Wednesday, December 23, 2020

First Breath Of Chicago Winter...

 

First Breath Of Chicago Winter...

I saw flurries last night,
Walked the charcoal- dark crush of silent Chicago night,
It wasn't the city lights that dazzled in those quiet hours;
The vast emptiness of glass and steel,
It breathes and exhales people,
Near to numerous as air molecules,
Yet in the night there's only my now-visible breath,
Cabs prowl the streets in search of migrating oxygen;
Somehow,
Capital thrives on the back of this magnificent strange.

AquarianM

By: Daniel A. Stafford
© 11/13/2014

Saturday, December 12, 2020

The Un-Loved Christmas Ornament..

The Un-Loved Christmas Ornament..


Akin to the ugly duckling,

You don't have to fall in love,

You don't have to take it home.


It just sits there on your desk,

Keeping you company at work,

Reminding you of a kinder season.


Someday when this door closes,

It will still be there in a drawer,

A little something holiday warm,

To keep a working person company,

A little touch of grace,

Smack-in-the-middle,

Of all that hustle-bustle.


Merry Christmas,

&

Happy New Year!

AquarianM

By: Daniel A. Stafford

(C) 12/12/2020

Sunday, December 06, 2020

A Universal Constant...

A Universal Constant...

Law of nature,
Bedrock,
Ever present,
Dependable,
Reliable,
Consistent.

There is care,
Kindness,
Compassion,
Thoughtfulness,
Reasons for gratitude.

A good one.

To be lost in the same eternity with you?

That's pretty lucky.

Write on,
Brother.

AquarianM

By: Daniel A. Stafford
© 12/06/2020

Author's Note:
For my long-time poetic peer and friend, Rick.

Friday, November 27, 2020

The Queen Of Colorful And Loud Has Found Her Cloud...

The Queen Of Colorful And Loud Has Found Her Cloud... 

I don't know much about you coming into this world,
But I doubt it was quiet.

Everything I ever saw you do,
It was colorful, 
Loud,
Passionate,
Like LED headlights on the road,
An amazing dance that whirled,
A sunset that kept you looking.

An old family friend,
Little sister at a distance,
Your voice always raised for what you believed,
Hair-raising to the quiet ones like me,
All about attention,
Whether it was you that needed it,
Or for someone you loved.

Even leaving this world,
Quiet wasn't on the menu,
It was colorful,
Loud and in our faces,
True to your nature.

When we look up,
See a crazy bright star,
Twinkling on a late twilight cloud,
Won't let you look away,
We'll all know who it is,
Hear your voice echo,
So say hello for us to the welcoming committee,
Laugh at our crazy down here,
Until we see you all again.

AquarianM

By: Daniel A. Stafford
© 11/27/2020

Authors note:
For my "little - ha! - sister," Denise Pribbenow Webber

Sunday, November 15, 2020

UFO Night

AuthorDate Entered/ModifiedViews
Daniel A. Stafford8/8/2000 3:38:01 AM
11/11/2020 6:37:33 PM
6919

UFO Night

Riding into the desert night quiet,
Three seek a stellar diet,
Wishing I could travel so far,
To gaze first hand upon a distant star,
Sand, darkness, midnight wind,
To miss this I would have sinned,
It's incredible what you find,
When you leave the lights of the city behind,
A friendly dream shared by the telescope,
And questions for which I have such hopes,
Rick's young daughter with the keenest eyes,
Spots a satellite as overhead it flies,
And as we discuss our far out dreams,
Of starry nights and space ship schemes,
Out there in that desert park,
Looking up there is a spark,
The milky way is plain to see,
But now near the city it hides from me.
I miss those younger days,
When I saw the universe in distant rays,
But when all is said and done,
It damn sure was fun.

Who says there's nothing in New Mexico?

AquarianM

By: Daniel A. Stafford
(C) 08/08/2000

Author's Comments

Something you can't see here in the city very well at all, But still I see a star if it shall fall, Out here in the middle of the night. Please visit www.darksky.org to see what can be done to reduce light pollution, lower energy costs, and still maintain the beauty and safety of our great land.

