New house

 being built across the street, 

has taken a month.

sure is neat.

however it's way white; that's too bright.

and not a window on the east side. nada.

they'll never watch a sun rise.

probably won't be raising chickens.

A week begins

  Mat'll show up, come in a truck.

to continue his work 

 remodeling our bathroom. 

He has pipe and wall cutting to do

so Meri is going to park our

Car out of the way, across the street;

on the street.  i just heard the car start.

 

now she is walking back. comes in,

hands me a mask. Yesterday 16 k cases

cases a day then 20k. where I can't say

too many figures thrown at us

every day. buddy holly, we remember you.

every day. going faster than a roller coaster

Warming up outside

you still need a coat

but it is near spring temps. 

scratch that. baby, it's cold outside.

what do you know. i'll stay in and

 sip my coffee. Old news.

 To wake this morning was easy.

we heard pounding drops of rain 

On the roof this a.m.

sounded , heavy,  persistent. 

 now a weekend of football on TV.

A couple of degrees over freezing.

well i can talk about it.

 Cleveland lost a game.

my sweet daughter called. so did Dona.

now it is still out. 

I'm going to walk up the drive. 

 Eighty feet up then turn around. 

 Exercise hey. Good for ya.

christmas does have ways

 it shakes down on  all of us

in smoke and candles, music, colors, candy;

 family and friends. celebrate the best you can.

in your mind and all together.

 

words we've hurled in good intention 

for the rest of us, all the best to us. 

let us mention  ... around snowflakes and in hymns -

bring joy to the world.

effort

 scratching down a few words,  

 a warm day could be savored.

 toast and coffee favored.

arrows for my quiver.

 fish come up the river

  seagulls flying over ...

shake it off and wait a while.

something will come by, make me smile. 

after a while

 when solitary, quiet night designs cover me;

drifting in ... got to be ... sets me free. one two three.

what about and how to write a poem.

find it. passing birds on the wing.

 

when i wake

 creative thoughts  have traveled on. 

   all is gone.

leaving me to begin not knowing where to head. 

 

how to start;

 a blank paper is how to begin

where thoughts are thin in the margin.

with the sun shining on the wall or through a window nearby.

sun in view or on me.1

works every time.

a worker in the house

 a worker is in the house grinding, pounding

and making as much noise as i can possibly stand.

today i am looking at the clock wondering 

how soon will he go home and will he c

lean up the mess he made before he packs up his tools and gets out of here. 

i have bee9 n very nice to him all day.

Cold a bit

 snow isn't seen. Yet.

we could do with some.

i didn't say that we needed snow.

have to finish the year first;

that's not demanding much.

seems how winter usually begins.

with stretches on the calendar, regular.

so now is getting into the season.

it will get here.

the kettle's on the boil now

the sun shot Its last ray 

snow is on the way.

Final two weeks of the year

 Yeah, It's here. 

Measure of time.

The days seem fine.

Mark them off

 yours and mine.

We're clipping 

Along, you know.

And there I stumbled to fill the gap

don my cap ...  got here quick, like thunder...

Wind

 can't call it heavy, didn't weigh it.   Just let it blow.

keep out of the way.

southern U.S. caught terrible destruction.

here, up North, we got away.

we could hear, it wailing ... making the rounds.

got my attention.

now yesterday is gone; all is calm again.

let the new day develop.

Directions

 following order

 what should be, across the river, 

where geese fly low. 

I look over my shoulder left and right ...

what are we working out? when I read what others have written how they found direction in their lives I realize my direction flowed out from under me. 

i did my work and went where life's river took me.

could i have been more kind ...

worked harder? i don't think so.

I only had the brain I took along.

Okay?  What do you say?

Another point, are there soup balls in the freezer?

some ways to ponder

  no wonder the weather wins attention. 

It's winding up, getting ready.

so mention November; how it went fast. 

marching past. Yeah, yeah.

adorable remains the memory. 

holding on while leaves orange and rust 

all be gone.

we watched the month go a day at a time.

now it's on my mind to write

 concerning snow  and sweet words of love

swirling in peace as we view a last glowing ember.

rolling notion. secure lotion. what's the potion?

hospital today

tied in with tubes

what they do best

 for me a day away

having a rest

November away

a dash of cold now,

the real winter is ahead.

it will take until January to arrive.

there is no rush.

today starts December as unassuming 

and as unannounced as possible.

 

 The sun rose high on the flowers

Then stepped up to my windowsill 

we are all teachers

everyone you meet is your mirror. 

a reflection. Stand up straight.

Just talking, Doing my best. 

How about you?

There is more to go, be reasonable. 

We're getting four new tires today;

Doesn't happen often. You need it 

when it's time.

now thanks giving

 no snow this holiday

 some taste of cold

without waste of freeze

sliding eaze, breezing speed

no need fear for running deer

the day is plenty clear

no snow to fog the way

 it is sharp and brisk this dark morning

wish a good day as November slides away

let us wrap the year 

and wishing  it goodbye 

in smiles and hugs

Holiday

  it is a day of gratitude. 

happy holiday and thanks for all we have.

Joy for all.

we can do better if we stay thankful.

Rain or snow will happen;

either one will please me

If we keep dry. 

In Afghanistan

 Women are being allowed to work again

but they are not being paid.

Thanksgiving thanks

  not having a traditional dinner

so we say, then we'll see.

 you know how it goes.

depends on how cold wind blows.

we'll see for the two of us.

knowing  my mind's memorys holds keys

Oh, Yes please. i recall. winter snow falls.

for past years, family and friends.

this is the measure of holiday all.

years in our hearts

days go without saying.

holiday's call.

snow predicted

    Yesterday weather forecasters predicted up to five inches of snow for areas east of Cleveland. Close though we may be, all night i heard no soft muffling patter of falling snow on the roof.

    This morning there was no white stuff covering the ground. I checked the weather on TV and found no mention of snow. Not only did the snow disappear I couldn't even find two of the stations that vehemently made these predictions. 

    This morning I did hear reports that some streets were salted. Here in our small berg west of Cleveland it is cloudy. Neither wet nor exceptionally cold. Label this a regular November day. However, there is no traffic, no car has passed our house, and I saw only two people out walking. We usually have a few more of both cars and walkers.

now we can dream of winter.

have no fear it will be here.

white fakes will fall and adhere.

stay set to cheer, snow will appear.

