Author: Blind John Ellsworth

Blind John Ellsworth (1960- ), a (questionable) poet and sometimes Texas bluesman. He has recorded one spoken-word album (thankfully unreleased), since he is still trying to learn to play guitar. (Lack of musical skills is what makes him a poet and not a lyricist. Plus, he can’t write music.)

Sometimes

Sometimes you’re soft,
Sometimes you’re tough.
You’re always doing your best,
Sometimes, that’s just not enough.

Your parents will love you,
They’ll try to make you a man.
Sometimes, they just scar you,
By doing the best that they can.

Sometimes, you’re happy,
Sometimes, you’re hurt.
Just keep trying to reach higher,
Sometimes, you’ll rise from the dirt.

Your friends will support you,
They all stand by your side.
Sometimes, you’re alone,
Since they’ve decided to hide.

Sometimes, you’re working,
Sometimes, you’ll play.
Just do what you believe in,
Sometimes, it will finally pay.

Hidden Messages

Heard about a poet.
English chap, I’m told.
Left messages in poems.
Protected in simple code.

Many failed to find them.
Years went by until he passed.

Why no one ever saw them.
I never thought to ask.
First, I thought “Too clever”.
Everyone missed the clues.

Perhaps, nobody listened.
Only husbands have the blues.
I’m sure someday they’ll find him.
Somewhere in the fields.
Only time will tell, I guess.
Never drop your shields.
Even when you think it’s safe,
Don’t ever be too sure.

Many men have gone before.
Ever thinking they’re secure.

Murder By Reason of Poetry

Katie
You have a big ol’ belly,
And you’re kinda smelly.
You remind me of Mom.

Murphy
You seem kinda bitchy,
And you’re always itchy.
You remind me of Mom.

Rocky
You’re a wee bit lazy,
And you’re kinda crazy.
You remind me of Mom.

Ripley
You’re always nappin’,
And your gums are flappin’.
You remind me of Mom.

You know where this is leading,
I’m lying here bleeding.
Just for singing this song.

(Don’t ever sing silly songs to your dogs. It can get you killed. Apparently.)

A Day With Katie

Mom hates my barking,
Even when morning is here.
So, I guess I’ll wake up Daddy,
Just put my tongue inside his ear.

Watching all my brothers
On an early morning stroll.
Hit them just bellow the ribcage,
And you can watch them roll.

Mom and Dad are out,
I’m now the Patrol Guy.
Nothing looks suspicious,
But these Kleenex have to die.

Daddy’s on a conference call,
Mommy reading her iPad.
I really need to visit the yard,
So I guess I’ll go get Dad.

Daddy rubbed my belly,
Mommy scratched my head.
The lights are turning out.
It’s time to go to bed.

Flower

Editor’s Note: This was written during a series of puppy health crises in April, earlier this year. I almost deleted it when Flower rallied at that point, but sadly, I knew someday, I would need it. She crossed the bridge on August 13, 2014. 

A Rose had many children.
Four girls and a boy.
But she only had one Flower,
Who was her pride and joy.

Fifteen years later,
Her Flower is feeling old.
It’s finally changing from Winter,
But it’s still a little cold.

The air is filled with pollen,
All the birds begin to sing.
A sad thing to discover,
Sometimes Flowers die in Spring.

Summer in Dallas

It’s summer in Dallas,
I’m melting inside.
It’s over 100,
There’s no place to hide.

It’s summer in Dallas,
Ice cream man with a scoop.
By the time you start eating,
It’s chocolate mint soup.

It’s summer in Dallas,
It’s too hot for clothes.
Either draw all the shutters,
Or give the neighbors a pose.

It’s summer in Dallas,
Stay off of the street.
We’ll head north to Plano,
To get out of the heat.

It’s summer in Dallas,
Sun’s burning my head.
It’s too hot for coffee,
So I’m staying in bed.

Freedom

Guest post from @PsychoPupRocky

Racing around on Mom’s new floors.
It’s faster since there are no doors.

The dining room was out of bounds,
But now it’s part of our rounds.

I’m trying to hit a new max speed,
Since Katie’s always in the lead.

After days just sitting in my crate,
Freedom really does feel great.

Katie chasing Murphy and me,
Just be careful not to step in pee.

An Atheist Goes to Heaven

I feel my eyes closing,
Dim goes the light.
It’s time to just fade
Quietly into the night.

The is the final step.
I will enter the Void.
My life is completed.
I’m slightly annoyed.

Inner peace and silence
Are all that I can sense.
Around me, nothingness,
Except a rather large fence.

It’s not really a fence,
It’s more like a big gate.
It’s painted pearly white.
So I’ll take the bait.

A robed guy is standing
With a halo and iPad.
He’s checking off names.
Each has a box: Good or Bad.

I’m not liking the looks of this.

My name was marked Good.
How in God’s name did that happen?
What happened to the Void?
In God’s name. Oops.

I was handed a white robe,
I’m heading off into the light.
I’m not annoyed that I was wrong,
But that my wife may have been right.

I’m not playing a damn harp.