"Me and my words"

Lost in clouds of uncertainty. Never knowing what to say. Finding peace in solitude. I speak only to me. And I understand myself completely. No explanations needed. No guilt. No one to please but me. No one to tell me the things I've done are wrong when they felt so right. No one to hurt. No one to feel guilty. Trusting in my heart. Needing badly to find myself. How did I lose me? Given a second chance at life. But not knowing how to live it. Trying to speak clearly but my words are the wrong ones. Just wanting to do things right. Just wanting to please. But end up disappointing. So I retreat to the one thing that never disappoints me. The one thing that brings me peace. My writing. I can be me or anyone I want to be. I can write happy things when I'm sad. Or just write my thoughts so I can reread them. Good therapy for a troubled mind. When I ask God to help me he tells me to write. He tells me to trust in the things that are truly me. I know he is there and I know he will help me. That's my peace." Me and my words"

"Ernie McGraph"

I knew a boy named Ernie McGraph. He chuckled ,and he wheezed, and clucked when he laughed. He had a good friend named Ben Cadoodle  who had long stringy hair  like spaghetti noodles. Ernie and Ben lived next to each other. Ben has a sister and Ernie has a brother. They live in a small town called Royal Glenn near Route 25 on a real sharp bend. Ernie and Ben just love to ride ponies. They love to play biddle ball and eat fried baloney. Ernie is real short and Ben is real tall they both love to paint pictures and hang them on walls. Ben's sister is named Mandy and Ernie's brother is named Andy  and both of them love eating sticky black candy. Mandy and Andy and Ernie and Ben love to sing songs and count to ten. They love to read books and they love to go fishing. And they all love to wish of wishes worth wishing. And when Ernie McGraph starts laughing his laugh they all start to giggle and they all start to wiggle. If you ever take a drive and and you see Royal Glenn near Route 25 on the real sharp bend. Stop and see Ben. And stop and see Ernie and their brother and sister it will be worth your journey. And if your feeling quite sad and you feel out of place. And your life feels like your running a race. And you want to be happy and you just want to laugh. You really need to meet Ernie McGraph.

"Mommy don't cry"

Mommy don't cry. I remember saying those three words so many times as a child. I remember wishing and praying and asking God to stop the pain. My troubles now seem small compared to those days. "Mommy don't cry" three haunting words stuck in my brain. Burned into my soul. As I hugged her I could feel her body quiver and shake. But her will was never broken. Her love for me was never ending. Her sacrifices and her pain never stopped her from protecting me. "Mommy don't cry" battered , bruised, and bleeding but she still managed a smile for me. She still managed to say those soothing words "I love you"

Ice packs on her blackened eye I held for her. "Mommy don't cry" no matter how bad she was hurting I remember her forcing herself to get up and make dinner so that I would not be hungry. Sitting there in the kitchen watching her stir the dinner in the skillet with a spoon and her standing there staring into space. Drifting off to the other worries in her life. And again her tears would flow. Watching her pray out loud asking God to keep her strong. Asking God to watch over me. "Mommy don't cry" nothing in my life can ever compare to the sadness I felt those days as a small child. And some nights in my dreams those three words come back to me. But there are also three words my mother told me to say when I was afraid and scared and I felt all alone. And I still say those three words to this day. When life has me feeling afraid and scared and all alone. And those three words are "Blood of Jesus" ...~Dan Greene~

"Dreams of Summer Places"

Drifting off to summer places. Laughs and smiles and friendly faces. Dreams of summer on a cold winters night. Take the chill away. It feels so right. All by myself in a world of illusions. Away from reality and all it's confusion. Just being who I need to be. Not bothering no one just being me.  No expectations, No explanations. Just treating my mind to a nice vacation. No worries, No cares, No one to please. Just the sun in my face and a warm summer breeze. A drive to the mountains. To a place I know. A place of serenity where time moves slow. A roaring campfire on a cool spring night. Sparkling red embers that glow so bright. So call me a dreamer. Or call me crazy. But I love those dreams of days that are lazy. Because they are dreams that I know will come true. When these cold gray days turn warm and blue. So I'll sit here and dream of those times of my life. When things seem perfect. And things seem right. I look forward to the day I can plan my release. And drive to the mountains to find my peace.

