Lemons

Lemons may be bitter and cause one's lips to pucker,
Just squeeze one in your water and have it with your supper.

Bite into one and you will find yourself waiting for a moment of bliss.
Just as one does when one is waiting for a kiss.

If selected by a lemon lover, they may do with me as they please,
If I could only be a lemon, I would mot mind a squeeze.

I could be a lemon pie, or be squeezed onto lemon chicken,
But I'd like to be squeezed by you... while my bitter heart is still tickin.'

JGP
Poems For The Joy of It

Birthday

Paint yourself a birthday cake,
One with lots of candles.
and if you make it with ice cream,
it will never melt!

When it's time to blow the candles out,
You will have to huff and puff,
but not matter how hard you try,
You won't have any luck.

But make a wish anyway,
And be sure to close your eyes,
For it's the only way to
Make painted candles go out!

Have a pleasant birthday party,
I'm sad I could not make it
(But my love is in these gifts)
All thought they were not wrapped so good,
I sealed them with a kiss!

Happy Birthday Lisa, From Frank, John and Whover

Poems for the Joy of It, JGP

Cowboy Up

Cowboys don't cry when their hearts are broken,
No tears in his coffee cup, no sad words spoken.
He knows he can always rope and brand another filly,
To cry about his broken heart is just too dog-gone silly!

Should you ever ride with him, rounding up the strays,
Making camp and and ending, yet another long hard day...
Never ask em, "What that you?  I thought I heard a whimper or a sigh."
He will just declare, "Must have been some lonesome coyote's cry."

You will have to get him really drunk to get to know the facts,
He will only dream of some way to get that woman back.
He will just take the pain, as if his heart was branded,
And always feel like some old bull, that somehow, just got stranded.

It's mighty tough when a cowboy's down, it's like riding without his saddle.
If he can just find a woman like her... one that he can straddle!
Like his silver spurs, his worn down rope, he cannot give her up....
For it takes a woman, just like her, to get a cowboy to cowboy up.


                               JGP

To Marty, for your next birthday.

SANDCASTLES

 Sandcastles



Timeless are the sands I view
Worn down by waves and made anew,
Erasing effort made each day,'reclaiming all that stands in the way,
Amazing is this sight I see,
These endless waves that beacon me!







To build a castle made of silt,
Takes lots of love so they will not tilt,
They are built in vain as they are built in haste,
Tying to beat nature's rhythmic pace!






No match am I to the sea,
But as I build it please me,
What they sea may give I shall employ,
as pebbles wear down my castles of joy!

POEMS FOR THE JOY OF IT

John Gregory Peters 1992

JGP

Moonjoy

0n a full moon night,
     When no clouds are near,
          I search for a face
                In the moon I hold dear.

Each time there is a new look,
     Which seems never to repest
          Then the moon brings me my joy,
                when the cycle is complete.


In each smile a faint grin,
     That I may choose to find,        
           I search for a new look
                that may perhaps be kind.

As it hangs there aloft,
     in the darkness of space,
          I wonder if there are others
                gazing at my moons face.

This great clock of nature
     Times that all exist,
           From the ebb of the tides
               to a lovers first kiss.

Now, conquered by man,
      Who h as spoiled it's beauty,
           yet still the mon glows bright,
                 to continue with it's duty.

Should others gaze up,
    At my moons mystical face,
         and seal a lover's kiss,
                with a passionate embrace.

Let my moon be their beacon,
     It's spell, all should emoloy,
           Never question it's power
                  for it has brought me my joy


J.G.Peters
  

Joy's Eagles

The eagles joy is the same as mine,
As they soar in the air above mankind!
Just to view the sighs I choose to see,
Searching for things that may please me.

To be one with the forces of nature,
and be guided by a spirit much greater...
When I cry out in shrieks of joy,
Will those below wish my wings were their toy?

In my search for prey or in the wind for pleasure,
My frights will be swift and each one I will treasure.
Come night, I will rest and wait for tomorrow,
to soar again above the earthbound sorrow.

In my fights, perhaps, you have spotted me,
and wished my place you would rather be.
Myy spirit is with these birds of joy,
Who use the wind as only a toy.

I a that eagle.... only in my poems,
On earth I must dwell and call it my home,
It is when i see these birds of splendor
My thoughts of flight entice me to surrender.

The earthbound ways a human must be
Only eagles in flight can ever be free.
But when I pass on, and I am laid to rest,'
My spirit will be found in an eagles nest.

