Dark Side of the Moon Part Two

PRINCESS

12-9-73

Ask me what I see?

Lori, you are to me

Nothing less than beauty.

Lovely Princess, you surely are,

Or, perhaps, a beautiful queen,

Resembling the brightest star,

That I have ever seen.

Faint though my whispers be,

Remember that I love thee.

Each of us can surely see,

Lori, you are so dear to me.

If your eyes could see through the miles,

You would see my loving smiles.

PHOENIX…1-4-74

They call him Phoenix, but few know why,

For few know legends or why men cry.

It’s said that this man’s sorrowful past,

Was dark and gray, the color of ash,

And that his youth laid under a cloud;

An untimely and nearly fatal shroud.

Some say he staggered to his knees,

When told the news of his disease.

He withered like an oasis surrounded by fire,

As if hit with a spile that sapped his desire.

When all but his mind had burned to ash,

He rose from the soot with a vengeful crash.

Taking a look at himself, he said,

“Damn you fool! You’re far from dead.”

Then he reshaped that twisted grin,

With a crescent smile above his chin.

Standing tall and proud with smile great,

He set new goals and spit at fate.

They call him Phoenix but few will know,

Just where he started or how far he’ll go.

THE CONTEST…1-15-74

The contest was held in the valley low,

And for miles around the people would go,

To see the winner for the next year,

And give him or her their genuine cheer.

Every years they gathered this way,

To see the lone winner, their hero today,

The contestants were ready at center ring,

Each hoping that they would be Queen or King.

Time was like syrup as voices grew loud,

And patience melted in the frenzied crowd.

The clock master raised his hand up high,

Casting strange powers on each spell-bound eye.

The crowd fell silent, like feeding birds,

As the contestants prepared for the battle of words.

The clock master’s hand plunged like a blow,

And everyone knew it meant On with the show.

Contestants were standing nose to nose,

Each lashing out with verbal blows,

And though the rules forbid nudges,

A few were seen, but not by the judges.

The contest was played with lies and deceit,

Those who didn’t excel were met with defeat,

And if, by chance, someone told the truth,

They were quickly placed in a penalty booth.

And so at days end there remained the two best,

Each feigning confidence for the final test.

Two titans not noticing the other fidget,

But knowing that one must leave as a verbal midget.

So these gladiators of words did fight,

Slashing and lashing with lies all night,

Until the fatal blow at dawn,

Which left one titan, but one midget gone.

The crowd was ecstatic at being his tools,

And instantly worshipped this king of fools,

Though the proud King was tired and dazed,

He knew for a year, he’d be honored and praised.

PRECIOUS ONE

4-21-78

Memories of good times we knew,

Sparkle like the morning dew.

Truth and love and all the fun,

She is my love, my precious one.

I hear her voice when she’s not near,

A song of love, so dear and clear.

I forget the stars, the moon, the sun,

When I am with my precious one.

Even in the wind-swept field,

I spot a daisy and I yield,

And while my heart begins to run,

Gently, I caress my precious one.

A fragrant wind strokes my face,

Like tender hands in gloves of lace,

For me no day is ever done,

Until I kiss my precious one.

I turn to look and there Sandy stands,

Waving to me with beckoning hands.

How trivial the stars, the moon, the sun,

When I am with my precious one.

MOTHER OF THE PRINCE

4-28-78

The Prince was bold and true,

Adonis and an athlete,

A man that you wish you knew,

But seldom meet on a common street.

The mother of the Prince was old,

She could have been Methuselah’s mate,

Her flesh was cold, and her eyes told,

That her soul was ruled by hate.

The mother of the Prince was loud,

A coward’s tongue devoid of grace.

She was so insincerely proud,

That her open mouth eclipsed her face.

Surprising, yes, but I am glad,

When bad gives birth to good.

It’s only when good fathers bad,

That I’d wonder how it could.

The mother of the Prince gave birth,

And that I know for sure,

But what a handsome twist of mirth,

Like finding gold inside a sewer.

BEAST…5-5-78

There is a brutal beast inside.

I wish it was not there.

Against my will it does reside,

Unwanted, but it doesn’t care.

Behind that fake look of love,

And gentleness that seems so fair,

A hawk descends upon a dove,

And drags the carcass to its lair.

It lurks behind the shadows dark.

It shuns the light of day.

It plots before it makes its mark,

Into the heart of its prey.

It sits alone upon its throne,

In the kingdom of the dove,

And ties a massive marble stone,

Around the neck of Love.

There is a brutal beast inside,

I wish it wasn’t there.

Now I know we must collide,

When I dare to burn its lair.

