Author: Patty Richardson

I feel like a prisoner
Confined to this space
The memories binding
I still see your face.

I want to forget you
Get you out of my mind
You played me for a fool
You wasted my time.

I want to break free
Take my heart and my soul
But, after all of this time
You won’t let me go.

There in my dreams
And throughout the day
Your presence is haunting
I can’t get away.

This isn’t love
It’s evil and cruel
I need to erase
My memories of you.

Like a prisoner bound
I‘m going to break free
Of the ties that you have
That have held onto me.

__________________________

Image from Google Images: planetminecraft.com

While walking along, I came upon
A tiny baby opossum
I said, “Hello!”, where are your parents?”
He said, ”Somehow, I’ve lost them.

“That can’t be, I assuredly remarked
They have to be nearby.
Why you are just a little lad
Come on now, don’t you cry!

I will help you find them
I’m sure they’re close behind
They probably stopped for a moment or two
Perhaps to rest or dine.

Let’s walk back the way you came
We won’t have to go too far
Look ahead, you’ll see them soon
I’m sure that’s where they are.

Sure enough, we found them there
Snacking on vines beside the water
The little one… happy to be back together
With his sister and his brother.

I made my way to the winding path
I was heading for the park
I hoped that I’d have time to play
Before it got too dark.

I climbed up on the monkey bars
I came down the slide
I played ball and ran around
It was fun to be outside.

Once again, I headed home
Before the street lights had come on
I didn’t see the opossums again
They had already been and gone.

___________________________

Image from Google Images: gandul.info

He laid his sword down
He prepared to take the fall
He was brave and honest
He was a hero after all.

He knew when to fold
He had been in battle for so long
He knew the end was near
Though in heart, he was still strong.

Sometimes it takes one to concede
To get your point across
Though it looked like he was quitting
Nothing had been lost.

He had sustained so many injuries
A sword right thru his side
Knives thrust into his chest
Once…. almost lost an eye.

Sweat dripping into open wounds
The sting of salt within
Blood oozing from every orifice
He was ready to give in.

The fight was almost over
He turned to walk away
The smoke from oil still lingered
Turned the blue sky into gray.

Both sides had seen the agony
The torture and the pain
No matter what the outcome
The cost remained the same.

_________________________________

Image from Google Images: The Armor of God. Thoughtcompany

She sat there all alone each day
Chain smoking cigarettes
No one stopped by to visit her
Her diaper often wet.

No close friends or acquaintances
Gave her the time of day
She sat and watched her TV
She lived her life…. her way.

Her children came to visit her
They came, but once a year
They’d stay in a hotel nearby
They never could stay there.

The stench in her apartment
Of smoke and sour milk
Was overwhelmingly putrid
It could make a flower wilt.

They tried to help their mother
Paid her rent and all her bills
Asked her to move in with them
She said, “I never will!”

Always somewhat eccentric
An artist and loving wife
She lost her husband to cancer
Now alone, she lived her life.

96 years old and weak
As skinny as could be
Her hair a mess, she was unkempt
She lived on toast and tea.

She died alone in her apartment
The landlord found her there
He called the police, the coroner
They thought that no one cared.

Her children came together
They looked at old photographs
They shared stories of their mother’s life
They cried, they smiled, they laughed.

___________________________________

Image from Google Images: thuglifegrandma-Drawception

It’s been six months since we broke up
Since you walked out the door
I guess I gave up waiting
In hope of something more.

I’d stop by the coffee shop
I’d sit and drink a macchiato
Read my book or magazine
Check  my horoscope and lotto.

One day when sitting all alone
A man asked if he could join me
He had kind eyes & a winsome smile
He said, “You look quite lonely.”

We talked about books and family
He was passionate about the river
Said he was an environmentalist
When he spoke I began to shiver.

He said,  “It’s time, we must act now
To save the manatees
They‘re going to perish… there in the river
They’re considered an endangered species.”

He was different than anyone I had known
Passionate and pure of heart
I knew at once sitting there
That we would never part.

We dated for a year and a half
We now have two dogs, a son  and a cat
He did everything he said he would
And, even more than that.

Still active in water conservation
Cares about our rivers and our streams
He does his best to keep the water
Safe to drink and clean.

I found the love of my life
My soulmate, my best friend
I love the smile on his sweet face
And that adorable, boyish grin.

_________________________________

Image from Google Images: Christmas with Manatees. 325.forcesupportsquadron

I was sitting drinking coffee
My cup was sadly cold
I walked up to the counter
Feeling angry .. feeling bold.

But there standing right in front of me
Stood a man with steel blue eyes
I forgot what I was thinking
Felt like I’d been hypnotized.

I had fallen for this gorgeous guy
Who stood about six foot two
He took his cup and walked away
I sat down with my cup too.

There was nothing more that I could do
I had fallen “head over heels”
It all seemed like a dream to me
Couldn’t possibly be real.

