Poems by Brian A. Bendall

There're many women I have met
And loved throughout my years.
Some provided joy I'd get,
But most provided tears.

There were those in fancy clothes
Who'd show me their affections.
Less fancy dressers then arose
And showed me new directions.

But all would leave, I'm not sure why,
For other loves or interests.
So, with the last tears that I'd dry,
I vowed to end these contests.

No longer would I give my heart
To have it sliced in two!
Too many dreams were torn apart
By women that I knew!

I became an island to myself,
With interests born anew.
My hopes of love placed on a shelf
Where mold and mildew grew.

However,

The best laid plans of mice and men
Do often go astray.
I saw this truth one evening when
She came in sight one day.

She looked at me with lonely eyes,
I'm sure mine looked the same.
It took some time to realize
Attraction was to blame.

The vow I'd made to hide my heart
Began to fade from view.
My new love seemed so far apart
From the other ones I knew.

Today, my love is with me still,
So many years we've shared.
My love and trust have been fulfilled
And formed a love that's not compared.

For those out there, please don't despair;
Don't squander your affections.
Don't hide your need for love to share;
Don't dwell on your rejections.

Love is there, I'm proof of that,
No matter what your setback.
There's someone there who's where you're at,
Who'll show the joy you'll get back.

At night, when we both lie in bed,
She shows what my love's meant.
I stroke the hair upon her head;
She whispers sweet contentment.

What makes a moth fly to a light?
Is it need for what they see?
Or does it seem, their useless flight,
Is just curiosity?

I guess it's both that brought us close,
Our lives of different walks.
But now, to please my love the most,
I'll clean her litter box.

Often, when it's late at night
And no one's 'round but me,
My mind will travel back in time
To my sister's memory.

So many scenes will fill my head.
It's hard to keep them sorted.
All our laughter, talks and games
Through life have been aborted.

But my mind keeps you alive,
Though memories all it shows.
Still, I need to talk to you,
My questions to propose.

Are you happy where you are?
Are Mom and Dad around?
Can you see the thoughts I have
Or words I've written down?

Are you warm in winter time
And cool in summer's sun?
Has the pain that sent you there
Been mercifully undone?

Do you and Mom and Dad play cards
Or talk throughout the night?
Do you still have the forest walks
You loved with pure delight?

Do you still have the laugh you had
When I'd say funny things?
So much of you I'll never know,
Unless I had some wings!

It's been so long since you've been gone,
And still, it's hard to cope.
I want to get to where you are.
Could you throw me a rope?

Is Jacob's Ladder still around,
Available to rent?
If you could send it down to me,
That would be heaven-sent!

A rocket ship or "beam me up,"
A sling shot or a jet!
All might help me get to you.
I would have no regret!

Oh, well...

I guess that I am stuck down here
Until I pass away.
I hope you're there to take my hand
When time is up that day.

Then we can talk and laugh again,
Play games without a care!
One more question, then I'll go.
Will you be there?