Return To Reluctantly Collected Poems
Poems in B
by
Douglas L. Simmons
Copyright © 2004, 2005 by Douglas L. Simmons
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...never...
...did come true....
- Back Into Tomorrow
Well I was walking up the street and
I heard the young girls drumming, and
the sigh of summer coming, amid their
crying for the light, because dying is
what they might be forced to do--
Well I spent three young winters in the
land of the falling sky, and when freedom
came to me calling I wondered why they
sent her, because too many nights I
thought we all might become your lie
just to be with you--
Some long time ago when I was young I
heard the songs of the wars all sung, saw
the ghosts of the sons on doors all hung,
but the welcome mats weren't where it
was at for them. And it is still so far
for a wandering star to call, they try,
and give their all, and fall for you--
Now that you're riding into hiding, the
time you think you're biding, not confiding
in yourself, seeking out a shelf to
rest today on, you think that it can't
last, so turning to the past you walk
away, and back into tomorrow--
Doug L.
March 19, 1974
Mainz, Germany
- The Bad Man
I don't want to be the bad man.
No I don't want to be the bad man any more.
For I know that I Have been him once before
I don't need to wear your hollow crown,
or take your virgin daughters down.
Too many men have had them
and they don't want to be there anymore.
I don't want to be the bad man.
I have heard your children's cry
and seen them starving on the lie
you've fed them; they'll leave you dying.
I don't want to meet them wandering
on the paths where you have led them.
I don't want to be the bad man in their eyes.
I don't want to be the bad man.
I don't need the wealth you claim you've earned,
for all your castles too must burn.
Keep the wisdom you boast about
the freedom it brings will leave you out.
I don't need your truths, like you they are done.
How can you teach us when you can not learn?
I don't want to be the bad man.
I don't want to be him anymore.
Doug L.
October 19, 1973
Mainz, Germany
-
Bad Sam
Ooo, you're really
oh so bad
and I think
you're going mad,
but you're all
I've had
for such a long time.
I remember yesterday
you left them crying
without warning.
Yea, the time is on the way,
you'll leave them dying
in the morning.
Sailing all the oceans,
from the islands
to your shore.
Holding your emotions,
but your hands
are getting sore.
I can tell by the way
all the mothers
bring their children in
when you come out to play,
that all the others
are hoping you won't do them in.
Well, you'll be fading
in the sunset
pretty soon.
Yea, you'll be trading
us for whatever you can get
pretty soon.
Doug L.
November 1, 1973
Mainz, Germany
-
Beater For The Band
He said; "I don't pick no guitar strings,
and I don't ever try to sing;
but I can make those cymbals ring.
I got the rhythm in my hands."
He said; "I don't try to write no songs.
I sit back here and play the drums.
I click the blocks and bang the gongs,
I'm the beater for the band."
He said; "When I see them dancin' time
I know for now the crowd is mine.
I try my best to play so fine.
I'm the beater for the band."
He said; "The singer sings to the high-hat clicks,
and the rhythm's right there in the sticks;
but the lead guitar misses a lick.
He covers up the best he can."
"I pick up time on my old snare drum.
It brings him home and he saves the song.
He knows he never can go wrong
while the sticks are in my hands."
Doug L.
1982 Hammond, Indiana
-
Beautiful
She just doesn't know she's so beautiful.
I try to let her see.
She doesn't know that such beautiful;
Brings out the beauty in me.
June 27, 1996
Somewhere in Tennessee
Doug L.
-
Becoming One
When two become one.
When dreaming is done.
Now loving is given
from one to another, by two.
Now share in the laughter.
Now share in the tears.
Share with each other
the best of your years.
Now loving is given
and always returned.
Now two hearts are one,
and two lives have turned.
While sharing this moment,
A glimpse of your life,
we see you becoming
a husband and wife.
Doug L.
September 21,1982
Hammond, Indiana
-
Becoming The Rose
My motive is love, and sadness.
My hope is joy and gladness.
To leave her where she grows,
not pluck the violent rose.
To see her self in bloom.
Not wasted. In a room.
To let the beauty flower.
Not hold it for an hour.
To let the beauty see
the gift she gives to me.
To give the gift she gives.
To let her beauty live....
....I do know why the rose has thorns.
April 18, 1994
12:17 A.M.
East Chicago Indiana
Doug L.
-
Begin It
Just for this minute,
maybe for this hour,
we can begin it.
It is in our power.
For now we're not knowing,
and if we don't ask,
where we are going
no one can say we won't last.
Don't ask what I've been
to any other.
Don't tell me how it was then,
and maybe we can begin to be lovers.
And then, maybe then,
baby we can begin,
we might even start
a new love affair
if it's in our hearts
for us to be there.
We are all going
out searching for love,
and none of us even knowing
what it's truly made of.
Lay your loneliness down
come on around
to me,
let us be, alive
for a while.
Can you smile anymore?
...anymore?
Just for this minute,
maybe for this hour,
we can begin it.
It is in our power.
Doug L.
October 27, 1973
Mainz, Germany
-
Blue Sky
The cities all shimmer,
bright lights a-glimmer.
Sky scrapers climbing,
neon lights burning.
Pierce the ashen sky.
They hold no treasure,
never match the pleasure
found in the woodlands
twisting and turning.
Slowly beneath blue sky.
Doug L.
July 1970
Martinsville, Ohio
-
Brave New Girl
You're a brave new girl
in your depraved new world.
How you gonna call
when the line blows down?
Then everybody's out of town,
where you gonna get around to?
And nobody wants to hound you
anymore.
You know a wolf won't chase
a rabbit that don't run,
in any case
that never was any fun.
You light shines on.
Your drapes are drawn.
And the shapes upon
the shade aren't afraid,
and it's a raid.
I'm sorry if you've already paid.
Now the nights seem to last
so very long,
and when it's past
and showing dawn
it's still too late
inside your gate.
The rate
remains the same
in the street.
It remains
the ones you meet
are lying at your feet,
and you can't be discreet
anymore.
You're a brave new girl
in your depraved new world.
How you gonna call
when the line blows down?
Then everybody's out of town,
where you gonna get around to?
And nobody wants to hound you
anymore.
Doug L.
January 31, 1974
Mainz, Germany
We hold on and pretend
it isn't going to end this lonely way.
We pretend ahead of us
we will find...find some brighter days.
I know time has taken
a toll on your love.
Time has taken
the same from me too.
Dark clouds over head.
We live in a haze.
We pray love's not dead,
and hope for...we hope for brighter days.
There's no room to grow.
We push and we shove.
Mostly we're faking
we pretend we're in love.
Doug L
April 3, 1982
Hammond, Indiana
-
Broken Hearts
Broken hearts
are hard to mend,
and harder still
to break again.
Doug L.
July 17, 1993
Hammond, Indiana
Hey mister, can't you see
that you are wrung,
like a Bull Frog sprung in flight,
caught up in the fight?
And Bull Frogs can not flee,
can not survive out in the sea,
amid the mystery of those who wait
to swallow up all of Bull Frog History?
Doug L.
February 27 1974
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