The New Year's Bells

The New Year's Bells

© by Bud Lemire on Dec 19, 2019

The New Year' bells are ringing

What will the New Year be bringing

Good health, good luck, and lots of love

All good thoughts that I can think of

Happiness for family and friends of mine

And a wish for a really good time

Hopes of peace, wherever you'll be

Because this is the success and it's life's key

Unlock all the doors, see what's behind

Think good thoughts, with a healthy mind

Enjoy each moment, on a sunny day

Take time off from work, go off to play

On a rainy day, don't sulk in the gloom

Do something special, don't let it ruin

Make every moment count, for all it can be

Because life is so often cut short, in our destiny

Eat well, but don't eat too much

Enjoy a friend's light and gentle touch

The New Year's bells are ringing

What will the New Year be bringing

Whatever the New Year will bring, let's hope

it's a great start to a brand New Year. Keep

your vision focused, because it will be a 2020

year. You'll see things more clearly, you'll know

things. May the New Year bring you everything

you have been wanting and hoping for.

The Christmas Beat

The Christmas Beat

© by Bud Lemire on Dec 19, 2019

Christmas time was coming, thought little Tommy Plummer

All he thought about, was he'd like to be a drummer

Just like his idol, Ringo, whom one day he'd meet

Because this little boy, certainly had the beat

Every year that rolled around

Christmas day brought no sound

How was he to be a drummer without a drum

It's like being a hummer without a hum

His parents he knew, he could make them proud

They kept saying, a drum would be too loud

It had to be loud, that's what made it a drum

If it was a guitar, then it would be strum

Playing his favorite drum music, nothing did change

What's wrong with them, his parents sure are strange

He had to get through to them, make them see

Of the great drummer, with practice, he could be

He prayed every night, that he'd soon get his drum

Then before going to sleep, he'd spit out his gum

His thoughts always took him, to the greatest Star of all

“Ringo, Oh Ringo, I wish I could call”

The Delivery truck arrived, a big box was here

A packaged never ordered, his parents were in fear

Inside, was a very large drum

Off in the distance, there was a hum

It was already opened, they let him try it out

They knew he sounded great, there wasn't any doubt

A big car drove up, they recognized his face

It was Ringo, and the drum came to the wrong place

He heard Tommy play, and knew he had the beat

Ringo smiled, and then took a seat

He did take his drum, but the very next year

A drum in a large box, brought Christmas cheer

Tommy went on to be a hit with his drum

He started a band, and the beat had a strum

A Private Poem

A Private Poem

© by Bud Lemire

I write the words, to a private poem

I'd tell you more, but it must remain unknown

There is so much, that I could write

Due to privacy, it'll be kept out of sight

They say it protects, the one in regards

Yet I wonder, who's holding the cards

There's so much, that I want to say

But it's their rules, that I must play

Don't post my picture on the internet, or there will be trouble

If you post it on Facebook, it will be double

Please follow the rules, that privacy entails

Be the unknown, when all else fails

I personally think, privacy is taken too far

I think that person, should be memorialized like a star

To share their greatness, for others to see

Would make it known, of who they came to be

Don't take down the Residential Directories, people must be found

You aren't hiding them, there's always the wise bloodhound

There's always a paper trail, that is left behind

And where they are, that's who you'll find

An enhanced Drivers License with a star

Okay, now I know you've taken it too far

My current Drivers License, has all you need to know

I believe it's time, for this privacy thing to go

I've decided to go public with this privacy thing. I truly do

believe we have become a paranoid country with so many

rules of privacy. It's totally crazy. It is scaring people.

I refuse to be scared. I refuse to be private. I have

accepted some rules, not that I agree with them. So by

all means, whenever I can, I bring privacy to the public.

Because no matter how private you think you might be,

there is someone out there who knows all about you.

On The Threshold

On The Threshold

©by Bud Lemire on Dec 8, 2019

He was waiting, on the threshold of Heaven's Door

A place, that would take him to a distant shore

What lay on the other side, only God really knows

Soon he'll find out, and he'll have many hellos

Looking back on his life, it was like a song

It wasn't a short one, and it lasted quite long

He made his share of mistakes along the way

Yet he learned even more from every day

He did his best, made a living all his own

Sharing his love with his family, made it his home

Somehow things went wrong, his wife wanted out

For awhile there, it left him with some doubt

The sun would shine again, and this was to be true

He'd experience the feelings, of love anew

This love lasted a lifetime, and felt right

He beheld an amazing feeling, within the light

It was Magical, Spiritually it was known

This love he lived with, was deeply shown

He had no regrets, as he looked back

Only his final days, after the heart attack

But soon, he'd be on the other side of that door

The love that he knew, would be with him once more

The trials of love and life give us the experience we need

to value everything we go through. Many times we don't

understand them at the time. Many times it takes us our

entire lifetime to understand it all. Sometimes we never

understand until we are spirits gliding in the Heavenly

World. Then we look back and smile, and understand

that we needed each moment of love, to become the being

we were meant to be.

