Bob-o-Link 7

Writer

Robert Watts Handy

HOMAGE RHYME

Three-Volume Collection

(Three-Hundred Sixty-Five Versed Scenes)

EXCERPTS

HOMAGE RHYME III - Serendipity

1992-2000

Order

Live to be,
be to behold,
behold to discover,
discover to absorb,
absorb to feel,
feel to express,
express to respond,
respond to function,
function to act,
act to communicate,
communicate
to assimilate;

assimilate to learn,
learn to know,
know to create,
create to develop,
develop to refine,
refine to finish,
finish to start again.

Succeed to empower,
empower to enlighten,
enlighten to humble,
humble to be wise,
wise to faith,
faith to love,
love to give,
give to share,
share to be serene,
serene to joy,
joy to fulfill,
fulfill to soothe
the soul.

1979

Conversely

Failure spawns agony,
agonies provoke remorse,
remorse enkindles depression,
depression sires despair,
despair embellishes destruction,
destruction wastes.

Faith rescues hope,
hope induces confidence,
confidence revitalizes integrity,
integrity strengthens character,
character restores dignity,
dignity generates determination,
determination heartens perseverance,
perseverance engenders attainment,
attainment produces mastery,
mastery magnifies achievement,
achievement reassures triumph,
triumph nurtures excellence,
excellence garners honor,
honor confers well-being.

1979

Tribal Drums

Handy Hawk Productions,
in 1976 premiered touring
SYMBOLIC AMERICANA
multi-media tribal presentation;

in 1978 premiered touring
BLACK ELK SPEAKS
stage drama based on
short, shattering history of
the winning of the West
as experienced by those
who lost it;

in 1979 premiered
FOOTPRINTS IN BLOOD
stage drama based on the
1879 civil rights trial
of Standing Bear of the
Ponca Nation.

Handy Hawk productions
Native America backed,
each major production
staged historical fact,
indigenous traditions in tack;
events audience packed,
standing ovation reacts
across the nation's map.

BLACK ELK SPEAKS
was the first
American Indian
stage drama reinacted
in the
Kennedy Center for the
Performing Arts,
Washington, D. C.
That benefit performance
moved U. S. Congress to inact
the
BLACK ELK WILDERNESS
of South Dakota;
perpituity right on track.

Handy Hawk Productions,
in 1979 petitioned
Congress' enactment
of the
NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN CENTER
as principal tribal archive,
performing/visual arts complex;
a concept that bore fruit
two decades later with
just such an overdue facility
tributing
Americans before Columbus;
we tipped our hats.

Handy Hawk
published cultural books,
produced recorded albums;
helped fund the
Tower of the Four Winds
atop
Black Elk/Neihardt Park
on Nebraska prairie;
positive actions impacted.

Handy Hawk
contributed to
racial harmony lacking;
nourished
one small root of the
sacred tree,
spiritually sapped;
walked
the good road
toward the day
of happiness begat.

Ideas romanced,
Handy Hawk,
in 1987 chanced
Kiona Associates,
chartered non-profit foundation;
mission advanced
to enhance ethnic fabric,
aboriginal highlighted stance
featuring
tribal production clan
committed achieve all it can;
company's leadership band,
members hand-in-hand.

Improvised
Great Plains Indian Arts Expo I,
River City grand show
presenting
national artistic pros,
inter-tribal pow-wow flow,
tipi village grow,
thousands school kids aglow,
traditional Indian food sold,
celebrated cultures ongo,
harmonous bestow.

Capitalized
Great Plains Indian Arts Expo II,
same place, later time, old shoe;
better show brewed.

Revitalized,
faraway flew with crew;
presented
Native American Dancers
in Japan
as Sister City brew;
visa-versa
anew in America
for Japanese guests on cue.

Handy Hawk,
aging little bit mo',
still eyein' year 2000's
new millennium mode,
wings slowly about globe;
writes a bit of nonfiction
from memories stowed,
more bits of fiction
from imagination decodes;
desktop publishes
from within small abode
during appropriate timeouts
from house-spouse load;
hopeful bits of wisdom sowed.

1976-1999

Last Giveaway

Four fawn appeared,
crest house lawn;
sniffed tipi skin
moistened by dawn.
Poked noses inside
before moving on
to misty haven,
wilded throng.

