Tuesday, June 03, 2008

FATHER'S DAY

FATHER’S DAY

Roger A. Davis

DAD: Jack of all trades, master at all
Taught us to get back on, never accept a fall
His work ethic was 110 percent
Go the extra mile, even if you’re spent

After a hard day’s work and he was beat
He would still lie on his back and put up his feet
We kids rode Dad’s soles as he held each hand
We’d laugh, it was like flying; it felt grand

Camping and fishing trips, in state and out
Passed on the secrets to catch trout
Built a log cabin in the mountains; a life-long dream
Location: Colorado, right above a stream

Some of the best times of our family’s lives
Get togethers – friends, children, husbands and wives
Yet, even when the snows sent them packing
Their hospitality in Kansas was never lacking

So, Dad, the patriarch of our clan
Thank you for your legacy of being a KU fan
You are truly, truly terrific
And, in your will, a bigger portion for me – be specific

ANNA'S WEDDING DAY

ANNA’S WEDDING DAY

Roger A. Davis

It started in her girlhood dreams
Fantasies of her wedding dress seams
She prays for her soul mate
Trusting God for her fate

Courtship came her way
Followed by Engagement Day
Plans made to set the occasion
To bond forever this association

Sending out invitations to their guests
Choosing attendants who only think of their best
A church, flowers and songs to be selected
Yes, there is some nervousness detected

As the day draws ever near
It is okay to sob or shed a tear
Because you two become one
By the Grace of God’s Son

The day arrives for the groom and bride
Ushers will allow attendees to choose a side
Wedding March plays to begin the procession
With the pastor, they will make their professions

Rings exchanged and "I Do’s" spoken
Rings symbolize an eternal token
A kiss and then they are presented to us
They are introduced as Mr. and Mrs.

A reception will follow to congratulate the newlyweds
The photographer will shoot many heads
Leaving with the throwing of rice or wheat
A young girl’s dreams for this day will soon be complete

PRAIRIE VIEW IN REVIEW

PRAIRIE VIEW IN REVIEW

Roger A. Davis

I got a questionnaire the other day
Didn’t fill it out; not my way
In 2001, I had a 15-day stay
Bipolarism, they did say

I was very rowdy in that mental ward
Escaped; home I was headed toward
Police caught me and back I went
In a padded room, that night I spent

After that, an ideal patient I became
Wanted to be out, so I played the game
Took the meds to calm the manic mood
I’ll say one thing, they had great food

I had caused a lot of strife
Especially for my son and wife
Got to leave and go to work
Shortly quit the meds; once again, became a jerk

Another two weeks stay in a different place
I made a bona fide effort to join the human race
They stopped giving Lithium and put me on Depakote
Eight years now, it has righted my boat

Mental illness causes emotional scars
It’s only by the Grace of God, I’m not behind bars
Wish I could dissolve all that emitted pain
Yet, I found out my true friends; they remain

Mark W., my therapist, I see every month or so
A Christian counselor, this I know
Sharing everything, the good and bad
It’s very healing; I never leave sad

This poem was difficult to write as a review
To open my soul to give others a bird’s eye view
If you’re struggling with depression or whatever
Please seek help. It’s not hopeless!! Never!!

CODICIL FROM THE ASYLUM

CODICIL FROM THE ASYLUM

Roger A. Davis

MY LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT
I leave to science my collection of belly button lint
Eyes and ears, I’ll be one of those donors
Designated to government bureaucrats, The Boners

My red shag rug carpet of 40 years
Which has absorbed much spills and tears
May it be given to Exxon's CEO
For the next big leak, it will be ready to go

My assortment of keys that don’t fit anything
In my estate auction, see what they bring
Include my unknown electric appliance cords
And circa 50s, 70s and 90s ironing boards

My clothes, donate to a college sorority
Tell them to have a baggy party
Just think, my apparel on a pretty co-ed
Too bad I can’t be a guest; I’ll be dead