A Tap On My Shoulder

A Tap On My Shoulder

© by Bud Lemire on Nov 17, 2019

She stood there facing me, with her tongue hanging out

As I took in what I saw, it left me with some doubt

Most people would be appalled, and walk away

But something told me, that I should stay

I remember my Mom, worked with those with special needs

As I stood there watching, just to see where this leads

She was looking at DVDs, I was looking at some too

A tap on my shoulder, is what she would do

She would point at the DVD, it was Magnum P. I.

“That was a great series,” would be my reply

She would again tap my shoulder, and she'd point again

“Oh “Star Trek” is my favorite, since I was ten”

She pointed, after a shoulder tap once more

“Gilligan's Island is a classic like the others before”

I looked up to see, that she was walking away

Something inside told me, this was a special day

She found a way to communicate

For some reason, it made me feel great

Was she an Angel, sent to see what I'd do

Could she be a spirit, that I once knew

I ask you this, what would you do?

If this person, came up to you.

At first it surprised me, as I took in her face

Normally there is someone with these people.

Then somewhere deep inside, maybe she needed

someone she could communicate with. I stayed,

and those taps, and her pointing at the DVDs,

told me, that inside this person, is a soul with

a heart. They may not be like us in one way, but in

another way, they are. So please remember this

if someone comes up to you, and looks a bit different.

I Hear You

I Hear You

©by Bud Lemire on Nov 13, 2019

What would you do if suddenly you couldn't hear a thing

And you keep wondering what each new day will bring

Several years would pass by without hearing a sound

You'd have to learn to read lips wherever people are found

Then along comes a tragic illness and an operation so severe

It happens all of a sudden, and sounds then happen to be near

Overwhelming joy, filling your heart with happy tears

All those forgotten sounds, enlightening your ears

Something so miraculous, has happened to you

Something so wondrous, your dreams come true

So much happiness, you just want to dance

Divine intervention has given you a second chance

The Angels are watching over you

They're enjoying everything you do

“Listen closely, and tell us what you hear”

“We have returned full capacity, to your ear”

As you heal some more

And are a lot less sore

Every sound will be like music to you

All the sounds, that you once knew

So many prayers came together for this gift

So that it would touch you and uplift

Losing any of your senses isn't funny. But when we

have hope, and believe that one day, we may

just see, hear, smell, walk, again.

We must have faith, believe, and know

that Hope is always out there.

And it might just happen.

My Life's Story

My Life's Story

© by Bud Lemire on Oct 24, 2019

In 1960, my life's story began on Earth

It's been quite a journey, beginning with my birth

I lived on South 12^th street, until I was three

Then for 39 years, 222 North 14^th Street is where I'd be

I lived just a block behind Ernie's Party Store

This is where I'd learn so much more

Growing from a kid into a man

Learning from life's journey, the best I can

Our little friend named Toby, and genealogy

My introduction to computers, and all it could be

Pen Pals, letters sent almost everywhere

Became close friends, they loved to share

The CB Radio, 10-4, you got a copy on me?

Poems that I wrote, for all to see

My Spiritual Journey, of all that I could be

Awakened inside, and it was flowing free

A trip to Quebec, to my ancestor's home

The first time away, and I was alone

The passing of my Mom and my Dad

Two brothers too, which was really too bad

A trip on the Greyhound, to Washington State

I found myself a woman, she became my mate

It didn't work for her, it ended in two thousand and four

Back in Escanaba, I opened a brand new door

I helped Bob the Quadriplegic, for twenty one years

Before that, the Goymeracs, I conquered many fears

I was a dishwasher at Classmates, later it burned down

At a Halloween Party, I played the clown

Into the Harbor Tower, on Mom's birthday in July

Met a friend named Loretta, and then time passed by

Personal Care Services, Community Action Agency

Then a Senior Companion, is what I came to be

Picking wild peas on Aronson Island, by the shore

A life long friend, Basil, who could ask for more

That's my life in a Nutshell, so I shall stop here

Read more, in the life story of Bud Lemire

Yes, I am working on my Life's story. At least as far

as I can go up to the present. This poem wasn't in

order of the events happening, and not everything is

in it, but much of it will be in the story itself.

