Charlies.....

Many years we talked
Of hounding,mineral
And rocks.....

Listened to your stories
Of your time in the Navy
And "Nam"...

The hounding trails
You walked
The people you have met
I will remember
The stories of them all....
Your collections
Of thumbnail minerals
You had to show
Some so rare
Nope,not for sale....

The collections of
Your wife's (Linda)
Sewing machines,you said
We knew you loved her
As you would buy her
Another for Linda's collection too....

South Dakota
Is where, you where at
I know,because that's where
You hung your hat
The many memories
You shared of that ......

We called each other names
But with respect
That's what Brothers do
With no regrets
So you old Goat....

Your life was good
Your memories are ours now...

Also a person
Who brought,your happiness
The Brother you never had
Bob was his name
He brought you joy
Laughter and  happiness
To your life
Your memories
Will be with him
Forever too....

Rest in peace
Brother
The pain is gone
The suffering too
Brothers for life
We salute you........


Michael VanDyke @ Dec 31st.. 2017

Oh Sweet Wind

Blowing through the grass
Of the valleys below....

Even with the mountain tops
With the trees
The snow....

The scented wild flowers
The cut of fresh hay
As you drive down wind
On a clear,nice day....

The sail boats
On waters of blue
Sails set high
Holding true....

Sitting on the porch
Watching the sun
Setting away,
The evening breezes
Blowing astray....

Hearing your whistle
Singing through the trees
The chimes doing their music too....

Close your eyes
Feel it so
Oh sweet wind
Filling your soul....

Michael VanDyke @ 2017

Steal Away

The night shines
With the stars....

A full moon
As it's so bright....

The sun during the day
With warmth and light....

Steal away
For these moments
To see,to hear....

Hear the birds
As they sing
Flying from tree to tree....

The squirrels
Running the ground
Playing games
As they gather food....

Steal away
For these moments
To see,to hear....

As the river falls
From mountain cliffs....

The grass flowing
With the winds
In the valley below....

Steal away
For these moments
To see,to hear....

Michael VanDyke @ 2017

These Old Shoes

These shoes I see
Sitting on a box
Scuffed,spotted with paint
No shine to see....

I also see these shoes
Polished a new
With strings of brown....

These shoes
I see they worked
Climbing ladder
Lots of walking too....

Seen the paint
Spotted and stained....

From mowing the grass
As I see
The stains of green....

Now they lay
All worn and torn
Nobody to claim....

These shoes I see
Sitting on a box......


Michael VanDyke @ 2017