Every day

Every day I ask, will it be my last

Will it end in a mistake or with a heartbreak

Run down by a truck or just ran out of luck

Maybe hit by a brick, oh let it be quick.

I live on the defensive and border on offensive

Well I have a shy side, but keep it inside

It comes out with the pen leaving me dangerously open

So I’ll pack it in and smile; blend in for a while

Here’s to the start of the day, look ahead and pray

Yes find the time to be kind

Go walk around in small towns

Then say good night complete; to wake up & repeat

by Dave Schipper (c) 2018 Rose Riversongs

Landmarks

There are landmarks in the distance
Places between you and me
A bar, a café, and old willow tree

There are no measurements to make
Just markers of faces and places
Some a casual observer just might miss.

Old culprit fate will change something
A new building a new waitress
And that will cause a little stress

Old faith in the natural laws will win
And new landmarks will form
There in the mist of chaos, the norm.

By Dave Schipper © 2010 Rose Riversongs

Two, Ten or Twenty...

Back at sixteen
Life was a fog of friends and hormones
Everything obscene
Looking back I was such a moron.

At twenty one
I knew that I was a young stud
Never outdone
Just a pauper with royal blood

I pray
Two, Ten or Twenty Lord?
No wait,
Don’t tell me what’s in store.
Just push
Me in some direction
And hope
I make the right selection.

Then at thirty
A couple more years of being dinks
Life was pretty
Though time moved at the speed of blinks

No fear forty
It was all the Legos money could buy
That and tree forts
I even learned what it was to tythe.

I pray
Two, Ten or Twenty Lord?
No wait,
Don’t tell me what’s in store.
Just push
Me in some direction
And hope
I make the right selection.

Fifty two and
I’m too old to die young they say.
So what’s the plan?
To put a smile on my face everyday.

And with God’s grace
Make a home where love resides
‘Cuz just in case
They end up saying, it’s a shame he died

By Dave Schipper © 2010 Rose Riversongs

Meander..

I meander down these streets
Soaking up the history
This little river town is home
It’s beauty is before me.

There were no building rules then
Do whatever that was up your hat.
Funny, just like God did with us
“Let’s try something like that!”

As I do with the people I meet
I peer deep in the house’s eyes
To find the brilliance or darkness
No facts here, but I editorialize.

The lawn unkempt and broken panes,
I could really restore her.
A tiny bungalow with cool back deck
I absolutely adore her.

A grand old two story brick,
Now this one intimidates me
A garden and fat cat in the window,
I wish there was room for me.

Life is too short to waste
But if meander you way thru
You’ll have a chance to catch life
From a character or two.

By Dave Schipper © 2009 Rose Riversongs…
Photo Credit

Ellie Mae.

The first time I saw you, I thought it was a dream
Dancin all around me, just like a Cajun Queen.
You were in my prayers Lord, protect her everyday
What a little darlin, that little Ellie Mae

Ellie Mae, keep that smile upon your face.
Ellie Mae, dance around the room with grace, Ellie Mae
Your God’s gift from above, I give my hand in love, Ellie Mae

So now some years have passed, that smile’s still on your face.
Still a little angel, full of love and grace.
All my prayers were answered, your with a boy today.
A strong and lovin’ man, for little Ellie Mae.

Ellie Mae, keep that smile upon your face.
Ellie Mae, dance around the room with grace, Ellie Mae
He’s God’s gift from above, give him your hand in love, Ellie Mae.

The next time I see you, a smile still on your face.
Your Sis on the banjo, new Dad upon the bass.
Harmonies a flowin’ and what a joy to say.
Twin girls ‘round the feet of little Ellie Mae.

Ellie Mae, keep that smile upon your face.
Ellie Mae, dance around the room with grace, Ellie Mae
Their God’s gift from above, give them your hand in love, Ellie Mae.

By Dave Schipper © 2004 Rose Riversongs

Dedicated to the inspiration to the song, Ellie Grace. Photo Credit

Interstate 80

Interstate 80 by Dave Schipper © 2007 Rose Riversongs

The prairie grass is bendin in the wind as we roll by
The sign on the billboard says buddy stop in a mile
Take your shoes off, kick back and rest for a while.
Your on vacation, no questions, just smiles

Interstate 80
What’s your hurry
The sign says 65
Interstate 80
Where’s exit 40?
Fifteen miles after 55.

Used to be more stressful ridin’ shot gun with the lady
Preteens in the back picking fights and acting caddy
Now classic music reminds us of actin’s shaddy
Late nights out in the back and hidin from your daddy.

Interstate 80
What’s your hurry
The sign says 65
Interstate 80
Where’s your 10/40
ARP hell yes I’m 55





We roll into the Cracker Barrel for some cheesy potaoes
Fried okra, chicken fried steak and hot cup of joe.
The waitress calls us hun and asks where we’re from
Down the road a piece, and she has friend in very same town.

Interstate 80
What’s your hurry
The sign says 65
Interstate 80
My eye sites blurry
Motel 6 exit 35.

when you...

When you play within the lines,
but dream outside them
Then you harvest a wild imagination.

When you smirk at someone
but long for their touch
Then you produce a fine tension.

When you stop for the night to ponder
but end up writing instead.
Then you write a prose for retention.

By Dave Schipper © 2009

The fog of life

The fog changed everything
There went the plan for easy drive
Eyes fixed, margins razor thin.
Not the moment he craved

The wipers worked like shit
Fluid and defrosters deployed
Almost resembled his life a bit
Both stuck in a cold humid void.

The rearview mirror had the same fog.
The bathroom mirror had the same boy.
Miles away from the last hug
But like that the fog lifts, oh the joy.

A two mile respite is okay
To a life of snippets and texts.
So seize the day they say
Drive out of the foggy complex.

By Dave Schipper © 2009 Rose Riversongs

Bottomshelf

I am a bottom shelf value
The large shampoo bottle
The roll of garbage bags.

There is no glitz packaging
That’d be nothing but trouble
Simple, just read my tag.

The Lord hid me down here
Knowing someone would look
To grab value that lasts

So just a polite word to all.
True love has no source book
Bend down, look, it goes fast.


Dave Schipper © 2008 Rose Riversongs
photo credit

Question?

Don’t we all grow restless?
Like waiting for Santa,
Love, jobs, hope; it’s ageless.

I am waiting also
For answers in my life
Then the questions will slow.

Ok, that’s a pipedream.
Life is a puzzlement
No hard answers to gleen.

Should I be frustrated?
Feel lost in a quagmire?
Or just be comforted.

The sun will rise and set.
Love will answer it all,
And questions? I forget.

Dave Schipper © 2009 Rose Riversongs

Old Shoes

Old shoes, old shoes
Been with you for a time or two
Old shoes, old shoes
Wouldn’t trade them for a pair that’s new

The leather laces have been replaced
Your wife says they are a disgrace
But they’re with you at the start of the day
A nothing else feels the right way, except

Old shoes, old shoes
Been with you for a time or two
Old shoes, old shoes
Wouldn’t trade them for a pair that’s new

As I walk I avoid the puddles of life
Just hop and skip on my daily hike
I smile to the ones I meet on my way
Though I stepped in pile of HEY..

Old shoes, old shoes
Been with you for a time or two
Old shoes, old shoes
Wouldn’t trade them for a pair that’s new

You can judge people by the shoes they wear
Just like you could by their underwear
But right down there for everyone to see
Are my old shoes smiling at me, they’re just

Old shoes, old shoes
Been with you for a time or two
Old shoes, old shoes
Wouldn’t trade them for a pair that’s new


© by Dave Schipper Rose Riversongs 2009

photo credit