Month: December 2014

The Big “S”

 

                  The Big “S”

Since I was a kid my Pop would say.

“Son,— do it the ‘American way’.”

I worked hard while going to school.

What else could an American do?

I saved my nickels and my dimes.

Always made it to school on time.

Off to college to learn a trade.

I had no time for getting laid.

Worked my fingers down to the bone.

With school & work, I was rarely home.

Finally, all my schooling was done.

No, I didn’t have time for a little fun.

Got a career job and worked like hell.

It was myself I had to sell.

Worked two jobs, sometimes three.

Invested the money, as you can see.

Kept my nose to the grindstone.

Worked lots of overtime. Never home.

Started buying houses & renting them out.

I needed more money. No time to pout.

After years of busting my balls.

I had reached my goal. Retirement calls.

I lived my life the ‘American way’.

I made a mint for the retirement day.

Then the government took it all.

The big “S” was Obama’s call.

Socialism is what it is called.

Kiss off the retirement. When you’re too old,

no longer productive, I’ve been told.

Then Socialism casts you aside.

There is no where you can hide.

Home will be a cardboard box.

Eating discarded food before it rots.

But, that’s o.k. I can say.

I did it the ‘American way’.————R. W. Johnson—–(2014)

 

 

 

Reminiscing Again

             Reminiscing Again

“The hardest thing for me to do.

Is to be like Captain Kangaroo.”

“Are you daft?”,  you say to me.

“You’ve got to be at least 83.”

“I’m not even close” I say with a huff.

“What about H. R. Puff N. Stuff?”

“What the heck are you talking about?”

“Nothing, nothing at all” I say with a pout.

“Just thinking how it was as a kid.”

“Who were those weird people?”

“Cartoons and TV people.”

“Like Howdy Doody and Clarabelle.”

“Or the Tasmanian Devil from hell.”

“Bugs Bunny and Yosemite Sam.”

“ Catch the Road Runner if you can.”

“Before TV there was radio shows.”

“Like Inner Sanctum & The Space Patrol.”

“Amos and Andy. The Shadow knows.”

“Gunsmoke and Roy Rogers too.”

“So many I can’t tell them all to you.”

“What? No Dragon Ball Z or Pokemon?”

“Nothing on today was on back then”

“Those were simpler days back when.”

“I miss those days & the fun we had.”

“Too many people these days are sad.”

“Reminiscing is fun to do.”

“You can do it when your older too.”———R. W. Johnson—–(2014)

 

 

 

Reflexions

               Reflexions

I am feeling pretty lousy still.

I am thinking that I always will.

You were the greatest love I’ve ever had.

Now you’re gone & I am more than sad.

I had it made but, I let it slip away.

I was only thinking of the next day.

Thinking of myself & not of you.

I should have known you have feelings too.

 

Crawling on my belly like a worm.

Though I hurt, it’s not your concern.

Can’t make up for what’s already done.

I am dead now. There is no fun.

Everything that should cheer me

makes me want to die.

 

I should have spent more time with you.

Now,  it’s so obvious what I didn’t do.

I put my needs way ahead of yours.

My life should have taken a different course.

What you want is important too.

I would have done the same if I were you.

Hind sight is always better than fore sight they say.

I was too blind to see it any other way.

 

Crawling on my belly like a worm.

Though I hurt, it’s not your concern.

Can’t make up for what’s already done.

I am dead. There is no fun.

Everything that downs me

makes me want to cry.

 

I have pleaded my case to everyone.

You & your friends think I’ll overcome.

I know I won’t. I’m in misery.

There is no end that I can see.

Has there ever been a man who suffered like this?

Or, am I the first that still exists?

I only wish you could read my repentant heart.

Then you would know trying again is worth a start.

 

Crawling on my belly like a worm.

Though I hurt, it’s not your concern.

Can’t make up for what’s already done.

I am dead. There is no fun.

Everything that should cheer me—–

makes me want to die.————————–R. W. Johnson—–(2014)

 

 

 

 

A Lifetime Of Love

             A Lifetime Of Love

People said it was just a summer romance.

