Something died

In the market yesterday I saw her
Looking at bread, reading ingredients
As she always used to do when with me;
And I just watched and said nothing at all.

And something died...

I just sort of trailed her around the store
Keeping my distance, afraid to approach
Because I never wanted to leave her.
I just packed up one day and I was gone

And something died...

When she came home from work that winter's eve
It was to an empty, cold, lonely house
Knowing her as I did, I'm sure she cried.
But I had to go cause I was poison.

And something died...

Don't think I left cause it was best for her,
Though I'm sure she's better off without me,
I was feeling boxed in and overwhelmed
And I needed to breathe free without her

And something died...

The sense of relief was immediate
Upon getting in my car and leaving
And for the next few weeks I was happy
Til I realized she was gone forever

And something died...

I won't go back to that market again
Because I might once more encounter her
And the next time I might approach her;
But I burned that bridge a long time ago

Something is dead.

War

It began one day with a simple premise -
that what we were doing was right.
And men and women, and boys and girls,
good and bad,
died.

And the dying continued
and continues today;
and the cause in which we believed,
whether right or wrong,
lost its meaning.

But we didn’t start the killing,
and if we stop, the killing will go on,
and continue until everyone,
good and bad,
dies.

It is regrettable, and sad,
But dying is what we do best
and war seems to be
the ultimate answer
to mankind’s quest.

© 2013 Bobby Barnhart

Hope

Do you believe in dragons,
and elves and fairies and such?
Well I’ll tell you true,
between me and you,
I do.

Do you believe in Santa Claus,
and the Easter bunny too?
Well if you do not,
And magic’s forgot,
I feel sorry for you.

Do you believe in the future,
and that peace is possible for all?
Well if you don’t,
Or if you won’t
There’s little hope for you.

© 2013 Bobby Barnhart

The Game

When you come to the end of the road
and you don’t know which way to turn -
left or right?
It really doesn’t matter
because it is just a game in the end.

A game that has no winners
 a game that has no losers
a game that just goes on
a game seemingly with no end

Though one day your road may end
and leave no way to turn -
and no way to go back -
and you know that for you
the journey is over;

Yet you know the road will go on
because time struggles on without you
though you are not there to see.
And the journey will continue
until the game itself shall end.

© 2013 Bobby Barnhart

The Difference Between Your Country and Your Government

Your country is an intangible entity comprised of tradition, freedom, and principles guaranteed to us by a remarkable document drafted over 200 years ago by a few idealistic geniuses, several intelligent men, and a group of patriots who, if not perfect, were at least bright enough not to block the efforts of the former.  Your government is a cadre of politicians and egomaniacal bureaucrats who have consistently ground away at those same traditions, freedoms, and principles, often in the name of patriotism, to create a monster  which has become over burdensome, oppressive and generally out of control.

Bobby

You ever have the feeling
You’re at the bottom of a well
And there is no one around to hear you
No matter how loudly you yell

And you can’t reach the bucket rope
But that is just as well
‘Cause with your luck lately
It is probably rotten as Hell

And of course there is no ladder
Built into the side of the well
‘Cause at the time you dug it
You were too cheap to....

© 2012 Bobby Barnhart

Sweet little bird of the morning
listen well and take warning,
for there is a big bad cat out there
so please be quiet and beware -
sing not your song so sweet
or an early end you may meet
for silence is sometime best
when you are far from your nest

© 2012 Bobby Barnhart