Lessons
Past are the days of simple pleasures.
The sun snatching and catching a tune
from the clothesline in the morning.
Stories being caught and dropped in the sheets
as they wave on the crisp breeze
blowin’ sweet mist
through the Live Oaks.
These stories being
molded, folded and stretched
over back fences,
on front porches,
rocking back and forth
through the endless smoking imaginations
of our grandfathers forefathers
Passing these stories
of 20 mile journeys,
up hill in both directions,
on foot through 10 foot of snow,
or through 110 degree heat,
no shoes on your feet
with only the sweat from your brow
to quench your thirst.
Battling the storms of the century.
Feats of mythological strength
freezing, melting minds bodies and souls
in epic proportion.
These are the lessons for the youth of today.
Passing these stories
so they can understand
and appreciate,
but not under estimate
the value
of electricity and refrigeration,
ice makers and air-conditioning,
the progress of radio, stereo, 8-track, cassette
to CD, DVD and Surround Sound TV.
Teaching the value of indoor plumbing
versus the value of the Sony Playstation.
These are lessons for the youth of today.
Passing these stories
of senseless human conflict
over race, religion and ideology,
where there are no differences in physiology,
but they change the psychology,
and damage the sociology
of the entire human race.
These are lessons for the youth of today.
Passing these stories
of great teachers and leaders
with philosophies from all to learn.
Play with fire and you will get burned,
but harness this fire and in turn
you will learn
the strength, courage and knowledge to earn
respect from your fellow man.
These are lessons for the youth of today.
Passing these stories
from generation to generation
for the preservation of the past
and the cultivation of the future
so their children’s future
will be insured and secured
with the knowledge and tutelage
to live life as a privilege
These are the lessons for the youth of today,
tomorrow and all generations…
Because past are the days of simple pleasures.
The sun snatching and catching a tune
from the clothesline in the morning.
Stories being caught and dropped in the sheets
as they wave on the crisp breeze,
blowin’ sweet mist
through the Live Oaks.
These stories being
molded, folded and stretched
over fences,
on back porches,
rocking back and forth,
through the endless smoking imaginations
of our grandfathers forefathers.
Have you passed a lesson today?
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R L "whoopeecat" Stephenson has been livin' with the cactus and horny toads for many years. It certainly has affected his views, not to mention the few dances with peyote doin' the same. Slingin' hash, or grub to most folks, being an accomplished Executive Chef has put the groceries in the fridge and a roof over his head. He is editor/publisher of Whoopeecat Press. His work appears on various websites. Accomplishments - chapbook: "Nola in the Streets" and "Howlin' Cat Blues" - 15 poem CD.
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