Me Too

He would talk with anyone

And was quick to smile

A friend to all

And could talk a while 

My uncle Gary

My friend too 

Not one to be prideful

He laughed at himself 

He didn't need a reason

And it usually caught on

And so I laughed too

He snuck me into places

Where I wasn't supposed to be

And told me stories 

And showed me things I wasn't supposed to see

He'd show you too

And kept things 

Little things, special things 

All for his own 

Or save for someone

Possibly me

It's good to know I knew him

I laugh when I tell his stories 

I know like me you miss him

Me too

French Fries

I tried not to look at them

I had to avert my eyes

But all I could do was think of them

And keep on making up lies 

It's not that I lacked the strength

Or the will 

It's just that they're so darn good

And I had to have my fill 

So with resignation and relief I turn

And stop the lies 

There's no way I'll ever learn 

And grab a handful of fries 

The Track Meet

You didn't see me tonight

But I was watching you 

Watching you run

And holding your arms like you do

And watching you stand 

You have your own way to stand 

And so there you quietly stood 

And crowded the line

The gun startled me good 

I jump every time 

And by me you ran..........

So I thought on about you 

It's just what I do 

And keep deep inside 

All my hopes and dreams for you

The Other Side of Can't

Thinking that you can't 

Is a terrible place to be. 

And then you really can't

And you never will be free. 

The other side of can't

Is an endless possibility. 

So step right out and see. 

Or keep your seat if you don't agree. 

Birthday statement

Once there was a dude named Darren

He was happy as a Dude could be

His friends would say he's old as dirt

But not those that are older than he. 

Pictures

I've taken many pictures 

Of things that caught my eye

To freeze in time a moment 

Or help remember why. 

But it's interesting I've missed so much by living day to day

In work and in myself I've always lost my way,

And missed the Truth thats there to see in even little things. 

A picture of my daughter's smile

And the honesty and the joy it brings. 

A picture taken of myself 

Just tells me of my age 

As time keeps ticking on

My days turn one more page

And things I try to keep in mind

And keep from my forgetting 

Just seem to take more time 

and I truly fear regretting 

Not being there for you at times

To give you things you need;

To help you up and talk with you and all the other things I do.  

So I take pictures to freeze in time and capture what I see

So when I hold them in my hand 

I see you loving me. 

Old Age and Treachery

"Old age and treachery 

Will always overcome

Youth and inexperience"

That's what my Dad would say 

To me over and over again

With a triumphant tone

As if to give a warning 

And make me aware that

Defeat was my rite of passage 

To manhood. 

To lose was to learn I learned 

At least from his view. 

So I didn't want to lose 

And I began to embrace treachery, and yes old age 

As much as I could at my young age though I wasn't treacherous 

And I wasn't old. 

But I'm not so young anymore. 

My Appointed Time

I came at my appointed time

And was your loving friend

The sickness though I claimed as mine

And held it till the end.

The time I spent right here with you

through all these loving years

Was very comforting and good

You loved me and I loved you too

And yet you understood

That I knew I had done my work

And it was time to go

And you don't need to worry now

Because I really know

That I can smile and leave the pain

Finally this time

And I know I have served you well

at my appointed time.