Rhyme & Reason - a reason to rhyme

 Working in a nursing home Right here in Kitchener, Retirement home was my domain Night duty, I'd be there. Oft'times aft working day shift  Out in community, My schedule did allow the time, Those various  shifts to see. Was in "Retirement" area, Though oft' short handed were, In 'nursing home' location, Some of us, would work there. Two reasons, give a hand to staff, Also, to build up hours, Many had to work two jobs To keep our homes and cars. Now management, (ne'er done our job) New ruling, he'd edict, That solely ONE area Could work, without conflict. Thus, many of us 'carers' Lost hours, to make ends meet, So second job detr'mental  To keep us on our feet. Aft' working in community, To nursing home, would drive, To keep food on the table A must, to keep alive. Whene'er I reached the placement, Informed I was, by staff,  "You have to work in nursing care", I really had to laugh. Informed them that 'head honcho...

 It's been predicted, eons past, That come the latter days, People will search out others Whose similar viewpoint, plays . Whether truth or lying, It's what they want to hear, It gives them 'feel good' factor From stranger, friend or peer. The place where I'm residing, Retirement home, no less, Some folk act, like they have power, They think they're 'it', I guess. Just recently, one res'dent, Too young to be ' inmate ' He acts as if he OWNS the place, Makes some of us irate. He thinks he has some special jobs, That won't be carried through 'less he gets to perform them all Gives him something to do. At 4.00p.m. late summer time  It still is very light, He started pulling down the blinds, As if 'twas early night. Aft' chastising him openly, Nurse did agree with me The blinds, he raised back up again, So everyone could see. Soon aft., at nearby table, 'Twas heard, my name, mentioned, His table mates, condemning  MY actions, ...

"Army insects" scurrying, O'er pavement, dirt or soil,  Their world is just a garden, Where they do all their toil. They march quick, all directions, No atlas, map, cell phone, They have an innate radar, To keep them, where they're going. For sustenance they're searching, Their tiny bodies, feed, No superstores in their world, To supply all they need. Beyond the realms of universe, We too, like scurrying ants, Scurry here and thither  To provide for our wants. We're seen by the Creator, He knows each of us well, Why, He knows all our 'ins and outs', Created every cell.

 Many moons ago, late teen years, 'Youth group' leader, now passed, An elder in my church, then, His cancer, took him, fast. Good friend to eldest brother, Knew ALL our fam-il-y,  One day before my birthday, Those Heaven's Gates, he'd see. Unbeknownst to me, years earlier, My parents, he had told, "Your Colin has the 'Gift of Helps' He'd seen that gift unfold. Our church choir, I had joined it At seventeen years old, Didn't know what part I'd sing there, "Sound like a bass", was told. So when I'd joined the choir there, Sat 'tween two men, one blind, Th'other, he'd suffered a Stroke, In middle, you'd, me, find. Back then, I still had seizures, Though with them, took the role, Of caring for those members, It seemed I'd found my goal. The blind guy, I would lead in, Remind which hymn, was due, Th'other, hymn book open, T'whatever hymn was due. Aft' career in caring over, It came eas'ly to me, I STI...

People often grumble About, how they were raised, Perhaps they may do something grand, End up, not, being praised. They may have had to struggle long And sore, to make ends meet, While coveting their neighbour who Could  re-lax more, raised feet. These same folk, admire jewelry, Without full story known, The work, of how the gems 'became' To make that stone that's glowin' With some great fete accomplished,  A piece of common coal Becomes a precious jewel, That end game, is its goal. So when in life you struggle, While others 'breeze right through' Just think about that "jewel" That's being made, through you. "A diamond is just a piece of coal, that               did well under pressure"

As youngest in the family, A dozen, halved, - all boys, We learned to share together, Both clothing, also toys. Bought good, so 'twould last longer, With solely, one wage earned, My father's mother stayed at home, So that is how he learned. Alas these days, all vestments,  Once, made to last, don't now, A few times on the body, The seams open, somehow. The stitching, loose or broken, Some holes appear, too soon, Some folk know nought 'bout sewing, So garments, gone, like balloon. Just recently, with a friend, A pair of shoes, on sole, Some glue or stitches missing, Beginning of a hole. Some power glue, happened to have, So asked him for the shoe, Restuck the sole to leather, Will do, a year or two. Richard's (Fergus Place) shoe.

