ROCKET LAUNCH

Rocket launches, balls of fire
Fill the sky before your eyes.
Man made marvels of awe and wonder
The ground shakes, it roars like thunder.

The piercing sound, the earth’s vibration
Awakens you from a deep slumber
You watch the rocket disappear
Into the darkness….you feel the rumble.

Deep space so far above our heads
Years of treasured speculation
Now captured in only seconds
As the sky awaits and beckons.

The pull of gravity… ignored
The rocket climbs on high
Those below in control
Can’t help but, beam with pride.

There within the tower below
They have achieved their mission
The rocket now light years away
Propelled by dreams and vision.

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Image from Google Images: express.co.uk.com.

A MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE

A message in a bottle
Had been tossed into the sea
The waves had carried it many miles
There it was… beside my feet.

As I looked the bottle over
I could see the note inside
The contents sealed and intact
Brought ashore by the evening tide.

Like a genie in a bottle
I was fearful to unleash
The contents of the bottle
Found on this sandy beach.

Did I dare uncork the bottle
Read the note not meant for me
But come upon by mere chance
And found haphazardly?

Was it possibly a plea for help
Or a love letter in the sand
Written by someone desperate
Perhaps a sad and lonely man.

I popped the cork, no second thoughts
I reached for the note inside
Once removed and carefully read
I sat down, I wept, I cried.

In time I pulled myself together
I placed the message back inside
Sealed the bottle with the cork
Then waited for the tide.

The bottle now safely on its way
To many distance shores
Hoping it will find the one
It was intended for.

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FINDING SHELTER

The birds take cover
The squirrels scamper about
Frantic to find shelter
The thunder getting loud.

The branches stressed
The flowers folding
The leaves are falling
The wind is blowing.

The water rises
The butterflies…. asleep
They rest beside the river
Though the water’s cold and deep.

All the creatures of nature
While burrowing in
Look back at the clouds
The storm soon begins.

They fear for their young ones
Some may not survive
They pull them in close
To keep them alive.

Some cannot swim
They’ll keep their heads down
Left out in the storm
Too many may drown.

They wait for the morning
The turmoil won’t last
It won’t stay forever
The storm soon will pass.

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Image from Google Images: pinterest.com

NOWHERE

Spinning your wheels
Getting nowhere
No one seems to notice
No one seems to care.

You try to be patient
Always thoughtful and kind
But in the end
There’s no changing their minds.

You wait for awareness
But there’s no empathy
They’re empty and shallow
Just too blind to see.

They cannot be trusted
They’ll stab you in the back
Your train will derail
You’ll be run off the track.

They’ll laugh and they’ll torment
They’ll steal and they’ll take
They’ll blame it on you
They don’t make mistakes.

There’s no rhyme or reason
Stop looking for clues
It’s plain and it’s simple
You’re being abused.

SHARKS

I jumped into a taxi
Made my way across midtown
The traffic was horrific
There was snow upon the ground.

I fumbled thru my folders
Updated and organized
The sketches first, the text to follow
They’d been prioritized.

I had to remain focused
I could show them how it’s done
I would turn this project on its ear
This battle could be won.

I had vowed not to get stressed out
If I began to choke or cry
I’d lose my chance in the running
They’d pass me off …. for the next guy.

All the care, the discipline
The hours laboring
Polishing , deciphering
I gave it everything.

Standing there all alone
Poised to win their favor
Graphs, pamphlets and handouts
Enough literature to savor.

Sharks around me everywhere
Snakes crawling on the ground
Hostility and prejudice
Their attempts to put me down.

Documented, presented accurately
Thought thru, well executed
Despite the eating frenzy
All my data checked… computed.

Once maligned and ridiculed
I packed up ….. all my wares
It was clear I wasn’t wanted
Was wasting my time there.

Walked to the park after the meeting
Sat down upon a bench
Obviously ample seating
The doves spoke fluent French.

The squirrels began applauding
The pigeons cooed and swooned
The chipmunks ran in circles
They all sang a different tune.

Though my ego was deflated. And I had surly been put down I knew I had more options They weren’t the only game in town.

https://beachlife.blog/2018/08/26/at-the-coffee-shop/

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Image from Google Images: depositphoto.com

THE ISLAND BAR

The island bar
Not far from home
Most nights I’m here
I sit alone.

The waitress brings
An ice cold brew
I sit here thinking
Thoughts of you.

