(a repost from October,2015)

I know I'm what is called,"an old fogey."
(I prefer "Elder")
Can't help it, age dictates it.
It happens, and will happen, to most of us,
For time runs faster than we do.

I find myself reflecting on "what used to be"-
instead of "what is", "what could be", or "should be"-
"Good times, bad times", all part of living,
in an ever-changing world.

Priorities change....... daily-
Attitudes change...... daily

What we want today,
we discard tomorrow-
"What is", becomes "So what!"
"Unification", has become obsolete!''

A different work ethic..... born!

The "Rally Cry!"...
"All for one, and all for "ME!"
has become the norm........

We will answer for it................

some day!.....


copyright: richard riddle October 13, 2015

You know the rest of the day is lost when the lights in your apartment go out at 6am, and you're in the bathroom.

(from October, 2015)

On the highway, 3am,
a myriad of stars
looms over the expanse
like a blanket of fairy dust-

you're the only one on the road

You pull off onto the shoulder - stop-
climb out of that motorized wagon,
lean back against a  fender-
Stretch those legs a bit

What was it that made you stop....  
    Something....inexplicable

The desert can get cool at night-
the silence.....part of the mystique,
creating the mood, for what
is about to come.....

You stiffen...silent...pensive

a slight breeze begins to lift-
becoming stronger-more gusty
You turn,  facing it-
'listening', waiting....for what?

'for the rumble'

Faint at first
growing louder as it nears-
the sound of steel and wood
breaking the silence                                                          ­­                  

Wagon Wheels!
roll'n atop the wind!

The migration West-
their spirits riding,
relentless in purpose-
Men...women.... children....

You can only imagine-
the expression on their faces-
determined.....dauntless.....

building this country-

You smile.....
as they pass.......
How proud of them, you are....
the spirits of our ancestors

Who carved the path-

A drop of a tear-
as the roars of the wagons
Quieten.......fading........
into..... silence

Standing poised....
absorbing  the beauty.........
You understand the magic-....
of its solitude.

the desert
at night



copyright: richard riddle October 26, 2015

Why is it................

When you take your car to service center, for a simple oil change, the technician always readjusts the rear view mirror, seat position, and re-tunes the radio. It takes two weeks to finally get them back to where you had them, especially the seat position.

Regardless of the portrayals by The "old masters" in their oil paintings, or Hollywood depictions:
I don't believe that when Adam and Eve were created, they resembled "Mr. Universe" or any of the "Victoria's Secret" models. Rather hirsute individuals, carrying a club fashioned from a tree limb, toenails in need of clipping, arms dragging the ground; and that's Eve. I can't begin to perceive what Adam may have looked like.

copyright: Richard riddle-March 09, 2015



Edit poem

(From October 20, 2015)

It  can happen anywhere, at anytime-
week,day,month,year
It isn't up to you-

In the car,
listening to the radio-
Having dinner with friends,
or alone-

At a baseball game,
bottom of the ninth-
Score tied-two outs,
bases loaded

Youth re-visited

A certain sound, song, phrase,
overheard-
the aroma of freshly baked bread
glimpse-movement-
indiscriminate-

All unleashing a memory cell
Lying dormant -
Long forgotten-
"What made me think of that?"
you ask yourself

For a door had opened.....
"before your eyes"
and you stepped into........
              v

"The Attic of Forgotten Things."


copyright:(Emended) richard riddle-October 20, 2015

Sometimes we forget...what our brain....has kept.
"I've got to lay off the coffee!!"