Warren is Retiring

By Rick Williams

 
There once was a planner named Warren;
who decided it was time to be scorin'
a job, in his eyes,
that was quite otherwise;
so decided to go get himself swore-in.

He liked his new job as a screener
(though there were days that the grass could be greener).
He enjoyed talking to folks,
funny memes and good jokes,
and dancing around customers' demeanor.

His work area was a fun place to stop.
It was like a gourmet candy shoppe!
he had fancy snacks
in Costco-sized packs;
(even though some of them tasted like props)

You hardly ever saw Warren get riled.
His dimeanor: quite mellow and mild.
He's the kind of a man
that could fall in a trash can;
and would probably still have a smile.

Warren, you're going to be missed
(though your tie-dye will likely persist).
Have a great life my friend
now your whole life's a weekend!
Just don't snub the honey-do list!

Lost and Found

By Rick Williams

When I was small I started school;
Kindergarten was the grade.
I thought that it was oh so cool;
We learned, and laughed, and played.

There was a special little girl
whose red hair caught my eye;
I must have thought her wonderful,
but likely knew not why.

I'm sure I turned on all my charms,
and you know how kids can be--
I probably just punched her arm
and ran away with glee.

All the grades from K through six
our classrooms were the same.
All our art and projects too;
along with songs and games.

At the end of our grade six
my family moved away.
Time went by and life went on;
She went missing on that day.

In high school I thought I saw her once,
but she didn't ring a bell.
I remember that she caught my eye,
but who? I couldn't tell.

Many years went flying by;
relationships came and went.
I never forgot about that red-haired girl
as I searched reunion events.

The details of our own reunion--
I'll spare you at this time,
but let me just say this one thing:
We're married and she's mine!

Those Other "N" Words

by Rick Williams

I love the feel of nakedness
and don't care who I tell.
I'll announce it to the world
and everyone else as well!

I wear t-shirts every day to work;
many with "Nudestock" themes.
They're my subtle way of saying,
"There's a nudist on your team!"

At first it was a common thing;
people would always wonder:
"Why would anyone want to see
what's usually hidden under?"

It isn't just about what you see
when you're only wearing shoes;
it's also about how you feel--
it helps you kick the blues!

Bodies differ so very much--
there are really no two the same;
so why should less than perfect ones
be made fun of and/or shamed?

I've had many experiences
of nudism over the years,
but never thought to share them;
perhaps acceptance fears?

Nobody wants to be ridiculed
about things they think or do.
Maybe I thought I'd be seen as odd
and taunting would ensue.

I'd like to think that everyone
is born a nudist at their core;
but alas, most kids are taught
to have those thoughts no more.

Instead, be sure to make it known
that you're a nudist too!
Share those thoughts with those you know--
I'll bet that some will envy you!

Working in the Shop

By Rick Williams

I like to do stuff in my shop,
but not like most folks do.
You see, I putter in the nude,
wearing nothing but my shoes!

It's a lot less trouble to clean dirt
from skin instead of clothes,
but all the hazards on the floor
mean shoes for feet and toes.

Folks would likely gasp wide-eyed
if they saw me working there;
especially when I'm grinding steel
with sparks near you-know-where!

In summer I get pretty warm--
even undressed all the way,
but I can't roll up the garage door--
I'd be a neighborhood display.

You know the double standard
about people with no clothes?
Yeah, women get away with it,
but men don't dare expose.

Someday someone may surprise
and catch me while I'm bare,
but I am willing to play the odds
they'll not catch me unaware.

I love that I don't have to hide
like many husbands do;
my wife occasionally visits me
because she's a nudist too!

Post Christmas Emptiness

by Rick Williams


Christmas day has come and gone,
and another year begun.
The decorations and the lights
are all put away and done.

All the shopping money that was spent
now has to be paid back,
and now we must endure
all the "end of season sale" attacks.

It's not like there's any money left
to take advantage of the deals.
We've only got "so much" to spend
including water, heat, gas, and meals.

But there was one thing that we missed;
or maybe it just stood out more:
the lack of little ones around
seemed more noticeable than before.

No Playskool and no Fisher-Price,
no screams of giggled delight.
No trucks, no dolls, no toys for kids;
there were no kids in sight.

Is this that biological clock again?
A sign of something new?
Aren't we supposed to have
grandkids by the time we're 62?

What a different Christmas day we'd have
with all the excitement little kids do bring.
There'd be paper and boxes everywhere!
Laughing and playing would be king!

The flashes of the pictures taken
would be bouncing off the walls
as we tried to capture all the fun
that was unfolding overall!

Every Christmas when I was small
the same, familiar scene took place:
Which were the kids? Which was the adult?
Oh, the happiness on dad's face!

I still remember that fun he had
all those times back then.
I liked the way he forgot his age
and on Christmas became a kid again.

My wife and I talked, and both agreed:
How cool and different it would be,
if we could borrow someone else's kids
to add Christmas chaos to our lonely tree!

Old Iron

By Rick Williams


Dirty paint, and rusty chrome;
torn seat cover over sun-baked foam.

Missing, cracked, or broken lights
on front, on back, on lefts and rights.

Wiring that was once in shape;
now full of breaks and wrapped with tape.

The brakes might work if they're applied,
but likely lock from the gunk inside.

Missing bolts and rounded nuts,
and cables full of nicks and cuts.

A left side pipe with nasty marks
from when a road made pretty sparks.

Spark from plugs? Not any more!
The battery--dead since long before.

The tires are quite a mystery;
how they hold air is beyond me.

Everything rubber is cracked or gone,
or nothing like the factory spawned.

The gas tank, capped, smells bad inside
from rotten old gas that has long since dried.

The fuel lines are yellowed, old, and hard;
the chain is there, but no chain guard.

Parts are few, and the bikes are old,
but I consider them to be pure gold!

Old Acquaintances

By Rick Williams


Wait--what's your name?
Do you know me?
I'm glad you came,
wait... Let me see...

I knew it was you
when I looked your way
but where's your hair;
did it fade away?

Yeah, older we appear to be
when did that shit happen?
When did we lose our youth
and rock turned into rappin'?

Though hair is gray
and energy lacking
I've many miles left
that I can be rackin'!

Summer is My Thing!

by Rick Williams


Welcome to the summer heat!
(It's not for everyone...)
For me, though, it's a favorite--
It's when clothing turns to fun!

The choices that some people make
in what they choose to wear
tend to border on risque'
and filled with "...if you dare!"

It's a time for naughty dress
for those that like to flaunt;
it's a time to show more skin
and make their clothing taunt!

A general lack of underthings
prevails in summer clothes,
and flip-flops, shoes, and sandals
reveal sexy, polished toes.

My favorites are the dresses
that blow when there's a breeze
with glimpses of what's underneath
that tantalize and tease.

Sure, winter, fall, and spring are good
with all the things they bring,
but give me summer any day;
bare skin is more my thing!

Limericks for Lisa

by Rick Williams


A wonderful friend of mine--Lisa;
Such a talented artist is she-sa!
Her pottery is stellar,
and often I tell her
how beautiful her work is to me-sa.

Though her pottery wheel is her tool,
her painting is also a jewel.
her designs do inspire,
and I love to admire;
Her elaborate patterns are so cool!

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.