The Owl and the Pussycat went to sea
With a book of poems they took their tea
The day was grand!
But they sailed back to land
For milk, for sugar, for thee.

A Haiku:

Streetlights, People
Horror, Shock, Confusion
Tights Are Not Pants

My heart leaps up when I behold
A beautiful bag, black leather and gold
I turn my head to shed my yearning
My stomach aflutter, impatiently churning

One day my pocket will afford me
A bag of distinction for utility
My heart once agile calms its beating
A moment of bliss – despondently fleeting

Waiting for the moment, for the bag that I will carry
I am patient and assured as I longingly tarry

When you are old and grey and full of sleep
Come my children and sit a spell
While a tale I tell
Lend me your hearts and minds and ears
And listen to my tale of years

Life when you're young
is a song that is sung;
Life when you're old
is a tale that is told.

The journey has wound
through many a ground
Through byways and highways, long and steep
Over hills how sublime down valleys how deep
Come my children and do not weep
For I have yet promises to keep.

I Hear an Army
by James Joyce

I hear an army charging upon the land,
And the thunder of horses plunging, foam about their knees:
Arrogant, in black armour, behind them stand,
Disdaining the reins, with fluttering whips, the charioteers.

They cry unto the night their battle-name:
I moan in sleep when I hear afar their whirling laughter.
They cleave the gloom of dreams, a blinding flame,
Clanging, clanging upon the heart as upon an anvil.

They come shaking in triumph their long, green hair:
They come out of the sea and run shouting by the shore.
My heart, have you no wisdom thus to despair?
My love, my love, my love, why have you left me alone?

I wondered lonely as a cloud
Walking about so proud.
The sun kissed my face
And the world was filled with grace
For love, love was abound.

There was a child went forth every day

There was a child went forth every day
Seeking safety and acceptance by peers.
The Guards of Order kept him at bay,
Little regard for his thoughts and his fears,
His voice unheard.

There was a child with little at home.
He looked to the street to fight back, to survive.
Surrounded by friends yet completely alone
He drank, toked, and flew to feel more alive,
His needs unmet.

There was a child thrown out of school
For hugging, for touching, and smart-assed replies.
Their judgement confirming that he was a fool,
Their scorn taught him quickly to hate and despise.
His pain unseen.

There was a child went forth late one night
Accosted a man in fancy attire.
Police arrived and the child took flight.
He ran without stopping, drawing their fire.
His life unsung.

Listen my children and you shall hear
Of the adventure of Bill, my dear
Who sailed through Hell's Gate in a boat without a motor.
It was 1970, a very good year
For our first son did appear.

'Twas a wooden folk boat like no other
With a crew of Bill and Bob, his brother.

The seas they were fierce
The wind it did pierce.
They did not get blown off course
Altair rode the waves like a horse!

They came to harbor safe and sound
And were happy to be once again on ground.

Theirs was a grand adventure and would portend
Of many a voyage just 'round the bend.

For from New York to Norfolk they did sail
down the coast .
The wives did celebrate and raise a toast
Upon their return, safe and sound,
Onto land and firm ground.

Go and catch a falling star,
and no matter where you are,
write your name upon the breeze,
and you may do as you may please!

Go and catch a falling star,
like a firefly in a jar,
dancing fairies and the elves,
the leprachauns and ourselves!

Go and catch a falling star,
wandering both near and far,
try to find the rainbow's end,
imagination your best friend!

IF EVER TWO WERE ONE

If ever two were one, then we would surely be together
In time, in space, in Heaven, in the folds of our hearts!

My heart is filled with the love of my life even though he is gone
I can still feel him. I can still hear the angels speaking his name

He is in Heaven. I am still on this earth. Cancer ravaged him.
We are still one. My heart is still bursting with the folds of love!

When it's my time to pass through on the other side
I will see him again. We will be one again, no more suffering

The two of us together on that peaceful, serene, beautiful shore
We wll be one forever more, for eternity, for the ages!

I sometimes say hurry time, let me sit again with my love
Let me be with the one that gave me life abundantly!