AuthorDate Entered/ModifiedViews
Daniel A. Stafford8/8/2000 3:38:01 AM
11/11/2020 6:37:33 PM
6919
AuthorEmailWeb
Daniel A. Staffordaqmstaffo@mailbag.comwww.mailbag.com/users/aqmstaffo/index.html

Total Comments: 2

Comments

Sharronshatahig@aol.com1/3/2001 3:58:37 AM
Dan this is very nice I love the night sky here over the mountains. I have never looked with a telescope but the velvet black of the night and the pin prick glow of the stars is just glorious ... Sharron
ROCKY JWWW.GEOCITIES.COM/RUNAROUNDS20039/2/2003 1:51:52 PM
A TALENT WITH THE WORDS!

 

Of Freedom, Or The Lack Thereof

AuthorDate Entered/ModifiedViews
Daniel A. Stafford8/8/2000 2:07:16 AM
9/24/2020 1:36:40 PM
830

Of Freedom, Or The Lack Thereof

There is a kind grace,
Yes a kinder place,
And it's right here,
Oh, very near.

I'm allowed to speak my mind.

Post a poem here, and you'll see,
That this is a place where thoughts flow free.
Others are not so true,
They put excessive limits on you.

I am who I am.

I will not hide,
No, cannot abide,
Repression in it's varied forms,
Just because it is the norm.

Be thankful for enlightened minds.

AquarianM

By: Daniel A. Stafford
(C) 08/08/2000

Author's Comments

I've posted a couple of poems at another site. I had indicated that I had a complete collection here at John Light's creation. The site owner at the other place griped that "He or She was not paying to maintain a site to advertise other poetry sites." In claiming to promote poetry, I fail to see that we do not need room and free interchange in order to keep poetry in the mainstream of our life. Why else are there things like webrings, etc? I think I still find this place superior to others. Therefore, here my work shall reside.


AuthorDate Entered/ModifiedViews
Daniel A. Stafford8/8/2000 2:07:16 AM
9/24/2020 1:36:40 PM
830
AuthorEmailWeb
Daniel A. Staffordaqmstaffo@mailbag.comwww.mailbag.com/users/aqmstaffo/index.html

Total Comments: 1

Comments

Janine Danielspinnys@hotmail.comwww.spinnys.com8/13/2000 9:37:39 PM
I'm flabbergasted! How awful of "he or she" to say such a thing while totally missing the point! All I can say is their loss our gain... :o) As for your poem here. It's wonderful and I agree with every word you said.

 

The Worst Alarm Clock Noise

AuthorDate Entered/ModifiedViews
Daniel A. Stafford8/7/2000 2:56:30 AM
10/2/2020 11:19:26 PM
1422

The Worst Alarm Clock Noise

When I was in my younger days, I listened to you.
I loved your music, and through your songs grew,
And the tunes back then that graced my ears,
Have come to be comforting old friends throughout my years.

It takes me back, to sing along.

People say," what value is rhyme or song?"
I have to tell them just to sing along.
You know you started a revolution,
But you never claimed you owned the solution.

But you led our hearts down Penny Lane.

Your compatriots and you made an incredible four,
And we all shall wish you had written so much more,
But we're thankful for God's kind grace,
To allow you the time you had in this place.

You enriched our heart-life so much.

I'll never forget awakening that morning,
A terrible shout without any warning.
An Airman of just nineteen, my call to duty, awaken.
The clock-radio alarm went off, I wish it had been mistaken.

John Lennon has been shot, the first thing I heard that morning.

I set the alarm quite loud,
To be sure to rescue me from my dreaming cloud,
To be sure that I would awaken,
Never suspecting that a fool, your life had taken.

My head shot off the pillow, just as the bullet from the assasin's gun.

I had a tear I tried not to cry,
I was wishing that it was a lie,
But destiny and life are not toys,
I'd finally heard the worst alarm clock noise.

AquarianM

By: Daniel A. Stafford
(C) 08/07/2000

Author's Comments

When I was a young Airman in New Mexico, this is how I woke up one morning. I keep the volume very high on my alarm radio to ensure that I awaken. I was blown off my pillow to the statement "John Lennon has been shot!" at incredible volume. It was one of the saddest things I had heard in my young life. I shall never forget that.


