Month: February 2017

A Tough Message

       A Tough Message

I know it’s kind of late.

I didn’t mean to wake you.

I got something I’ve gotta say.

Something for you to do.

Many times I’ve tried to tell her.

But, the words just came out wrong.

You’ve got to tell my mother that you’re gone.

 

I knew you would understand.

You were always close to her.

Don’t say that I should be the man.

She didn’t expect this to occur.

I just don’t want to hurt her.

You can make her understand.

On this point, I am sure.

Better from a woman than a man.

 

I would like to help all I can.

I just don’t feel I can do it.

My emotions are like sifting sand.

I haven’t yet worked through it.

I think of all I would have to tell her.

It is so much for her to understand.

And for me, most of it is a blur.

It is better from a woman than a man.

 

I know it’s kind of late.

I didn’t mean to wake you.

I’ve got something I’ve gotta say.

Something for you to do.

Many times I’ve tried to tell her.

But, the words just came out wrong.

You’ve got to tell my mother that you’re gone.

——————————R. W. Johnson—–(2017)

 

 

 

 

The Easy Life

             The Easy Life

Out here the wind always blows.

That just seems to be how it goes.

A windmill makes my electricity.

I had it built for that explicitly.

Tumble weeds went tumbling by.

There was not a cloud in the sky.

Daydreaming was my pastime.

No motivation. It’s not a crime.

A windmill pumped my water.

Worked as faithful as my daughter.

Just her and I live out here, you see.

For her mother passed away on me.

Not a lot to do. No phone to talk through.

TV is mostly hit and miss.

The internet doesn’t exist.

We both do a lot of reading.

Occasionally, we will do some weeding.

The garden does well, if watered right.

The stars are really bright at night.

We will pan for gold, if in the mood.

Mainly, we are concerned with food.

It is a life not meant for all.

My daughter has been here since real small.

She was taught here at home.

Smart as a whip. Tough as bone.

One day a young man stopped by.

He was polite and acted shy.

He had plans to start a wind farm.

Lots of windmills with lots of arms.

Generate power for the city far away.

Said it would pay off big someday.

In the end we cut a deal.

We would be partners on this field.

He was right. We made a lot of money.

He married my daughter & called her honey.

As for me, I’m still here.

I kick back with a cold beer.

Watch TV, thanks to a satellite dish.

I still read whenever I wish.

But, most of all, I like to daydream.

Listen to the wind and scheme.

I could do more with my life, but I felt.

Ya can’t please everyone so ya got to please yourself.

—————————————-R.W. Johnson—–(2017)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Uncontrollable Love

          Uncontrollable Love

I can’t believe that we’re together.

I hope this day will last forever.

It is not good to deceive a friend.

But, it had to be, so why pretend.

I’m not proud of lying to others.

I felt like I was in the gutter.

The reward is being with you.

For this, I will do all I have to do.

You are worth all my contemplations.

The friends I had have bad relations.

They want to make me suffer.

They want to treat me rougher.

I screwed them all over to get to you.

For you, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do.

I know all this, you may not approve.

I’m not in a rut, I’m in a groove.

A love like this, I can’t control.

Please, just let this all unfold.

You will see I was meant for you.

And you were meant for me too.

Our friends will forgive us in time.

Once they see you are truly mine.

Love is blind and I did run amuck.

Like being run over by a garbage truck.

I can’t control what I may do.

As long as the end result is you.

We are there. We must make it last.

Or else, they all will beat my ass.

The path to true love passes through forever.

A signpost up ahead. Eternity or never.

Take this trip with me you won’t regret.

You won’t feel sorry for the day we met.

—————————–R. W. Johnson—–(2017)

 

 

 

Real, Or Not??

             Real, Or Not??

There are changes going on in me.

Since I was young and free,

I went through life not knowing.

All that time, I was growing.

It started way down in my toes.

As it grows it twitches my nose.

It is worse when the moon is full.

Then, my fingers start to grow.

I grow long nails, like claws.

My feet look almost like paws.

My nose turns into a snout.

What the hell is this about?

Hair was popping out all over.

Ears became pointed, like Rover’s.

My eyes look like a wolf’s.

My smell is better. That’s all it took.

I took off running through the woods.

Howling, I would fly, if I could.

I wanted fresh, bloody meat to eat.

I caught a rabbit. What a treat.

I have a fear of other men.

