Homelessness

Homelessness

I have been there

Sleeping in a car

In the heat of summer

In the cold of winter

I took naps on park benches

Or on the grass in a local park

Walking the streets

Wearing clothes that can’t be washed

Wondering what you are going to eat

And where you are going to find it

I saw people staring at me

Whispering between themselves

Laughing in my face

No one cared

No one even asked how I was

I was there, but I wasn’t

I just wished someone would have seen me

Looked at me and said hello

Maybe, I would have smiled

And felt alive even if just for a moment

I Missed You

I Missed You

I was asleep when you left

You never said goodbye

I looked for you

I slept on your pillows

Just to smell your scent

I played with your best shirt

But, you were gone forever

And I missed you badly

After so much time I laid on the couch

Just looking out of the window

I never saw the kids next door

Or the cat running through the yard

I just wanted to see your car

I waited forever until you came home

I jumped and kissed your cheek

I went and got my rope to play

But, there is something I have to tell you

I missed you so badly it hurt

So, I left you a gift to remind you I was here

Just do not ever get your slippers

You may not like what you find

But, even after you get my gift

Just remember I will always love you

The Mighty King

The Mighty King

You were born to a royal family

Who wandered through the forest

They cared about the animals

And the fauna which covered the ground

You became respected by all who saw you

Those who watched you as you grew

You became stronger

More agile and braver with each day

Then you took the throne from your father

Becoming the protector of the forest

Look over your kingdom young king

See what nature has given you

Rule wisely and fairly

Have courage and wisdom

And you will be a mighty king

The Man She Buried

The Man She Buried

She buried her husband decades ago

He died fighting a needless war

Held prisoner for so many years

He wrote to her every day

Yet, she never heard a word

Her two children never knew their father

They were told stories

But, they never knew for sure

Over time she lived her life

As he became a distant memory

The a day came when a canvas bag arrived

A thousand letters were poured onto the floor

Each one was sent from a cage in Hanoi

Addressed to her, but never sent

She read each one through tear-filled eyes

And as the last letter was put back in the envelope

She fell in love one again

And again she mourned the man she buried so long ago

Dedicated To Rolling Acres Mall

Dedicated To Rolling Acres Mall

You were so beautiful at one time

I remember looking forward to seeing you

To go to the movies

Get something to eat

Or maybe buy a new pair of shoes

I remember watching kids play

Splashing in your fountain

Yet, everything must come to an end

I saw empty hallways and darkened shops

Except for one store with a single man

He was trying to keep your heart beating

Trying to keep you alive

But he could not do enough

So, after years of neglect

Broken windows

Water and snow pouring in

You became a rotting corpse

Still, we will remember you for who you were

Not what you became

A Worthless Piece Of Paper

A Worthless Piece Of Paper

240 years ago

A paper was written

Signed by intelligent men

Casting out an imperial king

It created a country

The likes of which the world had never seen

Gave every person rights

To life, liberty and happiness

But, that was so long ago

Over time it has changed

Watered down and corrupted

Politicians have twisted it

Warped it to fit their needs

To benefit the rich

And punish the poor

A paper that used to be a national treasure

Now, it is a joke

Not worth the paper it was written on

And that is how it will remain

As long as people won’t stand up

And be counted

Solitude

Solitude

I want a place of solitude

No people around

No sounds of cars or trucks

No upsetting news of the world

Just the sounds of the breezes

Birds singing in the branches

Baby animals wanting their mothers

I want the scent of wildflowers

The smell of fresh air

The visions of clouds drifting above

I want a place to think

To come up with new ideas

Ones the universe had never dreamed

I want a bench surrounded by nature

A place man has not ruined

I want a place of solitude

A place where I am just me