AuthorDate Entered/ModifiedViews
Daniel A. Stafford8/7/2000 2:56:30 AM
10/2/2020 11:19:26 PM
1422
AuthorEmailWeb
Daniel A. Staffordaqmstaffo@mailbag.comwww.mailbag.com/users/aqmstaffo/index.html

Total Comments: 3

Comments

Janine Danielspinnys@hotmail.comwww.spinnys.com9/26/2000 3:18:19 PM
I've got a tear in my eye right now after reading this. I couldn't have expressed it any better and I felt the same way as you about
them. When I heard that horrible news, I was devastated. To this day I still play and sing along to their songs and I still have many favorites, not just one song. What a wonderfully written poem Dan.
APoetsPerspective6/28/2001 11:06:51 AM
I think i had a similar experience when i heard of the Space Shuttle Challenger accident. I remember that night, lying in bed crying. The shock of John Lennon was also something i would not forget, and also the death of Diana. I wonder why these deaths would affect us so? Maybe because they were so unexpected, so sudden? Thanks for sharing this poem. I happen to find it on the "Most Active" list! I'll have to think of other ways to bring to the forefront poems like this, written long ago, and yet still as good as the day they were written.
Daniel A. Staffordaqmstaffo@mailbag.comwww.whizzyrds.com12/12/2005 7:10:13 PM
I think the rest of that day fell into a black hole and was sucked completely out of this universe.

Dan

 

The Angel That Saved Me

AuthorDate Entered/ModifiedViews
Daniel A. Stafford8/4/2000 8:47:36 PM
10/31/2020 2:45:37 AM
818

The Angel That Saved Me

There was a time when I had wandered alone in darkness.
Darkness, ocean deep sadness, near infinite I must confess.
Rejection of granted devotion, helpless emotion,
Loss of a cherished dream, reality of the notion.

Loving someone that doesn't feel the same does that.

Giving up on connection with another human soul,
Losing the ability to change, grow and roll,
Were what I had sunken to in the depths of depression,
A Dark Angel's beauty caused my heart's uncontrolled transgression.

Loving unconditionally, there is no anger available for battle.

Wavering on the brink of disaster,
Feel the ice enveloping me faster,
I struggled to break to the surface, treading one last time.
I looked there in the distance with the last of hope my crime.

Could I ever face giving my heart to a third?

Far away over an electronic sea,
A faint sweet light shone towards me.
Casting warily over each storm-tossed wave,
Came rescue from cold loneliness so grave.

Was it possible, salvation for me?

An Angel, beautiful, and with a heart filled with warmth,
Carried me in a flying chariot of romance to her hearth,
Once I resolved to breath in again,
One last fabled chance to win.

Stumbling into the heat gracelessly.

My soul, in this day is filled with love,
Granted from my dear sweet dove,
She who showed me to believe,
Gave me vision and life by her leave.

I am still in awe that I love an Angel.

Her wings have lifted my soul to heaven.

AquarianM

By: Daniel A. Stafford
(C) 08/04/2000

Author's Comments

My life has infinitely changed from a cold dark path in the last two years. My sweet Angel Saren is the reason. I am so glad I chanced one last try.


AuthorDate Entered/ModifiedViews
Daniel A. Stafford8/4/2000 8:47:36 PM
10/31/2020 2:45:37 AM
818
AuthorEmailWeb
Daniel A. Staffordaqmstaffo@mailbag.comwww.mailbag.com/users/aqmstaffo/index.html

Total Comments: 1

Comments

Suebttfly9@yahoo.comhttp://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Garden/98438/5/2000 12:48:39 AM
Wonderful visions fill my head when reading this beautiful poem!

 

Aurora Blue

AuthorDate Entered/ModifiedViews
Daniel A. Stafford8/2/2000 9:38:15 PM
8/29/2020 11:05:26 AM
709

Aurora Blue

Riding to work on a dark night in the fall,
I spied one of God's secrets up above it all.
Electric blue mixed with glowing green,
Aurora Borealis had made the Midwestern scene.

Twinkling stars and glowing curtains.

Ghostly, mysterious, glowing night gown of dark skies,
Whomever would see you asks a thousand how and why's.
Magnetic field mixed with Solar wind up high,
Child of Earth and Sol, you inspire my sigh.

So beautiful.

AquarianM

By: Daniel A. Stafford
(C) 08/02/2000

Author's Comments

One night when I was working third shift maintenance in a small Catholic hospital in northern Illinois, I was driving in to work. I lived in southern Wisconsin and worked weekend nights. This is the one and only experience I have had with this
incredible show in our northern night skies. It is very unusual for this to occur at a latitude this far south, a rarity. I believe it
was in 1992, late fall or early winter 1993.


