I Used My Canvas Tote Bags

I went to the grocery store today

I make the trip once a week

I had two bags that were packed full

I used my canvas tote bags

They’re good for the environment

They save on paper and plastic

Save the planet is my motto

Conserve in all that we do

Everyone must help the cause

Everyone must do their part

Maybe it's Because It's Monday

I can’t seem to get going this morning

I slept alright last night

I got up my usual time

I drank my juice and took my vitamins

I had my coffee and smoked my pipe

Everything seemed the same as usual

It’s not as if I have a lot to do

But still I have no energy

Maybe it’s because it’s Monday

It’s hard getting the week started

The Mind Gives Value to Life

I thought about going to the bakery

I had a craving for a cinnamon roll

I talked myself out of it

Self-restraint is a good thing

The mind should guide the body

We are divided into two parts

The body is full of desires

Everything it desires seems to be good

But the mind decides between good and bad

The mind gives value to life

Clothes Must Be Kept Clean

I walked to the store this morning

I needed some laundry detergent

Clothes must be kept clean

I don’t let dirty laundry pile up

I wash whenever I get a load

It’s one of those chores I must do

Nothing’s worse than smelly clothes

Doing laundry is easy with machines

I actually enjoy doing it

Clean clothes give me self-esteem

The Light Affects My Mood

The skies were cloudy today

There was a little rain

I opened the blinds

I wanted to let in some light

The light affects my mood

On sunny days I’m cheerful

On dark days I’m dreary

On days like today I’m just okay

There is a connection

It seems so simple to me

I'll Lie Down for a While

I must have been tired last night

I woke up later than usual this morning

But I feel rested now

Oh my I just yawned

Maybe I’m not so rested after all

I have nothing to do today

There’s no reason to go out

There’s no place to go

No people to see

I’ll lie down for a while

It Was A Picture in a Storybook

I went for a walk in the park

It was nice in the morning

The flowers were in full bloom

They were beautiful

The fountain gushed forth its water

It looked cool and refreshing

An adolescent couple embraced

They showed that young love is shameless

It was a pretty picture

It was a picture in a storybook

I'm Not Doing Anything Special

Today is my birthday

It’s not a big thing with me

I was not responsible for it

I’m not doing anything special

I very seldom do

My life’s pretty much routine

Every day is just about the same

I like it that way

Everything’s predictable

Nothing worries me

I Think I'll Start Tomorrow

There was a nice breeze blowing today

Still it was hot and humid

I worked up a sweat just walking

I walk in all kinds of weather

They say it’s the best exercise

It’s the only exercise I get

I have a sedentary lifestyle

  Usually I just sit around all day

I’m thinking about doing calisthenics

I think I’ll start tomorrow

A Person Has to Eat

The grocery store was nearly empty

I like to go early in the morning

I only needed a few things

I was in and out in no time

Staying alive requires food

A person has to eat

But I eat in moderation

I like to feel comfortable

 I also like to stay slender

It’s good for my health

All's Right with the World

The sun was shining brightly

Two hawks circled in the sky above

A chipmunk scurried across the path

A blackbird perched on a tree limb

All’s right with the world

When I got home I took a nap

It is said that naps are good for you

 They have become part of my routine

Every day around noon I nap for an hour

Then I wash my face and I’m refreshed

The Water Was Calm and Serene

I went for a walk in the park this morning

I walked around the lake

The water was calm and serene

The peace was palpable

I became unperturbed myself

The city is a hectic place

Everyone’s striving to satisfy their desire

Everyone’s pursuing their happiness

Everyone’s engrossed in busy work

The park is my refuge

Some Income Is Necessary

I received my pension check today

It comes once a month

Some income is necessary

Enough to cover expenses anyway

Since I retired I’ve cut back on spending

Tightened my belt so to speak

But I am just as well off as before

Money can’t buy happiness

But happiness requires money

Just enough is sufficient

I Needed Some Pipe Tobacco

I needed some pipe tobacco

I went to the tobacco shoppe today

The shoppe is outside the city in a mall

The bus took me right there

It was a pleasant trip

I take the trip once a month

It is the only time I leave the city

I should leave it altogether

There is not much left to it

But I am old and don’t need much anymore

It Works Wonders

Simple things give me pleasure

A cup of coffee in the morning suits me fine

A tall glass of iced tea is great during hot weather

