June 2018 – Word Smith Wisdom

Can Animals Talk With Each Other?

I heard a blue jay squawking.
It wasn’t me he was mocking.
He was saying things, I was sure.
I just couldn’t tell what they were.
Then, I heard a crow caw loudly.
He seemed to be talking proudly.
Then a squirrel was making noise.
He wasn’t playing with any toys.
He was chattering at another.
Better that than fight with each other.
A song bird seemed to be singing.
Ducks quacked, while overhead winging.
The language of nature was there.
You could hear it anytime anywhere.
It would be great to know what they say.
I went inside and asked my African Gray.
“Polly wants a cracker” was all he said.
“Clam up dummy” Was I out of my head?
He only repeats what I taught him.
I just asked him on a whim.
“Do animals talk with one another?”
“Do you argue with your mother?”
What kind of answer was that?
“You smart assed parrot rat.”
“It is the answer you are seeking.”
“Yes. In simple terms I am speaking.”
I almost passed out on the floor.
I couldn’t get him to talk anymore.
But, the answer seems to be clear.
Don’t ask a parrot if one is near.

—————————–R.W. Johnson—–(2018)

1,000 With More To Come

The day has come, it’s finally here
The 1.000th poem will now appear.
It has taken quite awhile.
Hopefully, it will make you smile.
Yes, there will be more poems to come.
It may all seem a waste to some.
But, others will enjoy them a lot.
Not trying to pin you to the spot.
I write poems to pass the time.
I write poems. Is that a crime?
I write poems to provoke thought.
Better to consider than to not.
I write poems to say who I am.
I write poems because I can.
I write poems as a hobby.
Sometimes, while drinking a hot toddy.
I write story poems to entertain.
I write humor to keep myself sane.
Some have said these aren’t really poems.
That’s like saying are pennies really coins?
They are not worth much, but they add up.
1,000 is a good start to shut them up.
Sometimes poems are a real challenge.
Other times, they roll right out while I lounge.
Many poems take a lot of thought.
Other poems may be better forgot.
But, if it brings entertainment and joy to one.
Then, it is worth it to make sure they come.

———————————–R.W. Johnson—–(2018)

Influences Of Others And Yourself

People come and people go.
It is like a river’s flow.
They pass through your life.
Some quickly, with little strife.
Others stay and become friends.
You will know them till the end.
Family members mostly stay.
That is unless they move away.
All influence who we are.
Many influence who we will be.
Like a butterfly or a flea.
Beautiful, or irritating, or both.
Some can really get your goat.
Teachers can mold your mind.
Preachers can help keep you in line.
Take time to think of yourself.
What’s your influence or help?
How do you affect the lives of others?
Do they love you or have their druthers?
Others know us for who we are.
To others, make yourself a star.
Leave a good impression that will not fade.
Don’t sit back, join the parade.
Be someone who leaves a mark.
Be respected, right from the start.
Someone else will need that from you.
So they can be a better person too.

——————————-R.W. Johnson—–(2018)

Dorothy’s Day Dream

“Are you staying in?”
The scarecrow said with a grin.
“I’ll be right out” he heard her shout.
“Just trying to figure this out.”
“Tin man and lion are here.”
“I am coming, have no fear.”
“Here I am. Where are we going?”
“We thought we’d do a little strolling.”
“Heading down the yellow brick road.”
“Toward the Emerald City, we’ve been told.”
“We might get to see The Wizard Of Oz.”
“We have purpose. We have a cause.”
“And just what might that be?”
“We’ve told you before. Can’t you see?”
“You guys are losers. You won’t get a thing.”
“All you do is make a scene.”
“We see already you need an attitude.”
“Or, have yours adjusted, if in the mood.”
“We just want to be more human, you see.”
“But, not with your attitude. Not for me.”
“O.k., o.k. I’ll work on that.”
“I just want to go home. That’s a fact.”
So, they skipped on down the road.
Before long, they saw a toad.
“Good morning there Mr toad.”
“What’s good about it?” He spit on the road.
“Well, you are alive and well.”
“I need a kiss to break this spell.”
“I need a princes to kiss me.”
“Then, I will become a handsome prince, you see.”
“Could you give this toad a kiss Dorothy.”
“What?? No!! I might become warty.”
“You need work done on that attitude.”
“Thanks, I can do without your platitudes.”
“Go ask the wizard for help Mr toad.”
“That’s what caused this I’ve been told.”
“Not The Wizard, magic. A witches curse.”
“It was after I told her what she’s worth.”
“She wanted me to be hers, the story goes.”
“I told her I’d rather kiss a toad.”
“So, she put this curse on me.”
“She thought it was real funny.”
“O.k., o.k.” Dorothy gave the toad a kiss.
Next she knew, she was in Kansas and his.
They were in the hay in the barn.
Toto was barking, protecting her from harm.
Tin man, lion. And scarecrow were there too.
Looking around, wondering what to do.
Then they heard a holler from the house.
Dorothy’s mom came to the barn house.
Dorothy’s mom woke Dorothy up.
“You sleeping in the hay again?”
“Come to the house. Supper’s about to begin.”
Dorothy looked around. They were alone.
It was a dream. Enough to make her groan.
She touched her lips. They felt all tingly.
What did that dream do to me?
She shook her head and went to the house.
All during dinner, she was quiet as a mouse.
If nothing else, her attitude was better.
After that day, she was a real go getter.

