Together

Together we can make a difference
Hope in the heart of the small
A brighter day in a child's eyes
A better world for all

Ray Nichols
www.teamnopoverty.blogspot.com

Goodbye Neil RIP

Tonight the moon will shine a little bit differently.
The wounded world will look at it and try to heal.
A part of us all is still up there
And another part passed on with Neil.  

Two Castles

The writer writes from the head, but the poet writes from the soul.

Ray Nichols
www.bebo.com/twocastles

My book at Bebo

"The poet captures images in his mind and paints them on paper with words for you to see."
Ray Nichols
www.bebo.com/eternalportraits

thought of the day

The poet captures images in his mind and paints them on paper with words for you to see.

8/24/12

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Daydreams

SUNSET AT THE LAKE

SUNSET AT THE LAKE. the last minutes of the day vanish forever into the darkness to the sounds of chirping crickets, crackling campfires, and waves crashing against the bank. The day is gone forever, but the night has just begun.

THIS XMAS

This Christmas  
I have a special gift for you.  
A Christmas wish that you 
May have a merry Christmas too. 
May you find yourself surrounded  
By those whose love are true 
And may all your fondest hopes and dreams 
On this special day 
Come true. 
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU!  

12.12

ONCE MORE i lift my pen

ONCE MORE i lift my pen
and search for the words trying to get in.
TRYING to capture the idea in my head
before it gets lost in limbo instead.

Never say die.

Never say die.
Dont give up until you try.
Try and try and try again.
You can do it if you think you can.

MOTHER EARTH

MOTHER EARTH
beautiful powerful inspirational.
blue skies and green forests.
waterfalls and rainbows.
majestic mountains and ominous oceans.
home sweet home.

Dearest Mother,

Dearest Mother,
You have given me 2 things.
One is roots and the other wings.
Roots to keep me grounded
Thru the toughest times,
And wings to help me
Soar above my troubles into the sky.

ARTIST VERSUS POET.

ARTIST VERSUS POET.
Color versus rhyme.
The artist paints pictures on canvas with paint,
While the poet in your mind a picture paints.
Each bring pleasure in their own way.
Each has a message to say.
The artist whether painter or poet may pass away,
But their work will stand the test of time.

She brightens my day

She brightens my day
like the sun lighting up the sky.
I find myself hypnotized
when i look into her eyes.
Try as i may,
I cannot look away.
She is the sun and moon
of my night and my day.

Smitten with her smile.

Smitten with her smile.

Mesmerized by her mane. Her hair that is, so soft and shiny.

Idolizing her eyes. They capture my gaze and I don’t want to look away.

Loving her lips. Longing for her kiss. She is

Everything I need. All the world to me.

 

A new day dawns

A new day dawns
Another chance to see your smile
Another day to tell you how much you mean to me
Another chance to hold you for awhile

Outside my Window

Early in the morning.

Raindrops on my glass.

The blue sky has chased away the gray.

The bright sun is up high in the sky

To say good morning and have a lovely day:)

The art of writing.

The art of writing.
putting ink on paper in an artistic way.
making a point or telling a story.
sometimes rhythmically.
turn your keyboard on and let your creativity flow.
let your mind be free to go where it wants to go....

Writers block.

Writers block.
nothing to say today.
                 try as i may.
all the inspiration seems to have gone away.
  thoughts cross my mind and then they disappear.
is there no creativity left in me
        or is it just a bad year?

WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?

WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?
WOULD HE TREAT ME LIKE YOU DO?
WOULD HE CUSS ME OUT ON FRIDAY,
AND GO TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY TOO?
WOULD HE DO ME THE WAY THAT YOU DO?
WHEN YOU GO TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY
AND SIT IN THE PEWS,
DO YOU EVER ASK YOURSELF,
WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?

2007

Daydreamer

I am the daydreamer.
Dreaming of other times.
Other worlds. Other lives.
Fantasy existences that will never be.
Happier days that I will never see.
The more i have the more i need.
Always daydreaming.
Thats me.

2004

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Beauty is a heart thats pure and true.
Pretty girls are pretty on the outside.
Beauties are pretty thru and through.

2007

The colors of life

The green of a christmas tree.
The white of a winters snow.
The red of a valentine.
The blue of an easter egg.
The black of a starry night.
The orange of a halloween pumpkin.
The yellow of a morning sunrise.
The gold of a fourth of july fireworks display.
These are the colors of life.

2005

What if you lost it all tomorrow?

What if you lost it all tomorrow?
And you came home and it was all gone?
All your cds and movies and clothing?
The couch and your copy of Pong?
What if you lost all your worldly possessions?
What would you have to take with you?
Would you have Jesus Christ in your heart?
Or would you just be all alone and blue?

2006

Two golden hours lost yesterday.

Two golden hours lost yesterday.
Sixty diamond minutes each.
Gone, but no reward is offered
For they are lost forevermore.

