Ear to the Ground (E-Pub) - Donald R. Turner Sr

II Poems written byPoems written byPoems written byPoems written by

Donald R. Turner Sr.

Ear to the Ground

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DRT books TAMPA, FL. 33617 Email: [email protected] Website: www.drtbooks.com Copyright cccc 2011 by Donald R. Turner Sr.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, record-ing or any information storage and retrieval system. This work is of fiction. Characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, Business establishments events or locales are entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third party websites or their content. Library of Congress Cataloged EAR TO THE GROUND Copyright c 2011 by Donald R. Turner Sr. Written by Donald R. Turner Sr. Editor Corliss Turner Photos by Donald R. Turner Sr. ISBN-13: 978-1469901602 ISBN-10: 1469901609

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To my seven wonderful children Michelle, Tina, Regina, Donald Jr.

Philip, Carol and Briana And to my beautiful wife Corliss, with love. And in memory of

Eric

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Contents 1. Old Man Crossing 2. Magnificent Garden 3. Auto motion 4. Stand Worthy 5. Oh House of Light 6. Shades of Green 7. From Birth, to Life, to Spirit 8. If 9. Trees 10. Follow Me 11. Steel Road 12. Fire 13. Broken heart 14. The Journey 15. My Third Second Chance 16. Hold On 17. Hear Say 18. Father 19. Eyes of the Slave 20. Where Is the Smile? 21. Saturday Afternoon 22. In that moment 23. A Passing Thought 24. The Beat of the Street 25. I Know You Care 26. Mr. Higgins

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27. Will the Band Play? 28. Balancing Act 29. It Started with a Single Tear 30. Ennui 31. Vainglorious 32. What is Love? 33. The long lost friend of Dr. Robert Shaw 34. This Crazy ride 35. Add some Love 36. Each Time I Pray 37. What he wanted to say 38. What she needed to say 39. Cruising can be Soothing 40. Negativism 41. Clattering Cans 42. If ever the day should come 43. Please Hate 44. What happened to the Naked Eye? 45. Eric 46. If You Could Fly


VII

Ear To The Ground

Ear to The Ground

1 Old Man Crossing

Beneath his wrinkled brow he glances north to south. He tilts his head his body old and weak. Propped by a knotted stick he stands restively at the edge of the road, awaiting the chance to crossover. Another glance to rushing traffic sweeping sounds like angels wings. A man of ninety plus nine, with furrowed face and vein covered hands, stands alone at the crossing of his omega, as life must do. Subtle change of facial expression, a grin sparked by memories of youthful, physical endurance. Never a thought before of standing or crossing, simply living. A hush. He moves like snails on fungal covered stones at riverbanks in spring. With hurried mind he shuffles forward, as the movement of traffic and time stands at attention of his crossing. Thin as the string of a guitar highest pitch, his worn-out muscles gently propels him saved, to the other side.

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2 Magnificent Garden

Have you heard the sound of honeybees wings in flight? Have you seen the mighty push of a grasshoppers hind’s? Have you ever mimicked the distinguished chirp of a cardinal’s call? Have you felt the refreshing feeling of a falling spring rain? Boldly lifted your head to the golden sun? May I ask you? Have you ever held the warmth of the living earth in the palms of your hands? Inhaled the hypnotic fragrance of an open rose blossom? Why do I ask, you say? Because I can see a garden, so beautiful, so fine, and so magnificent, in you.

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3 Auto Motion

Petroleum injected body carriages Hum loud and low At break of day In morning dew. Ahead of me in clusters Wait patiently Some not, To systematic rhythms of red and green, Opens gates to destinations unknown. A furious rage of kindred souls One young one old, Shapes the day of the unified clusters Miles behind. Nothing gained in time or worth A costly conclusion Reflection to reflection Hours more than minutes, My destination reached.

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4 Stand worthy

Let us hope That those who died For our freedom Cannot witness The abuse Of that freedom, By so many of us. In honor of the dead, Stand worthy!

