MOM’S AGAINST DAD’S DRINKING

Happy Easter…

The April PAD Challenge rolls on, and for day 17 the prompt was MAD… I added a “D”, and with apologies to the Mother’s Against Drunk Driving, came up with…

MOM’S AGAINST DAD’S DRINKING (c) 2022 - G. Smith (BMI) ====•==== Mom’s against Dad’s drinking, Still, he’d have one every now and then. Sometimes he’d go cold turkey awhile, Before falling off the wagon again.

Mom’s always been real patient, She’s tried to stand my her man; Picking up the broken pieces, Doing the best that she can.

Dad was never a violent with us, He was quiet and some thought him tough; After Mom, whiskey was his weakness, One time’s one too many, a thousand’s not enough.

Mom’s against Dad’s drinking, Still, he’d have one every now and then. Sometimes he’d go cold turkey awhile, Before falling off the wagon again.

Dad always came back sorry, But the last time it was too late; You can only break so many promises, Ask folks too many times to wait.

Mom’s against Dad’s drinking, Still, he’d have one every now and then. Sometimes he’d go cold turkey awhile, Before falling off the wagon again.

Maybe Mom got angry, Or maybe she just got tired; See, Mom’s against Dad’s drinking, Still, he’d have one every now and then.

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TOUCHED

Moving into the second half of the April PAD Challenge, the prompt is TOUCH… Being where I’m from, the following came maybe a bit too easily…

TOUCHED (c) 2022 G. Smith (BMI) ~~~+~~~ Back home in the mountains, We’ve got a certain way, Of doing what we have to, And saying what we say.

We don’t ever mean it meanly, It’s always said with care; Don’t wanna hurt no feelings, We get along up there.

But when Mama talked about someone, Sayin’, “Bless their lil’ ol’ heart,” You knew in the next minute or two, The fun was ‘bout to start.

But the one thing no one argued over, The thing no one denied; I was a little different from most, And not because I tried.

“That boy’s a little touched, you know; Not right in the head; Nothing his folks can do, and so…” They paused and never said.

Most folks like their string music, I wanted mine electric; Bluegrass bands and clogging; I liked mine all raving and hectic.

Classmates were going nowhere fast, I couldn’t leave there soon enough; Graduated and headed south, Didn’t have all that much stuff.

And This boy’s a little touched, you know; Not right in the head; Nothing my folks could do, and so… “So long,” is all I said.

Yeah I miss my mama, And I guess I miss my paw; But I ain’t sure ‘bout him, because; I didn’t know ‘bout him at all.

So, yeah I’m alittle touched, you know; Not right in the head; Nothing no one up there can do, and so… “So long,” is all I said.

Back home in the mountains, We’ve got a certain way, Of doing what we have to, And saying what we say.

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OMNIPATIENT

Today, Good Friday, gave the Poem-A-Day prompt as PATIENCE… and given the holiday(s), this song of praise was, well, given to me…

OMNIPATIENT (c) 2022 – G. Smith (BMI) ——-+——- Your love for me is never ending, Despite the things I do Your grace is always all around Your presence pulls me through.

Your goodness is immeasurable, Your kindness knows no bounds; Your holiness remains the same, No matter where I’m found.

You are unchanging, eternal, and infinite; Righteous beyond all measure; Your Kingdom’s the Pearl of matchless value; The Treasure of all treasures.

Your compassion always holds me, Your mercies never fail; Despite my good intentions, That come to no avail,

You invite me into Your presence; You allow me to confess; To come in praise and worship; With joy and thankfulness;

You give me more than I can need; You invite me into Your rest; And You always remove my sin and shame, As far as the east is from the west.

You are unchanging, eternal, and infinite; Righteous beyond all measure; Your Kingdom’s the Pearl of matchless value; The Treasure of all treasures.

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ZEKE’S BLUES

Day 14 of the April PAD Challenge – write a SCARY piece… debated titling this "NICK CHOPPER'S BLUES" - but thought this worked better... Lemme know if you get the reference(s)... 😉

ZEKE’S BLUES (c) 2022 G. Smith (BMI) ====^==== I’m not adventurous, no braver than most; I’ll swim in the shallows, not dive off the coast. I’ll ride in an airplane, but I will not jump out; These things are too scary, of that I’ve no doubt.

Some are afraid of strangers, or clowns; Or finding they’re lost as a tourist in town. Others won’t ride in a car driving fast; And more than a few won’t revisit their past.

