Love & Beauty   Under The Poem Tree With Ron Purtlebaugh       GOD BLESS AMERICA  ST.AUGUSTINE NATURE  MEANDERINGS MEANERINGS TOO POEM TREE LEAVES NONSENSE & HUMOR   WANDERING WORDS BRANCHES AND TWIGSCOMMENTS & LINKS INDEXTABLE OF CONTENTS   "When Erato speaks, may I forever listen"    Love, is shielding with no thought of being shielded, Touching, with no thought of being touched, Caring, with no thought of being cared for, Holding, with no thought of being held, Requiring in no season, Yet treasures nothing more, Than being shielded, touched, cared for and held.                                             Ron Purtlebaugh            TO BE A WALL   NO NEW AGE KID, I WONDER IF, I'LL FALL IN LOVE AGAIN, NO TRYST TO LAST A YEAR OR TWO AS NOW IT SEEMS, THE YOUNG PERSIST IS REALLY LOVE, BUT THIS TO ME, AND DO INSIST, THAT TRUE LOVE IS A LIFE LONG THING, THAT STANDS THE TEST OF TIME AND MORE. PLANTED FIRMLY ON THE EARTH, WHERE TWO AS ONE CAN FACE THE WORST, SQUARELY LOOKING IN THE FACE, DISASTER, IF THEY MUST, AND HAVING DONE SO, FIND THERE IS ANOTHER STRENGTH, A BINDING, BONDING, SORT OF THING, THAT BRINGS THEM PEACE AND REALIZATION, TWO AS ONE IS STRENGTH INDEED. AND NEEDS, THAT ONE THE OTHER HAS, IS THEIRS ALONE, TO SPARE THE OTHER SEES THEM FREED, FREE TO LOVE THE OTHER MORE, TO SHORE UP WHERE THE WEAKER FALLS AND STANDING ALWAYS EVER NEAR, IF FORBID, THEY HEAR A CALL, PERCHANCE THEIR SHORING UP HAS FAILED, TO CATCH THE OTHER, BREAK THEIR FALL, A WALL FOR THEM TO LEAN UPON, A PLACE TO LAY THEIR TROUBLED LOAD, TO REST THEIR HEAD, A PLACE TO CATCH THE TEARS THEY SHED, TO SHIELD THEM IN THE BLOWING COLD. THIS IS TRUE LOVE AFTER ALL, TO BE A WALL, FOR ON A WALL THE ROBIN SINGS, FOR ON A WALL THE CEILING LEANS, FOR ON A WALL THE ROUGH SEAS QUELLED AND THESE THE THINGS THAT MAKES US FEEL SUPPORTED, SHIELDED, LOVED AND HELD. AND HERE I SIT, WITHOUT A WALL, NO ONE TO SHARE OR CARE FOR ME, OR HEAR ME IN THE LONELY HOURS IF I FALL AND NEEDING HELP, I CRY OUT LOUD, THERE'S NO ONE NEAR TO HEAR THE CALL, NO PLACE HAVE MY TEARS TO FALL. I WANT TO HEAR THE ROBIN SING, I WANT TO FALL IN LOVE AGAIN. IF PERCHANCE I FIND A WALL, TO LEAN UPON, A WALL TO HOLD MY EVERY ALL, A WALL THAT'S STRONG TO HOLPEN UP, A WALL TO STOP ANOTHER'S  FALL, ROUND ABOUT I'LL PLANT IT WELL WITH FLOWERS AND THE SMELL OF LIFE, AND OF COURSE, A WALL THAT MOLDS AND HOLDS THE STRIFE, THE PROBLEMS OF THE ONE THAT SHARES AND CARES FOR ME, AND WANTS TO SPEND THEIR LIFE WITH ME, THAT WANTS TO SIT UPON MY WALL AND PROUD TO BE AND SIT WITH ME. IF CRYING OUT, THEY'RE NEAR TO ME. IF NEED BE, IN THE LONELY HOURS,  IF A TEAR SHOULD EVER FALL, THEY HEAR MY CALL, IT'S NOT SO MUCH, AFTER ALL, JUST TO WANT TO BE A WALL.   RON PURTLEBAUGH         I seek to share a soft hello   The lonely times when rhymes are mine, when other's seek a soft hello, I would like to hear that too, even with the sacrifice, the loss of time, if one could toss a word like share, being there with someone who, really, truly cared to share, being richer for it too, when you do, with a word like loss.   It's said that opposites attract, pulling to to equalize, while likes, in this case opposite, in their sameness, separating, push apart      space expanding, less demanding, on a heel they turn and part, left is left, gone is gone, which of either knows how long? A day? A year? The coin is tossed. This the word, when spoke with share, I questioned could it be so mixed, with a word like loss.   Yes and so, most rightly know, and trust you this, it oft' times is, and to our shame, sharing only disappearance from the list, a time of loss when someone's missed, a tryst with death. And we enlist in this to share? How unfair, this mixing share, to me at least, with a word like loss.   Still imparted with a life, my quarry still, good night kisses, morning words, though I awake in solitaire, I seek to share a soft hello, the word empowered, flex it's wings, bring another to me here, someone to share, someone to care, who'll leave me not to share my life, with a word like loss.   