Robert H. Thayer Oxford, Massachusetts

Born October 18, 1930, retired truck driver. Navy 1947-1950. I like long walks in the woods with my dog, Daisey, fishing with her, and everything about Nature. I think we should be more concerned about preserving our wetlands, forests, and historic sites. I would like to thank my lady friend, "Cinnamon," for her persistent pestering to get me motivated to write poetry. Special thanks to the people of the National Library of Poetry for bestowing this honor upon me.

The Blue and Gray One dressed in gray The other dressed in blue Would meet upon this battlefield Before the day was through. Both of them Americans In search of fame and glory Would add another chapter to America's Civil War story. This battle wouldn't prove Who was wrong Or who was right. But who stood victorious At the end of this terrible fight. They both prayed to the same God To keep them safe today. But God showed no favoritism For the one dressed in blue Or the other dressed in gray.

Driftwood Your roots torn free from the soil of your birth No longer a prisoner of mother earth. Adrift on a sea of perpetual motion to be battered on the rocks, at the whims of the ocean Years later washed up on this barren shore trapped once again, as you were before. Stripped of your flesh, your bones bleached white Held captive in the sand that holds you tight Awaiting a tempest to set you free to continue you journey on the perilous sea. You're so like calypso on her never ending quest On a voyage of discovery that Poseidon has blessed. Bon Voyage!, "Driftwood".

Reflections As I stood outside my window I saw reflections there 'Twas of a tranquil garden With flowers everywhere. Trees and shrubs were swaying In a warm summer breeze But as I gazed upon the ground My blood began to freeze. There lay this little crumpled form Sprawled out before my feet A voice, silenced by reflections Whose heart had ceased to beat. Just because it looks so real Doesn't actually mean it's so. Reflections are but images Reflections come and go.

All poems Copyright © 1996 Robert H. Thayer. All rights reserved.