie.

Driving around feeling really groovy.

I thought I would try it the other day.

Things had changed in a major way.

Streets were heavily patrolled by cops.

They were making many stops.

At one stop, as I looked around.

I got egged by a bunch of clowns.

There were nasty people with road rage.

They didn’t care about your age.

They would run you off the road.

Smash you flat, like you were a toad.

Things are NOT what they used to be.

Isn’t this the land of the free?

It doesn’t seem so anymore.

Everyone is out to make a score.

You don’t ‘cruise’ if you value your life.

You don’t want to be on gangland turf at night.

It is best to just stay at home & mope.

The closest to ‘cruising’ is with the remote.

Watch the news for the latest tussle

between all  the gangland muscle.

They fight where ‘cruising’ used to be.

All of that is just too much for me.

Cruise night is gone, along with the pleasures it brought.

Just another memory that time forgot.

————————————————R. W. Johnson—–(2014)

 

 

A Shocking Change

      A Shocking Change

I opened the door, feeling modest,

to a beautiful woman in a red dress.

Tall, blonde, a Nordic goddess.

I couldn’t talk, I must confess.

 

She was there to see my sister.

I had not seen her in years.

An old friend, she called me ‘Mister’.

She didn’t recognize me either, I fear.

 

Finally I stammered out some words.

“Hey, I’m Amy’s brother”

She looked at me like she hadn’t heard.

Then she realized I was not some other.

 

“I haven’t seen you in years.” I said.

“You’ve really changed “

“I pictured you different in my head.”

She said “I still feel the same.”

 

“How were you expecting me to look?”

“Like that girl in pigtails with a snotty nose?”

I turned red as back & forth my head shook.

“It’s just that————Well,— you know.”

 

“Just that what?—-I’d like to know.”

“You’re a living walking dream”

“You’re much more lovely now.”

“You’re the best I’ve ever seen.”

 

‘Well,—-Thank you very much.”

“You look pretty darn good yourself.”

My sister came & they were off to lunch.

I sat down all by myself.

 

I never expected her to look like that.

What a radical change it was.

I remember we would fight & spat.

Now, all I can say is, I’m glad she’s not my cuz.

——————————————————R. W. Johnson—–(2014)

 

 

 

 

Poem Material

 

      Poem Material

I haven’t written a poem in awhile now.

Got to come up with a new poem somehow.

Lots of thoughts running through my head.

Nothing that’s good that I’ve heard or read.

I need to grab something out of the blue.

I can’t think of what else I can do.

I can’t even think of something that is creepy.

All that’s happening is that I’m getting sleepy.

 

All  was dark, then ‘It’ was the darkness.

On a starless night ‘It’ came. ‘It’ was heartless.

I knew beyond a doubt that ‘It’ was ‘The Other.’

I knew for sure that ‘It’ was not my brother.

I am also glad ‘It’ was not my mother.

All my life I’ve never seen a ‘demon’, riding on the wind.

‘It’ seemed to laugh then said I could never win.

‘It’ promised me my life if I would worship ‘him’.

 

A awoke with a start. I had fallen asleep.

‘What was that?’ A nightmare, I didn’t want to repeat.

‘Just great.’ ‘I try to write a poem & I pass out.’

‘Then have a nightmare.’ ‘What’s this about?’

‘My imagination is going wild.’

‘Why couldn’t I dream of heaven?’, I smiled.

‘Being able to write poems could be a curse.’

‘But, then again, it’s all in the verse’.

————————————————–R. W. Johnson—–(2014)