Rewind

Being chased by my shadow,
always looking behind;
Even when I think I've turned a corner,
just living my life in rewind.
Can't keep this pace up forever,
some day I'll have to slow down;
But until that day comes,
I'll keep both my feet on the ground.

2/26/2014 - ALJ

My Father’s Father

My Father’s Father was a real good man

He grew up in the Chicagoland

Fell in the love with a Polish girl

Loved her more than anyone in the world

My Father’s Father worked hard in life

Supporting his family with a butcher’s knife

Four children born including the twins

Cheering each season for a White Sox win

My Father’s Father loved to laugh and smile

Dressing up to clown around in Clover style

He served his time back in the war

A proud Navy vet and so much more

My Father’s Father was a proud man

Retirement never being part of his plan

He drove that hearse through the city streets

A more confident man you would not meet

My Father’s Father loved his family

Nine grandchildren are his legacy

Two great grandsons he met before he passed

But hopefully they won’t be the last

My Father’s Father was a Christian man

His love for Jesus spent as a Lutheran

Time at church spent in joy and cheer

Singing those hymns for all to hear

My Father’s Father is in heaven now

And we are left to go on somehow

So it’s in the hope that we know is true

That Jesus died for all and especially you

2/23/2014 – ALJ

Clover

My heart aches

With each little break

Knowing you’re no longer here

Remembrances of old

The stories you told

All the moments spent so dear

The jokes that you made

And love that you gave

Will stay with us now you are gone

Free of pain and of strife

All the worries of life

No burdens for you to hold

A blessing on earth

With such joy and mirth

Yet the best is soon to be

Together someday

In that heavenly way

You, Grandma, Jesus and me

2/22/2014 – ALJ

[In Loving Memory of Ed "Clover" Jacob]

Ode to Dave

Have a birthday
Fill it with joy
Eat lots of cake
Act like a boy
Smiles and fun
I wish you this day
Time with loved ones
And not to dismay
Out on the coast
I hope you have a blast
A happy, happy day
Each second to the last

1/16/14 - ALJ

To My Dear LSAers

Wishing I could be there
With all of you tonight
Enjoying games and laughter
Long throughout the night
But since I could not go
I will think of you instead
Being grateful there's no snow
And lots of pretzel bread

Lonely Road

I walk a lonely road
Down paved streets
With flashing lights

After hours of hard work
Sweating tears of pain
This is where I live

A lonely road that never ends
I push forward
Taking it step by step

I walk a lonely road
With cheering crowds
And endless hours

Motivation is my only friend
As kind words fade
And the bad remains

A lonely road with several bends
I rush forward
Not going to let it win

12/30/13 -- ALJ

Beauty in the Dirt

Beauty in the dirt

Right before my eyes

I wipe away the sweat

And soon I realize

That each moment

No matter which one

Has worked hard

To make me who I have become

A collection of these

Is what I became to be

The good and the bad

And some times the ugly

But through it all

I can remain true

Knowing that no matter what

I can abide in you

10/25/13 – ALJ