Her Last Years Alone

Her Last Years Alone

© by Bud Lemire on Oct 23, 2019

Living alone, she's barely getting by

Some days, all she wants to do is cry

When she has a bad day, where is the help in need

If nobody comes, how will she ever succeed

All she wanted, was to live her last years alone

Now she wonders, is it really safe in her home

She prays, because it's the best she can do

All she asks, is to help her through

Don't tell me, what you think she should do

In her place, you wouldn't do it too

If you put yourself, in her place

“Then you'd know everything that I face”

“Every day, my health is changing”

“Every moment, is what I'm arranging”

“Don't misunderstand me, I love it alone”

“I've got my TV, I've got my phone”

“My eyesight and hearing, is going away”

“I fear what will happen, on some future day”

“I want to enjoy my last years, here, alone”

“Because sooner or later, it'll be the Nursing Home”

It's not easy making a living as you get older and your

health is failing. You can't see to even call someone, or

see the cards, or see to turn channels on the TV. Or

when your hearing is going and you can't hear the people

on the phone, or in person, and hate to ask them to repeat

what they said. Yet, you want your freedom, as long as you

can have it. Because you know, sooner or later, it will be a

Nursing Home.

Waiting For The Blue To Show

Waiting For The Blue To Show

© by Bud Lemire on Oct 17, 2019

I'm waiting for the blue to show

They're coming today, this I know

When they come, they bring a smile

They make me feel good, for quite awhile

They bring me to Bingo, so I can play

Some even sit down, and they stay

I love it when I win a prize

Doesn't matter what their size

Oh yes, I'll play Cover Up too

They'll be there, the ones in blue

Guiding me as I shake the dice

I must say, they sure are nice

I like purple, but I love blue

In fact, I like everything they do

They bring a smile to a lonely heart

In this lifetime, they play a special part

Oh what a special day it will be

I watch and look and hope to see

They're coming today, this I know

I'm Waiting For The Blue To Show

The Blue by their well known name are

Senior Companions. I'd like to think if

I was old and lived alone or in a Nursing

Home, I'd look forward to the Blue to show.

They are fun loving people, and I'd enjoy my

time with them. In fact being a Senior Companion,

I work with some of the best people in Blue.

Seven Years

Seven Years

© by Bud Lemire on Oct 17, 2019

When seven years come around

That's where our love will be found

We found each other in the chat

We've been through this, we've been through that

We've learned a lot, about the other one

Through it all, we had lots of fun

We journeyed through the books we've read

Hand in hand, where our hearts were lead

Acceptance learned, is our love's key

To understand, who the other can be

We unlocked the door, and stepped on through

That is when, both our spirits flew

Our spirits intertwined, and took flight

On a lovers embrace, all through the night

Fulfilled in love, with such a pleasure

Our time together, was one we'd treasure

We were there for each other, at every turn

And during this time, there was much to learn

We held hands and hearts, through laughter and tears

As our souls embraced love, for Seven Years

Baby, thank you so much for the love you've shared

with me for Seven Years. On October 17, 2012, our

love connected and has stayed that way for Seven Years.

I love you and always will.

The Witches Song

The Witches Song

© by Bud Lemire on Oct 17, 2019

It's Halloween, and the wind blows strong

If you listen closely, you'll hear the Witches song

They've put together a special brew

It'll do something bizarre to you

Don't drink it, don't drink it I say!

Heed my warning, and you'll be okay

Don't take a drink from a Witch

It's not Mountain Dew, she made a switch

She can make it hard to resist

It's even worse if you've been kissed

There's magic there, upon her lip

There's poison there, if you take a sip

She has no wand, and doesn't wiggle her nose

For it's hidden well, and she won't expose

Within her, lies such a wicked power

It's even stronger during the Witching Hour

She doesn't have a broom, she doesn't fly

That's just a myth, a man made lie

Listen closely, and don't take me wrong

Block your ears, from The Witches Song

You have been warned of The Witches Song.

You may be asking if they are a good witch or

a bad witch. On this Halloween, you will see

Witches of all sizes and shapes. They'll take

your candy and run, to the next house. If you

are careful, you may just have a Happy Halloween!