Ron Purtlebaugh   NOWHERE, I WANT TO BE     ACTUALLY QUITE RARE, TO CATCH HER THERE, TAKING SOME TIME TO STAND AND STARE, LOOKING FAR OFF, SOMEWHERE, NOWHERE. BLANK WERE HER EYES, IN MY VIEW BY HER SIDE, THE POOLS THAT I KNEW IF I SAW, SHE WOULD HIDE. THERE WAS A PLACE SHE WOULD GO OFF SOMEWHERE, WHEN  I SPEAK OF IT NOW, I CALL IT SOMEWHERE, WHEN ACTUALLY TO ME IT WAS REALLY NOWHERE, NOWHERE, AT LEAST, SHE WOULD EVER TAKE ME. A PLACE I KNEW THEN I NEVER COULD GO, BUT A PLACE I WANTED TO BE. IT WASN'T THE SPACE THAT A PERSON MUST HAVE, IT WASN'T HER PLACE, THAT EVERYONE NEEDS, SHE HAD BOTH OF THOSE, AS DID I.  CLARITY ALLOWS, I OFFER YOU THIS, HAVE YOU BEEN WITH SOMEONE QUITE ILL? SOMEONE LOVED DEARLY, THAT LOVED YOU AS WELL, BUT SUDDENLY, YOU WEREN'T EVEN THERE? THAT, WAS THE SOMEWHERE SHE OFTEN WOULD GO, THAT TO ME, WAS ALWAYS NOWHERE. NOW THAT SHE'S THREE THOUSAND MILES GONE, I WONDER, IS IT PLAUSIBLE NOW, COULD I FIND THAT PLACE, OFF IN THE AIR,  HER NOWHERE, IN MY SOMEWHERE, WHEN NOW I'M ALONE, AS SHE SEEMED THEN, IF I STOOD AND STARED IN THE AIR? I CAN ONLY ASK, I DARE NOT TRY, IF I DID AND I FAILED, IT WOULD START ME TO CRY, MORE THAN I ALREADY CRY, TO FIND I SHALL NEVER, YET ALWAYS WILL BE, IN HER NOWHERE, THAT'S SOMEWHERE TO ME.   RON PURTLEBAUGH       Of Loneliness And You   Her song sang out a thousand mists of blooms and drops of dew sweet notes and chords upon my ears that brought a sunrise, new.   The wanton miseries of night as if a dream, removed, in dissipating shades of dark a song so sweet and true.   I listened most intently for, each yielding note that blessed, that spoke my heart a simple tune, her arrow through me pierced. She sang of times and days gone by, of strained securities, a life that was, but nevermore, her words held close to me. Might be it so, the pain we share, though lives have never touched, she seems to want to hold me so, her love, she gives so much. Please sing to me, please touch my face, please see my bidding light, come put me in your darkened sky and let me shine your nights.   Ron Purtlebaugh                   Come Speak To Me   And why, my sweet, dost thou retreat, upon thy golden isle, and touch me not with words of love, who longs to see your smile? And why, pray tell, though I, my love, but thousands miles to east, so feel the distances of stars, are 'tween us now, at least? O' touch me please, with tenderness, come bid me, to you send, the love I have inside for thee, my need to call thee friend. Come rest thy head upon my thigh, come let me touch thy face, and let your name drip from my lips, in words of satin lace. Come hear me speak soft words of love, to thee upon thy isle, endearingly, then speak to me, and lie with me awhile.   Ron Purtlebaugh                       APRIL TWENTY FOUR, 2001 *WHEN TWO ARE ONE*   I thought I saw it move last night  start to shine a brighter bright  one in front and either side,  Angels there to move your light. I think for all the world to see just how much you mean to me and bring your star right over here beside the one that's over me. Tomorrow night, if in God's will,  our stars shall bright out shine the sun, as side by side our love be sealed when both our stars shall shine as one.   Ronnie                    TURTLEDOVE SUNRISE   ONE TIME MORE THESE WEARY EYES WILL SIT ALONE UPON GOD'S SHORE TO WATCH THE MORNING BREAK ANEW FOR  AFTER THIS I'LL BE WITH YOU TO GATHER IN THE BLESSED SUNRISE THIS TIME ALONE, I'LL THANK THE LORD PERHAPS HE HAD TO READY ME FOR  JOY WHEREIN MY FUTURE LIES SHARING ALL THE REST WITH YOU AS GONE THE GULLS I DAILY SEE THE PELICANS, THEIR SAME OLD VIEW TODAY, THE LORD, TO SHOW HIS LOVE SURELY MEANT FOR ME AND YOU HE SENT A PAIR OF TURTLEDOVES.   RONNIE                 ANELISA'S SMILE   IN THE EVENING OF MY WEARINESS WHEN DAYS ARE DARK, AND TIMES ARE HARD THERE COMES A TIME, THAT MORNING SMILES I RELISH AS THE WARMING SUN THE BREEZES OF YOUR HAPPINESS AS  MORNING SMILES UPON MY SKIN YOUR LAUGHING EYES, THEY LOOK AT ME, YOUR ARMS AROUND ME PULL ME CLOSE AND HOLD ME THERE WITHIN YOURSELF  CARESS ME SOFTLY, TENDERLY YOU TAKE UPON THE STRIFES OF LIFE TO SHARE THE BURDENS, PILING HIGH COOL ME WITH YOUR MIDNIGHT AIR AND WASH ME IN YOUR DEWY HAIR AS YOUR MORNING SMILES ON ME  MY PROBLEMS SEEM TO DISAPPEAR.    