Rick's Poetry: Simple - April 6, 2001

Simple
(c) April 6, 2001

Oh to have a simple mind
not worry 'bout a thing
walk through life so serene
never feel the strain

The strain that comes from thinking
and using all my might
thinking about nothing
yet passing all my time

How my mind does wander
wanders far away
like a small lost dog
who has gone astray

On other days I keep it
tightly on a leash
I'll not let go of any thoughts
not one will I release

Why must there be those like me
who dread the morning sun
and envy all the simple men
whose thoughts are not undone

Undone -- not I
my head is sewn on tight
just ask the man who nods his head
when I say that I'm alright

Oh to have a simple mind
what a tranquil joy
but think what I'd be missing
without my complex toy

by Ricky D. McKean

Rick McKean (1962-2011)

Rick McKean graduated a track star from Capital High School in Boise, Idaho. After serving in the U.S. Navy with the construction batallion and operating heavy machinery, and time in abroad in Guam, Rick was honorably discharged and took residence in Oxnard, California, near the naval base.

After working several years in various trades, including light aircraft maintenance, locksmith and auto repair, Rick worked for a paper pulp recycling plant in Oxnard until the late 90s. Expressing his love for the ocean, and despite physical limitations, he took up scuba diving and enjoyed good times with friends exploring the Channel Islands off the Ventura coastline. Rick suffered from depression and alcoholism.

The poetry on this site was written in 2001-2002 while an inmate at California Correctional Facility, Salinas, California. After parole, Rick again took residence in Oxnard, purchased a boat, and lived on the water in Channel Islands Harbor. Continuing his appreciation of nature and the environment, Rick worked in harbor maintenance, patrolling the harbor and collecting/dislodging debris that had washed in from sea.

Rick continued to live on his boat and attend AA meetings and treatment programs, and eventually was issued a driver's license and bought a car. In 2010, he drove his car to his home state of Idaho and visited his family whom he had not seen in many years. Despite numerous physicial limitations, Rick continued to live his life to the fullest extent, including handling nearly all of the maintnenance of his boat/home.

In late 2010, Rick bought a new computer, with the intention to publish these poems online. In January of 2011, Rick suffered an untimely death where he sustained a head injury repairing his boat, lost balance, and fell into the water, and succombed to the cold temperatures.

This blog contains Rick's Poetry.

(c) Ricky Dale McKean 2001, 2001

Rick's Poetry

Simple - April 6, 2001

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