Big Sky Buckeye

A writer's journey continues

Memories

Posted on August 13, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

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Thanks for the memories

For sunrises, spectacular and refreshing

Feeling God’s creation, always fetching

Let me witness one more, very soon

Thanks for the memories

For teaching for forty years, now gone

Being retired, yet singing a new song

Each day feels precious and engaging

Thanks for the memories

For daughters special and sweet

Always making this heart tweet

You make me smile every day

Thanks for the memories

For travels across this vast land

Witnessing God’s creative hand

I look forward to seeing more

Thanks for the memories

For seeing grandchildren grow up

Their blessings overflow my cup

How truly marvelous they are

Thanks for the memories

For nights watching films from years ago

Classic stories and acting, tied in a bow

Enjoying movies and popcorn at home

Thanks for the memories

For finding love before growing old

God’s promises come true and bold

Never say never to His amazing grace

Thanks for the memories

For writing poetry and sometimes more

Allowing my new passion to fly and soar

Thankful for wonderful readers like you

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This poem’s theme is inspired by Bob Hope, one of America’s greatest entertainers. He excelled in vaudeville, Broadway shows, radio, film, and television. He may be best known for the many shows he did for American troops overseas. In 1938, Hope and Shirley Ross performed the song “Thanks for the Memory” in the film “The Big Broadcast of 1938.” Adapting lyrics in future years as needed, the song became Hope’s signature song whenever he performed. Here are a few lines from “Thanks for the Memory.” Enjoy!

Thanks for the memory
Of rainy afternoons, swingy Harlem tunes
Motor trips and burning lips and burning toast and prunes
How lovely it was
Thanks for the memory
Of candlelight and wine, castles on the Rhine
The Parthenon, and moments on the Hudson River line
How lovely it was
Many’s the time that we feasted
And many’s the time that we fasted
Oh well, it was swell while it lasted
We did have fun, and no harm done
So thanks for the memory
Of crap games on the floor, nights in Singapore
You might have been a headache, but you never were a bore
I thank you so much

Haiku Series #16 (Montana Prairie)

Posted on August 11, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

Fleeting Speed

Prairie-fueled sprinter

Solitary wanderer—

Pronghorn speeds away

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Harvest

Gentle breeze blowing

Rippling waves of amber grain—

Harvest time awaits

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Summer Storm

Dark thunderclouds form

Bringing devastating harm—

Escaping storm’s wrath

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Back to School

Posted on August 10, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

Another school year has arrived in America. I can fondly remember the return of school both as a student and later as a teacher. The classrooms will come alive with the energy of countless children under the instruction of caring teachers and staff.

boy in brown hoodie carrying red backpack while walking on dirt road near tall trees

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Store advertisements passionately proclaim

Ending another summer’s leisure and games

“Back to School” cries out across the land

Sounding like a hit song from a rock band

Lazy, easy days of summer are sadly ending

School days are approaching, no pretending

Summertime and kids at home will very soon end

Cheering parents welcome school, ready to begin

Teachers feel invigorated and all set to go

Preparing classrooms for learning to know

Families make ready for the kick off of school

Buying supplies and clothing—honestly cool!

Schools stand ready with a spotless shine

Cleaning, waxing, and repairs look all fine

Everything looks prepared for one more year

Learnin’ bout the three R’s, no reason to fear

Attention all children, wake-up and now hear

Ringing school bells announce far and near

“Back to School” has arrived for all

Moving forward from summer to fall

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Morning Blues

Posted on August 6, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

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My alarm clock thunders awake

How rude! No peace you make

Monday arrives in its callous way

Why can’t the weekend just stay?

The snooze button enjoys a workout

Will be late for work, never any doubt

Stirring now, just barely able to see

The week ahead, won’t find me free

Turning on the shower with haste

Cold water freezes a tender face

Monday morning honestly, is no pleasure

Definitely feeling humble, without treasure

Tying my shoes causes scant joy

Breaking a shoelace now, oh boy!

No time for coffee or anything to eat

Planning a Starbucks stop for a treat

Starting the car and seeing a worry

Low fuel gauge adds to heated fury

Stopping quick-like for fuel on the run

This Monday doesn’t look like any fun

Driving like a crazy man on the road

Pulling into an empty lot, no one told

This Monday is a holiday, no work today

Why didn’t anyone remind me and say?

Could have slept in, you mindless fool

Being forgetful, honestly ain’t too cool

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Normally, I am an early riser in the morning. So this poem doesn’t apply to me very often. When I was teaching in a small Montana town years ago, we had a day off on the school calendar. I happened to be going into my building in the morning to catch up on some work. What should drive up? You would never guess. A school bus! Earl had dutifully driven his morning bus route, and the bus was, of course, empty. I still laugh about this.

Haiku Series #15 (Life and Faith)

Posted on August 5, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

Breathe!

Hurrying along

The day’s rate race continues—

Stop for a moment . . . breathe!