CALL OF THE SEA

6-25-78

In days of yore, close to the shore,

A comely, green-eyed maiden did await,

With anxious smile that could beguile,

The gods and goddesses of fate.

She wore a frown below her crown

Of daisies from the field,

But in a while she would smile

With lips so softly sealed.

Waiting long with hope so strong,

Her eyes searched far out to sea,

When sudden fears became tears,

At some sad memory.

Misty air brushed through auburn hair,

Leaving crystal pearls on tresses.

She stood there staring, then searching,

Remembering his loving caresses.

She hadn’t heard a single word,

Since he had left her side.

So four long years she bore her fears,

And searched the ocean wide.

She stood alone, her emerald eyes shone,

As a tremor of hope curved her lip,

Coloring them as pure-white as love,

When she spied the distant ship.

Continued

The ship looked battered and old,

With torn sails that slapped sky-blue,

And some sad story of misplaced glory,

Lay hidden inside the crew.

She searched the deck of the floating wreck,

As she had so many times before.

Her eyes grew wide in search of a clue

That would make her happy once more.

But she saw no sign through the bright sunshine,

That caused her eyes to squint,

Though as she turned, her eyes discerned

That startling and long awaited hint.

Her eyes raised fast, up to the mast,

And there she saw him stand,

Against the sky where seagulls fly,

Waving her red scarf in his hand.

She had waited long, her heart was strong,

Though there were times of doubt.

Those doubts soon died as she happily cried

At the sound of his echoing shout.

Head-on they raced, together embraced,

With red scarf he wiped her tears.

He spoke lowly and very slowly

Intimate words, for only her ears.

They clung to each other and walked slow,

Each leaving their myriad questions mute.

Each gentle kiss brought nurturing bliss,

As their once barren souls bore fruit.

Now he was free from the call of the sea,

So never again would they part.

They both knew this to be true,

Their homes were in each other’s heart

WHEN…8-16-78

When you command both love and hate,

And have in mind when each is due,

Yet not let hate consume your love,

Then friend and foe shall know you true.

When you are proud to stand with friends,

But speak the truths you clearly see,

And not command nor obey them,

Your friends shall place no chains on thee.

When you reject the well-worn path,

And like the maverick choose to stray,

Yet not expect your path be used,

Be proud you sought a better way.

When you become your life’s sculptor,

And not a lump of clay for others to mold,

But be aware to mend your flaws,

Then in your hands your life you hold.

When you can see your work destroyed,

By dolt or rogue with lying eyes,

Yet build again with head held high,

Then you shall, like the Phoenix rise.

When you see the abyss of doom,

But won’t forsake your precious goal,

And strive instead until you win,

You’ll be the master of your soul.

When you can find for you the truth,

Despite false creeds that do abound,

And not pay heed to dogmas false,

Your judgments shall for you be sound.

Continued

When reason lights the paths you walk,

Where knowledge, not fools’ tales prevail,

Though you may have to walk alone,

You’ve found the only worthy trail.

When your concept of “self” is strong

Enough to chase your risky dream,

Though those so close confess much doubt,

You’ll be more than what you seem.

When you can with conviction feel,

Your self-respect and honest pride,

And know that you have earned them both,

In you shall happiness reside.

When you can with conviction say

That you were no one’s knave,

Nor crucified the truth to please,

Your destiny will be your slave.

When you can with conviction see

Within these lines your dross or gold,

And to your proud ideals be true,

Your happiness exists for you to hold.

NOTE: Written while thinking about Rudyard

Kipling’s poem, “IF.”

LOVE WAS A STRANGER

5-20-94

Love was a stranger

Until I met you.

The world was cruel

Until you said, “I do.”

Love was a stranger

Who would always flee,

Until I met you,

And you loved me.

Love was a stranger

Who viewed me from afar,

Until I met you,

And felt like a star.

Love was a stranger

For so many years

Until I met you

And you stopped my tears.

Love was a stranger,

But we are friends,

I’ll always love you

Until my life ends.

MY DAUGHTER, MY LOVE

7-10-94

My daughter, my love.

July 10, 1979 you came to me,

A small bundle placed into my arms,

And from that day on

I’ve smiled at all your charms.

My daughter, my love.

I held you lovingly that birth day.

You were so very dear

That it was simple for me

To feel my love so clear.

My daughter, my love.

You are a wonderful, special person,

My joy, beauty, hope and pride.

I shall always love you

Eternally after I have died.

My daughter, my love.

The bright star in my night sky,

The gold I love to kiss, hug, hold,

And the flower in my desert.

