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

The Planting Of A Seed

From the beginning of life

there was planted a seed,

for success and happiness

I have a great need.

Some go thru life

without want or care,

yet each morning I awake

my emptiness is there.

From the shadows of my soul

I feel a great urge,

much stronger than the oceans

with their powerful surge.

There’s an internal voice

saying alt that I want to be,

yet what must I do

to let my seed blossom free.

Gary R. Cramer

June 25, 1980