poems and old wives tales

Mom's Time

It's five A. M., time to get up,
I can't believe my eye's.
This place looks like some smarty storm
was trying to be wise
There's match box cars all in a line
waiting to run a race.
There's shoes and books, the newspaper,
everything is out of place.
There's dirty dishes in the sink,
'cause son had to work late.
His boss told him: "something's important"
and it just cannot wait.
The laundry in the hamper
is over-flowed again.
Didn't I do that yesterday?
--there seems to be no end.
The mending's piled up to the roof
a job I really hate.
I really should do it today, well--
maybe it can wait.
Well, everybodies on their way,
this place could use my touch.
But first a cup of coffee,
I don't like housework much.
It's twelve o'clock I should have lunch
just one more job to do.
What happened to my lunch time?
the clock says almost two.
The floor is moped, the laundry's done,
the place looks really neat.
Everything is in it's place,
boy I sure am beat.
It's three o'clock time for a break
the last I'm not sure when.
The school bus just stopped at the door,
well, here we go again.
Supper is done the kitchen is clean,
I think I'll watch T.V.
It's strange I always fall asleep,
is something wrong with me?
It's five A. M., time to get up,
I can't believe my eye's.
This place looks like some smarty storm
was trying to be wise.

by Marjorie L. Andrews

Thanks Edwin! Man, can I identify with this!

Thanx Will, for reading this. I will try to add some new poem or wisecrack on here from time to time. Glad you liked it.

Edna St. Vincent Millay, 1892 - 1950

Travel


The railroad track is miles away,

And the day is loud with voices speaking,

Yet there isn’t a train goes by all day

But I hear its whistle shrieking.



All night there isn’t a train goes by,

Though the night is still for sleep and dreaming,

But I see its cinders red on the sky,

And hear its engine steaming.



My heart is warm with friends I make,

And better friends I’ll not be knowing;

Yet there isn’t a train I wouldn’t take,

No matter where it’s going.

Thanks again Edwin. I love the way poetry can sum up so much in just a few lines! More when you have time. Any wisecracks heading this way soon?!

This is for Will especially...but for everyone.


On the outskirts of a small town, there was a big, old pecan tree just

inside the cemetery fence.

ONE DAY, TWO BOYS FILLED UP A BUCKETFUL OF NUTS AND SAT DOWN BY THE TREE,

OUT OF SIGHT, AND BEGAN DIVIDING THE NUTS.


'ONE FOR YOU, ONE FOR ME, ONE FOR YOU, ONE FOR ME,' SAID ONE BOY.

SEVERAL DROPPED AND ROLLED DOWN TOWARD THE FENCE.


Another boy came riding along the road on his bicycle.

AS HE PASSED, HE THOUGHT HE HEARD VOICES FROM INSIDE THE CEMETERY.

HE SLOWED DOWN TO INVESTIGATE.

SURE ENOUGH, HE HEARD, 'ONE FOR YOU, ONE FOR ME, ONE FOR YOU, ONE FOR

ME...'


He just knew what it was.

HE JUMPED BACK ON HIS BIKE AND RODE OFF.

JUST AROUND THE BEND HE MET AN OLD MAN WITH A CANE, HOBBLING ALONG..


'Come here quick,' said the boy, 'you won't believe what I heard!

SATAN AND THE LORD ARE DOWN AT THE CEMETERY DIVIDING UP THE SOULS!'


The man said, 'Beat it kid, can't you see it's hard for me to walk.'

WHEN THE BOY INSISTED THOUGH, THE MAN HOBBLED SLOWLY TO THE CEMETERY.


Standing by the fence they heard, 'One for you, one for me. One for you,

one for me.'


The old man whispered, 'Boy, you've been tellin' me the truth.

LET'S SEE IF WE CAN SEE THE LORD...


Shaking with fear, they peered through the fence, yet were still unable

to

see anything.

THE OLD MAN AND THE BOY GRIPPED THE WROUGHT IRON BARS OF THE FENCE

TIGHTER

AND TIGHTER AS THEY TRIED TO GET A GLIMPSE OF THE LORD.


At last they heard, 'One for you, one for me.

THAT'S ALL.

NOW... LET'S GO GET THOSE NUTS BY THE FENCE AND WE'LL BE DONE....


They say the old man had the lead for a good half-mile, before the kid on

the bike passed him.