Orange, Yellow, & Red

Orange, Yellow, & Red

© by Bud Lemire on Oct 17, 2019

As the leaves fall upon its Earthly bed

They form the colors of Orange, yellow, and red

Multi-colored leaves upon the ground

A place where Autumn is found

I look for the changing colors everywhere

At certain times, it's just not there

In other places where I am lead

I see plenty of orange, yellow, and red

In some places it is in between

A little yellow mixed in with green

Some places turn red right away

So bright and beautiful on a sunny day

I believe it depends upon the tree

On which color their leaf will be

Some don't change colors at all

Their leaves don't even fall

Some places don't even see this season

Where they are located, is the reason

As the leaves fall upon its Earthly bed

They form the colors of Orange, Yellow, and Red

Those Autumn colors are so beautiful to see. I love it when

the season is at its peak and you can see so many colors

among the trees. But if you don't see them at just the right

time, the rain will come along with the wind and blow the

leaves right off of the tree.

Read Me

Read Me

© by Bud Lemire on Oct 10, 2019

Read me, read me like a book

Just go ahead, just take a look

Chapter by chapter, turn the page

You're the audience, and I'm on stage

What does my body say to you?

With every movement that I go through

What do you see in my eyes

With my body there are no lies

The way I hold my head

My response when words are said

How I move my hand around

Read me, and I won't make a sound

The way I dress may speak to you

Some thoughts on this, might come through

My reactions in a special activity

May be what you are reading from me

I'd like to know just what you see

When you are looking at me

Read me, just like a book

What do you see, when you look

Many people can look at people and read

the person. Know exactly their personality

and what they are like. Many who have lost

their hearing can do that as well. People who

are in tune, and are aware of everything pay

close attention and understand so much.

Your eyes, posture, hands, legs, position,

voice, clothes you wear, and so much more.

They know how to read you like a book.

Leader Of The Day

Leader Of The Day

© by Bud Lemire on Oct 10, 2019

I am the Leader Of The Day

But you don't have to do it my way

I can not tell you what to do

I will leave that up to you

I relay what's happening that day

From our bosses, is what I'll say

It keeps them from repeating every word

From only one person, you will have heard

It's passed from our boss, to the Leader Of The Day

I believe it really works out better that way

Being Leader, doesn't make you the boss

You're Little Joe, you can't be Hoss

So what's the agenda for today?

Will it be Bingo, or cards that we play?

Oh it is Cover Up, well if that's what you say

I'll listen to the boss, from The Leader Of The Day

I'll follow the Leader, that's what I'll do

The words from your mouth, must be true

You don't have to do it the same way

I'm only The Leader Of The Day

I wrote this with Senior Companion's Leader

of The Day in mind. But also wrote it for

everyone else as well. Being a leader is

appreciating the unique way each person

does things, no matter how they do it.

Accepting them for who they are, not for

what they aren't. Not many people do that.

And we need more of that in the world.

M&M

M&M

© by Bud Lemire on Oct 10, 2019

I got an M&M one day, from a friend

My current life I lived in, was about to end

I was going on a journey, far away

It was given to me, on this special day

It wasn't chocolate, it was to keep things cold

Changes in my life, were about to unfold

It was, to keep all my drinks cool

He never, took me for a fool

I was on an adventure, to a foreign place

I traveled alone, and faith is what I'd embrace

I used it, on my trip to Quebec in the year Two Thousand and One

When I returned, that adventure was over and done

I traveled West, and brought it along

It kept things cold, my heartbeat strong

To Washington State, to start anew

It didn't last, then my life there was through

I keep that M&M he gave to me, in the freezer every day

My friend who gave it to me, has since then passed away

Even though it was a cold gift to give

The thought keeps me warm, each day that I live

Thank you Bob (Miller)! I'm still using that M&M to keep

some things cold. Every time I do I think of the man who

had a warm heart and a thoughtful and caring soul. I'm

reminded that so many wonderful people come into our

lives and then leave it. Touching us with their presence,

and forever leaving a wonderful memory to cherish what

they gave to us. And I know, he is not far away, and watches

over me and helps to guide me from the Spirit World.

