RULES OF LOVE

2017 April PAD Challenge: Day 3 prompt was complete the phrase [BLANK] OF LOVE.

Here's a country shot at it...

RULES OF LOVE © 2017 G. Smith (BMI) ====•==== Big Mama was saintly, ‘Bout as saintly as could be, She knew her Bible, and Shared it with me.

David and Goliath, Noah and his ark, So many stories, She knew by heart.

The Babe in the manger, The stone rolled away, That great crowd of witnesses On that glorious day.

But the verses most cherished, Passed down from above, Written by Paul, she called, Her rules of love.

Be patient, be kind, Don’t look for trouble, but still don’t be blind. Don’t envy, don’t brag; Don’t be proud, and don’t nag, Don’t get angry easily, Always hope and hang on Always trust and protect, And you’ll always love long.

I’ve learned since those days, Not all were Paul’s words, Big Mama’s translation, Is the one that I that I heard.

In spite of King James, To this very day, I give thanks that I have it, Each time that I pray.

Be patient, be kind, Don’t look for trouble, but still don’t be blind. Don’t envy, don’t brag; Don’t be proud, and don’t nag, Don’t get angry easily, Always hope and hang on Always trust and protect, And you’ll always love long.

=====||==== (2 Corinthians 13:4-8 REALLY says: 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. - NIV)

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NOT TODAY

Continuing with the Poetic Asides April Poem-A-Day (PAD) Challenge, here's my answer to the 4/2/17 prompt, NOT TODAY...

NOT TODAY © 2017 - G. Smith (BMI) ----=---- Lately it seems you're always right, Lately, it seems you always know; Lately it seems my way is not the way you'd choose, Or the way you think we ought to go.

While I may not always lose, you always seem to win, But not today, no, not today. I won't let you get underneath my skin, even though it may be thin, Not today, no, not today.

Today I'm gonna stand up, Today I won't bow down, Today I'll be who you once knew, Not the one you've driven to the ground. I'm gonna get up off my knees, Quit caring if you're pleased, But I know, like every morning, Not today, No, not today.

You never seem to miss a chance, To put me in my place; And make your point like you know best, With that knowing smile on your face.

I'm not always wrong, I rarely point that out, But not today, no, not today; You won't leave me wallowing in self-doubt, Not today, no, not today.

Today I'm gonna stand, Today I won't bow down, Today I'll be who you once knew, Not the one you've driven to the ground. I'm gonna get up off my knees, Quit caring if you're pleased, But I know, like every morning, Not today, No, not today.

What's good for the goose is too good for the gander, Don't do what you do, just do what you say; I'm s'posed to feel sorry, without feeling anger, But not today, no, not today.

Today I'm gonna stand, Today I won't bow down, Today I'll be who you once knew, Not the one you've driven to the ground. I'm gonna get up off my knees, Quit caring if you're pleased, But I know, like every morning, Not today, No, not today.

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THAT OLD SONG

It's that time of year again, the April PAD Challenge, celebrating National Poetry Month.

Today's prompt was rem reminiscing...

Here's where it led me...

THAT OLD SONG G. Smith (BMI) ----///---- Dogwoods are bloomin' Outside my bedroom, an' I find myself thinkin' of you once again. It happens each spring, When the blossoms all bring, Mem'ries of you as a lover and friend.

All the good times we had, Outnumbered the bad, Except for the last one when I made you cry. Though time would tell, We couldn't un-ring that bell, All we could think of to say was goodbye.

Then that old song, Comes on, The radio; It's more than a feeling that comes back to me. Try as I might, I couldn't get it right, And our future is little more than a memory.

When the sky gets this blue, I have visions of you, Smiling in the sunshine that first day we met, The sound of your laughter, Has stayed ever after; Remembrances framed in regret.

When that old song, Comes on, The radio; It's more than a feeling that comes back to me. Try as I might, I couldn't get it right, And our future is little more than a memory.

*****|***** My, and others', replies can be found at writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/poetic-asides/

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TEXAS TAGS

Started with the chorus that came together like a breeze several weeks ago... Hope the verses do it justice...