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5 Oh House of Light

Faraway upon a hill

Where all is quiet all is still. There stands a light that fills the sky

For all the people passing by This light it shines its beam so bright No matter if you’re black or white. Do you believe the day will come

When all mankind can live as one? In peace, In love,

In harmony Oh house of light what do you see?

The future Will it be alright,

Or will there be more wars to fight? If there was something I could do To show the world to be like you,

Then maybe somehow we could find A ray of hope for all mankind.

We all are people made by God, So don’t you think its time we start,

To live as brothers one and free, To love each other, you and me?

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6 Shades of Green Dare I try and measure the many shades of green. From dark to mid to light And in the distance, tops of trees even darker still. Upturned landscape brings forth new growths of bright yellow-green. Acres laced with rows of corn cloaked in emerald gowns. Ponds encircled by lime green lily pads camouflage the bathing frogs. Blades of grass beyond the scope of vision, leads to suburbanized manicured yards; with shrubs transplanted or cultivated in glass green houses. Tea leaves of camellia evergreen, doused in warm water and sweetened to taste. How beautiful the shades of green. The palmate leaves of palm trees dance in salty winds along sandy beaches; where waves of jade-green waters rush to shore. One of the shades of a rainbow. An apple. A grape. A grasshopper. N.Y. Jets uniforms?

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Money? Envy? Wait… A pea plant. Citrus trees. The stem of a rose . Jalapenos. A crisp green head of lettuce. We live in a beautiful world of infinite viridities.

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7 From Birth, to Life, to Spirit

She carries by month, nine preferred from seed, to fetus, to birth. A new life emerges, from its living shelter; to decibels of sound, kelvins of light, and particles of air. Given the gift of life, confirmed cries rattles the drums, warms the heart and soothes the pain of its mothers agonized labor. Born into; not with, the weaknesses of man. Skin unblemished, eyes undefiled. Filled with a spirit of love, individuality and peace. A new home. No umbilical. Less confining. Balance and gravity. Yet in time, just like the womb, the earth expels all mortal men, to a spiritual world.

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Ear to The Ground

8 If

If I knew then What I know now, Would I be the same Or changed somehow? Would I know you Would you know me, In love together Would we be? Would our family tree Be just as strong, Or would we opt To be alone? If I knew then What I know now, I’d love you more, On that I vow.

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9 Trees

Have I the courage, To look beyond, Above the trees, To open skies,

To see,

To seek, to find. All God has made, His word is good.

A lasting love he gives to us. Beneath the shading trees we hide. Our inner fears depicts the path. A beam of light across my face,

Should I move on, Or take a chance, To leap, To fly,

To dance. The path behind, Of that I’m sure,

My soul must find, What lies above,

The leafy laced branches.

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10 Follow me Before you came, my home had never petitioned me more than, “Beat more now!” Your spirit is welcomed in my home. For I have heard the winds of wondering doubt and turned away from. But your whisper in the misting rain has pierced my armor. You are not a God You are not a prophet You are not a bird that soars high in the skies. You are a flower planted on God’s green earth, to scatter seeds there on. Rooted in fears and doubts, you are one of many more, who questions, All that is, all that was and all that is to be. Lift up your head Open your eyes Come and follow me “I am Lo“I am Lo“I am Lo“I am Love.”ve.”ve.”ve.”

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11 Steel Road

A constant pathway staked and tied in all conceivable directions. A team of two it takes to form a right and proper way. A left with a right, or a north with a south, success depends on both. Equal in strength, longevity, preciseness, a must. On beds of rocks and ties of wood, leveled to a clinometers perfection, they glimmer in the afternoon sun, flexing their muscles of steel. The trembling earth beneath informs a train is drawing near. Together they brace, tie to tie, for tons of moving cargo. With a mile or so of cars to come, they grit and grunt , stiffen and stern. Till the little red car, with the little red lantern, waves a cheerful farewell.

