Over the Hill

For: Diane

They say you'll be wrinkled and ugly and gray
They say you can't help it - just happens that way

What once was a twinkle now looks like a stye
I think it's because of bags under your eyes

The waistline just rises (you lose it you see)
Flat hips drop the seat of your pants to your knees

Your hemline will lower (remember - no thighs)
At least it will cover those"Old folk" knee-highs

It saves lots of time when you start to get dressed
There isn't a soul left you care to impress

The kinfolk will gather and won't know your name
'Cause us over forty - we all look the same

The mind will go next but don't fret it they say
I don't think you know it - just happens that way.

Welcome home, baby sister
We know how you feel.
You're "last but not least"
To be over the hill.

X-mas

I think I'm altogether, then again--

I lose my mind

Amid the strains of music

That I hear at Christmastime

There's "Peace on Earth - Good Will to Men"

I'm filled with joy and love

As I remember God who sent His Son from up above.

And then along comes Santa Claus

Rewards upon his back

Knowing that I wasn't good - yet opening up his pack

And then they will play "Silent Night"

Which brings tears to my eyes

But soon the sound of jingling bells

Will drive that from my mind.

I want to bow my head in prayer and sing

"Oh Holy Night"

But when I close my eyes there's dancing sugar

plums in sight.

I think we need to start anew and re-arrange

our lives

And pack up all this "Santa Claus with all its

little lies"

I think it's time we dared, don't you, to take a

firmer stand

A stand for truth and honor, time to be a better

man.

I think the young want us to see

What they already know

They need parents to grow up

They grew up long ago.

Omniscience

I went to Your house today;

It was Mother's Day.

I sat on a pew with my aged mother

and my not-so-aged grandson.

My daughter sat beside me;

Her mind intent on the speaker,

Her eyes intent on her son, not that he noticed.

I'll confess, I didn't hear much that was said,

But I think you would approve of what my spirit felt.

I don't remember the exact words of the prayer,

But I remember a wide-eyed look of innocence

and the feel of a little hand slipping into mine.

It was a day I'll never forget.

You knew it would be, didn't You?

Newborn

I feel some little loving arms

holding on so tight.

I feel a racing heartbeat

with just a touch of fright.

I feel some warm and tender love;

I think I'll peek to see.

Yes, I was right:

I see my sister peeking back at me.

And now this strange rough feeling,

strong hands and bony knee,

And eyes so full of manly pride

fixed quietly on me.

I start to cry, he wipes my tears

and looks a little sad.

From all the things I hear them say,

I guess this must be Dad.

What's this! A look I've never seen,

nor can I quite describe;

The feelings that connected us

...waiting there inside.

She sang and talked and laughed

with me,

And loved me as no other.

No one will have to tell me,

I have finally met my mother.