RONNIE            FIXED ON YOU, FIXED ON ME     HAD IT BEEN ENOUGH TO KNOW, THAT LESS WAS MORE THAN WHAT I KNEW, AND USING, NOT ABUSING IT, WAS COUNTED ON AND SURELY TRUE, NOT SO MUCH, IN HOPES OR DREAMS, BUT MORE OR LESS REALITY WITH ALL IT'S NEEDS, THAT ONE BELIEVES, NOT THE STYMIED GRIMY DREAMS OF HOPED FOR THINGS, AND THINGS UNPLANNED, AND MEANER SCHEMES, THE ONE'S, IF LET TO GROW AND GREEN, WILL RAMPANTLY, IN PASSION BLOOM, JUST BECAUSE THEY'RE WATERED WELL, AND TENDED TO, REGARDLESS OF THE SEASON OR THE REASON THEY'VE BEEN GIVEN CHANCE, TO ROOT AND FEED AND THEREBY BLOSSOM, GIVING SEED, ALBEIT HYBRID, LACKING NEED. A CIRCUMSTANCE THAT I DEPLORE, LIVING JUST FOR LIVING'S SAKE,   HOW UNIMPORTANT QUANTITY, WHEN IT COMES TO YOU AND ME   BUT NOW I COUNT IT ALL THE MORE, NO, MORE THAN THAT, COUNT IT AS A PART OF ME. A PART TO NURTURE LOVINGLY AND LEADING ME BELIEVING IN THE DEEPEST PART, THAT WHAT I SEE, IS TRULY YOU, THE KIND THAT SAYS, THOUGH WE  BE TWO, YET WE ARE ONE, NO MORE JUST A SIMPLE COUPLE, TWO WHO SHARING LIFE ALONE, WHEN WHAT I SEEK IS, TWO THAT SHARE A TIME AND SPACE, WHERE......... WHEN AND WHY BECOME A PLACE, AND, MY EYES, THOUGH THEY SIT IN ME, LOOKING OUT, WHILE LOOKING OUT, FOR THE ONE I KNOW AS WE,  ALL THE TIME, THEY'RE STILL BEHIND YOUR PRETTY FACE, AND STARING OUT, THEY'RE FIXED ON YOU, YOU'RE FIXED ON ME......   RON PURTLEBAUGH           THE WELLSPRING   THIS LINK OF LOVE AND SHARING FROM CREATION, A THING OF BEAUTY FOR ALL MANKIND INDEED, THE STRONGER OF THE PAIR,  SURELY ONE MOST FAIR, WAS BLESSED THE HEIR OF SUSTENANCE FOR SEED.  TENDER SOFT FOR BABY'S LIPS, A PILLOW FOR THE CHEEK, SO VERSATILE AND CHANGING, DAY TO DAY,  IT STRETCHES AND IT  FOLDS,  THE LOVE MILK WHICH IT HOLDS, KEPT WARM AND SAFE FOR BABY, NIGHT AND DAY. BABY'S LIPS ON MAMA'S BREAST, A PERFECT WAY, ON CRYING OUT, THIS MILK SHALL COME OR STAY, FLOWS AT BABE'S BEHEST,  THIS NIPPLE NUDGING QUEST, WITH PERFECTION, QUALITY, CREATION MADE. AS WE ELEVATE HER BREAST TO REGAL ADORNMENT, AN OFT' DEEMED JUMP OFF POINT IN SEX FOREPLAY, MAY FIRST WE NEVER FORGET, THIS BREAST, THIS TEAT, THIS TIT, SUSTAINED AND GAVE US LIFE SO THAT WE MAY.   RON PURTLEBAUGH           Words   I like my words soft as a candle flame flicker that rises to breathe, first stronger then weaker diving aside as they whirl and they spin,  lifting to new heights as they swirl themselves in. I like my words close and weaving as wicker strong and supportive, as brother lifting brother, well varied and sundry, fulfilling their meaning then broken...their constraints...sent fleetingly fleeing then born...perhaps anew word...anew look...anew view... does it work, I try it on, yesterday, I said I love you, today, I lay me down, I lay me down, for only you.   Ron Purtlebaugh.         HOME, SWEET HOME   THE AWE INSPIRING LIST, OF LOVELY WONDROUS GIFTS GOD MADE US BENEFACTORS AT CREATION CHIEF OF THESE INDEED WHERE MAN DOES PUT HIS SEED A BEAUTEOUS WORK OF ART FOR PROPAGATION THIS PIECE THIS MASTERPIECE TO MANKIND BECKONS TO OFFER UP ITSELF TO MULTIPLY AS ONE GROWS OLD, A NEW BEGINS IT TURNS, AND TURNS, THE CIRCLE SPINS AND WHAT GROWS OLD IS NEW AGAIN WHAT LOVE ENLISTS THEN TURNS TO SPLIT SO LIKE THE MOON, FOUR QUARTERS SLIP AT ONCE SO FULL THE EBB AND WANE AND NEW, THIS ROOM, THIS WOMB RENEWS ANEW ANOTHER TRIP SUCH A THING OF BEAUTY ON THE OUTSIDE THE INSIDE OF THIS PLACE I USED TO HIDE AND WIDE IT SPREAD TO LET ME OUT BUT WORTHY OF THIS TIME, I'VE TRIED JUST TO GET BACK HOME BACK TO THE INSIDE   RON PURTLEBAUGH                EVE   THE FUZZ UPON THE DAINTY LEAVES AS VIOLETS IN DOWNY SHEATHES DROOPING IN THEIR LOVELINESS UNTO THEM I DO SOFTLY CLEAVE THE POLLEN IS AS SWEET LIKE WINE UPON THE JUICES I HAVE DINED TO QUENCH MY NATURAL THIRSTINESS TAKING PRIDE, THAT FLOWER'S MINE. AS LIGHTLY I DO TOUCH MY LIPS AGAINST THE FINERY OF THE TIPS AND LANGUISH IN THE ESSENCE THERE THE SYRUP DOWN MY THROAT DOES DRIP. AND WITH THE SEED THAT GROWS IN LIGHT SO PERFECT IN THE MORTAL SIGHT AS GOD ENDOWED WITH BEAUTY THERE THE FURRY DOWN OF WOMBS DELIGHT.   