Remember when

You listened to radio
TV was black and white
JFK was shot in Dallas
Neil walked on the moon
MLK was shot and DC burned
You were scared of nukes from Cuba
Nixon resigned
Hanoi was bombed
Liston fought Clay
Girls had long hair and so did boys
Their were bomb shelters
Chuck Taylor was king
Shorts were short
Drive ins ruled
Music was 45 or 78
Riders were Easy
You sat on the dock of the bay
Hitchhiking was a mode of transportation
You had a Rat Fink tee shirt
Nehru shirts were not cool
Tye Dye was cool
You had pennies in your loafers
Your name was on your jacket
Elvis and John died
The walrus was Paul
You parents hated your Jimi poster
Their were soda shops in the drug store
A hamburger was royal
Levi's had bell bottoms
Their were no security cameras except at Ft Knox
Jackets had fringe
You walked barefoot
Dances were called sock hops
You did the Frug
Coke was something you drank
You had to kick start a motorcycle
Your eight track had to warm up to work
Recording was reel to reel
Bread was Wonder
King Kong came on once a year
Sunday night was Ed Sullivan and Walt Disney
Gas was under fifty cents a gallon
Your car had fins
A switch was a branch off a tree
The Outer Limits took control of your TV
Sock it to me was funny
The lottery was something you didn't want to win
and
The years went by slowly...

Have a safe and happy New Year!


Robert
2011

LOVE PEACE

A song bird
sings a song
of Love

A dove
carrys a message
of Peace

Together
they bring a song
and a message for all

LOVE PEACE

Wishing you and yours the best...

Robert
2011

I Think I'll Write a Song

i think i'll write a song
not sure what it's about
maybe loneliness
or a cheating heart
how bout daddy's farm
that would be a start
but daddy didn't have a farm
he lived in an apartment
on the third floor
he rented a farm once
and had some pigs and chickens
would that make sense
he did have a pick up truck
it could be a country tune
or a suburban tune
with a country flair
i could spruce it up
with some dylanesque lyrics
that go on and on and
leave you confused
then stick in some hendrix
guitar licks
and some stones dance rhythm
follow all that with some
motown back up vocals
flavored with
a jamaican accent
that makes you want to
go to the islands
and spend the day
eating cheeseburgers in paradise
or maybe a song
about the time i stubbed my toe
on the way to the bathroom
that would get em rockin
i did have a stomach ache once
i could write about the pain
i felt all day long
oh yeah, and my dog had fleas
all on the same day
man with all these great ideas
i'm halfway to the hall of fame
without writing the first word

think about it...

then i could save the lyrics
in some hidden notebook
in my sock drawer
so my kids could find
it years from now and
make even more money
after i'm gone
i could get a bunch
of posthumous  awards
that are cool to get
even if you have to be dead
to get them
people could visit my house
and see where i lived
and slept and washed the dishes
man, if i could only
come up with something
interesting to write a song about

my song would
make you cry
want to dance and
laugh till you poop your pants

my song would
rip your heart out
then put it back
and make you fall
in love again

my song would
take your mind
off your troubles
and ease your soul

my song would
tell a story
about a politically
incorrect person

my song would
be under three minutes
so it could be played
on the radio

my song would
be played in
outer space
and at half time
of the super bowl

i think i'll write a song
i just need an idea
to get started
hmm....

Robert
2011

Black Irish

you couldn't put it down
now you are gone

the clinic
and meetings couldn't
keep you from
what made you sick

we had some good times
but you couldn't change

taken away
by the shit you put in your veins

you told me you were black irish
wtf did that mean


Robert
2011

Paranoid

have you ever had
a strange feeling
that something wasn't right
looking over your shoulder
at something
in the night

was it maybe a shadow
just out of sight
or a feeling
that may have
filled you with
fright

it could have been
something heard
a whisper
ever so slight
that
made you
feel so uptight

something there
that doesn't fit
your nerves on edge
make you tremble
as you sit

maybe just
a reflection of light
or perhaps the wind
from days gone by
passing through
making sounds of
voices just not right

that thing you see

the voice you here

it does not exist


its only your mind
playing tricks...

or.. perhaps
your senses do not lie
and maybe
just maybe
something
is out there

waiting...

around that corner
down the road
just outside your door




chill out man...you're paranoid and freaking me out...


