Does a Bear Live in the Wood

Living proof… a bear does live in the wood!

Waiting to Exhale

I breathe deeply
filling my lungs to capacity with life
so good is it I want to take in more
keeping every memory locked within
so much stored inside I feel I shall explode

My addiction to life is overpowering
my life already so full yet
I struggle to take in more
life pumped through my veins
my drug of choice

So much I have seen and done
two life time’s worth in so short a time
countries seen, jobs done, people known… tranquil my life
I shall hold my breath until my time is done
Waiting to exhale; my life set free.

Life on the Trail

This is for “Bugs”; a fighter, one of a kind, creator of incredible art, photographer, a good man… and my friend.  Keep up the good fight Bugs!!!

The smell
as familiar as that morning cup of coffee
enjoyed while listening to the serenade
of bacon dancing on the cast iron skillet
in perfect harmony with the rhythm of bubbling beans…
and the smell of fresh-baked biscuits beckons you

The herd
nature’s call apparent with nowhere to hide
the sound of cattle moving about, louder by the minute
the morning’s symphony overtaken…
sweet smells of breakfast fade
as you leave the pot behind

Rain
has left its mark
the heavy odor of wet horse-flesh
blending with the smell of the herd
all remaining memories of breakfast erased
only the smell of work remains

Pain
from a night of cold and a hard uneven bed
makes you wonder why you signed up
the saddle wearing itself into your thighs
blisters telling you the story of this trip
with each step taken

Refreshed
with the cool, muddy water
pulled from a hole filled with cattle’s feet and horse’s snouts
taking all into your canteen
water, the magic elixir restores life
you push on tonguing grit from between your teeth

Sleep
after another meal of morning’s beans and biscuits
comes quickly, to be interrupted by the watch
two hours sleep, two hours watch, and maybe
the previous days wear will allow you two more hours of rest
the smell of coffee and bacon brings you to your senses…

Karma Dictates

I see the madness all around
Both here and far away
Life’s become commodity
While politicians play
Death, destruction entertain
Some live that morbid truth
Karma dictates consequence
Will soon come home to roost

So many hate and don’t know why
Blindly sowing pain
Come the fall with garden ripe
There’s nothing that’s been gained
Believers of another faith
The poison arrow loosed
Karma dictates consequence
Will soon come home to roost

Live your life let others be
Don’t rock the boat to hard
Throw rocks at neighbors and you’ll find
Rocks in your own back yard
Infringe upon another’s life
Their happiness reduced
Karma dictates consequence
Will soon come home to roost

A life filled with tranquility
Is offered to us all
Focus on the good in life
To the side the bad will fall
Spread good vibrations everywhere
Give another’s life a boost
Karma dictates all good deeds
Will soon come home to roost

In Other Words

In other words…

We have traveled many roads together
a roadmap of our design tracing earth’s curves
as I trace hers with my touch
along the way picking up parcels of life…
reminders of where we have been, things we have done
and as I reflect
I recall mountains climbed and colors seen
our life taking on the wondrous landscape

With every touch she brings me further back to life
and like the great oak I find
my love for her anchors more deeply…
we are one…
time apart passes like cold molasses through an hour glass as
anticipation grows for our reunion
rituals we have made
sharing ourselves and our time
port shared mouth to mouth, sleeping skin to skin…
she is now a part of me
her voice, her presence, her touch
my salvation
as thoughts of her turn to smiles
and I realize my dreams are a reflection of my life
a life made better.

My cup of life always full
warmth, happiness, comfort, pleasure, love
my life now complete
a long road traveled with many stops along the way
we have walked many miles together
and when we can walk no more
we will sit, and marvel at all we have done…
the autumn of our lives
rich with color.

Wondering

I wake to see
a peaceful face
surrounded by comforters
in a heavy sleep
and I am happy.

Minutes pass
and I am still watching;
and like the morning sunrise
her peacefulness spreads to me
and brings me warmth.

As if a master’s painting
I cannot look away
and smile as I take in
the beauty of her face…
a masterpiece.

She wakes
and this picture fills with life.
I relish in the thought
that I will be with her this day;
an angel watches over me.

As the day draws to a close
remembering all we have done
I smile again,
and think, what a lucky man
who this woman would have.

Life in Black and White

So many meanings does this have
of people’s color, of right and wrong…
so set are we, we cannot see
past the surface of things
missing so much

Rose colored glasses add only illusion
a disguise for how we perceive
as we fool only ourselves;
cast in concrete our beliefs
all that could be escapes us

Easels offer what could be…
a sample of what is
if we would only acknowledge
there is more than status quo
a rainbow awaits us.

They Call This Life

Memories
cloud clear thought
better days remembered as
today weighs heavily on our backs

Simplicity gone
common sense erased
as nothing new makes sense
we lie at the bottom
of the hill of muck
unable to make progress
the few determined pulled back
for no one wants to wallow
in the pigsty alone

The new philosophy…
let the few keep the many down
that they have all
and the rest have nothing
to squabble over.

Listen to the Lion

Unlike a pack of wolves…
a long hard winter behind them
they hunt for any free scrap
taking from wherever they can
for they know not of ownership.

Like the bear and the monkey
taught to take handouts
feeding on the poison offered
they have forgotten how to feed themselves
forgotten… the ways of hunting and cooperation
their world out of balance.

Now lazy and lackadaisical
they eke out an existence
bare minimums met, the
smell of impending death
permeates their dens, leaking out
into the surrounding air
telling all others of their plight…

There is nothing left…
all has been taken and consumed
yet knowing offspring have no chance
litters are dropped at increasing rates
and the lion lauds the animal-welfare state.

 

 

The Things We Do

Actions always speak louder than words
all leaving messages
from the flagrant to the finite
from the rough to the gentle
careful we must be when
speaking with our actions.

There is a time when our actions
are thought out and deliberate
leaving little room for misunderstanding…
a show of feelings and emotions.

Searching…
to find those electrodes
setting of uncontrollable pulses
leaving nothing to chance
with intent to please our partners
a show of love and closeness…

The things we do.