AuthorDate Entered/ModifiedViews
Daniel A. Stafford8/2/2000 9:38:15 PM
8/29/2020 11:05:26 AM
709
AuthorEmailWeb
Daniel A. Staffordaqmstaffo@mailbag.comwww.mailbag.com/users/aqmstaffo/index.html

Total Comments: 1

Comments

Sue Alliebttfly9@yahoo.comhttp://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Garden/98438/9/2000 11:04:46 PM
What a beautiful sight!

 

Denver Base Sunset

AuthorDate Entered/ModifiedViews
Daniel A. Stafford8/2/2000 8:54:47 PM
9/9/2020 12:36:33 AM
757

Denver Base Sunset

Standing in the middle of an Aurora twilight,
Nothing in the world could be less right,
Than the sunset I see tonight,
Incredible grandeur between mountain heights.

Lowry Air Force Base under a rosy-hued sky.

The twin peaks of this section of mountain,
Just between, the crescent iridescent light fountain,
The orange-red glowing sun burning,
At this juncture of the worlds' turning.

A sky ablaze in orange, magenta, rose, and violet, deep purple.

Tiny clouds puff all over the sky,
Golden lined orange and fire engine red cotton flies,
A great beam of glowing red shines up high,
From between the peaks like the laser of God's eye.

The sky is aflame this evening.

Far to the purple east,
The first star peeks, just the least,
Of the coming twinkle show,
Wishing I had a camera so you could know.

Young Airman, wish upon a star.

God has painted one of his finest masterpieces tonight,
And forever, it will grace your sight.

AquarianM

By: Daniel A. Stafford
(C) 08/02/2000

Author's Comments

When I was just seventeen, in training school in Denver, this is something I will never forget. I have never known or seen a sky
so beautiful before or since. I hope Vince and Shortcake got to see this one.


AuthorDate Entered/ModifiedViews
Daniel A. Stafford8/2/2000 8:54:47 PM
9/9/2020 12:36:33 AM
757
AuthorEmailWeb
Daniel A. Staffordaqmstaffo@mailbag.comwww.mailbag.com/users/aqmstaffo/index.html

Total Comments: 1

Comments

Debbie Hunthu6nt@yahoo.com.au8/17/2001 8:55:12 PM
Daniel,
These are the times you wish you could take a photograph in your mind, never to forget the full beauty of such a moment.
You did a fine job describing what you saw that night. You have entered and written so much poetry. Have you had your own book published?

Debbie

 

Saturday, November 14, 2020

Rock County Nights

AuthorDate Entered/ModifiedViews
Daniel A. Stafford8/2/2000 12:34:00 PM
9/27/2020 8:16:45 AM
810

Rock County Nights

Is there a band playing tonight,
Or will it be the DJ under the light?
Should we cruise Pier 44,
Or the City Limits once more?

Wet T-shirt Thursdays?

You said Gyro's Lounge?
How much can we scrounge?
Pulaski's has a killer floor,
And I want to dance some more.

Pitcher of Water Melon cooler, sunset in glass.

Are they Dropping The Bomb on me?
Is there a cover or is it free?
Man those girls move fine,
Might just make one mine.

Moving in stereo to the rhythm.

Colored lights and a sequin strobe ball,
Gettin' tank topped and bouncin' off the wall.
Lover Boy and Judas Priest,
It was a dancers' feast.

Thump, thump, think I'll do The Bump.

I see what you're shakin',
And I'm hoppin' 'n swayin'.
Back Bar punches out the Metal,
After we go find a kettle.

Let go of that Swamp Water, man!
It's Ladies' Night!

AquarianM

By: Daniel A. Stafford
(C) 08/02/2000

Author's Comments

In my very late teen years and twenties, Beloit and Janesville, Wisconsin were home to the best dance clubs around, folks used to come from out of state just to hit the floors and boogie down. I put a few moves in in my time, too. Every one of the places I used to go to has either closed, burned, or just went under. It's a sad state of affairs. Winter nights walking home after two in the morning smiling...


AuthorDate Entered/ModifiedViews
Daniel A. Stafford8/2/2000 12:34:00 PM
9/27/2020 8:16:45 AM
810
AuthorEmailWeb
Daniel A. Staffordaqmstaffo@mailbag.comwww.mailbag.com/users/aqmstaffo/index.html

Total Comments: 1

Comments

Michael A. Strandquistmichael@web-strand.comnull10/5/2006 10:42:52 AM
I used to DJ at Pulaski's Lounge, that was quite a time!

