J.J. Goodman: Writings, Musings and More

Traces Perfume on pillowcases Indelible marks on hearts Traces linger everywhere Reminding us we're not alone The faintest of scents Fleetest of thoughts Chase through our senses Describing dreams without words Breathe Aromatic sensations Wait for us here Where we lay and imagine Traces Barely perceived Yet powerfully present Traces purposely remain Healing wounds ignored or forgotten ©) JJ Goodman 2014. All rights reserved.

'Tis a tale told far and near What plants notions in thy ear A tale ne'er to be believed Lest ye be the one deceived Sorrow springs, a single word Escaping a tale so absurd What word so mournful, thou ask? To utter it a deadly task In hearts and fables 'tis found Its strength unfettered and unbound What horror and what delight Sets a man to smile and to fright In thy ears you've heard it spoken Leaving thou bolstered but yet broken How silly such a thing Gives cause to cry or sing Again its identity, you implore Oh to learn, there's so much more 'Tis not for the faint of heart To dabble in this art So what's this word so strong? Thou hast known it all along So often used in vain Thrown in passion and in pain Tease no more you beg of me I tease not, 'tis plain to see For the word held all above Is none other than that of love. © JJ Goodman 2014. All rights reserved.

Have you every wished that your dog could talk, or that you could understand what dogs said to each other when they barked? Sure you have. I'd be willing to bet, however, that your dog has never spoken a word. Not so, it seems, for Cameron Parker. You see, Cameron made the mistake on his thirtieth birthday of jokingly wishing, when he blew out his candles, that he could understand his dog. Imagine his surprise later that evening when Pappy, his five year old male boxer, asked for some parmesan cheese sprinkled on his dinner. It took Cameron some getting used to, but eventually he and Pappy would have some pretty interesting conversations. The tale that follows is just one example of the kind of shenanigans one can get into with a conversant canine…. "No." "Dammit, Pappy, I know you have to go out." "No. Nuh uh. No way, Cam. It's like ten degrees out there!" "Then learn how to use the toilet." "I, um. Fine. But I

Time stands still to rewind All these memories in my mind We used to dance so free Darling can't you see? Love me and you will find A heart beating fast and true Longing only for you All it takes is a single song I've been here all along For you to love me anew All it takes is a single song I've been here all along Take my hand and dance with me again Hold me close as I whisper in your ear I promise you I'll always be here Days and nights pass by Like clouds and stars in the sky There was a time we'd never part I think it's time for a new start Let me wipe that tear from your eye What's keeping you from me? Open your eyes and you will see I will take you in my arms Always keeping you from harm Only better things will be All it takes is a single song I've been here all along Take my hand and dance with me again Hold me close as I whisper in your ear I promise you I'll always be here

Fanciful whims carried on feverish winds In directions untold and unbound Spirited wishes, oh the mind it rescinds Searching for glory unfound Promises of love held in honorable hands Inevitably lost or dismayed Slipping through fingers like the grains of the sands Covering a heart long betrayed Still desire is lifted by these yearning eyes Climbing upward upon a ladder of dreams 'Tis the notion of hatred I do despise For not all is that which it seems In another hope lives among imagined clouds From which the lighting doth dance Illuminating potential long covered in shrouds Leaving love's prospect to chance Hidden away beneath lock and key Intent on being a prisoner no more Broken away and cast to the sea Only to land upon a welcoming shore Faith embraced in reassuring smile Optimism found in a single heart beat Softness of voice absent long for a while Gives no evident cause for retreat Oh fanciful whims, your

[Insert satirical and witty post here.] Does that work? No? *sigh* Dammit. Ok, this is going to sound self-centered, conceited, arrogant, whatever adjective you'd like to use, but I certainly don't mean to act or appear as any of those things describe. The crux of it is, though, that sometimes it's not easy being this witty. (Somebody's a little full of himself…) See? I knew that's how you'd react. I'm being serious here. I don't think it's a stretch to say that you read this blog because you find it entertaining. Why bother otherwise? (Point taken. Carry on.) Thank you. I love writing. Love it. LOVE it. Writing is my one true passion and there are those times when the words flow so freely that literally hours will pass, my hands will cramp, and I'll awaken from a trance-like state having written dozens of pages in one sitting. There are other times when I'll get a quirky idea in my head, i.e. Cheetoweenie!! [Which is al

At the beginning of every January we encounter three types of people: 1) those that make New Year's Resolutions and intend to keep them; 2) those who say they are making New Year's Resolutions though they either have absolutely no intention of following through or their circumstances prevent them from doing so; and 3) those who hear the word "resolution" but think "revolution" and break into song because they have the attention spans of gnats. You say you want resolution, wellllll you knooooowwww…. *ahem* Sorry, what? You know these people. The first group, the "resolvers" are identifiable from a mile away. On the morning of January 1 st they've already gotten up with the dawn, adorned their matching running wear, jogged a healthy 3.1 miles, bragged about it Facebook, and have already made six recipe posts on Pinterest before the rest of us have managed to drag our likely still drunken heads from the couch pillow upon which you passed out