Hey I'm glad you called I know, it's been a while Thanks for asking, yeah, I'm doing fine No I wasn't busy, I can talk a bit I'm off work today so I've got some time What's it been? I think 10 years Your voice still sounds the same You're doing well in Hollywood You've earned your share of fame Yeah we've seen you in the movies She remembers who you are She tells all her friends That her mom's a movie star But all that fame and fortune That you've worked hard to attain It doesn't mean a thing to me When our daughter signs your name Stars come and go into the night Some slowly fade while some burn bright I've been here to wipe her tears And you've been gone for years This is really getting old Yeah, you might be a star that's true But you shine just like fool's gold She sees you on the big screen She smiles in adoration She signs "why won't mommy come back home" I have no explanation I know you had your reasons But what you fail to see You broke two hearts the day you left Mine and Anne Marie's I never thought to hold you back Perhaps I should have tried Because almost every day I wipe the tears our daughter cried You never took the time to learn How to talk in sign She thinks that you're ashamed she's deaf Since you've been gone a long long time Stars come and go into the night Some slowly fade while some burn bright I've been here to wipe her tears And you've been gone for years This is really getting old Yeah, you might be a star that's true But you shine just like fool's gold Maybe you'll come back one day But I'm not gonna lie The last time that we'll ever see you Was when you said goodbye You've missed all of her birthdays And countless other things That mothers should be there for First steps, first words, first everything So you keep doing your thing As if we don't exist But know we both still love you And you will still be missed Anne Marie and I still love you But if the truth be told Yeah, you might be a star, for sure But you shine just like fool's gold You might be a star, that's true But you shine just like fool's gold

This is one of several "Story"poems I've written. The first couple of lines came to me while I was driving home from work. I could not wait to get home to work on it. I hope you like it. It's called "Hellhounds". Sitting in the corner of a dark hotel room Billy lit a cigarette He was trying to think of another plan But he hadn't found one yet Three days out from Abilene Three days on the run But that's the life you choose to live When you live life by the gun The law was hot on Billy's trail Since he left them in his dust After pulling that armed robbery At the Ft. Worth Bank & Trust In all the times he's used his gun He's never killed before But Billy's world is different now He can't say that anymore Those cold steel irons by his side He used as just a threat But in one quick second they became An instrument of death Billy hang your head low, son You know that you've done wrong So smoke 'em if you've got 'em 'Cause your freedom won't last long Hellhounds closing in on you They're right behind your tail So smoke 'em if you've got 'em 'Cause they'll chase you straight to hell Outside a thunderstorm was brewing He could smell rain in the air He rolled another cigarette As he settled in his chair Sitting in the dark he thought 'Bout giving up his fight But part of him thought he should run Under cover of the night He knew he had to leave real soon But was unsure where to go Should he head north to Oklahoma Or west to New Mexico He counted out his bullets By now the dawn was breaking He closed his eyes and breathed in deep His head and heart were aching The time had come to make his move He made his way outside Was heading out the right decision Or was it suicide Billy hang your head low, son You know that you've done wrong So smoke 'em if you've got 'em 'Cause your freedom won't last long Hellhounds closing in on you They're right behind your tail So smoke 'em if you've got 'em 'Cause they'll chase you straight to hell He was just outside of Midland When the posse finally found him Billy tried to find a place to hide It was there under the Texas sky Bullets flying all around him Billy took one to his chest and died Billy hang your head low, son You know that you've done wrong So smoke 'em if you've got 'em 'Cause your freedom won't last long Hellhounds closing in on you They're right behind your tail So smoke 'em if you've got 'em 'Cause they'll chase you straight to hell

The Darkness There's a darkness that I feel in me That sometimes takes a hold It banishes the light inside And wraps around my soul I don't know how to fight it I don't know what to do I know that it envelops me And sticks to me like glue There's no way I can shake it I smile and say "I'm fine" I try to make you all believe I'll be ok in time The drugs and alcohol are just Brief moments of respite ' Cause afterwards I just don't have The will to try and fight I know my life is precious But I've never been this low And never would I take my life But sometimes I don't know It's a constant struggle A battle everyday I've tried so many things to keep The demons all at bay When I look in the mirror I don't know who I see I only know that person Is someone I used to be You look at me but never see The pain I've locked inside That everyday gets harder still For me to try to hide Someday things may be different Maybe one day I'll cope But until then I feel like there is No room here for hope So when you see a person smile I hope you recognize To know their true emotions You must look deep into their eyes Sometimes I feel lost and alone I feel like no one cares "Depression" is an ugly word But it's my cross to bear by: John Villarreal