"GOLDEN ANGEL WINGS"

GOLDEN ANGEL WINGS

Soaring to places I want to be....Take away these burdens and set me free....I pray to you Father..... For just one thing.....A pair of Golden Angel Wings......I would fly above the clouds...Up near the sun.... Away from the crowds....And there's so many songs that I could sing.....If I had those Golden Angel Wings....I would rocket up high.... To the bright side of the moon.....On a warm summer night ...In the middle of June....Oh what joy that would bring....If I had those Golden Angel Wings...No worries....No troubles....No fear....No strife....A peacful and joyful....And happy life.....I think I would give up everything......To have those Golden Angel Wings....People are People....And that's so true....Forgive them Father....They know not what they do.....I pray to you Father...And to your robe I cling.....Searching for Golden Angel Wings.....Am I worthy?.....To fly like a Dove?......Am I worthy of your Love?.....Winter....Summer....Fall....And Spring......Am I worthy of Golden Angel Wings?....I lift my heart to you in prayer....You always listen.....And you always care....And what ever struggles my life might bring.....I'm praying for Golden Angel Wings.......~Dan Greene~

"CALVARY"

CALVARY
In everything I say or do.....I am nothing without you.....In my times of despiration....You give me hope and inspiration.....You suffered for me on Calvary Hill....And you let no one break your will.....You showed me what I'm living for.....And how do get to Heavens door....I turn to you when I am weak....When I am sad....When things look bleak.....You hung there on that cross for me....In all that pain...And Misery....You forgave the one's that caused your pain.....As you hung there in that pouring rain...When I think of this my troubles seem small....With your love I will stand tall...That crown of thorns upon your head....The scars and the tourture....And the blood you shed.....And when you spoke those words so true....."Forgive them Father they don't know what they do"........~Dan Greene~

"First Love"

Complete and total adoration. My gift to you, my heart was yours. In one year you shaped it. In one night you destroyed it. Torn from my chest. Laid at your feet. That first step you took was the worst. Since then you've walked a thousand miles in solace and short remarks. And still I have these memories. But I will never see what could have been. Remember when we talked about where we would be a year from now? Remember when you held my hand like you'd never let it go? We will never make another memory. I wish sometimes I would have died in your arms that last night we were together. So I would not have had to wake another day without you. I really thought things were real. You said they were. What happened? You were my priority. But I was your option. I let you see a side of me that I didn't share with anyone. Promises are just words unless they are for filled. You knew from the beginning all I had to offer you was my heart. I'm sorry that wasn't enough. So we went our own ways. And hopefully you remember all the things I told you that night. Hopefully you understood that everything I said was in sincerity. A broken heart was never what I wanted. But I guess I've learned from it. But aren't you supposed to learn from your mistakes? I will never consider knowing you a mistake. I just wish this story never ended. Because I'm still in love with the person who helped me write it!!!!!!!  ~Dan Greene~

"A Choice"

There is never a rainbow without the rain.
There is never hurt without the pain.
There is never yesterday's without tomorrow's.
There is never heartache without the sorrow.
There is never sunshine without the sun.
There is never goodtimes without the fun.
There is never God without prayer.
There is never caring without care.
There is never love when there's hate.
There is never faith without fate.
You are never you without your soul.
You are never you without control.
If being you means being alone.
If being you means being unknown.
Then the the choice is all in what you do..
You can be someone else.
Or just be you....~Dan Greene~

"Birthday memories of my father in law"

Today is your day but your not here anymore.

I really do miss you that's for sure.

You had certain ways of making me smile.

And I think I will think of those things for a while.

You never had a worry.

You never had a care.

But when I needed you.

You were always there.

You were one of a kind that's for sure.

I wish you were here.

But your not here anymore.

You always had a smile and the right words to say.

And I'm celebrating you.

Because today is your day.

Birthday wishes and birthday prayers.

I'm still here but you are there.

Your days here on earth were a sight to behold.

You were a special person.

With a heart of gold.

So I'm celebrating today.

All those wonderful years.

But your birthday candles.

Were put out by my tears.

Tears of happiness and tears of sorrow.

And when my day comes and I have no tomorrow's.

I will see you again and be able to say.

Happy birthday to you.

But till then I will pray.

