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Best Poems Written by Mike Shoemaker

Below are the all-time best Mike Shoemaker poems as chosen by PoetrySoup members

Details | Mike Shoemaker Poem

Yes, Mother

Looking back to memories bright,
I remember she’d teach me wrong from right.
“Clean your plate.  There are others who have none.”
“Do your homework, and let me know when you’re done.”
“Look at me when I’m talking to you.”
Yes, Mother . . . I hear you.

“Save your money for a rainy day.”
“It’s beautiful outside, so go out and play.”
“Let me show you how to clean and cook.”
“If you’re really bored, you can read a good book.”
“Don’t you know that I was young once, too?”
Yes, Mother . . . I hear you.

“Take some time to read this book, son.
I think it’s time you know where they come from.”
“Girls are spice and everything nice.”
“If you’re smart, you’ll take my advice.”
“You don’t have to do as others do.”
Yes, Mother . . . I hear you.

“My grandfather gave us all we would need.
When spring rolled around he would plant seed.
He shot game and lived off the land.
He wasn’t afraid to make a stand.
You could learn a few things from him, too.”
Yes, Mother . . . I hear you.

“I used to walk a mile to school.
It won’t hurt you to walk a little, too.”
“Do your chores and be nice to your sister.”
“Address adults as Misses or Mister.”
“Do you know that I love you?”
Yes, Mother . . . I hear you.

“Why do you want to be in a rock and roll band?”
“Be a leader.  Lend a helping hand.”
“How old is she?  What is her name?
Do you care for her deeply?  Does she feel the same?”
“Where have you been?  I was worried about you!”
Yes, Mother . . . I hear you.

“How many hours?  How much does it pay?
Think of your future.  In school you should stay.”
“Do you have food?  You’ve lost a lot of weight.”
“Be on time.  You shouldn’t be late.”
“Did you get the letter that I sent you?”
Yes, Mother . . . I hear you.

“You’re too young to get married.  Won’t you wait till later?
Yes, I think she’s nice.  No, I don’t hate her.”
“You need a good job.  Where will you live?”
“How much do you need?  How much can I give?”
“Isn’t life great when love is new?”
Yes, Mother . . . I hear you.

“I’m going to be a grandma?!!  You must be joking!”
“How’s the job going?  Are you still smoking?”
“We’re all fine.  How is she?
I was foolish to think she’d replace me.
Tell her that I’m thinking of her, too.”
Yes, Mother . . . I hear you.

“You sound funny.  Are they all right?
How long was she in labor?  Was it a long night?
She’ll be okay.  She just needs time to heal.
You’ll be a good father.  When was your last meal?
Give her my love, and to the baby, too.”
Yes, Mother . . . I hear you.

“Tell her not to fuss.  I won’t be a bother.
I remember a few things.  You were once a toddler.
The living room is fine.  You sleep in your own room.
I’ll get her some groceries.  Where does she keep her broom?
It was nice seeing you.  I’ll miss you, too.
Yes, Mother . . . I hear you.

“They’re growing like weeds.
I wish you weren’t so far away.”
“Pay attention to your wife . . .
A good husband doesn’t stray.”
“Call me if you need someone to talk to.”
Yes, Mother . . . I hear you.

“Get you some stocks, bonds, or an IRA.
If you stuff it under the mattress, that’ll be okay.
You must think of their future . . . and yours and hers, too.
It’ll take planning to see it all through.
Don’t worry about me, son.  I’ve planned some, too.”
Yes, Mother . . . I hear you.

“Are you happy, boy?  It’s important that you are.
There’s more to life than a career or a new car.”
“I’m proud of you and of who you’ve become.
You’re all that I dreamed of and even more, son.
But tell me the truth.  Did I ever get through?
Did you ever listen when I was talking to you?”

Yes, Mother . . . I listened.  I even took your advice.
In many of my choices, I didn’t have to think twice.
I haven’t always been as good as I could be.
There were times that I was glad you weren’t there to see.
Of one thing I’m certain . . . you passed a lot on.
You taught me to be caring, happy, and strong.
Your thoughts are with me in all that I do.
Yes, Mother . . . I heard you.

