Wedding For a Poor Couple
By larry r Linville

I was going to a meeting
when a couple came to me
asking me if I’d marry them
but I was late as I could be.

The wedding didn’t take too long
I pushed them toward the door.
They said they couldn’t pay me
but I looked down to the floor

“Help the first person you see
who seems to be in trouble
and then we will be even
in fact, you’ll pay back double.”

As they left I sped away
to get out of town
but hadn’t gone more than a mile
when my car broke down.

When I looked under the hood
I was puzzled at what was wrong.
A car pulled up behind be
and it hadn’t been very long.

The new bridegroom walk up to me
and said he’d take a look
he took his new wife’s bobby pin
and made a little hook.

When he finished his action
the motor started to purr.
The new bride looked at him
and he smiled back at her.

I said, “I guess we’re even”
as he got back in his car
we had both paid it forward
and we’ll never know how far.

“Why Don’t You Act Your Age?”
By larry r linville

When I was young about three or four
I’d cause my parents much rage.
They’d glare at me with a red angry face
asking, “Why don’t you act your age?”


They thought I had regressed in years
Acting more like I was two
and they preferred I acted even older
than the baby thing I would do.

As a teenager this was repeated
when responsibilities I would lack.
In spite of my growing maturity
I seemed be moving back.

“Why don’t you act your age?”
seemed to be a call to act older
And each time I received this challenge
I tried to act even bolder.

Now I’m an old retired man
not wanting to act my age
and it seems that most of my peers
are happy to live in a cage.

I don’t want to sit and complain
about those good old days.
I’d rather run with those who are young
and constantly learn some new ways.

I just can’t let myself act my age
I’ll get old soon enough.
Until that day let me still think young
or at least put up a good bluff.

Glad I’m Not In His Skin
By larry r Linville

See that crazy guy over there?
Sneak a look and please don’t stare.
He’s always thinking he will win
But I’m glad I’m not in his skin.

He has no hair at all they say
But he has some fuzz that’s turning gray.
I see his little cocky grin
And I’m glad I’m not in his skin.

He is so very overweight
Must be from all the food he ate.
He probably thinks he’s really thin
But I’m glad I’m not in his skin.

Now he’s started mocking me
I put a hand upon my knee
And he does the same again
Boy I’m glad I’m not in his skin.

What is that I now hear?
They say I’m looking in a mirror
I guess I must look like his twin
And I’m the one that’s in his skin.

The Empty Pew
By Larry R Linville

She sits in church alone again
her dear husband isn’t there.
She wishes he was with her
so this worship they could share.

She keeps hoping and praying
he will join her someday soon
but he always has excuses
that last each week till noon.

Her father joined her mother
and took her every week
so they could as a family
God’s words and message seek.

She sat between her parents
as they bowed their heads to pray
and listened to the preacher
not always knowing what he’d say.

She looks at the empty seat
and prays a special prayer
that someday in the future
he will be sitting there.

Fifty Year Class Reunion
By Larry R Linville

The old school looks so different
and yet so much the same.
The faces are much older
and hard to match with a name.
As hand shakes and hugs are given
there emerges something from the past
intermingled with lost memories
of those in that special cast
who were in the drama of early life
with whom you walked across the stage
being freed from the forgotten lines
that were once held captive in a cage.
Things that were done years ago
are transformed to present tense
swinging wide the great big gate
allowing you inside the fence.
Inside that fence you’re allowed to graze
on the grassy fields of memories
fertilized by the passing time
as thankfully you go to your knees.

Clouds of Change
By Larry R Linville

Only weeks ago it was so hot
with winds like that of an oven
wrapped in a deep sense of evil
coming from a witch’s coven.

No clouds in the sky to block the sun
seemed like an everyday norm
unless turning to a deep dark black
foretelling the coming of a storm.

Today some light grey wispy clouds
move quickly from north to south
with an occasional patch of blue
like someone breathing through their mouth.

Chilly winds blow the changing leaves
like multi-colored parachutes
so lovingly to the yellow grass
as if they were all in cahoots.

It’s like they give an intermission
between the summer that is going
from the approaching winter days
with its cold season and the snowing.

As robins are harbingers of spring
telling us that change is on the way
these windy clouds come to prepare
our hearts for a much cooler day.

The ducks and geese get the message
and amplify it with their flight
as their v-shaped caravans
are silhouettes in the moonlight.

Today give thanks for what sun there is
popping from clouds once in a while
and zip up your jacket a little
and let your face wear an autumn smile.

The Box
By Larry R Linville

At birth we are placed in a box
and told we must feel at ease.
We’re given pampered attention
which is intended to please.

As we grow the box feels small
and we try to climb outside
with people pulling us back
and tugging knots keeping us tied.

After several such reprimands
we begin to settle back
accepting all the confinement
giving up what we lack.

Those around called “successful”
dwell inside keeping rules they should
but the most creative people
were frowned on as they withstood.

Your box should not be permanent
and should not limit our life.
Never quit planning your escape
even though it brings you strife.

Offering Help
By Larry R Linville


“Do you have any need with which I can help?”
he asked with a sincere smile.
I returned a flippant humorous answer
since that’s my usual style.

Second glance revealed the deep caring eyes
from a man who helped many
as I tried to recover from my cheap humor
which wasn’t worth a penny.

I thought how much better our world would become
if we followed his example
instead of asking what others could do for us
while on their needs we trample.

This attitude helped him become a great teacher
to students of college age
and they must have benefited from his care
and looked to him as a sage.

If you feel like the daily garden you work in
is becoming too full of weeds
why not reach out to a person in your life
and ask to help with their needs?