Author: John Ellsworth

Grandparents

~ John Ellsworth ~ Leave a comment

A grandmother wants control of her title.
Choosing what she is called seems vital.
Some will never be “Grams” or “Granny.”
They want to be called “MomPlus” or “Sammy.”

Grandfathers don’t really seem to care.
Since we get called random terms here and there.
I have been “Grandpa”, “Papa”, “Grampy”, so to speak.
All of those were just in the past week.

Next time, I’ll have another name.
I will probably have myself to blame.
I said my name was King Frank-Bob.
We’ll see if that’s accepted by the mob.

I answer to the term my grandkids choose,
Either good or bad, win or lose.
Call me a saint or call me a sinner.
Just don’t call Grandpa late for dinner.

Progress

~ John Ellsworth ~ Leave a comment

I will see a mansion on a hill.
I wish my house remained there still.
Some unnamed Yuppie came to town.
He bought my house and tore it down.

I haven’t lived in it for years,
Which doesn’t seem to stop the tears.
It was the place where I grew up.
It sheltered me, my Mom and Dad and pup.

I knew someday it would be gone.
I just didn’t want to play along.
I wanted to be able to just drive by,
And see it standing beneath the sky.

Yesterday, it was an empty lot.
It’s now a place that time forgot.
I will miss my happy (former) home.
Now, I’m feeling even more alone.

I know that everything must die.
I just hoped to see my past survive.
I understand that times will change.
I just thought my past remained the same.

Squirrels

~ John Ellsworth ~ Leave a comment

A squirrel was living in my car.
I guess I hadn’t driven it too far.
I found his nuts under my hood.
Well, pecan shells (I guess the nuts were good.)

My car is now in the shop.
I’m waiting for the ball to drop.
A warranty is a great advantage,
But it doesn’t cover rodent damage.

Plano at Rush Hour

~ John Ellsworth ~ Leave a comment

He thinks that no-one will complain,
As he exits from the far left lane.

Kill me.
Kill me now.

She is like a pig in clover,
As she slides her three lanes over.

Kill me.
Kill me now.

He thinks he may have seen a cop.
So, let’s have all on Central stop.

Kill me.
Kill me now.

Some of the smartest people alive,
But none of them know how to drive.

Kill me.
Kill me now.

A Child of Many

~ John Ellsworth ~ Leave a comment

I’m a child of the Sixties,
I can sing any Beatles song.
Peace and love,
Sex and Drugs,
I’ll party all night long.

I’m a child of Catholic schools,
I know a lot of prayers.
Glory Be,
Our Father,
He watches over us everywhere.

I’m (mostly) a child of Texas,
I got here when I was two.
Whataburger,
Ranching,
A State with its own worldview.

I’m one of the last Baby Boomers,
I was taught right from wrong.
Princess phones,
Playing outside,
In college, I even saw a bong.

I’m a child of many,
My folks, the highest percentile.
Selective amnesia,
An occasional drink,
And my shrink on speed-dial.

Nothing to Sneeze at

~ John Ellsworth ~ Leave a comment

I stay inside
All Spring, you see.
I am allergic
As can be.

I need some tissues.
Grasses make me sneezy.
I need allergy meds.
Blossoms make me wheezy.

Stuck inside, avoiding pollen.
I stay as isolated as can be,
My hairy pets roll all around,
And bring my yard inside to me.

Blank

~ John Ellsworth ~ Leave a comment

(One last poem for NaPoWriMo)

Last day of the month.
I’ve drawn a blank.
My mind is numb.
An empty tank.

My dogs are quiet.
Now of all times.
My annoyance with them
Always makes good rhymes.

I’m sure something will come,
There’s an idea somewhere.
I just hope it arrives,
I may need prayer.

(See you next year.)