No One to Blame but Myself

Where in the world did you come from
How did you get in here
I was rid of you, I thought, for sure
Then I turned around and there you were

I don’t know how you do it
I’ve put certain things in place
To guard against your onslaught
And keep you in your place

Sometimes I blame myself
For being open to yet more
Of things that make you who you are
And let you in the door

But I’m tired of the battle
And I’m tempted to give in 
After all no one is perfect
And having you is not a sin

But I’m warning you right now 
There are times I won’t allow
Your presence to disrupt my plans
Some people would not understand

Why I put up with you at all
Because they’ve managed not to fall
Into the habit that makes me mutter
Under my breath – I hate you Clutter

A Skip In Time

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, I couldn’t believe it, 6!  At first I thought it was magic.  Of course the first time I saw him do it I was probably 3 or 4.  Later I was convinced that it was a trick. It had to be, he never failed to do it better than anyone else.  I tried and was a complete flop.  I just couldn’t do it.  The worst part about failing at this particular endeavor was the sound.  People didn’t even have to see you fail. The Ker plunk that seemed to echo off the river banks told the tale.  But when Dad did it, it seemed like everything and everyone went silent.   We watched as it gently tapped the water as if to tease it with its gravity defying flight, until it chose its final diving place.  A simple thing like skipping a stone caused smiles and cheers all around.

As he did with every activity, Dad taught us the proper techniques and how and where to find the smoothest and flattest skipping stones.  I was great at finding the flat stones and realized my true calling was to provide for those who could use them to their fullest potential.  I knew even if I could manage a skip or two, I would never follow in his footsteps so I was content to hear his praise when I found a “good one”.  6 skips wasn’t even his record but the most amazing thing was his consistency.  He had the knack and never failed to impress.

I will never forget the day, long after my father’s passing when I stood alone on the shore of a high mountain lake.  It was a place where I would go when I was sad or lonely or angry and that day was no different.  I was heartbroken and I ran to my sanctuary to figure life out.   All I could think to do as I stood looking out over the beautiful shimmering water, was pick up the first rock I saw and fling it unceremoniously  into the water.  It was one of those overly wound up, and purposely wild armed throws that had no real intended destination.  Well, you guessed it, it slapped the water hard enough to sink but instead it bounced again and again and again.  I have no witnesses to this and I certainly couldn’t claim to know how I did it, but what I do know is that a simple thing like skipping a stone brought a smile to my face again.

Simply Love

Forget the flowers and Candy too
The Hallmark cards with words so true

A Mother yearns for a simple thing
No measure of the joy it brings

To know no matter how far away
Her love still reaches you every day

If the miles keep you apart
Or anger and hurt within your heart

Or guilt and shame keep you away
Remember this on Mother’s Day

There’s one thing you can know for sure
Her heart still beats in time with yours

And if she rests in God’s dear arms
Through your life and love that beat goes on

Just Try & Stop Me or We Both Knew This Was Coming

I’ve had it with you

I’m calling your bluff
 

I’m so overwhelmed

Enough is enough
 

I’ve followed your schedule

And met all your needs
 

Gone above and beyond

Just hoping to please

But there comes a time

When what’s left of me

Wants to reclaim some ground

And longs to be free

So I’m taking a stand

And pulling away

I’m not looking back

It’s all yours come what may

This siren’s call

 I cannot resist

It’s there for the taking

Right off my wish list

I know it won’t last

And I’ll need to come back

Not because of your charms

Just the plain simple fact

What you add to my life

I can’t do without
 

You’re one of the choices

That I sometimes doubt
 

But oh Work you must know

That you’re not all that fun

So I will and I must

Leave you for - vacation