A Small Town Gathering of Heroes

A dark night, rainy, a hero came home.

A black car, long limo, carried him gently.

A flag of stars and stripes blanketed him.

The street was glossy, tires whispered prayers,

For many heroes preceded and followed.

Lights, red, white and blue, flashing quietly.

Troops ‘Ten-Hut’ as he passed with honor.

EMT, fire, state, and county colors rolled with

Fellowship, pride, and a teary eye.

Many people stand together, close and somber,

Connected in grief, love, and respect, as family,

A community of hugs and remembrance.

All about are sturdy, stoic faces of the men and women

Who protect, stand in harm’s way, go to danger, and serve,

And I say thank you to him, to them, to all.

She has Super Powers!

“She has super powers!”

“No, she don’t!” Hands reject.

“Yes.” Eyes flare. “She does.”

Hands scoff. “Prove it.”

Eyes shine bright. “Easy.”

She came in before school ever started.

Painted the classroom up real nice.

Made it bright. Made it clean and safe.

On the gray, rainy days she smiles and hugs.

We forget about the outside and learn

As she leads us book explorations.

We stood on chairs when we read our poems.

Something about a different way to look at things

And sounding our voice over the roofs.

Plus, this is funny, she and others danced on stage.

It was pretty good for a woman her age

And we laughed together, the whole room.

“She sounds a bit crazy.” Hands taps the table.

Eyes roll with a grin. “Most teachers are.”

“But still no super powers,” Hands, palms out.

Eyes proud. “She changed my world.”

A Dusty Old Valentine

I found a dusty old Valentine
Shoved back into a desk drawer.
It was one I bought for you
Then misplaced sometime of yore.

It had hearts and flowers
And curly letters delicate and red,
“You are my heart and soul,
Be mine, now and forever,” it said.

Fifteen years are only a few years
As husband and wife then family
Add three; meeting, knowing and falling
We have barely scratched at eternity.

The dusty old Valentine and all the yesterdays,
Like today, with tomorrow, holds with a smile
Your blue eyes showing, day after day,
Me with you and your love all the while.

I Give You G

I went and said Good-bye to you today.

Family and friends spoke of you.

A lot of Good words were shared,

Me, a man of words, however,

     was at a loss. I had no words to Give.

What is there that can be said?

All I have David, is a letter,

    that letter, which leads to the words, is G

I give you the letter G

    as in Ginger,

with your red head crazy, curly ‘fro.

   Course, you said, “mistaken for Ginger” when actually “Gangster.”

   Yet, the only crime I heard was stealing your sister’s hair Gel.

I give you the letter G

    as in Gentleman.

You were polite and courteous

   to my wife and Good to my kids;

    a friendly, Genuine, sturdy, all around nice Guy.

I give you the letter G

    as in Good and Great;

    A Good man; heart, body and soul.

    A Great brother, son, friend and co-worker.

I give you the letter G

    as in Goofy;

    Sucking up peanut m & m’s off the counter,

    special eye-brow trimming and TheFlyboi123 monologues

    on You-tube; witty, clever and hilarious.

And I give you the letter G

   as in Grin

     Your signature smile, from ear to ear, oh so Genuine,

     and, like you, big and bold and beautiful.

     Well...no, as said by sis, “Gorgeous.”

    

Yeah, David, G is your letter,

     and that Genuine, Goofy, “Gangster”

      (actually Gentleman though),

      Gorgeous, Grin is your Gift to us all.

Although it is only a letter,

I give you G.