How about Primetime/Le Club on Henry Ave.?

I loved that place.

 

Baby Ice Blue

AuthorDate Entered/ModifiedViews
Daniel A. Stafford8/1/2000 5:18:57 AM
8/22/2020 5:11:25 PM
746

Baby Ice Blue

It's said that when you're young, your heart is tender.
It's a given thing so easy to surrender.
Ice blue eyes and raven hair,
Forgive me please, the helpless stare.

You see, I remember good things.

You laughed and smiled and held my hand,
We lived like children in the promised land.
Swimming pool heaven and River Fest,
Cotton candy dreams I once thought best.

I also remember sad things.

You gave your love to another in my face,
And took away something I never thought I'd replace.
I had an innocent young man's view,
I once believed in a love that's true.

Years later, my soul was able to be bare again.

Another washed away your sins and left you forgiven.

AquarianM

By: Daniel A. Stafford
(C) 08/01/2000

Author's Comments

Tales from the fall and rise of the loving heart.


AuthorDate Entered/ModifiedViews
Daniel A. Stafford8/1/2000 5:18:57 AM
8/22/2020 5:11:25 PM
746
AuthorEmailWeb
Daniel A. Staffordaqmstaffo@mailbag.comwww.mailbag.com/users/aqmstaffo/index.html

 

Sweet Dreams

AuthorDate Entered/ModifiedViews
Daniel A. Stafford8/1/2000 5:00:45 AM
10/1/2020 1:33:43 AM
807

Sweet Dreams

What do I see when I close my eyes?
I see you in your beautiful disguise.
Hair of fire and cinnamon memories,
Fiery spirit and bringer of glories.

Some days you no longer speak of.

Candle light and garnet vision,
Closed eyes and smiling to precision.
How could I know of your mission?
Success for you is what I'm wishin'.

Purple gauze not withstanding your fallen hair.

Dark Angel, be kind if you can,
To the memory of your fallen fan.
In the depths of my mind you stand,
On a pedestal in the spotlight by my hand.

A portrait of youthful dreams.

AquarianM

By: Daniel A. Stafford
(C) 08/01/2000

Author's Comments

A picture from the hall of memories.


AuthorDate Entered/ModifiedViews
Daniel A. Stafford8/1/2000 5:00:45 AM
10/1/2020 1:33:43 AM
807
AuthorEmailWeb
Daniel A. Staffordaqmstaffo@mailbag.comwww.mailbag.com/users/aqmstaffo/index.html

Total Comments: 2

Comments

ART PAUL SCHLOSSERartpaul@mailcity.comhttp://www.onlinerock.com/musicians/artpaulrocks/aggindex.html8/1/2000 12:33:58 PM
Well I like the style of the poem. It rhymes and has good rhythm but I am curious to know who the dark angel is ?It looks like hobit material maybe you should write a fiction stories while you are working on these poems.
Daniel A. Staffordaqmstaffo@mailbag.com6/22/2001 1:31:39 AM
Excepting that this poem is not about a fantasy, rather it is a still portrait f someone I loved very much, and the sadness that goes with the knowledge that such is not meant to be.

 

50,000 Years From Home

AuthorDate Entered/ModifiedViews
Daniel A. Stafford8/1/2000 3:43:04 AM
11/11/2020 6:37:22 PM
7068

50,000 Years From Home

I recently discovered the Keo project. An orbiting satellite is set to be launched to orbit
the Earth for 50,000 years before deorbiting and carrying 6 billion messages from
people alive on Earth now, today to those in the far distant future.

This is what I had to say:

My name is Daniel Allan Stafford. I am a resident of the United States of America,
which may or may not mean anything to whomever may read this. Given such a
distant future time, I have no idea if my language nor any remnant of the world
as I know it will exist in your time.

I would like to tell you a little bit about who we are now. We're people who try to
live through our intellect but still get caught up in our feelings. We're people who
love and hurt and laugh and cry and try to ponder out the knowledge of what our
existence actually consists of and is for.

We make mistakes, and there are those among us who care not a tiny bit for others
or the future, that just try to gather as much glory and comfort as they can to themselves
while they are alive.

We also have people who work very hard to make this world a better place both while
they are here and after they leave it behind through the great unknown of physical
death.