I’m not bothered by that, though it does give me pause – Memories of us are the proximate cause. I’ve faced most of my errors and mistakes, quite a few; But I still don’t sleep well when I’m thinking of you.

That day that we parted, the way that you cried; The pain and the questions there in your eyes. What would I say if you suddenly appeared? Deaf, dumb, and blind, is my biggest fear.

You said you knew you had a heart, ‘Cause you could feel it breaking; And now the memories of you, Sets my own heart aching.

Ghosts and flying monkeys, and zombies from the dead; Don’t keep me up at night, or fill me with such dread, As knowing how I hurt you, and, Katie, can’t you see, I still think of you, but do you remember me?

You said you knew you had a heart, ‘Cause you could feel it breaking; And now the memories of you, Sets my own heart aching.

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HOW TO LOVE HER

Lucky day 13 in the April Poem-A-Day Challenge, and the prompt was to complete the phrase "HOW TO _____"

After DRAWING a blank, I got kind of Guy Clark/Verlon Thompson inspired and came up with...

HOW TO LOVE HER (c) 2022 - G. Smith (BMI) ----+++---- I stood with Pa at the fence-line, watching the sun go down, And a truck out on the highway, making its way into town. I needed to ask his opinion, but I think he already knew, By the way neither of us was talking, which is what neither of us would do.

I finally said, "Pa, you know Katie," and paused 'til he answered he did, I said, "You know she's the sweetest and kindest, of any of those Jackson kids." He nodded, then added, "And the prettiest, too." I said, "You sure ain't lyin'." And finally he turned to look at me saying, "Out with it boy, I see that you're dyin'."

I said, "You may not have noticed; I've been watching you, Pa, "And all of the things that you do lovin' Ma, "I know it's not easy, but you make it look so, "What is the secret? I'd sure like to know."

He smiled and stared at the sky going blue, The sun way past down, the daylight near through. He took off his cap, ran his fingers through his hair, And the universe just stopped for the two of us there.

"Son, there's really no secret, you'll know when it's right, "When you do all you can to be with her at night. "When the work in the field, or shop, or the store, "Is only the means to give her roof and a floor.

"Holding her door, helping clean up the kitchen, "Not wanting the last word when she starts in arguing. "Saving hot water without being asked, "And just washing her back when she just wants a bath.

"Smiling whenever you see her - I've notice you do that already - "But this smile's a life long commitment, and not just some girl going steady. "There'll be times when her heart is aching, making your heart break, "And times when she's so happy, you'll know you've done what it takes.

"And that's how to love her - as simple as that." Then he asked and, answered, while returning his hat, "Will she love you in return, Son, will she love you in return? "Live and learn, Son, live and learn; "Love and learn, love and learn."

As always - toss you two cents my way and lemme know what you think and/or if you wanna co-lab...

g

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YOU CAN'T COUNT THE FISH IN THE SEA

The second 2-fer-Tuesday prompt in the April PAD Challenge was to write "COUNT" and/or a "DON'T COUNT" piece...

Hope y'all don't find this as a "no-account" piece...

YOU CAN'T COUNT THE FISH IN THE SEA (c) 2022 - G. Smith (BMI) =)|-|(= You can sit there and do your ciphering, Thinking you'll balance your books; Hoping and wishing for something else, Despite how the future looks.

You know you don't count your chickens, And it's best that you don't count me out; But be sure to start counting your blessings, Beyond any shadow of doubt, of doubt, Beyond any shadow of doubt.

And you can't count the fish in the sea, Katie, You can't count the birds in the sky; You can't count the leaves on the trees, you know; You'd be foolish to give it a try.

You can't count the grains of sand on the beach; You can't total the beats of your heart; You'll never add up all that you mean to me, You'd be foolish to give it a start, Katie, You'd be foolish to give it a start.

You know not to count cards in Vegas; Or rain drops in an afternoon shower, Don't try to tally all of the tears that you've shed, But try counting the laughter, the rainbows, and flowers, Katie, The laughter, the rainbows and flowers.

And you know you can't count the fish in the sea, Katie, You can't count the birds in the sky; You can't count the leaves on the trees, you know; You'd be foolish to give give it a try.

You can't count the grains of sand on the beach; You can't total the beats of your heart; You'll never add up all that you mean to me, You'd be foolish to give it a start, Katie, You'd be foolish to give it a start.

So don't count the days, dear Katie, But let's make each and every day count; No, don't count the days, dear Katie, But we'll make sure every new day will count.

