Poetry. About friendship along the way.

Brothers

By Paul Klusman

Into this world we two were thrown
Another man and me
To chart our path on cobblestone
The grass, the wind, and sea

Our characters both were noble strong
Yet flawed as any man
We followed each a road along
Where trials and fortune ran

Made our way then by and by
One path to the other
Long last stood there eye to eye
Brother next to brother

No need of salutation
All formality dispell
For out of all creation
We knew each other well

The distant far horizon showed
Our eyes to lead the way
We turned and set upon the road
Us two as one that day

Battered by the tempest rains
Cheered by skies of blue
As ever moonlight grows and wanes
As ever did we two

The joys we shared were doubled
Whenever fortune smiled
Wherever days were troubled
More quickly reconciled

Then finally reaching journey’s end
And resting weary souls
Much better tired hearts to mend
Much lesser journey’s tolls

Much richer profits that we shared
From toil we had done
Whatever dreams that we had dared
The bolder two as one

We paused for good reflection
We raised our glasses high
We toasted true affection
We said our last goodbye

And parting to our separate ways
Though further years begotten
Would brothers be in all the days
Gone but not forgotten

Poetry when I was 12 in Mrs. Jorgenson's class 1980. North Hill Elementary School Minot, ND.

Land of Oz
By Paul Klusman

There once was a land of Oz
Where they made a movie Jaws
The shark when out of control
And ate the city whole
So no more was the land of Oz

More poetry when I was 12 in Mrs. Jorgenson's class 1980. North Hill Elementary School Minot, ND.

Bee Named Bower
By Paul Klusman

There once was a bee named Bower
Who flew from flower to flower
He flew through the air
With very little care
Until he smacked into a tower

Poetry. About ending and beginning.

Ending and Beginning

By Paul Klusman

Said the autumn leaf to the wind blowing cold:

I know the end is near

I’ll burst forth in color and drop from my hold

I know the end is near

Said the flower still hiding when Spring came around:

A new beginning is near

I'll awake from slumber, then spring from the ground

A new beginning is near

Said the fading sky to the low setting sun:

I know the end is near

When past the horizon your light undone

I know the end is near

Said the glow in the east to the darkened sky

A new beginning is near

I bring you the gift of morning's reply

A new beginning is near

Said the man in his bed to the angel of death:

I know the end is near

Now draw from my body this tired last breath

I know the end is near

Said the child still waiting in her mother’s womb:

A new beginning is near

So soon I'll be born, then joy fill the room

A new beginning is near

Said my frightened heart when we parted ways:

I know the end is near

No more comfort of you sharing my days

I know the end is near

Said my lonely soul to the ones I adore:

A new beginning is near

Time heals all, soon we gather once more

A new beginning is near

Poetry. About hope on a gray morning.

The Earth was New

By Paul Klusman

The earth was new on a misty morn
The air was heavy and still
The sky so gray though sun was born
To a blush of green on the hill

The reign of winter was fading fast
Spring waited in the valley
The darkened season now at last
Shook off the frozen tally

Of days of toil of endless dread
Counting a painful toll
Of wanting hope where it may tread
As now the blushing knoll

The morning it lingered on this day
The sun was hidden still
Yet there in shadows began to play
Some heat against the chill

Though light was dim a cautious hope
Held out and did repair
The world anew as all awoke
To Heaven from Hell's despair

Poetry. About my Cat.

Cat Lying on my Chest

By Paul Klusman

My cat lying on my chest
Gets up from his place of rest
And wanders up by my head
Near the pillow on the bed

But nothing of interest he meets
Turns to my feet under sheets
But everything there’s a bore
Returns to my chest once more

Again at his resting place
I stare at his handsome face
In the dark before the morn
In the hour before sun is born

Then suddenly kitty's heart
Makes him stand up and depart
Hop gently down to the floor
And exit the bedroom door

What causes you quickly go?
What drives your heart to and fro?
Does it seek something to mend?
We all do my furry friend!

Do you seek light and beauty?
As any cat's solemn duty?
Do you seek wisdom and truth?
As many cats do forsooth

The clock shows time has passed
When will kitty return at last?
What quest to make him whole?
To the kitchen to visit his bowl?

And now up the stairs again
Approaches my little friend
Appears at the foot of the bed
And paws up to my head

What did you find do tell?
Then upon his breath I smell
The answer to all my quips
As kitty licks his lips

And pauses to wash his face
Then with easy simple grace
Now settles again to rest
Lying here upon my chest

From the first and now the last
With gravity holding us fast
As the minutes linger on
Together we greet the dawn

Poetry. About speaking truth.

Lonely is the One

By Paul Klusman

Lonely is the one who speaks
The truth for all to hear
While others turn away
And cower in their fear

As tyrants rain their poison
While pounding a fisted hand
And trample the flowers of justice
Growing across the land

Lonely is the one who turns
To lost and forgotten souls
The cold and hungry the silent
Who pay life’s heavy tolls

To offer comfort to shelter
Kindness against the rain
To steady in the blowing wind
Sympathy against the pain

Lonely is the one who walks
Towards better days ahead
And leaves behind the past
Where others dreary tread

But upon the road encounter
Another who heeds the call
A merry fellow traveler
Not so lonely after all