Driving Lights

By Rick Williams


Headlights, quad
oh my god!
I hate those blinding things!

Who ordered four?
Did we need more
of the searing light they bring?

When they're behind
I often find
I'm blinded from the back.

They may see clearer
but they're in my mirror!
Now it's a rear attack!

Maybe I'm just too old
cataracts foretold
that gives sparkle to all the lights;

but it's getting to where
I should have sunglasses there
in my car when I'm driving at night!

Waiting

by Rick Williams


The miles go by, and those are good
but it's the waiting...

the sparkly lights at night, so pretty
and then the waiting...

conversations of the boastful men
in between the waiting...

the drone and rumble of rusty trains
while she's stopped and waiting...

arrival at the destination comes
and again begins the waiting...

she should be home and safely tucked
but instead she's stopped...  and waiting.

The Rains Have Come

By Rick Williams


From summer rain
we did abstain
but that finally came to an end.

The rains have come down
all over the town
and have begun the fall/winter trend.

There's one good thing
that the raindrops bring
they lull me to sleep, which is good.

Though everything's wetter
I do sleep much better
though still not as deep as I should.

About Wood

By Rick Williams


It's hard when it happens:
(though no pun is intended)
days I wake up with wood
and it's crying to be tended.

I try not to succumb
every time that it rises
what if it's the best thing all day
and the rest I despises?

It never happens at bedtime
at least, without warning
when it could send me to sleep
and I'd smile until morning.

The Rain Song

By Rick Williams


While in my house one quiet day
I heard a sound--a sort of ringing
My ears reached out with probing wonder
I realized then: the rain was singing!

The random raindrops played a tune
as they splashed against the chimney tin
I smiled and closed my eyes as I
enjoyed it--safe and dry within.

Hot or Cold?

by Rick Williams


The heat, oppressive as it is
in August, people languish
they forget that only months before
they spoke of cold in anguish.

"Give me warmth to thaw my bones
I can't take this any more
I must have sunlight--bring it forth
I'm frozen to the core!"

How quickly they forget those words
though heartfelt they were then
now that it's both hot and dry
their tune changed yet again.

"Give me winter, where I can layer
as much as needed to feel right--
a time when I have full control
of comfort--'specially at night."

The scene repeats two times a year
and why?  There are two reasons:
Winter and summer both, and
people struggle with both seasons.

By the time six months have passed
the memory of their hate will wane
and they forget how bad they felt
the last time they professed disdain.

But every year the same old cycle
comes and goes as it has always
and every year the same old song
will echo down the same old hallways.

Soldier On

By Rick Williams


Sometimes, alone, my tears will flow
and after, some relief I'll know..

While depression isn't on my list
of things, which, in my life persists

Still, occasionally it does present its face
and causes anguish while in its embrace

I have to wonder how those cope
When they can't run or have no hope.

To rise from bed and sleepless night
shielding eyes from screaming light

Stubbornly, their dark and weary faces
manage to bend and tie their laces.

What drives them is a stubbornness
Apparently most of us must possess.

It's one of those unwritten human things
to soldier on, no matter what life brings.

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!