Future's Fate

Election days are quite important

Our future's now at stake.

But after several months of this...

My head begins to ache!

It's “I hate this, and that's a lie”

“It's time for someone new.”

It's said that neither candidate...

Has even got a clue!

I'm sick of all this squabbling

This rhetoric must cease.

I long for just a little bit...

Of electoral peace!

The Facebook pages come alive

With postings for the eye.

And later we will all find out...

That most were just a lie!

Republicans and Democrats

All fishing for your votes.

While Elephant and Donkey art...

Turns voters into goats!

They've turned a process made to give

The country it's best choice.

Into a three ring circus act...

Where everyone has voice.

I think I'll wait and listen for

The candidates debate.

To then decide what vote I'll cast...

To determine future's fate.

 

 

 

It won't be based on Tweet or Post

 

Or a catchy TV ad.

 

To base my future on a rant...

 

Would actually... be quite sad.

 

 

 

 

I'll do what I percieve is best

 

For the red and white and blue.

 

I'll disregard the poppycock...

 

America.....What say you?

 

 

 

A non-political poem by Clinton Gardner 2012

Jagger Does Facebook

 

I must admit I was perplexed

Last night while surfing Facebook,

Cuz the spotted face before me eyes

Caused me to take a relook!

I couldn't help but wonder then,

How such a thing could be?

So I leaned in for a closer peek...

To verify you  see!

And there he was, tongue hanging out,

Long snout as clear as day.

His friend request in front of me...

There was little I could say.

I quietly accepted it,

There's no way of course I wouldn't.

Though something deep inside of me...

Thought -- perhaps maybe I shouldn't.

Could Jagger somehow really be...

A dog with computer savvy?

The visual inside my head...

Seemed twisted and uncanny!

I immediately tried to clear...

My mind of the sight within it.

Of Jagger mounted on a chair...

Encrypting data tidbits.

But the images inside my head:

Just wouldn't seem to shake!

My newest Facebook friend it seems...

Is somewhat of a fake!

He usually sits and lays around,

But now he sits and types??

There has to be a mastermind...

Behind this Facebook hype!

A puppet master sits above

This masquerade no doubt!

I wonder who the first 'twill be...

To root this mystery out?

Though Jagger be a clever dog,

This has to be a joke!

'Cause I don't want to be the one...

That Jagger first will Poke!

Imagine the embarrassment...

To challenge him in Scrabble;

Then lose to him decisively,

In a wordy K9 battle!

And just suppose he makes a post,

With a photo...near a hydrant,

Sharing what is on his mind...

Though hardly post compliant!

What would you all be thinking then?

When Jagger hikes his leg?

Perhaps the world's ready NOT

For a K9 spouting megs!

So I'll leave you to contemplate

This jump to cyberspace!

Be glad his breath will not transmit...

While staring at his face!!

And if his nose...gets really close...

To the screen...well, just beware:

He may just start to sniff you out...

Much closer than you'll care!

And just when you're in need of help,

You'll desperately plead and weep.

Instead of help – you'll only find...

That Jagger's fast asleep.

2012

Donna Rae

Remembering all the soldiers who have served in the Armed Forces. Thank you for your sacrifices. As a young boy I remember my Mother visiting the gravesite of her Mother and Father every Memorial Day. She never missed a year when she was living near enough to make the trip. So today I wanted to take a moment to remember all my family and friends who are no longer with us:

Eva Gardner
Don Gardner
Art Gardner
Vondell Gardner
James Coulson
Florence Coulson
Clinton Coulson
Matt Gardner
Lisa Gardner
Toby Snow
Joni Snow
Lola Arthur
Niema Deines
James Hartman
Jerry Joki

And my older sister I never knew:

DONNA RAE


I never got to meet my older sister Donna Rae. She died of pneumonia when she was 2 months old. I was thinking about all the memories we might have made had she lived to be an adult. So I wrote a little poem about it.

Together Mom and Dad gave birth
To children numbering six.
Seems... I was second from the last
In our Gardner family mix.

After me came sister Beth,
The baby of the lot.
The oldest being brother Jim,
First son my Father got.

After Jim came Carole Kay,
My second oldest kin.
Then out in Colorado came
The sister we call Lynn.

So that makes five I listed here
The kids of Eva Mae;
But there’s one more I never knew…
Her name was Donna Rae.

Her birthday came in February
Of nineteen fifty-four.
But two months after life began…
Poor Donna was no more.

I never got to see her face,
Or feel her baby skin.
But I know Mom has got the chance…
To see her once again.

I wonder how it might have been
If she still lived today.
And all the memories we’d have made…
With our sister Donna Rae.

But history cannot now be changed
There is no past review.
So dreams are all I’ll ever have…
Of the Sis I Never Knew.

