Life Lessons – Page 17 – Word Smith Wisdom

Social Fears

Social Fears

You seem to know

when there’s no way out.

You lay low.

You’re not out and about.

Call you wise.

Call you afraid of it all.

The other guys

saw you at the mall.

You’re a creeper.

You come and go.

You’re not a seeker.

You just lay low.

You stir the pot.

Then disappear.

Likely, as not,

it’s all out of fear.

When trouble brews,

you have been seen around.

If only I knew,

I could have made you found.

This is it.

Face up to your actions.

I’ll never quit,

to get an extraction.

You’re a creeper.

You come and go.

You’re not a seeker.

You just lay low.

You stir the pot.

Then disappear.

Likely, as not,

it’s all out of fear.

What’s the game?

Why do you always do this?

It’s not the fame.

But, it is a real risk.

It’s just you.

It is how you are.

Fear is it.

But, why be afraid at all?

You don’t fit.

Chill out. Just have a ball.

——–R. W. Johnson—–(2016)

Too Many Lies

Too Many Lies

Lies, Lies—–will it ever end?

You keep telling lies. Why pretend?

You lie about this and lie about that.

How can you lie about being fat?

You can’t seem to tell truth from error.

You say you’re here, when you’re really there.

But, you can’t hide your lying eyes.

You couldn’t, even if you tried.

There seems to be no truth in you.

It is all lies, no matter what you do.

You lie so much, as you try to explain.

It is enough to drive a man insane.

You’re world is distorted by all the lies.

It is not real. All made up of alibis.

It is a fantasy world where only you exist.

I have had about all I can take of this.

I am leaving. You call it a lie.

You don’t even start to cry.

In your world, this wouldn’t happen.

If it did, you’d feel like crap then.

You can’t even be truthful with yourself.

If you could, you would seek some help.

In your world, if it doesn’t work.

You make up a lie to fix the quirk.

If I could see inside your core,

I would find a shop of horrors.

Totally fictional existence.

Nothing concrete , just pretence.

You’re hanging on to reality by a narrow thread.

That thread may snap and you’ll lose your head.

There is little help for that, though you’ll be free.

No more pressures or stress.—– Just fantasy.

Wake up and smell the roses.

Yes, they are real. So is psychosis.

You are skating on the lunatic fringe.

One little slip and it is the end.

———————————R. W. Johnson—–(2016)

A World Of Change

A World Of Change

Welcome to my world.

If you are like me.

There really isn’t much to see.

It is not worth hanging around.

Yet, you stay, as I frown.

My life is boring.

Not much going on.

Most everything is gone.

It feels like the end every day.

Yet, you want to stay and play?

Welcome to my world.

What else can I say?

You insist on having it your way.

Soon, you will say ‘This sucks!!’

Welcome to all the muck.

I said it was boring.

Now, you know what I mean.

Will you up and split the scene?

I wouldn’t blame you if you did.

I often feel like I’ll flip my lid.

Welcome to my world.

It is what it is.

I have nothing left to give.

In this life, there is no rule.

Except I can never leave too.

My life is boring.

You can never run away from you.

This rings so very true.

I am stuck with what I have made.

Yet, you will not let it fade.

You are part of my world.

Things are changing fast.

I never thought it would last.

I can’t recognize my old life now.

It has all changed somehow.

My life is no longer boring.

You have turned the magic key.

You found the better part of me.

My world is magical, with no end.

I have found much more than a friend.

——————-R. W. Johnson—–(2016)

Fantasies Of A Poet

Fantasies Of A Poet

When I think of the emotions wasted on you,

It burns me out. Through and through.

I showered you with all my affection.

All I ever got was just rejection.

Makes me wonder if others would?

I feel ousted out, like rotten wood.

Then, I met her briefly, and I was hooked.

I saw her by a bubbling brook.

It was a beautiful day in the park.

When I talked with her I felt a spark.

A small fire starting in my heart.

Desire, but not knowing where to start.

I have to quit writing these poems.

Get dressed and grab some coins.

Find her again and let the fire grow.

Then, I think about why I was feeling low.

I don’t know if I could take more rejection.

It would be harder than losing an election.