HOPE FOR A NEW SUNRISE.

HOPE FOR A NEW SUNRISE.
HOPE FOR ANOTHER DAY.
HOPE THAT FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES
WOULD NEVER FADE AWAY.
HER BODY FAILS HER NOW.
ITS FRAGILE LIKE A GLASS.
SHE HAS NO PROMISE OF TOMORROW.
HER HOPE IS ALL SHE HAS.

REMEMBER THE FALLEN

REMEMBER THE FALLEN
THAT GAVE SO MUCH
AND GOT SO LITTLE IN RETURN
REMEMBER THE FALLEN
THAT DID THEIR JOBS
ABOVE AND BEYOND
THE CALL OF DUTY
REMEMBER THE FALLEN
THAT SACRIFICED EVERYTHING
FOR AMERICA'S DREAMS
REMEMBER THE FALLEN
THAT ASKED FOR NOTHING MORE
THAN THE CHANCE TO SERVE

MEMORIAL DAY

MEMORIAL DAY
FLAGS DECORATE THE FINAL RESTING PLACES OF OUR FALLEN HEROES
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
THE RED WHITE AND BLUE FLIES AT HALF-STAFF ALL MORN
A MOMENT OF SILENCE AT 3PM
WHISPERED PRAYERS FOR AMERICA'S TRUE SAINTS
AND A CONCERT AT THE CAPITOL
THE VERY LEAST WE CAN DO
FOR THE ONES WHO GAVE THEIR ALL
FOR OUR FREEDOM.

America the beautiful-ish

How beautiful the roadkill we pass by every day the busted semi tires we try to miss along the way the fast food bags and candy wrappers and beer cans everywhere how can we fix the problems here if no one even cares?

A clean America is a happy America. When people have to see trash everywhere they go it's kind of like living in a junkyard. Put your trash in the landfills where they belong and give America a chance to be beautiful again.

Don't pollute; give trash the boot.

Veterans Day

Veterans Day
The government takes a holiday
The banks close and
America's Greatest Heroes
March proudly down the street
They who put their lives on the line
For the country they love
Carrying our beloved Stars And Stripes
Through the city and followed by a few
Police cars and beauty queens
In a parade that ends all too fast

11.4.10

Poetry.

Poetry.
Putting ink on paper and
Displaying thoughts for the world to see.
Capturing a snapshot of a moment in time
Or a thought or fantasy.

The poet

I am the sculptor
transforming words into
inspirational sculptures
for all to view
i am the artist
painting pictures in your mind
with words and phrases too
i am the philosopher
sharing words of wisdom
from my point of view
i am the poet
sharing my art
with you

Poets

Poets
observers
historians
philosophers to the masses
daydreamers
wordsmiths
versifiers
artists

It wasnt me It was u.

It wasnt me. It was u.
U said it and. It was true.
4 so long i blamed. Myself because.
You were untrue.
But i can see clearly now the tears are gone.
I was the one who stood by you.
And you were right all along.
It wasnt me it was you.

Poetry everywhere

Poetry everyday
Its around us every where
You hear it on the radio
Its floating through the air
Its the rhythm of the nation
Its the heartbeat of mankind
I have to end this poem now
I cant think of a rhyme

the present

Never lose sight
Of your goals
Focus on the future
You wish to see

Define yourself

By who you are
Not who youve been
Reach for the brass ring
And believe

Tomorrow is just a concept
Today is a gift
Thats why its called
The Present

Empty resolutions

Empty resolutions
Promises made to me
Hopes and dreams
For better things
And a life i wish to see
A future thats much brighter
I see it in my mind
But if i only make a wish
I will never find the time

...

Wishes without actions
Amount to nothing times three
Dont make a resolution
Unless you will it to be 

2k12

the poetry of my heart

Poetry is beauty
Poetry is the way she looks
The way she walks
The way she thinks
The way she talks
Poetry is she
She is a work of art
She is a masterpiece
The poetry of my heart

Children of Apollo

Children of Apollo
Creators of beautiful things
You make the world go round
With the joy you bring
Makers of fine art
Great music and poetry
Tellers of wondrous tales
And wonderful comedy
You make the world smile
With the fruits of your labor

So stand tall
Apollans all
Youve won Apollo's favor 

2k12

sunday morning

sunday morning
sunny sky
bright new shiny day
memories run
thru my mind
of loved ones
gone away

happier times
from the past
can fill my heart with joy
as long as i have
their memories
my loved ones are
here to stay

I love you more

I love you more
than you could know
more than summer's sun
or winters snow
more than skies of blue
or grass of green
more than heaven or earth
or anything in between

Poetry block

Poetry block
trying hard to rhyme
tried for the longest time
words just will not mix
something needed to fix
guess i need a muse
something beautiful i must choose
to write about its beauty
and fix this case of pb

