Orders Given

Dedicated To: Melissa Martinez

As I sit in my easy chair, looking thru the window pane
The hazy day begins to fade, above the maple trees

My son and daughter, brought me here two years before this June
Its been a home away from home, but for me its not the same

For just last night, I lost a friend, who shared this room with me
And now I wonder, how much time, God will grant to me

As I rest in my easy chair, with not much else to do
I sit and think of better times, that filled my life with joy

My wife, my kids, the good, and bad, that made my life complete
The thoughts that I remember most, lie deep within my dreams

April, of 1942, comes clearly into view, I remember being on a ship at sea
That rolled, and pitched, and swayed

The aircraft carrier, USS Hornet was the name, painted proudly on her bow
With rows of planes, B-25's bolted tightly to her deck

With squadron leader, Lt. Col. James Doolittle, a pilot of world renown
He trained our group long and hard, for a mission, only he knows just where

Soon we'll learn to what degree, the targets will turn out to be
I remember the date, 18th of April, in the early morning dew

Orders were given, targets reviewed, time for departure, just hours away
As I sit back in my easy chair, memories flood back to me

The roar of engines, lit up the dawn, in the pitch black open sea
I recall saying a prayer, as Jimmy's engines began to quake

One by one they left the ship, second to last was I
The fear I held within my chest, I left on the carrier's deck

For war does things I cannot explain, orders are what I know
When they arrive, I snap right up, for my duty is ever so clear

A mission has been ordered, and death will ride our wake
I pray, the sting of death, will not touch us today

The ocean blue, beneath my wings, has turned to solid ground
As I fly along a path, I've never seen before

To drop a bomb upon a building, that holds the enemy
Why this plant and the people inside, are to be bombed today

Is not for me to question why, just complete the task
War is hell for those who fight, and for those who'll die today

The stench of death is in the air, it flies along with me
As I wake up, from my easy chair, it all comes back so clear

And now I know my time is near, as I look thru the window pane
The haze has gone, to be replaced, by the coolness of the evening stars

Written by: Roland R. Ruiz
October 25, 2005

Flight Of Beauty

Dedicated To: Xavier Rene Magallanes

Along a lonesome corridor, between tall mountain pines
I ride a current of surreal air in my glider, flying high

I look below, between the flow of air that cushions me
To see the wonders of this land, that God has made for me

As I surge above the clouds, that gleam with misty dew
I glide this craft with breathless thoughts, as mountains come in view

The snow that caps the mountain peaks, makes me wonder even more
How special we must truly be, for God's splendor is so abound

It's there for all of us to see, just open heart, and soul
So take his beauty deep within, for he gives it free to all

Enjoy the gift he leaves for us, the choice is ours to make
And come along, and fly the air, your joy will never end

Written by: Roland R. Ruiz
October 22, 2005

Men In Blue

Dedicated To: Michael Ray Gonzalez

I walked a beat, when I was young
With a partner at my side
Who was older, wiser, and ever so kind
To this rookie by his side

He taught me much of what I know
About the shady parts of town

I'm glad I listened to what he said
For he had much to tell
Of the times he came so close
To losing life and limb

I look back, and remember well
The times I walked the street
Now the circle, has come complete
And it is I, who shows the rope

To a youngster, who strolls the street with me
And listens so attentively, to all I have to say
I look at him, and see myself, when I was very young

I think back to my partner, and all the years between
As we walk down, the crowded street
In the shady part of town

Written by: Roland R. Ruiz

The Rail Man

Dedicated To: Mario H. Magallanes

On a lonely trek of land, so far away from home
Beneath the tons of steel so blue, beats a sound
I've known so well, and heard for many years

The sound of rails, is in my blood, I know of nothing else
For in my youth, both day and night, I worked the yard so hard
With callouses on my hands and feet, and sweat upon my brow
I did what any man would do, to keep his family fed

I worked and dreamed for a better life, for wife and child I slaved
I knew deep down, within my soul, time was all that I would need
To make my dream come true

And now, I sit and guide this train, down this lonely track
I thank you God for all you've done, to keep me safe and sound

The Hell We Patrol

Dedicated To: Christopher Martinez

Down a darken street so narrow
Lies a passage of deep deception

Lurking beneath the broken windows
With death behind each, blacken shadow

I feel a fear creeping over me
As I walk thru this wretched land

My fellow soldiers, walk beside me
With their rifles tightly held

We'll search this town, as duty calls us
To find an enemy, that hides so well

An order is given to advance
Towards a point upon the map

Oh, how I hate this town
The city, they call Baghdad

I say a prayer, as we trek forward
A call to God, forms in my heart

Please dear Lord, protect these soldiers
From the deadly traps, prevailing

In this God forsaken town
The city they call Baghdad

Soon I hear the sound of bullets
Streaming past my GI helmet

I search to find a spot to shield me
I turn to see my fellow soldiers, face the same ordeal