We have those who just try to survive as best they can without doing much else.

I can tell you this: The times we live in now are fair in the sense of beautiful in many ways.
So many things are new. We're discovering what makes our bodies be what they are,
what space is and how to live there, how to coexist without fighting as much as we can.
We have yet to see people living beyond the skies of Earth, but I expect this soon.

My greatest hope is that we can learn to live in harmony and take that beyond Humanities'
cradle, the earth. That we can make life blossom througout the universe and allow that
life to be happy for all those who follow us through our efforts.

If we succeeed, then you will remember us because of what we left to you through our
efforts and hard work.

I'm in the middle of an average life span in these times, thirty eight years old.
In your time, that may still be someone fairly young. I know one thing, the times
I have lived in, I have loved dearly, as well as those around me.

If you are lucky, you will have a chance to know us far better than we know our forebears,
news of which we must dig out from the Earth's bones and decipher in educated
guesses and art that has no translations ready to hand to explain it's meaning.
There is much beauty in the arts and songs we have with us now, as well as great sadnesses.
We live in a world rich with dreams and memories, and most of all, hopes for what we
can leave to you. I can't imagine what your world must be like, surely things that
technology does by then must be like magic to someone like me, a ghost from your
distant past. How I wish I could see what you, our distant children, have become.

For myself, I wish you love, joy, and happiness. I hope you can consider yourselves
to live in times of beauty and happiness, achievement and success. Carry on for us.
You are the hopes of our tomorrows, as we are the ghosts of your yesterdays.

I write poetry in my time, and this is my poem about what is truly timeless:

Timeless:

Do you feel the warmth of the sun shining on your face?
Do you hear the gentle wash of the ocean wave?
Do you see the adoration in a new mother's face?
Do you see the flowers begin to bloom in spring?
Do you envision the soaring hawk?
Do you see memories of your own youth?
Do you see the stars that glitter at night?
Do you see the old man's wistful eyes longing for old times?
Do you remember a friend that moved away?
Do you read a poem of well-written words?
Do you hear the melody of a favorite song?
Do you feel the love I hold for you?

Regardless of whether or not I should turn to dust,
There is a graceful thing that I trust.
Forever and a day,
I shall remember a bright shining ray,
Hope that you give to me,
Continuity with eternity,
Because of memories and love I share with you,
When your time comes you'll know what to do.

Give your love freely,
Because that's what timeless is, really.

AquarianM

By: Daniel A. Stafford
(C)2000

Author's Comments: This, to me, is wisdom. There are some moments that hold a beauty that
will never fade. The moment we give our love to another is one of them. I don't think this
ever will change, regardless of how briefly or long they remain near us in person, they
expand our hearts and souls.


By: Daniel A. Stafford

(C) 08/01/2000

Author's Comments

I think this is very self-explanatory


AuthorDate Entered/ModifiedViews
Daniel A. Stafford8/1/2000 3:43:04 AM
11/11/2020 6:37:22 PM
7068
AuthorEmailWeb
Daniel A. Staffordaqmstaffo@mailbag.comwww.mailbag.com/aqmstaffo/index.html

Total Comments: 4

Comments

Daniel A. Staffordaqmstaffo@mailbag.com8/1/2000 3:58:46 AM
Anyone interested in participating should contact: http://www.keo.org
testtest@test.com4/19/2004 9:34:14 AM
test
BalalaikaBalalaika@hotmail.comhttp://www.san-pietroburgo.info/12/29/2004 10:55:40 AM
Tankyou all people from Russia with love! http://www.san-pietroburgo.info/
Janine Danieljanine@spinnys.comwww.spinnys.com8/3/2005 5:24:43 AM
Hi Dan,

I was surprised when I found I haven't commented on this before although I wasn't surprised it's your most viewed one. This reminded me of when I put my name down for the Mars mission. I think this's awesome and I really truly hope that it gets read 50,000 years from now.

 

Of Nine Children And The Lake

AuthorDate Entered/ModifiedViews
Daniel A. Stafford7/31/2000 10:06:07 PM
9/22/2020 7:50:11 AM
814

Of Nine Children And The Lake

Hot late sixties Nebraska summer drive,
The corn wavers and only doing 80 keeps you alive,
Windows down in the huge Country Squire Ford wagon,
And one us is asking "How long?" again.

Heat shimmers in the air over the highway.