Details | Mike Shoemaker Poem

Our Little Girl

Your mother and I were only twenty-one
when we learned that your life had just begun.
We barely had time to find love for one another.
What did we know about being father and mother?
We were afraid, but we soon came to know
that you and your love would make our family grow.
From early on in life, you’ve had knowing eyes.
Your Mom says it’s her genes that made you so wise.
Sometimes you’re stubborn, or goofy, or mad.
These are fine qualities that you get from your Dad.
As for drama, let’s just say you’ve “raised the bar.”
But your confidence and drive have taken you far.
We especially admire your compassion for others.
It’s an awesome trait for daughters AND mothers.
2001 was hard on us all.
We’ll never forget that summer or the fall.
Tragedy became triumph and heartache became love.
Avaya is a true blessing sent from Heaven above.
We’re proud of your motherhood.  You grew up so fast!
Stay focused on your future and not with the past.
Keep your principles and your strong conviction.
Choose your battles . . . argue fact and not fiction.
Try not to complain or judge your fellow man.
Do good works and help others when you can.
Keep God at the center of your life and your world.
We thank him for giving us our little girl.

Details | Mike Shoemaker Poem

Billy Pugh

Twas the night before sunrise
and all through the warehouse,
not a creature was stirring
except Elmer, the field mouse.

It was 1962
And times were hard on mice.
Elmer had eaten this month
only twice.

Away to the bin
he scurried like a flash.
He squeezed under the door,
and irritated his little rash

He bobbed his head up,
and twitched his little nose.
“I think I’ve hit the jackpot!
They’ve got Lays and Fritos!”

He scratched and he clawed
He bit and he chewed
“Gee,” he wondered
“What am I going to do with all this food?”

“I guess I’ll take some home,
then come back and get more.
But just as he was thinking that,
there was a sound at the front door.

Elmer scurried away fast.
He had enough warning.
“But who could it be?” he thought.
“It’s 3:30 in the morning!”

Elmer’s eyes stuck to the entrance
like glue.
The door swung wide,
and in walked Billy Pugh.

He was a good-looking man,
but check out those bushy eyebrows!
To Elmer, they looked bigger
than what the law allows!

He guessed they were to cover those puffy eyes.
They looked like vanilla wafers!
He looked like he spent the night
at Heartbreakers!

Billy said not a word,
but went straight to his work.
He started to load his truck,
then turned with a jerk.

Now Billy wasn’t a temperate man,
but his blood pressure was up a bit.
“Someone’s made a mess in here!
And what’s this?  Mouse shit?”

Billy shook his head,
and with his arm gave a wave.
“I’ll clean it up later,
after a haircut and a shave.”

Billy’s pockets jingled when he walked.
He was a man of great wealth.
It wasn’t just his bankroll.
It was his pride, his happiness, and his health.

Elmer’s eyes widened as Billy
crouched near him on the floor.
“Eat all you want, mouse.
I’m sure we’ll make more.”

It was then that Elmer knew
That this man would go far.
He’d do some good things.
He’s shine brighter than the brightest star.

The years have gone by now,
And Billy shares the simple times of the past.
As long as his mind holds out,
the memories will last and last.

Elmer has looked in on Billy
from time to time.
He’s seen the new technologies.
He’s seen the Pepsi stock climb.

He saw him that last day,
just before he walked out the door.
Billy said “I’m old and I’m slow
and I can’t do 32 more.”

“No more of this.
Let the computers do the math.
I’m ready to find
my own golden path.”

Details | Mike Shoemaker Poem

The Sun

The sun is a spotlight
Illuminating this colorful world,
A lake, a flower, a scenic sight,
A waterfall, frosty and pearled.

It creates the evening
when it falls behind some mountain,
the dew and exploding stars blending,
forming an astrological fountain.