Back stoop sat on,
sipped coffee, felt hep,
day before move on,
new outlet.
Serene place missed bet,
many not forgets;
yet giveaway feast
before regrets.

Invites to come
had gone out;
friends will appear
no doubt.
Went forth,
readied cozy house,
stout tipi,
natived food,
tender farewell clout.

Solitude's sensing
near shedding's about;
simple giveaway,
treasured amounts;
departing tomorrow,
lite-load route.

Chopped wood,
set ablaze hot;
blanketed grass
for supping flops.
Guests soon arrived
river-bluff top;
welcomed each
to forested plot.

Spiritually kinned
from four winds,
ancestorial rainbow skins;
medicine man prayer
atop moon lit rim,
eyes skyward around him;
litanies arose
within smoked dim;
plentied bin,
feasted skim.

Assembled people,
possession giveaway;
once-in-a-lifetime
mined, heart say:

Ukranian carved eagle,
symbol of freedom's way;
classic books
been read away;
rope-knotted metal,
artistic frayed;
colorful macreme,
wall-hang made;
paintings brushed,
souled rays;
pottery molded,
regional clay;
tribal drum,
echoed beats stay;
sacred pipe,
tobacco conveyed;
handcrafted jewelry
bedded on hay;
buckskin coat,
warmth relayed;
woven wool blankets
for cold's gray;
silvered vessels,
gobblets, trays;
furniture, fixtures
displayed;
kitchen equipment
used today;
fixin' tools
for rainy days;
funned items,
makin' waves.

Nearly everything
accepted
except
survival things saved,
not given away.

Medicine man,
ritualed blessing;
evented disband,
valued goodbyes,
wisdom expand.

Spirit binding
embered fire,
cross-legged recline;
nastalgic unwind
before morning's
move on incline.

1984

Diddled Whittlin'

Craved bone-handle knife,
burnished steel blade;
hunter crafted for life,
on sale or trade.

Earned money made
before summer's fade
paid for that blade
whetted in shade.

From sturdy oak branch
carved fatted bat,
smooth sanded enhance,
handy brandin' act,
rub-stained glance,
finished even that.

Diddled at whittlin'
when kiddlin' bound;
whittled piddlin',
shavings on ground.
Riddled whittlin',
farm or town;
whittled gigglin'
when buddies around.

Tranced game chance,
on sandlot spat;
gripped baseball bat,
to home plate advanced;
took slugger's stance,
pitcher pranced,
hitting dance.

Honed knife's blade,
snow, rain, sun, shade.
Carved ladel 'n tray
for my mom's aid;
cattle cane
for my dad relayed;
bows, arrows, guns
for games played;
flutes, whistles, drumsticks
when music made.

Sure did treasure
bone-handle knife,
hunter crafted for life.
Delighted relief
from boredom's strife;
contented belief
in artistic rite.

Diddled at whittlin'
when kiddlin' bound;
whittled piddlin',
shavings on ground.
Riddled whittlin',
farm or town.
Whittled gigglin'
when buddies around.

1941

Barning

Joy is a snug barn on rainy days
rompin' on mounds of scented hay.
Sprinkles, downpour, come what may,
spattered shingles while at play.

Grunts, humps, lumps, bumps,
risked injury show-offin' stunts...
hand-over, flip-flops,
fist-dangles, dead-drops,
beam-crossin', toe-holds,
tummy-slithers, rolly-poles;

chicken-out, butt-slides,
hider-seeker, egg-glides,
rope-flier, rafter-faster,
time-out, tunnel-laster;

spider-stalkin', nest-digs,
knee-hangs, scaling-rigs,
feather-blows, roof-hops,
hay-throws, belly-plops...
other funny tricks to top
until again needed stop.

That ol' barn sadly raised
emerged from antiquity's haze.
Dazed memory of antics crazed
in stabled maze where raised.

1940

No Way!

"Retire," ya say?
No way!
Not til my dyin' day.
Besides
tiny bit rest's pay,
must keep my head
above the fray.

"What 'bout today?"
Bein' behaved,
feelin' okay,
sunny day,
cleanly shaved,
clothing saved,
food on tray,
place to lay.

Hey, what say?
"Tomorrow?"
Really can't say;
too much comes
into play.
Anyway,
no better way
than livin' today.

Say again?
"After tomorrow's
future days?"
Oh, I'll be okay;
faith's here to stay,
attitude rayed.
What more
can I say?

