Author: papasmurf

Confessions Of A Gun Slinger

      Confessions  Of A Gun Slinger

A big dark cloud is coming down.

I can’t see what is around.

I feel this may be the end of me.

Finally,—– I will be free.

 

I’ve been running most of my adult life.

Just because I had a few gun fights.

I feel my time is just about up.

Soon, I may take a bullet in the gut.

 

I won’t let them take me alive.

My bullets will fly like bees from a hive.

Sooner or later they will gun me down.

There is no way out that I have found.

 

I have only killed in self defense.

In a gun fight you can’t be on the fence.

They drew on me so I gunned them down.

There was not always someone else around.

 

I gained the reputation of a killer.

None of which ever did occur.

I am guilty before I am tried.

I would never make it to jail alive.

 

Justice for me is when they kill me dead.

They just want to put a bullet in my head.

If given a choice I would never shoot again.

I would hang up my guns and never sin.

 

But, my choice has been taken away.

I will either die today or live another day.

Sooner or later, I know what it will be.

Deader than a doornail, but I will be free.

 

Mothers, tell your sons.

Don’t do what I have done.

The end doesn’t justify the means.

Being the best is not what it seems.

—————————————R. W. Johnson—–(2015)

 

 

 

 

Remembering Back

      Remembering Back

I have a fast car and I can go far.

I’ll pick you up right where you are.

We can cross the bridge into the city.

Did I mention, you’re looking pretty?

 

When we get there we’ll have some fun.

Some call it mischief, but were still young.

We’ll do a little cruising around.

See what’s happening all over town.

 

It’s a sports car, but there’s room for 3.

Because you’re sitting right next to me.

I’m looking good with my girl by my side.

I drive around glowing with pride.

 

Soon, we see some others we know.

We all decide to go to a show.

It’s a horror flick, the scary kind.

Everyone knows my girl is mine.

 

She is cuddled up real tight to me.

She hides her head so she won’t see

the real scary scenes of the movie.

I just think it is all so groovy.

 

After the show we are driving around.

Somehow, we end up on the far side of town.

We know we are not welcome there.

We get out of there fast, wind in our hair.

 

Soon, we are safe and she snuggles close.

These are the moments I love the most.

It is true, we are only young once, so

I cherish every second, I’m not one to boast.

 

Yet, I know I am the luckiest person around.

To have a girl like you, I have found.

You build me up & never let me down.

When you’re around I don’t feel like a clown.

 

You are prettier than sunset over the sea.

You bring out the very best in me.

I’m so pumped when I’m around you.

Sometimes, I don’t know what to do.

 

I find a love song on the radio.

I tell you the words say it so

perfectly how I feel about you.

You just smile & do what you do.

 

These are the greatest times of my life.

When I’m older I might have a wife.

I may have a love that will be superb.

But, our first love, always, is a special word.

—————————————–R. W. Johnson—–(2015)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fastest Gun In The West

      Fastest Gun In The West

I live in a one horse cowboy town.

Why is it called a ‘one horse’ town?

The saloon rail has room for one horse is all.

The Livery Stable only has one stall.

Yet, it is a fair sized town.

Lots of people live close around.

One day a drifter came into town.

Got off his horse and looked around.

He went into the only saloon.

He ordered a drink. It was just before noon.

He sat and drank for awhile.

I rarely saw him crack a smile.

Then, another ‘gun slinger’ came in.

He looked around. He didn’t grin.

He saw the drifter & walked over.

He pulled up a stool. He looked bolder.

He said “Did you think you could hide away?”

The drifter didn’t have a thing to say.

He then said “You can run, but you can’t hide.”

The drifter just looked him in the eye.

‘Were going to find out if you’re the best.”

The drifter slowly opened his vest.

“I am not wearing a gun.”

“Then, you had better get yourself one.”

“If you don’t I will gun you down.”

“Then tell everyone I’m the fastest around.”

“You only have one chance to live.”

“Face me in a fair gunfight, or look like a sieve.”

The drifter slowly got to his feet.

Then he walked into the street.

He went to his saddlebags and got a gun.

He then proceeded to strap it on. Not for fun.

He walked into the street with the sun at his back.

The gun slinger said “You’re a dead man. It’s a fact”

The gun slinger moved and faced him in the street.

Neither said a thing as they spread their feet.

Then, the gun slinger made his move.

He was like greased lightning. Don’t be fooled.

But, he had barely started his draw

when a bullet struck him in the jaw.

His gun hadn’t quite yet cleared his holster.