Two mothers with their children on vacation,
Drove to an open old part of the nation.
Singing along to keep us busy,
Fighting and laughing, trip not easy.

Seven hours and more we ride.

Big Black Lab named Cindy,
Lying where she can while the wagon is windy.
We pull into Fort Yankton camp at quarter past,
When the station wagon doors then did blast,

Opening like an explosion from inside.

Nine children and a dog headed straight into the lake,
Never mind their clothes which they didn't take,
Off, or even give a second thought,
It's Child Council unanimous to quench this draught.

Two mothers look each other in the eye.

They were cussing while they strung clothesline between those trees,
But nothing could replace the memories.
When we speak of it now we all just smile and laugh,
Wouldn't give this one away by half.

It was a long ride.

AquarianM

By: Daniel A. Stafford
(C) 07/31/2000

Author's Comments

I remember my Mom and Janet laughing over this memory many times. All of us kids lit out of that car and straight to the lake the very second the wagon stopped. Anyone watching would have thought a bomb blew the doors open. A kid bomb...*L* Those were some days....


AuthorDate Entered/ModifiedViews
Daniel A. Stafford7/31/2000 10:06:07 PM
9/22/2020 7:50:11 AM
814
AuthorEmailWeb
Daniel A. Staffordaqmstaffo@mailbag.comwww.mailbag.com/users/aqmstaffo/index.html

Total Comments: 1

Comments

Leighmarin@kci.net3/2/2001 5:45:47 PM
I believe I've seen a kid bomb just like that! *lol* In fact, it exploded out of my own car just last summer when we arrived at Lake McConaughy for our vacation! *S*

Leigh

 

Dinosaur Safari

AuthorDate Entered/ModifiedViews
Daniel A. Stafford7/31/2000 4:46:08 AM
11/2/2020 11:13:43 AM
704

Dinosaur Safari

Hush! Come look quick!
Shhh! It's not a trick!
Little sister and me,
I'm just past three.

Wake me up one morning super early,
To see a site that makes my toes just curly.
Living right off the Air Force base,
You should have a picture of the "Oh" on my face.

Black dinosaurs walk down a Wisconsin street,
It was really wierd and neat.
Men in safari clothes and hats,
Shotguns and bandoliers on the cats.

Chasing the neighbor lady back inside,
And when we were spotted peeking the guy was evil-eyed.
Little kids who would believe,
That their minds need not be relieved.

Still on duty in their tiny heads,
And years the memory sheds.
There are things out there that you never know,
Until into the twilight you go.

People still say we're crazy, and yet,
We both remember, can not forget.
No, no cartoon or dream we saw,
but it sure did drop my jaw.

I stepped into the twilight zone young.

AquarianM

By: Daniel A. Stafford
(C) 07/31/2000

Author's Comments

Just a dream? Guess we'll never know, Just how far the sixties let us go. Even little kids.


AuthorDate Entered/ModifiedViews
Daniel A. Stafford7/31/2000 4:46:08 AM
11/2/2020 11:13:43 AM
704
AuthorEmailWeb
Daniel A. Staffordaqmstaffo@mailbag.comwww.mailbag.com/users/aqmstaffo/index.html

 

The Wisdom of Three Years

AuthorDate Entered/ModifiedViews
Daniel A. Stafford7/31/2000 3:13:11 AM
11/3/2020 3:11:09 AM
820

The Wisdom of Three Years

When I was a child of three,
I remember things I'd see.
Exhaust trails across the sky,
I had no idea what or why.

So I asked.

Another child playing with me,
Looked up speculatively.
Three year olds answer capers,
She said they were Skyscrapers.

See how they scrape the blue right from the sky?

What three year old knows a jumbo jet,
When the ground is so close as yet?
All life is made of magic things,
And all is new that tomorrow brings.

Is the sky cleaned up yet?

AquarianM

By: Daniel A. Stafford
(C) 07/31/2000

Author's Comments

I remember the incident very well. It was only the next year that the skyscrapers  were resolved into jet planes, but I still thought of them with that name for a few more. Only later did I discover the inventions of Chicago.


AuthorDate Entered/ModifiedViews
Daniel A. Stafford7/31/2000 3:13:11 AM
11/3/2020 3:11:09 AM
820
AuthorEmailWeb
Daniel A. Staffordaqmstaffo@mailbag.comhttp://www.mailbag.com/users/aqmstaffo/index.html