This came from Friday, 11/5's 2021 November PAD Chapbook Challenge prompt "SPECIAL"... and at first, I didn't think it would work as a song... but second thoughts changed my mind...
That said... c'mon in to...
THE DINER
(c) 2021 G. Smith (BMI)
---=---=---=---
I sat at the counter, ‘till she caught my eye;
She came up and asked me what I’d like to try.
“I’ll have the special, ham sandwich on rye;
A fresh cuppa coffee, and a big slice of pie.”
It was a regular sandwich, served a regular way;
But the smile in her voice made the special that day.
I finished my coffee, and went up to pay,
We both were surprised when I heard myself say,
“Mighty fine meal, Ma’am, one of the best,
And you make this stranger feel like a guest.
You don’t know me from Adam, but I sure would be blessed,
To see you later.” Her answer? Who would’ve guessed.
Her laughter was warm, not malicious or cruel,
Like we shared a small joke and not me acting the fool.
I hadn’t been this forward since I was in school,
And felt like it used to, bending the rules.
She said, “Why sure.” I said, “My name is Chuck.”
She said, “I’m Katy,” and the deal was struck.
I smiled and walked out, and stood by my truck,
Wondering if it was fate or just luck.
Yeah, this story’s a bit sappy, too sweet, saccharine,
But it’s true, it true, it’s where our story begins.
Something simple and special, in spite of our sins.
Nice guys finish last – but sometimes they win.
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G. C. Smith / Blog
THE NATURE OF THINGS
Slowly catching up... this is to the November 10th prompt, NATURE, over at the Poetic Asides Poem-A-Day Chapbook Challenge...
THE NATURE OF THINGS (c) 2021 - G. Smith (BMI) =+=+=+= Fish gotta swim, Birds gotta fly; Ain’t no reason, For wondering why.
That’s just the nature of things, That’s just how they are; From the smallest grain of sand, To the biggest farthest star. From the coldest hardest fact, To the warmest human heart; That’s just the nature of things, That’s just how they are.
Sun’s gonna shine, Moon’s gonna glow; Seasons will come, Seasons will go.
That’s just the nature of things, That’s just how they are; From the smallest grain of sand, To the biggest farthest star. From the coldest hardest fact, To the warmest human heart; That’s just the nature of things, That’s just how they are.
Night skies will be dark, Day skies will be blue; You’ll do what you want, I’ll always love you. You’ll do what you need, I’ll always love you.
That’s just the nature of things, That’s just how they are; From the smallest grain of sand, To the biggest farthest star. From the coldest hardest fact, To the warmest human heart; That’s just the nature of things, That’s just how they are.
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SUNNY MONDAY
It being Tuesday here on the 16 of November, the Chapbook Challenge is another 2-fer - this time, a FORM and/or an ANTI-FORM piece...
So, with apologies to T-Bone Walker and the Allman Brothers, here's...
SUNNY MONDAY (An Anti-Blues) (c) 2021 G. Smith (BMI) ~+~+~+~ It’s a bright and sunny Monday, Tuesday’s just as clear; It’s bright and sunny Monday, Tuesday’s just as clear; Oh and Wednesday’s nice, Thursday’s I’m glad you’re here.
I get paid on Friday, Saturdays we go and play; I get paid on Fridays; Saturdays we’re out to play. Sundays we’re in church, yeah, And I lift my voice in praise.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah, raise my hands; Hallelujah! Hallelujah, raise my hands. I just couldn’t be more happy; Life just couldn’t be more grand.
It’s a bright and sunny Monday, Tuesday’s just as clear; It’s bright and sunny Monday, Tuesday’s just as clear; Oh and Wednesday’s nice, Thursday’s I’m glad you’re here. -*-
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A SURE THING
This’n is in response to the November 13 PAD “LUCK” prompt… and Taylor Swift’s “I Bet You Think About Me”…
A SURE THING (c) 2021 – G. Smith (BMI) ===-•-=== Here is a bet that I’m sure you will lose: I don’t ever think about you; Since you’ve been gone I ain’t had the blues; Here is a bet I’m sure you will lose.
Here is a gamble you shouldn’t take; Here is a wager you shouldn’t make: Since you left me don’t think my heart aches; Here is a gamble you shouldn’t take.