 

 

 

 

got a chill on

the season is a big factor. daily.

not hanging out for a nighttime baseball game. 

the covid has us alarmed.

we'll stay home and go out for groceries.

and let winter be on the way.

 

we haven't had snow here to speak of.

flakes is all. flakes are all.

and we know it will happen.

winter in Oberlin is more than a possibility.

we can bet on it.

we'll see how it turns out.

Walking across the road at slow bicycle speed

a couple of people watch and pay heed 

 at Grafton post office when next a lady comes out

stopped at the road sign, then turned to read.

she wore a construction working-type suit 

crosses the parking lot to her SUV

looked like she planned to 

leave the vicinity.

 

behind her on his heavy green bicycle

 another civilian carefully rode his bike around

 not making a sound

no idea where he's bound

not him nor me.

we'll wait and see what is found.

little sureshot

don't now where the name Little Sure Shot came from. It could have been from a movie in the 1950's. It sounds like Danny Kaye and Bob Hope with Lucile Ball. Hollywood had a stretch when it took little seriously. Anything for a laugh. The name is cute, I stumbled upon it, so here we go.

 So Buffalo Bills wildwest show had Sitting bull and he always called her Little sureshot.

riding long and far in a lifetime.

She was real. Entertained in this country

and in Europe. 

She was the star of the show for Buffalo Bill.

 born in Darke County Ohio

150 miles from our town.

Annie Oakley shot her way with her rifle for fifty years.

what a little cracker.

Friday

 Two pm. a zoom.

Jeeze-0-pete the line of appointments if i look the other way.

Seems a few to remember.

At least when i was working they'd pay for my time. 

I even need more time for ...

    How are you?

.....i'm good. And yourself?

good day's worth to you

 been prepared to cease dreaming,

discard that heavy cloak and wake.

took all night thinking about the day condition.

didn't rush into becoming alert.

had it planned: reading, writing, the routine.

this counts for some, no doubt.

the sky is dull, grey is here

hanging above the same, i fear.

Packed in enjoy it

 Leaves heavy wet in the ground

We can enjoy the colorful company packed in

They have turned to rich and golden

Outside the nearest tree is reddest for all to enjoy.

November has given itself for enjoyment.

Remembers the best of fall

Philothelocynine blue

 This is the blue to dab

 with titanium  white

to reach the color of the sky. 

my oh my. 

 now it looks like the leaves were never touched.   They pile thick and high. A few more were shook loose and fell.

I haven't seen leaves so thick for a while. Reminds me of my pond. I bet those frogs are well packed-in this morning. I haven't seen them for a while but i can imagine. 

Good fall day

 not walking out there now

only looking, holy cow.

the out of doors is filled with sunny beauty. 

a great November day open in solid sunshine.

light golden rays settle over the morning. 

Autumn leaves have finished  turning.

What do you think, beautiful, eh?

Thermo out

 the reostat quit so we changed it.

all was fine for a few hours.

next day the new one quit.

The house was cold.

so we fixed it all again.

everything unfixed

ran well after we fixed it again.

day is off

 the animals are not seen.

it's a cold start on the day. there's a wild light blue sky.

i'd expect leaves to fall, but they don't even wiggle.

so i wish more was happening.

one dog walker, that's a low count.

no cars going by; that's down on the number.

no news, not even any; i checked, i read the headlines on-line.

here's how slow i am writing this: another car went by.

it is not a speed zone out there, it is zero happening.

hope you're getting strength by saving up

on this day off.

forgotten summer

 starting November is enough 

to make me forget summer last;  

here we are three days have past,

that 's sufficient  reason.

 

 fun thinking ice cream thoughts -

 a quick way back to the warm glow of a favorite season.

 mark down you're going swimming on the calendar's next warm month we come to.

 

write a note  now so you won't forget.

in the quiet i remember summer. 

happy thoughts work well

any time you can catch one.

Bright daze

 so what! bingo. work it out.

can use the sunshine.

will tomorrow bring a bus ride?

i have to go easy now.

how did all get so twisted?

Halloween

 the date marks us, sparks us.

should  declare 

enough to shout black cats, costumes

and lucky stars, diamond rings 

and golden bars;

hours are ours 

with candy bars

 music, play

Right side

 Get you bicycle riders over ...

on the right side.

0.01 percent of all life on earth is

Human.

Tie your shoes.

i'm having lunch but

i'm watching you.

wires go

 in the yard this morning

a small deer. young, but adult.

blended into the bushes and trees so well

there was nothing to see until it moved.

amazing how the animal becomes part of the background.

don't know how long it has been, but there it is,

another one in the yard. appears then disappears.

not much else happening this morning.  all quiet,

melted into the background with no noise and little movement.

cloudy overhead. few cars and people walking;

grey but okay; that's our day.

soon to be walking out of October.

hugs as you go.

Only seems like saturday

 had to run to Norwhere 

seemed easy and appropriate 

the house heater is broken ... a twenty year

  token.

need to replace it before winter is severely cold.

i like that place  once called home.

empty now and stiff as a bone.

i'm feeling that way myself.

i could use a glass of prize liquor,

pour a dash from the bottle on the top shelf.

Rain's over

 Forecast everyday for weeks ahead.

Now it's said. You read it.

So will it come down hard and wet?

Don't forget. You read it.

I'd say before you know it'll turn to snow.

Good daughter

 she visited for a week;

we went to Pennsylvania.

hours on end meri drove us during a return of summer heat.

we had good talks and ate well.

saw many trees in Penn State.

haste

 to Pennsylvania in haste, we rolled along. enjoyed the views. air was good.

seemed like. We rode definitely raffic and

bunches of people were absorbing summer's end. good sense. 

sss

 

I didn't feel the possive apostrophe;

preferred to end quietly. 

Interruption in sleep

 At midnight I shouted the name Evelyn.  It seemed justified. I shouted loud and clearly and woke my wife. 

I've done this middle of the night shouting before, calling other words. I have never known someone by the name Evelyn or is a character named or mentioned in any of the books I am reading or have recently read named Evelyn. 

My wife had a difficult time falling back to sleep. I never woke up and have a vague memory of shouting.  My wife told me what I shouted.

