THANKSGIVING FEAST

THANKSGIVING FEAST

Roger A. Davis

I'm usually asked to give thanks
Which I include Jesus, who tops the ranks
Family, fellowship and food mentioned, too
Concluded with gratitude for blessings not few

Turkey is carved, white meat thick
But the drumstick is my pick
Giblet gravy and cornbread stuffing
‘Please pass’ is my impatient huffing

Mom’s pumpkin pie with whip cream
Oh so good, it’s no nighttime dream
Bread & Butter Pickles and crescent rolls
This day, all our diets take their tolls

Football, card games and catching up
To get your two cents in, just interrupt
That’s our family way, you see
No one minds, there’s so much glee

Enjoying family while sitting in an easy chair
Truly thankful, I have a praiseful stare
Again, I don’t thank my lucky stars
But the man with the nail palm scars

THE UNJUST OF MUST

THE UNJUST OF MUST

Roger A. Davis

Sign says "MUST EXIT NOW"
Oh no! Wrong lane, holy cow!
Having been there and done that
I follow up with a, “Hey! You dummy!” chat

Must pay taxes and die, they say
Dust to dust, yes; no W-2, some don’t pay
Do not pass go, directly to jail
But this might happen if you fail

In college, English is a must take
We’ve been speaking it for 18 years, give us a break
Math is required still for a degree
But with calculators, “forgo” is my plea

Having gotten a B.A. in Sociology
Teachers out there, do you need an apology?
Yes, my English skills lack
This blog site shows that, if you keep track

But it’s a must read for family and friends (LOL)
For all others, it just depends
If they identify with my rambling thought
Seriously, we’re never too old to be taught

When we are told we must do a thing
In our soul, off goes a warning
An unjust must might be the request
Yet, in the U.S., usually, we decide what is best

ROTATE ON INTERSTATE

ROTATE ON INTERSTATE

Roger A. Davis

Set it on 72, my cruise control
No worries with the Highway Patrol
Yet, cars go around me like I’m sitting still
Often, flashing lights are their bitter pill

Belts of concrete crisscross this nation
Making it convenient to drive to our destination
Whether it be relation, vacation of relocation
Interstates are in a continual flux of fabrication

Here in my state they are I-70 and I-135
West-east, latter north-south to drive
Salina, crossroad of the two
Turn right, just a few miles to Rolling Hills Zoo

Vacationing, we used to play Tag Poker for cash
It was a way to reduce the boredom and my stash
Then states started using three letters
This put the game in fetters

We played 'I Spy,’ items viewed from the car
Also 'ABC', advantage here, my ability to see so far
There was the radio and now CDs
It can get old looking at the same trees

Rest areas, 25-50 miles apart
Should I stop? It was only a small fart
Exits give access to towns and other roads
But, watch out for entering semi loads

I travel interstates near a 1000 miles a week
Even though gas prices over 3 dollars peaked
This fuel tax I’m glad to pay
Avoiding stop signs and going slower, like the old way

PICTURE ON THE WALL

PICTURE ON THE WALL

Roger A. Davis

Picture, a thousand words or more
Can even be placed on ceiling or floor
Family photos are a very common theme
Youth put up their favorite sports team

Whether it be prints, oils, paints or penned
They can be priceless like an old friend
On my walls, I have some of all, you see
Rendered especially for Peggy and me

Two in our front room, created by my son
Indian Warrior by Christopher, it was amazingly done
A Cheyenne Village, Connie did with fabric and paint
We are so proud of her, she is my sister artist saint

We have seascapes and mountain scenes, too
Yet, when Peggy died, I auctioned off a few
Those which remain, I must say
Mean more than words and I’ll keep ‘til my dying day

I encourage you to go to galleries and such
I have literally cried by the artist’s touch
Art appreciation is a God given gift to us all
His creation is His display wall

HOARDS OF BILLBOARDS

HOARDS OF BILLBOARDS

Roger A. Davis

In the old days, many were ‘Burma Shaves’
Plus the standard ‘Jesus Saves’
Barns got commercials also
Even to this day, you see a billboard silo

Many tell you what exits to take
Motels sometimes tell you the price at stake
Some DAYS INNs change electronically
From 85 to 58 during the week, you see

My favorites advertise with added time and temp
Then, there’s Goodyear and MetLife blimp
'You’d be home now if you lived here”
I think it’s for town folk who drink too much beer

There are states that restrict their use
Got to admit, pristine landscapes take the abuse
Yet, for many of us, they’re maps for fast food
And their vast numbers do not make us brood

Small towns will list their attraction
Hoping travelers do an off-interstate distraction
Historic sites, the usual lure of bait
Yet, loss of commerce is their overall fate

But for those who exit and take new scenic routes
Hardly ever does it end in pouts
We discover hometown hospitality
And interesting local history

There are hoards of billboards on our byways
Even telling us how far from KU and Fort Hays
Many small ones during political races
Trying to influence our voting paces

It’s like the Yellow Pages in the sky
And, yes, their number can cause a sigh
But this old man needs the listing
Eyes not so good, helps me in not missing