I walked away … feeling somewhat dazed
I proceeded to sit back down
I sipped my cup of java
Never seen this guy around.

Never thought or could imagine
But there he was so suddenly
Said.. “Mind if I sit here and talk to you?
I could use some company.”

We chatted about the weather

Lots of things I can’t recall
But, I think he was from Texas
And his name was John or Paul.

We dated for a week or two
Before he asked me to move in
We shared a cup of coffee
That’s how it did begin.

He works from his home office
Manages several accounts
Stocks and bonds, financial reports
Figures quarterly amounts.

I’m a pharmacist at the drug store
I count and dole out pills
I sure have fallen hard for him

I’ll always love him … yes I will.

I get off from work at seven
He’ll have dinner prepped and planned
We’ll be having something vegan
He’s a conscientious man.

He’ll tell “Alexa” to play music
Then he’ll pour me a glass of wine
After dinner he’ll make love to me
It’s how we spend our time.

We’re in bed by 8 most evenings
We don’t play games or watch TV
This hunk has my attention
Can’t believe that he chose me.

Guess we have a strong connection
Maybe it’s just about the sex
I’m trying not to dissect this
Things could be worse, I guess.

I’ve decided to enjoy the ride
If it ends I won’t complain
He’s awfully sweet and very hot
So glad he feels the same.

Boy, I sure had no idea
That day at the cafe
Guess I surly did get lucky
That sure was my lucky day.

__________________________________________

Image from Google Images: fernwood365.blogspot.com

To say I am disgusted
Would be an understatement
While watching what is happening
To our waning, weakened government.

Trump has infiltrated
And disrupted life as we know it
He is without a moral compass
And is not afraid to show it.

He blatantly flaunts his power
Takes and never will give back
Doesn’t care who he hurts
He’s an ego maniac.

Dragging us thru the mud
While all the world is watching
Making fools of us
While sitting back and laughing.

Disrupting and dismantling
All our rules and regulations
Anything that he can do
Demanding resignations.

All that we’ve held sacred
Has been cast into the wind
He doesn’t value morality
He will prevail, he always wins.

So smug and oh so sure
Knowing he can’t be indicted
He’s sitting there getting over on us
While elated and insanely excited.

His base getting drunk on all the koolaid
The one percent as happy as can be
They are making more and more money
They are as rich as they ever could be.

What will bring about an end to this?
Will he ever be brought down?
Are we destined to be governed by
This evil, maniacal clown?

______________________________

Image from Google Images: thehill.com

A beautiful, sunny day
Blue sky and fluffy clouds
Birds singing, squirrels chirping
Nature’s symphony aroused.

The sound of running water
Heard from the creek below
The children splashing, the sound of laughter
A familiar noise echoes.

A man hiking with his husky
Walks slowly down the path
The dog barks and runs ahead
The children scream, then laugh.

The dog jumps in to join them
All happily splashing around
The frogs watch from a nearby log
That sits up on the ground.

A lazy summer afternoon
With family and with friends
Passes by too quickly
Too soon comes to en end.

____________________________

Image from Google Images: kathleenhalme.com

There’s no collusion
Yeah, I lied
No collision
Though Russian ties.

Congress supports me
You can’t touch me
Say what u want
They won’t agree.

They won’t impeach
I laugh out loud
Check out my base
See all those crowds?

My lies prevail
Can’t prosecute
You can’t indict
I’m scamming you.

I’ m gonna skate,
And I will wail
No chance that I
Will go to jail.

Laws don’t apply
I get my way
Doesn’t matter
What lawyers say.

No help for you
Just millionaires
Can’t you see
I just don’t care.

It’s about me
What I can get ?
I line my pockets
Don’t forget.

I’ll sell you out
You won’t be free
You need to bow
Bow down to me.

I rule the world
As president
I was elected
Though negligent.

I play with words
I’ll call you names
Your lives will never
Be the same.

I’ll turn it all
Inside out
That’ what I
Am all about.

No rules apply
Not to this guy
You scratch your head
And wonder why.

You stayed at home
You didn’t vote
You lost out
You gave up hope.

The time was right
I stepped in
Now I’m in charge
I win again.

_________________________

Image from Google Images: english.almanar.com

She sat alone in her house
Afraid to go outside
She sat alone day after day
Alone inside and cried.

The heartache that lingered on
Plagued her with guilt and shame
The finger pointing, the cruel, cold stares
They said she was to blame.

So desolate and isolating
She never would fight back
Refused to stand up for herself
Against their bold attack.

Relentless and unforgiving
They refused to see her side
The truth was never to be known
All that prevailed were lies.

All the cheating and the lying
Was everywhere she turned
Their status and their power
Was taken…. never earned.

Picture perfect memories
Frozen in the past
Cherished in her scrapbook
Never meant to last.

_____________________________
Image from Google Images: roblox.com