Seed

 

Growing up like a weed makes one feel good

From a child to a man, goes just like it should

And, in time you’re allowed to spread seed to wood

But, never dare think of a time you’ll ask, “could?”

Billy Radd

Asheville

Without Within

Craving Nothing

Craving nothing results in everything, so

One must notice the darkness to see the light.

Hearing one note in the noise doesn’t make a song,

But, it allows one to find the muse.

I know what I know because I don’t know everything.

Be like the wind, pulled by the low places, pushed by the high.

Billy Radd

Asheville

False Dichotomy

You bring about poverty by discouraging spending.

You weaken the weak by strengthening the strong.

You hurt wage earners by propping up wage payers.

You diminish the brotherhood of man by encouraging class elitism.

You don't help the rich by destroying the poor.

You don't destroy the rich by helping the poor.

You get into trouble not helping the disadvantaged.

You build character and courage by ensuring civil rights for all. 

You help the whole society permanently by requiring the rich to pay their fair share of taxes.

Billy Radd

Asheville

The Great Pretender

The Great Pretender

As a child, I pretended to be many things:

police officer, firefighter, western wrangler, doctor, astronaut, and soldier.

As I got older, I pretended to be funny and had many friends.

I pretended to be a student and made it through school.

I pretended to be an athlete and played many sports.

I pretended to be James Bond, and had nice girlfriends.

I pretended to be Paul McCartney and was in rock bands.

I pretended to be an explorer and roamed the Great American West.

After that, I pretended to be a filmmaker, and found a career.

I pretended to be a lover and married a wonderful woman.

I pretended to be a father and have three beautiful daughters.

I pretended to be a martial artist and taught Tae Kwon Do.

I pretended to be a writer and saw my work on TV.

Later in life, I pretended to be an artist and sold paintings.

I pretended to get healthy and lost 50 pounds.

I pretended to be a philosopher and wrote poetry and blogs.

I pretended to be a composer and made many songs.

I pretended to be a luthier and got in an art show.

Now, I’m pretending to be old and I’m  a grandfather.

So, pretend to be who you want to be. 

It worked for me!

Billy Radd
Asheville

The River

The River

Life is a river

And, you swim in it, always.

It starts as a small quiet pond

made of rain and dead leaves.

The river always moves down

pulled by the earth to the sea.

It never rests.

So, you must always swim.

Coming from the high places, 

the river moves fast as rapids,

or slow through the plains.

But, It never stops completely.

So, you must always swim.

There are rocks in the river

so you must look ahead.

There are dead branches under the waves

so, you must be vigilant and strong.

There are others in the river

flowing with you to the sea.

All enjoy the view

resting through wide valleys.

But, all must keep swimming

for the river keeps moving.

The water is cold, keeping you alert.

The sun is warm, making you happy.

The wind is fresh, tickling your face.

And, the birds’ songs give you hope.

Water is strong and weak

and the river is its story

but, a story without an end

as eventually it flows into the sea,

which is eternal.

So, you must always swim.

Billy Radd

Asheville

Stand Against Shame

Live in the light

Dream in the darkness

Believe in the right

And, shut out cold starkness

Revel in blind goodness

Repel all that is bad

Always move forward

And, never act sad

Complete what is broken

Don’t change what is whole

Repeat the unspoken

Climb out of your hole

Be friend to all people

Don’t live in the past

Fly down from the steeple

The die is NOT cast

Stand tall in the wind

With your head in the sky

Open ears to the din

Is the best way to fly

Billy Radd

Asheville