Robert
2011

Loneliness

are you alone
and need someone to share...

all the hours spent inside your head

hiding from fear or shame

all the people that ignore you
or treat you like your strange

all the pain you feel while others laugh

are you alone
and need someone to care...




Robert
2011

I Just Want To..

dive into the water
feel the power of the waves

swim against the current
using every muscle in my body

lie in the sand
let the waves roll up against me
listen to the ocean roar

feel the wind in my face
feel the sun on my back


watch the sun set
         orange and purple against the blue horizon

see the moon glimmering
         against the waves as it gently rises.

smell sun tan lotion
         coconut oil and noxema

put on aloe vera
         for the sunburn pain

sit by the fire all night
         with the one I love

I just want to..



Robert
2011

Friends (Pt 3)

when I first met reuben and Shorty
they were living in a box
with some brothers and sisters
they were pretty young
but then so was I
for a while it was just the two of them
traveling around
checking things out
trying to figure it out
kind of like a couple of
newborns
trying to figure out
how to run a nuclear power plant
it wasn't happening
what it was still to this day neither of them
could probably say for sure
since they couldn't figure it out
they did the next best thing
they anesthetized themselves
for quite a while
quite well actually
they did figure that part of it out
if you could
drink it
smoke it
or rub it on your belly
they tried it
fortunately for all of us
that was just a phase
and like most folks back then
they got straight
forgot about it
and grew up to be good Republicans
(hey! ease up just kidding..)
what was I talking about
oh yeah..
after we hooked up
reuben and Shorty and I went everywhere
and hung out together
they were family and as such
could do no wrong in my eyes
although they did everything they could
to try my patience
and I theirs I suppose
isn't that what good friends do

to be continued...

Robert
2011

The Office

Horses on the cover
Pretzels in a bag
Coca Cola with a straw
Sitting on a rag

Notebooks on the table
Colored pencils in a cup
Radio on RNR
Telling me what's up

Plans are in the cubby
Calendar on the wall
Phone is in its cradle
Waiting for a call

Printer full of paper
Board with things to do
Files are in their folders
Big eraser black and blue

Pictures of the kids
Vacations come and gone
Certificate of Recognition
The list is getting long

The only thing that's missing
Is a job to do
But lately that is not the case
Cause there are very few

Backpack on the floor
To be filled it waits
Home we go for supper
Before it gets too late

Robert
2011

Mailbox

there is a letter in the mailbox
you know the one
down at the end of the road
there is grass growing in the drive
and the black eyed susan's
are in bloom

the mailbox door is open
i can see the letter
that's inside
across the road a myrtle
whispers in the wind
and a blackbird
searches for a meal

the trees are green
but soon will turn

butterflies dart from stem to stem
the dogs are barking
off in the distance
and the deer
stand silently grazing

the mailbox is white
with a big red flag
the door is open to see inside
a letter the postman has left leaning
sits there waiting



today is clear
i can see to the end of the road
as it turns into the distance
against the hedgerows
that block my view
of the clouds rolling gently above

i have not been to the box
for quite some time
for rarely does it have an occupant
but this day for some strange reason
i felt an urge to walk
down the lane

there are no houses
on this road
and here the lone mailbox sits
like a beacon
to let one know
that someone in these woods
does exist

robert
2011

Friends (Part 2)

Shorty was a mystical sort of guy
part hip, part jock, part geek
He was smart
but knew how to play dumb
He had years of practice at it
The Short man never looked
down upon his friends
he enjoyed their company
and liked hanging out
Sometimes being too smart
kept him from enjoying
the simple things in life
and they kept him real
Being smart was dull
and doing stupid stuff was fun
He was their friend
they loved him and he loved
them back
Now Reuben on the other hand
was to slick for all of that
He didn't have time
to worry about things because
most of his life
was spent on a mission
He was a lover
with one thing on his mind..
Now don't get me wrong
he was a good friend
Just don't get in the way
if their were ladies around
These guys were too much
for me to handle
So I just sat back
and let them do their thing
There was never a dull moment
I can assure you

more later..


