Rick Hunter

These are the people in my neighborhood.
They're all a bit strange as no one acts as they should.

There's the man down the street that constantly washes his cars.
This he does at night under the light of the stars.

There's the lady pushing a baby in a stroller.
She suffers from something known as being bipolar.

There's the man wandering about.
The one who's sanity is always in doubt.

There's the family across the street.
They're a bit different as they march to a different drummers beat.

I'm the only one normal here it seems.
I'm told the others aren't real, they're only in my dreams.

But I know them all very well.
Because I watch them daily from here inside my padded cell.

The alarm goes off and I hit snooze,
wishing so much there were a button that says refuse.

I, stumble, I fumble, I mumble and I grumble as I get out of bed,
trying to clear the cobwebs that have gathered in my head.

I get up to face the day,
Thinking there's got to be a better way.

Then I start to swoon.
Thinking mornings would be so much better, if only they started at noon!

Time keeps ticking away. Second by second, day after day.

Time isn't a friend, but it might be a foe, as it has a grip on us wherever we go.

We can't speak to time, but it can speak to us. Things like, it's time to wake up or it's time to catch the bus!

Time, can't you stop for just a moment or two? The day is nearly over and I still have things to do.

It cannot go in reverse. I consider that a curse.

For there are things I'd like to redo or even start anew.

Strange thing this thing called time. For there is no less time today than there was yesterday and it will be the same the following day.
I wish the money in my wallet behaved that way!

As I look back to when I was but a boy, I'd have to say a cardboard box was my favorite toy.

There were no action figures in this day and computer games were still many years away.

The box was my Pirate ship leading me to my stash of gold and doubloons.
It also served as my rocket ship, flying me to the moon.

It was my speedy race car and I was Richard Petty. On other days I was Mario Andretti.

It was my castle where I was the king. I was also a professional wrestler, fighting in the ring.

The box also served as a fort. From there, I would fight off enemy ships that were coming into port.

It was a boxcar and I was a tramp.
It was a tent. A place for me to camp.

That box was my best friend as it would take me to many different places.
From flying in the cosmos to distant lands filled with alien races.

A simple cardboard box, but still my favorite toy.
It was made of wood pulp and glue, but it brought me hours of endless joy.

I reached out for your hand today, only to realize you are so very far away.

I want to hug you, but your time with us is through.

I want to share time with you and tell you about what's going on in my life. Alas, I cannot, you are gone and only having your memory cuts as deeply as a knife.

How I wish you were still here, to hold you so very near.

Oh, how I wish you hadn't had to go.
I love you mom and I miss you so.