The Sorry Truck

By Rick Williams


My truck of black; it tested me
it's mood I always guessed.
Sometimes it would start with glee
and others only rest.

Just when I would start to hope
that it was finally fixed,
I'd turn the key, but it said, "Nope"
and my joy would then be nixed.

I never knew on any day
if it would ever start.
I'd turn the key and I would pray
for just a pop or fart.

Usually it was at home
that it would let me down,
but sometimes it would let me roam
then strand me across town.

Sometimes it would toy with me
to see if I would tire.
I'd almost kill the battery
and it might then decide to fire.

That day it knew it went too far
it started instantly,
but I just stared down at my car
and ignored it's last-ditch plea.

Onto the trailer to be towed
it slowly made its way,
and tears from its windshield washer flowed
as it was led away.

Cupid's Arrow

By Rick Williams


A woman named Sue, it appeared
had a lifestyle she greatly revered.
Then everything changed;
her life rearranged;
when her heart was so suddenly speared.

Cupid's arrow flew swiftly and true,
where it came from she hadn't a clue.
Feelings largely unused
from being battered and bruised
resurfaced, all shiny and new.

Courting Suzie

By Rick Williams


There once was a woman named Suzie
Who made her man Rick feel all woozy
When she'd visit him not
the feelings he got
Were very much somber and bluesy.

My Secret Valentine

By Rick Williams


I have myself a Valentine
no wait--much more than that.
She dominates my thoughts all day
no matter where I'm at.

I seem to have a new-found joy
to go to work each day.
When we both make eye contact
they have so much to say.

We love to sneak a touch or feel
when we pass each other by.
We know some day that we'll be seen
by someone else's eye.

The excitement of our secret
makes our workdays fun
to steal a kiss when possible
whether stopped or on the run.

An office romance is a thing
that can go very wrong
But I think that this one will go right
our feelings are so strong.

To work with someone like we have
and never really "meet",
came close to being unfulfilled
but now we are complete!

The Seasonal Lament of a Partier Gone

By Rick Williams


It's not the same as it used to be;
times and people change.
I'd like to think it's not just me
whose life has rearranged.

Every weekend I could find
a party to attend;
a time to revel and unwind
from the week at work I'd spend.

But as we paired and found our mates
the parties became rare.
Our schedules never had blank dates
and we had no time to spare.

The parties did sometimes take place
but never like they were.
They had a more relaxing pace,
but at least they'd still occur.

Time and change can take its toll;
some marriages come undone,
and couples that are no longer whole
the hosts will almost shun.

It's a terribly hard job for a host
to have to pick and choose.
Which of the two do they like the most
or should they just invite them both for booze?

When parties are fewer,
and as we all age and change;
I sometimes feel bluer,
and distanced, and strange.

It's worse during holidays;
things are hectic as hell,
and I need badly to find ways
to socialize for a spell.

I could step up and be the one
and have a party here,
but even though I want some fun
too many "can't" appear.

I guess it's just the way things go
nothing stays the same.
I'll just tell my tale of woe
in this poem it became.

Full in the Face

By Rick Williams


Deafened by noise and pasted by bugs
the windshield-less biker rides.
Neck strained from wind, face numbed by cold
is the ride-style that he decides.

Some may opt for their comfort zone
behind their Plexiglas shield,
while others like myself may not...
Preferring scenery unconcealed.

The fall and winter months will show
a rider's grit and spirit.
Many riders, even those with 'shields
Will park and not go near it.

I, too, may opt to not go out
and ride in weather cold,
but I don't "mothball" my bike
when summer's sun grows old.

Sometimes the cold and moist fall air
is exactly what people need,
and having it blast you full in the face
is living life, indeed.

Ode to a Cousin

By Rick Williams


Melinda, whom I love so dearly
cousin since my day of birth;
Our meetings then were at best, yearly
I never knew your friendship's worth.

Your pictures graced my grandpa's wall,
both yours and sister Jan.
When I went near they seemed to call
so there I'd stop and stand.

I remember that I'd stop and gaze
any time I could
I'll bet I could have stayed for days
transfixed, right where I stood.

I was so in awe of you
whenever you were here,
I always felt self-conscious
whenever you were near.

The times you guys came up
to visit were so few,
that each for me was awkward
like I had only just met you.

Algona, where I lived and grew
was "no-wheres-ville" to me;
I longed for Southern Cal with you
where tanned I'd always be.

"Where the Action Is" and "Bandstand"
I watched them on TV.
I'd dream of California sand
and in those thoughts you'd be.

You were older than me back then
and so cool in every way,
I'd try to memorize the things you'd do
and everything you'd say.

Now that many years have passed
and our ages finally touch,
I can truly say at last
that I love you very much!

Alone at Christmas

By Rick Williams


The holiday season we hold so dear
feels very, very odd this year.

My lack of lights and Christmas tree
could be the problem... Possibly.

My home is a quiet, empty house
without my daughter or nagging spouse.

No endless loop of Christmas songs
playing over and over, all day long.

No fighting over what to see
when Christmas specials are on TV.

Party invites never seem to be
when they're all couples and I'm only me.

But what if all these things I've missed
are actually my Christmas list?

Summer's End

By Rick Williams


Cold and damp, the evening air
as October's end draws near;
The lazy warmth of the evening sun
is gone until next year.

The leaves of many of the trees
are turning red and gold
from the lack of the sunlight
and from the night-time cold.

Wood stove smoke hangs heavy
in the cool, moist night time air,
and in the mornings fog and dew
are not exactly rare.

Gone are the musical ice cream trucks
with their irritating tunes,
Replaced by quiet, empty darkness
and hazy, orange full moons.

Pumpkin fields, awash in orange
are everywhere you look
and cornfields cut to mazes
like puzzles from a book.

Soon it will be Halloween
and children of all sizes,
will be busy ringing doorbells
in search of sweet surprises.

Witches, ghosts, and monsters
are what they used to be
but now they're cartoon characters
and heroes from TV.

The favorite sport will also change
from one game to another.
Instead of swinging baseball bats
they'll be tackling each other.

Bodies once totally bare
to the hot, dry summer sun
are now covered completely
with no button left undone.

So put away your swimsuits
and beach towels for a bit,
and dig out all your winter clothes
to see if they still fit.

The satin sheets can go as well;
use flannel ones instead,
and spread the quilt that grandma made
out over the bed.

With holidays just ahead,
and everyone baking treats
the diets will go out the window
as everyone overeats.

Whether it's due to boredom
or what, no one really knows,
but as least our overeating
will be hidden by our clothes.

So if you end up feeling down
and melancholy too
just think ahead to summer
and you will make it through!

I Don't Need a Reason

By Rick Williams


People often wonder
what is right and what is wrong.
We wonder what our purpose is
and where we all belong.

We wake and rise each morning
and ready for our day
some may go to school or work
and others might just play.

Some people have a purpose
and others have no clue
of why it is that they're put here
and what they are to do.

Many people need to think
that "someone" put them here
while others are content to have
no god to praise or fear.

To some my way of thinking
is called "outside the box"
but I don't care that they may think
my head is full of rocks.

For I believe that this is hell
and not what's after death.
All the things that happen now;
before our final breath.

Pain and sorrow are no fun
on that we all agree,
but they can be our private hell
and feel like eternity.

Me? I don't need a greater reason
to live upon this earth
than to eat and drink, and maybe sex,
and share a little mirth.

Who knows how long that we may last
or how long we'll be here?
So eat and laugh and love,
and drink another beer.

Sometimes my thoughts can be quite strange
and border on bizarre,
but that's what makes me who I am
instead of who you are.