Robert
2011

Late

I love you but don't ever say it

You are gone and I wish you were here

It's 3:00 in the morning

Too early for coffee, too late for beer

You said you would call but you didn't

Should I worry or leave you alone

I know that I must drive you crazy

But I woke up and you were not home

Robert

2011

Thank You

Thank you to all those who have read my blog. Hopefully you have enjoyed reading something posted here. I know that some of the stuff is kind of dark, but hey that's life. If it was all roses and candy canes how would we know when to be happy or when to be sad.

No poetry this time, but I am posting some photos taken from my garden.

Enjoy your summer and try and stay cool....

Robert
2011

Spaghetti On The Wall

throw spaghetti on the wall
and see if it will stick
my mother taught me this
simple little trick
hit the nail upon the head
a straight not glancing blow
this is what my father said
a son should surely know
but what they didn't teach me was
about the people in the world
and places I would go
these are things I had to learn
alone and by myself
but through it all
I always knew pasta how to cook
and drive a nail without a crook
for this I'm very grateful


Robert
2011

Difficult To Explain

My heart is filled
with sadness, grief, and pain
from where it comes
is very hard to someone else explain
it comes not from the grass outside
nor flowers or the trees that bend
it comes not from the smiles of  those
few unkindered friends
who do not understand
what goes on in the mind
they seem to think that all wounds heal
with passing of the time
let it go and do not live
inside that dark and lonely place
have a drink, a pill or two
and put a smile upon your face
it does not take a brilliant mind
to understand the plight
of many thousand poor souls
who daily wage the fight
against all odds they face the day
routine the saving grace
they walk along with blinders
on and earphones in
to try and block the words
or see the face
and be reminded of the pain
confused as should it be
to try and understand what is
difficult to explain

Robert
2011

The Thought

I called upon a friend last night
about a certain thought
that had occurred to me
as I tried to sleep
the thought appeared to be a dream
although awake I was
it frightened me I had to know
my friend's response to this thought
my friend appeared to be distraught
at the thought that I had brought
to discuss this night
but as we spoke it was clear
the thought was more
than it appeared
The Thought The Thought
this single thought
that carried so much weight
if only I could figure out
what made this thought so great
to make me jump up out of bed
to make me run with fear
and seek a friend
of whom I've known
throughout my many years
we pondered as the night grew long
but as to our dismay
the thought had no answer
that we could figure out
it had to be a higher court or
person we could find
to take the thought and run it through
their educated mind
perhaps then and only then
they could tell us what it was
as night turned into dawn
the thought we could not shed
we were no closer now
than when I left my bed
This Thought This Thought
this single thought
surely there must be someone
out there can answer me

what is the date my death to be?

Robert
2011

A Blank

my mind is blank
neither verse nor prose

can enter it

I suppose
I shall never
be a poet or a writer
however much
I wish to (rhyming word?)

