Author Archives: jackpelham

I learned it from OpieIn the very first episodeThat you can hate Aunt Bea—Not on account of who she is mind youBut on account of who she is not:Dear Rose who got married And simply had to move away.

To the question:“Did you ever love your camp more than the truth?”How shall they plead?

My wife tells me—And I’m inclined to believe it—That I have strong traits of bothIntroversion and extroversion—

I have always loved the landAnd am grieved to this dayThat I must live smotheredIn the soulless city. And still there lingers the hopeHowever faintThat somehowIt will be made rightSome time before I die. But either wayI still hope for … Continue reading →

When my life here is doneAnd God and I get to talk it overWhatever shall he make of all the good Things I might have loved hereBut did not want to love?

I do not believe that A thousand preachersHaving set out to use the BibleTo change this ailing worldCould extract from its pagesEven a tenth of the treasureThat can be extracted byOne man listeningIntently to what it saysSimply because he wantsTo … Continue reading →

If you ask the world whether It loves lies or hates themIt will want to know first Just which lie you’re asking about.

NOTE TO THE READER: I was picked on in school, not so much for who I was, but for who my Dad was! Hence, the “surrogate” in the title. I certainly don’t want to overstate it, but I was bullied … Continue reading →

To me—The one whoActually lives it—My life is not about The color of my skin. How intriguing Then that to youThe mere spectatorIt it about nothing but!