SURVIVAL

by LaRue Watts

We all have days when the sun won't shine
And storm clouds will assail us.
But I find rain is just a sign
Tomorrow will not fail us.

To get through life with ups and downs
No matter how one's pain grows
When smiling skies show only frowns,
You must remember rainbows.

FRAGILE

by LaRue Watts

Some say climate change is fake
I have quite a different take.
No, fragile.

An o-zone hole is just a ruse
To blame emissions. Lame excuse?
No, fragile.

A fact can be an awful thing.
Denying isn't smart.
So stand and let your voices sing
A love song from your heart.
This earth we love is what we leave
The future generations
And that's a fact you must believe
To save our dying nations.
.
So let us hope that some day we
Can face our world and  finally see
No fragile.

REGRETS

by LaRue Watts

I've no regrets for loves gone by
Or most mistakes I've made.
My unkind words (no reason why)
Contain the dues I've paid.

I don't regret the weight I've lost
Or any that I've gained.
My life goes on at any cost
Though parts of it are stained.

I've no regrets for fools I've snubbed
Or suffered not at all.
I do not rue those lamps unrubbed
Or heedless "beck and call."

I need no reason to regret
The fears I've overcome
For every sun will one day set.
And every joy grow numb.

If I must choose my one regret
And dare I be so bold?
I cannot walk a dog, a pet
Because, alas, I'm old.

LIKES

by LaRue Watts

What do I like?  If you insist,
I offer you this partial list.
I like Sal and Kit and Holly.
I like Midler doing "Dolly,"
Connie, Lori, Clair and Joe,
Leon, Denis, Mark and Mo, 
I Like Susie Rosabella.
Act two of "Most Happy Fella."
Jeannie, Alex, Bill and Zach,
Beth, the best of one Wulf pack,
Kansas Sumner County Fair,
Gina who takes care of hair,
I like Allison and Lynn,
Any kind of country inn,
Kurt, who's Erwin Giesemann (Third),
Any Striesand ever heard,
The Warning clan and those they wed,
Rock and Roll's The Grateful Dead,
Parker, Chuck and dear Diane,
Disney's classic "Peter Pan,"
Caren, Gaile from college days.
Baseball teams with Willy Mays.
John, Marlene, (she's my muse)
Cousin Judy, (my good news)
Richard, Laurie, Jeri, Matt,
And their offspring and my cat,
Cans that have a pull-tab top.
I like Sandy, she's a cop.
I like Rice, a family name.
Next up? Midler doing "Mame?"
Struble, Murff, Bobek, Jayroe.
How much further should I go?
Linda Meade and Susan Druss.
Gee, I am a lucky cuss.
All these "likes."  Did I miss you?
Wait till you read Chapter two.

REMEMBER?

by LaRue Watts

Popcorn balls at Halloween when candy wasn't wrapped.
Cooking in the oven when dinner wasn't zapped.
"Chivarees" for newly weds.
Castor oil, the worst of meds.
Is it me or do we both remember?

Telephones you had to crank to get your "party" line.
Grape juice at communion and they told you it was wine.
Radio on Sunday night
Windy days to fly a kite.
Is it me or do we both remember?

Double feature picture shows with news and a cartoon.
Serials like "Radar Men" arriving from the moon.
Garden picking when they're ripe.
Out at midnight, hunting Snipe.
Wash "rags," not a Handi-wipe.

Remember?

Catching fireflies, punching holes into lids of jars.
Chocolate candy cigarettes and bubble gum cigars.
That first crush that got you kissed.
Oh, the days that now are missed.
April reminiscences lie sweetly in December.
Is it me or do we both remember?

BUT WHY?

by LaRue Watts

If anyone passes chocolates around,
I automatically put on a pound.
But why?

Whenever I'm dying for that special plate,
They've sold the last order and I am too late.
But why?

If I get too cold, I'll soon be too warm.
The picnic is planned and here comes the storm.
But why?

I have a few hairs growing out of my ears
And laughing too hard can bring me to tears.
But why?

I guess it's a fact and not just a rumor
That God in his wisdom has some sense of humor.
But why?

BALANCES

by LaRue Watts

For every King Kong
There's been a Fay Wray.
For ever sad song,
A glad roundelay.
I wonder if someone has planned it that way.
Balances.

For every tight shoe
There's barefoot delight.
For every J. Crew,
A Wal-Mart's in sight.
I wonder if someone has planned day and night.
Balances.

When nightmares abound, can't sweet dreams be due?
If sorrow's around, then happy is too.
Whatever is old can still become new.
Balances.

Each game when you've won it,
Had losses before.
And every old bonnet,
Knows Easter's in store.
We must realize that less can be more.
Balances.

Each fork has a spoon. Each heartbreak, some fun.
So ask for the moon for your place in the sun.
It all will work out within the long run.
Balances.