Later this day my daughter heard the story and reminded me that on the menu the sandwich i ordered for lunch was called Eveylon 13 ... 13 dollars was the price.

Sailing into the night

 Will you look at that.

afternoon clouds shield the bright sun

floating west to a beautiful sundown.

I want to photograph this colorful picture.

God please give  patience 

and can you hurry the hell up.

Newbie

 The idea strikes me, and without a pen or paper.  I'll have to work this out. I want to put it down and not lose it.

 Meanwhile It took just a turn around and fell again. A lump on the head and a trip to the hospital. by 8:30 the day begins again at home. Somehow I hit my back; i didn't find that until later at home. All is okay by noon.

 Seems cool out. My daughter arrives late this afternoon.   Also i pickup a leg brace this afternoon.  Big doings for me in mid October. The lump on my head i feel is smaller. 

isn't this a joy to crawl inside my head.

don'r see why i said.

would prefer perfect words

to sustain poetry feelings.

Had a dream then woke

 Can't tell what kept me busy all night. I was dreaming. Now the regular daily doings will hold me.  Plus edible mushrooms growing all over. Rod brought another half mushroom  that is football size.  I liked the last one.

Day is half okay then will be warmer this afternoon. Summer lingers into fall.

D i do to warm

 They say , and they are who we listen too, It will not be colorful this year. i just said that and I don't know anything.  Not much color is what I see, or don't see currently. 

And today will be warm, 80 this afternoon. Haven't seen a rabbit for three days. A bird did swoop down yesterday, startled a rabbit as i was warching. The bunny left quickly for the bushes.

now,it seems we'll have a long autumn.

i notice the title of this open is inexplicable. if i knew i what i meant i'd  correct what i wrote. I wrote that to reassure you. What I wrote is like a comfort blanket.

Crepe

 There is a crack in my poetry packet. Quiet and beautiful this morning. An absolute careful beginning to this mid November.

When can it be put back together? We'll do what we can.

prepare for colder weather

can you draw the line

  the color of fall is decent.

the lake in cloudy shade, rain is recent.

  not asking for too much on  a quiet Thursday.

on a day in October it's turning colder

with more to come, we'll see.

 

Mushrooms

 a cloud of yellow and orange shrooms.

lying down out back

and front and sides. 

Rod brought half a puff

Largest I've seen

They'll eat the other half

he says we'll see.

Bugs are plumb fat

 how many bites can we take?

their time has ended. 

the nagging monster biters quit biting

around here they left with the heat.

to the South i imagine, with insect full bellies.

a mass retreat from Ohio north.

what a relief.

we're glad their gone, of course.

Light cool October

 raindrops on the windows this morning

and a palmsize insect i think is a mantis.

the rest of the report is quiet ... wordless.

imagine not a whisper of a stir.

whisper to you during october

  

 straw and sticks, crackle in the field.

varied diamond shapes on a solid green.

   printed argyle on lawns and open fields.

the design  in this month of pumpkins on porches.

farm yards filling with orange and yellow spheres

prior to horse drawn wagons for hay rides.

 fine nighttime fields of play.

four deer hopping

 haven't seen them for 

more than a month. today they

 appear ... lean, strong, light beige. 

crossing the road a few houses over .

 

their area to roam near here is smaller.

no recent sign of them .

i keep watching.

everything changes it seems.

also; today is three 

months before Christmas. 

seasons fold under us.

The Point

 1956 or so i happened to see 

the remains of the last horse General

Custer's used in the 7th cavalry.

 It was mounted, stuffed and full 

of bullet and arrow holes 

from the battle at Little Big Horn.

i saw it on display at Ohio'sCedar Point Amusement Park.

from 1876 to 1956 - 80 years later.

it seems all wasn't so long ago.

Country store

there is a right way

and a better one.

when there is chocolate. 

why not get some.

Inspiration four

 Back from four days orbiting in space.

What a world, didn't you know.

Stay calm

enjoy the quiet, it fills open space. <

take the day as it comes, everywhere, every place.

you've things to do and time is right.

open your heart, enjoy ... that's your part to play

day and night.

Moving on

 September we are in.

Let's put us back together shall we?

"We must make lying wrong again"

said the Secretary General of the United Nations.

Middle

wait in the field

 dull days are omnipresent anyway.

rubbing against me something happened to humor

mine. It was dropped on the floor.

 

kicked once or twice

scratched through days of research.

have you felt well about the Significance 

of testing and  the competence of complicance? 

 

daily songs in  my memory

remind me, which is strange.

i have a good imagination.

when nothing else works remember to smile.

Want to know

 what we have learned 

 tell me soon

what it is

so impossible to hold 

  I've seen it.  

do you recall?

do make a note.

who is the answer

 

 

 

draw the bow.   quickly.

drop creek

 you've got to wathch carefully on the edges 

walking there required atention.

and balance yourself carrying coffee.

easy does it.  patch in a line

fly away wren.

coffee; this morning over a cup i see

trees, many ... the thick of the woods.

overall quiet again in the glen.

nary a soul about.

September has silently launched fall season.

we'll wait for the color in the trees.

seems we have two months from start to finish.

 a while to go, that's good reason.

 

 

no grip

 there is no grip.

tell me now 

did you feel the earth  slip?

who is holding our system together.  

 

oh, i recall delightful water falls in other years when 

weather and foliage were in harmony.

 one follows the other. watch seasons unfold.

the story will be told.

but it's not yet October.

we can fold over,

now wait the leaves to color

dry fields and trees.

deer

 i happened to look

when seven deer crossed the street

two houses over. it was the whole family 

moving absolutely quietly.

the youngest was small 

and the father carried an impressive, large rack of horns.

they walked to an empty lot.

couldn't see them.

i don't know how long they stayed.

i never saw them again.