RON PURTLEBAUGH             SOUNDS LIKE MONDAY NIGHT, EARLY TUESDAY    BEDROOM STARS EXPLODE AND SHATTER, SOFT WORDS COMING TO MY EAR, IN EXHAUSTING BREATH, NEAR WHISPERED 'BOVE THE CLATTER AND THE MUSIC POUNDING, SPONDEE, AND RESOUNDING WITH THE BEAT WITHIN MY HEART IT SYNCHRONIZES IN MY EAR GENTLY SO AND BARELY UTTERED THESE THE SOFT WORDS THAT I HEAR THROUGH THE CLUTTERED SOUND AROUND ME SONIC BOUND, EACH SOUND APPEARS IT'S AMPLITUDE, DEFIES, DENIES ME, IF IT COULD, THE WORDS I HEAR THESE TONAL PHONICS, PLEADING, ASKING, STIMULUS THAT BEGS ME NEAR  LEANING CLOSE  MY LIPS ENCOMPASS HEARKEN TO IT'S INTONATION PLACING THEM MOST SWEETLY, GENTLY, ON HER HEAD, ABOVE HER EAR THE AUDITORY CHAINS UNBOUNDING SLIP THEIR SONORANCE UNSOUNDING AS THE SILENT NOISE ASTOUNDS ME I PERCEIVE NOW, LOUD AND CLEAR MISTAKING NOT WHAT SHE IS SAYING, WHISPERING, "I LOVE YOU, DEAR."   RON PURTLEBAUGH         BACK AGAIN   THOUGH FROM THE WOMB I HAPPENED BY THIS WORLD, WITH ALL ITS FEARS AND FRETS, I FEEL SECURE IN BEDROOM SKIES AND KNOW THAT I HAVE PAID MY DEBT.   I THINK IT'S NICE TO ENTER BACK, TO WHERE ONE'S FROM JUST SECONDS HENCE, AND GROOVE ALONG THE PUBES PATH, WHERE UNDER GROWTH IS QUIET, DENSE. THE ESSENCE OF WHAT GOD ENDOWED, A SCENT SO RICH AS SWEET PERFUME, IN FALLOW FIELDS OF EARTH UNPLOWED, TO BURY FEARS IN HIDDEN ROOMS.   IN GRASPING REACH, THE VERY SWEETS OF LIFE, AND IT'S A NICER PART, CUDDLED TIGHT IN WARM RETREAT, BACK TO THE WOMB, WHERE I DID START.    RON PURTLEBAUGH           WHO CAN KNOW   WHO CAN KNOW THE BEAUTIES OF A SNOWFLAKE,  THE MAJESTY FROM WHENCE IT CAME, THE CLOUD. WHO CAN KNOW THE MYSTERIES OF A WOMAN, AS BILLOWS LIKE THE CLOUD, THE PETALS SHROUD. SO INTRICATE AND DELICATE, LIKE THE SNOWFLAKE, DESIRES, ENSHRINED FIRES DO ABOUND. THE GENTLE FOLDS, SO WARMLY THAT DO BECKON, AT ONCE UNFOLDS AND HOLDS AND TWO ARE ONE.  PASSIONS GRIP, INVITING SLIPS, PULLS THEN HUGS AGAIN, AGAIN, AND GONE. THIS SQUEEZE, RELEASE, PULSATING PULSE, FOR TWO ARE ONE, THEIR UNIVERSE. INSIDE, AROUND, THEIR WORLD WITHIN, THIS SHIVER, QUIVER, GIGGLE OF JOY, I LOVE YOU, SPEAKS A GIRL AND BOY.     RON PURTLEBAUGH           SIDEWALKS   CRACK,CRACK, ANOTHER CRACK, NEVER BROKE MY MOTHER'S BACK. PET THE CRACK, KISS THE CRACK, FEEL THE SHARP RESOUNDING SMACK, THAT LACKED. THOUGH ON IT I HAD NEVER STEPPED, THE CHERRY THAT SHE LOST NOT KEPT, SHE WEPT, AND THEN WE SLEPT. CRACK, CRACK, ANOTHER CRACK, NEVER BROKE MY MOTHER'S BACK.   RON PURTLEBAUGH                 IF THIS THE COST WRITTEN FOR AND DEDICATED TO MATCH GIRL    Match girl, Match girl, O' Sister of my soul, unknown beloved friend, 'tis true our eyes have never met, 'tis true our lips have never touched, i've gathered you about me still.   For down this dusty road of life our hearts and souls have walked as one, holding up and helping each, hand in hand, cheek to cheek, if only for a little while, and desert times, as must needs come, for that it seems the way life is, this poet stumbles, parched from heat and you, my friend, for sustenance your hand extends, i grasp to reach, your fingertips, outstretching, meet, and i lick off your salty sweat, if only for, that i might live, to see the day if it may come to be there when to help my friend, parched, she stumbles from the heat and falter then, but for the drink of tears i shed and to her send.   Now you bid me sweet good-byes, if be it so, and I pray not, but comes to pass, by chance alone, mere happenstance, our crossing paths, i need to, want to, ask you why?   Must it be so? Do the words we've come to share steal the time from someone near? One you love that loves you too, and hold so dear, we must part here?   