Their smell is strong, like rotten gin.

I am fearless otherwise.

Nothing can hide from my cunning eyes.

I run, howl, rip and tear.

I can go most anywhere.

Morning comes and I am home.

On my bed, I let out a grown.

What a nightmare. I am a mess.

What is this blood? I can’t guess.

Could this nightmare have been real?

Was I a werewolf? That’s how I feel.

No, that’s impossible,—– right?

There are no werewolves in the night.

I push it all out of my mind.

Save it for another time.

———————-R.W. Johnson—–(2017)

 

 

 

A Land Without Signs

      A Land Without Signs

Lost in a land without  signs.

How it would be if I were blind.

No ‘do this,’ ‘do that,’ or whatever.

I don’t know if this is better.

Advertizing is out the door.

For that, I’m happy to the core.

No road signs or mileage signs either.

Bad news if I get cabin fever.

No sign to keep off the grass.

Someone yelled “Move your ass.”

No warning signs of danger.

Walk carefully, if a stranger.

No buildings with names on them.

Embarrassing, walking into a girls gym.

Where’s the bathroom? I got to go.

Without a sign, I’ll be quite a show.

No stop signs. Drive with care.

No signs that say BEWARE!!

I don’t think I like this place.

I’ll take signs, whatever it takes.

A cop tapped me on the shoulder.

Woke me up, without being bolder.

The sign said no loitering or sleeping.

He waves me on, the park bench creaking.

I was back, as I kissed the sign.

The cop just shrugged. He didn’t mind.

————————-R. W. Johnson—–(2017)

 

 

 

The Little Knight Win’s Big

    The Little Knight Win’s Big

The day happened as I was told.

The fairies told me to be bold.

I wanted to win the hand,

of the fairest in the land.

The fairies told me how I can.

They said I have to be the man.

I knew what I had to do.

My mama didn’t raise a fool.

Today was the championship joust.

I owned the best horse in the house.

I entered with a goal in mind.

Everything was going to be just fine.

I defeated all who came my way.

The king’s champion was next today.

None had been able to defeat him.

I had to do it.—–. I had to win!!

The flag was dropped & off we went.

Toward one another, we were sent.

Lances down, we hit in a clash.

The Black Knight was knocked on his ass.

The crowd went wild with cheers.

I rode in front of the king with no fear.

He said:  “Name your prize, oh mighty knight.”

“Your daughter’s hand, if I might?”

The king was shocked into silence.

The crowd cheered, he feared violence.

He agreed to my bold request.

But, the best part is coming yet.

For I have won the hand,

of the fairest in the land.

——————————R. W. Johnson—–(2017)

 

 

 

 

 

Lost Gold, Found & Lost

      Lost Gold, Found & Lost

The dust storm was severe.

I was lost, that was clear.

Grit was getting in my eyes.

It was burning, making me cry.

I kept staggering along.

Wondering which way I had gone?

I couldn’t see a single thing.

Wondering what each step will bring?

A wet handkerchief over my face.

Goggles on, I can’t see this place.

I was out, mining for gold.

“It’s in the desert,” I was told.

They failed to mention the storms.

Now, I feel so forlorn.

I may die before this is over.

They will find me pushing up clover.

Suddenly, I fell and rolled down a hill.

A sand dune, building for the kill?

I imagined it falling and covering me.

There was nowhere for me to flee.

The wind was much less down here.

It felt better, that was clear.

I found I could see around a bit.

Sand was blowing over a rift.

A small bluff of higher land.

Behind it, I was below the sand.

Then, I saw something shiny.

It was gold! Quite a find for me.

I dug around & found a bunch in a sack.

I had found some miner’s pack.

I would lay low till the storm blew out.

Grab the gold and set a route.

If I can make it out of here.

I will be rich. That was clear.

Then, I remembered the stories.

A miner left his gold behind, his glory.

He knew he couldn’t carry it out .

“I need more water,” he did shout.

Indians found him barely alive.

They helped him to survive.

He searched for his stash of gold for years.

It was lost, along with his fears.

I decided he may have been right.

I gave up the gold without a fight.

I took 2 nuggets along with me.

I made it out. I was lucky & free.

I went back to find that gold.

It was lost, as I had been told.

Which is better? Gold or life?

I’ll take life with all its strife.

That gold may never be found again.

But, overall, it is better to win.

