APRIL POSTINGS:

Having recently lost my beloved wife, I am taking a break from my writing, but wish to share contributions written by family and friends.

Roger A. Davis

EDEN PRAIRIE TO THE PAST AND FUTURE

Adam Jones

Eden Prairie is the place that these two chose to settle
A schoolhouse full of love for my aunt and uncle
Dice, dominoes and pool played in the gym
They welcomed us to their home again and again

Spaghetti, enchiladas and the occasional fried chicken
Are just a few things that I will be missin’
The love that they shared is really seldom found
Soul mates even still, they always will be bound

Faith will get them through this, that is a fact
With family and friends ready to give back
Right now things seem hard and might always be
Just know that I am here, no matter what the need

GOOD ON YOU GENTLE BEN

J.C. Hudspith

First tip the hat to Ben’s lost mate
For without her, - he’d never see this date

For the sturdiest state of men is Ben
That despite the miss of Mother-hen
And gazes of white-coated men
He bucks the frowns of brethren
And arms his great son – Ben born again

He lifts the mood with cheer and fodder
Says many thanks to the Heavenly nodder
He does the grind – no moan or sadness
Just right, and true, and never badness

Ben’s standing at the crossroads now
Not his choice, but he’d never bow
Which way to wander, which path to wheel
Which route to embellish with his uplifting spiel?

Wherever he ends – this wise old poet
It will be with a smile and a penchant to know it
A spirit to life, any that’s down
Good humour to turn the surliest frown

So bow Gentle Ben, Do it now while you can
Take the pats on the back – you deserve it man!
Keep spreading the word, you leader of men
From your cousin Chuz
Good on you – Gentle Ben

THIS SHELL IN MY POCKET

Adam Jones

I carry this shell in my pocket to help remind me,

of a man who was my hero and always will be.

He taught me how to change my oil, replace a starter, and change a muffler.

To kill a snake, back a trailer, and mow the grass in the summer.

He drove me to school always asking, "Where's your hat kid?" and "What did you learn today?"

He took me fishing and told me stories of his youth, growing up in the valley of the Smoky Hill.

Moving the livestock when the flood came and the work that a normal man would kill.

Many tales of his time in the Navy in World War II. The typhoons that could wipe out an island,

the judo lessons and basic training where he visited the theatres and rode roller coasters on the sand.

When I got older he tried to scold me with a grin after I learned about 2WD in the mud the hard way.

He taught me to make ice cream, party mix and that GM made the best trucks on the road.

How to use a chain saw and then to the dump where we went often to haul off a load.

My Grandpa taught me many things, the greatest is actually quite simple, how to live.

To work hard, always put your family above all else, and no matter what, if you have, give.

Grandpa gave us everything he had. He was never too tired, too broke, or too busy.

He was always there with the jumper cables, the right tool, or an encouraging word for me.

The shell I carry is from his 21 gun salute. A more deserving man you will not find.

I still carry this shell in my pocket, though there is no need.

For my Grandpa is in everything I do, my heart, and my mind.

GRANDPA WAS OUR ALL

Jerod Jones

The biggest heart we ever saw
He was the one we called Grandpa
He gave us his all, never holding back

It couldn’t be possible for him to comprehend
The love we had for him unto the end
The memories run deep, emotions high
Let us never forget him as time passes by

All we can hope for, all we can pray
Is to be half the man he was someday
Now on to where there is no pain
Nothing more but heavenly gain

Next time we meet beyond the clouds
It is our hope that our life makes you proud
The memories we have cannot be taken away
We love you lots, Grandpa, see you someday

FAMILY

John Hudspith

The birth and the dough
Its kneads must you know
It comes from the pool
And often with fool

I take from the folks
All that they give
Pass on and grow
As long as I live

So my brood's in the mood
To carry that on
And a good mood is sured
As sured I am

To give to the future
For love of the past
Each effort is great
My family - a blast

But all is not lost
No effort in vain
Despite every tear
Unwarranted pain

Because they carry on
When I’m dead and gone
My hands mixed to the unruly pool
Hopefully less of the crazy fool

And so it should be
For all who will listen
To make family shine
To make them all glisten

Your best must be given
With effort no boundary
Work hard with the gift
And hard at the foundry

Then you too can see
What family means
A good hearty laugh
And a shared tin of beans!

MAN DOWN

John Chuz Hudspith

He strained his back – or so he implies
I have to believe coz he never tells lies

Though strained by what
Remains to be seen
Drunk and disorder not really his scene

I’ll wager a fling – if I know the word king
Don’t come a knocking
If Roger’s – room’s rocking

Or maybe a slip-back
An almighty glut
Too much ole shorty
Straining his gut

Whatever the case
I hope he’s okay
There’s no mail today
I miss that jolly communiqué

So rally the troops
For this is no ruse
Pick up the oars
Send out all canoes

Receive these best wishes
From over the pond
Take them with heart
My magical wand

And banish the pain
To where it belongs
In movies, books, and lamenting songs

Spring back to the keyboard
With sprain at the reign
And fill with your prose
My email again

MY GIRLS

John Hudspith

Oh beautiful girl
With stubby red nose
Eyes like puddings
And wearing no clothes

Your wrinkles so lovely
Your head so bare
Now you're in the world
I have not a care

But wait there's another
Perhaps it's your brother
No - look at your mother

That tear in her eye
That wonderful cry
It’s not just for you
And not just for I

Another slides through
The portal like glue
The mess on the bed
The dints in the head

Now two are new
And so is my job
Raise them both right
Earn a few bob

Say a few words
Smile a few smiles
Walk a few walks
For hundreds of miles

Take in the years
And wish it was then
My two bonnie lasses
I wish I could do it all over again!

