Tinnitis

By Rick Williams


The constant hissing in my ears
is it from all those music years?

The walls of sound I hurled their way;
I never dreamed they would decay.

Admonished time and time again
to "Turn it down!" during the din.

Natural loss? Yeah, it could be
I am getting old as you can see.

It's a never-changing monotone
a hiss that always seems to drone.

It makes an auditory wall
that slows the sound waves to a crawl.

Because of it I talk too loud
and find it hard to hear in crowds.

I wonder sometimes if it will
cause me to snap and want to kill.

I wish there was some way I could
turn off this hissing noise for good.

Retiring Jim

by Rick Williams

[Once again someone at work retired and I was inspired with a couple verses of limerick to jot down for the occasion.  FYI: Jim has a side business raising Tilapia.]


A Boeing employee named Jim
is leaving--perhaps on a whim.
Instead of him here
he'll sit home with a beer
and watch his Tilapia swim.

I really don't know him that well
but he's an awful nice guy--I can tell.
But no more can we blame
him when something goes lame;
Now there's one less plan checker to yell.

We wish you the best days ahead
as you lie there uncaring in bed
no alarm clock to scream
you can lay there and dream
or do what your wife says instead.

Depression

By Rick Williams


When depression rears its ugly head
gone is her will to climb from bed.

Helplessness as I stand near.
If I speak, what will she hear?

The best intentions, oft misread
make me wish I'd different, said.

I want to be her supportive rock
but how do I know when not to talk?

Actions, or lack thereof, lead me
to think that quiet is how I should be.

But if I'm wrong and don't say a thing
I'm called indifferent and feel her sting.

Sometimes it's like, every time
I say a thing I've committed a crime.

If it happens while we're in the car
I try conversation but don't get far.

Eventually I sigh and switch to mute
because no words came forth en route.

Turn music on? No, I don't dare
because that means that I don't care.

To play it safe I'm better off to be
completely quiet, as is she.

I can not begin to understand
the woe she feels and must withstand.

I only hope that one day soon
we can put her back in tune.

Christmas Cards to Ethan & Emma

By Rick Williams

[I wrote these to include in the Christmas cards I sent to my grand-kids this year.]


Merry Christmas, Ethan!
What a handsome boy you are!
Although I've only met you once
I know you're quite a star!

I wish that I could be there
and visit with you folks.
I could take your pictures
and tell you funny jokes!

Unfortunately, I am here
and you are way down there.
But some day I may visit you
and sit down in your chair!

I hope you have a wonderful
Christmas day this year.
Try to treat your sister nice
and hold her very dear!



Merry Christmas, Emma!
I hope you're doing well.
I haven't seen you in forever
but someday--time will tell!

I'll bet you're smart and talented
and get good grades and stuff.
But I also hope you're having fun
and on your brother: not too tough.

As I said in Ethan's card
I wish I was there to see
the fun and festive Christmas
at your house, around the tree!

Next time I'm down that way
I'll be sure to stop and see
you, your brother and the rest
of your loving family!

Gloomy Woods

by Rick Williams


Carefully, I choose my steps
and curse my choice of shoes
for hidden under rotting leaves
rocks and mud confuse.

It seems the farther that I go
along the forest floor
the more I notice little things
and the more I must explore.

I stop to listen, I look around
It's like I'm not alone;
my sounds seem strangely amplified
and they bother the unknown.

The pathway stretches eerily
through the dripping, silent trees.
I feel like I'm intruding here
and all the foliage sees.

It's odd how much that feeling
is more prevalent today.
It's like the rain that trickles down
gives trees much more to say.

Mind Numbness

by Rick Williams

[sitting through classes with a teacher that speaks in 500-word sentences can be a real adventure...]


I'm trying hard to stay awake;

the teacher's dial is set on "bake".

The numbing drone; I cannot see;

like mental acid, it's eating me.

Alertness, shot, I'm fading fast;

I don't know how long I can last.

But just when I can take no more

the clock smiles down and I hit the door.

Tick, tick, tick!

by Rick Williams


Tick.

Tick!

Tick, tick!

Tick, tick, tick!
the fire takes hold.

Tick, tick, tick!
warm, once cold.

Tick, tick, tick!
the woodstove heat;

Tick, tick, tick!
it's warming my feet.

Tick, tick, tick!
hotter and hotter...

Tick, tick, tick!
I need some water!

Tick, tick, tick!
that's hot enough!

Tick, tick, tick!
I'm in the buff!

Tick, tick, tick!
stop feeding it!

Tick, tick, tick!
just let it sit.

Tick, tick, tick.
ah, it's cooling.

Tick, tick, tick
no more fueling.

Tick, tick.

Tick.

Bill the Instructor

By Rick Williams


[this was written today as a thank-you for the instructor I had during a training class for up-and-coming manufacturing engineers]

There once was a teacher named Bill

who did what he could to instill

how to be an M.E.

but it was hard, for you see;

our capacity to learn was quite nil.

The Flicker

by Rick Williams


I was sitting here one cold, fall day
when I heard a thumping sound.
I couldn't tell from where it came
and I turned my head around.

I looked out the window for a sign
to explain the sound to me.
I looked around for anything
without knowing what I'd see.

I really had no clue of what
the bumps and rustling were.
I tried my best to figure it out
but they'd only randomly occur.

I thought it was the neighbor
'cause he'd sometimes bang and thump,
but this time there was no one home
to make any kind of bump.

Then I heard it one more time
when I was in my chair,
and something outside caught my eye
at the top of the window there.

On a railing below the eaves
above, where I could see;
a brightly-colored Flicker sat
and was looking back at me.

I wonder if he was angry
at what we did this year
when we cut his favorite lilac down?
He probably held it dear.

The Flicker's always loved that tree.
Perhaps it tasted good?
They covered it with little holes;
always pecking against the wood.

We finally had to cut it down
because it started failing.
The parts of it were hanging out
over driveway, cars and railing.

Maybe he was mad enough
that he tried to bore a hole
into the outside of our house.
Maybe spite was his main goal.

Well, all I can say is "Sorry, man...
we hated to cut your tree.
Now come back and have some suet.
I hang it just for you, you see."

I've Noticed as I Age

by Rick Williams


I've noticed as I age that I
smell things differently than I did.
I've also noticed as I age that
things are softer around my mid.

I've noticed as I age that my
attention span is sorely lacking.
I've also noticed as I age that
when I move I hear joints cracking.

I've wondered as I age where all
the time and all the years have gone.
I've also pondered as I've aged if
I should keep on keepin' on.

I've decided though I've aged a lot
my life is quite a ways from hell.
When comparing it to others known
I've got things pretty well.