I’m not a sporting man, Rarely take cards in hand; Don’t spin the wheel or give dice a throw; I don’t play the lottery; Odds and luck are against me; But here is a sure thing, the one thing I know…
This is a game that you’ll never win; It’s over and done before you begin. I’d fold now, I wouldn’t go all-in; This the one game you’ll never win. ===-•-===
More padding about directly…
g
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THE DINER
This came from Friday, 11/5's 2021 November PAD Chapbook Challenge prompt "SPECIAL"... and at first, I didn't think it would work as a song... but second thoughts changed my mind...
That said... c'mon in to...
THE DINER (c) 2021 G. Smith (BMI) ---=---=---=---
I sat at the counter, ‘till she caught my eye; She came up and asked me what I’d like to try. “I’ll have the special, ham sandwich on rye; A fresh cuppa coffee, and a big slice of pie.”
It was a regular sandwich, served a regular way; But the smile in her voice made the special that day. I finished my coffee, and went up to pay, We both were surprised when I heard myself say,
“Mighty fine meal, Ma’am, one of the best, And you make this stranger feel like a guest. You don’t know me from Adam, but I sure would be blessed, To see you later.” Her answer? Who would’ve guessed.
Her laughter was warm, not malicious or cruel, Like we shared a small joke and not me acting the fool. I hadn’t been this forward since I was in school, And felt like it used to, bending the rules.
She said, “Why sure.” I said, “My name is Chuck.” She said, “I’m Katy,” and the deal was struck. I smiled and walked out, and stood by my truck, Wondering if it was fate or just luck.
Yeah, this story’s a bit sappy, too sweet, saccharine, But it’s true, it true, it’s where our story begins. Something simple and special, in spite of our sins. Nice guys finish last – but sometimes they win.
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CEDAR GROVE
The day 6 November PAD Challenge was to write a LOCATION piece...
This one came to me whilst raking walnut leaves and walnuts under the clear sky over...
CEDAR GROVE © 2021 G. Smith (BMI) ==||== Cedar Grove, Your saplings are gone, Replaced by small houses, And manicured lawns. The old home place still stands, Tucked back in the trees, And that’s all that remains Of what used to be.
Cedar Grove, Only memories are saved; Your country roads have been straightened, Widened and paved. Fields plowed with a mule, Are yards cut with a Deere; And lately few folks, Were raised around here.
But the cardinals come back in the springtime, And the geese still fly south in the fall, The mockingbirds sing as they take to the wing, And at dusk, the whippoorwill call; At dusk, the whippoorwill call.
Cedar Grove, You’re a place in name only, Not the town that you were, Just a place for the lonely. Strangers, not neighbors, Who pass on the street, Without a smile or a wave, And they don’t miss a beat.
But the cardinals come back in the springtime, And the geese still fly south in the fall, The mockingbirds sing as they take to the wing, And at dusk, the whippoorwill call; At dusk, the whippoorwill call.
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P-A-R-T-Y? (WHY NOT?)
Day four of the 2021 November Poem-A-Day Chapbook Challenge... and the prompt (in honor of the Braves winning the World Series?) was PARTY...
Here's how festive I went...
P-A-R-T-Y? (WHY NOT?) (c) 2021 G. Smith (BMI) ====::::==== P-A-R-T-Y? Why not? Celebrate all the things we've got. They might not look like much, But they're sure a lot, So let's P-A-R-T-Y! Why not?
We've got our house, Though it might be small; With the door always open, And the four sturdy walls; With a tight and dry roof, Up overhead, And a nice warm bed To rest our weary heads.
P-A-R-T-Y? Why not? Celebrate all the things we've got. They might not look like much, But they're sure a lot, So let's P-A-R-T-Y! Why not?
We still got our jobs, And share my old red truck, Which gets us around, On a few prayers and some luck. The kids are all healthy, And finally grown, And it's just you and me, With them out on their own.
So let's P-A-R-T-Y! Why not? Celebrate all the things we've got. They might not look like much, But they're sure a lot, So let's P-A-R-T-Y! Why not?
Since the very first day, To a time such as this; Since I first saw your smile, And you were my last first kiss; My life's been the been the better, Because of you, And there's only one thing, That I want to do...
P-A-R-T-Y! Why not? Celebrate all the things we've got. They might not look like much, But they're everything - a lot, So let's P-A-R-T-Y! Why not?
Celebrate this loving dance, Celebrate lifelong romance, Celebrate everything we've got; P-A-R-T-Y? Why not? P-A-R-T-Y! Why not?
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AS IT WAS
The 11/3/21 2021 NOVEMBER PAD CHAPBOOK CHALLENGE was "Complete the phrase AS ____"
Here's what I came up with...
