Back in my day
we did it a different way
and we had souls
and we had goals
and we were productive
members of society.
And now, the youth of today,
all they want to do is play.
Things have changed
so they must be blamed
until one day they’ll say
that’s not how we did it in my day.
Crisp and cool
the breeze passes through
and the colorful leaves
fall at your feet.
Sometimes the sun
peaks through the gloom
to add warmth to the soul
and ease those chilled bones.
There is still one thing
that I feel it lacks,
a touch of snow, I say,
would make it my kind of day.
I love it when they have things to do
and they leave me by my lonesome.
I sit and watch my birds
and dream all day through.
But then there comes a time
when my solitude becomes a bore
and I have to find those people for food;
that’s all they are good for.
When I returned home
the lights were left on
and I set my keys down
but I turned around and they were gone.
I put that here
and it ends up there,
is it to make me scared
or has my brain begun to wear?
The real question
that matters most
is have I lost my mind
or found a ghost?
Many people think that change is bad
And fear what tomorrow may bring.
Haven’t they heard how insanity is defined
By repeating the same task over and hoping to change something?
If all the world knew my name
and I were destined for eternal fame,
you would still be
the only fan of importance to me.
There are very few times
when a cat wants to be seen.
If your attention is needed,
you will know what I mean.
When I am napping and hunting
or eating or sleeping
your voice is not needed
and your face not worth seeing.
I hide for a reason
and no matter how you call
I will not respond or come
I don’t look like a dog at all.
So here are the rules,
there are two times we should meet,
if ever there is poop on my butt,
or every time I need a treat.
Just between you and me
there is a secret place
to which I can escape
and be who I am truly.
No matter what I say
or how hard you may seek,
this place will remain a secret
since only I know the way.
The walls that surround
are impenetrable for sure
and no tools and no words
will bring them to the ground.
But if ever you hold a space
within my heart I could arrange
a trip around the walls
and a glimpse at my secret place.
Unconditional love can be observed
in phone calls at 3 am,
tear-soaked shoulders,
rib-busting laughter,
in moments of weakness,
in moments of strength,
in words unspoken,
and in actions unseen.
Readers can be defined
by what fills their shelves.
They amass a collection
that reveals their true selves.
Writers are harder to peg
as they hide their true self
for the tomes that they create
are on their inner shelf.
Autumn Siders 