Carlee, Hold Tight To Your Dreams

Carlee my dear, hold tight to your dreams,
Even those made while watching moon beams.
Love’s all around you, giving you hope,
Good times and bad, we’ll help you cope.

All people around you delight in your ways,
You brighten their lives and warm up their days.
They gather about you just to be near,
Honey, that’s your blessing, you show them no fear.

Your courage shines like diamonds, bright to us all,
It helps us to keep from taking a fall.
Bubbling joy surrounds you like warm sunshine,
No matter the place, no matter the time.

You are a blessing that walks on this earth,
For all of our days, since your blessed birth.
You’ve touched all our lives so specially,
And taught us to love life and to be free.

Thank you for living and loving us so,
Were thankful and simply want you to know,
Just how important and special you are,
Whether you’re here or whether you’re far.


by Rodney Alan Crater
Copyright ©2006 Rodney Alan Crater

Insomniac, Believe!

Oh my dreams from sleepless nights,
Softness seeming dies with light,
Wonders that could grace my life,
Daytime vanquished, filled with strife.

Are you really gone from me,
Or are you hiding graciously?
If I look deep in my mind,
Will you come out and be kind?

Somehow, yes, I know you’re there,
But how to bring you out to care,
Seems the question begging fast,
Happiness shall you come at last?

My faith in self has seemed so lost,
My life it shows has paid the cost,
If only I could just believe,
You would be my sweet reprieve.

My dreams, I promise, I will try,
To love the earth and touch the sky,
For if I don’t, I fear at last,
Loving life will soon be past.


by Rodney Alan Crater
Copyright ©2006 Rodney Alan Crater

Something And Five

For those of you living past something and five,
Who cannot say, “Thank God I’m Alive!”
Have you not seen such wonders thus far,
Like wishing upon a shooting star?

Snow that falls softly on Christmas Eve,
The small hands of children that you conceived,
A helping gesture from someone unknown,
Long hours of talking in love on the phone.

The laughter of family all gathered round,
Serenity of evening with hardly a sound,
Grace of the swallows swooping in flight,
Sunset and sunrise with soft mellow light.

The first kiss that gave you pleasure and pause,
Believing in Easter bunnies and Santa Clause,
Fragrance of flowers fresh in the spring,
The wonder and blessing of anything!

I wish for you truly a gift from above,
The magic and miracle of living love,
So that for each of the rest of your days,
Wonder will guide your path and your ways.


Rodney Alan Crater
Copyright ©2006 Rodney Alan Crater

Twin Stars

Two stars,
Bound to one another,
Held apart from union,
By a spinning universe.

Two celestial souls,
Fated always to face the other,
Together questing for completeness,
Never sated, always terse.

What cruel indifferent force had this notion to devise,
Such callous separation of two completely melded lives.

Two souls aflame,
Both balanced by the other,
Forever circling, seeking comfort,
Fervent for severance surcease.

Two bound forever spirits,
Both needing one another,
Always reeling, longing consort,
Yearning fusion's sated peace.

Might there be some unknown course to meld this disjoint pair,
Before some final fading pulse wrests hope without a care.


Rodney Alan Crater
Copyright ©2006 Rodney Alan Crater

Dainty Daphne Danced

Dainty Daphne danced,
Amongst florid flowing fields,
Gleefully she glanced,
At wonder’s nature wields.

Apollo arrogantly assuaged,
His highly haughty pride,
Making Eros enraged,
And shooting separate sides.

Hardened heart now hollowed,
She shunned Apollo’s site,
Feverishly he followed,
Nigh into the night.

Her passionate prayers to Peneus purveyed,
A Laurel Lady of Leaf, roots laid.


by Rodney Alan Crater
Copyright ©2006 Rodney Alan Crater

A Rhombus Rumba With All Things Being Equal

One by one, our identity,
Foregoes the next in line.
“Nein”, says German serenity,
“Six teens are next to dine”.

May your twenty fifth anniversary wine,
Be worse that your thirty sixth.
Forty nine’s not some troubled age,
Forthwith, know a sixties myth.

We ate tea one day, imbibing it with
One hundred draughts of ale,
Plus twenty wonderful cakes like pith,
And twenty three racks of quail.