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12 Fire

Before the fire, the driving force My universe at peace. Unraveled by the choking clouds and burning flames beneath my feet. Neglectfully, unconsciously, abandoning the sphere. I turn. You are there. Close yet far away. In haste and hunger night and day, I fill my cup with ash. Where once your breath Your fragrance sweet, was held for my embrace. Oh spouse how blind the sighted man, who feeds his deepest thoughts. While withered vines hold loves unnourished passions. Your supple breast flowed life into the likeness of me. And shared moments of immeasurable joy, by scale or rule.

The fire, the fire, the fire, inextinguishable fire!

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13 Broken Heart

A broken heart in time will mend, but never will be whole again. The patterns of its jagged scars, comprises what was once inside. Its pounding rhythms refuse to cease, and flutters till it finds its peace.

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14 The Journey

Not far from here I started on a journey long and hard. It took me over mountain tops and down in valleys low. For countless years it led me, crossing many rough terrains. Beyond familiar places, faces and territorial boundaries. My baggage filled with remnants of my life strapped to my back. Northward bound searching for the place I’d often dreamed of. A steady pace made distance fall silently behind me. Nourishment and resting fueled my body to its peak. My strength, my might, my all without a plotted destination; the oceans edge the setting sun, brought hope to desperation. A village in my sight above a tiny dune of sand, revealed a people young and old with kindness in there hearts. They taught me how to love myself a gift worth more than gold.

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A peaceful place, reflecting beauty, like a diamond in the light. Perfect in so many ways, yet I knew I must move on. In tangled winds a voice called out across the open plains. “This way,” it said encouragingly guiding me along. Unafraid, extremely tired, in dizzying circles I roamed The darkness fell another night, no light to see my way. I settled down till rays of light ran darkness from my path. I saw a man in clothes of steel, his horse was ten feet tall. We sat and talked of stories past, of bravery and skill. In all his years defending right not one man did he kill. Courage strength and discipline kept his enemies at bay. I learned a lot from this brave soul, stand strong for all that’s good. As I moved on I came upon a place like none I’d known. Of cheerful songs and beating drums and dancers brightly garbed.

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“What reason do they celebrate?” I asked a stranger there. He said to me, “We all rejoice, this day of your return.” I realized from those few words this place was once my home. My family my closest friends all there in front of me. With opened arms and tear filled eyes, I hugged my mother first. Her trembling lips said welcome home, with a kiss upon my face. “How have you been?” they asked of me, and all that I could say, “Time marked my hair, my face, my strength, was in the hands of God.”

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15 My Third Second Chance

As chances go we most have many Directions aimed to win We give our all, to breathless ends Exhausted disappointment Once and when the time is right Our visions realign A chance to try again reveals A smile we left behind Never questioning Willing forward Toward the open goal The taste The smell It’s oh so close Reaching for the dream I plant my feet I arch my back And raise my head in pride My third second chance has come I will not break my stride

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16 Hold On

On the run, All alone, Looking sad, Can’t go back home. Abused, neglected, Trust betrayed; A bus stop bench your wooden bed. Sleepless nights, Crying eyes, Trash for food, You want to die. Hold on, don’t give up Hold on, somebody loves you Hold on, lift your head Hold on, hope is near.

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17 Hear Say

So you’re telling me, that he said, that I said, that you said that he said that? Yes he did. Well that’s not true. I said, that you said, that somebody told you, that he said that. And then he said, that you said, that somebody you know said, that I said that. No I never said that. What I said was, that somebody I know, said that someone they know, said that you said that. Then I told him, that I’m not losing anymore sleep over who said that, and that was that.

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18 Father How diligent the head, enforcing power over powerless The cringing spirits locked in fear, at every step Yet love abides within the eyes of the innocent. How futile the gift, if never mixed or stirred or drink? Impatient impulses eclipse the glowing smiles and jovial gestures With hearts of gold, the progenies await the accurate moment to shine But one hides in fear Huddled down Alone Unsure Afraid Till tentacles large, distorted through watery eyes, reach down to console A narrow smile with cautious reserve and delight, builds mounds of character in bits of time. The pentacle position of praise or Persecution, unmatched by any; save motherhood Is given, returned, and multiplied.