AS IT WAS G. Smith (BMI) ::::=:::: As it was, in the beginning; When everything was new. The grass so very green, And wet in the dew. When we were one, Made out of two; Just the two of us, When everything was new.
As it was, every morning; With the sun on the rise, The day laid out before us, As clear as summer skies. ‘Til something came along, And clouded your blue eyes; And just the two of us, With the sun on the rise.
As it was, As it used to be; Back in the day, Only you and me, Tomorrow a dream, The day before a memory; Just the two of us, As it used to be.
As it was and as it is now; In this cold and empty place; Just your ghost and your shadow; In every corner of every space. I look into the mirror, And only see your face; It’s just the two of us, In this cold and empty place.
As it was; As it used to be; Back in the day, Only you and me. Tomorrow a dream; The day before a memory. Just the two of us, As it used to be. Just the two of us, As it used to be.
You can find the prompts at Writer's Digest...
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READY OR NOT
The day 2 prompt in the November Poem-A-Day Chapbook Challenge is a "2-fer-Tuesday" - pick on or the other or use both.... Ready... and/or Not Ready...
So, ready or not... here's an old style mountain gospel song...
READY OR NOT (c) 2021 - G. Smith (BMI) ~===~ It's been a long time coming, And now that time is near; Will you be dressed and ready, When the time is finally here?
Will your lamps be trimmed and full of oil, When the Bridegroom's at the gate? Or will your flame be flickering out, 'Cause the hour's gotten late?
Ready or not, He's a-coming, Ready or not, He's on His way; Ready of not, He'll be here soon, Coming from the skies, on that uncloudy day.
When He stands at the door and knocks, Will you open and let Him in? Will He find you working in His fields, Your back turned to your sin?
Ready or not, He's a-coming, Ready or not, He's on His way; Ready or not, He'll be here soon, Coming from the skies on that uncloudy day; Coming from the skies on that uncloudy day. Coming from the skies on that uncloudy day.
Ready or not, He's a coming.
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DEAR KATY
Well... it's the November Poem-A-Day Chapbook Challenge time again over on Robert Lee Brewer's Writer's Digest blog, Poetic Asides...
...and the prompt for Monday, 11/1/21 was "CORRESPONDENCE..."
That said... for your consideration... DEAR KATY (c) 2021 G. Smith (BMI) =====+===== Dear Katy; I'm not sure what to say; I've tried to write this letter, Since the day you went away. I can't count the times I've started, But they all sound so brokenhearted, Dear Katy; I'm not sure what to say.
Dear Katy; Things have slowly come around, But I still see you, Everywhere in town; On the park bench, at the drug store, On the sidewalk, at the front door; Dear Katy; Things have slowly come around.
Now I know it's not my place, And you know it's not my style; To say I miss your face, To say I miss your smile. To say I miss your laughter, To say I miss you touch. Dear Katy; I miss all of you so much.
Dear Katy; I suppose I ought to close; And say I'm sorry, though, My sorrow seldom shows. I carry it inside me, Where I'm the only one who can see; Dear Katy; I suppose I ought to close.
I've tried to write this letter, Since the day you went away, Dear Katy; I still don't know what to say.
===+====
If you like this, or see something else here on the blog page, please don't hesitate to reach out and let's discuss working on something together sometime...
g
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LAWN ORDER
Not in response to any particular prompt other than the mindlessness of circling the sod and paying enough attention to not run over septic tank clean out…
LAWN ORDER (c) 2021G. Smith (BMI) ====[ ]==== Riding the John Deere, Now that the sky’s clear, We’ve had so much rain the yard is a mess. Back and forth through the tall grass; Mulching with each pass; But it is kind of zen, I have to confess… Wastin’ a Saturday on lawn order; Seems it takes up all of my spare time; Working the yard ain’t really that hard, Still lawn order, should be a crime.
Rye or Bermuda? Prob’ly Fescue — duh… Maybe it’s simply St. Augustine. Could be it’s clover, That’s spreading all over; Don’t really matter as long as it’s green. Wastin’ a Saturday on lawn order; Seems it takes up all of my spare time; Working the yard ain’t really that hard, Still lawn order, should be a crime.
Trimmin’ the hedge ‘n’, Doing the edgin’ Pickin’ up sticks all over the ground; Feedin’’n’ seeding’, Lord I hate weedin’, Rakin’s back-breakin’ when fall rolls around.
Wastin’ a Saturday on lawn order; Seems it takes up all of my spare time; Working the yard ain’t really that hard, Still lawn order, should be a crime. Lawn order, should be a crime.
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