The drifter was not any kind of boaster.

He turned and took off his gun.

Put it back in his saddlebag. He was done.

He mounted his horse and rode out of town.

Left the town folk standing around.

They buried the gun slinger in an unmarked grave.

Everyone knew how he had behaved.

They felt the drifter had every right.

He was the fastest thing in sight.

Yet, no one knew his name.

Even though, just the same.

The rumors spread of a man with no name.

He had a draw so fast, it was insane.

The drifter was never heard from again.

Seems he wanted it that way, they said with a grin.

—————————————————R. W. Johnson—–(2015)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contemplating Love

 

        Contemplating Love

Walking by the sea alone.

Kicking up sand & little stones.

Contemplating my own love life.

Mostly, it is heartache & strife.

I find a large spiral shell.

I listen to it & hear the swell.

It sounds just like the sea.

Then, I think of your love for me.

They say nothing lasts forever.

Yet, it could be a whole lot better.

I wonder where it went astray?

My mind wanders to another day.

Another place, another time.

A time where you are always mine.

A place where all that we do

is done to show our love is true.

Such a place is called paradise.

A place where everything is nice.

It seems it only exists in the mind.

There, it is safe, all of the time.

If possible, I would go there with you.

Then all my dreams would come true.

Our love would become as one.

We would have an eternity of fun.

Anything we did or anywhere we went

would bring more joy than peppermint.

Our lives would go down in history.

The “Book Of Love” would be you & me.

Day dreams; a great form of escape.

A way out of reality’s fate.

But, then, it all comes to an end.

The sun goes down & the wind comes up.

The beach is nothing but a deserted cup.

Something to hold my tears of sorrow.

I sit here & cry, thinking of tomorrow.

I drive home, trying to think of a way.

A way to bring you to paradise for the day.

Let that day stretch into years.

No more sorrow, no more tears.

Just you and me, making history.

It will happen dear, if you’ll just stick with me.

———————————————R. W. Johnson—–2015)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She Said “Yes!!”

       She Said Yes!!

The coffee is sweet.

It is such a treat.

On this dreary Sunday morning.

 

I check the time.

Everything is fine.

On this dreary Sunday morning.

 

You should arrive.

It’s no surprise.

On this dreary Sunday morning.

 

You come here nearly every day.

To have coffee & be on your way.

I am hoping this time you’ll stay.

I have something I want to say.

Will you accept this ring today?

If you won’t—- I’ll go away.

I’ll find some other game to play.

 

You arrive on time.

Everything is fine.

On this dreary Sunday morning.

 

You are surprised.

It’s in your eyes.

On this dreary Sunday morning.

 

You see the ring.

It is a special thing.

You say “Yes!!” My heart sings.

On this bright and happy Sunday morning.

——————————————-R. W. Johnson—–(2015)

 

 

Fear Intensified

 

      Fear Intensified

Late at night.

When the stars are bright.

People get a fright.

By what’s not there.

 

They may think .

it’s hidden in the drink.

They may raise a stink.

Or, may not care.

 

But, never look for lumps in the brew.

That were not always there.

It is known, beyond a doubt.

The truth is more than you can bare.

So, when it’s spinning round, round.

Smoke glass stain going down, down.

Do not think I am the one.

In the end, the ups and downs,

will lead to a different fun.

 

In the room.

That is filled with gloom.

There is no room.

To throw a chair.

 

You may fear.

It was the beer.

Let’s make it clear.

There’s something there.

 

But, never look for lumps in the brew.

That were not always there.

It is known, beyond a doubt.

The truth is more than you can bare.

So, when it’s spinning round, round.

Smoke glass stain going down, down.

Do not think I am the one.

In the end, the ups and downs,

will lead to a different fun.

 

Make it through.

He’s coming for you.

Don’t slip in goo.

You have to try.

 

Your time has come.

You’re on the run.

No time for fun.

No time to cry.——–R. W. Johnson—–(2015)

 

 

 

The Edict Of Depression

      The Edict Of Depression

Saturday and Sunday has blurred into one.

I spent time in a bar, walking the streets,

or in my small, one room flat, drinking rum.

I hardly remember what I had to eat.

I cannot recall the point where I became

the person who lives here in this existence.

Not sending Christmas or birthday cards is lame.

I become exhausted instead of tired, without resistance.

Things rarely start & stop at identifiable points.

Life tends to shade from one state to another.

To evolve, then dissolve, to grow like moving joints,

then fade & fall away—- like all others.

Books and poems with their words hide this.

With their quantized approach to reality.

