Author: Patty Richardson

A meager pay for a day’s work

That’s all she’s ever seen

For dusting, sweeping, mopping up
For keeping their house clean.

A scrub brush and a vacuum
Her tools , tools of the trade
She dressed in white, her uniform
Their beds were always made.

She carried a small tote with her
Filled with old grey rags
She cleaned their toilets everyday
Placed trash inside a bag.

She organized their books and pens
Did dishes …. pots and spoons

She took care of everything
Then served them lunch …. at noon.

She rarely spoke , was seldom heard

Prepared their snack at three

Kept to herself as ordered to

Served cookies and hot tea.

Or thanked her for her help.

At 5 pm, she headed home
She lived all by herself
No one gave a second thought

Christmas Day …. she made their dinner

Not a word spoken or mentioned

She spent the day all by herself

Spent Christmas

in the kitchen.

Never thought that she might want

To sit for just awhile

f

Stop and rest, take a break

Put down that kitchen towel.

No presents , cards or wishes

No holiday drinks or cheer
No kind words or offerings

They made this very clear.

There’d be no Christmas bonus

No tips or extra fare

Nothing was done to convey

Or show how much they cared.

________________________________

Reblogged from lovenlosses. 12/15/2017.

__________________________

Image from Google Images: mipowertechnology.com

Don’t come back for seconds
Shields up …. On red alert
Tired of wasting my time
So tired of getting hurt.

Just a stop along the way
You’re not that into me
Just a respite …. a quick fix
So please just let me be.

I’m still broken-hearted
You left me …. high and dry
It’s more than decades later ….
And … I’m still … still asking why.

Feeling so confused and hurt
Would have done most anything
Tried so hard to pretend
But we can’t start again.

You told me that …. it’s over
That you had changed your mind
So don’t come back…. back over
Not for seconds …. not this time.

____________________________

Photo from Google Images: pinterest.com

Christmas is here
But not like I remember
The  family …. the friends
Coming over for dinner.

No joy …. just remorse
A heart filled with sorrow
No laughter …. surprises
Feeling empty …. so hollow.

Trying so hard
To feel Christmas cheer
But everyone’s gone
There’s nobody here.

So what’s the point?
Why put up a tree?
There’s no one here
I’m alone …. it’s just me.

The parties ….  the joy
The cookies …. the gifts
It’s all gone …. I give up
I’ve lost all of it.

The lights in the windows
But who really cares?
No family to be with
This just isn’t fair.

Feeling so sad
Missing you most
I feel so alone
I’ve given up hope.

_______________________

Photo from Google Images: nortonhealthcare.com

Burned to the ground
Deliberately set
There is no proof
That’s what they said.

Too close for comfort
Too hot to touch
All my belongings
All of my stuff.

Hard to believe
Someone  that I know
Set my house ablaze
Set my world aglow.

Seething with hate
Filled with revenge
Will they attempt
To do this again?

Who could it be?
A friend or a foe
Someone that’s close
Someone that I know?

Perhaps an ex
With a seething agenda
Someone I’ve forgotten
Who recalls …. who remembers.

Someone that I hurt
Who still feels the pain
Don’t think it’s the end
They’ll be back again.

Gasoline and a match
So hard to believe 
Someone I once loved
Could do this to me. 

Ghosted …. you walked away
I’m lying here alone
Wishing you were here with me
Can’t believe you left …. you’re gone.

Late night sex …. the wine …. your body
Lying …. next to mine
Never thought you’d ever go
Didn’t see the warning signs.

I’m haunted by your laugh …. your voice
The echoes in my head
Knowing it was all a lie
Everything you ever said.

CHORUS:

GHOSTED…..You’re long gone
GHOSTED ….. What went wrong?
Can’t believe you walked away
Nothing left …. nothing left to say.

Feeling like a fool
Nothing that I wouldn’t do
Anything you wanted from me
To prove my love for you.

No text …. no calls …. no contact
Just an empty dresser drawer
You took it all …. left nothing
Nothing left to come back for.

CHORUS:

GHOSTED…..You’re long gone
GHOSTED ….. What went wrong?
Can’t believe you walked away
Nothing left …. nothing left to say.

GHOSTED …. no remorse
You walked right out the door
GHOSTED …. no looking back
Nothing left to come back for.

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Image from Google Images: pixastock.com

My father’s life wasn’t easy
He had worked as a small, young boy
Bringing home milk and vegetables
No time for children’s toys.

He was only seven years old
When he started working at the church
Exchanging his toil for pennies then
He never shied away from work.

One of many children
Did his best to help provide
Never complaining about his life
Not one to whine or cry.

As a young man he joined the Navy
With goals yet to achieve
Learned as much as he could
Never doubting his beliefs.

The war took him far away from home
It was a sad day when he was captured
The Japanese had attacked Corregidor
His leg now badly fractured.

They kept him in a prison camp
Fed rice, seaweed and tea.
No sugar, cream, or fancy cups
No thoughts of being freed.

He saw his share of horrors
Worked hard day after day
Three years held in captivity
His life slipping slowly away.

When the war was finally over
Those captured were set free
Thankfully my dad…. still alive
Had been sent back home to me.

My dad, my inspiration
Never bitter, never sad
Always optimistic
Always grateful, always glad.

He exchanged cards and letters
With a guard he’d met long ago
The man who held him captive
He had actually gotten to know.

They wrote to one another
Sent letters, gifts and cards
My father never held a grudge
Though he was badly scarred.

A bonze star and a purple heart
Among the many of his medals
He really was one of a kind, you see
My dad was someone special.

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Re-blog June 30th , 2029 (MY DAD)

You’re a mystery …. an  illusion
A dream …. a mere mirage
A figment of my imagination
A photo in my collage.

Picture perfect image
No blemishes or marks
You come alive at midnight
Best encountered in the dark.

Mesmerized …. enchanted
By your voice …. your touch ….. your charm
No need to be persuaded
No need to twist my arm.

Welcomed to your chamber
Your den …. your cave …. abode
Down beneath the surface
Where the air is clear …. but cold.

You wrap your arms around me
My heart begins to race
I can see that you are smiling
I can see your pretty face.

We are there for hours
Time suspended …. standing still
Doesn’t feel like we will ever leave
I don’t believe we ever will.
 

But, I awake to find the sun is up
Alone …. now in my bed
I recall the night together
Everything that you had said.

A memory…. a recollection
A dream I had …. came true
We spent the night together
I was at last …. alone with you.

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Photo from Google Images: pinterest.com