I look to see where the gunfire came from
All at once, we return the fire

Towards the shattered building
Across the pebbled street

Soon a silence fills the air
No more gunfire comes our way

I look to see if harm be felled us
Thank you Lord, no blood was shed

Once again, we resume our march
Soon we reach the point we seek

Now we can return to base
To rest our weary bones

And hope that God does hear our prayers
For tomorrow is another day

In this hatred hell of fate
The city they call Baghdad

Written by: Roland R. Ruiz
Oct. ' 2005

A Brother-In-Law's Prayer

Dedicated To: Reynaldo Gonzalez

I remember that day in church, so many years ago
I watched you stare towards the doors, as the music began to play

My Father with looks of bewilderment, set deep within his eyes
Slowly walked my sister towards your waiting arms

My Mother's tears began to flow, as all Mother"s do
But I looked on with a different view, as they marched along the pews

I remember her as a child, and all that we went thru
The fights we had, while growing up, as all siblings do

For soon my younger sister, will make a life anew
The hope and prayer I have for you, is take good care of her

For she and I do share a bond, for all these many years
The blood that flows so deep in me, also flows in her

Before I leave my earthly bounds, I need to tell you this
God did grant my every prayer in the hope I have for you

So now we're in our twilight years, and I still remember so well
That day in the crowded church, as the music began to play

Written by: Roland R. Ruiz
September' 2005

Thankful Moments

Dedicated To: Deanna Gonzalez

Moments of thankfulness sometimes go unnoticed
When times of terror grip our land

In September of this year
Storms have battered our beautiful shore
Along the western gulf

So much has happened the last four weeks
So many people have lost their homes
Or even worse their souls

Storms will mar this calendar year
For all time to come

Now what's left is hope and prayer
Dear God we ask of you

Please help the souls that have survived
To find another life and home
Within your gracious land

With help from the flock you left untouched
Who still have home and soul
Make this moment of thankfulness
Last forever more

Written By: Roland R. Ruiz

A Captain's Fear

Dedicated To: The crew members, of the ship named ECi, and to the Captain of our ship, Ed Salmeron

I am the captain of my ship
And I have many fears
For the ones that I cannot see
I feel within my bones

Beside the emerald waves so high
Rides a weathered ship, with crew

Into a barren sky blue night
Within the furl of a savage sea
This ship moves silently on

With captain standing stout and tall
His hands upon the wheel so tight
He steers this ghostly ship with pride
Beneath the midnight sky

But in the distance, a gale does lurk
A storm with mighty waves to make
An angry sea, quake a fearful moan

Soon the sounds of destiny
Will reach the sailors ears
The fears the captain holds so close
Will soon be felt by all

The ship has been around the Horn
Has seen its share of storms
The blacken night, brings all this out
Upon this brazen sea

But on this night, the fear flows out
From the captain's eyes
The ship does take an upward swing
As waves become enraged

But as the captain takes control
Of his wayward slopping ship
A war begins within the waves
To cut this ship in half

All night they fought this raging sea
With fear upon their lips they prayed
For God to keep them safe and sound
From this evil gale

No storm will leave their dreams undone
The captain will see to this
The fears they held so deep within
Will soon be laid to rest

The storm did pass, and once again
A calmness soothed their inner thoughts
As waves roll back, into the morning dew

God's been good to ship and crew
He spared their lives this time

They'll live to sail another day
Upon this savage sea

Written by: Roland R. Ruiz
September 24, 2005

A Special Child

Dedicated To: Adolfo H. Magallanes, III

When couples marry and love begins
Life together starts as two

Soon with time, the two divide
And life becomes divine

Special thoughts soon arrive
In months, instead of years

And life that started as two
Now becomes just three

The years will flow, and thoughts of love
Will change that three to four

Oh, how that love divides
Now you share a special thought
And love remains divine

You think the years that brought you love
Would stop along the way

But life is not what you think
And five is on the way

God has truly blessed you both
And five is proof of this

With love divine, your thoughts
In shine a special look of love

Pepper

Dedicated To: Pepper Ruiz

When we march thru the door of life
Special friends are made by us
As we walk along the path

Many time along the way
Friends we'll meet, will share our hopes and thoughts

But life is not what you think
And friends will come and go

But I know a special friend who'll
Never leave my side

No matter how the path of life
Leaves bumps along the way

I know his thoughts will be with me
And mine will be with him

We live a life long in years
But not for him, his time is brief

Compared to me his life is short
For that I'm truly sorry

When his time will finally end
I'll miss my special friend

Without a doubt, it's truly said
Dog is Man's Best Friend

Country Boy

Dedicated To: Adolfo & Amelia Magallanes

As I matured a little and age does that to you
My heart with thoughts of love bloomed forth
When first I saw my wife