Now, in our winter years, there is no chance.

They were wrong about me and you.

A million to one. We made it through.

Only problem is:

None of them still lives.

Yes, we are still together.

Still in love and will be forever.

You complete me in every way.

Just as I complete your day.

You’re there in the mornings when I awake.

You’re there in the evenings with what it takes.

What it takes to make me whole.

You enrich  my very soul.

Without you I can’t exist.

Without me, others are like a mist.

Not substantial enough for you.

I need you, you need me too.

It wasn’t all rainbows and lollypops.

Hopping & bopping at the high school hops.

Real life with one another wasn’t easy.

Our ups and downs were never sleazy.

They, none the less, were .bumps in the road.

On our walk to winter with each other to hold.

We are strong when we have each other.

We have been a wife a husband a father & a mother.

Yet, we overcame. We are unstoppable together.

We made it through, despite the weather.

Our love has grown during this trying time.

It is stronger now that you are still mine.

As we face a future beyond the winter of our lives.

We will overcome, because, together we are wise.

Together we will see it through.

This is my promise to you.———————-R. W. Johnson—–(2014)

 

 

 

Going Through The Motions

 

Going Through The Motions

Another day passes.

Another night without sleep.

You are slow as molasses.

Are you sure you’re on your feet?

You said you’d call tomorrow.

That was two days ago now.

If you only knew my sorrow.

Then maybe you would call me now.

 

I’m going through the motions.

Each day I say I’m fine.

I often have different notions.

But, I deny them all the time.

Others ask how am I doing?

I say that I am  doing fine.

I wonder who I’m really fooling?

Alone,  I’m crying all the time.

 

You spend an evening with me.

I wish that it would never end.

Then you say you must be free.

I wonder if I’ll see you again.

Eventually you will call once more.

My heart soars like an eagle.

As I wait for your knock on the door

I wish that you would make it legal.

 

Going through the motions.

Each day I say I’m fine.

I often have different notions.

But, I deny them all the time.

Others ask how am I  doing?

I say that I am  doing fine.

I wonder who I’m really fooling?

Alone, I’m crying all the time.

 

Close friends say to cut you loose.

Your playing me for a fool.

I should put an end to this ruse.

Make you look like you’re the fool,

gaining back my respect once more.

But, this I cannot do.

I fear you walking out the door.

I will always wait for you.

 

Going through the motions.

Each day I say I’m fine.

I often have different notions.

But I deny them all the time.

Others ask how am I  doing?

I say that I am  doing fine.

I wonder who I am really fooling.

Alone,  I’m crying all the time.——————R. W. Johnson—-(2011)

 

 

 

Vengeance Is Mine

 

Vengeance Is Mine

The day it happened I was young.

Not yet old enough to use a gun.

They came riding onto our ranch.

We weren’t ready. We had no chance.

Mama told me “Hide in the woodbox.”

I jumped in quick as a scared fox.

Mama barely closed the lid

before they saw where I was hid.

They drew guns & demanded money.

Papa said we had no money.

They looked over and shot him dead.

The bullet hit him in the head.

I peeked out from within the box.

The man was tall with golden locks.

He had a scar running down his face.

He threw my mama around the place.

He said “The money or your dead too.”

Mama said “I have no money for you.”

The man shot her in the face.

Then he & his men wrecked the place.

They found liquor and started to drink.

One took a leak right in the sink.

They laughed and cursed and finally left.

Took all they wanted in the theft.

I came out of my hiding place.

I cried when I saw my mama’s face.

I vowed vengeance, then I cried.

“Each one of them will have to die.”

I started practicing day and night.

Shooting  a gun till I got it right.

I had sold the ranch to get the cash.

Bought ammo & trained till I got fast.

I fired standing up and sitting down.

I fired running and from the ground.

I fired riding and over a wall.

I practiced till no one could beat my draw.

I practiced for many years.

Day and night between my tears.

So fast people could hardly see my draw.

I hit any target, no matter how small.

Finally the day came about

When I heard the killers were about.

After a month I picked up their trail.

“It won’t be long” I began to wail.

They were in a deserted rundown church.

