Algona (Sung to the tune of El Paso by Marty Robbins)

By Rick Williams


Out in the sleepy small town of Algona
I fell in love with a red-headed girl.
At school I'd stare but pretend not to see her
and through my mind thoughts of Brenda would whirl.

Cute were the dimples and pigtails of Brenda
but I was a "timid with girls" sort of lad.
I never looked at her wide eyes directly
so I never knew what color eyes that she had.

One day at school, new glasses she wore
so different she looked to us all.
Laughing and joking
such fun I was poking
with poor little Brenda
that girl that I loved.

So in anger she

snitched to the teacher before I could stop her
and cried while she told her what evil I'd done.
I'm sure I got into trouble about it
as Brenda stood back with a grin she had won.

I was not liking this bad situation,
I stood by the teacher and stared at the door.
But Brenda was worth it, a sassy young maiden
even though tears of mine fell to the floor.

Very soon after I, too, wore new glasses
and had to endure the same insults as she.
I hated them dearly for making me different
but loved them as well for at last I could see.

Things on the blackboard were finally in view
nothing escaped my new eyes
now I could see things
like panties on school swings
the clearly-seen undies:
my newly found prize.

Alas, but I

Moved from the town and went north to another
friends that I left there were fading from view.

For the girl in Algona my love was still burning
though Brenda had surely forgotten me now.
Like me she grew and forgot those days back when
we ran and we played as our days would allow.

Moving away from Algona one day
she had to follow her kin
maybe she'd be back
or maybe she wouldn't, but
looking behind her she
cried leaving her past.

And I felt that

A spark in my soul was extinguished or missing
an emptiness echoed though my childhood heart.
I couldn't tell what this emptiness came from
I only knew I felt missing a part.

Every ten years I had hope that I'd see her
my love for Brenda was still there inside.
At those reunions I never did find her
I never knew whether she lived or had died.

Then came the 40th, my heart filled with hope
maybe this time I would find
the girl I had searched for
for all of these years.
The beauty named Brenda
that I'd left behind.

So in earnest I

kept a sharp eye on the news of my classmates
working the listings I asked for her name.
One day I looked and my eyes misted over
written there was Brenda, my old childhood flame.

Now that I've found her I'll never let go of
this girl I have missed all those decades before.
I missed her so badly and now that she's back
I will love her forever, forever, and more.

Is it Time?

By Rick Williams


Is it time? Is it time for baking
in warming rays the sun is making?

Is it warm enough to exchange or shed
the winter clothes for naught instead?

The End of Winter

By Rick Williams

The wafting floral essences
fill the countryside;
the warm air rolls throughout the car
while out for a springtime ride.

Peel off protection from the cold
and celebrate the sun!
Get rid of all the winter clothes,
and sun the naked buns!

The Crossing of Paths

by Rick Williams


There once was a cute redhead named Brenda,
and we both, the same school, did attend-a.
Now that we're older
I am able to hold her
and we are finally boyfriend and girlfriend-a.

Many years have gone by and gone fast,
and though many experiences have passed,
we've found that we are
quite alike--it's bizarre,
I'm so glad we're together at last!

Limerick for Warren

by Rick Williams

A "planner-turned-screener" named Warren

Who, in thrift stores he likes to be porin’

He has roving eyes

for collectible ties

The rare ones are the ones he likes scorin’