The Dream

by Rick Williams


I looked in the mirror
and saw a flat ocean
all the way to infinity
instead of me.

I stared hard for something
or some kind of meaning
but colorless distance
was all I could see.

I reached with my hand
for the smoothness of glass
but instead I found air
where the mirror should be.

I felt I was falling
and was suddenly scared
I cried out, but in vain
for no one heard my plea.

I awoke in my bed
my heart beating loudly
my mind was still there
though it tried hard to flee.

Our Silent Classmates

by Rick Williams


Years of life have come and gone
since days we laughed in class.
Fewer of our friends remain
as sadly--some have passed.

Some were known by everyone,
and others: known by few,
but popularity aside
still missed by all they knew.

Though each reunion that we have
brings news of classmates lost,
the news brings welcome memories
of times our paths had crossed.

During time they spent on earth
through good times and through bad
they shared portions of themselves with us
and we treasure the times we had.

For Mom on Mother's Day

By Rick Williams


Thanks for all the times we shared
and thanks for all the wounds repaired.

Thanks for meals we always had
and healing us when we felt bad.

Thanks for all the times you pretended
and for all the broken hearts you mended.

Thanks for all the sleep you traded
when we were sick and felt deflated.

Thanks for giving us the space
to learn things and to find our place.

Thanks for coming to concerts and plays
even though they were bad most days.

Thanks for times you drove me around
on my paper route when the rains would pound.

Thanks for keeping us together
through thick and thin and stormy weather.

Thanks for being the best mom ever.
I love you now and I'll love you forever!

Class Outside

By Rick Williams


Working in a building here
far from window, far from door
so much is missed when days are clear
the air is stale and semi-poor.

I remember school days, back
when springtime sun would shine;
we'd have a nice day "sun-attack"
and have outdoor class divine.

I loved those days we sat outside
with sun, and birds, and bees;
it made the classroom big and wide
with grass, and clouds, and breeze!

A Forgotten Limerick to Melinda

By Rick Williams

[I just discovered this on one of my hard drives.  It's from several years ago and unpublished until now!]


The favorite cousin of mine
who loved to have guests over to dine
her hugs felt so right
and she held me so tight
that between us no daylight did shine.

She loved a good laugh and would flirt,
she liked to have fun but not hurt
"We'll be married," she'd boast,
"if our spouses are toast"
"and I don't care about gossip or dirt."

I knew it was wrong for such thoughts
tried to push them aside but could not
It was obvious to me
I'm as naughty as she
Besides... She has always looked hot!

I wonder why she's never asked
for a ride on my Hog, slow or fast
Perhaps if I dared
or maybe compared
the vibrations to orgasms past?

I like to give rides to good friends
but only to ladies, not mens.
The way they hold tight
feels amazingly "right"
and makes me go agains and agains.

The parties she held were all great
The food and the drink were first rate
The guests she invited
always pleased and delighted
and everyone laughed as they ate.

Good ol' Milt was always a blast
He always dressed well and with class
We'd laugh and we'd joke
and the stories he spoke
They were interesting things from his past.

The old relatives would usually show too
reminiscing the whole evening through
But they're family you know,
so no dismay would we show
As their numbers are getting to be few.

It's funny how as we get older
we speak and we act so much bolder
perhaps it's the fire
of hidden desire
that burns after enough time to smolder.

O' Ireland!

By Rick Williams


Ireland, so lush and full of green
we loved you more and more
as days went by and more was seen
though sun did shine and rain did pour.

Your country lanes have so much feel
with all the fences made of stone
though a bit too close when at the wheel
with ivy, overgrown.

Your fields; their shades of healthy green
some empty, some with grazing sheep
were all so neatly kept and clean,
no matter flat or hillsides steep.

Your Irish people, so eager, they
no matter what we asked;
So happy to talk and so much to say
with friendliness: unsurpassed.

Your colorful villages with cheery stores
Seemed to extend a friendly hand.
We wanted to stop, to walk, explore
each village in the land.