Speed ball

 knew it would be

although the future seemed a dream.

the pitcher now hurls the ball 100 miles an hour.

  plenty zipping.

batters standing at the plate

don' t have time to relax and think

when the sphere speeds toward them.

will it be where I'm swinging?

is it high or low

straight or curving

am I ready

to  poke it a mile?

month begins

 easily we wake, i'm uncluding you

giving credit whether you deserve it or not. 

 this is your lucky day, eh?

 what do you say?  feel great, hey? 

 you walked right into that.  

now it's middle of the week.

weather reached a peak.

in a month or so I'll wear a hat.

 i'm thrilled. 

aim low and live pleased.

change is on the way, goodbye August

 a dream time lugging in a bag

to carry the load

wipe it clean with a rag

say you've been told

been thinking like summer

now here's the number

a  change in the runner 

so long cucumber 

you're fried, oiled and chewed 

add music for the mood

you know the perfect ending 

a well-made pizza is our food

Canadian cream on

 line 'em up. want to hear?

this time it's canadian.

way back upon a beer.  that's a story.

long ago. remember. or maybe sooner.

next week.

september in the rain. a drama that we'll

make up as we go.

colorful skies and ice cream ... will keep us occupied.

i need to paint it.

i'm certified 

colors ready.

nothing about

 took a few hours before i noticed 

 no one was around the neighborhood.

hardly a movement outside. 

 Thursday afternoon would turn out to be a sleeper. 

still and warm ; no, hot. say i forgot we had

no breeze. the temperature went up a few more  degrees.

 

Better

 heat is coming again, yet this morning ...

this morning it is nearly cool

definitely comfortable, you know the feeling.

all begins the way it should.

dress for the joy of summer. i would.

the season is a runner.

lit in stars, while here down under 

we feel the way we do.

today is filled with blessed wonder.

wait now for rainstorm thunder.

check the possibilities

 riding tied in place

smooth and familiar.

take it at your pace

where  you're safe and the boss.

no one will argue

the weather's so right 

when you're in a comfort zone,

 little doggie,  have a good night.

for lunch again

rabbits were out some

back and forth in the wooded area.

saw from the kitchen window.

 ate lunch, afternoon heated.

kept low.

day's off

we had them. enjoyable. 

a few days of nothing happening in the sky.

a dull time, up there to down here. 

sunny and warm, pleasantries deployable.

i'll say it again in my heart.

you don't need to read the final part;

 nothing happened.

no rain here

 crowded by splashes, left and right.

up against a building with

no dry space to move ahead.

 can barely turn to look over my shoulder.

seeking a dry place to hide from the rain; 

at least the cold wind can't reach me here. 

great. 

i'm pressed against a wall.

hear the passing train. 

you hear that? 

the reason is the wind coming my way

 nearly blows me off my feet.

come on, we're out of here. 

you drive, i'll ride. 

 what are you smiling for?

let's go. run for it.

happy again

 can recall a day without rain

somewhat plain

down the lane

goes by saying

 a wagon drawn by horse

 they're out there, of course

merrily we spot them

never to be forgotten 

though it was another time

before cars were the solution

speeding all the time now

and my, so much pollution. 

Dusk upon

 mainsail drawn and lifted,

 only the jib for the last few hundred yards.  

soft breeze this afternoon.

tide is changing now.

mostly boat people on the docks.

 a couple nod or wave 

others with their minds full can't see everything.

the current pulled me home.

all quiet and content at this hour.

As few squeaks and cleats banging.

the end of the afternoon.

went out and back so soon.

Thanks

 so much we've enjoyed ... 

growing, giving savour;

as now we take it all

on subtle tints in whiffs of flavor.

august heat

 this morning is cold and damp ...

am i joking?  It's how morning feels.

today radio mentioned the explosion. 

which reminded me

i'm six months and six days 

older than the initial atomic blast.

also i'm ten years older than McDonald's.

a softer realm where

the buildings and the people 

lived a supplemental story. 

different everyone's aboard.

the cast has nearly rolled over.

came down

 the color of the trees

and clouds and everything outside

looked like rain.

i've painted it, and lived it

and nothing happened

and i said it again: it lo

oked like rain.

fifteen minutes and i said it again.

without a boom of thunder it fell

heavy as ever rain happened.

plowing to the earth.

wonderful summer rain.

3 instead of four

 hard to believe

she said that.

i made uncom-

fortable a three sylable

word instead of four.

i said comferble, something

i forever hear others say and

will always mentally note it,

i never say, never would say that

with an entire unblemished

brain. oh damn, now i forget

what she said. oh, she was 

surprised i made the error.

me too. 

Bunny hustle

i like those rabbits and they're around;

keeping busy.

Wind up the animals in a breeze.

all of them. 

they speed off when they want too.

afternoon sun and warmth is right for everyone.

pond water is out there, down the road.

rabbits don't need it;however water makes me comfortable

just to see it. 

Rabbits get water out of the plants they eat.

and they have fur coats all the time.

i saw one jump quick in the bushes

Moon ball

 the true story of how i held a ball

on the moon. 

the ball was not a sphere it

was a dance.  

i should have sold tickets

because Bezo and the other rich guy

that  went to space for a minute 

could each buy a million dollar ticket

and be eligible for the drawing and

win the yet to be determined prize. 

and i take organizer fees.

Okay?

Ok.  music is also to be determined

Daring

 

 

daring to be,

 a tough time for the world.

we move ahead cautiously. 

some live some die.

 we're here today in the spirit of together.

* * *

there is

global concern for how the world's going.

doctors  define our situation. 

while we  continue as always,

we drive-by crowded shopping center parking lots and wonder what everyone else is thinking.

***

some places have poetry on - or coming out of them

i’ve found poems by looking  at forgotten notes i left in the pockets
of jackets i haven’t worn for years,

***
i've found poetry on city streets, especially at corners,
in crowded stores when the music’s not too loud
 

on buses, on hot days in rain or snow, especially when traffic flows,

i see poetry outside when a cloud tilts a certain way,

in a coffee shop, when the waitress places the menu upside down on the counter and walks quickly a block away in her mind,

***
i feel poetry when touching an old wooden hand rail,
while walking soft carpeted

 stairs ... up or down

and in the colors in a painting; a landscape i once saw in a museum
that reminds me of some place i long to be

and how about you ...

how do you feel poetry ?

working rabbits

i think it is going to be hot.

a blue sky today for sure.

i 'm occupied making notes.

could use a lake with a small row boat.

the rabbit is laying calm.

good sense.

week in the midddle

 a Wednesday in July

jeeze-o-pete: nothing like it,

summer is on, home or away.

i'll take it. dream it better if necessary.

stay warm, cover up, sleep well. 

and the days are yours, Sunshine.

work 'em out.

presto

 you had an ideal spring.

winding quick as only a phone could ring.

i've seen so many people over the years ...

   now they're strarting to repeat

Winding the week

 thursday, has turned warm, 

while still quiet. What a charm.

