https://ryanleeking.com Husband. Father. Writer. Introvert. Cat wrangler. https://ryanleeking.com I do like the tiny gifts they bestow!

Always the expert in writing and art,
The muse, like crows, must be smart,

They’re not afraid to grow or evolve,
And can impressively problem solve,

They reward those who feed them,
While everyone else gets mayhem,

For the next shiny down they swoop!
The term murder certainly fits a group,

Is their true nature starting to show?
Is the muse just a mysterious crow?]]> Thu, 24 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT poem-0-1790222400000 https://ryanleeking.com Spent my calm reserves,
I detest public speaking,
Inside I’m quietly shrieking,
There’s a task to be done,
In no way will this be fun,
I know I can play the part,
Steel my hammering heart,
It’s simply just me talking,
But internally I’m balking,
Anxiety sits in my rib cage,
Still, I must take the stage,
I want this out of the way,
There’s more to do today!]]> Tue, 15 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT poem-1-1789444800000 https://ryanleeking.com But I’m not the least bit excited,
The best I’ve got is a small smile,
At least that’s hanging on a while,
I think it’s because I arrived tired,
Not enough energy to get wired,
Life didn’t hold back on the blows,
The resulting exhaustion shows,
I should be more thrilled than this,
This is an event I refuse to miss!
It’s hard to let go and have my fun,
When I started out mentally done,
I must quiet the chaos in my head,
Be present in the moment instead,
It’s easier said than done I’m afraid,
The real world is difficult to evade,]]> Fri, 04 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT poem-2-1788494400000 https://ryanleeking.com Maybe a generous donation?
Had to take down a dead tree,
For a sizable 1,000-dollar fee,
We replaced our rotting roof,
12,000 dollars gone in a poof!
Now it’s the furnace and AC,
For 18,000 dollars – whoopee!
Homeownership sure is pricey,
Free cashflow is getting dicey!
I can’t take anymore new bills,
I’m done with financial thrills!
My wallet is overdue for a rest,
Need to rebuild the war chest!]]> Wed, 02 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT poem-3-1788321600000 https://ryanleeking.com Dolly Parton was a nation treasure and totally a keeper!
Dolly was a beacon of light in a world that’s gotten dark,
She was pure heart, and on this world, she left her mark,
Take billionaires, the MAGA cult and the elected pricks!
I’m sorry Death but you’ve made some truly rotten picks!
If you’re going to collect, why not make the world better?
There’re tons of evil people if you want to be a go-getter!
You might have a schedule but there’s no need to hurry,
Why did you go and collect Peter Cullen and Tim Curry?!
If you’re having decision fatigue, we can make you a list!
We can detail the folks that didn’t deserve to be missed!]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT poem-4-1787976000000 https://ryanleeking.com Trusting my stomach and not my eyes!
I eat far too much during every meal,
I attack my food with greed and zeal,
The meal isn’t over till all food is gone,
Even if it’s a gargantuan meal I dine on,
Large portions are largely why I’m big,
That and emotionally eating like a pig!
I’m cutting down the amount that I eat,
And it’s achieving the weight loss feat!
Better choices of the volume and kind,
Are now at the forefront of my mind,]]> Fri, 28 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT poem-5-1787889600000 https://ryanleeking.com How long will that non-sensical desire last?
I’m sure it has to do with wanting attention,
Wanting reactions to what I share or mention,
Maybe it’s me wanting to be more than I am,
Though I know social media is merely a scam,
There’s no denying it works for a chosen few,
But we both know it’ll never be me only you,
I don’t have the personality traits or the zeal,
Any attempt felt wrong because it wasn’t real,
Why am I continually pulled to do what I hate?
Can I not just focus on what I crave to create?]]> Fri, 14 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT poem-6-1786680000000 https://ryanleeking.com I forgot the electric jolt that it could bring,
Jellyfish was the last thing I was expecting,
Quietly lying in wait while I unsuspecting,
The unwanted encounter solicited a yelp!
Wed sand was the thing that would help,
I returned to the beach and began to scrub,
I could feel the forming welts on each rub,
It took several minutes for the pain to still,
My desire to go swimming it couldn’t kill,
I came to the beach so that I could swim,
A jellyfish sting won’t rob me of that whim!]]> Thu, 13 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT poem-7-1786593600000 https://ryanleeking.com No, but I shouldn’t wake up tired!
I was less tired when I went to bed,
All I did was just lay down my head!
I’m pretty sure I slept long enough,
So why then am I feeling this rough?
I feel like I could sleep hours more,
There’s plenty of dreams to explore,
I want to remain in bed and just lay,
But I should get up and start the day,
A night’s sleep is supposed to renew,
Not leave me tired when I come to!]]> Sun, 09 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT poem-8-1786248000000 https://ryanleeking.com That approach is a non-starter,
I have all the knowledge I need,
But the willpower for the deed?
I convince myself I haven’t time
For lying to myself isn’t a crime
I find every way to procrastinate,
The path to the goal I obfuscate,
I don’t understand why I do this,
Why aim if I’ll intentionally miss?
That’s not how to hit a bullseye,
Why have any goals if I don’t try?
I need to get out of my own way,
Resistance shouldn’t get any say!]]> Sat, 08 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT poem-9-1786161600000