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19 Eyes of the Slave

Look through the eyes of the slave, who hangs from the tree Just moments before his last breath Not thinking of himself But wondering if the millions of cocoa color skinned people like him, would ever be free.

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20 Where Is The Smile?

Where is the smile? The crown Remember so bright My light, my northern star Where is the smile? Shared with the world with me It’s gone Unrevealed Your radiant beam Where is the smile? Might a rose resurrect or a joke or a tickle a kind word a shoulder? Is it too late? By far, it’s not Reach deep, deeper, into memories chest For thoughts of gold and teeth of pearls Reach for the warmth, brought forth with contagious outbreak Ignite, the light that burns from one to one, man to woman, girl to boy, land to land, me to you, you to me Smile.

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21 Saturday Afternoon

Reclined and rested in an easy chair, on a Saturday afternoon A bowl of popcorn, a mug of root beer, the remote to my plasma T.V. Florida, Georgia game of the week, starts in a quarter hours time The flip of a coin, the kick of a ball, the game is on its way If only everyday of the week, could be like Saturday.

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22 In That Moment

In that moment drained of strength, I stood alone, afraid and confused. Unfamiliar feelings covered me like a blanket. In solitude I wept. Emotions bombarded me from every side. A deflated giant I fell, Praying for answers. Memories of long ago arose to the surface. Words from those of age rushed back to me, lifting blinders. Connected dots, provoked sparks of hope. If not for love, If not for sharing, Where would I be?

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23 A Passing Thought What was it I wanted to do? I knew just a moment ago. The thought in my head, is silently dead, and I may never hear it again. It could have been all that I needed, to tackle the task of the day. It came in a flash, and left twice as fast. Oh why did my thought pass away?

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Ear to The Ground

24 The Beat of the Street

(Single Mom)

Listen to the beat The beat of the street The rhythm is clear The message is true Listen to the beat At 5 a.m. A woman alone On a bus stop bench She sits and waits Number fifteen’s late She dare not be Or there’ll be consequences A single mom Two kids to feed She prays for her ride to arrive In city streets Danger lurks Beneath the darken skies.

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25 I know you care

(lyrical) I know you care, cause you give a dang, about everything. Cause you give a dang-dang, about everything. Cause you give a dang, about everything. I know you care.

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26 Mr. Higgins

Mr. Higgins old and dirty Drank straight through a month of Sunday’s Rummaged with a four wheeled trolley In the streets of Chestnut Bay. He could find a broken toothpick Worthy of a second look Paper, plastic, glass and metal Filled his stolen shopping cart. People often laughed and taunted Calling him disgraceful names He would simply tilt his kangol Nitid with a silly smile. Higgins lost half his hearing In a field a world away Dressed in olive green apparel During the year of forty-four. Everyone despised his drinking Nicknaming him ‘Stupor-man’

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With his terrible lack of hearing He heard it as Superman.

Standing straight and tall, and mighty Hands placed firm against his hips

Profiled like the comic hero Staring out to open space.

People cried from all their laughter At the old delusional man He thought they were laughing with him As he rummaged garbage cans. Slightly past the age of sixty Halloween of eighty-two ‘Stupor-man’ as he were labeled Had a cloak tied round his neck. When the sun fell deeply westward Ghost and pirates made their move Kids attired in folklore costumes Begged for treats from door to door. Coming out of building seven Mrs. Green cried out for help

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“I can’t find my daughter Carla She is only five years old.” All the neighbors gathered quickly At the porch of Mrs. Green Someone yelled, “Split up and find her She could not have gone too far.” Then between the crowd of people Higgins forced his way ahead “Don’t you worry, he said bravely Superman will save the day.” With his good ear turned to hear her She said with a piercing voice “Superman’s not what they call you ‘Stupor-man’ is what they say.” Like the shrapnel from a shell blast Mrs. Green’s words cut him deep

But he focused on his mission As he had in forty-four.

