"The Cancer's Nothing."

"The Cancer's Nothing".

We were back home on vacation
Took a drive around the town
Our license plate showed 'Georgia'
As we drove all around;
A lady was alone outside
And when we stopped the car
She smiled up to greet us
Said "My, you've come so far!"

I told her we were passing by
As once we slept inside
When I was still an in-law
Before some of them had died;
She asked us inside for tea
In her strong British voice
The house was very quiet
With hardly any noise.

She spoke of her life alone
And we shared same, of course
She said "The cancer's nothing
Compared to the divorce;"
She wasn't sure she'd make it
She thought she might return
To her home in New Zeland
For which her heart did yearn.

We shook hands and parted
After a tour of the place
I said thanks and good-bye
Then looked her in the face;
"I've always loved this old house
So if you decide to sell
Would you give me the chance?
But I only wish you well."

After she had moved back home
And I had done the same
After she had passed away
The house now in my name:
I thought of her face often
And heard her voice, of course
"The cancer's nothing
Compared to the divorce."

And when I watch the setting sun
Or hear that ol' foghorn
I think about her broken heart
And I feel so forlorn;
She was strong and very kind
An Angel 'til the end
I think this house misses her
It, too, was her best friend.

COWGIRLS NEVER DIE

COWGIRLS NEVER DIE

He kissed her mouth and held her tight
Before he left for work
She waved from the kitchen window
Like it didn't even hurt;
His scent stayed with her all day
Like he'd never said good-bye
She went about her busy life
'Cuz cowgirls never cry.

Sometimes he'd come around again
Just like he'd never left
And she would offer all she had
To give of her own self;
But it wasn't ever quite enough
And he'd tell her those ol' lies
She'd smile when he rejected her
'Cuz cowgirls never cry.

He'd love her & he'd leave her
To him, it was just a game
He chased all the younger ones
But she was his old flame;
He sometimes brought her flowers
Or baked her favourite pie
She always laughed and smiled
'Cuz cowgirls never cry.

Then late one night she heard him
Trying his key in her door
And when he saw she'd shot herself
He found her on the floor;
He held her as he cried and cried
And begged her not to die
But all he heard were these last words:
"Cowgirls never DIE."

FAR ACROSS THE SEA

FAR ACROSS THE SEA

The lights of the city waved farewell
As she looked down from the plane
Tucked a pillow behind her head
As they flew out of the rain;
She closed her eyes to hide the tears
Ordered an iced cold tea
Felt her life about to change
Far across the sea.

He wouldn't know how to find her
He wouldn't know until the Fall
She leaned back and reminisced
He wouldn't know who to call;
Months would pass and she'd be safe
He'd never know just why
She flew back home to England
It was time for her to die.

When she was ill and was informed
She had less than one year
She kept the news to herself
It filled her with great fear;
She knew he'd not abandon her
But he already had a wife
She packed and left one rainy night
Giving him back his life.

When Fall approached, her time was up
And she stared at the telephone
The Nurse said "May I help you, dear?"
But she asked to be left alone;
She heard him answer right away
She said "Goodbye, it's me"
And two broken hearts collided
Far across the sea.

LOST LOVERS

LOST LOVERS


The winter had been a very long, frigid one and they were looking forward to getting away to a warmer climate. As the plane touched down in Bermuda, he tossed his jacket on the luggage cart and she put on her straw hat.

This was the first vacation they had taken in many years as he was a work-a-holic and she usually went away with her girlfriends or sister. Their children were grown and their grandkids were getting school-aged so they had no reason to stay home all of the time. Life was good but simple and routine to the point of being boring and lifeless.

It definitely had become loveless when it came to romance as all he wanted to do was sleep, eat and work. She was into gardening, shopping and yoga with her friends. They did attend church together sometimes and every now and then went out to eat with their family.

So as they stepped into their cottage that they had rented for the week, they were shocked to see it was for 'honeymooners'. Apparently, the mix-up happened when the couple who had booked the place had cancelled and now this was the one they ended up with. At no extra charge, they were thrilled to see all of the extra perks but a bit embarressed as at home they slept in separate beds, albeit in the same room.

The round, king-sized bed was covered in red velvet, the expensive kind. Emily pulled back the covers to discover black and red satin sheets. Oh my! She had always wanted some but her husband thought it foolish and immature, a silly expense.

Meanwhile, he was opening the fridge with all of its complimentary drinks. He noted lobster dip, caviar and many shots of alcohol in small bottles. Then there was the cabinet stocked with special sweets, candy and treats. The grin on his face was priceless! He opened a cold beer and they toasted one another.......

The room was a bit chilly this morning so they were pleased to see the fireplace was lit and cozy. They unpacked and ordered room-service. As they ate fresh mussels and conch chowder with freshly baked bread, they stretched and yawned from the long plane trip.

Emily changed into some lounging clothes and curled up near the massive fireplace which Will had added some wood to. He sat behind her and massaged her tight neck muscles. She leaned back into his strong arms and before she knew it, had fallen asleep in them.