Find a happy place

I cant write today
Too much on my mind
Loved ones who betray
And others who are unkind
Pressures of life getting out of hand
Need to get away
Find a happy place today
And dont look back again

2k12

If i didnt care about you

If i didnt care about you
i would hand you the syringe
and smile and let you end it all
as you poison yourself again

if i didnt care about you
i would join you in a smoke
knowing that you die a lil each time
you take a toke

if i didnt care about you
i would take you to the store
and buy you a bunch of alcohol
to shorten your life some more

if i didnt care about you
i would feel nothing at all
as you throw your life away
each day right down the hall 

2k12

Rest in peace my friend

Sometimes we have trouble understanding His plan,
But it always works out in the end.
A friend or loved one lost today
Will be met again on some future day.
God had a special place prepared
And when it was ready He called you there.
Rest in peace my friend.   

2k12 

Daydreams

Day after day I dream of things that cannot be Of things I cannot have and sights I cannot see Is life unfair or is it something wrong with me? Daydreams are all I have u see.

2k12

Real friends

Real friends dont use you.
Real friends dont lie.
Real friends dont give you poison and say, "Lets get high."
Real friends dont mistreat you.
Real friends are true blue, and when you need them,
Real friends are there for you. 

2012

Early morning sun

Early morning sun
Rising to meet the new day
Another day gone 

A masterpiece of a proud father

Father.
You shape your children like a potter.
Building character like shaping clay and water.
Making them into something you can be proud of.
A beautifully crafted creation of the potter.
A masterpiece of a proud father.

Left behind

Left behind
the girl of his dreams
the love of his life
the home they shared
the town he lived in
the truck he drove to the office every day
the games he loved to play
the country he served
not alone but lonely
living in unfriendly territory
he promised to return soon
but it was not really up to him
missing her every day
calling to hear her voice
chatting for a short time online
watching the mail for her letters and
care packages
praying for a safe tour
and a speedy return
he left us behind
but he will return
we know he will
because we pray for him
everyday

Under the laurel tree

Under the laurel tree
A butterfly flitters by
A babbling brook runs to the sea
A bluejay builds a nest to raise its family
And a versifier tries to write a poem or three
Apollo looks down and smiles
As the poet drifts off to sleep

a COUPLET BLOG

A couplet is much too short      
Perhaps i should abort

A couplet a day
Keeps the blues away

A couplet is just two lines
Easy to do if you do not have much time 

BRASS RING

Never lose sight of the brass ring
Its the struggle not the prize that is the thing
But if you lose sight of the goal
Then you lose the ambition to become whole 

2k12

Versifier

Versifier
Turning words into art
Sculptures made of letters
Beautiful to the ears
Soothing to the soul
Word sculptor
Wordsmith
Poet

2k12

Raytopia

Raytopia
A fictional country
Where I am King
And the Poet Lauriet
And the Poet Supreme
Where things go right
All the time
And no tears are shed
Because no one cries
Where I can do or be anything
I desire
And never get sick
And never get tired
Somewhere beyond the rainbow
In a land far, far away
Was a place for dreamers
Down Camelot way

The poem of the day

I tried to write you a rhyme today
But nothing came out right
It seems as if my creativity
And I have lost sight
It took a dozen tries to get this far
But now its underway
Thanks for taking time to read
The poem of the day 

www.raynichols.shorturl.com

POETRY IS

POETRY IS
A VIEW OF THE WORLD
FROM THE POINT OF VIEW
OF THE DREAMER
WHO TRANSFORMS
HIS VISIONS TO WORDS
AND PUBLISHES THEM
FOR THE WORLD TO SHARE   

2k12

Worse things

There are worse things
Than getting your heart broke
Worse things than waking up alone
Worse things than getting on with your life
On a cold and miserable rainy morn
Worse things than having to
Face your friends and
Tell them "we are through"
But sometimes its hard to think
What they are
Sometimes its hard to know
What to do 

2k12

The empty page calls to me

The empty page calls to me
Beckons me to take a look
And share the poetry hidden on it with the world
The empty page challenges me
And mocks me for not
Seeing the words that are already there
Waiting for me to point them out to you
The empty page smiles at me
As i type the words hidden on the screen
And uncover them to share with the world
Thoughtfully
Happily
I type the words i see
In my mind
And share them with thee 

2012

Meet me under the stars

Meet me under the Stars
And lets play connect the dots
Like we used to do.
Meet me under the stars
And lets make up stories about the gods in the heavens
like they used to do.
Meet me under the stars
and lets spend the evening
enjoying the view.

21312

the tapping of the keys

The tapping of the keys
Is heard throughout the room
Thoughts race thru my mind
As my focus goes to zoom
I rush to type the words
That are racing thru my mind
And hope that i can type fast enough
To catch them in their prime

2.22.12

Thought of the Day

The poet captures images in his mind and paints them on paper with words for you to see.