Now that I’ve reached a certain age
I worry that every bill
I get in the mail
could be the one
that tips the scale
that drops my accounts
below nil.
Even though
I’ve cut all the corners until
it’s now just a straight line
to the poor house
sliced the potatoes so thin
you can read the past due
notices through them
and still don’t have enough
left over to pay
attention or buy that
lottery ticket to salvation
Author: Jerry Brotherton
I am The Backyard Poet and I warn you that, not only will I ramble on about nothing but, I have been known to stand upon my soapbox and rant about things I care nothing about just to hear the sound of my own voice. I will try to force my opinion upon anyone willing to pay the slightest attention.
The Silence of Nature
Sometimes it shrieks, hoots or creaks,
whistles, cries, trills or squeaks,
rattles, russles gurgles or moans,
babbles, crackles, grunts or groans.
Sometimes it chatters, chirps or howls,
baas, ribbits, hisses, roars or growls,
cackles, coos, squawks or crows,
chitters, bleats, clucks or bellows.
Sometimes it, barks, buzzes or caws,
clicks, gobbles, gurbles or heehaws,
moos, humms, oinks, meows or neighs,
peeps, purrs, quacks, snuffles or brays
the silence of nature is a never-ending song,
forget your troubles and come sings along.
Now That I’ve Reached a Certain Age
Now that I’ve reached
a certain age
I’m afraid
every ring of the phone
every knock on the door,
Might be telling me
someone ain’t on this earth
no more.
Dropped stone cold dead
while lying on the couch
watching reruns of NCIS.
Cops rummaging through,
the mess. Looking for clues,
of who did what and,
who knew who.
But a bit excited too
that maybe one of the kids
or the neighbor or
a stranger selling bibles,
Dropped by
just to say hi
and I end up
having an hour-long
talk
About how
my warranty has expired
or why I’m always
so tired anymore
The Power of Words
I’ve listened to or read,
some of the greatest poets and bards,
that have left us their words through the years.
So many of those words,
have left my heart full of happiness,
and some others have moved me to tears.
Some wars have been started,
from the stirring speeches people spoke,
that sent many brave men to their grave.
Many eloquent tongues,
have demanded peace and harmony,
and we will honor those word they gave.
Fine words have been written,
upon our monuments and statues,
so history remembers their name.
Even some war mongers,
speaking words we must never forget,
have caused their nations to act in shame.
Some elaborate words,
have been used to describe how it feels,
anytime I come close to you.
Baby the sweetest words,
that these ears of mine have ever heard,
was when you said those two words,
“I Do.”
Monoku Monday Volume 2
#79
sunshine and no wind—a welcome reprieve while watching winter melt away
#80
childhood winter lost to december heat wave—hard to deny climate changes
#81
nighttime brings more snow so dig out those woolen blankets—winter’s not done
#82
snowflakes dance and swirl in the streetlight’s glow—a winter rehearsal
#83
fluffy snowflakes create a peaceful winter scene but chaos on the roads
#84
streets covered with ice and branches droop with their burden—warm by my fireplace
#85
cold, wet and nasty is all i have to say—winter’s here again
#86
twelve inches of snow makes travel impossible—sled ruts on the hill
Jerry Brotherton 