John G. Peters, 1992
POEMS FOR THE JOY OF IT

Lips and Kisses

Lips and Kisses

                                      by John G. Peters

I found lips an kisses when I came home
Some were on the mirror,
                              and some were on the phone;
One was even on the microwave... which made me think
Should I warm this one up? (It was already Hot Pink!)

I searched the whole house, looking for more
None were on the ceiling,
                                 and none were on the floor.
I dashed into the bedroom hoping to find another...
There upon the mirror were lips that could smother.

I had to figure out who was going through this phase,
More lips than I could count left me in a tender daze!
If I were to get this one wrong, I'd never get the candy.
So many sweet lips, 
        .............I just knew that they must belong to Sandy!



Poems for the Joy of It    JGP92

Valentine for Beatrice

VALENTINE POEM FOR BEATRICE

Valentines Day is a special one
It could get you in trouble;e or let you have some fun

The gift one gives could be just neat
or soft and chewy and taste really sweet.

When this entire thing started an arrow was shot
A sweetheart was the target and it was aimed at the heart.

Some found it's mark and others just missed
All was forgiven with a Valentines Day's kiss.

A gift may be given, like a poem or a song,
The roses will die, but the kiss will live on.

The arrow won;t hurt, unless it's pulled out
A kiss lingers on until it's wiped from the mouth

So leave kisses alone until you get home
There you can rest and consider the Valentine poem.

JGP

Merlin's Poem

Merlin's Poem

I don't need anybody messing with my head
 to tell you just why this poem must be read

I have all of my needs,
                my horse,
                       my drums
                               my spurs
 I don't need a partner and I don't need another her.

For 13 years my horse was all I need.
Barebacked or with saddle, there was no better steed

If I was sober or drunk He never gave me any sass...
He knows just what to do....
                                          (just haul my bony ass.)

Wherever I left him, there he would stay,
As I sowed my oats, he waited for his bale of hay.

I sang him many songs, to see if they were good
He would say, "It's just fine."
(If he could talk, he would!)

I don't have to tell him what he should do
We both think the same...(if you only knew)

When I read him this poem, as I look him in the eyes,
We will both share our love and perhaps a good cry

There's pride in our stride as w  ride into the wind
The Grimm reaper will never catch us....
Will this magic ever end?

Poem by JGP

Should I?

SHOULD I....

SHOULD I ENTER INTO THIS EARTHEN VESSEL
THAT HOLDS THE MEMORIES YOU LEFT BEHIND
COUNTLESS MEMORIES OF WHEN YOU WERE HERE 
TO FIND MY PEACE, I MUST CLEAR MY MIND....




SHOULD I...

REMOVE THIS LID THAT HOLDS YOU IN
AND SET YOU FREE TO CHASE THE WIND
OR KEEP YOU THERE SO CLOSE TO ME
IT IS ONLY THEN MY HEART WILL MEND




SHOULD I?

FORGIVE ALL OF THEM, THE DOUBTING ONES
THAT OFTEN HAD THEIR CHANCE TO CARE
BUT ALL i KNOW NOW MY LOVE FOR YOU
AS  I SHOWED THEM THE WAY WE WERE\




SHOULD I?

TAKE YOU TO YOUR FAVORITE SPOTS
AND LEAVE SOME OF YOU WHERE YOU FOUND REST
OR SHOULD I WAIT UNTIL MY DAY COMES
THEN BLEND WITH YOU WHERE i FEEL BEST




SHOULD I? SHOULD I? SHOULD I?

John G. Peters 2011
for Sandy

The Wind

THE WIND

I come and go as it pleases me...
I have no mercy for sailors at sea...
I rule the seasons, to them I give birth...
I sculpture the face of God's precious earth.

I speak as the voice of natures great wrath...
I wear down whatever should stand in my path...
I disperse new life to be grown in the sun...
I ask for no payment for the work I have done.

I sometimes have caution thrown in my face...
I have the power to end your great race...
I challenge all dreamers that  may tease  me for fun...
I search the four corners for truth but find none.

I search for and seek out the fires of hell
I then rest in the heavens It's there that I dwell,
I balance the forces and even the odds
I make not excuses, answer only to God.

I have time on my side, it is my best friend...
I have no beginning and know not an end...
I treat all men as equal, for all are the same...
I am what I am, the wind is my name.

John G. Peters, 1990

THE RAVEN'S ESCAPE and ANOTHER RAVEN

THE RAVEN'S ESCAPE

IT WAS HER BEAUTY THAT CAUGHT MY EYE.
STRANDED AND WOUNDED SHE  JUST COULD NOT FLY!

THERE WERE MANY TO ASK, BUT NO ONE WOULD ANSWER,
AS SHE PRANCED AROUND LIKE SOME EXOTIC DANCER!