The sun comes back to create another day
after the cold darkness and night air.
The day and night competing
like the tortoise and the hare.

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Competitive Activity

We left the camp all hot and hungry.
We were on a mission.
Through cracked lips I softly asked
“Are we huntin’ or are we fishin’?”
Orders said, “Cast the bait!
Use any lures we can employ!
Get your barrels loaded fast!
We’re gonna need hounds and decoys!”
He was said to be flying high.
He was on a majestic flight.
We started on our journey upwards,
but he was somehow out of sight.
He was proving to be an interesting prey.
We looked in all kinds of places,
from mountain tops to motel rooms . . .
There weren’t any viable traces.
Isn’t it odd for these two to couple
without a purpose or a plan?
Feathers are falling heavy now . . .
It’s past August and so he ran.
We got wet but we had fun.
That bird sure took a lickin.’
I wouldn’t have enjoyed it near as much
If I’d known we were huntin’ chicken.

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My Angel

We took a drive to the beach that night.
Her force was a beacon, and it just felt right.
I had her looking for submarines.
She told me a story of a witch in her teens.
I was drawn to her laughter, among other things.
Her name was Angela, and to me she had wings.

We were inseparable, her and I.
I couldn’t get enough . . . I wanted to fly.
She had me spellbound . . . I was under her power.
We’d sit up and talk, hour after hour.
I wished for nothing with this girl at my side.
Our love was born and my loneliness died.

I wanted her with me for the rest of my life,
so I became her husband and she became my wife.
We lived on love for all of the first year.
We had no money, and no sense of fear.
It didn’t matter if we had nothing to spend:
She was my world and my only best friend.

She gave me a daughter when I was a bit older.
The baby was perfect, and I couldn’t wait to hold her.
She made me proud, this woman of mine.
She was a young mother of the very best kind.
A daughter came again, and I took another oath.
She encouraged me to be a food father to both.

She touched the hearts of those that she knew.
Her magic was powerful, and my respect for her grew.
She supported my wishes, even if they weren’t wise.
I thank the forgiveness in those brown eyes.
She laughed at my jokes, even if they weren’t funny.
She knew how to make a cloudy day sunny.

She lifts my spirit as hers rises still.
For me, life’s a journey.  For her, it’s a thrill.
Life is full of crossroads, and it’s hard to know which to take.
Foresight is blind, and decisions are hard to make.
Unsure of which road, I was blessed with a sign.
I’m so glad that it led me to this Angel of mine.

Details | Mike Shoemaker Poem

Charlie Minter

He wears a white shirt.
His short sleeves are rolled tight.
In his pocket there’s always something
to give a grandchild delight.

His trait is determination
It’s as strong as Old Man Winter’s.
Though he’s been called lots of names,
we call him Charlie Minter.

He likes things to be simple,
but things are often not.
He wonders if there’s a tool made
to fix all the problems he’s got.

Fishin’ is a way to relax.
He likes “puttin’ in” the boat.
But the maintenance makes him put out.
It’s stressful keeping the boat afloat.

Charlie’s a major stockholder
in a beer called “Milwaukee’s Best.”
It took only half a lifetime
To pass the room temperature test.

Whether it’s electronics or changing oil,
He’s always in a working mood.
He stops only to read the newspaper,
or to savor fine fried food.

Those who know Charlie Minter
Have seen his warm eyes flicker.
To those who don’t him:  Beware!
He’s been known to bicker!

Details | Mike Shoemaker Poem

Valentine's Day

Same ole boy,
Same sweet girl,
Fourteen years down the road.
Much has happened,
Since the night
She kissed the lips of that toad.
One big mortgage,
Two beautiful girls,
A machine that’ll wash & rinse.
A love that still burns
For her inside
The heart of her prince.
And he says,
“I love your smile,
I love your laugh lines,
I still love your giggle.
Football and power tools
Don’t mean much,
When compared to your wiggle.
I’m on top of the world
Cause for me,
You’re still the girl.