Memories, Part 1

Pictures so fleeting

they come and they go,

of a lonely childhood

such a long time ago.

Memories of joy

and a share of fears,

bits and pieces

from those many years.

A family of four

and then we were three,

traveling down a road

that no one could see.

I recall a time

maybe I was five,

we followed dad north

where he worked in a dive.

It must have been Winter

because I remember the rain,

a tiny motel room where

she left me with tears that would stain.

She said she’d be back

she wouldn’t be long,

I stood on the seat

watching until she was gone.

Through the bathroom window

on a toilet I stood,

crying and screaming

knowing it didn’t feel very good.

It was dark and cold

and the rain came down,

she walked to a bar

in some strange town.

She had tracked him down

I don’t know how,

but she went to see him

and I was all alone now.

For a little boy

it was a terrible time,

trying to be brave

amidst the motel grime.

I fell asleep all curled up

on the floor in a ball,

I heard her come in

but she wasn’t happy at all.

She picked my up

and put me to bed,

she said she loved me

and that was all that was said.

The next day came

with no warming sun,

she said it’s alright

and we’d have some fun.

Later that day

we went to the bar,

where he worked pouring drinks

there were eggs in a jar.

He gave me a hug

with tears in his eyes,

while mom just smiled

and gave a big sigh.

He made me a drink

it was something pink,

a Roy Rogers

he called it I think.

He gave me some coins

and set me at a game,

as bears went back and forth

I’d shoot them with my aim.

Each time I’d hit them

they would give out a roar,

and I’d yell at my dad

daddy I got more.

He gave me a bowl of special cherries

when I was finally done,

I told mom she was right

we were having fun.

I can’t remember

when we came back home,

if we were all together

or mom and me alone.

All I know in the end

is that my dad came home,

and nights in my bed

I didn’t feel so alone.

That’s just one memory

I recall in my past,

there was good and bad

they would never last.

Some have told me

I was abused as a child,

now both parents are dead

the past seems so mild.

I wish the years had given

us more time to share,

because family is important

and missed when not there.

For better or worse

they gave it their all,

they did their best

better than nothing at all.

Pictures so fleeting

they come and they go,

of a lonely childhood

such a long time ago.

Gary Cramer

October 11, 2009

The Penny

As I went my way

I came upon a penny,

after many miles

the one became many.

So proud was I of

My new found treasure,

I took it home and

viewed it with pleasure.

As easy as it was

I didn’t have to try,

only watch the ground

with an intent eye.

I became so content

with my found income,

adding dimes and quarters

totaling a tidy sum.

Well needless to say

as time went by,

all other interests

I would readily deny.

My reputation grew and

the work got around,

but I was so involved

I didn’t hear a sound.

People shook their heads

everywhere I went,

claiming a waste of time

valuable time misspent

Little need of work

or a job had I,

everywhere I walked

the ground I’d spy.

Feeling so smart

I gathered a crowd,

to tell of my findings

I spoke them out loud.

A boy walked up

and he said to me,

“Were you afraid to look up

and what you might see?”

Caught in total surprise

I replied “of course not”,

but the question raised

provided deep thought.

Could it be while

I hung my head low,

I lost sight of the future

and seeds I could sow.

The lesson my friend

is very hard to beat,

don’t walk through life

watching your feet.

Instead you see

avoid easy schemes,

look up to the sky

and work for your dreams.

Gary R. Cramer

July 24, 1987

The Pillow

A devise so simple

yet so essential instead,

allowing nights full of sleep

a place to rest your head.

One must ponder

from the beginning of time,

what the caveman used

way before we had rhyme.

Surly not a rock

it would be too hard,

with all it’s sharp edges

the pain of a shard.

I suppose a tree limb

but only in Winter,

because in Summer

it might leave a splinter.

A pile of leaves

would be much lighter,

but what if it had

inside a poisonous spider.

And even worse yet

if leaves started to shake,

resulting from a nesting

of a slithering snake.

As time passed man

used straw and hay,

but in the event of rain

the odor kept one away.

At one point in time

maybe a pile of leather,

alas to be replaced

by the light fluffy feather.

The search went on

now we have evolved,

with so many choices

still the problem unsolved.

What is the best

too hard or too soft,

head sank down

or being held aloft.

And look at the cases

some satin some cotton,

only to again awaken

feeling tired and rotten.

Now we have foam

some filled with air,

so many choices

it’s just not fair.

It’s all too much

I’m left it total alarm,

to Hell with it all

I’ll just use my arm.

Gary R. Cramer

June 16, 2018