Whatever time I have left, I share his legacy on this earth
I look to the Heavens, wondering when we will be one again

I can bide my time until I see him. I can await that peaceful shore
We are still one, we are still together in spirit no matter where we are!

If ever two were one we would be surely be together
We will be someday and we will sing again in unison!

Praise God!

When you are old and gray,
And full of sleep,
Though it sounds so cliché,
You will still reap,
What you have sown in play,
And fast asleep.

So love one another,
With heartfelt love,
The love of a mother,
Or kindness of,
A man for his brother,
A sweet white dove,
The love of the other,
Unworthy of.

There was an old man with a beard
While cooking chicken it got seared
He cooled the hair with his beer
While his friends gathered near

Oh, what a site they saw
Surrounding the old mans jaw
They helped him conceal is face
And got dinner back on pace

The group settled down to eat
With chicken and bread of wheat
Their dessert was yummy grilled pears
When finished they lay back in their chairs.

They shared stories of old
And the future they foretold
The evening came to a pleasant end
The old man looked forward to next weekend

When you are old and gray,
and full of sleep.
When the days grow long,
and the night is deep.

When it seems hope is fading,
and you long to weep.
When aches and pains,
in your bones now creep.

When the road grows long,
and seems to bend.
When from aging,
you can not mend

Just remember these words,
my fine young friend.
Life is only beginning,
its not the end.

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways
I love you 1 because
Of your desire to learn.
I love you 2 because
You continue to try it until you get it.
I love you 3 because
Of the vitality you bring to our class.
I love you 4 because
You continue to bloom and grow.
I love you 5 because
You are always willing to help a classmate.
I love you completely just because you are you!

If ever two were one, then surely we would be unvailed.
As true as our love shines brighter then the moon.
When I look into your eyes I see beyond your past
and get lost in the endless sky in your eyes.
So do not judge me for I can't bare the shame
that I would feel. So say good night and wait for me.

As sure as a shamrock is green
and two become one
our love shall be redeamed
Through the father, the spirit the son.

I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me......
The cloak reaches out to you in the form of a shadow
Wondering in ways for a dream to come true.
But only asking yourself, could it ever be?
Sources of warmth are taken from the inner core
Having the crown to the sight of the day
To reach the status creature of satisfaction
Only to find your beating red-round shot
For a reason of not understanding
Living it once,- is living it too much
There are to many shadows living under one cloak

Go and catch a falling star
Drive a car
No matter how far

Go and catch a falling star
Run and run afar
Catch it in a mason jar

Go and catch a falling star
Sparkling ans so bizarre
Sit back and smoke a cigar

I know what the caged bird feels, alas! I am free. Graduation at last! No more will the bars of school keep me caged, alas! Freedom from the shadows of the bars that seemed to always be in my line of sight. No matter if I looked left or right. The bars are gone and so is school. Alas the cage is gone! No more will I be feed my knowledge in the plastic bowl that hung in the cage. I am free to pick my fare from the offerings of the world beyond the cage, alas! I know what the free bird feels.

The perfect shell

Frothy white wave-fangs bite at the air,
their gleaming anger shocking the darkness.

Wind waging war on water, ripping it bare,
maniacally muscling stacks of cascading chaos.

Unrelenting, the storm persisting, wickedly wrapped
in night's blackest cloak, the sun choked,

In a tumultuous mad sand tumble, tearing shore's grasp,
An incensed sea spews salty hiss, cursing wind’s hold.

Deeper, in the violent silent fury of the sea belly,
Broken shell bits are hurled from their watery world.

Sea strikes the shore, Hell’s hammer heaving heavily,
A shattered battered shell-path torturously unfurled.

Blight of broken pieces, delighting Hades’ gloom,
Stretches away, a meandering memorial to stories untold.

There in the destruction, defying Hell’s doom,
One perfect shell glowing, showing a heavenly gold.

Light in the dark, perfection in imperfection, shines,
Giving new hope and promise to a storm ravaged place.

The perfect shell, brushed by angels, by God’s fire,
Testifies that when the sun rises, all will blaze.

The blowing sands and storms of time will refine,
The cracked splintered bits becoming something more.

