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
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 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
~Show Me Your Papers~
No my friends, it's not 1940's Germany. It's 2026 America. It's not Gestapo or SS but the National Parks System.
As of January 1st, you must now show proof that you are an American citizen or you will have to pay a $100 surcharge per person to enter a National Park. So the over 14 million international visitors to our park system, those who also stay in hotels, fly in airplanes, eat at restaurants, buy souvenirs, ride in taxis, trains or rental cars, are now being told to stay home. We don't need you here.
I have to wonder, what's next America? Maybe numbers branded on our hands. Or perhaps a nice little swastika tattooed right in the middle of our foreheads.
Wake up people.
Reminiscing
None of us old folk ever talk about
how we were forced to play outside
every weekend and every summer day
from sunup until streetlights glow.
All those sun burnt faces,
shoulders and ears,
wet clothes and frozen toes.
sweltering heat, torrential rain,
blizzards of drifting snow.
But oh,
how we do love to ramble on
about how much fun we had watching
mud puddles drying,
icicles melting,
and how excited we were to watch the grass grow
into yet another year.
Jerry Brotherton 