Their horses were tied to an old birch.

After releasing their horses I snuck closer.

I checked that my gun was loose in the holster.

They were playing cards on the podium

at a table where the Bible should have been.

They were drinking, cussing, & carrying on.

Behavior of which they seemed real fond.

I crawled up between the pews.

Soon to give them deadly news.

I drew my gun.— Was this a sin?

Then I heard my mama’s voice again.

‘Treat others as you’d want them to treat you.’

‘It is wrong to kill though they be a fool.’

Suddenly, as the tears came down,

I tossed my gun up front on the ground.

The bandits jumped up and drew their guns.

They saw me and knew I was the one.

The one who had followed them for weeks.

They would finish me for keeps.

As they started to blow me away,

the ceiling fell in crushing their play.

I stood up and thanked the Lord above.

I asked for forgiveness & was given love.

Today he is the pastor of that very church.

It was rebuilt by townsfolk who knew his worth.

He is popular with his sermons.

Especially when he tells what turned him.

His mama’s voice,  (or was it God’s voice.)

That made him make a different choice.

Made him what he is today.

God’s servant in every way———————R. W. Johnson—-(2011)

 

 

 

 

 

 

I Became An Angel

 

I became An Angel

I was driving home late at night.

It was dark. The road was wet & slick.

At an intersection,  bright lights to my right.

Coming fast. They hit me like a brick.

 

The next thing I remember clearly.

I am in heaven and God is nearby.

There is also several angels near me.

God is saying. Now he can really fly.

 

I said “ what is happening to me?”

God said “You have become an angel.”

“I have a special job for you, you see.”

“You will become a guardian angel “

 

“You will guard your girlfriend”

“I have another job for her angel.”

I said “How could I guard my girlfriend?”

“You love her” God said. “That’s my angle.”

 

“Since you love her you will protect her”

“Do not fear for God is always near.”

“All knowledge needed, I will confer

to you . There is no need to fear.”

 

At lightning speed I flew to you.

You could not see me by your side.

You were mourning. Your love was true.

It was so sad I almost cried.

 

As time passed, you became different.

You started using drugs & drinking.

Friends noticed the difference.

What was it you were thinking.?

 

Then, you said you missed me so.

It hurt you to your very core.

You just couldn’t let me go.

You couldn’t take it anymore.

 

Later, I stopped an O.D. attempt.

I had a friend come over in time.

You tried not to show contempt.

He said he knew that you were mine.

 

But, He didn’t want you to hurt yourself.

So he came over just to check on you.

You were so ashamed.   He helped

you to start feeling more like you.

 

He doesn’t know why he came .

He just had an urgency to come.

You told him not to feel blame.

“My guardian angel was the one.”

 

“It had to be him that brought you here.”

“Just in time to save my life.”

All he could say was he felt someone near.

He is glad to see you were alright.

 

After that, he would drop in often.

A friendship grew to become love.

Later,  he said he was moving to Boston.

Would you come to & be his love?

 

He asked you to marry him & you said yes.

You started making plans.

I said “Well, this is some mess.”

But, I went along. I was an angel, not a man.

 

Then, all of a sudden, I awoke.

I was in my bed, the sheets a mess.

I got up and grabbed my coat.

I rushed to your house in a minute , or less.

 

I told you I had had a dream.

I told you all that had happened.

I said it was a sign.—- I mean,

it is not something that will happen.

 

I meant I wanted to marry you.

I knew for sure you were the one.

I was glad the dream did ensue.

God wants us to have a son.

 

You agreed to marry me.

To be my bride. No questions why..

You wanted people just to see

It’s really true..God doesn’t lie.—————R. W. Johnson—–(2012)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dog And Butterfly

     Dog And Butterfly

The dog and the butterfly.

A song by Heart was my reply.

But, look again with your inner eye.

See the dog chase the butterfly.

See the dog lie down to rest.

See the butterfly land on his nose in jest.

The dog looks cross-eyed at this sight.

And then the butterfly takes flight.

The dog barks, tail wagging in joy.

The butterfly is more than just a toy.

The dog would never harm the delicate thing.

