Diet Daze

When we find ourselves avoiding the scales and our clothes are a bit too tight,
Then here we go again, starting a brand new diet.
No matter which one you try, the trials are always the same...
Temptation comes in many forms and goes by many a name.

At 9 a.m. - day one - you're sitting behind your desk
Thinking of slinky new clothes and the sweet, sweet smell of success.
Smell?...sniff...sniff..your stomach begins to quiver!
Fresh hot donuts approaching! Your body begins to shiver!
Down the aisle comes Susie Slim, "Hey Sally, ya wanna bite?"
You close your eyes and hold your breath, and wave her from your sight!

Somehow the morning passes and you take your salad to lunch...
But where do you end up sitting? Between pizza and Nestles Crunch!
The conversation passes from potatoes to meatloaf to pie.
You look at the lettuce upon your plate and tears well up in your eyes.

At five o'clock it's time to go. You walk shakily to the door.
But before you reach it your telephone rings, "Ma, can you stop at the store?"
Steadying yourself upon your desk you ask him what he needs.
"Oh, just something to snack on, maybe some choc'late ice cream?"
Well, he's just a growing boy, not hampered by extra pounds.
You'll just have to walk those aisles, no matter how hard it sounds.

Maybe you'll check the diet food, try to find something tasty,
Some sugarless candy or salt-free chips, nothing to make you "waisty".
But when it comes to dieting, always remember Rule One --
No matter how the package reads, no salt, no sugar -- NO FUN!

Now get in your car and drive before the ice cream melts...
Past Burger King and Wendys and Hardees and Taco Bell.
You'll make it through your dinner. You'll make it through dessert.
You'll make it through all those commercials - if you don't go crazy first!
And when you kneel beside your bed and tell God the whole morbid story,
You can tell Him to keep you off one list, ‘cause you've been through purgatory!

My Dog

My dog is half poodle and half something else.
I'll never know what he considers himself...
except mine.

My dog is half friend and half something else
when he cuddles up close
when I'm sad.

My dog is half nuisance and half something else
when he gets underfoot
and I stumble.

My dog is half sad and half something else
when I cuss and chase
him away.

My dog is all love and half nothing else
when I see in his eyes
just forgiveness.

My dog is half angel and half something else.
For ten years ago he had
two years to live.

Alone

Lonely little caboose on the railroad tracks...
Wonderin' if the train is ever comin' back.
How were you left there so sad and forlorn
To watch for the cars and their passing to mourn?
No more smoke, no more whistle, no more clickety-clack,
No more make believe trips to Chicago and back.
The station was busy when Johnny was ten.
You circled the tracks again and again.
Now your tracks are all dusty - your windows the same.
Your little friend Johnny has tired of the game.
The happiest days that you can remember
All came to an end one night in December.
A new kind of track lay stretched on the floor
With shiny new cars, one, two...three, four.
Your Johnny now travels to "Indy" and "LeMans"
‘Round banked curves and hairpins go the cars that he runs.
So exciting the trips to Daytona and back,
That he never even sees you there on your track.
Poor little caboose - no good by yourself...
So sad to be left there alone on the shelf.

Dragon Tales

A big green dragon came by today
And asked if I'd come out and play.
My mom said "Yes, why don't you try it.
Get out your kite and let him fly it."
So, off we went running down the street...
Just me and the dragon and his big feet.

As into the air my kite arose,
The tail of the kite it tickled his nose.
He tried not to laugh - He did his best
To keep the flame within his chest.
But, out it came with a puff of smoke!
He laughed so hard he almost choked!

The flame leaped out and into the sky
And caught my kite as it flew by.
My paper kite was a fragile thing.
It all burned up, even the string.
As the ashes fell to the ground below,
I looked away so my tears wouldn't show.

It was so quiet...There wasn't a sound.
Until he slowly turned around.
The dragon said "I'm sorry son.
I didn't mean to spoil the fun.
I'll buy you another kite one day."
And the big green dragon walked away.

The skies turned gray as I wandered the town.
Where once was a smile, was now a big frown..
At last, though, I turned and started for home,
But somehow I knew I wasn't alone.
Ka-Plop! Ka-Plop! - could it really be -
A dragon's footsteps were following me?

"Wait up! Wait up!" I heard him shout
As he made his way weaving in and out.
"Look what I found! It was even on sale!"
And he wiggled with glee as he waggled his tail!
He held out his hand and gave me the string
As I saw in the sky a most wonderful thing...

A new kite was floating on currents of air
That just before now had never been there.
It dipped and it dived, a most colorful sight,
As it sparkled and shimmered in the sun's last light.
"And what's best," said the dragon, "it said on the box
It's resistant to FIRE...and water... and rocks!"

We ran up one street and ran down another.
When I heard someone calling, I knew it was Mother.
"We've been gone for so long. She must be worried."
"We'd better go back. Come on! Let's hurry!"
Then we told her the story and watched her grin.
"What a nice thing to do for a brand new friend!"