You don't say?
"Someday stayed
far away?"
Who knows?
I just may.

Pray what say?
"Makin' clay?"
Goodness no.
Be makin' hay
my way
like yesterday.

What did you say?
"Dyin'?" "Grave?"
For me no mayday.
Just passin' through
natured way;
grateful soul
abidin' every day.

1992

Okay Guy

Got some sad news
about a good friend;
past came due
while on the mend.

"Oh, no!
That's too bad;
the poor ol' guy."

Good heavens,
he wasn't poor;
not at all.
From his pockets
charity poured.

"Oh, yeah?
So it's true
he went for broke?"

Goodness gracious,
he always
rared to go;
a real go-getter
with the flow.

"Yeah but,
it seemed he
was a tad mad."

Good gads lad,
he wasn't mad;
not at all.
Wisdom of gladened
sage,
he had.

"Yeah but
he risked falling
off the edge."

Goodness sakes,
over the ledge;
not at all.
He was wedge,
safe on call.

"Yeah but,
he had lost his
quickness of foot."

Good golly,
he wasn't slow;
not at all.
His brisk pace
shed windy blows.

"Yeah but
he needlessly toted
many heavy loads."

Good ol' boy
who never whined;
not at all.
He lugged burdens
for alived shines.

"Yeah but
some said the falla
was a one-man show."

Goodness me,
a handout candy-man;
not at all.
He inspired leadership
over the land.

"Yeah but,
some said the man
cast away faith."

Good grief,
astrayed his belief;
not at all.
Faith carried him
thru pained waste.

"Yeah, so,
your pal was an
okay guy
on the sly."

Goodness me,
him on the sly;
not at all.
My best friend
was a great guy
who now flies
high in the sky.

"So he still lives?
Must have been
wrong about him.
Perhaps he'll
come around again."

Yeah,
there you go.
His free spirit
stood tall for all
from the git-go.

1997

Dutch Family

Newcomer to broken home,
similiar to former own.
Empathized angery groans
of three kids not fully grown.

Understanding on loan,
had remorsed divorce sown.
Teenagers gritted condone,

nine-year old boy moaned.
Loss of father known;
didn't accept his roam.

I can't be your father
but I can be your friend.
I promise not to bother
while you're on the mend.

I do love your mother;
she is my best friend.
Won't attempt to smother
your father's loved send.

I can't be your father
but I can be your friend.
I promise not to holler
when you're mad at him.

He lives with another,
nurturing you his pretend.
Your mother, sister, brother,
help me help them.

I can't be your father
but I am your friend.
Drink the healing water,
extended family blend.

1993

Parable

Today's raft of happiness
is bouyed near
by benevolence's resevoir
of forgone tears.
Tomorrow's raft of happiness
will surely swamp
from selfish surge
of greed indeed
unless bailed by selfless
loss of need.

1996

Old Patriot

Six decades plus eight
years of livin',
synical attitude eluded.
Late-date mistake,
lacked humor,
rationed fun included.

Although relished
break of dawn,
short awhile secluded.
Awakened commit
to jobbed bond,
leisured canvased art
pursued.

Surprise call
to European shore,
flighted rise
to high altitude.
Scenic wake,
what was in store
at Holland's
northern latitude.

Being an old patriot
of America
isn't so bad;
clad in armour
of aged glad.
Reminisced faults
and merits had
as fortunate
lad, husband, dad,
grand dad.
Gad, I'd been
madly sad a tad,
paid self-inflicted
heavy tab.
Forted laugh
at vanity's drab,
padded wisdom's
placid add.

Quested new frontier,
enhanced chance
while sorting past
concluded.
Weighed positive
ways to advance,
embraced ingenuity
proven.

Had laid to rest,
notwithstanding,
desired romance deluted.
No chanced marriage
happenstanced
when and if
charmed by woman suited.

This elder feels
much better,
substitute house spouse
instituted.
Restitution as
man of letters,
buttressed distill
constituted.

Being an old patriot
of the Earth
ain't so bad
clad in armor
of aged glad.
Reminisced ascents
and plunges had
as fortunate
lad, husband, dad
grand dad,
multi-careered had.
Gad, I'd been
madly happy a tad,
reaped self-fulfilling
longivity tab.
Fortified humor,
no vanity drab;
still paddin' wisdom's
placid add.

