Ben

Ben, a young boy from India, wearing a scarf of red,

Stares intently and shakes his head,

“I’m full of love and curiosity,

Adopted when small even though the agency,

 Thought for sure I might be,

Difficult to place for it was agreed,

I could be malformed, for no one had a clue,

That I was as normal as you,

It was thought I might not make it,

Because I was so tiny I could fit,

In a shoe box, but I grew,

Changing the life I once knew,

And with lots of fresh air,

Good nutrition and loving care,

My adoptive parents gave

Me love which my life it saved,

 

It was what I wanted and needed,

And through the years I proceeded,

To just be a unique, growing young lad,

Usually good, but sometimes bad,

It was plain to see that I was part of a family,

That loves the world and especially me,

My parents call me their joy,

For I’ m bright, happy, and all boy,

Now in my portrait I watch for visitors, a few steps up the stair,

Does my family know I’m here? Perhaps they’re not aware.”

One Autograph for a Ten Year Old

One Request to the Famous

A ten year old boy lies quietly in bed,

He’d rather be outside playing instead,

His spirit is strong as he welcomes each day,

As he looks at the tubes that keep him at bay,

His smile is there even when he’s in pain,

His treatments are dreadful but he rarely complains,

He’s a brave young man unless tempted to cry,

When he sees the fear in someone’s eyes,

Too young for cancer to put him in strife,

But it’s there uninvited to control his life,

The doctors are doing the best they can do,

They’re waiting to see if the chemo comes through,

Being careful with our words to keep his spirits high,

To meet his wishes the family would like to try,

Signatures he’s requested to place on his board,

From celebrities who are willing of their own accord,

Although bedridden, his eyes would dance,

Knowing someone out there gives him a chance,

Leukemia is not an easy disease to subdue,

Signatures would lift his spirits, perhaps from you,

If you’re a star in sports, music, or screen,

It will make his day for your name to be seen,

Politicians and writers, you’re included too,

Please be sure you include what you do,

If you’re a friend or relative of a fabulous star,

Send those autographs from wherever you are,

His condition is critical, he’s confined to a bed,

The hospital has limits, and no visitors can tread,

If you can meet his request just simply reply,

Mail a short note with autograph to the little guy,

If you would like his address to be sent,

Ask me for his information in a comment.

New Year's Resolutions (Part One)

This year I want to grow up and act my age,

You’d think I had accomplished that at this stage,

It required responsibility to make the right choices,

But I listened instead to my own inner voices,

I wanted to get older but I’ve changed my mind,

All the things I wanted I’ve already left behind,

Have a family, have a job, be productive for awhile,

Been there, done that, I’ve traveled those roads in style,

Perhaps this is the year I finally will get a new start,

Lessons at Hard Knocks School didn’t make me smart,

I know, I’ll loosen up, and try not to be so tense,

Before, I tried too much, too soon; I had little common sense,

My money will grow by leaps and bounds if I put some away,

But it’ll have to wait for tomorrow, for there’s a sale today,

Be generous to a fault this year, give to those in need,

But without discipline to pay my debts, little can I heed,

Work hard and do my best, a goal for the coming year,

Instead I think it’s time to reflect, and face unknown fears,

I want to be kind and passionate, loving life without regard,

Easier said than done, my friends, life is pushing hard,

Live life with gusto, I don’t want to be tied to fear,

I’ll try to make every second count, just to survive this year.

Changing the Future by Looking at the Past

Changing the Future by Looking at the Past

This year the earth revealed its splendor,

 I watched keenly and wrote with joy,

As each delicious moment appeared,

The pleasures were mine to enjoy,

Yet I knew everything in my path,

Was not deserved, whether good or bad,

Possessions and talents squandered,

The things I wanted or thought I had,

Slipped dancing before my eyes,

Laughs I’ve given and sorrows, too,

Started coming back, one at a time,

Returning as Capistrano’s swallows do,

Time elapsed quickly like sand in a glass,

Keeping me mindful of family and friends,

I invested in friendship and gave love away,

Stayed vulnerable, bending with the winds,

My yesterdays were counted and gone,

Once spent, no way to pull them back,

But each day was a bonus and not my last,

That’s why I am so very determined,

To change the future by looking at the past,

Each day I’ll do an unexpected good,

Because everybody is broken in some way,

I’ll reach out to those who feel misunderstood,

I’ll be encouraging, patient and gentle every day,

I’ll try to make this year even better,

For there is still so much to be done,

I’ll lead by example, helping with love,

Reaching out to the world, one by one.