TEXAS TAGS G. Smith (c) 2017 (BMI) ::::=::::=::::=::::=:::: Crossing Peachtree in Buckhead, Just another Friday night; Volvos and Beamers and Subarus, Then Texas tags on the truck at the light;

Playing two blocks off of Broadway, Four sets a night right up to last call; Neon and posters, and autographed pictures, And Texas tags nailed right to the wall...

Texas tags in Georgia, Texas tags in Tennessee; Texas tags as far as Carolina Calling out to me. "Come back across the Brazos, Boy, "Come back to San Antone; "Come back, don't wait, to the Lone Star State, "Come back home, Boy, come back home. "Come back home, Boy, come back home."

Broken down outside of Durham, Just above Chapel Hill, The one guy who stops to lend me hand, Has Texas tags underneath his grill.

Texas tags in Georgia, Texas tags in Tennessee; Texas tags as far as Carolina Calling out to me. "Come back across the Brazos, boy, "Come back to San Antone; "Come back, don't wait, to the Lone Star State, "Come back home, boy, come back home. "Come back home, Boy, come back home."

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ONE LAST CHANCE

And this is the last chance for the last chance prompt in November's PAD Chapbook Challenge from Robert Lee Brewer's blog, Poetic Asides.

ONE LAST CHANCE G. Smith (BMI) “°”°”°”°”°”°”°”°”°”°” There ain’t but one last chance, And it’s now; Ain’t but one last chance, And it’s now. You don’t know when, You don’t know how, You don’t know where, You’ll take that bow, There ain’t but one last chance, And it’s now.

There ain’t but one last chance, To make your name; Ain’t but one last chance, To make your name. Seek your fortune, Seek your fame, It’s more Than a game, There ain’t but one last chance, To make your name.

There ain’t but one last chance To set things right; Ain’t but one last chance, To get things right; Could be the middle of the day, Or the middle of the night, Just like old Hank, You’ll see the light; There ain’t but one last chance, To set things right.

There ain’t but one last chance, And it’s now; Ain’t but one last chance, And it’s now. You don’t know when, You don’t know how, You don’t know where, You’ll take that bow, There ain’t but one last chance, And it’s now. One last chance;

And it’s now.

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THE Y'ALL CRAWL INN

To wrap up the Poetic Asides November Pad Chapbook Challenge, the final prompt was: LAST CHANCE

So here's a chance I took...

THE Y’ALL CRAWL INN G. Smith (BMI) ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ” ” ” ” ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ” ” ” ” ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ It’s your last chance when you’re leaving, And the first on your way back; It ain’t nothing fancy, Just a lil’ tin-roofed shack. Down around the edge of town, On the far side of the tracks, It’s your last chance when you’re leaving, And the first on your way back.

There’s neon in the window, Gravel in the parking lot; And Saturday nights it’s more than the Texas Weather getting hot. To the right of the door is little dance floor, No band, but an old juke box. There’s neon in the window, Gravel in the parking lot.

At the Y’all Crawl Inn, Where the party begins, Ain’t no strangers here, everybody’s friends. C’mon; Y’all Crawl Inn.

The bar’s three different beers on tap, Or you can have a cold long neck; Cash for your tab, They won’t take a check; Lucy smiles all the while, Says, “Gimme a sec.” The bars got three different beers on tap, Or you can have cold long neck.

At the Y’all Crawl Inn, Where the party begins, Ain’t no strangers here, everybody’s friends. C’mon; Y’all Crawl Inn.

Last call comes, And it’s time to go, But it won’t be long, Till we’re back, you know;

At the Y’all Crawl Inn, Where the party begins, Ain’t no strangers here, everybody’s friends. C’mon; Y’all Crawl Inn.

It’s your last chance as you’re leaving And your first on your way back.

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I WANT WHAT I'VE GOT

Another'n from the November PAD Challenge: I WANT_____

I WANT WHAT I'VE GOT G. Smith (BMI) ----------/---------- I want what I've got, And I've got what I need; And even with that There's no guarantee. Sure, I could have more, But what good is that greed, When I want what I've got, And I've got what I need?

