Hello everyone,

  I'm so very sorry … I feel horrible doing this, but I have no choice. You see, I have published my first book on Amazon/Kindle! This piece (and many others) had to be taken down because they do not allow published material to be available online for free. (Go figure) I wanted to leave the shell of the posts because I felt compelled to leave all your helpful and loving comments. (Silly sentimental, I know), but I also didn't want to just have the pieces disappear without an explanation. I feel bad enough as it is!

  I owe ALL of you so, SO much for all of your reads, love, and support. It was YOU that gave me the gumption to FINALLY get off my **** and publish! Thank you all for the warm comments, camaraderie, and encouragement! I will still be here, reading, uploading and just being the Rascal that I am. How could I EVER leave you guys?

  The book is called “The Way I See It – FictionPhilosophySoul Food” and it will be FREE for the first few days on Kindle Select, so watch for it, if you are interested. I hope that you go and grab it. If you do, I would also hope that you find it worthy, you would leave me a good review. That will help me get in the public eye! Soon afterward (2-3 days or so), it will be available in paperback.

Find the book(s) here: www.amazon.com/author/jeff.gaines

Or find the book(s), and all about me, here: www.JeffGaines.world

  Soon after, I also hope to have my first novel (a supernatural thriller), called “Wanderer” available as well!

  Wish me luck!

                                Big, Biggest Love,

                                               Jeff Gaines

Hush now my child dry your little eyes
The one who made you hears your little cries
Hush now my darling be not afraid
For you are safe and in his hands you are laid
Hush now my little one dream your sweet dreams
His angels keep close though they are unseen
Hush now my baby rest your sweet head
For he is awake while you sleep in bed
Sleep now my child so safe and so sound
Can you feel our love and blessings that abound
Wherever you go he is close at hand
Someday my baby I pray you'll understand
One day you'll be grown and we'll be so proud
Every night by your bed on our knees with heads bowed
We prayed for you in every moment that came
For joy, blessings, and that in his arms you'd remain
Close your eyes and take a breath let sweet sleep descend
Let your worries fall away with the day's end

I used to look up at the sky
With hopes and dreams and lullabies
But I don't anymore,
And I don't know why.

the ocean is majestic
it calls me by name
the ocean is a song
it lulls me to sleep
the ocean is my future
unknown and secretive
the ocean is my guardian
it protects and watches out for me
the ocean is my home
it makes me feel like i belong

the bartender watches
he looks with no surprise
i reside in this place
another buzzing of the bar fly
jukebox plays classic rock hits
and the men play poker
neon signs flash the phrase
welcome to nowhere

sifting through pages
reminisce at what was
playing piano
singing
but with a hum
i play this song
some call a lullaby
i smoke my cigarette
drink from my glass
in an attempt to forget
about the past