Through storms, trusting, withstanding for a time,
Made whole and holy, dazzling treasures on the shore.

When you are old and gray and full of sleep.
I will keep you by my side, as I weep.
Darkness fills your eyes, but you stay strong
Up in the clouds you will go, it won't be long.
Close your restless eyes and relax now as,
I hold you close and kiss your cheek,
I say you have nothing to fear.
my tears flow like water.
Soon, it will end, as you give your last breathe.
I will love you forever, my beautiful freind.

It always comes, and when it comes they know.
Those sharp ears hear the footsteps in the hall.
Running over to the sound, they crouch below.

Even fast, she's moving much too slow.
At the counter, flustered, cans will fall.
It always comes, and when it comes they know.

Impatient as they're pacing to and fro,
the dishes tip and clang against the wall.
Running over to the sound, they crouch below.

It seems the last time happened long ago.
The food is lowered down to sound the call.
It always comes, and when it comes they know.
Running over to the sound, they crouch below.

First line taken from Donald Justice's 1925 poem Women in Love. This poem was inspired by two hungry cats!

Drink to me, with only thine eyes
look deeply into them
be guided by thy heart
and you will find those hidden treasures
the real riches disguised
capture thy inner beauty
and break free from thy shackles
and run away with me
run to this paradise
where no intruders will be present
and where the present will stay present
because death does not await us.
Here poverty does not exsist
so, break bread with me and hunger no more.

Go and catch a falling star
You never know, it might get you far

When you look up at the night sky
You sit quietly as the world passes you by

You think about your dreams
And all that the world seams

That maybe one day you will be where you want to be
Seeing what you really want to see

I also wrote another:

Along walked a girl covered in lace
She walked with certain haste
As she headed home to wash the city from her face
She had forgotten her mace
So she picked up her pace
And she disappeared into the night with out a trace

When you are old and gray and full of sleep
The ones you love will surely have to weep.

We will always remember that old, rugged, jeep
And the mountains you would climb were oh so steep!

You were never afraid of taking the leap
And that in our memories we will always keep.

Now go back to sleep,
And our love for you we will hold deep.

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways
I love you simply for who you are,
your smile and laugh lighten and brighten my day,

I love you for the way you smile when you play
I love you even more for your sweet baby ways
being your mom is what I love the most,
it's the number one reason I'm alive today

I love your little girl nose
I love your precious little toes,
but most of all I love you because you are the best person I know

Go and catch a falling star...

Go and catch a falling star, for you never know how near they are.
Have you ever stared at a sky so blue, wondering where life may take you?
Have you ever leaped, yet feared the fall?
Have you ever dreamed you may heed the call?
So stare if you please, and leap if you want but dreaming is a must you can and you will. Dream big and reach high, as life is too short, and some day you will die.

I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me,
I have often wondered if he truly wishes to be free.

What might he do with his time,
If his decisions were not intimately tied to mine?

Would he spend long days climbing high peaks,
Or instead spend his days at home between the sheets?

Does he dream of boarding in deep snow,
Or is he deeply bored and think my hobbies blow?

I wonder what my shadow would say
If presented with the choice to leave or to stay?

We have had many an adventure whether or not by his druthers
And if given my choice, I would not care to spend my days with any other.

Go and catch a falling star and
Put it in your pocket.
Only take it out
When you are about
In life's hasty astray.
To guide you
Through that dark dark day.

Love bade me welcome, yet my soul drew back,
Something within myself that I now lack,
Bittersweet memories of a heartbroken past,
Haunt me still of first love that did not last,

A once romantic heart beats sundered still,
Dare I fall again despite all the pain?
Longing for your love despite my will,
Praying for the strength to love once again,

Your beauty inspires me like dawn’s first light,
Hoping beyond hope that our love will remain true,
Despite all reservations, our love takes flight,
My spirit reborn because of my love for you.

I wandered lonely as a cloud
Floating by so very loud
My foe the sun
Had me on the run
For he shined his face so bright and proud

Go and catch a falling star
but make sure it is not too far
far from your arms and far from reach
or else sky will have to teach
teach you when and how to be
a patient child and not of greed
for if it is not your star
it is not your star.