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POWER LINES

POWER is/was the prompt for day 11 at the Poetic Asides April PAD Challenge…

Here’s where I was led…

POWER LINES (c) 2022 G. Smith (BMI) =+=+=+= Alone in the house, Alone on the street; With fine fancy clothes, Or no shoes for your feet. A banquet before you, Or nothing to eat; You might have all or nothing, And still feel incomplete.

But The power of kindness, The power of care; The power of love, Will power you there. The power of truth; The power of prayer; The power of the Spirit, Will power you there.

Surrounded by many, Surrounded by none; All work and no play, All serious fun; Too excited to sit; Too tired to run; Simply sit and rest, In the shade of the Son.

And The power of kindness, The power of care; The power of love, Will power you there. The power of truth; The power of prayer; The power of Jesus, Will power you there.

If your burden is heavy; And your heart laden down; The Spirit will speak, When you can’t make a sound. Lean into His yoke, Raise your eyes from the ground; His peace and His comfort, Will always be found.

Through The power of kindness, The power of care; The power of love, Will power you there. The power of truth; The power of prayer; The power of the Spirit, Will power you there.

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TASTING THE DAY

The Sunday, day 10 prompt from the Poetic Asides APRIL PAD CHALLENGE is to write about taste.

Hopefully this doesn’t convince you that all of mine is in my mouth… 😋

TASTING THE DAY (c) 2022 G. Smith (BMI) ~~~~ I want to taste the morning, Breathe in the dawn; Hear the sunrise, Low slow and long.

I want to see the colors Of every word; That you’ve ever spoken, That you’ve ever heard.

I want to touch your heart, The way you’ve touched mine; And trace the contours Of our shared lifelines.

I want to taste the evening, Breathe out the stars; Hear your love songs, Wherever you are.

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WHAT THEY NEVER TELL YOU

Day 8 / beginning of week 2 for the Poetic Asides 2022 April PAD Challenge, and for today the prompt was WHAT THEY NEVER TELL YOU... which again, seemed like a good title to me...

Noodling around with it all day, and here's what IT told me...

WHAT THEY NEVER TELL YOU (c) 2022 G. Smith (BMI) ====|||==== Aubrey's walking down the street, Worried about who she might meet; Trying not to be afraid, Of the some choices that she made. What will strangers do or say, That she runs into today? Will they laugh or ridicule? She feels she's back in middle school.

Hey Aubrey; What they never tell you is, Most folks just don't care; About the who you want to be, Or the color of your hair. It's really not important What clothes you want to wear; What matters is the kindness And the love you want to share.

Roger's riding on the bus, Fearing that he's not one of "us," Worried he'll be called some name, That he'll react in open shame.. And so he misses friendly smiles, As the bus racks up the miles. If he'd just be who he could be, Then maybe it's him they'd really see.

But Rog... What they never tell you is, Most folks just don't care; About the who you want to be, Or the color of your hair. It's really not important What clothes you want to wear; What matters is the kindness And the love you want to share.

I remember standing still, The new kid there in Poplar Hill, Everybody rushing past, No one stopped, no one asked, Who I was or what I'd need, Until I saw you look at me. And that was how many years ago? Doesn't matter, but I think you know,

Darlin', I will always tell you, That I will always care; About the one you want to be, And if you're happy with your hair. It really is important If you like the clothes you wear; But still, what matters most is, The kindness that you share. And still what matters most is The love that we two share.

What they never tell you is, Love at first sight lasts...

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FULL TO OVERFLOWING

The final day of the first week over at the Poetic Asides Poem-A-Day Challenge, and the prompt is/was ABUNDANCE...

With a plethora of scribblings and scratchings, I came up with the following...

FULL TO OVERFLOWING (c) 2022 G. Smith (BMI) ====^==== Full to overflowing, More than I deserve; I couldn't ask for anything else, I wouldn't have the nerve.

I try to love her the same way, I do the best I can; She's one in several billion; I'm just an ordinary man. She's one in several billion; I'm just an ordinary man.

Rich beyond all measure; Plenty with lots to share. An excess of smiles and laughter, Abounding in love and care.

And I try to love her the same way, I do the best I can; She's one in several billion; I'm just an ordinary man. She's one in several billion; I'm just an ordinary man.

Full to overflowing, More than I deserve; I couldn't ask for anything else, I wouldn't have the nerve.

====v==== As always, please lemme know what you thing and/or if you'd like to work on this, or anything else for that matter.

Thanks - and keep 'em in tune...

g

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