Ladders and Slides

Ladders and Slides
By: Austin Robertson

Alluring, accelerated paths promise adventure and speed
Slides offer happiness and fulfillment of your needs.
Yet, these momentary diversions on the slipper slope down
Will always have a rendezvous with the ground.

Ladders offer no speed or instant pleasure
No shiny surfaces and no hidden treasures.
They’re daunting, difficult, dirty, and often dull
Steps aimed heavenward against gravity’s pull.

The pace and toil is too much for most
So slides are their choice of which they boast.

I search for ladders without slides,
Without slides on the other side.

Forever

I wrote this poem to Krystal as I thought upon how quickly everything in this life seems to pass away. So, no matter how good or how bad life is at this point, don't get too used to it, because things will never remain the same. Life is a roller coaster ride from start to finish!

Forever

The crimson blossoms of spring make the air sweet
until a light breeze sweeps them from under your feet

Fresh fallen snow covers a dull and dreary earth,
creating a short-lived vision of purity and rebirth.

The beauties of the heavens can be seen overhead,
breathtaking sunsets of pink, ginger, and red.

The green grass of summer and golden leaves of fall,
a baby’s soft hands, so delicate, so small.

These beauties of life dance before your face.
they arrive in an instant then vanish without a trace.

Does anything last? Does anything endure?
Must all rot away? Must all leave today?

There is one thing that will never be dimmed
by the passing of time or the rushing of wind.

It is the love I feel for you every day, every hour
love which will forever grow like an ardent flower.

Because in God’s temple we were sealed forever
and promised a wonderful eternity together.

Balloons Falling

Red, blue, green, or pink
They float
Almost fly
Yet, always falling,
Forever falling

A breath of air gives lift once more
To a solitarily sphere, making it soar
Then again falling,
Forever falling

A small hand’s touch
Offers hope of flight
Yet downward it crawls
Seeking repose
Forever falling

Green daggers quietly await the sinking vessel
Innocent blades so fair and calm
receive their victim with open arms
Forever falling no more

Small tears now falling
Tiny globes of sadness
But neither wind nor touch
Can keep these droplets afloat

The Vending Machine

I wrote this during my final year of college. Most of my friends and peers had already gotten married. I was patiently waiting for "the right one"

The Vending Machine
By: Austin Robertson

Stunned by the wide variety, I struggle to choose the right one,
realizing that once I’ve decided my shopping will be done.
Which one will be the best by far,
The chips, the candy, or that chocolate bar?
Some say it is easy to pick, “Just put in your coins and simply buy.”
But to others, like me, it’s much more than an appetite to satisfy.
The problem you see is that once you decide
Any attempts to return or exchange will promptly be denied.

Curiously I watch as some devour their choices right quick
Only to find that it’s made them quite sick.
Weak and disheartened they whisper to me sorely,
“Beware and be wiser for we have chosen poorly.”
While others take but one single taste
Before disappointingly throw it out saying, “What a waste!”
Lastly, there are those who savor each and every bite.
No doubt about it, their decision was right.

Nervously I ask myself, “Which one’s best for me,
A1, C1, D10, or B3?”
Then smiling, I let my coins roll inside,
Grateful that at least I get to decide.