WISHES

by LaRue Watts

"Wish I may, wish I might."
A silent prayer we made
When we were ready for the night
As down our heads we laid.
We threw some coins into a well
For wishes hoped to be.
And rubbing genie lamps could tell
Us we were granted three.
And everyone has always known
To wish upon that turkey bone.
But wishes now have come to mean
That malcontent is on the scene.
Should we wish for a better day?
Come find a star and wish away.

ON TURNING SEVENTY-SEVEN

by LaRue Watts

I just can't wait
Till I'm seventy-eight.
And doing fine
Hitting seventy-nine.
I'll Warren Beatty
When I turn eighty
At eighty-one,
I've just begun.
Now, eighty-two
Will see me through
To eight-three and on.
At eighty-four,
I'll still want more.
When I arrive
At eighty-five
With all the best to be
I may just pull a fast one and revert to two or three.

LOSING TOD

by LaRue Watts

When we were young, he was my guide.
He showed me visions, far and wide.
He forced my instincts to take hold
And brought me heat where I'd been cold.
He nurtured talent, drove me on,
He made each loss feel like I'd won.
We were as soul mates, meant to be
And that has been his life to me.
Now, in reflection, I know Tod
Was just a synonym for God.
If all of life is but a test,
Sleep well, my friend.  Enjoy your rest.

SEVEN WISHES

by LaRue Watts

I won't tag it Sleepy or Bashful or Doc.
And Sneezy or Grumpy would make people talk.
Not Dopey. Too silly. It simply won't do,
So wishing what's left....Happy New Year to you!

IF IT COULD BE

by LaRue Watts

If it could be Christmas the whole year through,
If it could be Christmas again with you,
I'd savor each moment as it flew by
And laugh without reason nor knowing why.
I'd give till my heart could give no more
And not even question what lay in store.
With no complaints and no remorse
I'd revel in our charted course.
We lived a life so full of mirth
That it was heaven here on earth.
Now, heaven's angels, or so it seems,
Appear beside you in my dreams
They bring me a Christmas again with you
They sing me of Christmas the whole year through.
How blessed is this silent night
When you and I again take flight
With angels through uncharted skies
Where joy and Christmas never dies.

GIVING THANKS

by LaRue Watts

The things I have, I do not praise
Though it's a worthy lot.
Instead, I live my waning days
With thanks for all I'm not.
I'm not alone. My blessings pull
Me far from feeling sad
And I'm content. My life is full
Because of what I had.
But should there be an Autumn frost,
My remedy rings true.
I'll kindle fire from all I've lost
With his smile shining through.

SHOPPING

 by LaRue Watts                                                                                                                                                                             

It began to rain as we left the store
And his umbrella sheltered me.
"How are you doing?" touched my core
And I replied "I'm fine, you see,
I cope each day as best I can.
I lost my love two weeks ago."
He gasped and said "I'm sorry, man."
And I could tell he felt it, so
He put the groceries in the back
Then turned and touched my cheek.
We had a moment, looking back,
I knew we should not speak.
This kid had somehow understood
What was and is my pain.
I watched and knew his heart was good.
As he left 'mongst the rain.
There may be sadder days ahead
And that may be my lot.
But I'll recall until I'm dead.
Crying in a parking lot
And how a young man touched my heart
With one kind word or two.
That made me feel that I should start
To live again, renew.
As I drove home, the raindrops ceased.
The teardrops left my eyes.
And it was good, to say the least,
With rainbows in my skies.