A DVD Is For Me

A DVD Is For Me

©By Bud Lemire on Oct 2, 2019

A DVD is for me

It's what I like to see

Binge watching brings me joy

I feel just like a little boy

Move forward or move back

Got to find the scene, the title track

That's where I left off before

Now I long for even more

A DVD looks a lot like a CD

But it plays videos that you can see

They look alike, but they're not

Be sure you know what you got

Closed Caption is for those who can not hear

It's make understanding the video, much more clear

Read the words, upon the screen

What is said, goes with what is seen

You can watch movies or shows from TV

That's the reason I love the DVD

I don't have Blue-Ray, I love my DVD

On the screen, it works perfectly for me

Sitting on my couch, watching my favorite show

Believe me, it's the only way to go

A great meal, and a good scene on my TV

Because I'm watching my DVD

One disc, two, three, four and five

It's great enjoyment, I feel alive

A series that I just love

It's all that I can think of

There's so much to watch on DVD

Choose the ones you want to see

A series that I really love

Is the one I'm thinking of

Unwrapped and all ready to play

My DVD is the truly the only way

Right from the store

Who could ask for more

No streaming video, no live TV

I'll just sit back and watch my DVD

You have to choose what's right for you

Maybe your choice will be a DVD too

Ever since we don't get streaming videos, I decided

to try DVDs as my way of watching TV. Yes, you are still

paying. But no matter which way you choose, you have

to pay something. It seems to be working for me. And you

have all those Bonus things included, that you don't see

on TV. Anyway this is my choice for now.

The Blue Screen

The Blue Screen

© by Bud Lemire on Sept 7, 2019

On the computer, so much can be seen

One thing you wish not to, is the Blue Screen

It means something inside, just isn't right

Maybe something is loose, and something isn't tight

Maybe the fan won't work, or something unknown

Whatever it is, it causes you to groan

The only friend in your home, has gone dead

Life goes on, nothing more can be said

Yet the thoughts pass by, and they pass through

And the screen isn't the only thing that is blue

Your life doesn't revolve around a computer, no need to worry so

Yet you are frustrated, lost, uneasy, and feeling low

Nothing lasts forever, and you did use it a lot

You must have posted thousands of pictures, no wonder its shot

It wasn't sitting there, doing nothing at all

Your fingers were busy, they were on the ball

Mr. Blue, why did you come onto my screen

I'd prefer the sunrise and sunset to be seen

But as long as you're here, and plan to stay

I'll replace you, because I can't go on this way

I got the blue screen and couldn't get it working again.

But I saved up and got myself a new computer. I am

working myself back to where I use to be before the

Blue screen came into my life. It is like life. We meet

many people in our lives, who come along and touch us.

Then they pass away. The memories will always be there.

And now I can make new memories to look back on. It isn't

the end of our world, our lives go on.

Listen To Your Body

Listen To Your Body

© by Bud Lemire on Aug 29, 2019

Listen to your body, what is it telling you?

If it's telling you to rest, then it's probably true

I never use to listen, but now it's loud and clear

As your body ages, it's always good to hear

When you are young, you have energy to spare

But when you are older, you have none to share

As you age, you need to stop and rest

Your body will tell you, it's really for the best

You can't do everything, like you use to do

Your body has aged, into an older you

Nothing to be ashamed of, it happens to us each

It's something we can learn from, it's something we can teach

Listen to your body, if it's tired and it aches

It's time to take a rest, use your body's brakes

Stop and sit down, take some much needed time out

Your body is shouting STOP! And there's no time for doubt

Sometimes we forget, we aren't young any more

We keep trying to do, all the things we did before

If it's telling you to rest, then it's probably true

Listen to your body, what is it telling you?

Know your limitations at every age. As you get older,

your limitations are more. Know what you can handle.

Listen to your body. If it's putting a strain on you, then

you need to stop and rest from what you are doing. It's

safe and healthy to be aware, and Listen to your body.

My Week At The U. P. State Fair 2019

My Week at The U. P. State Fair 2019

© by Bud Lemire on Aug 21, 2019

What a great Fair it turned out to be in 2019

Monday through Sunday, I went the days in between

Tuesday, a little rain started the day

906 showed their talent in a big way

The High Flying Pages were flying through the air

Hula Hoops, the Clown, and a woman on a horse were there

An Alligator named Oscar, a Camel named Clyde

The Ruth Butler building, had Smokey the Bear inside

Spiderman was amazing, with all that he did

Doing acrobatics on the midway, for every kid

The Great Lakes Lumberjack show, was fun to see

There was a big splash, eventually

I spent much time at the Petting Zoo

Being close to nature, was what I love to do

I found myself going down a Forgotten Highway

Peacemaker was no Foreigner to us on a Thursday

My feet got pretty tired and sore

The child in me just cried out for more

I didn't know how to make it stop

Until I kept on going until I was ready to drop

I figured five days was enough time at the Fair

I took away one thousand two hundred pictures from there

I'll be back again, to the Fair next year

To take in Escanaba's U.P. State Fair, right here

This is my week at the U.P. State Fair 2019. What isn't listed in the poem, I didn't

see nor do I miss. But I know I enjoyed every moment there. I know next year I

need to plan it a bit better, for my feet and for the shows I did miss this year.

Coming away with 1,200 pictures, isn't all that bad. I got to share them

with all my friends who couldn't be there. And I had a great time.