1931-1999

Presenced Being

Yeah, dare say,
I'm a lucky guy
from present here
to almost there;
a miraculous life
being free to be
like soaring eagle seen.

Blessing every need,
yours, mine,
paid for in kind
by visable God
in earth, sky,
all living things.

Ah, you,
Great Mystery,
soul number one,
alpha, omega,
given, taker,
breeder of galaxies,
breath of all birth,
brilliant light,
sacred tree
shading them, me.

Remembers...
sown at home, away,
here crave, brave;
express, explore,
learn, believe,
create, share,
touch, hold,
stride, ride,
work, play,
laugh, cry,
mad, glad, sad,
hurt, afraid,
many yesterdays,
agains today.

Alone in wild,
unique child,
sensing feels,
climbing trees,
hearing birds,
sniffing flowers,
touching grass,
catching raindrops,
dodging hail,
balling snow,
cooling sweat,
tasting berries,
awed smiles.

Body, soul,
departing next;
discovery, adventure,
knowledge, refinement,
career, service,
friendship, romance,
marriage toast,
children to boost,
gifts loved most.

Brave, bold,
believing, reasoning,
teasing, grieving,
easing, seasoning,
becoming old.

Child again,
arise, surprise,
being wise.

Return to earth
of birth
where rest at best
for new life
of right.
See there,
a new dawning.

Again never ends.

1979

Prophecy

Comes moment
risked predictions
despite life's
many contridictions,
imparted lacking
any restrictions.

Rapidly shrinking globe,
people around expanse,
communicated
explosion implodes.
Macrocosmed
worldly family united,
no stranger neighbor
uninvited.

God gifted goodness
from the start;
evil conceived in
human hearts.
Kindnes will triumph
over shamed blame,
defeat arrogance,
hate's flame.

Love will surmount
maliced greed;
family will better
provide daily need;
caring will supply
wanted feed;
daring will protect
peaced creed;
responsibility will
exempt fickled lead;
restraint will stop
environmental bleed;
education will starve
diseased plead;
wisdom will overcome
senseless deeds;
justice will resolve
problems keyed;
flight was discover
spaced breed.

Of course,
all above deters pain,
nothing ventured,
nothing gained.
Ending up
from where we came,
hooped learning,
good lifed refrain.

So, sometime,
no hurry though,
take me home again
from where I've been.
Life no longer dimmed,
serened being hymn.

1999

Epilogue

Have expressed
what's on my mind
rhymed over time.
Verses inspired by
good life's climb
from birthed mine
to aging's prime;

from dawning's
lofty, lowly line
to ascent's
goals, feats defined;
from resurgence's
creative will refined
to plunge's
mundane grind behind;

from rescue's
miracled sublime
to second plunge's
humiliating bind;
from second resue's
resolve redefined
to serendipity's
serened soul,
sane state of mind.

Bits of divine's
meditation fine,
bits of wisdom's
refined vine,
bits of mellowing's
savory wine,
bits of honesty's
soured brime,
bits of anxiety's
marvelous decline,
bits of giving's
peaceful recline.

Long past's
homage rhyme,
dawning's lofty,
lowly line.
Yesterday's
homage rhyme,
ascent's goals,
feats defined.
Today's
homage rhyme,
lifetimed behind,
versed reminds.

1999

Welcome to my web site any ol' time;
do send me a line if so inclined.
Inquiries, messages, rhymes,
hopefully more positive than benign,
will indeed be respected as I still pace
the good road not far behind.

Robert Watts Handy
1999

SACRED HOOP of Links

Angelfire - My Home Page Provider
My Home Page - Primary Focus
My Home Page 2 - Writing/Publishing/Excerpts
My Home Page 3 - Writing/Publishing/Excerpts
My Home Page 4 - Writing/Publishing/Excerpts
My Home Page 5 - Writing/Publishing/Excerpts
My Home Page 6 - Writing/Publishing/Excerpts
My Home Page 7 - Serendipity
Earth Beseen - My Guest Book
International Library of Poetry
Ancestry Family Genealogy
Legacy Family Tree - Online Genealogy Program
Cyndi's List - Genealogy
USA After - Genealogy Posting
Rootsweb Family Genealogy
Family Tree Maker - Genealogy
CNN News/Commentary/Documentaries
Microsoft New/Commentary/Online Service

Email: handy-hawk@gelrevision.nl