IT SEEMED THAT ONE OF HER WINGS WERE BROKEN
SHOULD i GIVE AID WHEN WORDS WERE NOT SPOKEN?

WITH ONE QUESTION I ASK, "DID YOU BREAK YOUR BIKE?"
FOR SURE  THOUGHT SHE WOULD SAY, "TAKE A LONG HIKE!"

WITH A SMILE SO SWEET, SHE CAPTURED MY HEART,
SHE JUST SIMPLY SAID, MY BABY WON'T START."

MY TASK WAS EASY, TO MAKE HER BIKE RUN,
IT STARTED NORMAL, NOW SHE COULD GO HAVE SOME FUN.

THE RAVEN WAS BLACK, AS SHE ROSE INTO THE BREEZE,
HER HAIR WAS LIKE WINGS, SHE FLEW WHERE SHE PLEASED.

IT WAS MY PLEASURE TO SEE SUCH A SIGHT,
IT REMINDED ME TOO OF TIME WHEN i RODE INTO THE NIGHT.

I STOOD FAST AND WAITED FOR THE THUNDER TO FADE,
THIS MOMENT WAS FOREVER, AND A MEMORY WAS MADE.

JGP  2013

POEMS FOR THE JOY OF IT

For the "Raven"

ANOTHER RAVEN

IT WAS HER BEAUTY THAT CAUGHT MY EYE

WAS ANOTHER RAVEN JUST PASSING ME BY?

THERE WERE QUESTIONS I THOUGHT I SHOULD ASK

mY NEED TO KNOW WAS NOT A HARD TASK.

HER BOYFRIEND WAS HANDSOME, I THOUGHT, "WHAT A LUCKY GUY/."

HE CALLED HER HIS RAVEN, I HAD TO ASK, "WHY?"

FOR i TOO KNEW A RAVEN THAT I MET LONG AGO!

SHE COULD NOT BE TAMED TO I HAD TO LET HER GO.

I ASKED THIS RAVEN IF I COULD SHOW HER MY POEM

OF A RAVEN I MET BUT COULD NOT TAKE HOME

WITH A SMILE SO CHARMING SHE ASKED, "DO I KNOW YOU?"

SHE JUST SIMPLY SAID, "I AM A RAVEN TOO."

HER HAIR WAS YELLOW MUCH LIKE A FULL MOON

AND WHEN SHE MADE HER ENTRANCE SHE LIT UP THE ROOM

SHE SAID, "I ALSO LIKE TO RIDE INTO THE NIGHT."

THE POEM WAS JUST LIKE HER, (HOW'D I KNOW WHAT TO WRITE?)

I THOUGHTS SHE DESIRED TO HAVE HER OWN RAVEN POEM,

A MEMORY WAS MADE, BBUT THIS POEM SHE COULD TAKE HOME.

JGP    2014

A Poet

A poet must be a poet,
When he gets up on that stage-
A poet can only be himself,
If he reveals his inner rage.

A poets words may never expire,
As he explores a poets desire.
A poet may be unemotional,
As he reveals his inner soul.

Often hidden within, maybe there is a tear,
Only the Poet will really know.
A poets words might make you think-
A task as old as time!

Some poets can be such a bore
As they ramble on in thought
Some poets can be such a joy
When they give you all they've got.

Poets can be almost anyone
they can be as you or me,
Poets will say whatever they want,
Just to be, what they want to be.

JGP 1/3/84

Mr. Yester Day

There once was a miner named Yester,

From a snake bite, did his leg fester,

For three days Yester had to to suffer,

but he did eats that rattlesnake for his last supper!

His life was spent just mining for gold

Then nature claimed Yester...(So the story is told...)

Mr. Day did find what he was after...

So ironic, however, that he would meet this disaster.

He found his gold in a lost stream,

Where he oft panned for his dreams,

(all the gold that he was after)

And his death, that became his master.

So he carved on a tree for someone to see,

His last will... should he ever be found,

For though he died alone, he anted it known ,

He did love his family and home.

"To Any, my wife." (to ease all her strife,)

"all my gold I do leave."

And "To Whata,, my son," (who thinks life is all fun,)

 "my pick and my shovel are all he will need."

"To Summer, my daughter,"( who is just like her mother)

"I leave promises that turned into dust..

No love could I give her, as I panned every river

for the gold that was my first lust."

Yester had his best day, when his life slipped away,

Any thought he would spite her, but her days were much brighter

Whata stood fast, as he lived in the past,

Searching the streams, that was now, somewhat lighter.

