Making The Best Of A Wreck

Making The Best Of A Wreck

The bellows no longer take in the air

The hinges are squeaky and sticky

The tanks of sludge are beyond repair

The pipes are all oozing and dripping

It seems that the wires are all shorted now

They spark or they’re totally down

It’s difficult making it through the day

With a machine that is wearing a frown

So you get up each day, suck in the air

You oil up the hinges and joints

Add some of that stuff that clears up the sludge

And seal all the drips at their points

To insulate wires you tape them all up

Close your eyes, hit the switch and pray

You’ve patched this old hulk as best as you can

Now go out and Have A Great Day!

 j. Charles Dill

Copyright © 2009 J. Charles Dill

Is This Really The Same Woman Who:

Is This Really The Same Woman Who:

1. Grew up in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Phoenix, Arizona?
2. Worked in an aircraft factory in World War II?
3. Gathered the neighbor kids for my back yard fifth birthday party?
4. Took me to the beech to get sand for my sand box?
5. Took me with her to get our first little puppy?
6. Made bologna sandwiches for me in kindergarten?
7. Watched me toboggan down a hill, and over a jump, in the snow?
8. Took me to special reading classes because I had difficulty reading?
9. Took me to the doctor for my constant tonsillitis?
10. Shared her country wisdom with me?
11. Packed me a lunch when I rode my bike 50 miles round trip to Irvine Park when I was only twelve?
12. Cooked me lunch and dinner every day?
13. Drove us all around town in a World War II Jeep as her only transportation for years?
14. Along with my dad provided such wonderful Christmas memories?
15. Taught me all the old stories of her family, thus giving me the meaning of family?
16. Told me about the war, her contribution, and her family’s sad sacrifice?
17. Took me to church every Sunday?
18. Told me how important it was to learn how to type?
19. Never gave up on me, even when I gave up on myself?
20. Was so proud of me for graduating from college?
21. Was so proud of me when I became an airline pilot?
22. Was so proud of me becoming a father?
23. Traveled with me to see the grave of her grandfather after I had found it in Arkansas?
24. Came to watch my daughter’s softball games?
25. Was always someone I could talk to?
26. Had such a wonderful sense of humor?

When I visit my mother now, and speak to her through her confusion and deafness, I ask myself these questions. I ask other questions too. She is still my mom, and I feel that I have not done nearly as much for her as she has done for me. Occasionally, my mom still gets it. But, she never gets it all. 

An Old House

An Old House

An old weathered run down house with many rooms.

Black and white photos tossed about here and there,

Stillness looms in all the rooms,

And halls with their photos too.

One lone occupant lingers longingly lonely.

She sees the rooms in color only,

And she also sees what went on,

What’s buried beneath the lawn,

What hung in all the closets,

What and where the china sets,

And perhaps even why nobody ever comes home Anymore.

No knuckles wrap upon the door.

But, she does not know why,

The bulldozer runs just outside,

Nor why they see in black and white,

While hers are eyes of perfect sight.

 j. Charles Dill

Copyright © 2009 J. Charles Dill