None of Your Goddamn Business

You started out friendly enough

But then your questions got too personal.

If I'd only known at the time

what you really meant

when you asked if I'd had his baby.

None of your goddamn business.

You wanted me to hug him.

I choose who to hug when.

None of your goddamn business.

Rub up against him while hugging?

No!

Even if I'd want that

He has the right to choose sexual contact or not.

Not mine to impose on him.

Mutual choice.

And none of your goddamn business.

You grabbed my wrist

Tried to pull me to him.

No!

Let go!

I'm not here to fulfill

your vicarious sexual fantasy.

My choice,

His choice.

Not yours.

None of your goddamn business.

Poem for Bob Walkenhorst, 2016 updated version

In the year 2002 I went and took a wee short trip Up I-29, to the town of St. Joseph. I discovered there a band that I thought was really good. They called themselves the Elders and buy their CDs I would. The guitarist, named Steve Phillips, well I thought was really great, And I wanted to hear more but 5 more months I couldn't wait. Of his former band I realized I must become a fan. To buy a Rainmakers CD that soon became my plan. So I sent to Steve an email, "Which album should I buy?" "Flirting With the Universe" is what he did reply. But I'd have to mail order, wait 2 months to get it in, So I went to the used CD store and bought the CD Skin. I listened with an open mind to all the songs I heard, Not just to the music, but also to the words. The message was intriguing, the music it was fine, And I listened to it over again many many times. I visited the message board to see just what was there. I saw that Bob was playing live and noted when and where. I thought I check it out and give Bob Walkenhorst a chance. In the back I stood and then I soon began to dance. Bob had a solo album that was new the week before. I looked around to buy it and finally found it by the door. I bought it, and I listened, and with it I did connect. Bob Walkenhorst is someone I both relate to and respect. An Irish pub that's called Molloy's is where Bob weekly played. Jeff Porter and Norm Dahlor are his bandmates on Wednesdays. I soon began to go each week to hear Bob play and sing. To listen and to dance at Bob shows is a wonderful thing. They used to sit and play each show, but then one week they stood. Now standing is the norm, but when they sit, well that's still good.

When Bob would break a guitar string then Jeff would sing John Prine And now Jeff sings his own songs and they really are quite fine And Bob and Jeff with Gary and Pat played monthly weekend shows. I hope it lasts for years and years, but the future no one knows. Then Malloy's Pub closed and it became the recordBar. We met there weekly for 10 years with friends from near and far. The recordBar then lost it's lease and sadly had to close, It had to seek out a new place to host its music shows. The Tour That Goes Nowhere did roam; it moved twice in one year. Mike Kelly's Westsider was home till the recordBar reappeared. We come to the new recordBar to hear them sing their songs. They sing their hearts out for us all; we dance and sing along.

The Rainmakers reformed and now have Jeff on lead guitar,

With Rich and Pat they play and sing for friends both near and far.

Bob Walkenhorst is someone I look up to and admire. His music touches my heart; my soul he does inspire. Our Wednesday evening church it is; and where we meet is home. His fans and friends we'll always be, wherever we may roam.

Emmanuel

Emmanuel
God is with us
What does this mean?

We tell the story of a newborn baby
a child who is divine
a child who is special, set apart.

And yet he is one of us,
a newborn human person.

Could it be
that the message of Christmas
is that we too
have something of the divine
in us?
In each of us, divine beauty.
And a child to remind us.
Emmanuel
God is with us

I Will Never Lose You

I will never lose you.
Whatever happens,
Something of you remains
in me.
You've given me so much.
Those gifts are a part of me.
You are a part of who I've become.
And a part of my memories.
Thus, when you are gone from my life
You will still be with me.

At Rainbow's End

As out my window I did look
A rainbow did I see,
A rainbow bright and beautiful
In all its glority.

I followed the rainbow to its end,
And what my eyes beheld
Was so magnificent a sight
My eyes with wonder yelled.

A pot of gold, you think it is?
No, not so trite a thing.
Far richer was this sight of sights
Than all material things.

For at the rainbow's end I saw
In all its glory full
Old Faithful rising to the sky
Outside my window sill.

Dancing on the Inside

Joy
I'm dancing on the inside
To be loved
Is the greatest gift of all

Contact

Contact.
To connect with another person.
The greatest human desire.
We each want it.
We each fail.

But, then,
The magical moment
When two separate people
Each deeply know something of the other
And find a unity alongside their separateness.
The greatest human desire,
To connect with another person.
Contact.

Emotions (untitled)

Emotions.
I swim through a sea of emotions.
Tossed and turned.
No moorings.

Calm.
In me.
I float on the gentle waves.

I have no words (untitled)

I have no words.

highs
lows
ups
downs

a forest of feelings

Where to begin to describe?

I have no words

I miss you (untitled)

I miss you.

What was is gone.
I've lost what we were,
What you were to me.
My star,
My guide,
My example,
My help.

I leaned on you.
Now, I stand on my own.
A good and wonderful thing.
I have strength within.

But I miss relying on you.

I delight in what is,
But I miss what was.