Street Animals

So many creatures

hiding in the night,

governed by fear

totally ruled by fright.

Millions of entities

surrounded by walls,

sealed behind locked doors

from dark lonely halls.

The call of the wild

roaring thru the night,

rushing down a road

without one light.

Distant piercing sirens

somewhere far in the night,

signaling yet another

life snuffing fight.

So many words

hidden between pages,

words unspoken

gathered in little stages.

Staring from behind

thick dark glasses,

as if somehow hiding

from the crowded masses.

Numerous young pups

seeking “King of the Jungle”

roaming dark alleys

thirsting for a rumble.

Thick impervious skin

resistant to all,

toughened over the years

protecting from a fall.

Dark tanned skin

witness to lacerations,

the scars like medals

proving past altercations.

This wild youth animal

struggling thru life,

fighting with destiny

armed with chain-n-knife.

With a distorted view

of how to have fun,

wanting to kick some ass

better yet use a gun.

Depressed by hard times

a high is a must,

to hell with the risk

demanding Angel Dust.

Evidence of these creatures

are in all our states,

locked in their prisons

stamping out license plates.

Serving out their time

seldom showing results,

waiting to return

hero’s to their cults.

Gary R. Cramer

June 19, 1987

Ships Haven

By a Winter storm

Each washed clean,

every mast stands tall

with hulls that gleam.

All huddled in groups

in water so calm,

quietly awaiting a day

with the oceans salty balm.

Hidden away in their harbors

from the wind and surf,

guided by the sun and stars

forbidden to touch turf.

Each one an island

A mans dreams they hold,

a vessel to board

with adventures untold.

Gary R. Cramer

June 29, 1980

Stains

No more loneliness

no more pains,

a time for love

to remove past stains.

My time has been blessed

by two special people,

what I desire most

is we three and a steeple.

A lady so warm

So giving and tender,

gracing life’s pages

with the love she can render.

A young pretty girl

holding the hurt of ages,

trying to survive

all of life’s little stages.

Attempting to merge

with the flood of emotions,

each of the three trying

to cope with another’s notions.

A question of forming

a bond that will last,

the haunting apprehension of

treading on the past.

Patience gently asking for

resentment not to harden,

a wish to create

a bright human garden.

One full of doubt

the other lacking trust,

my persistent return

with the love that’s a must.

No more loneliness

no more pains,

a time for love

to remove past stains.

Gary R. Cramer

January 27, 1981