——————————————R.W. Johnson—–(2018)

Never Pleasing Weather

Well, today it’s hotter than hell.
I hope I can make it through this spell.
Oh what fun to be on a beach.
Cool water within my reach.
But, the sand would burn my feet.
“Nothing works,” I cry in defeat.
I will lay here with a cold beer.
Sorry darling, you can’t be near.
It is too damned hot to fool around.
Today is hot enough to kill a clown.
Slowly, the day drags by.
As the boiling sun creeps across the sky.
I could fry eggs on the sidewalk.
But, it’s too hot to even walk.
I feel as if my tongue will swell.
I’m melting away. Anyone can tell.
I am wet everywhere.
Sweaty feet to dripping hair.
More beer, I must stay hydrated.
Without it I become dehydrated.
Have you ever suffered through heat like this?
It is so hot there is no need to piss.
Being inside doesn’t help at all.
It is stifling. I can’t even crawl.
I’ll fill the tub with water and soak in it.
Maybe that will cool me a little bit.
I feel like cutting carrots and onions.
Adding them to the tub. The fun begins.
Aahhh!!, what am I thinking?
I’ll just lie here and keep on reeking.
Then, I turned on the TV and got the news.
They said the stores were running out of booze.
Worst news I’ve never heard.
Till they told me what will occur.
Another 5 days of this retched heat.
I should die and admit defeat.
But, no. I will tough it out.
Then, in 6 days I will shout.
“I’m alive!!, but now it’s cold, no doubt.”

—————————————-R.W. Johnson—–(2018)

A Glimpse Of God’s World

Something was wrong today.
Had the matrix gone astray?
I seemed to have different choices.
I was hearing lots of voices.
I went out for breakfast as usual.
In the café, what I heard was brutal.
All these voices talking at once.
But, no lips were moving on the chumps.
I realized I was hearing their thoughts.
Scary as hell. It must stop at all costs.
What they thought and what they said.
Didn’t match up in most of the heads.
If people said what they think.
WW3 would be on the brink.
The noise was like a roar to me.
I wanted out. I wanted free.
Then, I learned to get some control.
I could tune out some I didn’t know.
Others, I could not ignore.
Their thoughts were pounding on the door.
Then I heard psychotic thinking.
I was frozen without blinking.
It was to muddled and illogical.
Could he be such a naughty soul?
I was almost ready to scream.
The waitress asked if I wanted cream.
“What, oh, yes” I said.
I was ready to lose my head.
I couldn’t go on like this.
It was too much. Stop it now. Desist.
Man wasn’t made to read another’s mind.
Knowing private thoughts was a real crime.
I can’t live in a world like this.
How does God not feel amiss?
Hearing every thought from everyone.
Praise to the omnipotent one.
He, and only He can deal with this.
I can barely handle a kiss.
With that thought, it went away.
Things returned to normal that day.
I praised God with all my heart.
May we never drift apart.

——————————R. W. Johnson—–(2018)

The Country Way

The time has come to run.
We’ve been having lots of fun.
But, our time of joy is over.
Either run, or push up clover.
Each of them has a gun.
They will shoot us just for fun.
It is time to color us gone.
Now, run faster than a fawn.
See you when it’s over and done.
Then we will have more fun.
They won’t chase us very far.
Even if they use a car.
They lose interest very fast.
Nothing they do seems to last.
They are just good old country boys.
A guitar, a beer, and make some noise.
They don’t care who lost or won.
Only if daddy has his white shotgun.
They want it formal, win or lose.
Then it’s back to drinking booze.
So we will lie low for awhile.
Soon, we will be able to smile.
Then I will walk up to him.
And say: “Guess what? Were next of kin.”

—————————-R.W. Johnson—–(2018)

He Stayed On The Bus

He saw what was going on.
He saw it from the bus he was on.
Three thugs beating the hell out of a guy.
He just sat there and wondered why?

