Author: Patty Richardson

Christmas alone
A sad, sad day
Family and friends
Have all gone away.

Some now in
A nursing home
It’s hard to live here
On my own. 

A mother’s love 
I miss the most
If she were here
She’d make a roast.

The house would fill
With family and friends
A celebration
Would soon begin.

I’d set the table
We’d decorate
Use grandma’s silver
Beside each plate.

Christmas carols 
Would play for us
The mistletoe
Always a must. 

A roaring fire
A stack of wood
Each one of us
Did what we could.

A manger there
Upon the  table
Jesus asleep
Now in his cradle. 

Presents wrapped
Stockings hung
It was so grand
When we were young. 

_________________________

Image by: Kate Backdrop. Google.

The hustle, the bustle
Of running around
Into each store
Driving all over town. 

A scarf and a hat
A new flannel shirt
Trying to find 
A navy blue skirt.

Socks for my brother
Got Dad a new tie
Let’s stop for a burger
A coke and some fries. 

It’s cold in Nebraska
Wearing mittens and coats
Shopping for presents
Something I like the most.

Toys for my nephew
So many to choose 
He wants a freight train 
With a bright red caboose. 

A necklace for mother
It should clearly say, MOM
I know she will love it
And, know who it’s from. 

A stop for hot chocolate
With lots of whipped cream
I can’t help but wonder
Is this all a dream?

So happy, elated
Love holiday time
Shopping and  waiting
Yes, I’m next in line.

A little too big 
To sit on his lap
But, Santa Claus says
“No worries about that”. 

Promises made
Secrets are shared
He knows that I love him
He knows that I care.

Time to head home
So much to do
Wrap all the presents
Even got one for you. 

_________________________

Image by: Freepik. Google.

I’ve been driving for an hour
I’m afraid that I am lost
Siri seems to be confused 
Still thinks that she’s the boss.

Turn left at the next stop sign
No wait ….. recalibrating
Stay on the route, I’ve got this
I am patient, I kept waiting. 

At the corner …  make a right turn
Continue on the route
Don’t know …. what she is doing
Don’t know …. what I should do.

That house looks so familiar
Think I was here before
She’s taking me in circles
We’ve been past that country store.

Should I start all over
Press “END”, reset the map 
Pull into a rest stop
Close my eyes and take a nap?

What became of Triple A
Their freebies and directions
Paper maps and magic markers
Back then …. there was no question. 

No choice …. I’ll have to trust her
I put the address in
Pressing “GO” … we’re on our way
Let the fun and games begin. 

Now …. we’re on the highway
She seems to have it right
The speed limit reads 65
Thank God ….. it’s still daylight. 

Should be …. at our destination 
In an hour …. half past two 
I put my trust in Siri
Nothing else that I could do. 

____________________________

Image by: MacSales.com

I’m grateful for my family
I’m grateful for my friends
I’m thankful that I met you
Don’t want this day to end.

A picnic lunch with crackers
A wedge of cheddar cheese
A bottle of our favorite wine
We shared under the trees.

You put your arms around me
A grand gesture of affection 
Then kissed my lips so tenderly
I felt a strong connection.

Walked around the garden pond
Watched the turtles near the bridge
Talked about the simple things 
Found a bench, where we could sit.

Birds were chirping all around 
Nature’s outdoor symphony 
So happy just to sit with you
Enjoy your company.

So grateful for my family
So grateful for my friends
I’m thankful that I met you
Don’t want this day to end.

_________________________

Image by: MainStreet Libertyville. Google.

Palmettos on the kitchen floor
Spiders in the sink
Lizards chasing bugs all night
I can’t relax, can’t think.

I need an exterminator 
He’ll know just what to do
Get rid of the mosquitos
And ….  the red ants in my shoes.

Most are psychic or perceptive 
They know when you fall asleep
They crawl around , they move about
They slither and they creep.

Up from the drain or toilet bowl
Underneath your trash can lid
They find their way into your house
Some hide behind your fridge.

Break out the sprays, and lotions
There’s one climbing up the wall
Looks like a stinking cockroach
The biggest one of all. 