 Will it rain tomorrow? such a distant 

word,  tomorrow ... and so many

we have counted. mystery days we've

mounted, piled in our box of charms.

winding up other weeks.

been promising

 how much and when?

saying rain's coming again.

oh, yes we keep hearing the song ... we do.

sharpen that tune and get ready.

there is more to do here for readers.

can't limp along with half a voice.

i'm expecting more out of me.

for you now.

first class discard

 today i threw out papers I'd held on to

for more than fifty years. 

precious nothings.  My things in ruin i've held to enlighten

the dark side of the moon.

time to let my old papers go.

no stamp necessary.

begone.  first draft items

let old words dash along.

this is a love poem.

old paper love

humidity

 get used to it.  it is the season.

  pay less  attention to what's difficult.

 i believe in you. 

walking in he rain.

that's one you don't often hear.

substitute thinking plugs the flow. 

float along, that's the song.

water's nice.

enjoy the melody. 

Starched

 can you tell

we're running summer out

a day at a time. 

sure am happy

for what we're holding.  

fire up some star bursts, dark nights,

lightening bugs to keep it spooky.

melodies in my mind are buried so well

i hardly have to pull'em out.

Coming down

 have never seen it rain so hard.                          a gambler played the weather card.

 in five minutes must have rained a pound;

then it stopped. there came no sound.

Death Valley, California

 130 degrees Fahrenheit there.

and here in north east Ohio we have 

successive days of heavy downpours.

while the wealthy are preparing for ashould've 

quick launch into space to say "I did it."

meanwhile immuno compromised me

enjoys coffee at home.  so there!

how are you?

tall tree

 long wind whipper in green. 

bird holder and ring maker. 

slow standing and patient. 

every time i come up to see you you are still there, 

watching with no eyes. 

hearing with no ears.

 one long finger bent on the wind.

heavy rain

 and thunder ... surround us.

sounds of storm rumble on.

 hard rain swept in quickly.

 now it is cooler.

weather is quiet this day after.

one i've used previously.

 lone thoughts

tend to go on

like repetitious

melody

in company 

they are able

to produce good

harmony

No title

 here this poem sans title

spins solo,

going gearless,

blasting idle.

Make over together this vacation day

Taking back roads quickly,

up then down,

rolling smooth this bright, sun shine day.

 

a tall glass of ice tea and a hot dog seems fine,

and a comfortable place to sit down.

have to come to  rest.

make sure it's a decent, summer chair ...

 

a light straw, large-brim hat would 

keep the sun off my face.

don't want to bake; just relax.

we'll talk, finish our snack

 and plan what's next.

Permission

 Another era it seems for us to see

 waking to good remembers.

Oh; yeah the summer shines in 

sun devine, yours and minds. 

without a pet to water and walk i'm happy.

best wishes to you.

that I can do,

wish one for you. surely.

---

Out and about

Don't want to hear.

The weather people are stuck

with that cliche.

Ok now, the next day

 front page morning articles

fill me with a covering of stars

...

Fireworks in New York 

They boom enough for you did they?

Twisting in their flight

Capping calm with excitement 

Topping off the holiday night

 sparkles red and blue, gold and white.

Smoke it up, Do it right.

Sleep it off. Sleep it off.

Hide now tight..

July so true

 the heat , clouds and storms 

Turn over in the sky.

now I need the old days when someone 

talked when they called.

right here what a great time of year,

even though the booms we hear

Fireworks in New York

Televised to the nation

I've  never seen so much smoke.

Clouds to the ground.

Booms the sound.

I'm getting to be a resistor .

the space developes

 cruising up a winding familiar river.

paddle in hand, birds soar overhead.

humming a tune on this thirtieth of of June

and the calendar skips ahead into July.

didn't see time go ... criminently

good days, warmth and sunshine.

kept close in your heart.

duck when stuff overhead gets close.

 find smooth water and enjoy.

i can see you smile.

 

 

Big heat

 we get our share;

this afternoon it arrives.

so how do we prepare?

i almost said you prepare.

i'll sit and read, maybe write some.

look for rabbits

eat what i can  find available .

no surprises so far.

keep in the shade

and hope not to cook.

remember a pond i've been,

some enchanting cool brook.

lazy stream

 the current took us

along the way by trees 

at a bend she said, "All my siblings are in their seventies."

Oh yup, it is noticeable.

i recall a day somehow i came upon the wall 

at the graveyard in Sandusky where the names 

of my mom and dad are set 

in stone along with their remains.

 i'm getting toasted too

but save the wall space

dump me in any river 

that will lead to the lake and the ocean

 

and eventually to the Pacific Ocean

where I was in the navy.

there's space out there.

i like water.

New thought, old ways

 watching the young rabbits speeding back and forth.

a large cat is running around. terror. beware.

tough neighborhood at night i'd say.

don't want a fight;

not anytime. only flight.

all bunnies can do is run away.

they're nice to have in the yard.

they eat vegetables.

as many as they can find.

Full summer and we moved

a black cat on the loose

crept over our yard by moonlight. 

 i worried what he'd hunt. 

today a baby rabbit ran through our yard.

he got away.  we felt better.

 cloudy and dark now, a still morning. 

warm. The season is full blooming

 summer.

can't smell the lake here. 

it's fourteen miles away from this new home.

however, i do think of it.

over a hundred degrees in Portland and Seattle.

 temperatures are way out of line.

i  need to concentrate on where we are

and what we've got.  

how are you, fine?

 

 

lunch out

Get in the car, we're on the way.

I'll take us for for a look at the town on the other side.     

At least it's not far, and it's a good thing I can drive. 

 

i was hoping you'd say that ...  Prove it.

put your seat buckle on.

 

call it East of here. easy ride

my guess is my best.

 

Are you talking to yourself or are you trying to confuse me? Be quiet and look out the window. Now, what was I saying?

You were talking about our ride, and I'm waiting for you to tell me you want to stop for some ice cream.

 

That's the best idea you've had for a long time. What are you singing?

I made it up ... Buckle up and ride a little closer dear; we'll swim in summer water that's warm and clear.

charming.