——————–R. W. Johnson—–(2017)

 

 

 

 

Moderately Confused #2

            Moderately Confused #2

After just one date, you won’t come around.

I am very sorry I let you down.

I am sorry I acted like I did, my dear.

I was just trying to cover up my fear.

I know now that I was a real ass.

I acted like someone without any class.

I embarrassed you in front of your friends.

I will never get another date with you again.

I have always been afraid of what I’d do.

I found out on my date with you.

That was the first real date I have been on.

I felt really sad when you were gone.

I have this built in fear of failure.

I hoped I would overcome it if I ‘date her.’

That didn’t work and you hate me for it.

I was hoping I could score a hit.

Once there, I just fell apart & became a jerk.

Whatever I tried, it just didn’t work.

There is no redemption I could mention.

If it was a job, I’d lose my pension.

I deserve all that has happened to me.

But, you didn’t deserve any of it, you see.

The jig is up, I’ll be on my way.

I hope I never repeat this day.

—————————-R. W. Johnson—–(2017)

 

 

A Trip That Keeps On Giving

   A Trip That Keeps On Giving

While walking in this new place,

I ended up at the marketplace.

All the people everywhere.

Many new smells in the air.

Different spices from many lands.

People talking with their hands.

As they bargained for the lowest price.

Everything here looked so nice.

Then, I saw her walking by.

She smiled when she caught my eye.

I had never seen her before.

But, I knew I wanted to see her more.

She had a scarf wrapped around her head.

Like most women, as she moved ahead.

Before long, she was out of sight.

I looked for her till it was night.

At the hotel, something was missing.

The thought of her and I kissing.

But, she was nowhere to be found.

No matter how much I looked around.

The next day she never showed.

The marketplace was growing old.

Day after that, I was headed home.

A long air flight back all alone.

The following week, I was walking downtown.

Suddenly, I turned around.

A woman was entering a store.

She looked the same as she did before.

Rapidly, I followed her in.

I was thinking how to begin.

I said: “I saw you in the marketplace.”

“Then, you were gone without a trace.”

She said: “Yes, I remember you.”

“ You remind me of someone I knew.”

“That was another lifetime now.”

“You remembered me somehow?”

She had a wrinkle appear on her brow.

“Something lit up in me when I saw you.”

“I knew I wanted to see more of you.”

“This is very strange, for sure.”

“I came home, and we meet at this store?”

“You’re from here also?”, I said.

“Yes, I have lived here since I was wed.”

“You are married then?”

”No, my husband died a few years ago.”

“You reminded me of him, very much so.”

My heart started a trip to forever.

I knew I had to be very cleaver.

But, I was sure she was my destiny.

She was everything I wanted her to be.

One thing led to another.

She introduced me to her brother.

We hit it off very good.

Everything was falling into place.

I was sure this was our fate.

If you travel abroad at any time.

Always keep this story in mind.

For, the same could happen to you.

Falling in love with the one met for you.

——————————-R. W. Johnson—–(2017)

 

 

 

 

My Shadow Friend

          My Shadow Friend

There is something there behind me.

I don’t know what it is.

I don’t know how it finds me.

I don’t know what it is.

It is there on sunny days now.

Not so much on cloudy days.

It disappears at noon somehow.

Then grows taller later in the day.

It never says a word to me.

It is a lot like a ghostly figure.

But, it is always following, see.

I got my gun and pulled the trigger.

It didn’t flinch, it didn’t die.

It followed me till I went inside.

I almost felt like I wanted to cry.

I wanted to be brave. I really tried.

I told my girlfriend why I was scared.

“You stupid jerk. That’s your shadow.”

She talked to me like I was impaired.

She upset me, and got me raddled.

Does a shadow cut you?

Does a shadow burn your feet?

Does a shadow try to choke you?

Does it bite you with its teeth?

She said I was talking crazy.

So I showed her all the marks.

She quietly said that maybe

I should go see Dr. Clark.

He is a Psychiatrist in town.

I have met with him before.

I know that he won’t put me down.

He will help me, I am sure.

He said a shadow would not hurt me.

Only something evil would do that.

He said he would issue a decree.

For all the evil to stand back.

When I went outside the ‘figure’ was gone.

My friendly shadow was back again.

I am glad it is back after so long.

Because my shadow is my friend.

————————–R.W. Johnson—–(2017)