Category: challenges

After

I’m sitting here silent and horribly sad
And frightened and anxious and solemn and mad.
How did this all happen?  How could this be done?
I’m shrouded in darkness, there will be no sun
To shine on our future, to help us to see
We’re better than this in the land of the free.
Yes these days are dark,  the clouds have amassed.
It could be some time ‘fore the terror has passed.
I find myself weeping,  I find I’m afraid
About the decision my country has made.
Is this who we are now, divided and mean?
I guess over time that remains to be seen.

Our children are watching, they’ll know where we stood.
Did we stand beside evil or stand up for good?
Black people, white people, those from afar,
Gay Brothers and Sisters,  we know who we are.
We must stand together, together we’re strong.
And speak against hate and the things that are wrong.
We need all your passion if change is to come
There may be hard times till our work here is done
But they can’t defeat us, we’ve been here before.
Stand up and be counted, we’re worth fighting for.

Sports

I hate sports, there I’ve said it.
They stink and they’re no fun.

I hate sports, yes I’ve said it.
I hate each and every one.

The teachers think that sports are great.
They’re what kids like to do.

But if you’ve ever been picked last
You know that isn’t true.

So what if you can hit a ball
Or jump or catch or throw?

When teacher says it’s time for gym
My mind says No No NO!

You are not a better person
Because sports work for you.

It doesn’t mean you’re smart or kind
Or brave or sweet or true.

It simply means you’re good in gym
That’s fine, I think that’s swell.

But if you just plain stink at sports
Gym is a living hell.

How ’bout we change things up a bit
And make ballet the thing.

And no more football, just Swan Lake
That would be dazz- a- ling!

And then some tap and modern dance
Let’s see how that would go.

And no pep rally in the fall
Instead, a dancing show

Someday I hope we change our way
That would be cool and bold.

For now, take heart, this too shall pass.
There’s no gym class when you’re old!

 

 

 

 

 

My Friends

It’s hard for me to talk to kids
My tongue gets in the way.
My thoughts are all a jumble
And I don’t know what to say.

But I have friends you can’t believe
Who visit when they can.
There’s Audrey, she’s from Little Shop
And then there’s Peter Pan.

Oh how I love my Broadway friends.
I love the things they say.
We like to sing and laugh and talk
They’re the best in every way.

I don’t care if they’re real to you
For they are real to me.
And they give me more enjoyment
Than kids that you can see.

So when you think I am talking
To myself, that no one is there.
I’m really having a grand old time
Rehearsing with Javier.

 

 

Fear

Standing on the diving board
I’m hoping to jump in.
No one else is scared to death
Not Matt or Josh or Em.

Not Spencer, he’s a natural.
He runs, then bombs away.
But here I stand knees shaking
I close my eyes and pray.

Come on, just let me do it.
And do it in a flash.
Just move, come on, start running
Make one big, awesome splash

But I just stand here frozen
I guess that would be fine
Except for kids complaining
‘Bout the hold up on the line

That’s fanning out behind me
I’m clogging up the works.
“Come on, let’s go, we’re waiting”
Is yelled by all the jerks

Okay, here goes, I’m moving
This day may be my last.
I’m falling to the water
And really falling fast.

But wait, that’s it, it’s over?
Well that was no big deal.
My fear has failed to stop me
Now pride is all I feel.

I’m laughing and I’m hooting
My grin’s from ear to ear.
I’m fearless now, a diver
The best darn diver here.

As I continue diving
Over and over all day
The only thing I’m thinking
Is one, two, bombs away.

 

Labels

Sounds are incredibly loud to me.
They ricochet in my head.
And please, no touching, it’s not my thing
Just smile when you talk instead.

“He’s just strange,  he’s an oddball, he’s weird.”
That what’s been said by many.
They have no idea of how I feel.
They aren’t aware of any

Of the thoughts that I am thinking of
How really smart that I am.
It’s the social things that trip me up
I wish they could understand.

There are many facets to people.
How they walk, and talk, and play.
That’s why snap judgements may let you down
And often get in the way

Of actually knowing a person
Finding how you can relate.
So take some time and give it a try
Or else it may be too late

To really see who someone may be
Not the silly surface stuff.
You may connect on the tiniest point
But one point may be enough

To start a relationship growing
You must nurture it with care.
You may find you have a lifelong friend
A person who’ll always be there

To help when the times get really tough
Or just for a pleasant day.
It takes effort to know a person.
Don’t let labels get in the way.

Growing Old

My Grandpa once owned a business
He was chairman of the board.
But now he just sits quietly
As one of a growing hoard

Of people who are awaiting
The next thing they’re to do.
Breakfast is a ten o’clock
Arts and crafts at two.

An afternoon activity
A movie or pleasant talk.
When it’s nice, he goes outside
For a slow and peaceful walk.

“Once I held sway whenever I spoke.
I dazzled with brilliance and told a great joke.
I came out on top, in business and life.
I had a great future, a wonderful wife.”

He’s in here but he is slipping
Quickly and oh so far.
You’ve come to say hello to him
But he may not know who you are.

He’d hate it if you felt sorry
For what he now must bear.
See, he once lived a fabulous life
His hand’s been more than fair.

Please do come back for a visit
He has good days and bad.
He just may spark and be himself
And then you will be glad

That you have made the effort
To come and say hello.
Cause grandpa’s still inside here
That’s what you need to know.

 

 

Understanding

I know you think I’m listening
When I’m smiling up at you.
I nod my head and focus hard
So you think it is true

That I process information
And get what you say to me.
But all I’m hearing in my head
Is la la la la lee.

I’m singing songs and rapping
‘Bout things I’ve heard before.
The stuff you hope I’ll understand
Is just a total bore.

I pray that you’ll stop talking.
Oh please, just let me be.
But ’till that time I smile at you
And la la la la lee.

 

Concentration

I find it hard to concentrate
Especially during math.
Six plus seven is…”wait, did you see
That squirrel running up the path?”

Six plus seven is…”Hi there John.
I like your shirt, I do.”
Oh, six plus seven is something.
Hold on. Ah, ah, ah, choo.

Once again now, six plus seven
Wow, this is hard for me.
“I wonder if after recess,
We’ll have a spelling bee?”

Six plus seven, then eight, nine, ten.
What did I hear you ask?
Six plus seven…I’ve no idea.
What a ridiculous task.

“You must concentrate, try harder.”
Well of course I’m hearing you.
Fact is, I am trying harder.
That’s all I ever do.

My mind jumps quickly, turns and spin.
I feel I’m quite a mess.
Six plus seven…Is it thirteen?
Calm down, that was just a guess.