If this the cost that i must pay to call you dear beloved friend, to still my words, apart, away, forever on, my lifetime or a single day, i'll do for you, Match girl, friend, but forbid me not to cry, the first time ever God did cry, like the time in words we've shared, it too was forty days, to cleanse the earth of hateful men, a purpose that my tears shall lack, for who can know the tears of God?  or mankind's pain from seeds He's sown?   Dear Match girl, yes, if this the cost. i'll cry alone for loss of you, what little part i've known.   May Orion, pray, slip his belt and place it down upon the ground, as the stars of a thousand universes bid be first to gather 'round, that you shall walk in God's own light in brightest days, or darkest nights.    Dear Match girl,  I've said it once, I want to say it again. Poetry to me is never a singular affair, I gain the love for it and from it when I write, but the real beauty in it is as the rose, when it blooms, when it is opened, when it is spoken, when it is read, that other's might see the wonderful thing then, that I see now. My poetry, if it be so called, is never worked on, labored over, or contrived. It is a gift, born of God, inspired in my mind, grown in my heart, watered with my tears, released by my fingers and given to those as I feel led, those who speak my name kindly, those I love, a gift given, I accepted, and in that same spirit, I give away. And this, that you might know it's worth,  from whence it came, I give to you.   ron purtlebaugh         CRUCIFY ME WITH YOUR LOVE   AS I LIVE FOR YOU MY LOVE, MIGHT I DIE AS WELL, PUSH TO ME YOUR WARM SWEET SELF, WITH YOUR TENDER LOVING NAILS HAMMER ME, BOTH HANDS AND FEET CRUCIFY ME, TO YOUR SWEET APPEALING MOVES, IMPLODE IN FULL UNBOUNDED LOVE, TO ME, TO ME, HARDER SHOVE, LET ME DIE WITHIN YOUR TROVE, IN YOUR COVE OF GENTLE LOVE, HAMMER, POUNDING, HOLD ME CLOSE, TOGETHER NOW, COME WITH ME, NOW, TO MY PLACE, UPON MY FACE, A FALLING TEAR, I'D DIE FOR YOU A THOUSAND TIMES JUST TO KNOW, YOU LOVE ME DEAR.   RONNIE         The World, Is It Our's?   It shouldn't be so complicated to let a thing go free when what you held was never yours, and knew could never be. Ownership, a funny thing, that puts a strain on everything and with the strain, disdain and pain, a staining rain upon the brain  that changes both, from what they were or what they should have been.... free and unencumbered, to be pleased and more importantly to find the joy of living where you live to only please. Are you mine?  I think you are, because you give yourself to me. Am I yours?  I think I am, because I give myself to thee. The world, is it ours?  I think it is, because you see if you love a thing enough, you let a thing go free, and if a thing loves you enough, it will return to be. That is why the world is ours, and so shall ever be. because, you see, I'm here with you, and you are here with me.   Ron Purtlebaugh          Still Says It Well Athinnish black and starry night like lovers love, when just a light as in a beam, can well be seen a hundred miles or more it seems and 'thout a wind upon your skin a single starlight beam above is lightly felt and one can tell, this night was made for love. My lover's touch is felt as much, it seems your grazing fingertips are kissing lips and tiny hugs and I can hear your breathing so, the rise and fall of nestled breast, we seem as one, within ourself, a part of something larger than, but closer to, I've never known. This the stuff of "close to thee", this the time you're part of me, this the time when your are mine, more than you shall ever see. If I could, but  find a word, a line or rhyme this story tell, when night time such as this arrives, when weary day has darkness fell, when our love seems so alive, something new, original, still, I love you, says it well.   