Razz as in razzel

 Now some pages are complete with dictionary, spell-check, language translation;

   goods to warm my heart so i can find satisfaction quickly. 

on an inbetween weather summer day i'm grateful for what we have.  i'm easily satisfied  and truly lucky to be. 

other days would work fine also i imagine.

nothing like imagination usually.

 don't bet on it. Just ride straight down the road.

here's to you all.

Just hot

 i can't tell the weather.

 let me lay that out to start. 

no mystery.

 it'lI rain, you know, just sayn'.

 

i got that marked down.

yeah,  there's no telling how hard 

it'll pound the roof and

 blow wind like no one's heard for a while.

another week

 sure is better when the storm blows by

 and the sun gets through in the morning.

sky is blue, partially,  so good too; it's dry.

it's what summertime is all about. 

sprinkles of rain brought me in

 It's warm and quiet 

i picked up a John Sanford book that

 i haven't read for so long; Rough Country -

 i'm reading it again.

 

this morning thunder and rain hit hard.

we had two young rabbits living in our yard 

last night; I wonder how they get by in this storm. 

 there is no dry haven

they came out from under the heavy lower branches of a pine.

Now five young rabbit's are running in our yard.

They sure move fast.

sorrow some, nothing major

i try to keep it out of my mind best i can

gives me a heartache when i think about it.

rain will be here for a week

plants will love it

 

i'm happy for them.

and water works well for me too

i don't care if it's falling

from the sky to get here

 

right now it takes it's time developing;

i keep hearing it's on the way.

i've been waiting four days for thunder,

so far it's all been talk.

this day on earth here in Ohio north

 

will be warm for us. it is summer.

shiny bright is how sky-wise it is

a soda fizz would happen

had we one. we know.

 

let's go continue clean in the yard.

not too hard, do it regular.

around the lawn we think

rabbits are gone. today we imagine

 

they took off overnight.

a family on the move.

two or three young and mother.

no other in the count. oh brother, rabbits gone.

yard playground

 finally summertime all packed green;

completely, everything growing

and birds coming in

and chipmoncks, squrirrels and rabbits

 running threw the yard

it's rather amusing when there's plenty of creatures

running, climbing, flying around.

jump robins

 

three weeks old first robin leaps

ready to begin.

i'm sure the heart thumps

for the other standing on the rim

 

also going to leave the nest

seize life and begin,

there are worms out there to get.

mama said, you won't forget

space junkethon

 23 thousand pieces of space junk 

the size of a football or larger

 being tracked by NASA as they zip

thtough space in close earth orbit

Completely un guided.

 a  nearly collided romantic poem

chartering rubble.

Exemplifying the truth of how we care for our world. 

smaller objects tumble without attention. 

happy rain

i thought of calling this poem rain happy. it wasn't clear to me which way to say the water falling is clear and clean; 

no in between

without calibration of how much, 

and happy. it wasn't written specifically, 

so perhaps i was delirious over the rain. 

i had to feel free for the poem to take shape how it may. i could go along, no problem. was i allowing the falling waters to think for itself? this can't be what i was thinking. 

i have no idea what happened.

Clipping along

like a dog in a car
riding face first
hanging halfway out the window
what a highway we’re clipping along

on a ball sailing through space
throttle to the floor
don’t need a pedigree
any mutt can do it

this is big fun
i wanna do it often
my cheeks are flapping in the wind.

Hey, is anybody steering?

young and hidden

it's rabbits on my mind

when i'm looking out the 

window or outside walking.

 

how cautious they are

remaining out of sight.

 

a group of  rabbits is a fluffle

or a colony or a warren. 

ours live under a lily of the valley to keep hidden.

when they're three weeks old 

they'll disappear ... go live somewhere else.

we get used to rabbits around

then they're gone

without a sound.

We'll miss them.

note

 the unfortunate part

of not making note

is forgetting forever

what i never wrote

thank you so much a mouthful, i said

i thought i had a forever invisibility cloak.

mailman came and left.

for the first time he looked at me

and he waved at me. i usually wave into space.

 

that business complete, mailman come and gone,

i'll look in our box to see what advertisement 

someone paid to have delivered to my home. say, 

can you scoot over a half stool?  no ... the other way.

 

mail man is out of the picture for another day.

i'd say i am also.

both of our clocks 

can be wound tight again.

Heat in the kitchen

 pulling 90.  pushing it also. Degrees.

lawnmowers, dogs, enough, gruff stuff

my wonderful manual typewriter i dropped.

the end. 

the last line in the book.

except what lives on in my mind.

or i see photos, one's like it.

remember the weight ... thickness.

wasn't practical any more than

using a candle to read by.

now we wait for afternoon,

a few hours when the real heat comes alive.

 the powers of the season will give us reason

to open us up to sitting in the shade

Nameless

 can't name everything.

not my business.  

but i saw friends.

now I'm off. but i.

wow's been  years since we were kids.

would like to see more.  was lunch

and some were working.

no excuses for me or anybody

heats up weather-wise ... fine business.

been waiting a long while so i can't bitch.

no way, amigo. 

there now, my day's writing is covered. 

de masked

we can leave our masks behind us.

going now to Huron, ohio ... Berardis

 tabled down for lunch.

my left sharon becastro, left again peg.

mrs. geo, geo walbeck,

Meri, me still,

table two

barb, les, mary.

photo geo. bill koehler

so we held two tables,

while we ate and talked.

been a year, the virus you know.

participants from the class of '63 ... 

80 some degrees when we left;

we'll again in a month ... for an evening meal

it was good to see who we are.

Forever gone ... joanne modic savage and penny starr

and walt taylor. 

How much more

 how much more can a day give?

sunny and warm enough.

it's up to me to fill it well,

and to the brim.

warm weather

winter left a brief while ago.

yet i can ... yet i can 

practically feel the cold time now. 

when i think of it.

temperatures recently turned around.

this week we're going to warm

like it hasn't for a year.

plants and trees are open leaf filled

and we're grateful for the full green around

including the summer sound.

just the birds not lawnmowers. are you thrilled?

yet i can. yet i can.