Happy Birthday "Prest" I miss you! 

"Faces and places"

Faces and places I remember. 

Like a burning flame or a flickering ember.

Memories and thoughts of days gone by.

Like a tear drop in my eye.

Childhood dreams of yesterday.

Long ago and far away.

The innocence of youth.

And all it's confusion.

Questions without answers.

And magical illusions.

Wishing and hoping and unanswered prayers.

Someone to listen and someone to care.

Reaching down deep in your soul.

Trying your best to stay in control.

Thinking of thoughts that make you sad.

That make you angry, that make you mad.

Sometimes life's path is hard to walk.

Sometimes it's better not to talk.

Sometimes it's better to think things through.

And find the you that's truly you.

As we grow old and live each day.

And time keeps ticking slowly away.

Just remember one thing stays true.

Count on God and he's there for you!!

"Cassandra Wise"

I once met a girl named Cassandra Wise a quite young girl who batted her eyes. She had long brown hair and a short pudgy nose. And she wore bright red slippers that showed all her toes. She liked to pick flowers and put them in vases. And she loved to draw pictures of smiley faces. She carried a small bucket full of bright colored chalk. That she used to draw pictures each day when she walked. She would draw smiley faces on the bark of trees on the side of the building that makes stinky cheese. She would draw on park benches on walls and on poles. And sometimes she'd get chalk on her short pudgy nose. I would watch her somedays for hours and hours drawing her pictures or picking her flowers. And then one day to my surprise she walked up to me as she batted her eyes. She ask me my name and if I lived here in town. She said I always see you when I'm walking around. I said my names Earl and I live down the block right next to the building with the great big clock. Can I ask you one question? I'd just like to know. Why do you draw smiley faces where ever you go? She said they are fun and they make people happy and they help people smile when there feeling  quite crappy. And those flowers I pick and put in those vases also put smiles on sad people's faces. I love to spread smiles. I love to spread joy to every sad girl and every sad boy. And I stopped . And I thought. And it made realize we need more people like Cassandra Wise !!!!! ~Dan Greene~

"Writing for me"

When I write I am free. When I write I write for me. Satisfaction of a rhyming line. Knowing there me. Knowing there mine. Take me away to the dark side of the moon. Or a warm and breezy day in June. Sailing away on the ocean tide. Feeling warm and safe inside. No one there to bother me. Or tell me who they think I should be. I am a king or a hero or little boy. Anything that brings me joy. I can take a magic carpet ride. I can be seen or I can hide. I can climb a mountain or fish in a lake I can just be me and not be fake. And I really don't care if anyone sees. Because when I'm writing I'm writing for me 

"The memory game"

A memory game I used to play with my friends. I think there are only two people that I can recall could ever repeat all  10 of these. I don't remember where I got them from so many years ago but I do remember all  10 of them. Now repeat after me!!!!!

1. One duck

2. Two hens

3. Three squawking geese

4. Four limerick oysters

5. Five pourpulent porpoise's

6. Six pair of Don Eltorverseo's trousers

7. Seven thousand masadoneions in full battle array 

8. Eight brass monkeys from the ancient sacred crypts of Egypt

9. Nine orthopedic , sympathetic , diabetic , old men on roller skates who has a prepastiney towards persecution and slough 

10. Ten  Spherical , lyrical , diabolical , denims of the deep who can all stall around the corner of the quivery, the quail, and the quay all at the same time.   

"If I was a bug what bug would I be?"

If I was a bug what bug would I be? A big ugly spider. Or a little brown flea. Would I be a bug with big floppy wings? Or maybe a bug with a stinger that stings. Maybe a butterfly that floats through the air. Or a yucky old Beatle with long curly hair. I could be a grasshopper that hops all day long. Or a noisy old cricket singing his song. I could be a ant that works on his hill or maybe a mill worm that lives in a mill. I could be black or green or bright red. Or a bug with 6 eyes on the top of his head. I could be a bug that digs holes in the ground. That buzzes and clicks when I'm walking around. I could live in a tree. I could live by the sea. If I could be any bug that I wanted to be. But I'm not a bug I'm just an old man. Who writes words that rhyme when ever I can. Being a bug is what I thought of today. I guess I'm just buggy. What can I say!!!!

