AT THE TOP OF THE HILL

From where I stand, it seems so high,

My struggles to climb up near the sky.

To get up there at the top of the hill,

Will take my energy, also my will.

Scrapes and bruises are a part of my quest,

Where I’d like to get for my life to be the best.

Slip I might or stumble along the way,

Giving up is not part of my game.

When I get there at the top of the hill,

Accomplished my fight for the thing I did want.

Keith Garrett

AMONGST THE AUTUMN TREES

Into the shadows, underneath the shaded trees,

Footsteps on a carpet of leaves falling like rain.

Glance do i at what’s above, flashes of sunlight,

Gleaming through living statues of brilliant color.

A gentle breeze whispers past through the branches,

Ornaments let go of the arms that hold them floating

quietly and gently to the ground.

Further into the Autumn day i venture,

All is calm with nature as it invites me to share the day.

Amongst the Autumn trees lies much more than one dares to dream,

A never ending cycle of life that can’t always be seen.

Keith Garrett

AMESBURY, MASSACHUSETTS

My thoughts and memories go way back In time to a far away place,

Not so far In distance anymore as the distance In my mind, Amesbury.

There are times when I can smell the air and still feel the cold, snow,

I remember I was only four and a half, I do recall that far back, East.

My eyes can see those purple grapes on the vines, the hills up above our house,

Playing with my friend Donnie, we had many adventures as kids back then.

I’m not really sure but there appeared to be woods or trees down our street,

I remember riding my batman bike, a cellar out back I do believe, not a dream.

I had a bag of blocks, all different colors and shapes, I was just a small boy,

I can remember the snow storms that put the power out, I can see candles In the house.

A memory of being In my bed staring at my Herman Munster head on the dresser,

Coloring books, cartoons such as Milton the monster show, Christmas Eve snow.

Icicles hanging from rooftops, making snowmen out In the freezing cold,

Sometimes I want to go home, back to where It all began, when I was most happy.

I remember laying on my parents bed, staring up at a full moon, when will they be home,

I think of a dad out In the snow, can somebody answer me, where did he go.?

Throwing snowballs Into the street, cold through my gloves, I remember me,

So many memories locked Inside the mind of a long lost child once upon a time.

Amesbury, Massachusetts seems like a dream, A story written from thoughts of a child,

There once was a boy named Keith, he had a life that’s been written In a book put away.

It sets on a shelf but never does It again get read, thoughts that rest forever In a mans head.

Keith Garrett

AMERICA IS A WAR

Everywhere, from land to land they are destroying,

Mass destruction, killing so many in foreign places.

They know and speak of us fore we are the center of attention,

Worry more about what’s happening over there, beware.

America is a war, we are fighting in the streets, hate is strong,

Who can we trust, only ourselves with eyes in the back of our heads.

There is more crime going on behind closed doors than in the dark of night,

Fighting for territory, drug wars, gangs in every town, out of control,

We need not worry about being destroyed by others as we will do this ourselves.

Keith Garrett

ALWAYS A SHADOW

The sun comes up and the sun goes down,

They’re everywhere and always, make not a sound.

Shadows from clouds cast upon the ground,

As the sun goes down, shadows all around.

Shadows upon the mountains in the early morning light,

In the early evening, shadows that hide as darkness is in sight.

Always a shadow, shapes and sizes stretched out across the land,

Shadows of figures, like ghosts, phantoms here and there.

Always a shadow, we carry this with every step we take,

Always a shadow even with the light still upon our face.

Keith Garrett

ALONG A COUNTRY ROAD

These things I might find strolling along a country road,

From my mind I can create a day or reality along my way.

I see the sun rising in the early morning sky, my day begins,

Dream do I of a perfect setting, fields and hills of beautiful color.

Nothing can go wrong, not in this made up scene that I want to be,

Swim do I in a pond that appears along a country road, quiet and alone.

There is a wind blowing through the trees, across the field I feel,

Hay stacks scattered in a country dream, a farm where I wish too be,

Along a country road all possibilities unfold, from a dream, all that can be seen.

Keith Garrett

ALL ALONE TONIGHT

I pulled up in the driveway, there weren’t any lights on,

Stepped out from the car as the dog was barking loud.

I caught a glimpse of a full moon rising high in the night,

Took my keys from my pocket, unlocked and opened the door.

Flipped on the light before into my house i did step,

Is anyone home, no answer would I get.

To the back door I went to let the noisy dog in,

Wagging his tail and licking my chin.

I turned on the t.v. and put on a favorite show,

Made myself a strong drink, there’s nobody home.

A bag of chips and a sandwich, no wife or sign of any kids,

It’s been such a long day, maybe they all ran away.

Up the stairs I went to make sure this wasn’t a joke,

The rooms were empty, no consideration not even a note.

I fed the dog, I put out the trash, no respect for the things I give,

Should I be concerned that they’re nowhere to be found,

If they don’t care how I feel then my drink and i will relax on the couch.

All alone tonight, not a family in sight, a dog is faithful at my side,

Peaceful and quiet, another drink and i’m feeling alright, not a bad night.

I suppose I should now worry with no word as it’s getting kind of late,

One more drink and perhaps i’ll call the police, maybe just go to sleep,

The phone just rang, they went to the movies, what a family as they had no care for me.

Keith Garrett

ALIVE ON THE INSIDE

There was a time when as a small boy I ran and played like others,

Reading books was my everyday thing, I rememember a childs life.

Something was happening to me but I was scared and hoped It would fade,

A shaky hand turned Into a life that would become a hell not for any man.

Slowly as I age and young still I decay In my mind, my body does not function,

Control of my soul Is not mine as this horrible monster conquers what Is mine.

I do not realize that time goes by In the length of so many years as I’m dead but alive,

My existence Is known and seen by strangers and a mother but no, not me.

I’m alive on the Inside but they think I’ve gone far, far, away, I have something to say,

If what Is hell could be worse than where I am then I should not complain about my pain.

I want them to know that I am alive Inside, I am a person that has only died on the outside,

I am alive! I am alive!.

Keith Garrett

AGAINST NATURE

These things that are against nature are a reality,

Certain it is that we are not allowed to be here forever.

Trees may not stay small, age they will, older than man are many,

Mountains are formed, they age and change but may be always.

Against nature that all things will stay the same, this is true,

There are more of these against nature, take a look with me.

Burning things that sicken the lungs and dirty the air,

Bombs dropping from the sky, chemical spills everywhere.

Trash tossed from windows, lining the streets you see,

Environment is being altered, everyone sees, eyes are closed.

Keith Garrett

“ADRIFT”

What is a sea that has no shore,

Where its weary waves can rest?

What is a night that has no stars,

Where the seas and skies caress?

What is a sun that fails to shine?

Just a heaven void of soul.

What is a dream that has no theme?

Just a mind that lacks a goal.

What is a love that can’t be shared,

When love is based on two.?

Lost and alone, lord without throne,

Am i when without you.

Leon Russell Garrett

My father.