You are my precious Maragold.

My daughter, my love,

I’ll love you beyond always,

And this you should also know:

You’ve lit up my whole life, and

Having you has made me grow and glow.

MILLENNIUM OF LOVE

1-11-98

My precious daughter, Maragold.

You’re gone from our family fold,

and I miss you so very much.

I miss your caring touch,

and my fatherly lips do miss,

the tender touch of your loving kiss.

Eighteen wonderful years, but now you’re gone,

so now my heart beats to a sad song.

Remember, my love, you are as strong,

as a millennium is so very long.

I think of you both day and night,

and hope things turn out right,

so you can lead a happy life,

without too much pain and strife.

Life can be a long, rough road,

and responsibilities make a heavy load,

but if life turns from good to bad,

you can always turn to your loving dad.

Love always, …….Dad…….

WATCHING FROM THE NORTH STAR

4-7-98

When I’m gone and your days are long

with stress and frustration mounting.

When your work pulls you down,

changing happiness to a frown.

When adults cause you pain,

and children add to the strain.

When friends turn into fools,

because “reason” no longer rules.

When you really need calm and rest,

search the night sky clockwise from west,

and you will see me twinkling at you from afar,

as I watch over you from the North Star.

I’m sorry, In your life, I could not stay,

when old age, then death, took me away,

but now I’m standing on the North Star,

watching and loving you from afar.

So look up and see my love-filled twinkles,

shining through all my aged wrinkles.

Can you see the bright delight on my face,

as I look back at my precious Mara Grace?

Yes, I’ll always be up there in the night sky,

loving my Maragold, long after I die.

RAIN…6-28-99

The rain purifies the air, as well as my mind.

It filters the mental dust, confusion, stress.

Its tap, tapping, drip, dripping wet melody

Soothes me, encapsulates me in a liquid

Coat of armor; safe and protected.

It releases my tension and invigorates me,

Calms me, and quiets me.

I watch it fall from the sky like gentle bullets,

Or sparkling liquid pearls.

Tap, tapping like a mesmerizing telegraph key,

Sending me a message of peace and joy,

Reminding me of daughter and wife,

Because of them - my wonderful life.

I face the gray sky feeling the wetness wash me.

Feel the sorrow, disappointment, guilt

Wash away like flotsam in a flood.

Now, such peace, such relaxing bliss.

My eyelids grow pleasingly heavy.

My body feels relaxed and light.

My mind drifts off to a pleasant place.

A place full of love and happy memories,

A superbly wonderful dreamer’s paradise,

Where I can hold my precious daughter close,

And tenderly kiss my wonderful wife.

I am at peace, in the embrace of my family,

And I still hear that delightful,

Tap, tapping melody, my personal, fluid orchestra

Celebrating the love between Sandy, Mara, me.

Sorrow, disappointment, guilt dissolve ─ I’m free.

BEAUTY…8-31-99

Looking at the night sky, I see silver dots scattered across black

velvet. Looking at the daytime summer sky, I see powder-puff

cotton sailing under a bright, yellow orb, over a blue velvet ocean.

I see snow-capped mountain peaks with snow so white and clean

that they  appears to be cleansing the sky of impurities. I see plush,

verdant forests lying below those mountain peaks, so green and

thick that, from a distance, they look like the world’s best kept

lawn. I see farmers’ gardens, abundant and overflowing with

plump, multi-colored vegetables making my eyes dance with

delight and my mouth water from excited taste buds. I see

delightfully cute babies, puppies and kittens, each crying out for

love and kisses and each glistening soft fur, cuddly and fragrant.

I see many beautiful sights in this world, but they all pale

compared to the sight of my magnificent Maragold. Her loving

smile lights up the darkness in my life. Her touch sends electrical

pulses of happiness to my heart and mind. Her fragrance fills my

lungs with life-sustaining delight. Her eyes sparkle with messages

of love and caring. She is the pinnacle of beauty in my life that no

Hope Diamond or Picasso could ever hope to compare in value or

in pure, radiant beauty. She is my precious daughter. I’m so proud

to be her father.

With all my love to Mara (mi amor, mi vida)… Dad…

WE LOVE THE RAINY NIGHTS

2-21-2000

Mara and I love rainy nights

the tap-tapping of the falling rain,

like pebbles on our window pane,

so soothing to our brain.

We love a rainy night,

resting to the rhythms of the rain,

making a stressful day seem tame,

and sleep comes without a fight.

We love a rainy night,

in our beds and feeling right,

wrapping ourselves in blankets tight,

drifting off as peacefully as a kite.

