Scattered Thoughts from a Scattered Mind: Volume Ix First Light

By David Mills

There's no available information at this time. Author will provide once information is available.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jan 29, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664155169

David Mills

David Mills has worked in the field of pneumatic conveying for over forty years. From 1998 – 2006 he was Professor of Bulk Solids Handling at Glasgow Caledonian University. He has published over 170 papers in the field, and has been working as an independent consultant in pneumatic conveying since 1996.

Book preview

The Best and the Worst of It

Ann’s coming here for the green pants show,

Another day gone where the big palms grow,

I tried to find the limit but I came up short,

Lost a cautious bet on a bad report.

Who can know the difference

                               tween’ the good and bad,

As the tables turn against you like a deadbeat dad,

The atrium is lovely, the ceiling out of sight,

Trouble comes along when wrong conquers right.

The lab techs are lunching, the office lighting low,

I’ve made my way to frosted glass,

                               my movements now are slow,

But days remain and taste the same

                                       as others in the hopper,

I paste a smile and all the while

                               prepare a true show-stopper.

A woman singing solo is left of where I’m sitting,

A softly lilting voice, refreshing and so fitting,

Cheers me in my sadness, helps me see the shore,

Another ocean crossed for the one that I adore.

University Hospital

Oncology Department

November 14, 2019

A Wild Affair

Wilder had a birthday,

And a thousand clapped their hands.

The children, they were dancing,

While the kitchen banged their pans.

Such a joyous party,

The mayor stood to speak.

Some confessed he would address,

The meaning of the week.

Alas, the clock kept ticking,

And another day became.

Wilder smiled, then after while,

Was centered in the frame.

His portrait hangs in City Hall,

To remind us of his fame.

No matter how the years have passed,

He always looks the same.

For Doug Wilder, classmate and friend

December 31, 2019

True Story #1159

During a recent three-day hospital stay for my wife and I, two young nurses asked identical initial and follow-up questions.

They both asked, How long have you two been married?

I answered, Forty-one years this coming June.

The follow-up, What’s your secret?

I answered,…

Well I honestly don’t have a secret to tell you but I CAN tell you how it’s happened….

I think if I had to point to one reason over any other it would be that we have made it a point to stay in love with one another rather than simply stay married."

And by that, I mean a myriad of things, to include: forgiving first and asking questions later; never just go out…always go out on a date; love first, argue later; find the best in one another rather than faults; everyone like surprises so keep them coming; more giving than taking; being kind overcomes anything; if you can’t say anything nice, wait until you can;… would name just a few…

And my wife excels at every one of them!

And you? they asked,..

What about me?

Do you excel at all of these?

She’s also quite the teacher…another ten years or so and I think I’ll have it down.

Redeemed

Standing in the sunlight, my youth now far behind,

I need a new provision to clear my troubled mind,

Something everlasting, something safe from worms,

A binding winnowed contract,

                                       free of man-made terms.

For this I come to Jesus and his work upon the cross,

I’m glad to shed my sin load, report to this new boss,

He gave his life, he poured his blood,

                                       to save a worthless me,

When the Dragon held me captive,

                                       he came and set me free.

Untitled

Bereft of shame and guidance, society staggers on,

No one stops to notice when the sacrifice is pawned.

No longer does the written Word

                                       command a man’s attention,

Who files the gospel message

                                       under appetite suppression.

The Word of God convicts; it calls the heart to reason,

Reward is everlasting when it comes into it’s season.

But hardened is the modern man,

                                       he’s on to his next deal,

He’ll lose in litigation, there won’t be an appeal.

For comes the day indeed

                           when the Ark will close it’s doors,

And those outside will suffer

                               as the wrath of God then pours.

His judgment everlasting, his anger now unveiled,

Their sin becomes their anchor

                                   as the safety ship sets sail.

Letting Go

I’m letting go the rope that binds me to this life,

I’m turning now to glory, ignoring worldly strife.

You’ll see me on the news, another interest feature,

This narrow-minded soul, this fundamental preacher.

They’ll make up lies, they’ll stretch the truth,

                                       they’ll make a mess of me,

And all the while I’ll be with God,

                                               alone on bended knee.

So have your way, enjoy the day,

                                           and watch the ratings rise,

You’ll not touch me, for I can see,

                                           the Father’s waiting prize.

Spit

Ima stone-cold creeper

Ima blackened chimney sweeper

Ima tell-tale ghost

A rotten corner post

Ima tested and replaced

Ima orphan never placed

Ima winter solstice moon

A tarnished tablespoon

Ima call you never made

Ima trick but not a trade

Ima plumber’s plum delight

A hooker working nights

Ima front that’s moving in

Ima blue recycle bin

Ima dedication page

A wanker come of age

Love Awakened

What was dead is now alive; it’s all because of you,

Five days short of forty-one,

                                       and yet it still seems new.

You took the broken-hearted

                                   and made a brand new man,

Quietly, deliberately, working your master plan.

This just one of many, the things I owe to you,

Please put them on a ledger,

                                   these debts you can accrue.

I’ll gladly pay you Thursday for much more love today,

I’ll never have you hanging or leave you gone astray.

Yes, you’re the one that took my heart;

                                   repaired the fits and starts,

You and you alone, no other counterpart.

Love awakened, tried and true,

A street of gold, our avenue.

Valentine’s 2020

Morning Drive

As the sun begins to rise,

                       the low fog lingers in the open field,

A winter’s silver blanket suspended in mid-air.

Speaking with the Maker, I thank Him for the view,

While the strengthening sun

                   splashes through the tress flashing by.

We talk frequently, He and I,

                                       as the working day begins,

And the deer stumble sleepily out of the foliage.

Before the traffic builds, before the phone annoys,

Before the job begins to beckon,

                   and the world in all it’s need presses in.

Morning on the move, the plight of working stiffs,

While a loving God above grins and bears us all.

Palatka

Another river crossed is another river gained,

A soldier truly rested is a soldier unrestrained.

I set my mind for distance, laid the weekend bare,

I went to see the angels, the ones I know are there.

Precious is the timing

                           when the soul says, Fill er’ up!,

A freshened portion levied

                           from the spring-fed coffee cup,

I’ll lose myself in nature,

                           my friends who know the call,

Palatka is my Mecca, my soothing wailing wall.

The Aging Day

The aging day is brilliant,

Behold! The setting sun.

At last, the best comes quickly,

Reminds me of someone.

I rest as dark approaches,

I’ll tell more tales tonight,

Gathered round’ the fire you see,

With tempered socialites.

The ocean pounds around us,

The moon is bright and full,

Another day of pleasure,

The warmth of virgin wool.

Ode To Mr. David

Now what shall we say about David Stubbs,

Been working so hard, fingers to the nubbs,

Makin’ his money by the sweat of his brow,

Looks like he’s been forty years on a plow.

The many years, with Beth by his side,

His lover for sure, his sweetheart, his pride.

They made them some babies,

                                   they told nursery rhymes,

They thanked the Good Lord for all the good times.

Today he retires, he labors no more,

His record is legend, the gist of folklore.

Now he’ll do naps in a leather recliner,

And take all his meals at a roadside diner.