POP'S TAMPA NUGGETS

It was not in the best of shape as he

Retrieved it from the desk drawer

Yet when he opened the box to show me

All that he had saved – he grinned

Bands were in the Tampa Nugget box he

Held firm with both his hands

Cigar bands from dozens of cigars he

Smoked over the days and years

He handed me a new catalog of great

Items that he could receive

All he had to do was mail in some of

Those bands to Tampa Nugget

As I child, I thought how lucky it was

To be Pop and get free gifts

I even offered to start smoking them

So that I could win something

Pop patted me on the head and told me

To get on outside and play

But, I lingered long enough to get a

Good look at that catalog

I think about that old box of cigar

Bands every once in awhile

Wondering what Pop bought over the years as

It got too full to close

The real truth is - Pop was a lot like

That ol’ box of cigar bands

Wishes and dreams were right there at his finger

Tips to do with as he pleased

Just maybe that box was filled with more than

I realized way back then

Shared grins and whispers with his granddaughter

Could have kept it more than full

WHAT STYLE IS THIS?

What style is this that I write in prose

Someone smarter surely knows

Does it show my talent the best way

Should I try another way?

Oh right there! I used the “way” word twice

Oh good grief what rhymes with twice?

I doubt I’ll ever know all the rules

I’ll be the poetry “fool”

There will be no “acting” on my part

I only write from my heart

Well, I use my brain and some fingers

Oh no! What rhymes with fingers?

What style is this that I write in prose

Wait there’s an itch on my nose!

I guess it’s best that I end this now

Would someone please tell me how?

THE ECONOMY IS BAD.. OR, IS IT?

The economy is in a tailspin

Or, maybe it’s not so bad

This recession is really quite normal

Or, the worst we’ve ever had

I should buy stock while the price is so low

Or, sit on my mattress filled green

Plan right now to spend less in this new year

Or, order online like a queen!

I should take out a loan to buy a new house

But, no one will give me a loan

I shouldn’t fret ‘cause the gas price is down

But, it would be wise to stay home

Maybe I read too much in all of this

Or, perhaps I don’t read enough

Maybe I should trust all the pundits

Or, are they’re just calling my bluff?

Spend cash! It’s great for the economy!

Are there any lessons offered?

Go out for dinner to a fancy place

Stay home and micro some Stouffers

There are lots of boarded up factories

Coffee shops wherever you go

Where drones stand in line for over an hour

Paying big bucks for all that “joe”

Some say wait until we get a new Prez

Some say it doesn’t quite matter

Actually, I’m not sure what I should think

I’m leaning towards the latter