One fruit I LOVE for sust'nance, Is long and curved, starts, green. Then changes to a yellow  When, ripe for eating, seen. Acquaintances, I do have, Who, 'when-one' black mark, on skin, Is seen on their banana,  Will throw into the bin. I know this person's mother,  A older gal, retired, So I made a comparison  To make my point desired. Told her, some folk get 'age marks' When older, they become, Though doesn't mean their useless Still have a heart, and some. So when those 'marked' bananas Were ready for her trash, Kept them for me, for eating, It sure saved me, some cash.

As the youngest sibling All six of us dear boys, Many 'hand-me-downs' received  Of clothes, and even toys. When last three, with our parents, A country drive, would go, The two above me, would demand  A seat by the window. So I was stuck in middle, I wasn't giv'n a choice, I yearned to b'able to have one, But couldn't, my say, voice. So 'piggy in the middle' For aye, it seemed, was I, Even at home, on sofa,  To complain, I dare not cry. Now older, with more 'say so' I actually prefer  The mid seat, car or sofa, A sense of safety, there. Encased between two others,  Protection, all around, Shielded by those bodies, 'Security', there, found.

Since youngest son of six, I am, An uncle, at age nine, I  recall many times, my folk Had 'baby sitting' time. The eldest nephew, had toy dog, A 'comforter' for he, His 'Wowie',  with him everywhere, Wherever he would be. Out visiting grandparents With his dear Mum and dad, 'Wowie' would go with him, Thankfully, t'was a fad. As years went by, the 'wowie' To pieces, fell apart, 'Til only one ear, lasting, Still held it, close to heart. So "part of wowie" kept him, Subdued, happy and calm, Something, he could hold to, It eased his sense of qualm. In life, we have a "Comforter" Beside us every hour, Christ, sent to us, THE "Comforter" To us, He is strong tower. Can depend on Him fully, He'll always have your end, With inner voice, call to him, HE's your dependable friend.

 I have this grand conundrum  For you educationalist, One, I know not th'answer to, I'm hoping you'll assist, When something does fall to the ground, Th'item, mentioned, first, The leaf, it did fall from the tree Rain fell, from a cloudburst. However, that rule is not fixed, And this is my query, How do we know how to surmise  Which way the phrase should be? When water drop falls from a tap, For those educationally 'quipped, Is it said that 'One drip dropped', or  Is it 'One drop, dripped'?

 "Ruth's Fashion's" mother's , July 23rd turning 104 2 children, Roger, Cheryl 6 grands, Lily, Cooper, Max, Bo, Luka, Zach  Husband Dusty Curran, wed June 14th '47 London Ontario  Hobbies bowling golf, cards (euchre) acts like she doesn't know what cards to play, then beats others  Drinks Manhattans Attended Egerton Baptist got married there (nee Heathfield) Pet dog Pepe (poodle) She's  be Beautiful & full of love for her family  cherylhawken@hotmail.com The year was 1922 July, the twenty third, Five siblings and their parents, Some newborn tears, they heard. For baby Ruth had just been born, (There would be yet one more,) Quiet solitude, disappeared, Sure, parents ears were sore. Quite soon to school, she had to go, (It is a must, for all) She did excel, nay, blossomed, there, And yes, she had a ball. At twenty five, she married Her beau, Dusty, by name, To him she bore two children, Roger, then Cheryl, came. She loved to bowl, play cards, and gol...

 Sitting in a double room, St. Mary's hospital, Trouble with esophagus  With swallowing, et-al.  A double room, though solely me, It's quiet, so eerily, Though hopefully 'twill continue, A quiet night's rest, for me? Probably no doctor see 'til aft' breakfast, next day, Trust very soon I will get 'fixed' So I'll be on my way...... ......Back to my residence and friends, Then 'out for coffee', drive, Just hours away, - I miss them so, They make me feel alive. So do not take for granted, Those things you do, as 'norm' In just a blink, so much can change, If e'er you are 'off form'.

 I hope that you are happy, Your brother, would be mad, You KNEW that family's antics, Told, by your mom and dad. How they befriended seniors,  With family far, or none, Befriended and manipulated them,  So wealthy would become. In fact 'twas you who ME, informed  Before we even wed, I thought you would be wiser, Believing all 'twas said I never thought they'd sink so low, In their covetous run, But greed and spitefulness excels, Their own relations, shun? Whene'er the money has run dry, Which I alone did earn, You could never keep a job, Quite soon, I did THAT, learn. So when it's gone, you too'ill be cast Aside, forlorn, lonely, And WHEN it does, please do not come A-running back to me. You've had your chance and ruined it Believed your neice's lies, You've made your bed, lie in it, That family, I despise.