My heart leaps up when I behold
Your treasured beauty like a find of gold
Two hearts together through days of old
To you my only to you I’m sold

So together we’ll be as one
Just like when we’ve first begun
Through every evening til the day is done
And every night til the morning sun

My heart is like a singing bird,
it's song falls on the waking ear,
and makes my heart fly up
and out, into the cold spring air.
The ground, still frozen, crucnhes,
but the morning song is sweet.

It is this morning I waited for,
through the dreary, heartless
winter that took too much, and hurt
too long. Birds and sky are all
I need to let the dead be dead,
and let my spirit wake and feel.

Saturday morning in the East Village
Heels click beneath a contorted sight
In a little black dress; uneasy visage
Tumbling out of the night.

When you are old and Grey and full of sleep,
I will sit with you each day and wait
To keep you company
You are not alone
The life you lived was full
Full of people who love you
You are not alone
So go to sleep and know
When you awake, here I will sit and wait.

There was an old man with a beard
browsing books with eyes that said
boredom but a mouth that twinkled full
of ideas and saliva. I watched him
through stack slits to see if he’d pick books
or his nose. His fingers never moved
towards his face, so I eyed his battered
briefcase. Don’t think people won’t steal
what you’d give them for free. People will
put their grubby hands all over your
Dewey numbers, if you let them. But, upon
closer inspection, he was eyeing up 346.078,
so he wasn’t a pervert, but a victim. It means
Social Science; it means Law; it means
Bankruptcy. The poor man was walking with
purpose, like it mattered. But it doesn’t always.
Take your time, old man. Shrug your shoulders
back and lose the posture. We know you’re
tired; you want a nap; you want a snack
and a comb for your beard. So, nestle in with the
lions-- they’re more welcoming than gruff. Use
their teeth to sharpen your knowledge and then
flash it ferociously when this city seems too tough.

I don't Mac
I just sit back and relax
'Cause my face aint whack
Like the pimples on your back

There was an old man with a beard
browsing books with eyes that said
boredom but a mouth that twinkled full
of ideas and saliva. I watched him
through stack slits to see if he’d pick books
or his nose. His fingers never moved
towards his face, so I eyed his battered
briefcase. Don’t think people won’t steal
what you’d give them for free. People will
put their grubby hands all over your
Dewey numbers, if you let them. But, upon
closer inspection, he was eyeing up 346.078,
so he wasn’t a pervert, but a victim. It means
Social Science; it means Law; it means
Bankruptcy. The poor man was walking with
purpose, like it mattered. But it doesn’t always.
Take your time, old man. Shrug your shoulders
back and lose the posture. We know you’re
tired; you want a nap; you want a snack
and a comb for your beard. So, nestle in with the
lions-- they’re more welcoming than gruff. Use
their teeth to sharpen your knowledge and then
flash it ferociously when this city seems too tough.

There was a child went forth every day…
Determined to make a difference in every way
No candy bars for him, his mom could not pay
In his sweet soul, that was okay
To help with the rent he’d bring home some cents
“Where does this come from?” mom would ask
“From my pipe cleaner bracelets, the kids give me cash!”

A flooded and troubled city needed much help
Nothing remained but some sand and some kelp
He cried for their loss and felt their pain
Empathy flooded his nine-year old brain
No seconds wasted, no time to point blame
He rallied a city to fight grief in their name
Door-to door handouts and benefits galore
He raised awareness and dollars much much more
Sixteen thousand in a drop of a hat
This kid had a power, there was no denying that

Positive influences and acts of kindness
Can come out of nowhere in times of much stress
The influential little man I met at that time
Has given me a humbling story to share in this rhyme
He taught me that even the smallest of things
Can have really big hearts and considerable wings

I wandered lonely as a cloud...
Maybe you and I
should not try to plan our lives
if only what we could see
what we hold in our hands
Not everybody knows
which way a river flows
not everybody seees
the sun up in the sky
Love hurts
Every night and day
love feelings
never go away
real love
it is here to stay with you