Sudden Reality

The sudden reality

of a loss so new,

is always out lasted

by the love we knew.

The present is now

and the sorrow so bad,

but memories are forever

of that we can be glad.

Moments once shared

are never gone,

ever fresh and sparkling

as morning dew on a lawn.

Gary R. Cramer

October 28, 1986

The Blind Date

Seven years ago I

had a blind date,

now to my credit

she’s become my mate.

It’s hard to believe

seven years gone by,

so much has happened

in the blink of an eye.

many things have changed

along the way,

both good and bad

but we’re here to stay.

Of the good times

I have fond memories,

I’m sure the future

has even more deliveries.

As always the case

There’s the other side,

the pluses and minuses

like the oceans tide.

For myself I’m sad

and sorry to admit,

I lost my job and

because I wouldn’t quit.

Though not my fault

or being in the wrong,

there’s no denying it

hurt our love song.

As for my love

the woman of my life,

I’m glad she’s there

and I can call her my wife.

It saddens me to say

she’s put on some weight,

so much I fear she’ll

never again be my date.

And yes it’s true

she still has her smokes,

I hate the price we

all pay for her tokes.

Her health is not good

varying day to day,

and some might ask

“why do you stay?”

The answer’s not easy but

I can tell you this,

if she were gone my

life would have no bliss.

With all our problems

we still have our love,

maybe with more time

we’ll be blessed from above.

The reason we’re together

is quiet simple you see,

my love for this woman

makes her so important to me.

Gary R. Cramer

July 30, 1987

Gary R. Cramer

July 30, 1987

The Gunslinger

I’m a gunslinger

it ain’t plain to see,

but don’t be afraid

there’s no reason to be.

My aim is straight

a real killer true,

just keep prayin

my target ain’t you.

Most look at me

an they just shy away,

and never a one

has dared to stay.

I should go down

in those history books,

as the man who won

but seldom earned looks.

I’ve searched for the worthy

both far and wide,

to be my equal

to ride at my side.

The kills are there

so very plain to see,

but the totals don’t match

but they show on me.

The true gunslinger

walks with a gait,

always on the alert

still tempting fate.

With a life like this

no wonder I’m alone,

so much damage

so very little shone.

Proof of my kills

don’t show many notches,

alas there’s only one

shadowed with blotches.

But wait you say

how can it be,

not a gunslinger

surely not me.

With only one notch

I have little to show,

such a weak claim

what’s there to know.

Lets look again

how can that be,

the kills were real

but they were always me.

When I go out

I’m not looking for a fight,

in search of some love

and so seldom in sight.

My search the same

always from the start,

not looking to harm

but to capture a heart.

I never wanted

a gunslinger to be,

a lover not a fighter

so what’s wrong with me.

What you can’t know

though my kills are real,

at the end of the trail

only emptiness I feel.

So many times

a broken heart scattered,

but not of others

it’s mine that’s shattered.

So if you see me approach

there’s no reason to flee,

because the broken heart

is always within me.

No need to rush

please don’t scurry,

with so many kills

there’s only one to bury.

I’m a gunslinger

it ain’t plain to see,

but don’t be afraid

there’s no reason to be.

Gary R. Cramer

November 16, 2014