Tuesday, August 29, 2023

At times we wish we could meet someone famous who has passed away. There are always people who ask, “Who in history would you like to sit down for dinner with?” On one hand it is a useless proposition. On the other hand there are those intriguing thoughts that make you wonder what would happen if?

One night I was watching an interview of Graham Nash where the interviewer placed in Graham’s hands the guitar that Buddy Holly used to write many of his songs. The look on Graham’s face was one of excitement and then he uttered those immortal words, “I feel closer to the flame.” A title was born and what is below is what I developed from those words.

Close To The Flame

Don the glasses

Turn on the amp

Pluck the string

Be taken aback

Find the rhythm

The sound will grow

Move close to the flame

Ease into their flow

Sit at the piano

Play the chords

Run your fingers

Over their sound board

Pick out their tune

Try something new

Move close to the flame

It is within you

Pick up the pen

Capture the words

Listen for something

You may have heard

Keep it simple

Keep moving ahead

Move close to the flame

You’ll be in their head

Monday, August 28, 2023

Sometimes when you start writing you just don’t know what is going to come out. The thoughts kick in and words flow like there is no tomorrow. If it could only be this easy!

In this case I started with a title and easily came up with the first part. After that it was a question of what Stephen King says, “What happens next?” And the rest was history.

Five Short Minutes

Five short minutes

That’s all the time I have

Five short minutes

I wish I had the gift of gab

Five short minutes

To spend some time with you

Five short minutes

What am I going to do

As the bus pulled to a stop

In this no name town

I stepped through the door

And saw you looking around

I put a smile on my face

As you looked me in the eye

I only had five short minutes

I had to give it a try

Hello how do you do

What is it that makes you smile

How long have you been standing here

Has it been quite a while

What is that scent you wear

That is driving me up the wall

I love the clothes you wear

What makes you seem so tall

Well now I said my words

I did that without a doubt

I got back on the bus

And saw her looking all about

A flash of skirt, a steady walk

Heads turned every way

As she headed for the bus

Before it went on its way

Down the aisle was where she strode

A huge grin on her face

And she did ask of me

Is anyone sitting in this place

You said so much I couldn’t talk

So I had to take a ride

Just to see what’s up with you

So now listen to my side

Saturday, August 26, 2023

I find it interesting that sometimes you start out just putting down ideas and following what you are thinking only to realize half way through, or more, that it is about something else. In this case it was my brother that entered into my thoughts.

Another Lifetime I Never Knew

The wind whispers soft and low
Beating branches keeping time
While the sound of the whip poor will
Offers comfort to my mind

The day is heavy amidst the clouds

The cornfield sways and rattles its leaves

And in a corner of my mind

I picture you lying there fast asleep

I am told in time a heart does mend

Maybe after a few winters come and go

There are words I could have said

There are decisions I will never know

So now I walk through the fields

Through the woods and past the stream

To the lake where waves do flow

Beating me about my knees

And in the morning I will have

A one sided conversation once again

Hoping to find answers I never knew

As I spend another lifetime with you

by Bill Ferguson

Friday, August 25, 2023

For years I played in what are commonly called Stage Bands or Big Bands. One of the songs we played often was Satin Doll. If you know the song you will know that it is rather catchy. As we were a band without a vocalist we played the instrumental version of the song. While I was familiar with it I didn't know the words. One night I started putting my own words to it. I hope you enjoy it.

A Little Bit of Love
At times it’s a word

Puts the thought in motion

At times it’s the heart

That takes a notion

A little bit of love

Reaching out from you

A little bit early

It’s not a sin

Eyes light up the moment

What a grin

A little bit of love

Reaching out from you

Hearts beating faster

As thoughts go spinning round

Touch is so sensitive

So I found

Are the sounds

They astound

Take a step forward

No turning back

Keep it in the moment

Right on track

A little bit of love

Reaching out from you

A little bit of love

Reaching out from you

by Bill Ferguson

My First Poem In My Poetry Blog

Why has to be the most important question people ask. It can be heard everywhere from 3 year old's all the way up to those of quite the advanced age. It forms the basis for our understanding.

Why

Why is such a simple question

A premise caught in time

It doesn’t provide the answer

It doesn’t beg to unwind

It gives sense of purpose

It gives insight among despair

Why is the perfect question

On the road to being there

by Bill Ferguson