Ron Purtlebaugh       LOVE AND LUST   CLEAR AND MOST ASSUREDLY  TWO DESIRES, IF THEY'RE TO BE BOTH ARISE FROM INNER NEED ONE FOR US,,,,, ONE FOR ME   BORN OF TRUST AND HONESTY REQUIRING TWO, (MORE YOU THAN ME) A TINY SEED BECOMES A TREE  STUFF OF LOVE, WE ALL MUST NEED    CHILD OF CANDOUR, IMMEDIACY NEEDS BUT ONE TO LIVE AND BREATHE LIVES A LIFE, A WAR TORN WEED THAT'S THE STUFF OF LUST, INDEED   PERPLEXITIES SEEM SATISFIED CONSIDERING, I'VE REALIZED LACKING LOVE,, I TEND TO CRY LACKING LUST, IT'S LUST THAT DIES   LUST, I'VE FOUND, REQUIRES NO YOU A LONELY OCCUPATION WHO IF NURTURED NOT DRIES LIKE DEW    THINK YOU NOT, LOVE GROWS ON ROCK IT DISSIPATES AS QUICKLY TOO IF YOU PLANT IT, ME, ME, ME,  NOT FERTILIZED BY YOU.   RON PURTLEBAUGH             WAITING ON THE SHORE   The pounding of the crashing tide, upon the ocean floor, I raised my eyes to look away, I watched an old gull soar. Wonder where he's going to, who that he might see?  As I gazed my heart took wings, horizon bound, and seemingly, he slowed for me as if to ask, won't you come and fly with me, for as I, you seek your love, it's in your eyes for all to see, and yours like mine, she waits for you on yonder shore. "I am amazed to hear you speak, You said, like me? Why say you, Sir." Because I saw her name so plain,  'Anelisa,'  from a star! Upon the shore, I watched him soar, and knew for sure, if nothing else, my waiting Love was from my Lord.   Ronnie                 WISH I COULD REMEMBER   IT MUST HAVE BEEN A WONDROUS THING THE INSIDE, LOOKING OUT ALL SAFE AND WARM AND CUDDLED UP WHEN EVERYTHING YOU REACHED TO TOUCH WAS SOFT AND SNUGGLEY, MADE TO FIT, THE LIGHT YOU SENSED WAS NEAR,  FROM BELOW, A TINY SLIT, WITH COLORS OF THE SOFTEST  PINKS VIOLETS,  BURGUNDIES, RED WITH HEAT.  MUFFLED SOUNDS, EXQUISITE TASTE,  A WARM SOFT  WONDERFUL  PLACE AND TURN TO PEEK, IF YOU  COULD OUTSIDE THE PORTAL OF LIFE, THE SOFTEST SKIN THAT'S KNOWN TO MAN, TANGLED HAIR SO SILKY FINE THE ONLY KIND,  FAR AS I KNOW,  MORTAL MAN PUTS IN HIS MOUTH, AS MANY TIMES,  MUCH AS HE CAN, AND LIKES TO KEEP  IT THERE.  YOU NEVER  KNOW, THIS COULD CHANGE  BEING THE SYSTEMATIC PERSON I AM KEEPING ABREAST ( SO TO SPEAK ) THE SCIENCES OF MAN I TRY TO CHECK BACK, OFTEN AS I CAN. [ ANYONE KNOWS OF ANOTHER LIKE THAT, LET ME KNOW, WE'LL MARKET IT SOMEWHERE] AND THOUGH I DON'T REMEMBER IT WELL, I'D LIKE TO LEAVE YOU, KNOWING MY WISH, I JUST HOPE  WHEN THEYSAW MY HEAD I WAS KISSING ALL AROUND, THE WHOLE WAY OUT.   RON PURTLEBAUGH            JUST ONE   A BILLION THINGS CAN CHANGE  MY MIND TAKES ONE TO MAKE IT STAY A MILLION THINGS CAN MAKE WORK HARD TAKES ONE TO MAKE IT PLAY A THOUSAND PEOPLE MAKE ME FROWN BUT ONE CAN MAKE ME SMILE A HUNDRED PEOPLE TURN FOR ME JUST ONE WILL GO THE MILE TEN AT LEAST, MIGHT WALK MY PATH BUT ONE WILL WALK ME HOME FIVE OR SIX  MIGHT TAKE THE BLAME BUT ONE WILL TAKE MY NAME TWO OR THREE MIGHT STAY THE STRIFE ONLY ONE WILL STAY MY LIFE WHEN WORK IS HARD, AND NEED TO PLAY, OR FROWNING, NEED TO SMILE OR FIND I NEED SOME HELP ALONG, TO GO THE OTHER MILE, OR WANTING NOT TO BE ALONE, TURN MY HOUSE INTO A HOME, SHARE THE BLAME, OR SPARE THE STRIFE, TAKE MY NAME AND BE MY WIFE THERE'S ONLY ONE, DOES THIS FOR ME THE ONE I CALL MY SWEET KALI.   RON PURTLEBAUGH       MOM FIRST OF ALL   THANK YOU FOR MY BROTHERS MOM WHAT  JOY YOU MUST HAVE GAINED I KNOW FROM EVERY RAINBOW POT THERE MUST HAVE COME SOME PAIN FOR EVERY FAILURE WE ENDURED YOU TOOK A LITTLE BLAME FOR EVERY TIME WE FELL BEHIND YOU MUST HAVE FELT THE SAME WITH THE GOOD TIMES CAME THE BAD SOME HAPPY TIMES THAT BROUGHT THE SAD BUT THROUGH IT ALL YOU STILL ARE YOU AND KNOWING THAT YOU LOVED US ALL AS YOU HAVE AND ALWAYS DO, I WANT TO TAKE ONE SPECIAL TIME, TO TELL YOU, MOM, THAT I LOVE YOU.   RONNIE           These The One's   were it not for those I chose and those who've chosen me as well those who gave a hand up close and closed a hand on mine exposed those who saw when I could not so trusted blindly to their sight trusting in their faithfulness and faithful to their trust that came those who pulled me as I lifted lifting as I pulled the same  walked for me when I could crawl when getting there had meant the all or falling, caught them in the air and when I fell, they broke my fall I'd feel apart and lost, alone,  for these the one's makes my house, home.   