M  arching down the aisle with you,  I  dolising smile, C learly, LOVE was in the air, H  ad been, for a while. A  t the alter, Michael stood, E xcitedly, yet calm, L  ove was rampant in his eyes, A n adorising balm. N  ext "Who gives this girl away?" D  ad handed, to your boy, A sweet young girl, now all grown up, U biquitous  with joy, D azzlingly, her upright groom, R  eceived with love and glee, E veryone was 'googly eyed' Y  es, even, your 'daddy'.                                                  Colin Ross 07/07/32

 A letter to my daughter, A memory or two Of th'day when I gave you away, I heard you say "I do". While you were so excited, Your mom and I were glad, Though with anticipation, We had our moments, sad. Reflecting on your childhood, A babe, school days, mid teens, You were a daughter, loving, No rebel, dressed in jeans. The house that day, chaotic, Your mom, bridesmaids and you, Proudly, yet with sadness, I Would hear you say "I DO". You made me a grandfather, Three times, both girl and boy, Your mom and I adored them, They filled our hearts with joy. A special anniversary, You've reached the "Silver Years" This proud, delighted father Is sending you  "Three cheers"                            Composed by Colin Ross Married 07/07/07 Poem due 07/07/2032

To the tune Going Home Just three words, meanings change, D'pending who it's to, Human being, animal, Meanings, - there's a few. There has to be a noun, Person, place or thing, Holiday,  food to eat Creator, praise to sing. Love, it can be amorous, Shared between just two, Or just 'ppreciation for Some deeds, that you do. ^Can also, be a sentiment, Giv'n to friends or pets, Saying it, hearing it, 'Tis the best it gets. Hearing it, gives a boost To th'one to whom it's sent, Be assured, it is free, GIVEN, it's not leant. ^S'if you hear me saying it, Know, 'tis said with care, I 'preciate your 'friendliness', When I can, it share. Say it, then, whene'er you can, It is always due, :You can't say it oft' enough, Th'words are, "I love you": (2nd time slower, go up at th'words)

 While working in a Nursing Home, As P.S.W. I'd try my hand at anything, To show what I could do. At bath day, for the females, Oft' times, when hair, washed,  was,  The bather, she would set their hair, Give resident, a buzz. The bosses mother, there, did live, A male to bathe, was 'NO', Howe'er, the girl who'd set her hair, That day was a 'no show'. The worker, when the bath was done, Forlorn, aft' bath, appeared, I o'erheard her dilemma, And so I volunteered. Assured her that, of my dear mom,  Man' times, had set her hair,  And so, with her,  nothing to lose, She sat upon the chair. Family of the residents, When visiting, that day, Where tot'lly flabbergasted  With my 'coiffeur' display. A few hours later, when 'twas dry, The hairpins, I removed, And then I brushed and styled the hair, She really did approve. The NEXT week, usual girl was there, Though aft' bath had been done,  Brought out the hairpins, comb and brush, ...

         The Circle of Life As "single digit" children, Still not quite fully grown, Until in double digits, Short pants was all we'd own. We YEARNED to wear those long pants, "All 'growed up' " we would be, Perhaps be treated better, Sometimes, kids, they don't see. In second'ry education, It was a 'must' f'rus guys, Not to be seen in short pants, That clothing, we'd despise. Now older, in retirement, When weather's warm or hot, We LONG to put on short pants, To show just what we've got. To get 'bove knee line darker, A little red, then tan, Sunshine has its advantage, Makes for healthier man.

  The quiet man who works so hard, No grumbling, no woes, You'll often hear him whistling Everywhere he goes, Repairs, removals, touch-ups too, In a flash, they're done, An urgent chore will see him, Walk rapidly, won't run.

As the years are passing I've noticed, traits, a few, That in-nate-ly I'm doing, My father did so, too. He ne'er liked to be 'en retard' For 'ppointments, specified date, "I'd rather be an hour early, Than e'en one minute late" If I've been asked to give a ride At a specific time, I will be ready earlier, To me, late, is a crime. I put myself in their shoes, Them thinking 'will he come?' So earlier, I will be, Five minutes and then some.  What if they did sleep too long, Think, 'my appointment missed?' I'll be there and ready, Leave early, I insist. Ev'n if I'm the one who waits For pickup, at my door, I will be ready earlier, Few minutes, even more. I oft' think of my father, Thank him, that trait, did give, So I could be a blessing, While on this earth, I live. So when I'm needed somewhere, Like dad, I'll be the one, Though 'tis a good thing to proclaim, I AM, my father's son.