A massive infestation
Lord knows…. I need some help
This guy was recommended
He has good reviews on YELP. 

Bug free for nearly three months now
Not a creature to be found
No lizards , ants or palmettos
Not even one ….. around. 

_____________________________

Image by: Freepik. Google.

Stop the pity party
You have much to be grateful for
Stop worrying about what others have
Stop wanting so much more.

Be content, show appreciation 
Express your gratitude
Don’t take it all for granted
It’s time to change your attitude. 

Think about your faucet running
Clean water through your pipes
Access to electricity 
You are living the good life. 

Cell phones, TV’s and laptops
Movies, video games and more
So many forms of entertainment
So many malls and grocery stores.

It’s enough to make your head spin
Credit cards and ATM’s
Restaurants and cafes
That cater to the latest trends.

But, many don’t have Amazon
No packages coming soon
No Birthday parties for their kids
No gift cards or iTunes.

Americans are considered gluttonous
We are so greedy and unaware.
In other nations , children go without 
A pair of shoes or clothes to wear. 

So… let go of your resentments
Don’t be consumed with jealousy
Be thankful you have what you need
Be aware of  your legacy.

Give thanks for all your blessings
The monumental and the small
Pray for those less fortunate
Have compassion for them all.

_______________________________

Image by: Livie and Luca. Google

Fair weather friend
I didn’t know
You’d up and leave
Who knew you’d go?

Out with the old
In with the new
You cut me loose
Said we were through. 

The penny’s worn 
It was brand new
But, lost its shine
Now … black n blue. 

Bruised and ignored
Been cast aside
I wept,  I grieved
I cried and cried. 

Turned your back
Just walked away
Forgotten promises
You made. 

Met someone else
She caught your eye
I knew right then
You’d cut the ties.

When did you know
She was the one
That we were finished
We were done?

I was ambushed 
I had no clue
It was all over
I lost you. 

_____________________

Image by: AI emoji generated. Google.

Tread lightly, wear your slippers
Pick up your feet, take off your boots
I cleaned and swept the living room
The foyer and hallway, too. 

The clutter on the counter
All the dishes have to go
The pots , the pans, the colander 
Make way for TRADER JOE’S. 

The bags there on the table
Won’t put themselves away
Help me with the groceries
I’ve had a busy day. 

The store was full of people
It was hard to get around
They had chocolate covered fruit and nuts
They sold them by the pound. 

Bought very little meat this time
The prices through the roof
The cost of butter, milk and eggs
Was really high there, too. 

Anyway, best get “a move on”
Company will be here soon
I’ve got a lot to prepare
You can start with the balloons.

Bought a Birthday party banner
And a lovely chocolate cake
So glad they have a bakery
Less that I will have to make. 

Need to hurry … let’s get busy
We have a lot to do
So glad that you are helping me
So thankful I have you. 

_________________________

Image by: Freepik. Google

Just takes one
To fuck it up
It just won’t work
No matter what.

You try your best
Not good enough
They’ll take you down
They’re cold, they’re tough.

Standing by
Got eyes on you
Taking notes
A page or two.

The trap is set
You’re unaware
You’ve been deceived
You thought they cared.

Quick to sink
Their claws in you
Who knew just what
They planned to do?

Out in the cold
There all alone
They couldn’t  wait
Till you were gone. 

Just takes one
To steal your joy
Their mission clear
Seek and destroy.

_________________________________

Image by: The Boys and Girls Club of Mount Vernon. Google.

Chips on the table
No alibis
Facing the truth
The cards never lie.

A roll of the dice
Some low and some high
A bet and a gamble
You just have to try.

Anxious, elated
Your fingers now crossed
So devastated
The times that you lost. 

Over and over
Again and again
No way you could stop it
So sure you would win. 

You lost your shirt
Your self respect
You took a chance
You placed the bet.

You know it’s a risk
But, you’d do it again
Given the chance
You’d go for the win.

An addiction, a habit
A sickness, disease
The desire to take chances
An obsession, a need.

The height of the moment
The thrill and the rush
Winner takes all
But, it’s never enough.

__________________________

Image by: Template.net. Google.