Now, for all my papers, receipts and files
Shred them and make two enormous piles
Kidnap a real tall man and woman, coat them in glue
Roll them in it and sell them as Mr. and Mrs. Bigfoot to a zoo

You see why I write this revision of my will
This mental institute is my home until
So please, these instructions must be carried out
As far as the rest of the millions there is no doubt

Setting up a fund for telemarketers
Hiring a secretary to handle those inquirers
She’s to buy what they are selling
How long my fortune will last, no telling

But when the last penny is spent
Put all those products in a giant circus tent
And have a big clearance sale
Then give the money to my imaginary friend, Chip Dale

DISASTERS

DISASTERS

Roger A. Davis

Typhoons and earthquakes
Giant waves and land shakes
Hurricanes and tornadoes
Water and wind foes

Avalanches and mudslides
Calamities covering mountain sides
Injuries and people die
Many ask God, "Why?"

Help from governments and relief teams
The world over, recovery is going on, it seems
The volunteer has a good heart
Many descend to do their part

Some disasters are caused by mankind
Terrorists everywhere we find
The misguided shooting up a school or mall
The Twin Towers; the lethal fall

Wars, genocide; what’s wrong with the human race?
Annihilation seems to be our pace
Nuclear bombs, is this to be next?
Alas, may this not be written in our history’s text

We are born to die and leave this life
No matter what we do, we will have strife
Yet, even in all this terror
It is not God in error

The world is a place of birth
Shaping us into what we will become on departing earth
Don’t cringe and just try to get by
Have faith in Jesus, and when you can help, try

TOO SKOOPS

TOO SKOOPS UV RAY'S-N-BRAN BIZZ-TZAR

Roger A. Davis

KURS LITE, SHAR-MIN, ZEAR-ROX
HER-SHEES, PINZ-OYL, BOW-TOX
SAY-LIMBS, ONE-DUR-BREED
HAWN-DUH, SHIV-VEE, KAHN-ED

KRISS-KOH, WRON-KO, NITE-ALLS
BEAR ASS-PERN, MUCK-KAWLS
CLEEN-EX, SAIR-AH-LEA
DUH-BUAH DEE FORE-TEE

R-U-N 2 DIN-TEE MORE?
KAM-BELS SOOP, OAR
VELL-VEE-TAH, TRYS-KUTS
WREN-NULLS-RAP, PEA-ZAH-HUHTS

Y DEW EYE RYE-TAH LYE-KIC THESS?
B CUZ TIE-MUH IZ AUH MS.
PLEEZE PHINISH THUH PO-M
TUUK ATE OURS TEW RITE

PAUL-MOLLY-LEAVE, BICK
PREEN-GULLS, HEIR-WIC
EYEM DUN. O! K!
KRAZY-GLOO WOOD-U-KNOT SEIGH?

CONVENIENCE STORES

CONVENIENCE STORES

Roger A. Davis

In Kansas, lottery tickets they sell
Scratching at the counter; doesn’t sit with me well
Take them to the car and do your thing
So the clerk our items can ring

Now I know there is a bigger market up there
But almost double the price; is that fair?
To have to not go to the big store
Is it worth it to pay so much more?

Most have a gas pump, too
I long for those days when they helped you
Choices: Pay before you fill
Or put it on your credit card bill

These stores are most 24/7
Not sure about the chain called 7-11
They have a variety of names, like Fast-N-Go
Kwik Trip, Casey’s and Petro Pro

At night, if you have a craving like a pregnant wife
They’re to save your appetite life
Mostly, I use them for their restrooms
Wish they were more attentive with mops and brooms

Going to work and getting off times, it can be a zoo
I avoid them because standing in line makes me stew
Yet, when I only need an item or two, it’s quite handy
Especially when I need a bag of Jolly Rancher’s candy

Mom and pop stores used to suffice
You were known and always treated nice
But with the volume of traffic through a convenience store
It’s hard for clerks to gain a relationship anymore

This poem has somewhat of a negative slant
Would want to do away with them if I could, but I can’t
Here’s an idea: have a drive-up window there to buy
I’d be their best customer, this handicapped guy