We were exiled from the Garden of Eden.
Its sinless wonders nevermore to regain.
So every man on life's toilsome journey,
Must enter the valley of pain.
We don't enter because of desire
And it's certainly not a voluntary fare.
But, rather, it's a matter of destiny
Compelling and forcing us there.

The funeral rite concluded
With the pastor shaking hands,
Offering words of comfort
I didn't quite understand.
The undertakers came forth
And summoned pallbearers' four.
They marched beside the coffin
Carrying it steady toward the door.
I didn't cry or whimper
As I followed right behind.
But deep within I screamed
Don't leave O Mother of mine.

Happy, Sad, Mad and Glad,
Moved in down the street
Cautious watched them, from her window,
Wondering, which one should I meet?
Confused came in with overwhelmed and said,
"The Panics have come to town"
Then Hopeful called the carefulls,
And said that Happy was a clown.
Anxious came in with the news,
Confident had called a town meeting
To take a vote for Mayor,
And to Welcome the new neighbors to Feeling.

I get up in the morning
And want to stay in bed
Oh, so nice and warm
Like fresh from the oven bread.
My day is oh so busy
I wish that I could stay
In the quiet of my house
If only I could play.
Relax and play like Children do
No matter where they are
Never worried about being late
Or looking ahead too far
My body won't sit quietly
I need to get there now
No time to chat, I now must go

I WANTED TO SAY IT WITH A BUNCH OF FLOWERS
A CARD WOULD HAVE SUFFICED.
I WANTED TO SAY IT WITH A PACK OF SWEETS
A' HI' WOULD HAVE SUFFICED.
I THOUGHT TO SEND A POETIC WISH.
POEMS ARE MEANT FOR MEN & WOMEN
DOES A POEM NEED A POEM FOR A WISH?
I WOULD SIMPLY SAY.....,

Real Power.

Since Mohamed Ali-then Cassius Clay-announced that he had written "The world's shortest poem," I have known that I would be a poet. "ME? WHEE!" His triumphant proclamation evoking shivers within my troubled teenaged identity, for I reasoned in rhyme.

I want to get close
I am afraid.
Afraid of what you might see.
My eyes.
My thoughts.
My dreams.
My heart.
My soul.
Everything that makes me who I am.
My feelings.
My emotions.
The truth of my own reality.
The reality that I am scared.
Every second.
Every minute.
Every hour.
Every day.
Scared of not being perfect.
Scared of looking stupid.

YOU MIGHT THINK I AM STRONG
I THINK YOU GOT IT WRONG
I LIVE LIFE DAY TO DAY
HOPING IT WILL GO MY WAY
I HAVE MY FRIENDS AND MY FOOD PLAN
MY THERAPIST AND MY THOUGHTS
MY EXERCISE AND MY EXCITEMENT
THEN SOMETHING HAPPENS AND I GET CAUGHT
CAUGHT IN THE ARMS OF ED
TURNING MY EYES AWAY
FROM MY FOCUS TO WIN THE FIGHT
THAT I THOUGHT WAS GOING TO STAY.
HE TELLS ME THAT I AM SELFISH

Chicken Soup is good for a cold
Sleep is good for the Flu
When I get a case of the Fears
What is a person to do?
It is not bacteria
Although it can eat away my soul
It is not a virus
Yet, it can keep me from feeling whole
I know what will do the trick,
What will put me back on top,
A great big bowl of Ice Cream
Will really hit the spot
That was great and now I am done
One bowl just won't do