She lived not in the city
But far from city lights

So that's when I branched out afar
Into the country life

Adjustments took awhile at first
Mistakes were made by me

Cause country living
Is not all it's cracked up to be

But I had some help, along the way
That makes me want to say

Thank you Father and Mother-In-Law
For putting up with me

And now the time to honor you
Has come to pass today

I hope these words express my thoughts
In a country sort of way

Travelers Of The Sea

Dedicated To: Simon & Mary Ruiz

The farther west we travel

The farther west we'll be

Among the ocean schooners
Beyond the endless sea

The farther west we travel
The more at rest we'll be

For here the sea is master
For all eternity

The sea has songs of mystery
That beckon us to go

And only we can follow
The songs the sea bestow

Forever we must follow
The oceans of the deep

The timeless seas of hollow
Forever must we seek

Written by: Roland R. Ruiz
1965

Years Between Friends

Dedicated To: Daniel M. Enriquez & Becky, the wife he left behind

Dan the man, he's a special kind of guy
Though some folks might disagree

But I know him best and never the less
He's a treasure for all to see

A straight forward person who shoots
From the heart and likes to be tidy and neat

Never one to boast out loud
or shout over the crowd

Yet thoughtful and caring
To all around, especially to wife and child

Two score and one I've known this man
Who's always been a friend

When my time ends, I hope it's him
Who'll share a thought of me

Written by: Roland R. Ruiz
September' 2003

Ode to a Friend

Dedicated To: Ollie Thompson

Ollie, Ollie, why do you look, like you've lost your good looks

In the land of logic and myth

With magic abound, your looks haven't found

A shortcut a around your quick wit

To observe is to behold a moment in time

And you my good friend can see

Just look thru the glass, their lies a fine past

For all to view and believe

So Ollie, oh Ollie, please bear with me

And with those who seek the truth

A man such as you, who sees all the trees

Will forever be cherished by me

Written by: Roland R. Ruiz

September 24, 2005

Sea Captain

Dedicated To: Jack Zeigler

Remember when the days were young
And you were not so old

The sea was all you knew and loved
The mast, the sky, your home

The stars, the wind, the mist and fog
The wild sea by night

Did dance upon your every thought
And gave to each delight

But now you sit upon the land
Without a ship at your command

With only thoughts of a bygone past
You sit and wish, the years were young

And you were not so old

Written by: Roland R. Ruiz

God's Mysterious Ways

Dedicated To: Adolfo Magallanes, Jr.

There is an old saying, I truly believe
That says God moves in mysterious ways
I always wondered why

How true the saying has evolved today
As nature reaps its wretched ways
Upon our troubled times

So now we have another storm
The gulf has brewed again
Her name this time is Rita

And death does ride her wake
Is this God's way of testing souls
Only he knows for sure

So prepare yourself, for what's to come
When Rita comes ashore
If it's his will that I should die

I ask dear God to forgive the sins
That reside so deep within

For when I enter my home in heaven
As God has washed me clean

Then I'll know the answer
To the old saying, I truly believe

Written by: Roland R. Ruiz
September' 2005

Reflections

Dedicated To: Evangelina M. Ruiz

It started as a speck of light, so many years ago

But now I know, the years have shown

How right I was for you

Caring and sharing is part of life

When two become just one

Yet I feel as if we share one heart

When you became my wife

So much has grown between us now

I think It's time to say

Without your love along the way

I would be lost today

So thank you love for all you've done

To make my life so happy

I'll promise you to keep those words

I spoke in church that day

To love, honor, and cherish you

Each and every day

Written by: Roland R. Ruiz

May' 2001

Gold Fever

Dedicated To: Frances Herrera Magallanes

Beyond the sweltering palms, among the desert sands

Lies a caravan, passing by a lifeless useless mound

Many years ago, their once existed a city, in this God forsaken land
How many mortals have passed the gates, of this wasted barren zone?

It was gold that caused this patch of emptiness, to suddenly become a town
How those fools did multiply, when gold was at its peak

And when the yellow nuggets, slowly began to fade
The folks that filled the town so fast, began a hasty retreat

Now just ghostly whispers, is all that's left behind
If you listen very closely, you'll hear the whimper sounds

Of all the souls, that came to town, to dig that precious gold

Written by Roland R. Ruiz
September' 2005

Beneath The Painted Shinning Sky

Dedicated To: Reynaldo Ruben Gonzalez

Beneath the painted cloudy sky, burnt by sun ray's shining high
Lies a wicked, killer storm, comes by day or night, no matter

Evil in its sinister's waves, gives no quarter either way
This wicked, wicked, killer storm has brought the gulf to bay

Insidious in its crooked ways, cares not, if souls are lost today
It brought a city to its knees, in death and carnage it knows the way

To this we owe to precious few, who dared to stare its evil eye
And brought the wrath to bay

Now the time to pray has come, to fill the shining painted sky
With love, and hope, we ask dear God to heal our loss
And take our pain away

Written by Roland R. Ruiz
September' 2005

A Woman's Search

Dedicated To: Vicky Farmer

In between your inner thoughts
Lurks a lingering bewildered look

That says to all around, you're the hope
The best of all the ones I've searched to find

Now our minds have intertwined
To make this life sublimed

Why did God take so long, to bring you home to me
Life is like a rock sometimes, hard not brittle
Breaks not often

But when the love you've searched to find
Has found your heart unbroken

The thoughts you'll share will last the test of time
And you my dear, have found a man to love

Written by: Roland R. Ruiz
September' 2005