Grossly I stop, so you might dare,
Consider and ponder if we were square.


by Rodney Alan Crater
Copyright ©2006 Rodney Alan Crater

Sonnet of the Dreaded Son-In-Law

I’m so lazy, yes I am,
There’s no guilt for sleeping late,
Work to live, no I’ll be damn.
Lunch for free? Won’t hesitate.

People, they should lavish gifts
For I am better than them all,
Say I to the working stiffs,
Grace me dearly till you fall.

If I lie it is the truth,
How dare you even question me.
Even if I am uncouth,
Give me what I want for free!

I deserve the very best,
And go to hell with all the rest.


by Rodney Alan Crater
Copyright ©2006 Rodney Alan Crater

Some Odd Piper's Fife

Many people simply miss the better part of life;
Rushing, greatly hurry, scurry, trying to beat time's sands,
Pushing past so rudely, crudely, wishing for more hands.
"Stop!", I scream, "Can you dream? What is all this strife?"
You blindly follow, mentally hollow, some odd piper's fife!
Emotions stretched, faces etched, just like rubber bands,
There's beauty all around you but you never pause to stand.
A shame you'll never see it until death comes like a knife.

I pray, some day, may pass your way, a gentle time for you,
A babbling brook, breakfast nook, a place for you to pause;
A soul shaking, memory making, brightly golden moment,
So that you begin to see the wonders and the awes;
Splendors so delightful that you wish them never through.
And never, ever, wonder where your precious time so went.


by Rodney Alan Crater
Copyright ©2006 Rodney Alan Crater

Evening Of The 25th Day

Dash of pepper, salt and dill,
Making fish upon the grill.
Setting dishes, fork and spoon,
Santa will be coming soon.

Evening comes beside the fire,
Talking of our life’s desires.
The radio sings some Christmas tunes,
Santa will be here real soon.

Heads begin to nod and sleep,
Tucked in bed, they’ll safely keep.
The window shows a sliver moon,
Reindeer hooves will tip-tap soon.

Cookies eaten, presents lain,
The midnight hour is soon to wane.
Embers glow from logs past hewn,
Christmas morning will be soon.

Check once more and kiss each head,
Snuggle down in our big bed.
Excited children, paper strewn,
Christmas delights coming soon.


by Rodney Alan Crater
Copyright ©2006 Rodney Alan Crater

Mental Concordance

Entranced, I lay sabbatically thoughtfully dreaming,
Enchanted, enhanced, my mind wandering, scheming,
Dusk widens on plentiful plains of hope and worry,
Shall there be good or shall I face furry?

Free form entombment of my conscious being,
Desperate optimism, is that what I am seeing?
New land of promise or sodden well known trail,
Which will I travel, and to what avail?

Have I found heaven or have I found hell?

Chance takes tomorrow, no claim forthwith,
Plan as I may there will always be rift,
Sweetness lay pleasure to comfort my qualms,
Old memories of days past, echo lost Psalms.

Lavishly faith spreads throughout all I am,
In hope of some greatness to make evil’s end,
Deep seated character comes forth to stay,
Ensuring, no matter, a much greater day.

My true self gives guidance, my passage, the way.


by Rodney Alan Crater
Copyright ©2006 Rodney Alan Crater

The Hardest Element Known To Man

The hardest element known to man,
Like untamed mist of slippery sand,
Walls built around and from within,
A mental trap so strong and thin.

Protection’s veil as murky mire,
Wraps through the mind, puts out desire,
Lets you be so safe inside,
And grants you gentle place to hide.

An automaton you live your life,
Completely void of feeling strife,
Avoiding that which is too new,
And keeping touch with only you.

Unaware of sheer delight,
Beset on living in your night,
No devil or no angel near,
Nothing left to joy or fear.

Monotony be your middle name,
The life you’re missing, what a shame,
The only hope that’s left to you,
Is that change might sneak in through.


by Rodney Alan Crater
Copyright ©2006 Rodney Alan Crater

You Were Beautiful Once

You were beautiful once;
Eyes so sweet and innocent,
Skin silky satin smooth,
Figure light and fair.

You were beautiful once;
Blushing glow about you,
Intense with passion's pleasure,
And eyes so full of love.

You were beautiful once;
As sorrow and laughter,
Began to crease your darling eyes,
And each precious curve became more so.