Everyone began their searching Calling little Carla’s name

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Higgins with his cloak around him Started searching near the porch. There’s a method to his madness Finding things is his forte He could spot a long lost penny Down beneath the blades of grass. Mrs. Green had called the station With a missing child’s report Everyone continued searching For the absent five year old. On the Westside of the building Higgins with a trenchant mind Found a chain of tiny footprints Leading to a cubbyhole. Underneath the rows of housing Only meant for maintenance use

Was an entrance to a cubby Of water pipes and sewer traps.

On his knees he bellowed calling “Carla can you hear me child?”

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With his claustrophobic feelings He just kneeled there for awhile. It was dark and damp and eerie Down beneath the housing floors Higgins was about to give in Then he heard a whimpering cry. He could barely hear the weeping With the goings-on outside Cops and neighbors in their panic Looking for the five year old. With an old discarded lighter He’d collected from the trash Higgins moved with cautious motion Closer to the murmuring sounds. As the flicker of the lighter Lit the darkness of the space

He continued crawling farther Hoping that he’d see her face.

“Over There,” he thought he heard her But it echoed all around

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Higgins slid upon his belly On that cold and muddy ground. Flashbacks from his days of warring Started to invade his mind But a glimmer of the lighter Caught the gleam in Carla’s eyes. “Stay there little girl I’m coming ‘Stupor-man’ will take you home” Sentiments of joy and sorrow Filled his heart and weighed his mind. When the child saw Mr. Higgins She began to scream in fear “Hush child I am hear to save you Sit you in your mother’s arms.”

In a flash the lighter failed him No more fluid for the flame

Darker than a sudden eclipse Higgins clutched the toddlers arm.

Moving toward the cubby’s doorway To the air and bright moonlight

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Higgins wrapped his cloak of valor Round the shoulders of the child. “Here I found her,” he yelled loudly Carla cradled in his arms Mrs. Green and many others Rushed to where the call emerged. Higgins gave the child to mother Then he turned and walked away He went off to find his trolley Praying that his goods be there. “Please wait mister, let me thank you For my daughter’s safe return” He just simply tipped his kangol Nitid with a silly smile.

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27 Will the Band Play?

Will the band play familiar tunes that conjure visions of sweeter times? Will the band play the rhythmic beat of ‘Shake your groove thing’ or ‘Dancing in the street?’ Will the band play melodic love songs that melts the candles till early dawn, ‘Always and forever’ by the great Vandross or the Isleys’ ‘Let’s fall in love?’ Maybe they’ll play those mind tugging tunes of Earth, Wind and Fire. On the stage the drummer pops, Beats one, two, three on the rim of his snare; Live music, It’s been a while, Surprise, The band has their own style.

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28 Balancing Act

On a cable taut and steady, Jenny with her pink umbrella twenty feet above the throng; In the circus ring below her three Arabian horses step, moving in meticulous motion syncopating every stride; Cheers of praise rang out for Jenny midway through her tightrope act; Then a sudden shift of balance hushed the crowd in gasping breaths; Steadied by her pink umbrella, Jenny took the air in style; If you ask her how she does it, she will promptly let you know; ‘Five at home and sexist husband, constitutes a circus show.’

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29 It Started with a Single Tear

A single tear fell from her cheek And slowly floated to the ground It shook the earth at five-point-five And caused the winds to roar The skies exploded electrically With drenching rains That soaked her through Cold and wet she stood unaided With folded arms, across her chest Her world around was quickly falling She felt no need to stir

“Oh life please tell me, where did I go wrong? Didn’t I freely give my time, when time for me was sparse? And didn’t I show kindness to those who needed it most? Did I not share my wealth, with the less fortunate and poor? Tell me, what have I done, or have not done? Why has destruction Invaded my mind?”

Answer: The time given, and kindness shown

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And wealth you’ve freely shared Is truly great, Great indeed, But love is what they need. The earth relaxed, The winds blew calmly, The sunlight replaced the rain. Covered in warmth from thoughts of love, She raised her hands to the heavens.

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30 Ennui

He who never bores

of himself.

Is

himself a

bore.

