My Father Taught

My Father Taught

Noel Laflin

January 13, 2016

(To note a 100^th birthday)

My father taught me right-from-wrong,

Mumbley-peg, and silly songs.

He built a clock when I was young;

I have it yet – and it still runs.

For this and more - I am quite glad,

Thank you father - miss you, dad.

Toward the End

Toward the End 

Noel Laflin

1-11-16

Toward the end of father’s life,

Ice cold water did suffice,

To quench the hunger, thirst, desire,

Of a life now low on fire.

There’d been a time when he burned,

With youthful flame and in return,

Drank from the cup we call full measure,

Thanking life for such a treasure.

But now his days were few in number,

As he slipped unencumbered,

Off to shores yet unseen,

Except of course in his dreams.

And so he had one last sip,
From the glass held to his lip,
He murmured thanks to those who held,
Elixirs cool - the thirst now quelled. 

.

Took the Hurt

Took the Hurt

Noel Laflin

1-10-16

A kind lad told me long ago,

Veiled in a cry, whispered low,

'I'd take a hurt - never give one.'

Soft the words from one so young.

I knew the fear, recalled a past

When love was lost in a lapse. 

And so I promised not to be,

The one to hurt - nor deceive. 

But I failed in this endeavor,

Losing trust altogether.

So now you know who cried the day,

He took the hurt - walked away.

A Wiser Soul

A Wiser Soul
Noel Laflin
1-10-16

I met Old Scratch late one night,
At a crossroads in my life. 
‘I’ll wager you’re a gamblin’ man,’
Crooned the Prince of Bogey Land.

                                    

'I feel your pain, and resentment
Concerning all this discontentment. 
Let me help - I've got a plan,
Just sign right here, my good man.'

The contract seemed to be air tight,
As I viewed it in dim light,
FORTUNE, FAME, 'INDENTURED SERVICE,'
The final words made me nervous.

'I think I'll pass, Old Scratch,' said I,
Creeping backward, by and by,
Knowing now which way to go,
Heading home a wiser soul.

Nancy's Lament

Nancy's Lament

Noel Laflin

1-7-16

There once was a duck named Nancy,
Who of grooming grew ever more chancy.
She said with a quack,
'My feathers do lack,
The stuff to make them look fancy.'

Lonely Lizard Limerick

Lonely Lizard Limerick

Noel Laflin

December, 2015

There once was a lizard named Fran,

Whose looks were really quite sad.

She said with a sigh,

As she never could lie,

‘If only I could catch me a man.’

The Last Sales Call

The Last Sales Call

Noel Laflin

Sometime in Mid-August, 2014

In an office strewn with issues out of date,
He took a chair, grabbed a rag, sat the wait.
People, Time, Forbes, or Us,
It always was the same old fuss,
About tawdry stars who’d seen younger days,
Like the rep in the chair with the distant gaze.
He took a glance at his shoes,
Before being greeted with the news,
‘The doctor will see you now, good sir,
He’ll give you a minute, as it were.
I’d make it quick if I were you,
Doc’s way behind, and it’s nearly two.’
So off he strode - humming a tune,
Retirement loomed – not a moment too soon.