The Mind's Eye

By Rick Williams


To shoot a perfect sunrise
I have to be in place
before the rays of morning
touch my lens and face.

Shooting people on the street
is challenging to do.
Things like love or loneliness
are moods that I pursue.

I try to see things commonplace
with my mind's creative eye,
to see ordinary things differently;
be they rocks, or trees, or sky.

I try to always be aware
of signals that are sent.
I try to re-interpret them;
to visually reinvent.

Camera settings can be wrong
like focus, speed, and light,
but other things like framing
can be easily half the fight.

A person may have all the gear
and knowledge may possess,
but just because they have the goods
there's no guaranteed success.

To get that one good shot may take
a hundred, two, or more.
The one that's worlds above the rest
that people all adore.

Although photography is very old
techniques remain the same.
The equipment may be more complex,
but it just gives us more to blame.

I'm sure that I'll keep shooting
even though I'm barely "fair"
because it's fun and gets me out
and gives me things to share.

The Shopper's Lament

This holiday time of the year
when, of malls we try hard to stay clear.
The shoppers; all hurrying
like mice; chased and scurrying,
and the parking lots: Places to fear.

We shoppers hardly ever think twice
when it comes to the item or price
because it's the norm
we don't dare reform,
and the stores do their best to entice.

For our loved ones we set out to buy,
but no matter how hard that we try;
we can never resist
when the prices insist,
and we buy for ourselves with a sigh.

Our money is already tight
partly due to less day and more night.
Our heaters all run
because of no sun,
and our power bills tend to cause fright.

In these times when so many need work
and behind them their creditors lurk
they just can't NOT buy
for their gal or their guy.
It's like a duty they can't seem to shirk.

Now the hubbub has finally died down
and Christmas has finally left town.
Our houses are all messed,
and we really need rest,
but we work, or in debt we will drown.

Pictures

By Rick Williams


I checked the web and found them still there
twenty-eight pics of me bare
from a few years ago
when I opted to show
everything to my friends lurking there.

It's the naturist in me I guess
that makes it a challenge to dress
I'd rather be bare
feeling breeze in my hair
It's a feeling that I hate to repress.

There's a little exhibitionist too
that came out when I'd allow them to view
I'd succumb to a dare
without even a care
and off all the clothing then flew.

Brrr!

By Rick Williams


The November cold is here in force
but the stubborn sun still shines.
Thanksgiving plans are being made:
Turkeys, pies, and wines.

I tend to dread this time of year
no skin or skimpy clothes.
Summer is my time of year
as everybody knows.

Although I really must admit
a roaring fire is nice
I just can't stand the long, dark days
or windshields dressed in ice.

Sometimes I have to wonder
as we celebrate this time of year
if the reasons for the holidays
are really to induce some cheer.

What if these days we take
for granted are totally a sham
the Turkeys, hams and Christmas lights
are really just a scam?

The dark and dreary winters
can cause us to lose hope
but what if Christmas and Thanksgiving
were designed to help us cope?

Imagine: Man-made special days
created just to keep us sane
When people in the North go nuts,
stir-crazy from the cold and rain.

Okay, it's really just a thought;
it couldn't be that way
I'm sure if they were both dreamed up
someone, somewhere would say.

So meanwhile, stoke the fire up
or in that hot tub soak
whatever it takes to warm you;
be it drink, or food, or joke.

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.