-- Jolly is the Fat Guy --

If I was haunted by a ghost,
Who would it be I’d want most?
But the ghost of Christmas present.

His joyful laugh tickles my heart,
His big ‘ol smile sets him apart,
With a fine smell of wine, but just a hint.

His jolly chuckle makes me laugh,
While he shakes body and spills his glass,
A turkey leg in one hand and the other, a glass of wine.

“Have a drink!” he vocally yells,
“Eat some grapes! They’re not stale!”
I have to admit the variety of food tastes fine.

Another big laugh, another wise crack,
Slaps his knee then smacks my back,
This big man almost knocked me to the ground.

“Where did this food come from?” I kindly ask,
“From the heart and not the past!”
“Now here’s to your health!” as he poured another round.

I’ll never forget the fun we had,
When we raise our cups and swayed like mad,
And sang some old hymens out of tune.

We YELLED REAL HARD, with a finishing verse,
The noise was so loud, my light bulbs burst,
But it was ok ‘cause our joy lit the room.

Then so sadly, he had to go,
He stood up tall and brushed his robe,
And gave me a big fair well with a teddy bear hug.

I remember the most, the twinkle of an eye,
And I’ll never forget the jolly fat guy,
Who cheered up this old grouch of a dud.

Copyright © 2005 Phillip Lanier

-- Soldiers March --

Solid steady are the steps,
Exactly a half second apart.
Clap-clop clap-clop
The soldiers are marching on.

--Haiku--

-- Blinded By Pride --

All is well in my world today,
As long as I’m in control.
Don’t tell me what to do or what to say,
I’m the king of my own goal.

They came today to tell me a tale
Of something that happened long ago.
They talk of a man and some very large nails,
And was tortured from head to toe.

My world is perfect I made my wealth,
And in no way I need advise.
Drink some more wine and hears to my health.
All is great and suffice.

They came again and spoke of His love,
And how I could possibly be free.
They told me about a gift of dove,
Because He was nailed to a tree.

Everything is great in my life today,
I’m the king of my destiny.
I’m happy and satisfied where I lay,
until I got hit by a tragedy.

They came and said to put Him first,
And my life would be content.
As I refused, my condition got worse,
And now I can’t pay my own rent.

Life is hard and my bills are high,
I don’t know how I’ll get through today.
My worries are killing me; I want to cry,
My youth and my health have gone away.

I wish they would come back again,
They had something in them I didn’t.
For whatever situation they were in,
They were happy, healthy and content.

Now I lay here in bed all day,
This tragedy how I could rid.
But instead my pride got in the way,
And kept me from accepting Him for what He did.

Copyright © 2005 Phillip Lanier

-- Sand Angel --

Johnny and Sarah, spent days at the beach, this went on for months.
They’d play for hours but before they leave,
They’d make sand angels about.
And this became tradition.

“Daddy, one last time before we go, make me a sand angel”
Johnny could not resist her sweet request.
So he fell and moved his body about.
Every beach trip this went on.

Telegrams came, the telephone rang, Johnny was needed for war.
“I’ll be back, I promise Sarah; in fact let’s shake.”
“When I return we’ll go to the beach.”
“And make sand angels again.”

Gun shoots rang, explosions made and Johnny fell to the floor.
The pain he felt made him squirm and twitch,
He took his last breath to say to himself.
I broke my promise to Sarah.

A telegram came, a knock at the door, your daddy died in war.
There was something strange at the battle field.
As your daddy’s body was removed,
A perfect sand angel remained.

Copyright © 2005 Phillip Lanier