Teach me how

How could you, mom?
tell me that all's well
and that Barnie's fine
he's gone to a farm
to care for his babies
that he'll soon return
How could you, mom?
I lay await for weeks
rushing to his kennel
after school each day
seeking Barnie's arrival
only to be disappointed
How could you, mom?
watch me as I continued
with my reckless efforts
in pursuit of happiness
hoping for my Barnie
to come back home to me
How could you, mom?
pacify yourself each night
as I cried myself to sleep
pray, tell how you did it
for my daughter's dog died
and I've sent it to a farm too

The times

We’d walk alongside each other
hand in hand, sharing a cookie
after class and during breaks
chatting away making no sense
oh, well those were the times
when life was made of exams
and score cards meant the world
when at the end of a long week
we’d rummage our bags for change
for left overs from our allowances
taking a bite off of the same
ice cream cone or a warm pastry
coating lips with smeared sauce

Oh, how times have now changed
all grown up and out in the world
selling lies and making money
engaged in talks with the board
discussing the course of many a life
once scrambling for a snack in class
now scorning at those frivolous times
then school was our meeting hub
and all classmates friends forever
now weddings be our meeting hub
and all people who were friends once

New horizons

Sunrise from Hotel Omni Southpark in Austin, Texas

Beauty beyond words

the sunrise over the seas

traveller’s window


Photo: Sunrise from Hotel Omni Southpark in Austin, Texas