Ron Purtlebaugh        The Night Jumpin' Jack Flash Met Witchy Woman   Never in the life of man, was honed the knife to cut the black that reigned that night one as thick, as in a cave and underground the eyes of man could not behold a finger, save a candle 'round and closely held, so thick, they say, no bird took wing, the blinded owl had stayed his limb, the bats in barns, for fear to die, hung their eaves till dawning's light  with folks in bed 'til morning's light.   On a street and dimly lit a blanket lay, a deathly fog that reeked decay and from the cold and wet cement, seeping strains of city's songs, a windblown cup that scraped along, a lonely cricket stayed too long, a forlorn whistle, wind blown corners eerie sound  sent the homeless ragged people seeking refuge, dumpster bound,  darker doors and underground.   The only sound, dactyl click, click, c l i c k, c l i c k. click, c l i c k, c l i c k, stiletto heels, in time, in step, save a shuffle coming, creeping, quietly down  streets discreetly, careful not to wake the sleeping, startles burglars as they're creeping, peeping toms who peeped too long, out-of-workers 'round their drums slowly blazing, turning burning warming hands and humming songs, quietly, he tread along..    'Neath the last unburning lamp at end of street, so cold and damp, clicking crickets stopped their chirping, ticking clocks forgot to strike, still and damp the  curbs were hidden, swallowed up by dark of night.. Searching eyes spanned o'er the ether cracked and broken, icy dark fingers touching, hands soft clutching  darkness broke, in thunderclap slapping tremors, heaving embers like the lightning  cleaves the oak, the ash, the thorn, the sky was torn, the heavens rent, the dissipating clouds were spent, devoured themselves and Hell itself turned icy cold.   Soil that holds the mountaintops and hangs with snow was melted down round the coasts the ocean boiled and toiled to foil the hold of sand, while land that holds the hotted springs turned burning cold and froze again,  and as they clung, her silver spoon quick slipped her tongue and met with his, a passioned kiss and never had the city known a night time such as this.   Her raven hair about their lips, as lightning struck they fell to ground, and all around,  sounds shattering, the pavement swelled and opened up homing pigeons lost their roof, the ozone layer closed it's hole, the glaciers and the melting poles made the sea to overflow, turned the tide, the mountains moved, the sunrise came in western skies and black of night, a reddish glow.   And though it's known a fact and true it's whispered still, in fear if spoke, if it were to happen twice, who could know, the earth might fall beneath the clash as it nearly did the night that Witchy Woman's ruby lips,  sparks that flew her fingertips, met the likes of Jumpin' Jack Flash whose parentage was most insane, conceived in fire and wind and rain a child of love rose from ash, born of crossfire hurricane.   Ron Purtlebaugh         So, You're Gonna' Be A Grandma, Now!   Soon thrice you'll walk these roads of life, the once you lived for you to learn, candles burn, highways kill, only once you may be young, "enjoy it while you can," they said, your head, your life you wanted yours, and took it while you could.   Then brought a child into this world, that you might live it twice, (this time you learned, the flame that burns, that once was you, could be unused, well used, abused, the choice was yours, left up to you, feeling old at twenty-two, went so fast, and then it's passed,) you saw through baby's eyes again.   Suddenly, as from above, the word the same, the other meanings lost their worth, you found a brand new thing called love, you knew before, but not this way, seeming somehow purer now,  part of you more than before, truly love... cleaner, leaner, blood of blood, without the baggage of another, nothing closer on this earth, than a child and a Mother. so it's said, " a son's a son, 'til he takes a wife, your daughter's, your daughter all your life."   