But, I will never know if I don’t try.

I strap down my heart and prepare to die.

I may be headed for another crash landing.

I know a relationship takes understanding.

When I was with her we seemed to click.

Maybe getting to know her is the trick.

If she likes poetry, I will write her one.

Make it a happy one, just for fun.

There will be a method to my madness.

In the end, I pray for gladness.

I have nowhere to go, but up.

I just need to make sure I don’t get in a rut.

—————————R. W. Johnson—–(2016)

From The Dark Into The Light

From The Dark Into The Light

I am glad I was around.

You were going to the dark side of town.

You said you had to help someone.

I knew where you were coming from.

You would always think of others.

You would help them, despite your druthers.

It is not safe on the dark side of town.

There are rapists and evil clowns.

You will feel better if I come along.

Only for protection, don’t get me wrong.

You will want me to be around.

When you go to the dark side of town.

Together, we will make a team.

A couple who are looking mean.

Ready to take on any threat.

Don’t try something you will regret.

We made it to the one you seek.

They were ready to claim defeat.

They had hit bottom. Down and out.

Lying in an alley with feces about.

The place stunk to high heaven.

He had reached his Armageddon.

He was drunk and smelled like a brewery.

Too undernourished for any Tom Foolery.

He barely had the energy to walk with help.

This place wouldn’t rate one star on Yelp.

You will want me to be around.

When you go to the dark side of town.

Together, we will make a team.

A couple who are looking mean.

Ready to take on any threat.

Don’t try anything you will regret.

We got him up and the hell out of there.

He was almost more than we could bare.

She said “Are you ready to go with me?”

He said “Anywhere is a better place to be.”

We hailed a cab and took him home.

Cleaned him up and said he wasn’t alone.

Nursed him back to health again.

Got him in A.A. where he made a friend.

He remained sober and worked the steps.

He got a job. He had no regrets.

—————————-R. W. Johnson—–(2016)

Whatever It Takes

Whatever It Takes

Could I do it? No one else would dare.

I would much rather wrestle a bear.

It is dangerous and a little crazy.

But, then again, I thought—-Maybe.

Just because its never been done before

doesn’t mean it will end in gore.

It should be done on Halloween.

It is not as crazy as it may seem.

I could go down in history.

The only one to try it, you see.

But, then maybe they are right.

To try it will be a fright.

I am almost convinced to not try.

Just walk away and say goodbye.

But, something keeps saying ‘go for it.’

It will be frightening for a little bit.

Then, before you know it, it will be over.

I will then be rolling in the clover.

The rewards are worth the risk.

Better than the sidelines to just sit.

I will have a small cheering section.

Louder than the results of an election.

If I fail, my name will be mud.

Might as well change it to Elmer Fudd.

No, I don’t want to think of that.

I am a ‘do or die’ type of rat.

So, wish me luck, here I go.

I intend to steal the show.

———————-R. W. Johnson—–(2016)

Clean Conscience

Clean Conscience

I have felt upside down and turned around.

But, I kept my conscience clean.

It was just a rouse till you turned me loose.

But, I kept my conscience clean.

You were misleading and mostly unheeding.

But, I kept my conscience clean.

You were demanding and not understanding.

But, I kept my conscience clean.

I am not proud.

I’m just one of the crowd.

I try to be fair.

Though, it gets me nowhere.

I stick by my word.

My sincerity is not inferred.

You’re not that way.

I can’t believe a thing you say.

You cheated, lied, and even cried.

But, I kept my conscience clean.

I came to know you put on quite a show.

But, I kept my conscience clean.

It was all an act, you were a real brat.

But, I kept my conscience clean.

You were not true, I ended up the fool.

But, I kept my conscience clean.

I am not proud.

I am one of the crowd.

I try to be fair.

Though, it gets me nowhere.

I stick by my word.

My sincerity is not inferred.

You’re not that way.

I can’t believe a thing you say.

Now, you’re free to look for another me.

But, I kept my conscience clean.

I hope he is cool and can see through you.

But, I kept my conscience clean.

It will be hard cause you’re a real card.

But, I kept my conscience clean.

He could drop you and not be a fool.