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31 Vainglorious

A man can believe, that he is who he is in his mind’s eye. He may say, “Did you see how those babes looked at me?” “They were sisters.” “All the better.” “No like nuns.” “Oh I’m sorry.” “You should be.” “But the lady in the store stared at me, through her shades, did you see?” “That young woman in the line, she was pretty, she was fine, but her cane and Seeing Eye dog, implies she’s blind.”

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32 What is Love?

Love is said to be, only within the vision of the beholder. If this is so, then my heart and my soul, dreams only of you. Everything that I eat, which is sweet, conveys, the sight of you to my tongue. Every pleasing touch of my flesh, renders a likeness of you, to my mind. And The scent of your perfume has morphed my nostrils, to have perfect twenty-twenty. This is to say, that for me, love, is you.

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33 The long lost friend of

Dr. Robert Shaw

The long lost friend of Dr. Robert Shaw was only a heartbeat away. But the beat of a heart, is as long as a lifetime when the rhythm, is no longer there.

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34 This Crazy Ride

No embrace

A tear stained face An empty place

No one there No one cares

I’m alone Hard to bear

Should I give up Should I give in Or lift my head And try again

It seems surreal Like a dream I need to yell I want to scream

The fact remains That I am here

And through it all Must persevere

I can’t deny I hurt inside

But I must keep Some sense of pride

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Each passing day Seems oh so long I’m feeling weak I’m feeling strong

I can’t control This crazy ride

But from the world These things I hide.

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35 Add Some Love

The things we gain they matter not For things they will decay But when you have a love that’s true That love is here to stay So when you start to add things up There’s one thing you must do Don’t forget to add some love The love from me to you.

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36 Each Time I Pray

I feel your love In my Heart I feel your spirit From above I feel your presence Your holy power I feel your grace Each time I pray.

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37 What he wanted to say

SSSShe!

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38 What she needed to say

HEEEHe!

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39 Cruising can be Soothing

In the middle of the night Insomnia Nothing particularly wrong. Restless mind Out of bed Soul mate, in undisturbed slumber. Dressed and driving, CD blasting. Aimlessly cruising with the windows down. Summer breeze Red light Stop Paused in thought My children, my wife, my job, my life. Cruising can be soothing.

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40 Negativism

I know you’ve had hard times here lately But you need to stop feeling so grim Whatever it is that is pressing Please give it a moment to heal The words you blurt out They are vulgar So hateful Disturbing And cruel I wish there were someway to help you Break free from that negative mood.

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41 Clattering Cans

We hear the chiming bells, they ring Their voices mark the day Two souls in love eternally, they say

Three years of wooing, placed in memories vault, their burnished love, brilliantly shines

Pure as vestal Free of dubiousness and fraught

Let joyous sounds float on waves, to ears of tribes, both bride and groom

The bema reserved for the nuptial exchange, where clergy robed in ebony garment, prepares for the ceremonial vows

A host of guest with susurrant voices, fills the empty pews

The bridesmaids and groomsmen, flanked down the aisles Where linen as white as snow, leads straight before the altar

Peddles of flowers tossed like seeds, to the broken ground, ignites a fragrance, as grand as a parterre

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A pillow of silk and lace bears the gold band, balanced on the diminutive hands of a boy

The organ pipes the wedding march, as his and hers respectfully stands

Dampened faces focus center aisle, where the anxious bride clothed in white, walks hand in hand with her begetter; the bearer of the virtuous gift

Standing at the altar, the groom, tails and smiles, invites the overwhelming flood of emotions

Face to face, pledged before God and man, they seal with a kiss, the promise to love forever

An ebullition of cheers. Sprinkled grains of rice. Dashing Smiling Kissing Crying Picture poses Clattering cans, strung behind the speeding limo, emulates the thumping beats, of the newlyweds racing hearts.

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42 If ever the day should come

If ever the day should come, that I meet my maker, I will ask. Why was I such a sad young man, and much the same as and old man? Did I not see my worth, my blessings, my gifts? Was I to afraid to live? Can I see the book that holds my life? May I somehow get an answer to help me in my last days? When the time comes, I hope that I am ready to accept my destiny, and my past Then I will say, thank you; Eternally.

