Category Archives: Poetry

The Tao

Here we are for all to see,
I’m not you, and you’re not me.
We’re both a half of who we are.
Add us together, and both become a we.

Usually you’re black while I am white,
Both are equal though different as day and night.
A pattern emerges as we swirl and flow,
Though never mixing, makes a beautiful sight.

We’ve swirled and flowed since time began:
Over mountains, oceans, even desert sand.
We’ve been seen everywhere in all sorts of weather,
Twirling to unheard music, but never blending together.

We’re universal energy, equal yet opposite
For enlightened minds to behold and see
As we twirl to our music, carried on invisible wings
Toward our long sought out destiny.

The dark portion is Yin, wearing a spot of Yang,
While the light portion, Yang, wears a spot of Yin.
They are both quite stylish but simple in design,
Then too the Tao is different from mind to mind.

Negative or positive, male or female, you choose the word.
Your choice of either will simply remain unheard.
The Tao answer no questions and hearkens to no quiz:
Because the Tao is as was and yet still is!

The Things I Missed

During all my hurried chase for wealth,

I sacrificed my youth and spoiled my health.

Two young lovers sharing a kiss…

Just one of the many things I missed.

 

So many things yet to do, so much I want to say.

The mirror reflects my wrinkled face and hair turned whitish-grey.

I don’t remember smelling land after a cleansing rain

Or offering soothing words of comfort to those suffering alone in pain.

 

Did I notice children’s faces looking skyward in delight

As they held on tightly to their multi-colored kites?

Did I collect a seashell from a white beach sand,

And did I get to travel to a distant land?

 

Did I pluck daisy petals or ever smell a rose

Or even try to ice skate after the lakes all froze?

There’s so many things I could add to my lengthy lists,

Containing all the many things I apparently missed.

 

My race is run, my fortune won —

A hollow victory it would seem

For I missed out on simple things,

It is time I can’t redeem.

 

I rolled the dice of my own choice.

In pursuit of my wealth,

I paid the price.

In the quest, I lost the best when I lost my health.

 

Recording my sad litany

Reveals truth which cannot be denied:

For though I have wealth, I’ll die a pauper’s death

With all my music still inside!

 

 

Dugger Vance

There once was a man named Dugger Vance

Who grew too large for his pants.

He slaved for nickels and died for dimes,

But Digger lived in the best of times.

In a cemetery, he rests alone,

But he made his mark – it’s etched in stone.

 

 

Lost Time

If we be going, let us be gone

For wasted time has already flown.

Like seeds in ground already sown,

Time has fled to parts unknown.

Sadness enters at its waste –

We could already be at our desired place!

Small Things

It’s folly to neglect attention to small things or acts which are important,

Yet give more attention and great detail to things which are unimportant!

THOUGHTS OF SPRING

I sat upon a park bench, writing pad in hand,

Enjoying flowering shrubs and warmth upon the land

As cacophony of sound assaults both my ears:

Birds singing, dogs barking, and children’s laughter at play.

 

Then, not one but three lasses appeared

With bonnets and flower baskets at arm.

They wore floral-colored smocks,

Emitting Old World charm.

 

“I see you are a writer, sir,” one said

As her laughter broke the air.

At a loss for words, I simply smiled,

Caught up in her blue-eyed snare.

 

“Please do write us a sonnet,” said the second lass.

“Oh, no, a poem,” pleaded the third.

I smiled at all three,

Completely lost for word.

 

Their little faces in mock pout,

Their dresses so colorful and gay,

Added the finishing touch on the canvas

Of this beautiful, fine Spring Day.

 

I cleared my throat and spoke, “Oh, I suppose,

A line or two I’ll jot of spring-time prose.

With a smile and a thank you, they skipped away, arms interlocked.

As they moved away, I couldn’t help but notice: The flowers matched their frocks.

 

The sun was warm, and the wind was balmy.

White fluffy clouds adorned the sky.

I stretched and yawned like a Cheshire cat,

Releasing a contented sigh.

 

Mother Nature had once again blessed the land,

Calling forth different flowers in abundant array.

While I watched butterflies and birds flit about

On this gorgeous, balmy Spring Day.

