"That Good Night"

"That Good Night"

by William Elliott

A Slender pine,

cuts a silver Moon

With charcoal black

Over the silken lake.

A gentle breeze

ripples. Brings the

green  scented air

Cold in the night,

A rustle of reeds

Fox, rushes

A frog

Croaks.

The Guide Dog

Last November, I was lucky enough to receive a guide dog from Guide  Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael, California.


Having a guide dog has changed my life drastically. I am now much more mobile and outgoing personally.


Here is a tribute to my guide dog, Leif and to all other guide dogs.




The Guide Dog


Forwar, on.
The handle pulls.
Muscles move the journey on.


Walking pace by my side,
A world to see,
With you my guide.


Warm and soft,
muscle and fur.
Now and then a treat offer.
Pull my boy,
Hard againt the drag
When praises are sung,
Your tail will wag.


Thank you Dog,
What a world you serve,
Licks and hugs,
Never swerve/

Easter Poem

He came for me,
He came for you.
We wander with little to do.

He Hung for me
He hung for you.
We watch with nothing to do.

He prayed for me
He prayed for you
When Evil comes our lips are still

He shared with me
He shared with you
Do I ever share with you?

He came with light,
He destroyed the night.
Wecan all share His love of light.

He took away my fear of life.
He saved us all from fear and strife
Go with Him to Paradise.

In a stable the Promise came
Sought no fortune or fame.
On Friday the promise died.

Three days later
The Promise thrived.

Swan : A Haiku

Swan glide on the lake

Paddling; furiously, race

Glide calmly serene

 

This haiku, came to me watching swans at the local park. They seem to effortlessly glide through the water but when you watch more closely they are paddling themselves furiously.

Often what we see as reality is not real, but is in our imagination.

Daffodils - William Wordsworth

Now it is March and when I think of this month, it doesn't bring to mind either St. Patrick or the Eides of March.

When I lived in England March in my garden was the month of Daffodils.

 

One of the greatest poems by Britain's pre-eminent Poet laureate of the late Georgian and early Victorian period, William Wordsworth was Daffodils, the story of a walk by one of the lakes in Englands Lake District, close to the border with Scotland.

The Lake District is well worth a visit in any time of year but this poem firmly sets March in my mind as a perfect time.

 

There was a young man of Obaan.
Who decided to play in the Open.
He hit the ball so far
People thought it a shooting star.
But he didn't win the Open.

Along the way: A Poem About Life

Along the way
We sing and play.
Each day
We Pray
Just one more day.

Along the way
We sit and staay.
Call a friend
Little thought of end.

Along the way
We go through life.
Lucky few to love a wife,
Sad the ones with only strife.
Sing a song, Play the fife.

Along the way
Ne'er forget
Your time is now
Soon to be through.

Along the way
Share the joy,
There's no time to be coy.
Thanks give for every girl and boy/

Along the way
Sing and dance
Life is yours
By mere chance.

The Frog in the Night

The frog sings shrill screech.

Comes from the night, velvet black.

Spring Rain falls soft cloud.

 

 

 



The frog in the night was suggested by the recent spate of awaking frogs calling after dusk.

 

Recent rain has brought out frogs here in the Central Valley and the evenings are filled woth loud croaks and squeeks as they call to each other.

California Rain : A Haiku

Last night was a night of heavy rain here in Central California.

It must have reached somewhere deep in my imagination, because when I awoke this haiku was fully formed in my mind and unusually did not disappear with my morning shower or cup of tea.

I hope that you like it.

Let me know what you think with a comment or pass this on to your friends.

 

Skyfall of God's tears      .

  Soft, Cold on my window pane,

California. 

Train Ride

Patter down the track,
Never looking back.
Clickerty clack, Clickerty Clack.
Ride the rails, Ride the rails,
Ride to where the sun pales.
Down the track, down the track.
Never look back.
Clickerty Clack, Clickerty Clack.

Stumble in the Valley

A pace too slow,

"Away we go!"

With a clickety, click.

Rattle my stick.

 

Stumble on broken ground,

A way through must be found.

Before the end of day,

Never to lose my way.

 

I stumble on the valley floor,

Stumble to your very door.

To stumble on to the love I'd crave,

Till you place me in the grave.

 

Then for all the wanted need,

You and God my soul do feed.

All in want of haste,

Left me to stumble and chased.

 

Run I cannot,

To that place too hot.