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43 Please Hate

There is someone at my doorstep Standing just beyond the clear glass pane An uninvited guest Peering into my eyes with a devilish smirk I move away from the door Hoping to be left alone The bell rings My adrenalin flows I must maintain my self-control Back and fourth outside my door He paces like an expectant father I peep through the pain, to take another look I’m afraid because I know That it’s Hate at my door So in my fear I scream out

Please Hate, get off my doorstep I refuse to let you in!

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Pounding footsteps across my stoop Breathing nasally like a testy bull Angered by my bold defiance He balled his fist and thwacked the door I pressed my back against the wall Shaking and trembling with sporadic heart beats My perspiration flowed free as falls Then suddenly, the voice of Hate With clashing teeth and grinding jaws Said, Don’t be afraid, I am your friend I didn’t speak He heard my thoughts A recall of yesterday The drive to work No warning sign Hate jumped into my car I honked my horn Screamed out profanities To strangers in my path I should have known better Than to give Hate a chance

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But not today Not this time I’ll shout my cords afflictive Please Hate, get off my doorstep I refuse to let you in! My memory flashed at speeds of light To how Hate always win But never will Hate win again With his evil ways And devilish grin Please Hate, get off my doorstep I refuse to let you in!

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44 What happened to the

Naked Eye?

What happened to the naked eye? Drowned in a pool of zeros and ones Caught in a wide web of optic fibers Dimensions weren’t flat enough? Definition wasn’t high enough? A digital glitch An unnatural smile A sense of touch With mice and liquid screens Mega pixels of pleasure and romance Human relationships destroyed Technology substitutes one-on-one Downloading souls to drives Email silences the human voice It is true that technology has its place But it will never supervene upon The naked eye.

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45 Eric

So small So real So fragile So still Here in my hands, you sleep No hello, just goodbye Some say I should not cry But you are a part of me And I am a part of you Sin cannot touch you Pain cannot afflict you When you open your eyes for the very first time, you will see the beauty, of all things The wholly wonders of God’s creations And for me, I will always keep you close Here in the palms of my hands.

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46 If You Could Fly If you could fly Far beyond the clouds To places, that dreamers dream to see Would you go alone? Or invite a friend? If so, I wonder, Could that friend be me? Could we fly above the thousand Islands of Florida’s Everglades? Or see the “Alligator” of Arizona’s Grand Canyon? I’d like to see the Maya ruins of Chich’en Itz’a, and the arctic mountains of the Yukon.

Could we soar above the tranquil waters of Lake Louise, and glide along the breathtaking coastline of Big Sur? Swoop down into the wide valleys of Timber Lake?

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Ear to The Ground

Would you mind hovering over the Angel Falls of Venezuela? I would really like to see the ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru, and “The City of Socrates” in Greece. Can we Stand atop of the Gateway Arch in Saint Louis? And fly over the chiseled rock formations of Toadstool park? And before we head for home, can we zoom to the Himalayas, to the summit of Mount Everest? I guess by now you see, I dream the dreams, of dreamers.

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Donald R. Turner Sr. is one of Florida’s up and coming writers. He has written in multiple genres; poems, short stories, screenplays, novels and lyrics. “I sit Beneath the big oak tree outside of my bedroom “I sit Beneath the big oak tree outside of my bedroom “I sit Beneath the big oak tree outside of my bedroom “I sit Beneath the big oak tree outside of my bedroom window. Shaded by its gigantic canopywindow. Shaded by its gigantic canopywindow. Shaded by its gigantic canopywindow. Shaded by its gigantic canopy, I gather a , I gather a , I gather a , I gather a jotter of thoughts, while taking in a bright sunny jotter of thoughts, while taking in a bright sunny jotter of thoughts, while taking in a bright sunny jotter of thoughts, while taking in a bright sunny afternoon.” afternoon.” afternoon.” afternoon.”

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Ear to the Ground (E-Pub) - Donald R. Turner Sr

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