This Poem Needs No Title, 1975

I try real hard to
 succeed when the world
  crashes all around me.


I wish that certain
 persons would recognize
  me for being me and not
   some crazy hippie they
    met at a party years
     ago when life was nice
      and you could still say how
       pretty she looked and now
        I'm criticized for my ideas
         and my mind breaks down
          to a level before being born
           and I'm a vegetable or sorts
            but why does it have to be that
             way, or haven't you heard?


The coroner ruled his
 death as a suicide and
  the preacher led them in prayer.

35 Years, 1972

Happiness to happiness
All the day through,
Promises and
Perils that have gone before
You.


Always seeing
Not knowing what to do,
Noticeable changes
In life,
Very funny laughter
Ever present,
Running through fields at picnics,
Saying, "I Love You",
Almost without
Reservation,
You have been married 35 years.

That Girl's Too Young for You

That Girl's Too Young,
That Girl's Too Young,
That Girl's Too Young,
That Girl's Too Young for You.


Everybody says to act your age,
But I feel young around her,
I feel like I've turned the page,
'Cause she is always there.


That Girl's too young for you.


She's kinda small--
And I'm kinda tall
Her hair is thick and long,
I can't wait to get her call
So that's why I sing this song.


That Girl's too young for you.


Who cares what others say,
We're together and that's what matters
When I'm with her life is okay,
I've got a full bladder (ha ha).

A Testimony, 1982

 When one examines the word "testimony", there are several different meanings.  Some meanings may be religious in nature or perhaps judicial, but the word itself is harmless until you think about it.  When I hear this word, I think of someone giving his testimony, but who gets the testimony?  What is supposed to be the end result of a testimony?  Is it merely a vehicle to express one's feelings or can it actually mean something to those who hear it?  When does a testimony stop being a show-off kind of thing and start being inspirational?  These questions are probably best answered by the person giving the testimony.
 There are several kinds of testimonies, in a religious setting.  Some people use Bibles or quote scripture for their testimony.  This approach is good, as long as the Bible is used properly and not as a crutch.  Other people use the sincere approach in their delivery, which is pleasing to the ear but may be somewhat of a front for which they really feel.  Still others use the shock approach, where they tell their life story, using the juicy stuff.  Many times, the shocker is also the testimony designed to obtain sympathy from the audience for the speaker.  Whatever kind of testimony is used, there should be one key element involved in all testimonies--truthfulness.
 Some people have said that they do not have a testimony.  They say this because they are used to the shocker approach, and they don't think they can live up to the kind of life that might be more exciting than theirs.  This philosophy just isn't true, since everyone has a testimony if they opened their eyes and taken a breath.
 In conclusion, a testimony can be very effective if used properly.  As long as you are true to yourself, you will be true and receptive to the needs of others.  That's what a testimony is all about.

Tantrum, 1973

Whatever happened to baby Jane?
She cried and laughed and
Threw a tantrum.  Then the
World blew up and gave her
A lollipop to quiet her down.

Take It, 1968

I ran all around,
In search of a man,
I had to give him
A bright new car,
I said take it, take it, take it.


The man said, "Why?"
I said, "Because I want you to
Take it, take it, take it."


He said he would not do it,
I said that yes he would,
He said, "What is in it for me?",
I said just take it, take it, take it.


He took it,
He has taken it,
And now I have no one to say to,
Take it, take it, take it.

Tithe to Tell, 1969

If you know how a church gets some chairs,
You know that somebody cares,
A person might be saved by you,
And we will have to do.


Tithe to tell,
Ring the bell,
Tithe to give,
Eternally you will live.


A person needs to give his all,
Trace it back from now to Paul,
If you know just what to give,
You will eternally live.


Tithe to tell,
Ring the bell,
If you gave,
Then you will save.