A BROTHERS LEGACY

by LaRue Watts

I was but a child of five,
When tragedy struck home.
"Your son, I fear may not survive,"
They told Dad on the phone.
My teenage brother was run down
As he had crossed the street.
It happened in another town
Where he had gone to meet
Some friends and see a "picture show,"
The name of which I do not know.

So I was taken from my bed
And still asleep, I'm told,
As parents left me, facing dread
For what their night would hold.

I wakened in Aunt Grace's arms
Where Mom and Dad had placed me.
She calmed my childish fear-alarms
And all the doubts that chased me.
What do you tell a frightened tot
To ease their troubled mind?
My Aunt, without a second thought
Had found a way, so kind.
"Don't whimper. I've the perfect fix.
Just try to think of baby chicks".

And to this day in search of sleep
I count my chicks instead of sheep.

My parents now are with their son
All things must end I fear.
But I recall the night I won
Sweet sleep from brother dear.

FIREWORKS

by LaRue Watts

Bombs bursting in air with sparkling display
Instills only fear in the cat.
She's under the bed away from the fray
And wanting no part of all that.
Her fourth of July is something to fear;
With brimstone and fire, she is miffed.
So, taking her time, she may reappear
But not until it is the fifth.
Understand that this kitty is never confused
And therefore contented to be
A "fraidy-cat" pet not the least bit amused
By the joys of our earned liberty.
That feeling, quite simply, is old hat to her.
She relishes it every day
And, thus if she pleases, she'll give you a purr
When fireworks and noise go away.

GUNS

by LaRue Watts

A crazy madman had a gun
And shot some people just for fun.
"If others had been armed," they say,
"It would have been a different day."
So when we each have pulled a gun
And aimed at someone on the run,
I wonder what police will do
When they find all of us in view
With firearms blazing in defense.
It really doesn't make much sense.
To me, the argument is moot.
Upon that scene, who would you shoot? 
In one split second, are you wise
To which ones are the righteous guys?

FRIENDS

by LaRue Watts

Have I known you forever
Or maybe just some years?
I know we both have clever
Ways to try to hide our tears.
But also with our laughing gift
We make each other smile.
We never seem to need a lift
To go that extra mile.
So when you ever need me,
I'm at your beck and call
To go where e'er you'll lead me
And offer you my all.
In turn, I have a special space
That's just for you assigned. 
It lies within that resting placed
Oasis of my mind.

THE QUEST

by LaRue Watts

For most of my life, I've been on a quest.
For what, I was not sure.
I knew that the heart beating in my chest
Endeavored to be pure;
To only see the good in those
Who chose to come my way.
For every thorn, there is a rose.
That's bound to bloom one day.
So when I found the loving tree
I thought my quest was done
For somewhere in the "you and me,"
We merged becoming one,
And yet, I feel I somehow knew
The quest was so much more.
The things I'd hoped for "me and you"
Were wonders still in store
In truth, you made the answer plain
As sunshine in the skies
As clear as day and right as rain
When seen with both our eyes.
It wasn't only love I sought;
I now know I was after
That miracle to me you brought
A tree with leaves of laughter.








 

A CERTAIN AGE

by LaRue Watts

I guess I'm of a "certain" age
Which means I'm rather old.
As I approach my final page,
My bio I unfold.
I grew up as a happy child,
Was carefree as a teen,
In young adulthood I was wild
And in the "hippie" scene.
By middle-age, I  mellowed out
But still had random hopes
Of living like a roustabout
And pulling circus ropes.
The sands flow swiftly in the glass
And it was not to be.
So there it is, "Alack," "Alas"
And also "Woe is me."
Some dreams I never did attain
Although I did my best.
They'll still play havoc in my brain
Until I'm laid to rest.
But as for now, it's day to day,
Await the final curtain.
Be happy for the "Come what may"
For such is life, I'm certain.
And I am of a "certain" age.
Have all my songs been sung?
How do you find that early page
And be forever young?

THE GOLDEN COUPLE

by LaRue Watts

I know some things are meant to be.
The Gods above arrange it,
Thus, he and she were sent to see
The world and somehow change it.
At first, in movies, they both grew
And klieg lights filled their skies.
They showed us life we never knew
Reflected in their eyes.
Hers, a hazel shade of green
And his, a steely blue.
But oh, the colors on that screen
When they came into view.
While fame is fleeting at it's best,
They both were on to that
And so they chose to meet the test
And don a different hat.
They took up causes, charities
To whom they'd freely give
And few were the disparities
In how they chose to live.
A star is meant to shine a light
Within the darkest dark
These stars took up that noble fight
And truly made a mark.
They turned a spark into a flame
To help there fellow man.
I would, we all could do the same
As Paul and his Joanne.