And now you're going to find it's true, the best laid schemes, your plans are past, she lived your dreams, the die is cast, with hope of hopes, she looks like you, (unspoken...true) for you and she, pray only for a healthy child, your daughter's daughter, well and free, and this one makes it number three.   You're down the road on brand new feet, places to go, people to meet, new booties to buy, new sweaters to knit, I think it's grand, that love so sweet, can be relived and makes us see  life with it's recurring love drops and spreads from up above and gives us kids, and kids of kids, and this one's yours, and kids are neat.   Ron Purtlebaugh       You Give The Time It Takes To Say   Oftentimes, I find your look as if there's something that you missed, on your face the slightest trace  hidden words you meant to say.   Then impromptu, you're telling me, "I don't recall" or "I'm afraid  it slipped my mind, so just in case, I'm not sure I've told you yet, 'do you know that I love you,' still, nothing like tomorrow will, but more, much more, than yesterday?"   And all the while, you catch me cold, expectantly, I'm waiting for  the little chore you need me do, some hum-drum thing, some snip of life, something like the neighbors wife, might stop and ask, as he walks past.   Then I awake and realize, it's you, the one I'm looking at, it's you, the one that said it last, this morning, twice since yesterday, the one that takes the time to give, to give the time it takes to say, I love you more, each passing day.   Ron Purtlebaugh     DAUGHTER    MY DAUGHTER'S FINGERPRINTS, I FOUND THEM TODAY IN A MOST UNUSUAL PLACE, PERHAPS NOT TAKING ENOUGH TIME TO LISTEN, OR LISTENING, I STILL DIDN'T HEAR, OR MAYBE I FIGURED HER TROUBLES WERE HERS AND FEARED I WOULD BE IN THE WAY. OR THOUGHT WHEN I HEARD EVERY WORD SHE HAD SAID,  SHE WAS CRYING FOR SOMEONE TO HEAR WHATEVER IT WAS, I WAS SAD THEY APPEARED AS THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY, BLURRY THROUGH TEARS, REGRETTING THE LOST WASTED YEARS, WISHING ON WISHING TO HAVE A NEW START.  I FOUND THEM, RIGHT WHERE THEY LAY. HER YOUNG LIFE IMPRINTED FROM TINY SMALL HANDS CLUTCHING THE STRINGS OF MY HEART. ON CLOSE EXAMINATION, I FOUND A LARGE CRACK, HER PRINTS ON THE FRONT AND THE BACK  MY TEARS THAT HAD FALLEN, SHE WAS USING AS GLUE, PUTTING BACK PIECES,  BROKEN FOR YOU.     RON PURTLEBAUGH     AMEN   YOU KNOW, THE THING I FEARED THE MOST THE PROMISE OF OUR LORD AND HOST WHEN HARDNESS OF THE HEART SET IN HOW DIFFICULT IT WAS TO BE TO MAKE IT TENDER ONCE AGAIN IT SCARED ME SO AND BROUGHT THE TEARS TO REALIZE AND KNOW THE FEARS  WHAT I THOUGHT COULD NEVER BE HAD BECOME SO REAL IN ME THEN MY LORD, HE TOOK MY TEARS  WITH THEM WASHED AWAY MY FEARS  WITH THEM BAPTIZED ME AGAIN AND TENDERNESS REPLACED WITHIN. NOW EVERY SAD WORD BRINGS A TEAR  HAPPY WORDS THEY DO THE SAME NEVER WILL MY HEART BE HARD i PROMISE THIS, IN JESUS NAME. AMEN. ron purtlebaugh          COMPARE, MY LOVE   MY LOVE FOR YOU, DEAR HEART, COMPARE, THE MOON ABOVE OCTOBER'S ROOM WHEN EARLY FALL IS IN THE AIR AND HEATED GLAZE OF SUMMER SKIES HAS BID GOOD-BYE TO CLEARER NIGHTS AND BRIGHT THE STARS AS BREEZES SIGH, FOR ME, FOR YOU, AS ROUND AND WHITE THE HARVEST MOON, SO LIKE MY HEART THAT SHINES FOR YOU AND LIGHTS MY LIFE AS YOU FOR ME, AND SHINING THROUGH THE BARREN LIMBS OF AUTUMN TREES. COME LIE WITH ME IN FALLEN LEAVES BENEATH THE FREE AND FALLING LIGHT TONIGHT, MY LOVE, IN LIGHT OF MOON. COME, MY LOVE, COME AND COMPARE.   RON PURTLEBAUGH       To Mama Rita In Italy   Though the miles be far between, this, to know how much you mean to each of us and wish somehow you were here with us and now.   Would that I could, to make them go all the miles to disappear, for I long to see the trace, the happiness within your face, the lines, the smiles I daily see in your daughter, here with me, the limb and leaf, how beautiful, must surely come, a lovely tree.   These words, Mama, I send to you, my prayers and blessings be upon a treasure, sure, unto this world, that you shall know, I love you too.   Your Son, Ronnie