Thoughts Along the Way

            By Harry E. Berndt

Thoughts along the way

that seem to say

that strife

is with us all

the way and not

the way it ought to be

for if it was

we would be free

Can I be free and

you a slave – a slave

you say – yes

I work for pay

and I am free

at least that is what they say

RAIN

by Harry Berndt

I am sitting here on my porch

while it is raining - a soft steady

rain coming down.

I love a steady rain – soft

without a sound.

My heart cries out for those who suffer

without rain.

I ask why I have rain - and not

others - who without a doubt

have equal claim.

There is no reason why I have rain

and they have none.

The blessings of this world are for all

and not just for some –

If there is a god?

The Deer

By Harry E. Berndt

From the porch it did appear

 to be a dog

 it was not clear

through the fog

and below the pond

 too far for me to see

 it was not a dog

but a deer.

how lucky for me

to see this deer

a world of beauty

opened to me

away from fear

and the home of the free

away from guns

away from death

which always seems to be

the very breath

of the home of the free

Unhyphenated Me

By Harry Berndt

I am unhyphenated ; not counted, and of no account.

 no parades for me, no toasts of beer

or wine; no festivals, no old langsyne.

people take no notice that

I am here.

My being here is unexplained

 if I am pained

 I never make a fuss -- I am a one

 not an us you see

I am unhyphenated and free, yes free --- but

Yet I am here

On summer days I roam the streets

and seek those feasts

 of pies and cakes

and different meats.

 I fear

I am the only one who knows that

 I am here.

The Egret

By Harry E. Berndt

An Egret came my way

Today

He just stopped by to fish

I couldn’t help but wish

That he would stay awhile

But that’s not his style

Another brother Egret came

And stayed to fish and eat

And he lived in the tree

Above the pond for over a week

Room and board for free

           

Brooding

By Harry E. Berndt

I have been sitting on my front porch most of this morning and early afternoon, and I marvel at the beauty that surrounds me; the tall Oak trees, smaller Dogwoods and Redbuds, and the medium height Tulip and River Birch. The weather today is the closest to perfection that it ever gets, and sitting on my porch on such a day is just that – perfect!

            Sitting here on my porch, watching the birds and the squirrels scrambling around for food and whatever, being very well at 88 years of age, I couldn’t but wonder why I am so blessed. It certainly is not due to anything that I have done or not done, although I have participated in my society, as have most people. It obviously has nothing to do with worthiness, since I am not more worthy than other humans.

            If I am not more worthy than those others who suffer from war, poverty, lack of food and potable water, and closer to home the unemployed, and those suffering from the injustices endemic in our society, what about you? Are you more worthy? I suspect Not!

THE NEST

                        By Harry E. Berndt

There’s a mother in the tree

Outside my door

She sits and looks at me

And nothing more

           

It must seem odd to see

Outside my door

A mother who looks at me

And nothing more