I remember

I remember being a child, such a long time ago,

Trying to grab moths on vines, Summertime. 

I had a father so long ago,  where did he go,

children were we, Kindergarten, and ice cream.

I remember at thirteen,  walking to school, dreaming,

Forever young as we ran in the sun,  the day was done.

Time goes by as the hourglass ages before our eyes,

Teen years were some of the best as friends slipped away.

I remember favorite times and places, I remember you,

Where did you go, my friends? I’m older, but I remember.

Keith Garrett

              WHEN APRIL WENT AWAY

           Dear
 father, I'm sorry for waiting so long to write 
 To you this letter,
 At that time I was only seven as you know so 
 I tried hard not to remember.
 I was once your son, you were the hero that a 
 Boy would not see again in this lifetime,
 It all seemed in some way easier as a child 
 Because I could go away, disappear.
 Forget about you I did not wish to do and the  
 Pain grew as I dreamed this not true,
 Did you think of me, while you were going away 
 On your journey that night so long ago,
 Are you in heaven watching, listening, or do
 You ever read my writing of the world,

I think of you often, and most differently, as now I grow older,

You were no longer there when April went away, but I celebrate your birthday as there is only one April day.

 On the eleventh of that day, you remain the same but if you would have stayed, Ninety would be you.

        When April went away I now know that god had his plan, at that time a boy could not understand,

     I lost you dad and that changed me forever, I survived and made it through but without you, here I am.

Was it a sacrifice you made that day, for my life took some different roads? God had a plan when April went away.

                            Keith Garrett

                    I’M NOT OLD

Once I was young, I never had much time to worry,

I ran and played, didn’t think about being tired at the end of each day.

I had a childhood of scrapes and cuts, but nothing so permanent,

I never took much aspirin or anything to relieve my pain.

My body was fresh and new,  not decaying as time would prove,

My hair was full and blonde; today it’s mostly gone,  no more growing.

A young man was I with thoughts and dreams,   older at night, I think,

Through years of trauma, surgery, and pain,  I remain who I am.

I’m not old, I’m just a different age; my mind remains the same,

Years go by, and we all change in many ways. I want to say that I’m not old.

Keith Garrett

                    WHEN THERE IS NO LIGHT 

Darkness is everywhere, like closing your eyes,

Wind is heard through the trees, never seen.

The moon shines in the night sky, out of sight,

You can hear the flowing river, but there’s nothing to see.

Wandering in the dark, what could be there, animal or man,

Friendly or not, darkness before your blinded eyes.

When there is no light, darkness takes over your life.

Keith Garrett

                    CAN ANIMALS DO THIS?

What can animals do? How about this?

Can a cow take a bow? Oh wow!

Can a monkey spell the word funky?

What about a horse saying of course, of course.

Does a cat carry a magic bag and wear a top hat?

How about a snake that can sing and bake a cake?

Does a giraffe laugh when he sees a talking calf?

Have you ever seen a tiger cry or wave goodbye?

Only in a dream or a fairytale wish it would seem.

Keith Garrett

           ABOUT THIS PICTURE

This is what you see: a man standing there,

With a microphone in his hand, singing out Celtic songs.

Dressed partly in green with expression and thought



Bruce Springsteen is his name, and many things he's about.





There's emotion that comes from a musical spirit,





 Look at his face, what do you see?


            Keith Garrett

                            A WIZARD’S  WORLD

Dressed  in colorful attire, a tall black hat, and a robe,

 A white beard, a look that scares a person, a wand in hand,

Casts a spell with a book; black magic is his only world.

He lives in a stone castle, high upon a mountain top.

A cauldron of evil potions is forever being stirred here,

Dungeons where lost souls are forever imprisoned,

Dragons with a breath of fire soar across the sky,

Trolls watch from under a bridge, seeking their meal for the night.

A wizard’s world where anything is possible, unusual games are played,

 Nothing is as it seems, and stories full of magic are always told.

Keith Garrett

                  WESTERN WORLD

What was it like many generations ago, exploring a new frontier,

Starting a life where everything was so uncertain and dangerous.

Indians and bandits roaming the land trying to everyday survive,

The Indians living off the land, bandits taking all they can.

Building towns where a man or family can start a business for themselves,

Settling outside this town, you choose to live and start a family of love.

You’ll have to rough it for a while longer as you have for so long now,

Waking to the morning light, at times cold as a hot cup of coffee will do.

Working hard from sunup till sundown with a dream in your heart,

A cabin with a fireplace, rooms built for comfort, and a roof over your head.

The old west was more than a saloon with gambling, drinking, and gunfights,

It was about survival, discovery of new places, and things accomplished back in a time.

Hardship and disease, many died, gave their lives for a better life, triumph and sorrow,

These people from the past paved the way for dreams and success here in our today.

The pioneers had more struggles than can be imagined, but also had to be tough and strong,

The old west is no longer alive, but they did leave their mark, a path across the wilderness.

They survive and live in those today who overcome and succeed, worked through their pain,

The western world has changed, but the blood and souls from the past are buried, their spirits

Maybe among us in ways as they are also surely gone beyond this world where peace is theirs.

                                Keith Garrett

            A SIMPLE DAY

Wake up to a mixture of clouds and sun,

Feed the birds and squirrels, it’s morning now.

A cup of coffee, no caffeine for me, a quiet thought,

The world is much to fast, faster than what I have come to be,

I can now get things done the way I want them to be for me.

A simple day in the rain or sun, I have some time to have some fun,

At the computer, my thoughts are given out to the world.

A simple day, nothing gets in my way, I can keep to myself,

A movie, a show, and exercise that keep me healthy and ready to go.

                  Keith Garrett

How far can you run?  Can you run from sun to sun?

How far is it from here to there? Who really cares?

How far can you throw a football? Where does it land?

Does it really matter when there’s more to life than that?

How far can you drive before there is no place to go?

Eventually, there will be no fue; so who really knows.

How far would you go to get what you want, how far?

How far is too much or too long of a distance?

Keith Garrett