He just stayed on the bus.
He didn’t yell to stop the fuss.
He didn’t get off to try and help.
Was he worried about himself?
He just stayed on the bus.
He was just like most of us.

Soon, the one fell to the ground.
They started kicking him all around.
He was bleeding from mouth and ears.
Gasping for breath between his tears.

He didn’t get off the bus.
He didn’t try to stop the fuss.
He was just like most of us.
He did call 911 in a rush.
Hopefully, help will come in time.
Otherwise, he paid no mind.

They kicked him till he didn’t move.
Then they robbed him of his shoes.
They took his wallet and his watch.
Then, they kicked him in the crotch.

He just stayed on the bus.
He didn’t yell to stop the fuss.
He didn’t get off to try and help.
Was he worried about himself?
He just stayed on the bus.
He was just like most of us.

The bus pulled away from the curb.
A siren was the last he heard.
He heard later a man was killed.
It did give him a little chill.

———————-R.W. Johnson—–(2018)

More Than A Friend (Epilog)

The kids had most of the summer left.
Did they enjoy it to the max? You bet.
They had their senior year to go in school.
Summer flew by fast with nothing new.
When school started again in the fall.
They all worked hard and gave it their all.
Their school was a small country school.
The town was quite rural, small and true blue.
Very patriotic, as country folk are.
Country and school first, then a nice car.
The 4 were the hottest couples going.
Other kids admired what they were showing.
Much love and dedication to each other.
They were closer than a sister and brother.
Nobody learned what they shared that night.
When at the beach. One hell of a fight.
They all knew trouble was coming again.
Problem was they didn’t know when.
They vowed to stay together till it was over.
Even if it wasn’t till they were much older.
In the meantime, they all had a great year.
One to remember and to hold near.
They all graduated with top honors.
Each earned scholarships for college beyond here.
Their subject choices affected by what they knew.
No reptilian race would make them a fool.
They would take courses to help their fight.
All they learned would help their plight.
When the fight returned, they would be prepared.
A fight till the end. They wouldn’t be scared.

——————————————R.W. Johnson—–(2018)

More Than A Friend (Part 13)

A couple nights later in the week,
they were parked at the beach.
In the parking lot to get a good view.
It was dark, no moon to give a clue.
Right on time they saw the light.
On the horizon. It was very bright.
On their laptop they could see it all.
The underwater city went up in a bright ball.
At the last second, a sub jetted away.
They got a call saying they were on the way.
A half hour later a sub surfaced in the cove.
Just as they expected after being told.
A raft appeared with 5 people on board.
Coz and Tom moved to the beach as one accord.
The raft landed and all hoped out.
Coz made the high pitched noise. They fell about.
Trashing and holding their heads.
They changed into reptiles. Nothing was said.
They saw Coz and Tom and charged.
Running fast in the sand was hard.
Tom fired a spear gun hitting one in the neck.
Violet-red blood sprayed out and it fell, a wreck.
Coz froze another right on the spot.
It fell over and broke up a lot.
Another one was wearing a metal veil.
Coz sent him backward hard into a metal rail.
It’s head popped open like a ripe melon.
It didn’t have time for any yellin.
By then, one was swinging a club at Tom.
Coz sent out a protective shield for Tom.
The reptile could not penetrate it.
Tom checked his computer, yelled “Your fit.”
Both reptiles began to run away.
It was the biggest mistake they made that day.
They were both wearing metal vests.
They slammed together so hard it was a mess.
When there were no more reptiles to stand.
the girls came running through the sand.
They flung their arms around the guys.
Started giving them kisses and cried.
“We were worried for awhile”
“But, you took care of them in style.”
“What will we do with them now?”
“I will show you” said Coz with a growl.
He turned them and all the gore
Into fine ash. They were no more.
He burned everything else related to them.
“How about the sub?” Raywin said with a grin.
Coz sent a red hot beam and hit the sub’s side.
It made a hole like a burn in someone’s hide.
He made several more at the water line.
The sub started sinking and was gone in no time.
It was all caught on film and sent to Coz’s dad.
He said “Good work kids!!” He was real glad.
The androids who blew the city saw the fight too.
They said “I wouldn’t want to go a round with you.”
They headed to the car, arms around each other.
They went home to Coz’s father and mother.
“So ends round one of androids vs reptiles.”
“Let’s hope every fight ends this good.” He smiled.
“It is still early. You kids go have some fun.”
With that, his research had just begun.
That night was real lovey dovey.
As the kids went cruzing and did some putting.
At the miniature golf course, what else?
Basically, they just stuck to themselves.
Will there be another android vs reptile war?
Most likely, but not for awhile after this big score.

———————————————R.W. Johnson—–(2018)