/

two large

 cats beware

the bunnies walking in our yard

are larger than you are;

we're happy to worry less about

the rabbits. we can relax.

remains of fossilized rabbits date  

back fifty million years.

older than Diet Pepsi

Head in first

 

this Wednesday Berardi',s, 

 the 19th,  eleven-thirty.

 talking over coffee

and some lunch?  class of '63 showing up

 tell me, honey,

Where did the old town go?.

the stores are gone, that's what i found.

what we need is a warm blanket feel ... who can debate?

a nap during the day before it's late.

you need shade when the sun  is cooking.

take out your time ... easy.

i've had enough not getting along.

the lake is smooth as it ought to be.

partially swell

 need to cover bare earth

before the next big rain:  the city says.

now, four rabbits, more or less hopping.

good to see them without searching for them.

they show up every day.

 

sky now is blue, wind is light; that's so fine.

count on next week to be warmer;

weather's moving that way.

 

been reviewing old poems/posts.

figuring where i've been an where i'm headed,

what i've done, etcetera ... moving on the line.

 

like Lincoln's funeral train,

 people turned out to see it pass.

it's where we're located.

rain day

 how long will rain stay,

can you guess half a day?

can't say while looking out your window.

 not from Ohio

 

just saw the photo

my oh, you look fifty.

i'm sorry you've dogs in the way

 

then falling and hurting your arm.

not good, easy to do, older you get.

i can say i've been lucky every day for a month.

i've got to pay attention. 

 

i'm just lucky. 

on and on. 

 me paying attention ... that's a joke. 

daughter: luck to us both.

May some

 

Sunday 9 May

rain opened the day

until 10:20 when

it began snowing

 i'm knowing that

for sure the sound all around

went from pounding to lighter.

well, thicker... if you heard 

you'd of said, hey.  It grew noticeable ...

thicker, wetter. For sure snow came down.

in clumps.

 

ticking better

talked to clock man, Tim

as he applied oil a bit

to the ticking of it.

was a pleasure talking to him.

 

the clock worked exceptionally well,

those words he said were swell.

he's a gentle old man;

got along well.

wait another week

temperatures will be better for plants

when it warms, you see, 

we're not there yet. we're going to be

wait with me

 

we haven't seen a cool spring for a while.

may as well smile and live with it.

for a bit longer

we can be stronger,

 

think of summers we recall, that's all 

stand tall and wait

won't it be great

when summer finally gets here.

circle cycle

 What a day it has been, Cole porter;

 It's a rare mood I'm in

and i dropped the ball recalling your fine words turning in my heart.

It's the flash of good weather that I love 

finally, we've waited so long

You can make it into a song

We'll take this day along on a roll.

building good feelings

In our hearts, you know it, Cole.

 

your warm words and unforgettable melodies

bring freshness and warm hearts to us all

and comfort going miles inside us. 

dream ride

the image of the name
flashed like a flame
now it’s a shame
not to recall

where, how, who it is,
what was happening and why,
I should have awakened and made a note
and written it upon the sky

 

debris on Wild Sleep River moved on,
floated tumbling, passed while I dreamed,
whatever so concerned me then
is not so important now, as it had seemed 

 

 

at Tuesday, December 23, 2008 2 comnoments

recall if you will

 

since we moved a year ago

we added time ... it's now

an hour to get there.

following a long layoff due

to the virus and shutdown

 

we returned on a Saturday.

i knew before we arrived

that Monday is the day the

old regulars are all working,

 

and who we saw were the

new young fat girls that

are the new age of takeovers

that can be found now

 

waiting tables for the customers;

turning out to seek the old ways

of the restaurant with breakfast

served in kindness as they remember.

 

it's still noisy in there, but the

reflections in the mirrors on the walls

don't yield the same.  

i know ... i looked.

give some summer

 weather open up

give us just a cup

of rain this morning,

 then move on, please?

 

so when you're gone

i won't have to think about

filling up the yard with water,

not again, and you will, i know.

 

but now there's sun ... better than snow,  no doubt about it.

it is time for summer heat and we're ready.

 

i see two big, king robins strutting along.

they're working the yard over.

keeping their eyes on the possibilities

for snacks today.

YOU SCREAMING JUNGLE MOTORCYCLE

I  PAINTED YOU BLACK

REAL BLACK

ALL BLACK

YOU DIRT BIKE YOU

I RIPPED THE KNEES OUT'A ALL MY PANTS

FALLING DOWN WITH YOU

WE CLIMBED HILLS

AND RODE ALL THE WAY AROUND GUAM

THE ENTIRE ISLAND

MANY TIMES 

WE'D GO THROUGH FIELDS

OVER THE BEACH SANDS

INTO THE JUNGLE

IN THE RAIN

And on Nice Sundays

STOP FOR A ROOT BEER

TOO BAD I HAD TO SELL YOU

TOO BAD

the early morning fishermen

 

limbs paddle lightly

with no worry where they've been ...

half a haze, half a sun

the early morning fishermen

still and looking

 patience sits me quiet, calm again.

waiting to see how the day feels ... begins.

how calm are you this morning?

you won't leave me in the dark forever.

a pie is sweet and so is cake

when you bake just right

overnight you warm with low heat

you know what a treat it will be

to have a slice with coffee.

warms my heart to think of it.

when we'll sit, have a slice,

that sound nice?  

let's put it together so it happens.

daylight reaches the swamp

 there's room on the log

stuck in the bog

where there's a frog

or two, singing.

Interesting voices they have,

in harmony soothing as salve

they croak in tones                                       

pure and ringing.

 

                

planktown in April, opening day

 

another season is set to open

as we prepare the region and the garden

 we drove us to Shelby ... wasn't easy

not when you stack the day together.

 

first we had to go a half hour

Kind of on the way to Norwhere

to see the beautiful new steps

Dan and his Mr. father, Ed Barman made;

steps of cement  to look like the 1860 sandstone original.

 don't know how they did it.

then on to Shelby for the first time in a year

for a breakfast not memorable ... or for sure we

will remember it as the day that rang no bells.

 

the old crew were gone, the new are not the same.

the woman with me had a Spanish something egg with toast,

it looked like catsup.

mine was a pancake, two eggs, shredded potatoes they say.

each of the customers, that's us, had many coffees.

 we left a bit saddened. this is April, 2021 , 

the race is long over and we saw many Trump signs.