Donna Rae Gardner 1954-1954

O WICKED COOKIE!

O Wicked Cookie
I despise thee with Great desire
I long for your sweetness
In my dreams thou shalt retire!

Silently, secretly, you speak my name
Tho you're locked beyond the door
From your secluded resting place
You entreat me: “Come eat more!”

For this plague that is upon me
I blame the Maiden Scouts
For their beauty I cannot resist
Of this…there is no doubt.

Oh to taste the sweet Samoa’s
To crunch the Do-si-doe
I hear them calling to me now
I’m sure my heart will go.

Their plenty screams: 'that I resist'
The treats for just a while
I mustn’t yield to the call
Of Savannah’s entreating Smile!

I hide them far beyond my sight
Avoiding sweet temptation
But soon I’m standing at the door
Starved…with desperation.

I beg for Thin Mint satisfaction
The crunch that so DeLites
I Tag-a-Long…a pathetic slave
In search of wafer bites!

A Shortbread cookie leads to twelve
Twelve cookies I’ve consumed
The diet I was striving for…
So quickly met its doom.

So...to you Maidens making coin
I Shout-Out…Thanks-a-Lot!
And have no fear for yonder cookies…
For in my house…twill not rot!

Clint Gardner 2012

January 8,2012

He gave his life to Law Enforcement,
Keeping criminals at bay.
A man of great integrity...
Our brother died today.

A guide who loved to fish and hunt,
To the moose he'd point the way.
A mighty man to all he knew...
A hunter died today.

A faithful friend to all he knew,
By your side through calm or fray.
An honest and a trusting man...
Our friend has died today.

A deputy in uniform,
It was justice he portrayed.
A man of strength and servitude...
A Sheriff died today.

Working hard to help the kids,
Get them headed the right way.
A resource officer for many years...
A Detective died today.

In the summer he was in the hills,
On the dirtbike he would stay.
He kept the country safe for all...
Foothill One has died today.

A loving hubby to the end,
A gentleman all the way.
A broken heart he leaves behind...
A husband died today.

A loving Father to his son,
An example all his days.
Forever missed by those he loved...
A father died today.

The Sheriff's Office cried today,
Our soldier's gone away.
Ada Forty-one-zero-seven...
A Deputy died today.

We will miss the man we knew,
'Twas too soon to go away!
Our brother,may you rest in peace...
Jim Femrite died today.

January 8, 2012
In memory of Jim Femrite. Written by Clint Gardner

Me and My Kleenex Box

Me and My Kleenex Box

Well,
Now I’ve went and done it.
I caught myself a cold.
It seems a wad of tissues now
Is all I ever hold.

I cough.
I sneeze.
I blow my nose.
All day as well as night.
This war on mucus has become…
A never ending fight!

Its medicines,
And vials of goop,
Then off to see the doc.
A pain inside my throbbing head…
And a voice that does not talk.

I’m sick and tired of breathing not.
And feeling ‘Oh so Blah’.
Where grabbing Kleenex from the box…
Has turned my nosy raw!

I toss.
I turn.
I cough.
I gag.
I sneeze and then I gasp.
It seems a good night’s restful sleep…
Is something of the past.

I cough.
I hack.
I feel like crap.
It’s like some voodoo hex.
I guess I’ll sit and feel like heck…
Just me and my box of Kleenex.

Clint Gardner 2011

ETCH

The year was 1920.
December twenty four.
The little town of Holton…
Where Eva Mae was born.

That Kansas town was just the start
Of mother’s too short life.
‘Twas there she met a boy named Don…
She’d one day be his wife.

Her High School graduation came;
Topeka was the place.
Then off she went to tackle life…
A smile lit her face.

She married Don in 44
Then off he went to war.
When Jim was born they had no clue…
That there would be five more.

Carole, Lynn, and Donna Rae,
Then Clint and finally Beth.
The places and the years flew by…
There was little time for rest.

California, Idaho, and back to Colorado…
Their moving never done!
They even had a homestead cabin…
Up high on Douglas Mountain.

Now Eva Mae could cook and sew,
She loved her children always!
She struggled hard and never quit…
Till each of them was raised.

Eva loved her husband Don
He always called her ‘Etch’.
Something that she loved to do…
Was sit for hours and sketch.

And though my Dad left Mom behind.
Her love for him lived on.
She loved the man for all her life…
Long after he was gone.

I can’t begin to scratch the surface,
When praising Eva Mae.
A thousand poems or accolades…
Her love would not repay.

She never got to be retired,
She passed away too soon.
I think of all the times I missed…
Her sing, ‘O Mister Moon’.

And if she was alive today,
I know just what I’d do:
I wish I could walk up to her…
And whisper “I love you”!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Clint Gardner 2011