You were beautiful once;
As stunning silver,
Framed your beautiful smile,
Rendering my heart hopelessly in love again.

You were beautiful once;
As my tears fell gently upon your peaceful cherub's face,
And I kissed your soft, tender lips,
One last, long goodbye.


by Rodney Alan Crater
Copyright ©2006 Rodney Alan Crater

Wildfire's Satin Harmony

Wildfires raged throughout the night,
Swooping birds took shallow flight,
Morning breaks with glowing light,
Not a cloud obscures our sight.

Autumn's lost to Winter's edge,
Doves coo softly from the hedge,
Sunlight sparkles on the ledge,
Gouda cut by wine in wedge.

Satin veils her curves long soft,
As we lay stretched in our loft,
Memories of our garments doffed,
Wishing this forever oft.

Waking she lay smiles on me,
Elating my sheer ecstasy,
Happiness so easy free,
Two entwined in harmony.


by Rodney Alan Crater
Copyright ©2006 Rodney Alan Crater

Who Are You?

Who are you,
Innocent child hiding,
Thinking you're invisible,
Behind supple masks of velvet stone.

Frantic efforts consume you so,
In an ageless game of hide-and-seek;
Making you a stranger to us all;
Forbidding intrusion.

Each new day's arrival quickens before you;
Time playing it's own sadistic amusement.
Breathless mind fearful, your charade continues;
Travesty's journey unveiling like a hollow, empty tree.

How shall we remember you dear,
Sweet, trembling child;
A tortured soul of tattered rags,
Body primp and properly kept?

If only, truly, we could know you,
Elegantly dressed in simple honesty;
Then, and only then, we could share,
True love in this dying world's embrace.


by Rodney Alan Crater
Copyright ©2006 Rodney Alan Crater

Two Trees

On a clear indigo summer's eve,
Still burning from the desert day's searing,
Unexpectedly, we found each others loving arms;
Breathtakingly, two trees were planted side by side.

In a wee heather chapel,
Demurred by a sleepless city's dazzling lights,
Together our lives joined in promise for a shared tomorrow;
Lovingly, two trees' branches intertwined.

Through years of joys and sorrows,
We have cared for each other,
Giving hope and courage for tomorrow;
Trustingly, two trees have sheltered each other through storms.

Our bodies, our minds and our souls,
Every constituent fiber complete,
Are now never apart, always coupled;
Majestically, two trees now stand as one.


by Rodney Alan Crater
Copyright ©2006 Rodney Alan Crater

Tawdry Tom

Strut I must, my nature innate,
Besides what's on my dinner plate,
Lord I am, of this world,
All my glory shines unfurled.

My singing voice is unmatched,
Other suitors will be scratched!
Ladies line up at my purr;
Shameless hussies, stroke my fur.

Moon light's my cue for romance,
That's the time I really prance.
Braving tall fence and wet bogs,
Stealthy whist, avoiding dogs.

Trash cans are mine, lid or not,
Chicken's the bomb, cold or hot.
Life is awesome whilst I play,
Then I rest throughout the day.

My humans dote so over me,
They room and board me splendidly.
Ah the life, It's so fine!
And fancy this, I have nine!


by Rodney Alan Crater
Copyright ©2006 Rodney Alan Crater

Such Rotten Rambling Rancor

"Such rotten rambling rancor!",
The lady did exclaim;
But best you listen slowly,
To these facts as I explain.

You see a lady may not wish,
Her heart to be displayed;
She guards this precious melody,
From harm thus not to fade.

'Exposure, gast! It shall not be,
Despite the fact he's tempting me';
'To loose control of mine self true,
Frightens me,...Does not it you?'

'Are his sweet words, just poppycock,
Or, truly without jade?'
'Oh Lord it frustrates me so,
If only he'd behaved!'

"Such rotten rambling rancor!",
'Staves me dreadful shame';
'In case his motives are amiss,
Or passions are not tame!'


by Rodney Alan Crater
Copyright ©2006 Rodney Alan Crater

She's Such

She's such a little girl sometimes,
with fussing and long pouts;
I have to keep a smile to me,
and solemn, wait it out.

Despite a rare event like this,
She's woman through and through;
Who turns my rapture into bliss;
With love so warm and true.

These little things, these precious ways,
they are what makes her she;
It would be a tragic loss,
to loose that part of we.