Love Is

Love is a nice warm feeling
That seems to send your heart reeling -
It's hard to put into words.

Love is being so cuddled
Your mind is befuddled
And your heart takes wing like a bird!

Two rabbits in spring
A love song can sing
And their family's quickly growing.

‘Mid winter's chill
Still comes a thrill
And your spirits are truly glowing!

Whether sunshine or ice,
Love's warmth is so nice
That everyone wants to share.

Even bears on skates
Can find true mates
When love drifts through the air!

So why not you
With your teddy true
To squeeze and closely hug...

It's all the same
Love's silly game
Whether toys or boys or bugs!

Surprise!

A frog on a lily-pad sat one day
Hoping a fly would pass his way.
He'd dart out his tongue and catch that fly
Right out of the air as he flew by.
He'd swallow him down and then he'd think
What I need now is a little drink.
But the little frog sat there day and night
And not one fly came into sight.
He was awfully hungry! He needed to eat!
He was very tired! He needed to sleep!
And just as his eyes were almost closed,
He spied a bee hovering over a rose.
He was so sleepy he didn't even notice...
It wasn't a fly and he shouldn't have chosen it!
Out went his tongue and snapped up that bee
And he swallowed it quicker than you could see!
That bee stung the frog as he went down his throat!
The frog jumped up and let out a CROAK!
If he had known that bee would sting,
Do you really think he'd have swallowed the thing?!

Mother

I remember her courage, her quiet reserve,
her compassion for others in need.
She knew in her heart the God of Love
whom she trusted, and truly believed.
A teacher, a nurse, a companion, a guide...
She taught me to laugh and to pray.
She taught me to live, taught me to love,
then released me to go my own way.
I've searched for her face in other folks
since the day she left me here;
But none can match the love and warmth
of the one I hold so dear.
May she rest evermore in God's gentle arms...
May the angels sing softly her song...
For all that I am or might want to be
I owe to this woman, my mom.

A Mother's Fear

Where is she going, this child of ours?
Where is she hiding today?
Is she staring at birds in flight above,
Or lost in her world of play?
Is she struggling to walk, unable to run,
Or playing a game outside in the sun?
Is she hearing complaints ‘cause she can't move faster,
Or being carried up stairs that she can't master?
If she tries too hard, will she slip and fall
As she uses her crutch to reach for that ball?
Is she stealing a kiss, or a dreaming of places
Where good strong legs could shed those braces?
Is she all dressed up and ready for school?
Or hearing the echos of ridicule?
Are her eyes sparkling from laughter or tears...
For no one can soothe her doubts and fears.
Where will life lead her, this angel, this child?
Will her innocense fade and her spirit run wild?
Must she fight for her life every hour, every day?
Oh where is she going, this child of ours?
How will she find her way?

Reunion

Sitting ‘round the dining table,
Telling stories if you're able,
Memories of days gone by,
Even some that make us cry.
Sparkling eyes and scattered laughter,
"Was that before or was it after?"
I'll write that down and then I'll know.
You know how memories tend to go!
The old folks die and the youngsters forget
Where grandaddy lived or the people he met.
And the everyday happenings of the family today,
If not recorded, will pass away.
So, chat and talk and laugh and cry,
Snap photos to look at bye and bye,
Then hug and kiss and close the door
And maybe next time we'll remember some more.

Where Were We?

Where were we when it all began?
We were youngsters walking hand in hand,
Touching, feeling, almost, but not quite
Going all the way until that night
When words and vows sanctified our bodies meeting,
Melding, parting...both in innocense seeking
Knowledge of each other and ourselves.

Where were we when the children came -
Each one different, none the same,
Each with his or her own needs and problems?
We should have been more help - tried not to rob them
Of their trust and of their individuality.
For all we loved them, love is just a fallacy
If it isn't demonstrated day in and day out.

Where were we when our world began to change,
When tempers flared and our lives began a strange
New twisting and turning to the ebb and flow
Of teenage emotions and the adult's childish need to show
Authority and superiority over those yet immature
And forming spirits - so sure and yet unsure
Of their own thoughts and feelings and desires?

Where were we when the strain began to take its toll,
When each angry word or deed left our hearts cold
And empty, devoid of any emotion except sorrow...
Sorrow for what was and what could have been tomorrow;
Sorrow for the heartache and the pain that we must bear
As we remember now the love that we once shared...
But can only stand here... watching our love die.

Farewell

A brief hello, you touch my hand.
Your eyes aglow, you understand.
No words spoken, none need to be,
For smiles are tokens our hearts can see.
For forty years you've held my hand.
Through joy and tears, you've been my man.
Now death draws near and we must part -
Too soon the braking of my heart!
My love, good-bye...The time has come.
My soul must fly into the sun.
Recall the bliss, the joy-filled years;
And my last kiss must try your tears!

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