Sunday, May 13, 2007

A MESSAGE FROM ROGER DAVIS

The first poem - “Sequel: I’ve Seen the Ocean” – illustrates the highs and the lows of my recent trip. Due to the loss of my good friend, I have not written many new poems but wish to share some of my earlier writings for this month’s postings.

SEQUEL: I'VE SEEN THE OCEAN

SEQUEL: I'VE SEEN THE OCEAN

Roger A. Davis

A 21 ½ hour push to Vegas, Sahara Resort
David and I made it, it seemed kind of short
At the end of this prose, there is a sad report
That had to do with a sudden trip abort

Yet, I got to see two of my goals
One, the Buddhist temple of my friends’ dad
The other, the Pacific Ocean, so I was very glad
My adopted California sisters thought, “Swimming? No way!”
But this Kansas beached whale did in the surf play

Used my push wheelchair for a dune buggy
Powered by Marge and Raddad, the large
Turned the big wheels toward the beach
And, through the sand and rest, did reach

Onward into the ocean in sweat bottoms I stumbled
But there was only joy, no grumble
It was only Roger and wetsuit surfers in the breakers
Seemed the Santa Monica Muscle Beach folks were sun bakers

When it was time to head back to shore
I reached the wave and sand line boundary
But, because of my walking disability
Raddad, as a human wave, rolled up to my chair
With little sis’ support, once more this strange pair
Headed back up the sandy slope
Did anyone offer to help? The answer, “Nope”

I mentioned at first there was a sad note to this feat
I heard that morning, my best friend David was in heaven
So this broken-hearted Roger had an early wake
A taste of salt and sea and a dinner with Marge’s family

My little sis got me packed and loaded while I napped
Then it was all the way back to Kansas for David’s R.I.P
And I was honored by Connie to take part in his eulogy

I’ll end on a happy thought
If there was a video of Marge’s and my ocean quest
Its title would be “East Meets West for a Riot of Jest”
Or “Green Peace, here I come, ready or not”

EARS TO HEAR AND EYES TO SEE

EARS TO HEAR AND EYES TO SEE
(Spenserian Sonnet)

Roger A. Davis

We were two seeds upon the trodden ground
And separated by the stream and pod
A crow swept down and we were dinner bound
But our two pods fell back to the good sod

Our souls did dare to ask, “Is this His rod?”
For we laid together knowing we were to die
We dared to ask, “Is this the hand of God?”
Our struggle was for each to say good-bye

“But Fear, Death’s life work is not to pry
Its work has brought about our roots so deep
And now the birds will sit on us and try
To feed upon the fruit we bear and keep”

“O Lord, some fall upon the rock and thorn!”

“But, Dear, Your God raises these who you mourn”

THE OLD MAN AND THE NEW

THE OLD MAN AND THE NEW
(Shakespearean Sonnet)

Roger A. Davis

We knew each other for such a very short time
Our paths had crossed in the mid-morn stroll
Your pace was slow and mine was in its prime
The days were mind; upon you they took toll

For you, I was a mirror of the past
But in you, I saw no eternity
Your worn out face, my future did not cast
For I could not see that serenity

And now you’re gone from the walks in the field
The days are many since we shouted, “Hi”
And now I’m troubled what the future will yield
The days are many since we said, “Good-bye”

The years have passed and have taken their due
But what peace, old friend, I’m nearing you

THE M.C. OF THE OLD RUGGED TREE

THE M.C. OF THE OLD RUGGED TREE

Roger A. Davis

Come on down
Sweet Jesus
Come on down
The price is right
Sweet Spirit
Come on down
By the Blood of the Lamb
We have been chosen
Come on down
Sweet Jesus
Come on down
The prizes are eternal life
And a crown
Come on down
Sweet Jesus
Come on down
And write our names
Anew
Come on down
Sweet Jesus
Come on down
For the price has been paid by you
Come on down
Sweet Jesus

TALENT SCOUTED

TALENT SCOUTED
(The Tercet)

Roger A. Davis

Life is sometimes a joy
Hours lived in anticipation
Like a child opening a new toy

Unwrapping a secret sensation
Wondering if others hold its pleasure
Or where it all fits in relation

Such peace – why me such a great measure?
My brothers seem to have no part
There is this need to share this treasure

But how can it be dealt from the heart
Or where are the words that convey
How others may gain their part?

To pass it on is but to pray
That you and yours
Have a Christ-filled day

LIMERICKS

LIMERICKS

Roger A. Davis

INFLATION

The guest ate and did not take his fill
Yet the waitress came bearing the bill
It left him flat broke
And caused a big choke
Followed by the reading of the will


HARES IN THE SOUP

The rabbit no longer did hop
He had come to a complete stop
When the turtle did pass
Rabbit asleep on his ass
Did place turtles forever on top

DIPLOMACY REVISITED

DIPLOMACY REVISITED
(Chaucerian Verse)

Roger A. Davis

And should a husband be always on guard
To watch his speech and not let it offend
His wife who keeps a mental scoring card
Which totals her winner in the end?
If he said nothing and just grinned
When she would wear a new dress today
And he only a grin; there’d be war to pay

My advice to you men that marry
And want to have a truly blissful life
Where happiness is very, very merry
And void of gloom and unromantic strife
Is but to find a lady like my wife
Now if you think this wasn’t at all true
You, my friend, read it again for the clue

CARAT TOP

CARAT TOP
(Blank Verse)

Roger A. Davis

While other students repeated rote and old quotes
You gave this gift, a time of being free
We ran and dug into our diamond minds
At first it seemed we were alone, no vein
As time went on we began to see jewels
They may have been uncut and tarnished stones
But you knew not to hurry the cutting edge
Now the riches are being brought to the top
The tools of mining were patience and praise
And may you have a necklace bright and tooled
For I’m very thankful for fine days as these

BUGGER NOSE

BUGGER NOSE
(The Rondeau)

Roger A. Davis

The white shaggy sheep dog is our
Angel in disguise
For we have granted him power
When he barks and cries

Then we chance to say our good-byes
Our hearts do surely sour
The white shaggy sheep dog is our
Angel in disguise

Nature calls in the midnight hour
Chumely bids me to rise
Standing on the bed like a tower
Licking my tired eyes
The white shaggy sheep dog is our
Angel in disguise

BIRTH PANGS

BIRTH PANGS
(The Triolet)

Roger A. Davis

And the night reveals a star
Which the day has hidden
Light and dark do spar
And the night reveals a star
Which the sun’s ray can’t mar
When it turns so far
And the night reveals a star
Which the day has hidden

YUK AND YUK

YUK AND YUK
Roger A. Davis

I’m not able to write a poem with verse
That has to make sense and rhyme is hard
You never heard me proclaim to be a bard
This poetry writing could cause one to curse
Never would this poem put coins in my purse
Who said, “Anyone could write a birthday card”?
See me now, having to use the word chard
To make the line rhyme – I need a nurse!

This is supposed to be an Italian sonnet
For the requirements of this writing class
But I think the feather did miss the bonnet
And I pray that Harley would let me pass
For I’m very sure no one would want it
Don’t you think this poem was very crass?