The Good Life?

On By Jerry BrothertonIn Poetry, Rhyming8 Comments

Our country is strong

We all know that

Said the politicians

To the diplomat

There’s no such thing

As an economic depression

 

Then they scurry on by

So they won’t have to gaze

Down the dark streets

Or the cold alleyways

Where America hides

Its transgressions

 

Happy New Year

On By Jerry BrothertonIn Poetry, Rhyming37 Comments

Ok ladies and germs. 2018 is just over the hill and it is never too early to be thinking about the dreaded resolutions. I have never really made resolutions in the past. Partly because I know I won’t stick with them and mostly because I pretend to be cool like ‘The Fonz’. But here is my list anyway and this year I resolve to follow them until at least the 4th.

 

I’ll join the runners at the starting line

I will clean those pantry shelves

Make a promise to spend more time

Creating a healthier self

Throw away all the junk food

Maybe head down to the gym

Eat less, walk more

And make my body slim

I will learn a new language

Maybe how to knit or crochet

I will put away all my pennies

To save for a rainy day

I’ll quit smoking and cussing

I’ll consume no more alcohol

I’ll adopt a pet, learn to cook

Start buying local and not at the mall

I’ll go to church, pray for peace

Try something new each day

I’ll learn to relate, to meditate

Speak only if I’ve something nice to say

I’ll be on time, get more sleep

Watch far less TV

I’ll say the words, “I Love You” more

To all my family

I’ll spend more time in the great outdoors

Enjoying the little things

I will become more confident

Maybe even learn to sing

I’ll stop judging people by the way they look

I’ll think before I speak

I’ll look for the good and ignore the bad

I will stand up for the weak 

Spend less time on Facebook

More time on the Backyard Poet

I’ll write more blogs, make new friends

Be more considerate and show it

 

 

 

Coincidence, Fate, or the Hand of God

On By Jerry BrothertonIn flash, Short Stories2 Comments

Just a few miles down a dust covered road from my hometown of Wakenda, the Missouri river rolled its muddy water eastward. It offered life to the small farms struggling against poverty. It offered money to the barge owners that floated its turbulent waters. It offered hope to those that moved their goods to better markets.

But to one young boy standing silent on its bank staring into the murky water… it offered a promise. It promised to cool the sweltering Midwest heat that was beating down on his shoulders with the fierceness of Hell itself. It promised to take away his pain and give him peace. It promised him that he would never be hungry or ridiculed for being different. It promised him he would never be rejected. The hypnotizing swirls called to him; whispering to him a promise of freedom.

What a simple thing it would be to do, he thought. Just slide one foot closer to the edge. Just one small step and let the water surround him. With a smile of contentment on his face, he turned to take one last look at his friends as if to say goodbye. That’s when he realized he was getting a bite on his fishing line.

“Holy shit,” he said as he reached down and cupped one hand around the pole and gave it a jerk. Ten minutes later, he was holding the largest catfish any one had seen in years.

One moment…

A single point frozen in time…

Placed there, perhaps, to change one person’s world…

 

There is more to a poem than a rhyme

There is more to a day than just time

Through all the hatred, laughter and sorrow

There will always be hope of a better tomorrow

My Apologies

On By Jerry BrothertonIn flash, Short Stories17 Comments

Let me begin by offering my sincerest apologies.

As most of you know, I work in retail. Well, I can tell you that the retail world comes filled with its ups and downs for sure. Either everyone believes that Trump is the new Savior or perhaps they are convinced that the world is coming to an end. Whichever the case may be, they are definitely stocking up. Although I’m not really sure why we would need so many Fidget Spinners, Fingerling Puppets, or Hatchimals in the New World Order. Maybe I’ve just been so busy that I didn’t get the memo.

At any rate, November found me totally unprepared. So I was unable to spend the amount of time I would have liked with my fellow bloggers.

It appears that December is going to follow in November’s footsteps as extended hours and unusually large crowds vie for my attention. I know that I have missed out on some wonderful blog posts from my fellow WordPress friends. Please forgive my silence and negligence. I will attempt to catch up when the world slows down and people regain their sanity.

Until then, I would like to send you belated blessings for the Thanksgiving holiday and wish you a safe and joyous Christmas season.

Age

On By Jerry BrothertonIn Poetry, Rhyming9 Comments

Mortality rides upon my shoulders

Whispers words of doubt into my ears

It has taken from me precious moments

With the blink of an eye turned them to years

Tearing at the cracks in my memories

Revealing my deepest desires and fears

Confusing fantasy with reality

And turning happiness to sorrowed tears

Incoherant Ramblings 2017