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Enduring Character

Life’s sufferings come

Produce lasting endurance—

Building character

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One Step

Keep taking on life

Despite its intense trials—

One step at a time

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Cautious Lookout

Posted on August 3, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

Photo by Miriam Fischer on Pexels.com

Moving along the trail, sweat runs down my back

Suddenly . . . both feet hastily stop in their tracks

Mother deer and fawn walk into my view

My eyes check the scene for any clues

The pair ventures cautiously across

Deserting another doe, feeling lost

My body stands rigid, still, and tall

Not intending to panic them at all

Mother steps back, standing quietly still

Starring back, I am amazed at this thrill

Her young fawn follows with a few steps

Looking to mother for guidance, you bet

Feeling the pleasure of stopping to watch

These two deer pause . . . I feel caught

Time stands still for a few seconds longer

My eyes survey with an inquisitive hunger

Alas, my camera didn’t make this walk

Now, only this writer’s verses will talk

Prudently, the vigilant doe keeps an eye on me

Protecting her fawn from any danger she sees

The two deer meander back into the woods

Probably glad to be done with me for good

This moment in time creates delicious prose

Not often do deer pause briefly, just to pose

The mother proves to be a cautious lookout

When she and her timid fawn wander about

Dear readers, have you experienced any encounters with deer or other wild animals. You are invited to share your experiences with a comment. I look forward to reading and replying back.

Forever Proud

Posted on August 2, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

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His warrior image endures over the years

Witnessing a proud life, without any fears

His Native American culture continues to live on

Keeping rich and spiritual memories, never gone

Life’s simple ways will always shine bright

Displaying warrior bravery at every sight

Man and horse unite together as one

Riding his pony into the setting sun

Fierce in battle, defending his vast land

Adding to his legend, he does all he can

Younger men look up to him and follow in battle

Counting coup, his bravery becomes his mantel

This storied warrior transitions to an old man

Looking back proudly, honoring his last stand

His weathered face reveals a mighty, brave past

Lighting up eyes, with proud memories that last

The buffalo have disappeared for good

Ending a way of life, once proudly stood

Many of the old traditions are now gone

Reliving them through legend and song

The old warrior passes down past tribal history

Teaching a new generation, his ancient journey

The warrior no longer meets foes in battle today

Remembering his legacy, forever proud to say

selective focus photo of brown dreamcatcher

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Montana is home to seven Native American reservations: Flathead, Blackfeet, Crow, Cheyenne, Fort Peck, Rocky Boy, and Fort Belknap. Across the United States, these proud people make up a “quiet” minority, often forgotten in the mainstream of the American way of life. Here are two previously published poems about Native Americans:

Distant Beating Drum
Final Battle

Love Conquers

Posted on July 31, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

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Love Conquers

Finding its way

With words to say

Boundless and rich

Love conquers

Despite distances great

Unlocking its fate

With faithful hope

Love conquers

Awakens each morn

Feels like being reborn

Lasts and lasts

Love conquers

Between two hearts

Eager for new start

Together at last

Love conquers

Each special day

Adventure comes our way

Exciting and endless

Love conquers

Thoughts to savor

Bringing each a favor

As sunrise arrives

Love conquers

Arriving without sound

Loving actions abound

Every special moment

Love conquers

Forgetting life’s past

Bringing smiles to last

Faithful and forgiving

Love conquers

God’s at hand

Footprints in the sand

Reigns into Eternity

Love Conquers

Finding its way

With words to say

Boundless and rich

Love conquers

Despite distances great

Unlocking its fate

With faithful hope

Love conquers

Awakens each morn

Feels like being reborn

Lasts and lasts

Love conquers

Between two hearts

Eager for new start

Together at last

Love conquers

Each special day

Adventure comes our way

Exciting and endless

Love conquers

Thoughts to savor

Bringing each a favor

As sunrise arrives

Love conquers

Arriving without sound

Loving actions abound

Every special moment

Love conquers

Forgetting life’s past

Bringing smiles to last

Faithful and forgiving

Love conquers

God’s at hand

Footprints in the sand

Reigns into Eternity

Big Sky Buckeye has written several poems which express love in different forms and with their own unique meanings. Here is a sample of three of his favorite ones.

A man and a woman find love in their own way in Across the Street.

A family finds God’s love in bringing a special daughter into their presence in God’s Miracle.

A man and a woman reach out to each in a long distance relationship in Love’s Destiny.

Oceans

Posted on July 30, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

Photo by Travis Rupert on Pexels.com

A life can sometimes seem deep and dark

Just as the oceans’ waves find their mark

From season to season, a person splashes along

Just as the oceans redeploy, intense and strong

Hardships and misfortunes grudgingly arrive each week

Just as the oceans’ depths mask secrets, waiting to seek

Morning’s sunrise embraces, cheerful and bold

Just as the oceans splash water, much too cold

Today brings a bit of uncertainty and sadness

Just as the oceans bring a light of happiness

One wonders and dreams of a better life

Just as the oceans dispense little strife

A walk along the sandy beach sounds great

Just as the oceans’ tides deliver a final fate

The gentle waves engage loneliness for a swim

Just as the oceans’ surf arrives without a whim

A final desperate, draining breath takes one under

Just as the oceans stand still and start to wonder

Haiku Series #14 (Life and Nature)

Posted on July 28, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

Crisis

Morning coffee time

What, no coffee to be found—

Epic home crisis

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Floodwaters

Floodwaters recede

Noah’s son sees land—

Must be Ohio

Photo by Simon Clayton on Pexels.com

My Friend

Mr. Chipmunk pauses

Enjoying his friendship now—

God’s creatures impress

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

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Fleeting Speed

Harvest

Summer Storm

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Breathe!

Enduring Character

One Step

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Crisis

Floodwaters

My Friend

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