Thanksgiving Eve is as Thanksgiving Eve Does

November 27, 2013November 22, 2013 ~ John W. Howell ~ 25 Comments

Thanksgiving

Wednesday seems to come quicker every week. I guess that is a good thing considering it is the first time in the week we think about being able to make the weekend. This week is kind of special in it is Thanksgiving Eve. I’m not sure anyone really thinks of a particular day in this manner. Hey, it is better than just letting the day before Thanksgiving go by without notice. In honor of Thanksgiving Eve I’m going to tell a little story on Fiction Favorites about “The Night before Thanksgiving.” Before I start, I need to set the mood. Ready? Okay here goes; a nice fire is in the fireplace, cats, dogs, kids and family gathered around. Cranberry scone and a mug of hot pumpkin spice toddy (give me some slack, this is fiction) is in your hand. The CD player is set up with one-hundred of your favorite Thanksgiving songs and the soft Thanksgiving lights are twinkling on the Thanksgiving tree. I think we are there. Here is the story:

The night before Thanksgiving,

All around the place.

The family has gathered,

In every inch of space.

The turkey is soaking,

To thaw in water base.

The drinks, food are bought,

Stored, guarded by mace.

Teenagers seem quiet,

New games of face?

Mother-in–law has advice,

Need a fly to chase.

Dad in the cups,

Never liked that vase.

Sis is complaining,

Husband left, no trace.

Still it’s good,

Thanksgiving embrace.

Happy Thanksgiving y’all.

One Day is as One Day Does

October 6, 2013 ~ John W. Howell ~ 5 Comments

The Community Story Board prompt was posted by LindaGHill and can cover any interpretation the author wishes. So here is my view of One Day.

One day the sun will bring,

One day the rain will fall.

One day the birds will sing,

One day the Robins fall.

One day the morn will dawn.

One day the night will fall.

One day the smile will spawn,

One day the frown will fall.

One day the child is born,

One day the soul will fall.

One day peace is not torn,

One day the bombs will fall.

One day we are here,

One day the tears will fall.

One day is always near,

One day not to fall.

Lucy is as Lucy Does

August 7, 2013August 6, 2013 ~ John W. Howell ~ 23 Comments

I wrote this poem a while ago when we rescued our Boxer named Lucy. She had been run over by a car and needed tender care. Today she is a happy, healthy, joy filled dog. She loves life and humans and I have always wondered why someone would turn her loose. So this poem is my humble way of recognizing the strong heart of this beautiful fur child. There is no special reason to post it now other than I feel very fortunate to have her in my life.

She started her life as a battered child,

Let loose on the streets and hit by a car.

It was not her fault since she knew nothing,

Of what a ton of steel on wheels could do.

She is all white with two brown spots,

And recovered with the best of care.

She is friendly and kind without a single trace,

Of the hatred that she could rightfully show.

Whoever turned her out to live or die on the street,

Is the unfortunate one for not having her love each day.

They are the poorer for having been denied,

The joy, love, happiness and life of Lucy.

Every day she is ready to share in living,

With the innocence born of security and love.

Eternal is as Eternal Does

July 23, 2013July 22, 2013 ~ John W. Howell ~ 20 Comments

This is not meant to be a dark post and no one has died causing a prompt. I was sitting editing my book and started to think on some of the burning questions of the day. One question which mankind has been asking ever since crawling out of the swamp, “is this all there is?” So here is the same question but adding in the subtle ritual that we have come to know so well. Hope you like it.

When people pass from the living to non,

To comfort ourselves we have ways.

We meet to talk about the one not there,

And convince ourselves of a life well lived.

It is not enough to simply believe,

That the time on Earth is all there is.

We talk of the soul as if it is real,

And feel it is with us as we talk.

We implore that the spirit will gently slip,

To eternal rest for well-earned peace.

We believe a higher purpose is in store,

By Subscribing to a more righteous plan.

We pause and consider destiny as,

More than just living on this Earth.

Is it? You ask with hopeful eyes,

No one knows how to answer you.

Dream is as Dream Does

July 19, 2013July 18, 2013 ~ John W. Howell ~ 19 Comments

I have always been fascinated by the power of dreams. Many of my short stories deal with the idea that the dream takes on very realistic attributes. Sometime we are not sure if it was real or not. This little poem attempts to capture the feeling. I hope you like it.

You wake up and are sure it was real,

A forgotten paper that was due in Psychology.

As hard as you try there is no way to explain,

It is fifty percent of the grade for the term.

You feel panic as the realization hits,

There is no way to recover this error.

A story is made up to explain,

That the paper was mailed and must be late.

Situations in dreams make a lot of sense,

In real life, dream logic folds like a circus tent.

The professor accepts the mailed in story,

But then asks for a copy of that cursed report.