We love a rainy night,

the hypnotic dream-song of rain tapping,

while we doze and go-a-knapping,

when thunder seems like a friend clapping.

We love a rainy night,

the sky flashing bolts of light,

just the opposite of frightening,

the light from sleep-inducing lightning.

We love the rainy nights,

that give placid, happy dreams,

like refreshing, fragrant creams,

so soothing and refreshing, it seems.

Continued

We both love the rainy nights,

and will throughout our life,

rain makes pleasant memories rife,

and dissolves a whole day’s strife.

We love the rainy night,

lightning flashing the sky to white,

helping to make our dreams bright,

forcing our worries out of sight.

We share a love for rainy nights,

and just before we fall asleep,

I think of her, she thinks of me,

and we both fall asleep  happily.

FATHER…5-20-2000

I am as happy as a clown

When I don’t feel your sole

Pressing against my soul,

When you let my wounds heal

Before I, again, feel your heel,

When you hold my hand tenderly

Instead of slapping my face,

When I play with my pet hare,

And don’t feel you pulling my hair,

When our eyes occasionally meet,

But I don’t feel like a predator’s meat.

When I dream of growing UP

With friends who won’t put me DOWN.

STRESS…5-26-2000

Pain, strain and stress,

Concrete blocks on my chest.

Lungs tighten and squeeze,

Short of breath, hard to breathe.

Shoulders tight, muscles tense,

Like rubbing against a barbed wire fence.

Headaches come more often.

Do I see a premature coffin?

Going to work is such a chore,

Like preparing to go to war.

Up at five, at work by seven,

Getting home my only haven.

To bed tired, get up tired.

Go through the day uninspired.

Who will be on my back today?

Do more of this and more of that,

Being someone’s unwelcome mat.

How much longer will I last?

Please, retirement, come fast.

FAREWELL MY LOVES

8-18-2000

Farewell my loves,

I’m now at peace with angelic doves.

I wish my life did not end this way,

with both of you I wanted to stay.

I loved you both with all my heart.

I regret that we are now apart.

so now my love must always be,

part of your loving memory.

My wife, my daughter, I’m so proud,

I should have said it more aloud,

but in my heart you know how true,

my love was always strong for you.

The grandest thing I ever did,

was getting married and having a kid.

You made me happy, but I do miss

not giving you both a farewell kiss,

or walking with you my last mile,

or showing you my very last smile,

or holding you in a “family hug,”

feeling your love at my heart tug.

I’m sorry, so sorry about this day.

I never wanted to be so far away.

My love for you both is a huge dose,

And I’m in your heart, so very close.

I hate to stop this farewell song,

and admit that I am forever gone.

Farewell, farewell.  Be well, be well.

THE MOST WONDERFUL THING YOU

CAN EVER DO FOR YOUR CHILDREN

IS TO LOVE THEIR MOM….3-1-2001

My dearest daughter,

My shining star, my light,

Whose glow always brightens my night,

I want you to know, dear daughter,

How much I love your Mom.

My love spans from the beginning of each day,

Stretching till the end of each day,

But of all those seconds, minutes and hours,

The best part of each day for me is always

When I lie next to her at night

Engulfed by her comforting warmth and fragrance.

Her love is always so special.

It nourishes my depleted energy,

And fills my dreams with

Wonder, joy and happiness.

Hard days seem to melt away,

As I lie next to your Mom at night.

So many gifts she has given me,

But most special of all are these two:

Her love of me, and the gift of you.

Love always to Sandy and Mara.

THE USED-TO-BE MAN

3-8-2001

Where is that used-to-be man?

The one who looked like me,

talked like me,

walked like me,

and thought like me?

Where did he go,

that used-to-be man?

The guy that was full of health,

happiness, vigor and strength?

Is he all gone, that used-to-be man?

When did he slip away into the night?

How did he disappear so thoroughly from sight?

Did I get too old for him to stay?

And so slow that I got in his way?

Is it the sad, but ultimate truth,

that the used-to-be man only loves youth?

Does my half-century mean I must pay,

with muscle and mental slow decay,

and happiness traveling so far away,

while Mr. Black looks and smiles my way?

Nothing lives long, but the earth and sky,

the rest of us live a short time and die,

and my only refuge lies in loved-one’s dreams,

where I’m still young and strong,

and full of energy and happiness.

So wife and daughter dear,

please keep your memory of me near,

but remember me the way I was before Robber Time,

without warning, stripped away my youth,

and left me to live long-in-the-tooth.

My sanctuary is in your thoughts and dreams,

where I can be young, strong, true,

and brimming with love for the both of you.