The fishing boats
Pass on by
Their nets stretched out
For them to dry.

The jukebox plays
Our favorite song
I wonder why
It all went wrong.

The sweat runs down
Upon my face
There’s no A/C
Inside this place.

The ceiling fan
Blows warm salt air
I sit alone
Alone and stare.

I can’t let go
Of memories
They won’t let go
Let go of me.

So many years
I’ve spent this way
Waiting and wishing
You had stayed.

A shot of “Jack”
Before I go
One for the road
I can’t say, no.

Two local gals
Sit at the bar
They drive me home
It’s not that far.

No ocean breeze
The bay so still
I’ve had enough
I’ve had my fill.

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Image from Google Images: jibecity.com

DARK CLOUDS

It was cold down by the ocean
I walked alone along the beach
Glad I wore my jacket
And a sweater underneath.

The wind picked up, the waves were high
I could hear the ocean roar
I loved watching as they approached
And made their way to shore.

The moon was playing “hide n seek”
As it hid behind the clouds
Peeking out here and there
in between the dark grey shroud.

A few ghost crabs….scampering about
Needing to find shelter
A storm was brewing in our midst
Night birds fleeting…helter skelter.

Darker still, the sound of thunder
They had predicted quite a storm
The wind was whipping, the ocean churning
Nature sounding the alarm.

I walked awhile, about a mile
I was out there all alone
I knew the rain was coming soon
It was time to head back home.

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Image from Google Images: wallpaperflare.com

BEST FRIENDS FOREVER

We sat on the front porch steps
To eat our Easter eggs
Taking time to peel them
Casting all the shells away.

We traded toys and candy
Always having so much fun
Chocolate rabbits, jelly beans
We finished everyone.

Wearing matching jackets
While talking on the phone
Running in and out the door
Of each other’s homes.

“Hide-and-seek”, backyard swings
“Jacks” played… sitting on the floor
Ice cream cones at Dairy Queen
Who could ask for more?

Walks to school and back again
Trips to the local store
Afterschool snacks, soda and chips
That what bestfriends are for.

Trips down to the Jersey shore
Painted ponies on the “Merry Go Round”
Cotton candy, popcorn and taffy
The best candy apples in town.

Secrets told, stories shared
The whispers and the laughter
Lives intertwined and cherishedi
Memories forever after.

– For: CHRIS –

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Image from Google Images: tenor.com

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Youtube: RETURN TO POOH CORNER by Kenny Loggins

SECOND CHANCES

Close your eyes, relax and dream
Unafraid, give into the moment
Feel the sensation… so peaceful, so calm
The freedom of joy and atonement.

Thru the eyes of a child, you see the world
At times rather meek, unsuspecting, somewhat innocent
You weren’t totally to blame, it wasn’t all your fault
Your role as it was then…less significant.

It’s a matter of time, the dust barely settled
The memories still fostering resentment
Don’t allow those thoughts that plague your mind
To disturb your peace and inner contentment.

Rejoice in the light of freedom and bliss
There’s no place for cruelty or vengeance
Be receptive, be kind, non-judgmental… not blind
And, your life will be more than momentous.

Cleanse your heart, then your soul
Trust will come gradually through forgiveness
Give yourself a chance that’s long overdue
Don’t be consumed by fear and bitterness.

Everyone wants and deserves a break
A second chance to make things right
Don’t turn your back and walk away, just yet
This could be…your lucky night.

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Image from Google Images: wherethewindsblow.com

Youtube video: LUCK BE A LADY…Frank Sinatra

SENT FROM ABOVE

One stroke of the brush
In blues and in greens
Can make all the difference
Pull you into the dream.

Swirling and turning
Your hair in the wind
You’ll want to come back
Again and again.

The music is playing
It draws you in
You hope that it lasts
And…. will never end.

The total elation
The look on your face
There’s nowhere like this
In time or in space.

Magical, mystical
A rainbow of colors
They’ll come to you
One… right after the other.

The smell in the air
The feel of your skin
You’ll want to come back
Again and again.

You open your eyes
Could this be real?
You wait for a moment
Stand perfectly still.

Your canvas now filled
With a myriad of colors
Textures and shades
Blended in with each other.

You stare straight ahead
Perplexed, unafraid
Cast your eyes on the canvas
You’re now dazzled, amazed.

Down from the heavens
Sent from above
The angels were with you
You were blessed, you are loved.

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Image from Google Images: pininterest.com