So change not you my love, my life,
Unless it pleases you;
Because to be not you would mean,
a loss of part of two.


by Rodney Alan Crater
Copyright ©2006 Rodney Alan Crater

Poetry Speaks For Itself

Be it simple first attempt;
A fleeting few lines of emotion.
Or grand ballet of metaphor,
Rhythm, and articulation.
Connection, pretension,
Or sullen, sad reflection.

The wandering mind's ethereal dream,
Trapped by thought conceived,
Anchored to paper by a feeble,
Inadequate tool of written verse,
Never fully mastered.

No matter. New poem,
You are a precious life conceived,
Perfection in unique perspective,
The unheard voice of soul.


by Rodney Alan Crater
Copyright ©2006 Rodney Alan Crater

One For You

One touch, and my heart quickens,
One laugh means it won't ever be still;
One look sends me off to the heavens,
One tear makes mine own eyes fill.

One sigh lasts a day full of hours,
One smile makes me quiver inside;
One kiss turns my knees into jelly,
One frown means I'm hardly alive.

One gaze in your eyes makes me helpless,
One embrace ignites fire from within;
One caress makes my mind reel in pleasure,
One pout and I have to give in.

One life I live to adore you,
One reason will never be true;
One fact is undeniably certain,
No day will I never love you.


by Rodney Alan Crater
Copyright ©2006 Rodney Alan Crater

Mother Forest at Winter's Dawn

Mother Forest,
How lovingly you swaddle the earth;
Sewing Fall colors as a glorious quilt,
Giving comfort to our Winter's worries.
In your arms we are safe and at peace.

Woodland Matron Dear,
Please sing us sweet soothing songs,
Of Spring's promise and new birth forthcoming;
Rustling melodies that whisper,
Of lasting tomorrows and fond memories.


by Rodney Alan Crater
Copyright ©2006 Rodney Alan Crater

Mom's Masterful Messengery

Be it as you may kind sir,
Your actions have produced a stir
Of grand illusion that's for sure,
But someone is distraught.

I've taken time to tell you so,
Fore in the case you did not know,
Great wrath is brewing, soon to flow,
And surely you'll be caught.

She's taken with your stylish charm,
Which keeps her suspect not alarmed,
But someone coming might be armed,
Who never will be bought.

An exit plan might best be had,
In case you meet her dear ole dad,
Who's known a heavy hand when mad,
At what you seem to've sought.

Best you saddle up, I say,
To live and breath another day,
So find someplace that's far away,
Least prison's where you rot.


by Rodney Alan Crater
Copyright ©2006 Rodney Alan Crater

Midnight's Seductress

Midnight seductress,
Wresting me from first sleep's hollow,
Into night's perpetual motion,
Are you wonder's usher or peril's purveyor?

Shall love's ecstasy pervade,
Knowing one's true-heart dearest;
A long brief moment of sweet sultry allure,
Flamed by passions kept deep?

Or harrowing passage;
Strife filled and chambers wrought with fear;
Some perverse charade,
Left dangling from unscalable precipice?

Will comfort come in waking;
Ending quandaries irreconcilable with answers known,
Or tarry further shall I wish;
In hopes of catching luminous buttered flight?

One entreated trust I implore,
Before this journey's dawn;
If fated winds return me not,
Bring gentle winds to those tethered still.


by Rodney Alan Crater
Copyright ©2006 Rodney Alan Crater

Me X-Box Rocks!

X-Box,
Y-Box,
Z-Box,
All I want is me box.

Don't matter if I have pox,
Or wear a pair of Rebocks,
Don't need to do a detox,
'Cause all I want is me box.

I'll put on heavy wool socks,
And wait until the clock tocks,
And the store door unlocks,
'Cause all I want is me box.

I'll sneak in like a sly fox,
Past the isles for just jocks,
Avoiding people in flocks,
'Cause all I want is me box.

The game I want, it just rocks,
But No! It's Gone! No restock!
I guess the car I will hock,
Just to get me X-box.


by Rodney Alan Crater
Copyright ©2006 Rodney Alan Crater

Love Lasting Longly

Somber silence saturates,
This stifled, still abode.
Heart heavy, hurting;
Faces turned, not shown.

Words wrought wrongly,
Arrowed anger, soon sown.
Heavy heart, hurting:
Apologies, now owed.