Our favorite: your rugged, windblown coasts!
Some places: sheer and rocky drops.
The misty rains sometimes made ghosts
of shots we took on camera stops.

The broken backs of remains, once grand
castles, abbeys from the days of old.
We found them all across your land
Some hidden, most with tales untold.

The beautiful sound of Irish speech
makes music of the spoken word.
I loved to hear you talk, and each
time I smiled when it was heard.

Let's not forget the foods we ate
all home-grown or fresh-caught
everything we tried was great!
We looked forward to meals a lot!

We found your pubs inviting, all
when we needed to take a rest.
Your soups and breads enthralled
we said each time, "That was best."

We truly fell in love with all we saw of you
and we saw such a great many things
we left Ireland with fond memories, true,
and to those we will always cling.

Train of Thought

By Rick Williams


Eyebrow cocked, I'm trying hard
but where's my train of thought?
Is my brain abused and scarred?
Is that what reckless life has fraught?

I'm groping for any kind of thread
But, try as I might, I can't think what.
It's like my once clear mind is dead
or deeply mired in a muddy rut.

I try not to get uptight and fret;
just sigh and move along.
No use in getting all upset
as years creep up things will go wrong.

Almost 40 Years Have Passed

By Rick Williams


The years go by in groups of ten
and soon it's time to meet again!

Reunion time for Auburn High;
a time to meet, to laugh, to cry.

Also, there are always those
that, where they are; nobody knows.

Some do manage to keep in touch
but many of us: not so much.

Familiar faces, but lined and creased
Sadly, some are gone; deceased.

Some we may not recognize
(yet--there's something familiar about their eyes!)

I do hope we have name tags on
because my memory is sometimes gone.

Stories to trade, so much to share,
joking about each other's hair.

Taking pictures of friends re-found
or just sitting quietly in the background.

Some may even be surprised
to laugh with someone once despised.

There may also be some new friends made
as pictures, tales, and emails trade.

I was no one back in school.
I played no sports, I wasn't cool.

Part of me says, "don't go near"
like there's something in the past I fear.

Maybe I'm afraid of emotions flowing
or maybe I'm better off not knowing?

There were many girls I lusted for,
and what if now I lust once more?

Sometimes I think back and wonder:
Did I choose correct or blunder?

I tell myself, "don't think that way."
"What's done is done, so live today."

I was, for the most part, glad
of treasured times in school I had.

Even if you had only one true friend
that's still enough reason to attend.

So celebrate the ones that show,
whether friends or those you hardly know.

Our list of classmates shrinks each year.
We're getting old; our time grows near.

Though our energy is partly gone
our zest for life goes on!

Destiny

by Rick Williams


I hope that when I'm dead and gone

a few might read my written word.
To see what thoughts flowed forth
from me--an ordinary nerd.

I'd like for folks to be surprised
at thoughts I had inside.
'Cause I had my public persona
behind which I would hide.

It frustrates me that choices made
were seldom what they seemed.
When high hopes and expectations
failed to come off as I dreamed.

I think of things I like to do
and shrug a mental sigh.
I've arrived intact to where I am;

no reason now to try.

I guess it's just one way I feel
Like I'm not where I should be.
It's like I caught the wrong train
As childhood fell from me.

I don't believe in destiny

but it's an interesting thought.

If we had pre-chosen paths

would we like what they had brought?

Overwhelmed

by Rick Williams


My mind swings wildly to and fro;
sometimes yes and sometimes no.

Oppressive thoughts may cloud my day,
and taint the things that people say.

A morning, bad, that turns to worse,
makes me wonder why I'm cursed.

Sometimes it just seems to be
that the universe is taunting me.

"What can you stand before you break?"
"Is your mental health at stake?"

There are times I've closed my eyes
and tipped my face toward the skies.

"I give up," I said, "I'm not this tough."
"Take me now. I've had enough."

Of course, nothing happens, I'm still here.
Living day to day, unclear.