A good bowel movement makes my day

Yes a good bowel movement makes my day

Regularity is a sign of good health

Good health means good living

We all want to live good

Regularity helps

It works wonders

In My Little Niche

It’s been a dry summer so far

They’ve been talking drought

Finally it’s raining today

Everyone talks about the weather

No one can do anything about it

I’m tossed to and fro by chance events

I feel helpless in the face of mighty forces

But that which is in my control is important

I keep my mind on that which has meaning

In my little niche I still have power

Death Comes to Everyone

There were five people on the bridge

They were wiping away their tears

They were hugging each other

They dropped flowers on the water below

Someone must have died

So I thought about it

Death comes to everyone

We do not know if it is good or evil

Make yourself a happy life

You’ll find contentment at the end

Love Has Eluded Me

I have never married

Never found the right woman

Love has eluded me

They say that love is grand

That everyone should try it

Everyone should fall in love

But I am happy the way I am

I don’t miss it

One thing I’ve learned in life

You never miss what you never had

Live One Day at a Time

My uncle was fond of giving advice

He told me not to get ahead of myself

Live one day at a time

This seemed to me to be wise counsel

I have followed it all my life

Now that I am old I say the same thing

It has a calming effect

No anxiety about the future

I keep my focus on the present

The here and now

It Only Takes a Smile

The world is not heavy                                                                                                              

You too can lift it

It only takes a smile

No need to worry

Troubles melt away

The sun always shines

Soft winds always blow

Flowers always bloom

Somewhere in the world

I can make a difference

No One Knows the Answers

No one knows the answers

To life’s important questions

Some people pretend they know

But I know that I don’t know

That makes all the difference

I wouldn’t say it makes me better

But it does make me honest

I don’t have those pretensions

I live my life in ignorance

Muddled and confused

The World is Full of Wonders

The world is full of wonders

Wonders that never cease

Don’t take my word for it

See for yourself

You’ll be amazed at what you see

It takes a child’s eyes to be amazed

A child full of questions

A child searching for answers

A child naïve and simple

A child of the universe

It's a Quiet Sunday Morning

It’s a quiet Sunday morning

I went for a walk in the park

Some people were walking their dogs

Others were jogging

Still others were just walking alone like me

The lake was calm with barely a ripple

The flower beds were well kept

I heard a robin singing

While sitting on a bench I got lost in reverie

 I dreamt I was in paradise

The Summer Doldrums

I have to get myself going this morning

Been feeling so listless lately

Must be the summer doldrums

There’s not a breeze in the air

The sun beats down and no rain in sight

Everything seems to be stagnating

I don’t feel like exercising

The coffee doesn’t awaken me

There’s nothing that has to be done

I guess I’ll lie down for a while

When Nature Calls

At any time during the day

I could be doing almost anything

When nature calls

I answer immediately, of course

But it is a little disconcerting

My composure is disturbed

Here I am high and mighty

Living life to the max

When all of a sudden I am reduced to

The most common man on his toilet.

Money Doesn't Grow on Trees

Whenever I’d ask my father for money

He’d say money doesn’t grow on trees

And then he would give me some

This would start me thinking

Money is good

But be cautious

Be thrifty and save it

When the need arises you’ll have some

My father was a wise man

Every day I thank him for my good night’s sleep

Waiting for the Rain

Rain usually depresses me

But it’s been hot and dry for so long

Waiting for the rain

Funny how life can turn around

It’s never what you’d expect

The uncertainty bothers me

I’m sure I’m not the only one

Apprehension runs rampant

Nothing is certain but death

And there is nothing you can do about it

The Moon Looks Lonesome Tonight

The moon looks lonesome tonight

You have been around the block many times

But you have never found a friend

So you do your traveling alone

I know how you feel, old man

It has been a lonesome road for me

But it is you that lights up the night

I know that you are there

The distant stars make you glow

And you are closer to me

Nothing Better to Do

It is not very good to be bored

That ennui seems close to death

Since there is nothing better to do

I write these words of verse

Life is good and worth living

Take little and give a lot

Simplicity is best

To live it is to know it’s true

Be true to yourself

That is all