He sat holding her, smelling her hair for the first time in many years. He brushed his lips against her ear and held her close as she slept; she looked like an Angel. When they awoke together, it was almost 2 o'clock and they left to go sight-seeing on the mopeds they had rented. What fun as the ocean breezes blew through their hair......

Evening came much too soon and they changed for dinner to go eat at the local surf & turf place close by. As they walked to it, he took her hand to steady her and she left it there. This pleased him as they hadn't walked holding hands in ages. She had been pleased that he was wearing some new cologne ('Perry Ellis') she had given him for Christmas and had never worn before.

He was happy to see her wearing a bright sundress and sandals instead of her usual blue jeans and T shirt. Her dark hair was piled loosely on top of her head and made her look young and healthy. He hated the pony-tail she had worn for too long.

After dinner, they were stuffed and decided to walk some of it off. This time, she reached for his hand and they walked the beach in their bare feet, carrying their shoes with their spare hands.

The cottage was welcoming them with turned back sheets, mints on their pillows, magazines and books to read, music if they so desired. They cleaned up in their separate bathrooms. Each came out wearing matching white, hooded robes made of a soft silky material. They smiled as he poured their drinks.......

Suddenly, they heard the soft sounds of a violin; they were being serenaded! She took his hand and they slowly danced in their bare feet; she kissed his cheek after it was finished as he went outside on their patio to tip the musician.

He noticed the hot-tub outside and beckoned her to come see. It was private and only visible to the stars overhead. They saw thick, white, monogrammed towels beside it and decided to get in. The robes fell to the side as they stepped into the most wonderful, hot calming massage of the giant hot tub. Her hair had come undone and lay upon her shoulders. Their toes teased the others as they relaxed, sipping their cold drinks. They star gazed and tried to guess the names of the different ones in the sky.......

After he had dried her off and she had done likewise for him, they went inside and were shocked to see the clock said midnight. She fixed a snack of caviar and crackers and they talked; he hadn't listened to what she had to say in so long that she couldn't stop talking. Soon they were laughing and giggling.......telling naughty jokes.......

A trip to the bathroom and they were ready for bed. He was glad to see she was nude as she climbed into the huge feather-mattress bed. They laughed as they slid around on the satin material; it was lovely and very sexy. Her skin was so soft........she smelled good.......

Was it the drinks or the ocean air; the food or the hot tub? He felt very close to his wife and recognized feelings of passion for her. Her tanned, warm body welcomed him as he kissed her soft lips and whispered his love for her. She was equally attracted as she had missed him and wanted him to love her as he once did years ago.

Much later, the clock struck four in the morning and she settled snugly aginst her husband's strong, bare back. How she had missed him! She thanked God for the patience he had given her these last few years as she waited for him to want her again.

He slept like a baby and awakened with the desire for her again. Their first full vacation day lay ahead of them and yet, he had so much more to look forward to than that. He had fallen in love again with his wife, his mate, his sweetheart.

Bermuda became their destiny vacation for many more years and they always asked for their 'honeymoon' cottage. But none could ever quite match that first one when they both found themselves and each other again.

In Memory:

In Memory:

In loving memory of my eldest brother, Rodney Mundell who died June 6th, 2003 at the age of 72:

Rod:

I look for you at your camp
And also at your home
I look for you at the lake
And everywhere I roam;
I look for you night & day
And though we are apart
I finally found my brother
Deep inside my heart.

I miss & love you, Heather

Dear God:

Dear God:

They moved away and took with them
Their only, handsome son
And just today I heard from them
That they've found someone:
To baby-sit for them
I didn't feel the same joy
I sat awhile and reminisced
About their little boy.

I used to touch his rosy face
While he played all alone
He'd look up as if to say
"Can't you see I'm on my phone?"
I'd read all his books to him
If we weren't too busy
And swing him as we danced
'Til we both were dizzy.

But my favourite times with him
Were when it was bed time
For then he sat so quietly
And he was all mine;
He'd yawn half-way thru a story
And I'd turn him facing me
And rock him to the music
His feet upon my knee.

So now that he lives far away
Someone else rocks him to sleep
And someone else reads to him
Singing 'Little Bo Peep";
He's left himself inside my heart
And that will never change
With teary eyes I miss my Hutton
As I watch the falling rain.

Please God, let her love him too
And not cry himself to sleep
I pray she will play with him
I pray his soul to keep;
Soon he'll be off to school
And soon he'll be a man
Until then hold him close
Inside your loving hands.

Amen

"WHO MADE ME?"

WHO MADE ME? (There but for the grace of God, go I)

Who made the seagull who flies overhead
Who made the wings he needs to soar

Who made the sky he's using to fly
Who made a beggar; who made a whore?

Who made the sun and the moon so full
Who made the rain and the stars
Who made a beautiful butterfly
Who made Jupiter and who made Mars?

If one believes the words in the Bible
If one can just trust in Him
If one looks forward to Judgement day
If one stays away from sin.....

Then whoever made the seagull fly
And all the fish that swim in the sea
The Bible's all I really need to answer
The question: "Who made me"?

In Memory:

SMITH: In loving memory of my niece, Valerie, who died May 28th, 2001.

