Now You’re Gone

Now you’re gone

what will I do,

the good times were many

now none to look to.

In the beginning

you made me feel whole,

once again I had dreams

like I had found my soul.

The things we did

the joys we shared,

the laughs we had

neither feeling scared.

So many journeys

both far and near,

escaping from our pasts

driving in high gear.

Our trip to St. Thomas

drinks from Mr. Green,

both lost in paradise

deep within a dream.

Each island of Hawaii

we made five of the eight,

the Kona side of Hawaii

at Huggo’s the ahi we ate.

I remember it all

In bits and pieces,

as close as family

like Nephews and Nieces.

You were a wonder

my bride and soul mate,

indeed my best friend

you made me feel so great.

But alas the good times

were lost in such pain,

too much family drama

in the end nothing gained.

Then like ships in the night

we slowly drifted apart,

ending in hurt and sorrow

from such an amazing start.

But at last I discovered

real love does not die,

you returned to my life

not believing another lie.

We were no longer married

But still bound by spirit,

friends to the end

knowing not to fear it.

Your confession to me of

the steps you did take,

to divorce me was

your very biggest mistake.

All the things you then did

to make up for my pain,

the gifts and gestures

but the hurt did remain.

As we again grew close

I said I forgave you,

and as you shed a tear

I confessed I still loved you.

But then you became ill

with cancer in your brain,

again my heart broke

knowing loneliness again.

So unprepared was I

not to see what was to come,

not ready for the void

the total feeling of numb.

Your final brave text:

“I am doing well. Pls. Stay the same.

Keep up the Love and you.”

lost in a coma and no one to blame.

Now you’re gone

what will I do,

the good times were many

now none to look to.

I kept my word to you

I didn’t let you die alone.

Gary R. Cramer

June 8, 2018

Ode To A Toe

True little friend

your always around,

never complaining

not even a sound.

You’re taken for granted

I’m ashamed to say,

with little attention

given along our way.

You’ve always been easy

without any fuss,

and yet on occasion

you’ve caused me to cuss.

It seems at times

you must go your way,

taking your course regardless

of what I say.

I keep you trimmed

and cleaned so often,

taken to the point

that you steadily soften.

So tell me little friend

constant companion of mine,

why must you stray

from time to time.

Well finally I think

you’ve gone to far,

like a spoiled child

or a pampered star.

While going our way

you spotted a chair,

going full steam ahead

giving me quite a scare.

You forged ahead without

fear of a token,

now I’m afraid

You’re definitely broken.

Though I tried hard

to keep you in shoes,

the force of your impact

gave you blacks and blues.

What can I say to

convinced you of your fate,

as one out of five

You just don’t rate.

So stop this folly

just follow the row,

for you see my friend

you’re just a little toe.

Gary R. Cramer

July 27, 1987

Oh Sweet Vision

Oh sweet vision

of my dreams,

I long to hear

your ecstatic screams.

To taste the sweet

dew upon your lips,

and feel the force

of your driving hips.

I’d offer my back

for your nailed fingers,

just to share an

emotion that lingers.

From a gentle desire

that makes hearts flutter

to a driving need

that causes bodies to shutter.

Gary R. Cramer

July 30, 2017