Note: This compilation occurred to me more than a year ago. In fact, the reason I logged on to Facebook on March 14, 2017, was to reach out to Alan and propose that we combine our efforts, merging his Colorado Calling and my Jersey Rejoicing into one poem. Instead, I learned that morning of Alan's passing a few days earlier. It threw me for a loop, and the idea got pushed to the back of my mind. But it was always there, t...

You always did like surprise endings,A twist no one could see coming,And that last one of yours was a doozy.Days later, we're still reeling,Not from the shock, which dissipates,But from a grief that lingers.You probably never knewThe regard people held you in,For it seemed to sneak upAs we chatted and laughedAbout topics big and small.Our esteem grewAlongside your virtual menagerie,Vintage music, Exacta and photography ta...

A con man rolled into town, With a funny looking wig. Made a lot of promises, Everything will be really big. He claims he doesn’t like immigrants, Says they cause a lot of strife, But you certainly would never know, By looking at his imported wife. And he doesn’t like Muslims, And forget it if you’re black. And as for those pesky Mexicans, He’s sending them all back. He says he has a really big plan, To cure America’s ill...

To some the world revolves around them,And nothing else can matter.They’ll do anything to reach that end,Including endless idle chatter.They walk around like “Hey look at me.”And are only happy when you do.They’re like an exhibit for all to see,Like an animal in a zoo.Nowadays they’re on the net, joining many a site,And they bully everyone around.They’ll be on the computer, day and night,If some attention can be found.If...

Flowers bloom, the Winter thaw, Outside the songbirds sing. With the arrival of the bluebirds, I know that it is Spring. But listening to the bird’s songs, And watching the flowers bloom. I can’t but help myself, For feeling a certain gloom. For I find myself a bit jealous, As the flowers start anew, So often I wish I could do the same, If I just knew what to do. 02-22-16.

This day is yours, it belongs to you,Do anything that you desire to do.Watch your favorite shows, eat your favorite food,Do anything that puts you in a good mood. Your friends are here to celebrate too,This day is yours, it belongs to you.You’ve been working too hard, you need a break,Sit down and have another piece of cake. Open the presents your friends have bought,You can see they’ve given this plenty of thought.This d...

Nikolai reached his hand into his pocket and felt the knife. He had worked for weeks on it, slowly grinding down the stone blade day by day. He only had one chance to take out the guard when he reached the perimeter. From there he would have to rush to the lake and assemble the raft he had made out of drop cloths he found lying around the prison camp behind the officer’s quarters. He thought about his wife when she woke u...

She’s hot and wet when she greets me in the morning, I know of no better way to wake up. And when I need her she is always there, She fills my loving cup. It is an affair that has been going on for years, And she will continue to comfort when I’m old. When I am down she perks me up, She warms me when I am cold. Dark and bold she comes to me, More beautiful than any sunrise. Like a gypsy with her magic charms, She has the...

Two young brothers are left at home, All by their lonesome selves, The older one notices a new toy, Sitting high up on a shelf. He climbs up and brings on down, What he believes is a toy gun, He thinks about the games they’ll play, Boy this sure will be fun. He aims the ‘toy’ at his little brother, And shoots him in the head, But that gun was not a toy at all, And soon the three-year-old is dead. When a child dies, All th...

Dedicated to combat veterans and PTSD sufferers, wherever they may be...thank you for your service... An Enemy That Haunts My Mind... In the middle of the night I lie in bed, Fighting an enemy that’s in my head. An enemy that’s always there, An enemy that won’t play fair. An enemy that haunts my mind, An enemy that is not kind. The price paid for doing good, Of doing like I’m told I should. Serving my country in time of w...

It’s All Hallow’s Eve and there’s little sound, Except for a few goblins dancing around,An old witch creates another evil spell,Summoning demons from down in Hell. The old hag stirs her boiling stew,Adds eye of a newt, and another shrew,The cauldron bubbles over the roaring fire,The smoke rising up, higher and higher. A black cat watches and suddenly screams,It’s enough to haunt anyone’s dreams,The old woman smiles an evi...

I wish it could be different, I wish there was another way, If only for the sake of your children, I would have liked to stay. I came into your life a few years back, When you were looking for a man, I’ve tried to help anyway I could, But I’ve done all that I can. Your kids took to me from the start, And they always called me ‘Dad.’ You even told me more than once, That I was the best they ever had. But you just used me f...

Moved to Colorado the other day, Told the wife I needed to get away.I guess she didn't think that I'd be gone long,Since all I packed was underwear and a bong.The decision to move was easy to make,In fact, it was a piece of cake.Ten long years with that naggin' bitch,I definitely knew it was time for a switch.One day I just realized that I had enough,So I grabbed a bag, and packed my stuff,Didn't even bother to say 'Goodb...

Note: This was written for the print anthology..."Mandela, The Man, His Life, Its Meaning, Our Words"...to be released by Inner Child Press in early 2014... Madiba He was the voice of those who had no voice, The spokesman for the oppressed.He became a true hero to the downtrodden,Who had been denied their basic human rights.There were those who tried to stop him,But he proved himself a true force of nature.Because you can...

People always offer opinions and advice, As to what you should or shouldn’t do, Though they can barely manage themselves, They seem to know what’s best for you. An old friend offers relationship advice, As he talks about his latest divorce, He always blames his latest ex-wife, And I just nod and say “But, of course.” Another friend offers financial advice, Talking stocks and bonds on the phone, I’d probably take him a bit...