"A man named Bart Martin"

I was walking one day just singing a song. When A fella yelled to me.Hey your singing all wrong! I was quite taken back by the comment he made. As he was leaning against that tree in the shade. So I stopped and I said what's a wrong with my song? And why do say I'm singing all wrong? My name is Bart Martin and I sing for a living you have a great voice but your not really singing. You need to have spark! And you need to have shine! But your spark is not sparking and your shine needs refined! When I sing I reach down to that deep special place and I sing loud and proud with a smile on my face. So I ask him to sing and he sang very nice. And I thanked him for all of his great advice. He said close your eyes . Reach down. To that deep special place that you haven't quite found. Think of a sunset or think of ice cream. Or think of your favorite most wonderful dream. Think of the things the mean most to you. Now give it a try. Lets see how you do. And when I started singing I knew right away. All those things he was trying to say. I found that deep place and I sang very well. I sang loud and proud and Bart Martin could tell. He said. Now that's singing! And I smiled at Bart. And he said singing is singing when it comes from your heart!!!!! ~Dan Greene~

"My Journey to the Top of the Mountain"

Echo's of thunder as I walk along the path of the Great Mountain side.The majestic splendor of an eagle soaring in flight. The sun surrendors to the dark gray clouds that fill the sky. A cool sping wind hits my face and blows across the flat lands just below me. The pale brown grass sways back and forth as if it's ready to give way to the birth of the green grass of a new spring. The smell of rain fills my sense's with exhilaraion I stop and close my eyes and take a deep breath and smile at the wonders of creation. The clashing thunder becomes louder and it's vibration resinates through my body and touches my soul and I feel the power and magnitude of an awesome God. Huge drops of rain begin to fall I take shelter under the umbrella of the over hanging rocks just ahead of me. As I huddle there I watch the water of the fresh spring rain cascade down the over hanging rocks I reach out and cup my hand and take a drink of the water's of life. The cool crisp taste hits my tongue and quenches my thirst. As the rain begins to stop it leaves as quickley as it came. But it can still be seen racing across the land. As the dark gray clouds become unladen with the burdens of the heavy rain they seperate and the sun bursts through and it's glimmering rays create the perfect awesome rainbow that stretches across the flat lands and into the mountains off in the distance. As I reamurge from underneath the umbrella of rocks I start my walk once more. As I approach the path that leads higher up the mountain. I hear the birds singing there songs of spring. And before I start up the long steep path that leads me home I stop and close my eye's once more. And I thank God for this path he has chosen for me. And I know when I start my journey up to the mountain top there will be many rough spots along the way. But my journey will be worth anything I may face because he will be there at the top waiting for me. ~Dan Greene~

"I'M A SURVIVOR"

I'M A SURVIVOR............

IN MARCH OF 2001 I THOUGHT MY WORLD WAS COMING TO AN END. I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH LUNG CANCER.I HAD HURT MY NECK AT WORK AND HAD TO GET A XRAY. IT JUST SO HAPPENED PART OF MY RIGHT LUNG WAS IN THIS XRAY. THERE WAS A SPOT THE SIZE OF A QUARTER ON MY RIGHT LUNG I SMOKED FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS. THE THOUGHT OF NOT BEING HERE FOR MY FAMILY WAS THE HARDEST PART. WHEN MY SON HUGGED ME AND SAID DAD I DON'T WANT YOU TO DIE I WAS SO SCARED I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO . AFTER SEVERAL TEST'S IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TYPE OF LUNG CANCER I HAD WAS A LARGE CELL CANCER THAT IS NOT AS AGGRESSIVE AS SMALL CELL. IT WAS CAUGHT IN THE EARLIEST STAGE AND IT COST ME HALF OF MY RIGHT LUNG I BELIEVE THAT GOD WAS LOOKING AFTER ME WHEN I HURT MY NECK. YOU TAKE LIFE FOR GRANTED WHEN EVERYTHING IS OK BUT WHEN FACED WITH DEATH YOU REALIZE HOW IMPORTANT LIFE AND TIME HERE ON EARTH CAN BE. I TRY TO LIVE LIFE NOW TO THE FULLEST AND TRY TO ENJOY EVERYTHING I DO. SOMETIMES IT'S HARD NOT TO BE MAD BUT MAD TO ME IS WASTED TIME. I AM IN GREAT HEALTH NOW I DON'T SMOKE I STILL DRINK BEER ON WEEKENDS. SHED ABOUT 30 POUNDS BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THAT IT'S 2014 I AM STILL HERE WITH MY FAMILY AND WAS ABLE TO WRITE THIS NOTE. I NEVER HAD TO HAVE CHEMO OR ANYTHING I WAS TRULEY BLESSED WITH LEARNING HOW PRECIOUS LIFE CAN REALLY BE. EVEN THOUGH IT COST ME HALF A LUNG. SO THE NEXT TIME YOU LOOK IN THE MIRROR MAKE SURE THAT THE PERSON WHO IS LOOKING BACK AT YOU IS WHO YOU TRULEY WANT TO BE FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!!!!! AND PLEASE DON'T SMOKE IT WAS COOL IN 1975 BUT DEADLY IN 2001·

