Remember?

     Remember? Yes, I still remember her.

 Regrets? Yes, I will always have regrets.

Go back? No! I would be afraid I’d mess up and not have as good of a collection of memories as I do now.

Painful? Of course they are painful. They can not be painful enough for my liking. The stronger the love and memories of it, the better. The more pain.

Worth? I wouldn’t sell my memories of her for a lifetime of doubling my money, land and holdings, each day for a hundred years.

 Happiness? They give me ten times the happiness everyday for each instant of pain. That is a great return.

 Feel fine? Why, they make me fell fine every time I visualize the picture she gave to me and how she wrote, “Love”, just before her name on the back of it.

Forever! I told her forever, and I meant what I said!

A. L. Shipman Jr.

12-4-2006

Taken from a book I'm writing Called,  THE KEYS.

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Springfield to Memphis

I was in Springfield Missouri

When I got on a train.

It was 1954

In a cold, pouring rain.

No one was there to wave goodbye.

No one said,  “Adios.”

No soul-mate there to miss me.

Had no one that was close.

Found a seat in the dinner.

Got some coffee to sip on

As I watched Missouri fly by

Until all of it was gone.

Traveling Springfield to Memphis

On the Frisco Line.

It made me happy.

Made me feel so fine.

I didn’t know what would greet me

When I passed that Memphis sign.

Traveling Springfield to Memphis

On that mighty Frisco Line.

We flew down through Arkansas.

Made those steel wheels whine.

Rust did not have a chance.

Made those steel rails shine.

Cotton was growing on all

Those big flat land farms.

Every place was pretty

With its own special charms.

In West Memphis we crossed over

Rock Island and Mo-Pac rails.

Then crossed the big muddy.

That always thrills me, never fails.

Traveling Springfield to Memphis

On the Frisco Line.

It made me happy.

Made me feel so fine.

I didn’t know what would greet me

When I passed that Memphis sign.

Traveling Springfield to Memphis

On that mighty Frisco Line.

Got off of that train.

Walked up to Beale Street.

Ate barbequed ribs.

The meat was tender and sweet.

Listened to the blues

Late into the night

And then she strolled in.

What a beautiful sight.

I had to go home.

But I’m headed south again.

She said, “Come back to see me,”

And my new life began.

Traveling Springfield to Memphis

On the Frisco Line.

It made me happy.

Made me feel so fine.

I didn’t know what would greet me

When I passed that Memphis sign.

Traveling Springfield to Memphis

On that mighty Frisco Line.

A.     L. shipman Jr.

      12-5-2011

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Country Christmas

On wide river bottoms

The snow is deep.

The cottontails hop

And the wild deer leap.

It is so warm and cozy

In our sleigh

As it’s being pulled

By our trusty bay.

Sunlight sparkles off

The ice covered bluff.

This short trip we’re on

Is just long enough.

A gray trail of smoke

I see just ahead.

I wonder if the fire

Is baking bread?

Sleigh bells jingle

As we slide to a stop.

Mom gets out, then

Out of the sleigh I hop.

The old house is filled

With wondrous smells

While Grandma cooks

Some stories grandpa tells.

Mom helps Grandma.

Dad brings in some wood.

I’d share this with you

If only I could.

The cedar is trimmed

With silver and gold.

The tree is covered

With all it can hold.

Bulbs on its branches

Red, green and blue.

I smell the turkey

And the giblet stew.

The meal is grand

I cherish every bite.

This table spread is

A beautiful sight.

It’s time for the presents

Under the tree.

Here’s one for Mom and Dad.

Here’s one for me.

My country Christmases

I treasure so.

The joy and love

And ride in the snow.

A.L. Shipman, Jr.

10-15-84

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