Prideful passion prevents,
Our pushing past, atoned.
Heart hurting, heavy;
Conversation, cuts cold.

Slowly solace shapens,
As lonely, love is known.
Heart healing, halfly;
Compassion, takes hold.


by Rodney Alan Crater
Copyright ©2006 Rodney Alan Crater

JuJu Beads

So lost I see the younger me,
in many words and prose.
But time has shown me one past fact,
Keep safe your joys not woes.

Those good things held from yesterday,
Small jewels of your past pleasure;
Are sure to light your darkest way,
They are your life's treasure.


by Rodney Alan Crater
Copyright ©2006 Rodney Alan Crater

He Will Be Home Soon

Arms drawn about her knees, she cradles her head in arms.
Sound tries but cannot provoke her thoughts as she rocks,
Ever so gently, in time with the feathering, caressing wind,
Which flows through fields ripe with golden wheat about her.

Blue eyes weep down freckled cheeks from a gaze transfixed,
remembering his gentle hand stroking, soothing her soul.
But now she waits alone, numb to the world around her,
and worried thoughts give no peace.

'Lord, please Lord, keep him safe. Please, Oh Lord please.';
Silent, breathless prayers wail from deep from within her,
Time and time again, as waves of fear and helplessness,
Relentlessly clutch, stopping breath, deep within her chest.

Awareness slowly knows two arms together holding,
Encircling, loving; A father's toil worn embrace joined
with that of a mother's worry wise strength.
A setting sky brings reborn promise; hope echoes again.

He will be home soon.


by Rodney Alan Crater
Copyright ©2006 Rodney Alan Crater

Forever I'm There

My life be taken,
Least yours be saved;
My tummy be empty,
So your hunger be staved.

My heart be broken,
To let yours be free;
This is in essence,
What love means to me.

All I can do,
To make your life well;
I'll fight fierce battles,
To keep you from hell.

I'd take all your sorrow,
To keep you from pain;
Till madness comes on me,
And still not refrain.

No matter your manner,
Be harsh or be fair,
I'll always adore you,
Forever I'm there.


by Rodney Alan Crater
Copyright ©2006 Rodney Alan Crater

First Kiss

As your full lips first gently caressed mine,
We slipped from the grips of place and of time,
The sensual thrill of being lost in you,
Removed from this world all but we two.

Exploring, elating, thirsting, quenchless fervor,
Our breaths rhythmic, wanting this forever,
How could such overflowing passion exist,
By lips merely touching, by just being kissed.

That moment, long ago, still sharp in my mind,
Stands stark amongst all that lay precious I find,
Cherished, it lives, by my heart very close,
A few minutes of bliss, which I love the most.


by Rodney Alan Crater
Copyright ©2006 Rodney Alan Crater

April's Flow To Zen

April,
Beckons cometh,
Dress elegantly flowing,
Gracing her iridescent joy.

Kindly laughing,
Making no objection,
Pauses questioningly, rather slowly.

Turning unmistakably,
Ventures welcoming xyst,
Youthfully zen.


by Rodney Alan Crater
Copyright ©2006 Rodney Alan Crater

To Laura, on Our Anniversary of 23 Wondrous Years

Twenty three years past,
You took my soul into yours,
Holding it lovingly close,
Making it a part of you.

You were joined with me and I, with you.

Still so we remain,
From beginning till now,
eternally,I, flowing through you,
You, flowing through me.

Together, absolute.

Whether separated by miles of earth and space, or
Closely holding each other in love's deepest passion,
Always, ceaselessly, delight enamors my quintessence,
Touch or thought causing me to quiver inside and out.

Everlastingly.


by Rodney Alan Crater
Copyright ©2006 Rodney Alan Crater

Chivalry Stay

Chivalry,
You still do thrive,
As changing moods,
Skew our daily lives.

Your gallantry,
Does soon sets sail,
A lady's dreams;
A romantic tale.

A steady steed,
To whisk us away,
From the stale humdrum,
Of our day-by-day.

Tall handsome prince,
Please hold us tight,
Through trying times
And gentle nights.

Please stay with us,
As we hide you away,
In our heart's secret place,
Where we can play.


by Rodney Alan Crater
Copyright ©2006 Rodney Alan Crater