TYRAD

JCH (Dr)

Thank you my friend but don’t be concerned
For even the teeniest concern - I've learned
For a man - as mad as me
Is completely unnecessary

It's not my choosing; being down
I'd sooner paint red; the loudest town
But the Maker's will must be rested
We give it support and that's when we're tested

He's pressing still, now, as I muse
My tongue won’t open - no worthy news
My eyes are blacked, my ears like-conch
The oily sea, listen - the devil's at lunch

So understand why - the Maker's dark hand
Is to reset the rude balance, those ever-shifting sands
Soon the dark cloak will lift, and settle another
And Chuz will bounce back - a much stronger Brother

CALICO, THE ONE I ADORE

Gem Crochet

It wasn’t your cute loud snore
Or your chronic cold sore
Or that you upchucked on my p.u. floor
No, it's because you have a new SUV 4X4

I love you with all my heart
Can't get enough of that other body part
It's your smile that gives me a jumpstart
You’re my little Kmart tart

Calico, you are my sweetie
And when I've had a few, pretty
I hope you like this country ditty
Done just for you, my Calico Kitty

Someday we will get officially hitched
Only been 5 years since Amy Sue, I ditched
Cally, it don't really help to bitch
Come to bed and turn off the light switch

What’s for supper, My Turtledove?
Calico answers, "What you want?"
"Cornbread and beans with molasses
Served, wearing nothing but your glasses"

Calico, your are my sweetie
And when I've had a few, pretty
I hope you like this country ditty
Done just for you, my Calico Kitty

Cheatin’ Heart on my John Deere radio
Sing along as I cultivate each row
Thinkin’ about my Blue-light Special, Calico
And that one extra toe

This weekend, we're off to the tractor pull
Got 2 six packs of Coors in the cooler, it's full
Cally wearin' cut-offs & Willie Nelson t-shirt
Everything looks, oh my, so pert

Never reached our destination
50 miles down the road, pulled my cell
Made a Motel 6 reservation
And drove like hell

Had a few, me and Kitty
My, my, she looks pretty
I sang her the country ditty
As I fondled her left, then right titty

It's such a pity
That this witty ditty
Will never see the light of day
Maybe under a pen name, okay?

THIMBLERIGGER IS NIGH

J.C. Hudspith

My tale is now nearing its happy end
At its beginning - I had only one friend
Ande; my spine, Wifey divine
She pushes the buttons that wake the old swine

Johnny! -she said; one morning with glee
I have a new mission for you and for me
What is it? I asked, never one for shying
Write a novel, she said - and no I’m not lying

You’ve been given the gift, the well so deep
Why if you were a fox - you wouldn’t worry the sheep
Before they all knew it the sheep would be dead
You’re clever, you’re smart, you use that old head

You’ve been given the gift of in-depth thinking
Why if you’d been around there’d be no Titanic sinking
You’ve also the sense of the all Seeing Eye
You don’t look to the earth - you reach for the sky

So there I was, - grinned up and eyes glaze
Duly adorned in her finery praise
With long breath I started and courage was plucked
I read all the books until I was f***ed

Back breaking weary and eyes like holes
I opened Pan’s box and lo and behold
Wifey was right - you’re never too old

This was my chance - to shine and get bigger
Sat in the box - was the Thimblerigger
He looked me up - he made a frown
Shit! - He declared, Johnny’s in town!

So I grabbed with both hands - the horn of the beast
Drained his sick mind and drank up his yeast
I found his weak heel
The poor link in his armour
And scribbled the words of this terrible charmer

It’s thick, long and meaty this volume of mine
It reaches deep heart, its vein so divine
It tells of the balance - the Yang and the Ying
Please buy a copy and make Johnny King

CRADLE WILL FALL LULLABY

Al N. Gest

Hush, you little squirt
Or I'll hit you with my quirt
Shut up and go to bed
Or I'll paint your crib with lead

Lay yourself down to sleep
And I better not hear a peep
Because if I hear you awake
Your favorite toy I'll break

Lullaby and good night
Watch out for Bogey Man's bite
Don't look under your bed
Or at shadows above your head

Hush little baby, don't say a word
All doors shut, you will not be heard
No, you can't have a night light
Money is too tight

Now off to sleep you go
And peeing in the bed is a no-no
Also no making poo-poo
Or it will be boo-hoo for you

Lullaby and good night
Watch out for Bogey Man's bite
Don't look under the bed
Or at shadows above your head

Probably be best
If you want some rest
Have the babysitter call SRS
Please forgive my sicko jest