Let Me See You

I set with a man who was sick in his bed.

He was old, nearly blind, all most dead.

I had only known him for a year,

but he'd often spoke words of her.

He asked for a sip of water.

One last taste of life.

Then he lay back down and closed his eyes,

as he spoke these final words.

“Let me see you one more time before I die.

Oh to hear you speak my name.

The way you did when it seemed you’d love

Me for all of time.

Let your eyes shine on my face with a smile.

Your fingers touch my skin,

While I feel your breath upon, my lips,

As you kiss me goodbye.”

The old man’s words flew out into the night.

They returned never more.

At two in the morning his soul took flight,

But he died with a smile on his face,

As his memories of her turned bright.

“Let me see you one more time before I die.

Oh to hear you speak my name.

The way you did when it seemed you’d love

Me for all of time.

Let your eyes shine on my face with a smile.

Your fingers touch my skin.

While I feel your breath upon my lips

As you kiss me goodbye”

We laid the old man to his rest

Up on a high lonesome ridge.

But I still remember the smile on his face,

and that final request.

“Let me see you one more time before I die.

Oh to hear you speak my name

The way you did when it seemed you’d love

Me for all of time.

Let your eyes shine on my face with a smile.

Your fingers touch my skin,

While I feel your breath upon my lips

As you kiss me goodbye.

As you kiss me goodbye.”

© 2011 A.L. Shipman, Jr. All Rights Reserved. Watermark template. Powered by Blogger.

I Was Almost a Hippy

I was almost a Hippy. Drove an old Corvair van.

Had dreams of playing Rock and Roll. Played tuba in the high school band.

Wanted to be a cowboy. Grew up on a dairy farm.

Fell in love with a girl. Her mother said I had no charm.

When I picked up my pot it was full of beef stew.

When she said, “Let’s go.” I didn’t know what to do.

I was almost a Hippy. Drove an old Corvair van.

Had dreams of playing Rock and Roll. Played tuba in the high school band.

I tried to be hip day after day.

But every summer I had to bail hay.

When I planted grass it was always clover.

When I said, “I love you.” She said it was over.

I was almost a Hippy. Drove an old Corvair van.

Had dreams of playing Rock and Roll. Played tuba in the high school band.

But that was long ago. The hippys have gone away.

Nothing remains except their symbols on display.

I bought a poster just the other day.

It reminds me of her. No more will I say.

 I was almost a Hippy, but the Hippys went away.

 I bought a tuba. In my basment I play.

 

 I was ALMOST a Hippy!

 A.L. Shipman Jr.

           1-8-2011

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And The River Flows On

Rains come and rains go as great clouds build and fall.
Thus the earth is filled with fresh water for all.
People come and go, live and love, then are gone.
Life's river is fed and the river flows on.

Some in this life flow to others do great harm.
While some sit and watch, but others hear the alarm.
They stand up and fight until all that's bad is gone.
Life's river is fed and the river flows on.

There are many things that the good here must fight,
Until all that's bad is good or turned to right.
Here is the battle. Hear the good battle song.
Life's river is fed and the river flows on.

What are you in life? Are you with good or bad,
or simply sitting. The sitting must be sad.
Too soon life slips by. Your chance to love is gone.
Life's river is fed and the river flows on.

To others give love. Love will flow back to you.
Always being kind, sympathetic and true.
You're in the river so sing the river song.
Life's river is fed and the river flows on.
     

              A. L. Shipman Jr.  12-27-1983



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You Were The Morning In My Life.

You were the morning in my life.
With you came the sunshine and light.
You turned the dark clouds white.
I will always love you with all my might.

When I met you my heart took flight.
In my mind we make a beautiful sight.
Climbing rainbows to lofty heights.
Looking at the world with new delights.

There must never come a day,
when our white clouds roll away.
Other people can only stare,
at our pure mountains so fair.

And when lifes days are past.
When we rest in peace at last.
May those who live on say as a fact,
we were true lovers through all lifes act.

For you were the morning in my life.
With you came the sunshine and light.
You turned the dark clouds white.
I always loved you with all my might.

You were my life,
My wife,
My life.

1983

© 2011 A.L. Shipman, Jr. All Rights Reserved. Watermark template. Powered by Blogger.

Memphis Gail

“Our lives came together a long time ago.

Why I fell in love I really don’t know.

That love for her is still in my heart.

Somehow I would like to let it show.

Memphis Gail. Memphis Gail.

I hope life is treating you well.

How much I loved you I just can’t tell.

My love for you shall never fail.

It’s still strong for you, Memphis Gail.

I guess that I just wasn’t the one.

She saw being with her and having our son.

I would have always been there for her.

Worked to give her joy, happiness and fun.

Memphis Gail. Memphis Gail.

I hope life is treating you well.

How much I loved you I just can’t tell.

My love for you shall never fail.

It’s still strong for you Memphis Gail.

I've had thoughts of her through the passing years.

Of her gentle ways and it calms my fears.

Even when it hurts it still feels good.

As I dream of her I shed thankful tears,

For knowing,

Memphis Gail. Memphis Gail.

I hope life is treating you well.

How much I loved you I just can’t tell.

My love for you shall never fail.

It’s still strong for you Memphis Gail.

A. L. Shipman Jr.  4-15-2005 

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Kissin' Barbecue

Memphis has the best, when it comes to barbecue.

I know that, Memphis has the best, when it comes to barbecue.

I’d love to be in Memphis, kissin’, barbecue off of you.

I’m comin’ over. We can watch the river roll along.

I’m comin’ over. We can watch the river roll along.

We’ll find a little place where it’s just, me, you and barbecue.

We got lots of choices where we can buy barbecue.

In Memphis, we got a lot of choices where we can buy barbecue.

But I love eaten’ that homemade barbecue with you.

I’m comin’ over. We can watch the river roll along.

I’m comin' over. We can watch the river roll along.

We’ll find a little place where it’s just, me, you and barbecue.

Memphis is known, she’s known for singin’ the Blues.

Sweet baby, Memphis is known, she’s known for singin’ the Blues.

But how can I be blue when I’m eatin’, barbecue with you?

I’m comin’ over. We can watch the river roll along.

I’m coming over. We can watch the river roll along.

We’ll find a little place where it’s just, me, you and barbecue.

How I love playin’ our game called,

“Kissin’ barbecue. Kissin’ barbecue. Kissin’ barbecue.”

Memphis has the best, when it comes to barbecue.

I know that, Memphis has the best, when it comes to barbecue.

I’d love to be in Memphis, kissin’, barbecue off of you.

I’m comin’ over. We can watch the river roll along.

I’m comin’ over. We can watch the river roll along.

We’ll find a little place where it’s just, me, you and barbecue.

We got lots of choices where we can buy barbecue.

In Memphis, we got a lot of choices where we can buy barbecue.

But I love eaten’ that homemade barbecue with you.

I’m comin’ over. We can watch the river roll along.

I’m comin' over. We can watch the river roll along.

We’ll find a little place where it’s just, me, you and barbecue.

Memphis is known, she’s known for singin’ the Blues.

Sweet baby, Memphis is known, she’s known for singin’ the Blues.

But how can I be blue when I’m eatin’, barbecue with you?

I’m comin’ over. We can watch the river roll along.

I’m coming over. We can watch the river roll along.

We’ll find a little place where it’s just, me, you and barbecue.

How I love playin’ our game called,

“Kissin’ barbecue. Kissin’ barbecue. Kissin’ barbecue.”

A. L. Shipman Jr. 8-22-2005
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