The Kind-Hearted Smart Aleck

I know I'll likely be viewed as a holiday grump or Grinch or some may even claim that since I'm single on Valentine's Day, I'm just jealous of couples celebrating the day with one another. I can state with great clarity that the latter portion of that sentence is false. Even when I was dating, I held the same feelings about this very holiday. I find this day to be: Dull, unromantic, ridiculous and sad. Let me explain. I find it to be dull because I honestly don't see much excitement regarding the regular routine most couples go through year after year on February 14th. The man may deliver flowers (roses) to his girlfriend's/wife's workplace. On his way home from work, he may pick up a Hallmark card, some chocolates and a teddy bear, before possibly taking her out to eat. Some couples don't fall into this routine, but I know many who do and it makes me yawn just thinking about it. I'll skip to my claim that the holiday is ridiculous. It's a ca...

Rain In My Eyes When I awake in the morning, Whether the skies be clear or clouded, A smile comes across my face, As I hope to be a ray of sunshine to others, Helping an elderly woman with groceries, A blind man reach his destination, A friend in need, A child find his parents, Never expecting the kind gestures, Speech minimal in response, Uncertain of what to do, The lone word emanating from their mouths is thanks, Not expecting anything in return, I still cling to hope, That another voluntarily does similar for me, Reaching out without my asking, I look back for help, But find no one, All looking after themselves, As I stand alone, I walk the streets with my head sunken, The clouds plentiful and ominous, A few sprinkles are then felt, Before a pouring rain comes crashing down, I gaze up at the sky, Looking for that ray of sunshine, My eyes begin to burn from the downpour, Coalescing with the tears in my eyes.

Born To Be Alone Born into this world, All alone, Tears streaming down my face, Knowing no one, Illness isolates me, Abuse holds me in tatters, Shyness makes it all the more difficult, Alone I feel at home, at church, in class, Fearful of talking to women, Fearful of rejection, Fearful of opening up to others, Alone I am in the end, When I awake in the morning, Go to sleep at night, I hear the crickets chirp, Not another soul in sight, Alone as I walk the street, Alone at a bar, Alone when out to eat, Alone in my car, Working at the computer, Not a sound to be heard, Hearing the wind gusts in the distance, Hearing my own heart beat, I sit in silence, An all too familiar feeling, Giving up on love, Yet wishing another was with me, An adult in this world, All alone, Tears streaming down my face, Knowing no one, One failed attempt after another, The pessimism mounts, Born to be alone, As I cry in the night.

This poem can be found on page 39 of the book "Seasons Come, People Grow: A Poetic Journey". A whisper in the distance, From a far off place, Unknown is the source, Unknown is the time and place, A voice in the distance, Unable to make it out, Only a few others notice, The rest go on and walk off, Screaming with all his might, Unable to get the words out, Feeling that all is hopeless, Feeling that all is lost, I scream for the world to hear me, But only one voice am I, Caught in a crowd of billions, The whisper in the distance becoming a longing cry.

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