Robert
2011

The Door

lock...
the door that troubles and doubts you
doesn't listen and left you behind
that forgets and hurts you
the door that hinders and doesn't let you decide
that inhibits and frightens you, that is never there and

doesn't seem to care

unlock...
the door that loves and helps you
needs and looks up to you
that forgives and wants you
holds your hand and listens
the door that is there for you
and cares

Robert
2011

Lost Love

I lost the love inside of me
nowhere to be found
not lost as wishes appear to be
or dreams when you awake
but lost as lovers last caress
and slowly grow apart
the love that passion blindly drives
is locked up in my mind

Robert
2011

Some Folks (Politcally Correct Version)

Some folks drinking whiskey
Some folks drinking wine
Some folks using needles
Some folks doing lines

Some folks like it rough
Some folks like it fine
Some folks don't know how to stop
Just do it all the time

Some folks playing games
Some folks being real
Some folks get in your head
Affect the way you feel

Some folks like to walk
Some folks take the bus
Some folks run in circles
Confusing all of us

Some folks live in freedom
Some folks behind bars
Some folks don't get a choice
Some live their life at war

Some folks they like women
Some folks they like men
Some folks like them both
Some like none of em

Some folks they read books
Some folks watch TV
Some folks just sit and stare
At the sunrise by the sea

Some folks eat their greens
Some folks like red meat
Some folks eat there Wheaties
Some folks suckle teats

Some folks skin is white
Some folks skin is tan
Some folks live where its cold
Some live in the sand

Some folks are Republicans
Some folks are Democrats
Some folks are Independent
Some could give a rats ...

Some folks live in houses
Some folks live in huts
Some folks live in igloos
Some folks live in ruts

Some folks say I'm crazy
Some folks think I'm cool
Some folks think I'm lazy
Some say I'm a fool

Some folks always come and go
And I don't know what some folks do
But somewhere in this mixed up world
There will be me and you

Robert
2011

Friends (a short story)

I once had a friend named shorty
he was big and hairy
and ate like a horse
sometimes he dined on local cuisine
at the back door of a local establishment
we had another friend named Reuben
who had long black hair
shorty liked Reuben
cause Reuben was a lady's man
with a biblical name
shorty and Reuben and I
would take rides in the truck
but they had to sit in the back
cause they didn't know how to act
I came home one day and shorty was gone
never saw him again
went looking for him
hope he's ok, and not lost..or hungry
Reuben couldn't stay out of trouble
always getting locked up
he ran off one day
after a lady I guess
he turned as if to say goodbye
I called to him to come back
but like most friends
just passing through
it was time for him to go
crazy as it sounds
they were who they were
and I was who I was

and we shared the time
as friends

to be continued....


Robert
2011

Lil Kel

If I could wish you well
I would
If I could pray like hell
I would
The only thing I know to say
I love you each and every day

If butterflies were your dreams
and flowers were my gold
We'd have enough to spend
and never would grow old

If I could wish you well
I would
If I could pray like hell
I would
The only thing I know to say
I love you each and every day

Robert
2011

Long Board

Got a long board
A white wave
And a Woody

Got a long board
A white wave
And a Woody

When I ride my long board
On that white wave
Give me a Woody

My Woody's got a spare tire
On her rear

My Woody's got a spare tire
On her rear

Love to drive my Woody
With the spare tire
On her rear

Got a long board
A white wave
And a Woody

Got a long board
A white wave
And a Woody

When I ride my long board
On that white wave
Give me a Woody


Robert
2011

Snow Hill Road

It was 3:00 in the morning
Down on Snow Hill Road

We ended up in a ditch
By the side of the road

She put on her pajamas
I went out on the road

Flagged me down a pickup truck
Down on Snow Hill Road

Don't know how it started
don't know how it ends

Started out as lovers
and ended up as friends

She was working cocktail
I was banging nails

Trying to make a living
and staying out of jail

Down on Snow Hill Road

Sunrise on that old dock
down by the pier

Crab pots and horseflies
and ice cold beer

That old house was haunted
and mice lived in the stove

Forty cats and counting
living in the barn

Down on Snow Hill Road

We were young and in love
but didn't have a clue

How to put it all together
and make it stick like glue

It was 3:00 in the morning
Down on Snow Hill Road

We ended up in a ditch
By the side of the road

She put on her pajamas
I went out on the road

Flagged me down a pickup truck
Down on Snow Hill Road

Robert
2011