Val, I've looked for you in snowflakes

And I've searched the stars at night

I've watched for you in sunsets

And in the early morning light.

I close my eyes to hold you tight

To remember you each day

Our love for you will never fade

You're just a breath away.

Oh Lord, tell her something

So there's not any doubt

She's so sweet to remember

But so hard to live without.

Thanks for the memories; I love you, Hed

THE PERM

THE PERM

The salon was very busy
As I waited for my turn
Skimming through a magazine
Looking for a perm;
I had just moved to town
And didn't know everyone
Heard about this salon
From my girlfriend's son.

I sat down in the shampoo chair
A scalp massage felt great
Thinking about last night
It was our second date;
Dan said he had to travel
To PEI tonight
But he'd call me tomorrow
If that would be alright.

The perm was rolled up tight
And I sat alone to wait
The lady close beside me
Said "Hi, my name is Kate";
We smiled and made small talk
She was getting a perm too
I asked if she'd lived here long
And "What is it you do?"

She said she was a teacher
Just taught Sunday School
Her husband was a trucker
I said that was cool;
"My boyfriend is one too"
She nodded and we talked
It was my turn to be washed
And I got up to walk.

I overheard her later on
Saying she was glad
She didn't have to cook supper
For just herself and lad;
"Danny's gone to PEI
With a load of fish
When he returns tomorrow
He'll get his only wish."

My ears were really burning
As she talked about her man
"My cancer's in remission
I can't wait to tell my Dan!"
When she took out her wallet
I saw his picture there
She was close beside him
When she had no hair.

The ladies at the salon
All hugged her as she left
Happy she was cancer-free
Then I left by myself;
I saw the writing on the wall
I saw a family man
I changed the message on my machine
Meant for only Dan.

"Thanks for calling me tonight
But I'm no longer home
My fiancee has returned and now
We're moving back to Rome;"
I thought about Dan's cheating
Guess he'd had more than me
I asked for God's forgiveness
Prayed she'd stay cancer-free.

The phone rang off the hook
I knew that it was him
He never left a message
Didn't hear from him again;
I changed salons and never heard
When she had passed away
But read it in the paper
On my wedding day.

AND THEN THERE WERE TWO

AND THEN THERE WERE TWO

Each morning in April
They crossed the highway
To get out back of my house
And sleep the morn away;
Next to the ocean blue
They'd wake up to go swim
And then at suppertime
I'd see them once again.

The three were a family
They watched each others back
And stayed close together
As they'd go "quack quack";
I saw them grow up
And watched them with pride
My little duck friends
Stayed close by my side.

But in the month of May
There were only two
Lovely mallards in my yard
And it makes me blue;
A dead one lay alone
Closer to the highway
I guess he never made it
When he crossed on Friday.

Now I have just two ducks
Who seem to be so sad
Was the dead duck their mother
Or was it their ol' dad?
They still swim and sleep
They still watch one another
But I know how much they miss
Their sister or their brother.

HE SAID:

HE SAID:


I was walking slowly thru the gates
Fresh roses in my hand
When I heard a noise behind me
A stranger, just a man;
I said hello and smiled
He held the open gate
And we walked in together
He couldn't seem to wait.

I said that it was a nice day
He agreed and then
He turned towards the right
I turned left at the bend;
The graves lay out before us
Like pebbles on a beach
And it wasn't very long
Before Mom's grave, I reached.

We walked out at the same time
His head was bowed in prayer
I watched him cross himself
The wind blew through our hair;
I said how on Mother's Day
I'd expected to see more
I asked if it was Mother
Who he'd picked the lupins for?

He said:
"I always come on Sundays
There's seldom folks around
I like to hear the quiet
I like to walk the ground;
There's no-one here to visit
That's how I see it, anyhow
He's no longer on this earth
My boy's in Heaven now."

He gave to me some lupins
As I looked into his eyes
I saw a badly, broken heart
That almost made me cry;
I watched him as he drove away
As I noted his car's plate
Was just one word: "SON"
And I locked up the gate.

ALL THAT'S LEFT OF YOU

ALL THAT'S LEFT OF YOU

The dark sky looks threatening
As I run to seek some cover
Thunder sounds in the distance
Like a long, forgotton lover;
The lightening cracks & pops
Brightening up the view
I see your face before me
All that's left of you.

I see your dark eyes smiling
And I see your knitted brow
I smell your pipe tobacco
Like you were here just now;
I hear your voice whispering
As we both said "I do"
I even feel your tender touch
All that's left of you.

It's been so many months now
Since you left for Uncle Sam
Every night I long for you
Far away in Vietnam;
I hate to hear the phone ring
I pray it's not the call
I hope I never see the day
Your name is on the Wall.

All that's left of you
Are memories and things
Life we shared together once
Each wearing the others rings;
I wish I had your child
A sweet, baby boy in blue
Instead of just your photograph
All that's left of you.

The sky begins to clear up
As I walk home in the rain
To eat alone once again
My companion is my pain;
I cry myself to sleep, wondering
If perhaps you might be too
Your pillow's in my arms
All that's left of you.