"My Words"

MY WORDS ARE REAL. MY WORDS ARE TRUE. THEY FLOW FROM ME LIKE A RIVER.  NEVER DOUBT THEY ARE MY WORDS. I COULD NOT TAKE SOMEONE ELSE'S WORDS AND USE THEM AND MAKE THEM MINE. I WOULD NOT BE HAPPY. EVERYTHING THAT I WRITE IS FROM DEEP INSIDE IT'S MY SPECIAL PLACE MY PLACE THAT ONLY I CAN GO TO. I AM SAFE THERE. I FEEL NO PAIN THERE AND WHEN THE WORDS SURROUND ME AND TELL ME IT'S TIME I WRITE THEM. THEY ARE THE ONLY THING THAT GIVES ME 100% TRUE PEACE. WHEN I'M SAD AND LONLEY THEY COMFORT ME. WHEN I'M HAPPY AND FULL OF JOY THEY CONGRADULATE ME AND FILL MY SOUL WITH MANY NEW WORDS AND MANY NEW MEMORIES AND MANY NEW STORIES AND POEMS TO SHARE. EVERYTHING THAT I WRITE IS ME. IT'S MY LIFE HAPPY OR SAD LONLEY OR JOYFUL THEY ARE ME. WHEN THE DAY COMES THAT I RUN OUT OF WORDS THE PAGE WILL BE BLANK......... MY SOUL WILL BE EMPTY....... I WILL HAVE NOTHING LEFT TO WRITE. I WILL HAVE NOTHING LEFT TO SAY. I WILL NEVER USE SOMEONE ELSE'S WORDS. I WILL READ THERE WORDS BUT THEY WILL NEVER BE MINE. AND WHEN THE DAY COMES MY WORDS STOP FLOWING. I HOPE IT'S THE SAME DAY MY BODY IS STILL........

"An Aunts prayer"

Trapped in this cell. It feels like hell. Confused, afraid,alone. Just a boy forced to be a man without no clue to life's plan. These walls close in on me. Trapped like a rat. I can't be free. Pacing the floor not knowing for sure. What tomorrow might bring.It feels like a bad dream. I just want to scream. Let me out of here!!!!! My thoughts torment me my soul feels broken. My body feels numb. There is only two things I can do. Live this hell everyday. Or kneel down to my knees and pray. The choice is up to me. I read letters from loved ones.My only reprieve to the outside world. I read prayers from my Aunt and words that show her love for me. I must make a decision. I feel someone with me at that moment. A presence a warm and safe feeling. Something that I had and miss so deeply. The feeling of love. Suddenly things look brighter to me. Suddenly I realize what I have been searching for. Suddenly I feel many prayers being said for me. They have not given up on me. They love me and God loves me. I have wandered around half of my young life trying to fit in. Feeling like a square trying to fit in a round hole.Trying to be popular. Doing things that I know was wrong just to feel wanted.Where are all those people now? The ones I wanted to be like. The ones that said "we got your back". Why could I not see that the people who mattered most to me have stood by me all along. They are still there waiting and praying they are the ones that have my back. And God has my back. He showed me that even in this awful terrible place he's not afraid to sit right here with me. My Aunt loves me. My family loves me. And God loves me. He is offering me a choice right now. I must make that choice. I must choose his love. Because he is truly the only one that has my back.