He wouldn’t even touch it’s pretty wing.

He just enjoys chasing it around.

A better friend would be hard found.

 

Then I thought of you and I.

I’m like that dog cause you do fly.

You flutter around here and there.

I am chasing you everywhere.

The bond between the dog and butterfly

may be stronger than between you and I.

But, despite it all I enjoy the chase.

I love to look upon your lovely face.

I understand the dog much better now.

I wag my imaginary tail and say bow-wow.

You tell me I am in a world of my own.

I think you may be right as I call on the phone.

I ask you what your up to today.

Then the chase is on it’s way.——————-R. W. Johnson—-(2012)

 

Colors

 

                               Colors

What comes to mind when you hear the word colors?

Is it the stars and stripes and all the others?

Is it a bunch of crayons crammed into a box?

Or, maybe, a trumpet blowing at Fort Knox?

Is it the colors seen in every rainbow bright?

Maybe the colors seen in  fireworks at night?

How about all the colors seen in nature?

Or, the colors seen in Bay To Breakers?

Maybe it’s the color of your child’s eyes?

Or, a baby’s color when he cries?

The color of animals, humans too?

A sleepy blue ocean just for you?

Ours is a wonderful world of color.

Given to us by God and no other.

If you are blind and cannot see .

The day is coming when you will be

blessed with colors beyond imagination.

If your savior is the Lord of creation.

For us who see all the colors now.

We can sit and wonder how

through love he created this for us?

To show thanks for all we must

worship Him with all our heart & soul.

Let the colors make us whole.—————–R. W. Johnson—–(2013)

The Gambler

                           The Gambler

On a rainy spring day I rode into town.

I turned from side to side, looking all around.

I had six months worth of pay on my bod.

I was planning to gamble with this wad.

Learner’s Saloon: Cards – Music – Drinks.

This looks like the place—I think.

I entered, brushing off the rain and mud.

I saw him in the back, sitting, dealing stud.

It was a gambler all dressed in black.

Sitting in the corner, the wall at his back.

“May I join in?” I asked those playing.

The gambler nodded yes without so saying.

It took me an hour to get warmed up.

I saw the gambler was not a man to bluff.

After a few hours, the others dropped out.

Just the gambler and I continued our bout.

The chips shifted from me to him.

Then they shifted back again.

When it came to the final draw.

I knew one of us would win it all.

He raised high and I called his bluff.

Then, I found I didn’t have enough.

He said “Put up the cash or you have to fold.”

At that point I was feeling mighty old.

I dug deep into my stash.

I barely came up with enough cash.

I said, “You’ve been called.”  And I showed four nines.

He put A, K, Q, J, of diamonds—The next blew my mind.

It was the 10 of hearts—I HAD WON!!

But, celebrating was over before it had begun.

The gambler didn’t say a thing.

The silence was thick, like in a dream.

“You did good; you’ve won the pot” he said.

“It’s late. I think I’ll head for bed.”

“I sure wouldn’t mind another drink.”

“But, you’ve won all my money—I think.”

“Have one on me.”  As I tossed him a chip.

He said “Thanks.” “Why are you doing this bit?”

I said “What do you mean by that?”

He said “Gambling and all this crap.”

“I wanna settle down. So I took a chance.”

“I have a gal. I’m gonna buy a ranch.”

He said “If you do then stay out of town,

or your ranch will no longer be around.”

“You have gambling in your blood, son.”

“Your feeling good because you won.”

“But, a gambler won’t always win.”

“Why do you think they call it a sin?”

With that said, he stood up to go.

I said “If I’m asked to gamble, I’ll say no!!”

He said “It doesn’t work that way .”

There was nothing else for me to say.

Deep inside I knew he was right.

I knelt and said a prayer that night.

“Lord, what the gambler said was true.”

“Keep this Lord between me and you.”

“Help me never to gamble again.”

“Don’t let me ever commit that sin.”

—– 0 —–

Years later, at the ranch with my wife and kids,

I thanked the Lord . All this was really his.

I also thanked the gambler a lot.

For giving me more than just the pot.——–R. W. Johnson—–(2005)