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TIME

This is kind of a mid-life crisis poem that I had in high school. I do not recall exactly when I wrote it (freshman or sophomore year), but I remember asking myself what more was there to life and what had I missed by forcing myself to grow up so fast.

Childhood


Next time you’re out working
Or doing your assignments,
Remember your life; your childhood
Because you only have one.

Everytime I look around
I see kids, working hard.
They always seem to forget childhood;
You only have one.

I say, take a day off, have fun!
Go shoot some hoops, play some baseball
But never forget your childhood,
You don’t want to waste your only one.

My advice to all people
Young, old or anywhere in between:
Always keep your childhood;
It’s a spirit, and you only have one.



I wrote this one in December of 1989....time may answered some of the questions for me. Okay, maybe not. Ironically that now, it has been 23 years since time found me. Note the reference to “Reflections in a Mirror.” By the way, 23 was just a number I picked, it had no meaning.

In Twenty-Three Years


In twenty-three years,
Will we conquer our fears?
Will we have giant ears?
Will couch potatoes sit on their rears?
Will hunters shoot deer?
Will we use sand to make gears?
Will reflections be in mirrors?
Will we still cry tears?
In twenty-three years.

Twenty-three years,
Doesn’t seem near,
But it is closer than it appears,
Twenty-three years.



This poem is the closest thing a sequel that I have written. I wrote it after Childhood and this was a intro to a paper I had written in an English class (I think it was for the Old Man and the Sea). It shows kind of teh oppisite ideas than Childhood, but never contradicts it.

Listen to the Old Ones


Some older men appear to be foolish
Fulfilling their dreams of youth.
When they try to express themselves,
People think that they have been drinking vermouth.

But whatever the old ones say,
You must pay close attention to their past,
Or you just might miss the advice that they offer.
The advice will not always last.

But most important of all you must listen.
Even if the old ones are past their day
I tell you; you must listen
Before someone tries to put them away.

This poem has two versions. A longer more personal version was shared with my classmates. This shorter version is the one that appears in my book. Again, a Purdue poem.

Goodbye


The time has all passed so quickly by without me ever caring
And I have with me my poems and ideas that we’ve been sharing.

Two weeks of a summer program are gone
Now everyone needs to move on.

What about all of those friends I have made,
Will their memories of me start to fade?

I know that I will never forget this strange place
And all of the feelings expressed on everyone’s face.

I often wonder if I really want to go home
And feel left by these friends, all alone.

These summer programs often make you wonder,
Did I do the right thing or was I a social blunder?

How could I forget all of my friends that are here?
Thinking about this brings to my eye a tear.

You all know who you are
Don’t forget me, I am never that far.

This program has been an interesting thing
During these two weeks I have laughed and I did sing.

Everyone here has just been great
And I think I can say that without debate.

These classes will always be a bright spot in my mind
Years after I leave this wild place behind.

But let’s not dwindle on that yucky thought
Let’s instead put down a few words about you that I have caught.

I have a deep respect for all of you
And to show you is what I am trying to do.

Just remember that I am here and never forget me.
Remember me for what I was, just don’t regret me.

I hope to see all of you again as soon as we can get together
And I hope that we will be friends forever!


This poem was written after Purdue (circa 1991). There was one person there who I forged an unique bond with. We were simply friends, but I had somehow thought we were more even though we only shared a hug or two. At one point, she sent me a letter saying she never wanted to even hear from me again. I reacted by writing.

What Do You Do?


What do you do when you fall in love
With a girl who is more beautiful than a dove
And then she stops the love?

What do you do when you give this girl you’re heart
And she holds it for two years while you’re apart
And then she shreds you’re heart apart?

What do you do when you’re a romantic
And you believe in true love
And it stops?

What do you do when it stops?
What should I do when it stops?

What do you do when you’re crushed,
And all of your emotions become mushed
Without trying to make a giant fuss?

Do you cry?
Do you feel anger?
Do you feel like suicide?
What do you do?
What should I do?


Another Purdue poem...notice a theme on a certain emotion....

Lonely


Nothing is ever how it seems to be
Otherwise someone would be here with me
And I wouldn’t feel quite so lonely.

Where has everyone gone
And why have I felt so lonely for so long?
I’m just sitting, writing poems and singing songs.

No one ever seems to be around.
Just the wind blowing by makes up a sound
I’m just sitting out here, hoping to be found.

Some people tell me that I am quite funny
But all I want is a girl to call my honey
And make my life become once again sunny.


My final three poems touch on friendships, good-byes, and finally inspiration. This poem was read at the formal banquet when the program at Purdue ended. This work has also been published independently and has won an award, notably for the last stanza. I am very proud of this poem.

Eternal Friends


When we come to Purdue, we all fins ourselves wondrin’
Whether we will remember all of the hundred and
Twelve kids that are staying here
Tomorrow and if they will be back again next year.

But the one I want to get to know
Is that special someone, that cute doe.
We don’t have to lovers or even
Really close, just someone to like Stephen.

Friendship is a difficult thing to figure out
It can make you happy or scream and pout.
It will drain you till you’re dry
With each tear that falls from your eye.

I wish I knew what is going on,
So I could find out if it would last long.
‘Cause friends say they’ll write but never do
Does this stuff ever happen to you?

Can I ask but of you one small favor,
Will you be the memory that I will savor?
Just as long as when it ends,
Can we be eternal friends?


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