Summer turned cold, for no one man could hold,

her heart that Yester had broken,

He panned only for fame, leaving her only his name,

So she searched for the love never spoken.

The lesson was thought, no love could be bought,

and is passed on from one day to another,

For if wealth be your fame, there is no one to blame,

Should one day be just like the other.

by JGP 

1992

This man is the inspiration for this poem.

Arizona Mountain Hermit 

Shades of Blue

           (for Brandi)
I have tried to stare into your eyes
So I could get a good look at you
But the was just not long enough.
to see that misty shade of blue....

There were moments I could catch a glance,
As when I caught you by surprise,
You had a far and distant look,
When I got to gaze into your eyes,

Depending on the moment,
Depending on your mood,
I depend on the look you give,
When you say that, "I love you."

I take all the looks you give
Be they happy, or be they sad,
I blend them all together as one,
for they are the best I have ever had.

If only for a moment,
More time is what I need,
For when one's heart is hungry,
then it's passion that you need.

Carousel

 Carousel by J. G.P.

SHOULD YOUR FRIENDS, THAT HAVE GIVEN YOU,

A GIFT OF A CAROUSEL PONY,

WISH THAT YOU WILL THINK OF THEM, 

THE TIMES YOU BECOME SAD OR LONELY.

MINE MAY NOT BE YOUR FAVORITE YET, BUT I THINK HE IS THE BEST AROUND.

UNLIKE SOME OLD COWBOY’S HORSE, THAT’S NEVER TO BE FOUND.

GOLD, RED, AND GREEN, ADORNS MY CAROUSEL PONY,

WHO SEEMS TO HAVE THE WIND IN HIS STRIDE-

HE WILL BE STRONG, AND ABLE, 

AS HE WAITS IN YOUR STABLE,

SHOULD YOU CHOOSE THIS ONE TO RIDE!

HE MAY BE JUST GLASS, ALL TRIMMED IN SHINY BRASS,

AND DO NOTHING BUT GO UP AND DOWN,

BUT SHOULD YOU NEED A FRIEND, OR JUST BECOME SAD,

WHERE YOU PUT HIM, 

HE WILL ALWAYS BE FOUND.

HE WILL NOT GALLOP AWAY, FOR IT’S THERE HE WILL STAY,

WONDERING WHEN YOU WILL BE BACK.

HIS RED VELVET SADDLE, WAITS FOR YOU TO STRADDLE,

OR PERHAPS JUST SIT, AND HAVE A LONG CHAT.

HE FOUND A NEW FRIEND, IN YOUR BLACK CAROUSEL PONY.

THE ONE SAVED FOR THE DARK DAYS IN YOUR LIFE.

BUT THOSE DAYS ARE GONE, AND NOW IN THE PAST,

SINCE YOU LET MINE COME INTO YOUR LIFE.

LET MINE BE THE ONE, WHEN YOU RIDE JUST FOR FUN,

JUST TO GO OFF TO CHASE DOWN SOME SHOOTING STAR,

OR TO CATCH THE BRASS RING, 

THAT LETS YOUR WISHES COME TRUE, NO DISTANCE WILL BE TOO FAR.

HIS HEART JUST MAY BURST, IF YOU DO NOT RIDE HIM FIRST.

HE’S READY AND RARING TO GO.

SHOULD YOU DREAM A SWEET DREAM, 

JUST THINK OF HIM,

THIS ONE WILL NEVER SAY NO!

SHOULD ALL OF THE PONIES YOU HAVE, MAKE ONE GREAT CAROUSEL,

AND TAKE YOU TO YOUR SECRET PLACE TO PLAY, THIS ONE WON’T TELL,

THEY’LL ALL RACE AROUND AND AROUND, 

AND END UP RIGHT WHERE THEY START.

BUT, WIN PLACE OR SHOW, 

AS ONLY YOU KNOW,.. IT MATTERS ONLY IF THEY RACE TO YOUR HEART

My Mirror

MY MIRROR
                                    by J.G.P.

In my mirror, I can see my self

The way I am, as it was meant to be

If the light is not right, a change is easy

For what my mirror reflects, is only for me to see

Perhaps some cloth of a different color

May change the look and help to hide

The emptiness that I feel inside

But standing there, I see myself

I can not change a single thing

For the past reflects only to one

What their future will bring

Youth and strength, I too once knew

But my mirror seems not to care

It only reveals what it can see

Even if its a dishearten stare

My mirror tells me no lies

It sometimes laughs, and often cries

It does not see the need in me

Should I let it go, or just let it be?

A mirror will always be the same

Whoever stands there, is the one to blame

If you can not see, what you want to see

You may borrow my mirror from me