But I kept my conscience clean.

—————————-R. W. Johnson—–(2016)

The Party Clown

The Party Clown

I’ve been here and I’ve been there.

I’ve been almost everywhere.

What I do is always fun.

No, I am not on the run

I am up, I am not down.

It’s the other way around.

Life is wonderful all the time.

Have another glass of wine.

Yes, I am a party animal.

Hippie hair and raunchy sandals.

I am always up for some fun.

Time to party. Everybody come.

People call me the party clown.

Mostly when you are around.

All know a clown never cries.

He couldn’t, even if he tried.

Yet, inside, I am a wreck.

Because you don’t give a heck.

I joke around at a party when you are there.

You don’t laugh, don’t look, you just don’t care.

What you’re doing is tearing this clown apart.

Dreaming of your love and not knowing where to start.

But,—- then,—- I’m a happy guy.

I feel good, with my head in the sky.

Yes, it is a long way down.

But, you will never see me hit the ground.

Famous last words of a party clown.

——————————————R. W. Johnson—–(2016)

The Legacy Of Billy Joe

The Legacy Of Billy Joe

People come and people go.

All except for Billy Joe.

He kinda just hung around.

He liked what he had found.

Though she paid him no mind.

At least she was not unkind.

The days turned into months.

Then it happened all at once.

Someone had shot her down.

Turned her life upside down.

She was an emotional wreck.

Billy Joe rubbed her neck.

He was supportive and kind.

She was at the end of the line.

She had no idea where to go.

She had never felt so low.

Billy Joe was there to lift her up.

To help her dig out of this rut.

In time, she felt much better.

He was there in any weather.

Then she finally met another.

Let nothing tear it asunder.

But, in the end, that died too.

She was hurting as to what to do.

Here came Billy Joe to give support.

He had only good things to report.

He was there till she felt better.

She wrote the guy a ‘Dear John’ letter.

Then, came that terrible day.

Billy Joe was taken away.

It was a terrible accident.

She wondered where he went.

Then, she realized he was the one.

Always there through tears and fun.

It hit her like a ton of bricks.

Cut her to her very quick.

Oh, what will she do now?

Without Billy Joe to help somehow.

Then, she remembered what he said.

The night he tucked her into bed.

“Take the good with the bad.”

“Don’t walk away feeling sad.”

“Tomorrow will be another day.”

“There will always be a way.”

She will miss Billy Joe a lot.

He helped her with all she got.

She remembered all he said.

Tomorrow, she will be wed.

He said this day would come.

Billy, I wish you were the one.

——————R. W. Johnson—–(2016)

Hillbilly Justice

Hillbilly Justice

Twinkling lights. Stars all around.

Yet, here I am, prison bound.

For a crime that I did not do.

I couldn’t do such a thing to you.

The judge said “guilty” in a make believe trial.

Said I would be put away for a long while.

Someone shot and killed you.

That was something I wouldn’t do.

I loved you with all my heart.

I thought we would never part.

There is no justice in this hillbilly town.

I was an outsider, I soon found.

Yet, I loved you. It was my fate.

You worked at the diner where I ate.

You served me my breakfast plate.

You said you hoped I liked the steak.

We started talking and I asked you out.

You accepted. I wanted to shout.
After a few dates, we were a number.

Locals wanted to put us under.

They didn’t take to any strangers.

Said I wasn’t born in a manger.

I came over to pick you up.

In your hand was a coffee cup.

You were dead on the floor.

A gun was lying near the door.

I grabbed it up and looked around.

That is the way I was found.

Neighbors heard the shot . Came to see.

What they found was only me.

They saw the gun in my hand.

I was a stranger in their land.

They wouldn’t believe my story.

The gun matched the bullet in Lori.

My finger prints, of course, were on it.

So goes the story of my sonnet.

I’m going to die in the state prison.

Every one said “They wouldn’t miss him.”

A stranger in a hillbilly town has no chance.

He’d be better off to not find romance.

A backwoods lawyer isn’t worth his weight.

Which was considerable, at my trial date.

Justice is a word with little meaning.

When it comes to keeping me from swinging.

——————————R. W. Johnson—–(2016)