SWEET SEPTEMBER

September hangs her purple grapes
On branches of awesome fruit;
She touches the jewels in every garden
With her wet shiny morning dew.
She meditates along with the Red Roses
She's the month between Summer and Fall;
Hail to thee my silken Sweet September---
You're the most prized month of them all.
2010 by Douglas Raymond Rose
Grand Prairie, TX
Member Academy of American poets

Me, Renamed

When things get boring in high school, just change your name to Randy!

When I was in junior high school I decided I needed a 'newscaster type " name if I would be a success on television sportscasting. So instead of Doug Rose, I told all my teachers to call me Randy Rose. (It does sound COOL, right?)

All of them agreed, and a major problem quickly surfaced when the principal called me into his office for successive absences.We quickly figured out that when the teacher made the roll-call I could never remember to answer to Randy. Bad move.

I decided Doug wasn't so bad after all, and I probably never would be a newscaster anyway. Now that I'm a writer I've discovered the joy of using my middle name (I'm named after my father Raymond)--so now I gladly answer to Douglas Raymond Rose----and actually raise my hand when my name is called.

TIMELY TIP: Never change your name unless you can remember to answer roll call to it!(:)

A NINE-ELEVEN PRAYER

On the Anniversary of Nine-Eleven
We pause to give God praise;
You have spared us all from like disaster
-----To Thee our voices we raise.

We give you all of the glory
Our sacrifice of praise we raise;
You've rocked America in the Cradle of your Love
-----For this we owe you eternal Praise.
2010 by Douglas Raymond Rose
Grand Prairie, TX.

ODE TO TEXAS PIONEERS

Here's to our brave Texas Pioneers
Passionate Pilgrims who knew no fear---
Hopefuls who aimed their wagons south
----And westward their wagons did steer.
Following Indian Trails day by day
Watching known civilization disappear;
Dodging dancing elk and bear and deer--
-----Here's to our passionate Pioneers.
Off they rode into the scarlet skyline
Scarring soft bosoms of the soft Texas sand--
Pressing thru sagebrush 'til they could no more
Pioneers---who homesteaded on famed Texas land.

AMERICA'S MELODY

America is a mighty melodious Medley
Composed of many different tunes;
With classical,country and Dixieland
----And most everything in between.
America displays all beats of people
From countries around the world;
All singing "God Bless America"
---As Old Glory is proudly unfurled.
So let's all labor now and sing together
----Come on and sincerely sing along
America is a harmonious melodious Melody
-----Singing together keeps us strong.
2010 by DRR