The two most wonderful things in my life,

have always been my daughter and my wife.

LUCKY ME…5-8-2001

I’m so lucky to be me.

View my life and see,

All those clear, sunny days,

And their warm, rewarding rays,

Those frequent cloudless, blue skies,

That made my happiness float, then rise,

And those gentle breezes on my back,

Making sure my motivation did not lack.

Lucky me to have a lovely, loving wife,

Who brought a daughter to my life.

Each morning when I awake,

I feel like frosting on Life's cake,

And when my wife offers a kiss,

Or my daughter's hug brings bliss.

I know I'm lucky to be me,

Draped in love by family.

GRADUATION POEM

5-12-2001

My dearest daughter,

You’ve grown up so fast.

Your Mom and I have taught you

Lessons we hope will last.

Now you must direct your own life.

Please do it with utmost care,

And keep your attitudes bright,

Because life isn’t always fair.

In days gone by too fast,

You were told what to do,

And how to behave.

Now that’s all up to you.

The paths you travel may be good or bad,

Depending on your crucial choices.

If you doubt what path to take,

Remember our lessons and our voices.

Beware of those who would lead you astray.

Avoid the temptation of evil deeds,

Because to make a healthy garden of your life,

You must sow many healthy seeds.

So now you are the captain of your journeys.

And you steer your life with choices.

So, my Maragold, steer clear of rocky shoals,

And veer away from stormy voices.

Continued

But most of all be kind and good to yourself.

Have self-confidence, and stand tall.

Be proud, loyal, determined, and compassionate.

Do these things and your life will rise, not fall.

Now you, my dearest daughter,

Must choose to travel high or low,

And decide what’s good or bad,

Because Mom and Dad must let you go.

Life is such a long journey.

Where you decide all the paths to take.

I hope one path will always lead home,

For your Mom’s and my sake.

There is no greater love,

Than we both have for you,

Because every day you lived,

Our love for you grew, too.

So today is graduation day,

And we couldn’t be more proud.

You’ve worked so very hard,

So our praise for you is loud.

You are the most important person in our lives.

You are our treasure and our gift to the world,

And we know you’ll make the world a better place.

Love always,       Dad and Mom.......

SASHA…6-2-01

Sasha gallops through the blue grass

With the loved, little girl on his back.

He prances and he dances as the

Happy girl laughs and says, “Giddy-up.”

Sasha turns and bucks playfully,

Enjoying the precious rider on his back.

The girl pets Sasha’s brown mane lovingly,

And squeals with loud delight,

Almost every delightful night.

The enchanting child turns Sasha,

Left and right, then straight ahead.

She hugs Sasha’s neck to show her love,

And Sasha whinnies knowing he’s loved,

By this joyful child on his back.

Sasha loves this girl and wishes he had,

More time to be Sasha, as well as her Dad.

So my precious daughter, remember that

Home is not a house, and home is not a place.

Home is wherever you are truly loved.

You can always come home to Mom and Dad.

NOTE: Daddy loves you, Maragold.

A FATHER’S WISHES FOR HIS DAUGHTER

7-10-2001

If I could wish for you, Maragold,

I’d wish your life would be full of

Green pastures full of

blooming, colorful, fragrant flowers,

And lush, verdant trees, offering you

The cool protection of their shade.

I’d wish for fresh air that is

So clean, cool and pure that

It would make your lungs

Tingle with joy, happiness and health.

I’d wish for days with sunny, blue skies

And calm, cool breezes,

And nights full of bright, twinkling starlight

To guide you easily on your journeys.

And the North Star would be so bright

That it would saturate your eyes

With such beautiful brilliance

That its purity would flow over you and

Embrace you like a warm, protective blanket.

On your journeys through life,

I wish you have gentle, refreshing winds

Blowing you down the road of

Success, happiness and fulfillment.

May your memories be pleasant ones,

And your dreams be filled with joyful scenes,

And your future be filled with,

Pleasant dreams that all come true for you.

BEFORE I GO TO BED

9-13-01

Before I go to bed each night

I think of you and want you to know.

My love for you is incredibly strong

And still continues to grow.

Before I go to bed each night

I have thoughts I wish you could hear.

I think that every second spent with you

Was precious and forever dear.

Before I go to bed each night

I have you on my mind.

Your love means so much to me,

Your heart is so very kind.

Before I go to bed each night

I think of you for a while.

My mind sees your comely face

With that million dollar smile.

Your Dad might be a little weird,

Somewhat crazy in the head,

But now you know my loving thoughts

Are of you before I go to bed.

Note: Poppa loves his Maragold