Spring tulips

Spring tulips

Spring has sprung!

Spring has sprung!

Daddy and Momma Mallard with 10 new ducklings

Daddy and Momma Mallard with 10 new ducklings

Daddy and Momma Canadian Geese with 2 new goslings

Daddy and Momma Canadian Geese with 2 new goslings

Double Bearded Iris

Double Bearded Iris

The Things I Missed

During all my hurried chase for wealth,

I sacrificed my youth and spoiled my health.

Two young lovers sharing a kiss…

Just one of the many things I missed.

 

So many things yet to do, so much I want to say.

The mirror reflects my wrinkled face, and hair turned whitish-grey.

I don’t remember smelling land after a cleansing rain

Or offering soothing words of comfort to those suffering alone in pain.

 

Did I notice children’s faces looking skyward in delight

As they held on tightly to their multi-colored kites?

Did I collect a seashell from a white beach sand,

And did I get to travel to a distant land?

 

Did I pluck daisy petals or ever smell a rose

Or even try to ice skate after the lakes all froze?

There’s so many things I could add to my lengthy lists,

Containing all the many things I apparently missed.

 

My race is run, my fortune won —

A hollow victory it would seem

For I missed out on simple things,

It is time I can’t redeem.

 

Of my own choice, I rolled the dice

To pursue my wealth

And paid the price.

In the quest, I lost the best when I lost my health.

 

Recording my sad litany

Reveals a truth which I cannot hide:

For though I have wealth, I’ll die a pauper’s death

With all  my music still inside!

 

Just a reminder to remember to raise your awareness to your experiences – each and every day.

God’s blessings upon your journey!

He Lives!

He walked among us over rocky pathways

Many long years ago.

The message He brought was the one He taught

To free us and let us know.

 

Numbered among transgressors,

Beaten and scorned with shame.

He shouldered false accusations bravely

And never placed the blame.

 

Not happy with His suffering,

They sentenced Him to death.

They nailed Him to a cross

To draw His last earthly breath.

 

He was buried in a sepulcher

Which was hewn in stone.

Women prepared His body for eternal rest

And left Him all alone.

 

Just as the prophecy had foretold,

The stone was rolled aside:

Three days later, our Savior arose

To ascend and forever to abide.

 

The ultimate sacrifice for our sins –

A price we could not pay –

Was paid in full by our Savior.

Each year, we celebrate this act on each Easter Day.

 

Happy Easter, Everyone!

W. Foster Welborn

Do You See Me?

Young folks look at old folks,
No longer in or cool.
Smart phones, tablets, television games, FaceBook
Are more to their school.

I’m just full to bursting with curiosity:
When you look my way, I wonder, what do you really see?
Do you see an author, poet, or just an old, aging man?
One day you’ll age, too, and begin to understand.

I hope in your aging you become very wise,
Then you’ll see what I see through these older eyes.
I know you don’t know me and really have no clues.
You haven’t walked one step, let alone countless miles, in my shoes.

Once like you, I was young with an attitude of devil-may-care,
Dancing and flirting with pretty girls and very hard to scare.
Today you dance to Hip Hop, but if I may be so bold:
Chuck Berry, Fats Domino and Elvis gave us our music – called Rock and Roll.

I’ve traveled many roads, accomplished many things.
It all happened so very fast, I believe my feet had wings.
Life unfolded before me and holds me tightly in her embrace.
Wonders and tragedies etched these lines you see in my face.

Don’t try to put us all in wheel chairs or surround us with a fence.
You see, we possess knowledge you’ll need, but most of all experience.
Unlike you, there was no one around to guide, tell or show me
The secrets they had found.

I know you’re full of vitality and vinegar with energy to burn.
You have an itch you can’t scratch and hate to await your turn.
Good things come to those who wait,
Just one more thing you’ll learn.

So much to learn, so little time, and later you’ll realize my words ring true.
You’ll probably wish you had listened better before your trails are through.
So now my question begs an answer:
What do you really see when you look at me?

Wouldn’t You Know It?

Beautiful roses, rough soil can endure…

The sweetest most often

Live and grow in debris and manure.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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