I Can Miss Like That

I run around a lot of courts
of the basketball kind near here.
I lace up my Ked's
And run with purebreds.
And then kind of just disappear.

For most of the guys I play with
Seem to think they're in combat.
When I can't hit a lick
And put up a brick
They seem to wish I'd just scat.

'Cause once I miss a couple of shots,
Or two or three or ten,
They neglect to pass
And then, oh, alas,
It seems I'm left alone again.

For all of those selfsame players
Who doink shots off of the iron
Will all look away.
They won't look my way
And I don't get the passes I earn.

G'head, take all those shots, my buddies
Hitting iron or board or air.
I can't buy a pass
I'm above your age class
But I still haven't got a prayer.

You'd rather I sat on the sidelines
And watch all your glorious play,
Instead of me playing.
Hey, guys, I'm just saying.
The message I'm trying to convey,

Is that none of you are real professionals.
We're all really there to have fun.
But it's no fun for me
When you so egregiously
Think that I can be so easily outdone.

These days I may be somewhat slower
Than I was before you were e'en begat.
But let me just say
All your dreams I'll allay
Hey guys! I can miss just like that!

----------

These Things I Love (My Hallmark Greeting Card Poem)

Star that twinkle.
The sun so bright.
Harvest moon
On a cloudless night.

Sleeping quite late
On a Saturday.
Mountains so high.
A western day.

Precious honeysuckle
When it blooms in spring.
And all the joy
That Christmas brings.

My children's laugh
And a cool, cool stream.
Watching tv
And having a dream.

Playing some ball
And puffy white clouds.
My children's talents
That make me proud.

Bright yellow flowers
And purple and white.
A nice cool zephyr
And flying a kite.

The smell of lilac.
Sunsets out west.
The smell of a baby
And being the best.

All of these things
I love so profound.
They give me such joy
Like nothing I've found.

But there's one other thing
I love most in my life.
I love none of these things
Like I do my sweet wife.

Going Up To Paradise

My poor heart aches,
And I want to weep.
Would it be better
To drown in the deep
Than feel the pain
This world provides?
Lord, give me the peace
That in Thee abides.

One day I'm going up
To visit Paradise.
I'll be wearing good clothes
'Cause I hear it's nice.
And when I get way up there
I ain't never gonna leave.
My reward in Paradise
Is what I work to achieve.

I feel so lost
On this big old earth.
Sometimes I feel so lonely
Like I've lost all worth.
I can feel the nails
As they pierce my soul.
And I find myself wishing
I could regain control.

One day I'm going up
To visit Paradise.
I'll be wearing good clothes
'Cause I hear it's nice.
And when I get way up there
I ain't never gonna leave.
My reward in Paradise
Is what I work to achieve.

And one day when the scars are healed
And I remember them no more,
I'll kiss my Savior's feet at last as
Tears of joy fall on the floor.

But for a few more years
I think I'll stay right here
And enjoy the life
That my Savior dear
Has given me to live
Before I live in Paradise.
And when I finally go
It will be oh, so very nice.

----------------------