It wasn't very long ago, I was working for the man; Making decent wages, Following the plan. Then one day I looked up, And had to ask my wife, What's come between, This living and our life?

I want what I've got, And I've got what I need; And even with that There's no guarantee. Sure, I could have more, But what good is that greed, When I want what I've got, And I've got what I need?

We didn't have a lot back then, We don't have much today; But what we have is ours to keep, Nobody has a say. We share when we have plenty, And even when there's just enough, They can have it all because, After all it's only stuff.

I want what I've got, And I've got what I need; And even with that There's no guarantee. Sure, I could have more, But what good is that greed, When I want what I've got, And I've got what I need? And there's plenty to share, It's like scattering seed.

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I WANT TO

Another response to the Poetic Asides November PAD challenge to complete the phrase: I WANT ____

I decided to keep it simple...

I WANT TO G. Smith (BMI) —–: :—–: :—– I want to go back To the way it used to be, Back, to the days, When you said that you loved me; Back to the times, When you used to smile; We haven’t been there In such a long while.

I want to know, What I’ve done wrong, To understand, What’s going on; Know if there’s something, Something I can do, To make it up; Anything for you.

And I want to, Want to, want to; Do you? Baby, do you? Baby, do you?

I want to feel, Your hand in mine; Trace again, That long love line, Feel your heartbeat, As you sleep, And know our dreams, Are ours to keep.

Yes, I want to, Want to, want to; Do you? Baby do you? Do you? Baby do you? Do you?

×+×+×+× The complete blog posting can be found at writersdigest.com/whats-new/2016-november-pad-chapbook-challenge-day-28

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I WANT ANOTHER CHANCE

The November PAD prompt for today is to complete the phrase I WANT ____

I WANT ANOTHER CHANCE G. Smith (BMI) ••••••||•••••• I want another chance, Just to have one more dance, The way we did when our love was new; Shuffle across the floor, Like we did before, I just want another chance with you.

I want another chance, Call it love at second glance, Won't you look and tell me what you see; Sure I may be just a man, But I'm holding out my hand, Won't you take another chance on me?

First time lucky, Third time's the charm, But they say love's better, The second time around - so, where's the harm?

I want another chance, To prove that our romance, Was something meant always to be. Days may come, and nights may go, But there's just one way to know, Let's take another chance on you and me. Let's take another chance on you and me.

-----*------ As previously, this prompt can be found at writersdigest.com/whats-new/2016-november-pad-chapbook-challenge-day-28

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FALLIN' APART

The Poetic Asides prompt for today, 11/27, was FALLING APART.

Here's what came together this morning...

FALLIN’ APART G. Smith (BMI) : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : I can’t have sugar in my coffee, I can’t have key lime pie, I’ve gotta make due with Diet Coke, And I don’t like the reason why.

I can’t have any red meat, And I can’t have anything fried; I’ve gotta eat only whole wheat, And I don’t like the reason why.

‘Cause, ever since I turned forty, And I realized I wasn’t so smart, The more I try, the less I can keep, Things from fallin’ apart.

I can’t go fishing’ without sunscreen, And I can’t stay out late Friday night, I’ve gotta be in before half-past ten, And I don’t like the reason why.

I can’t drink the way I used to, And I can’t go out and get high; I’ve gotta be the designated driver, And I don’t like the reason why.

Ever since I turned forty, And I realized I wasn’t so smart, The more I try, the less I can keep, Things from fallin’ apart.

My glasses keep gettin’ stronger, My back hurts a little bit longer, And since you’ve been gone, that pain in my heart, Reminds me how things’re, Fallin’ apart.

And ever since I turned forty, And I realized I wasn’t so smart, The more I try, the less I can keep, Things from fallin’ apart. The more I try, the less I can keep, Things from fallin’ apart.

++: :++: :++: :++: :++ This, the rest of the Poetic Asides 2016 November Poem-A-Day Chapbook Challenge can be found at Robert Lee Brewer's blog at writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/poetic-asides.

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