Where there once

Was my lot.

 

Now I pass through your door,

The gift of life to adore.

Praise and sing aloud,

Saves us all from the crowd.

Valentine Time

Standing on the corner,
Waiting for some time.
To share with a lover,
Please be my Valentine.

Waiting on a corner,
Waiting all the time.
Ne'er does she pass,
Ne'er my Valentine.

Shivering on the corner,
Cold to the bone.
Ring, Ring there goes my phone,
Who is it calling be my Valentine.

"I see you standing,
Why stand all alone?
Come inside,
And be my Valentine."

Warm pulses sing,
As I walk to you.
For you,
My love will be true.

Ne'er Wait on the corner,
Wishing for a Valentine.


Show her that you
Love her
Make everyday
Your Valentine.

New Year's Day

The party's cleared away,
for a world ashen grey.
Now all the hope are done,
A new year has begun.

What is left to say,
in a world so ashen grey.
Hope for summers sun,
When a New Year's just begun.

This year like the last,
Will soon fly past.
Buried with all the rest.
No promise it won't be the last.

Live each day with cheer
Doubt not and never fear.
This is a New Year of hope again.
The New Year has just begun.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas - Dr. Clement Clark Moore

'Twas Dr. Clement Clark Moore that named the traditional reindeer in this poem which helped create our modern day "traditional" Christmas.

Can you name all the reindeer before you watch the video?

No you will not find Rudolph there. Rudolph was actually created for an advertising campaign in Chicago during the 1930's.

This is a lovely rendition of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas.

Enjoy.

Merry Christmas!

End of a Dog

I want to ease your pain
Never more, you'll run again.
Those tired old eyes.
Your long sad sighs.
You stumble on our walk,
I look and see that familiar stare,
Yet I know the puppy is no longer there.

And when your head lies down to rest.
I know I did my best.
For eighteen years you were my guide
Then With a nod your old heart died.
Now forever in memory true,
Nothing left for me of you.

No rattle of trotting claw
No scratching of the door.
No sad goodbye morning bark.
No cheery yapping at the park.
Only silence fills my day.
Since the morn you went away.
My heart breaks  for you
For so long you were true
Now there is nothing here of you.

In Flanders Fields - Lt Col Dr. John McCrae

As

Something Blastoma... A Poem of Cancer Diagnosis

In recent months I have had a roller coaster ride of emotions.

Last December I had what I thought was a bad cold and Bronchitis. Following a Chest X-Ray and other tests giving results from "Valley Fever" ( a nasty fungal lung infection) this would be my first time. I got a even nastier diagnosis from a doctor. Lung Cancer.

Though the doctor was not sure of the result for certain. He came up with a stunning piece of news. I will tell you now though that I am not taking this doctors word, and have made arrangements for a second opinion in a few days.

But that is by the by.

The news was a shock. As with many traumatic events. I was moved to write a poem. "Something Blastoma..." is the result.

To read Something Blastoma... A Poem CLICK HERE.

Memorial Day

Hunched he stands,
Head hung low.
Above the sound,
Jets fly low.
An old man , no place to go.

Above the sky,
Of Truest Blue.
Whiteness Red stained,
For you and me.

The flag,
Unfolds upon the breeze.

As he stands,
'Neath the trees.

Beneath his feet,
A friend or son.
Who gave his all
For Everyone.

If peace shall come our way,
Let us not forget
The Cost
Of Memorial Day.

That Certain Smile

That certain smile
No time can take.
Within my heart,
You'll never break.

Those shining eyes
Hold no surprise.
O'er your shoulder glance
Make my heart dance.

Your soft blonde curls
My fingers trace.
Love is always
On your face.

In angers fire,
Another desire.
In lovers light
We do not fight.

My heart grows near,
You lend your ear.
I whisper of love,
My turtle dove.

Sing just for me,
From you so free.
I give all I have
To be with thee.

Darker than Night- A Poem of Blindness

Darkness comes,
From sudden light.
Darker now than darkest night.
Nowhere for me to fly,
Why should I not lie?
Who knows what to say?
Who would care for more today?

Love is blind,
Or so They say.
Justice blind,
So why I pray?
God took away your sight,
So that you might see the light.
How cruel to blame,
My God!
Who are you?
What am I to do?
Pause and wait in silent prayer,
Someone out there really does care.
Hold my hand for all beware.
Now I am atop the stair.