With their pretence that emotional starts & stops exist.

That you can be in one state, then another, callously

refers to a life that is in one continual flux.

Yet, it all blends together, like a mental storm.

Nothing stays with me, except my tortured gut.

This is a perpetual hell into which I was born.

Alcohol just rounds off the sharp edges.

Things roll along easier when one is blotto.

I never give money or make any pledges.

Just to half-heartedly ‘ maintain,’ is my motto.

Nothing to look forward to. The past is a blur.

I live in an existence that is like a fog.

Don’t ask me where I’m going, I’m not sure.

I pass out each night and sleep like a log.

In the morning, nothing has changed.

No one is concerned.— No one cares.

I guess there is no one else to blame.

Loneliness is a state that is impossible to share.

———————————————R. W. Johnson—–(2015)

 

 

 

 

A Search For Answers

 

      A Search For Answers

Time marches on like it always does.

Should I take another shot at the dove?

Years of wasted time has rolled by.

Answers don’t come, no matter how I try.

This emotional roller coaster of life.

It has a lot of pain and strife.

There are dead ends & wrong way turns.

But,—- for whoever it concerns.

I have yet to give up this fight.

The answer is there. I will find it in this life.

What answer am I searching for?

The answer to life and much, much more.

Why are we here?  Where are we going?

It is a bummer going on & never knowing.

Emotions seem to get in the way.

A real hindrance at times, I must say.

Setting love, romance, & happiness aside.

What is left except a man’s pride?

They say I march to a different drum.

But, marching alone is not much fun.

Still I searched on, looking for answers.

Along the way, I even fought Cancer.

I was told: The answers are here.

If the words of the Bible are made clear.

The way for this is to pray for guidance.

The Holy Spirit will then sort out the lies hence.

Soon, all will become clear.

The path to TRUTH is clearly marked here.

I must accept it on faith alone.

But, it is The Way, I’ve been shown.

Following this path in faith I’ve found

all answers are true and sound.

My life’s dream has been fulfilled.

I have my answers and I am thrilled.

If you have wondered the same things too.

Search no further. The Bible is for you.

Pray for guidance & faith, first.

Then, the answers will come in bursts.

It will almost be overwhelming.

All will fall into place, I’m telling.

You will be a new person for your effort.

You will no longer feel fettered.

You and God will become one.

You will know what you’ve become.

————————————–R. W. Johnson—–(2015)

 

 

Hooked By Love

 

Hooked By Love

It’s  another affair of the heart.

The kind that often happens.

The emotions can tear you apart.

Is it a result of your actions?

 

It started innocent enough.

You were along for the ride.

Then, things got a little tough.

You could have run,— or lied.

 

Yet,—- you didn’t leave.

You stayed on for a reason.

What is it you want to achieve?

Is it coming in due season?

 

You must go a lot deeper this time.

Emotions run deep in the well of love.

To understand the reasons & rhyme,

you need to nurture the wild wind dove.

You need to seek true redemption.

Before you even try to mention

your true feelings concerning her.

 

The relationship develops.

Like they always do.

Soon, all will be enveloped.

Covering all you say & do.

 

Your total life revolves around her.

You don’t want it any other way.

You are hooked this time for sure.

You want it to work out, you pray.

 

You have tried your best to understand.

You try to enlighten every emotion.

You try your best to cope, like a man.

You just pray she has the same notion.

 

You must go a lot deeper this time.

Emotions run deep in the well of love.

To understand the reasons & rhyme,

you need to nurture the wild wind dove.

You need to seek true redemption.

Before you can even try to mention

your true feelings concerning her.—R. W. Johnson—–(2015)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valentine’s Day

 

      Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is here again.

A day for love and flying cupids.

A day for romance to begin.

Not a day for acting stupid.

 

First give her a special card.

One that expresses your love.

Things you failed to regard

all year, like you should of.

 

Then, follow up with flowers,

chocolates, or some other gift.

Be aware of February showers,

as the limo gives you both a lift.

 

A nice dinner, then a movie.

Maybe, somewhere else .

Your choice. Make it groovy.

Make sure your feelings are felt.

 

Make her happy and loved.

She will return it in full.

It’s a gift from God above.

It’s all more than just a show.

 

It is how you really feel.

Time to express all of it.

Let her know your love is real.

Pour out your heart. Every bit.

 

In the days that follow your love will grow.

Deeper love and respect will flourish.

Without Valentine’s Day, you might never know.

Just how great love is when it’s nourished.

————————————————-R.W. Johnson—–(2015)