 

on fifteen minutes to Shilo,  at Blu-ray: flowers, trees, bushes 

and plants ... Saturday, 17 April his opening day. 

moving quickly,  "hi" to Mark, with nearly a smile

embedded in his recognition of me. 

air is still, pleasant, quiet, Mark never slowed down

workers out with packs of flowers,

she shopped what she could.

 

then to Planktown, no masks on workers,.

10:43 AM, 46 degrees, pleasant, 

many customers wore masks.

we rode back to Oberlin.

my day middle of the week

a low motor hum i imagine

from the easy chair 

thinking good of times

cruising back-road lines

 waiting the growth of spring. 

loads, loads of rain coming soon, 

maybe Sunday, I'm wrong. 

 i am kidding myself.  no rain.

 

James follows the news of when we could see the crushers, 

a semi-pro team in a nearby park.

while baseball plays in Cleveland on TV for a price,

or more likely on the radio where it is still free.

pay those players millions and the advance we feel 

is the ticket price.

what happened to the rain?

On line i saw Sonny Curtis and got lost in old times. He could play his guitar the way i stroked our cat.

the calling of a thing

 names have always been important;

you'd think so anyway.

it appears that to begin writing 

without a known subject

is a vague initiation ...

  ghost writing in the dark.

on a paper bench in the park ... without a pencil.

 

she said she saw a rabbit again - oh, happiness.

i see workers in our yard. 

all are moving beyond my involvement.

  desired conclusions unknown.

she called workers to action.

my concern is for a satisfactory finale. 

so shall we all some to  eventually.

so shall it be.

Water has to drain from our yard.

Rabbits are fun to have around if they don't 

eat away the garden and flowers.

i make note and count the hours.

Wet and cement

 "to the color we'll add some beige ...

to give a hint of age," said the man Ed

who has been working with cement

 fifty years. 

i met him, saw his initial procedure. 

he can handle the job. 

i'm happy He's doing the work For me.

  It will rain some.

i'm not worried about it.

what a pleasure.

late spring morning

the season has developed in full at last.

we think so, and it appears that way.

now two rabbits show up in our yard. 

frolicking.  the two rabbits jumped straight off the ground.

five feet in the air.  i didn't know they could do that.

frolicking is the word for how they acted.

one large like our last year bunny. one small.

there are many bunnies and these didn't have tags; you see a few

And realize they look the same. 

we were hoping these are returnees.

but you know ... that's a good starting phrase,

but you know new rabbits could be friendlier

than the two last year who always 

kept a hunddred feet away. 

these are the opening minutes ... we'll see.

 

 

 

Tai food soon

at last a warm evening ...

the first of hopefully many.

old downtown behind Main.

Meri, Catherine and i take a table.

 

birds overhead call each other.

making a point.  put on a show.

i know they do.  it's how they go.

as water lightly rolls down the river.

the birds crowd each other.

that's a seagull's life.

 boats are coming in;

the afternoon's over.

The new day

 Ride on to ohio. take the highway.

Hello daughter.  been two years.

so talk-fill the gaps. Meri can handle her end.

you're speedy, i'm slack; loving every day.

 

done a winter's worth of waiting for you.

it's swell.  we know each other well.

 Looking ahead, We'll be warm

tomorrow ... like toast, they say.

if we didn't have this pandemic

we could hug. but i'm an old man

afraid of catching the bug.

so we do what we can.

pasqua 2021

pasqua is easter ...

 weightlessness in long term

space. you hit the ball, round first

base. good thing we're here on planet

blue, running, hitting like we 

do. yes, the season has just 

begun. so far few players have hit a home 

run. wait until Monday, see how they've 

done.

strike, ball, double, take off, watch the ump.

mark down Easter, figure if we will spend summer

watching baseball .. or have we had enough.

watching guys who make 200 million a year

 

and we have to pay a hundred a season 

just to see them on TV. 

They should pay fans a hundred a month 

to watch them on TV.

ocean

 i can smell the ocean from my chair.

looking up it isn't there.

a peach ripens on the window sill

the clocks approaching quarter 'til

and as i pull the bag from my cup of tea

my mind takes me places i'd like to be.

here, magazines picture my vacation

while outside, birds make their migration.

the mast will creak as my chair rocks.

i stir my tea as my ship docks,

with quill in hand and love sublime

i'll send this message from out of time

corked and floating on ocean's crest

the letter drifts to islands west

at night, moonlight flashes the bottle glass,

by day, the jumping, curious dolphin pass

by sooner or later and seagulls,

by lesser and greater in wind lulls,

by storms and seasons

beyond all reasons

i put my feet up and think of beach,

sip my tea, and eat my peach

April one-ish

don't open your eyes, you won't believe this ... sleep more before you go ahead.

Wake to snow Covering all ... won't last, melting fast. Winter's gone but  yeah bah. What an April morning to take in.

want some eggs an bacon?

you're dreaming.

Meanwhile there is poetry, back in fashion ... scattered around  pick that one off the ground, clown. It's yours.

claim it. sticks a medal on you for showing up today ... hold still, Willy. Will yah.

okay eight-thirty now and the street looks slushy. 

nothing new falling. it's on the way to total meltdown.

2021 stretches

 

Sharon Stone doing a cowboy film.

she certainly did 26 years ago.

am i poeming yet

this middle of the week?

trash goes out every Wednesday.

stack up those weekly obligations.

while Catherine flies in

Califonia to Detroit.

she'll see her friend then drive here

where robins are out hoping, pecking

as today the year's third month ends.

worn out. mark it down.

a quarter of the year has burned.

not only quickly it went quietly.

entirely wrapped up.

as you, i'm happy to have seen it.

Spring for sure

Flying today is my daughter

from California. where it's hotter

well, it's not the season for heat

yet it's warm enough.

 

neat she's  coming here  

wing in dear.

And good for us. Joy.  Joy again.

This doesn't happen everyday.

 

we'll all enjoy the visit.

like sprinkling seeds of happiness.

well i guess i'll miss her toby and daughter.

so i guess we'll fly hr way next. 

Doctor me

 

here and also another ... there.

load me with appointments.

two today ... say, hey.  Plenty

of attention. where i'm scheduled up.

more than enough for me.

my calendar is usually clean.

can i quit yet?

i'm only thinking about it. 

cold light spring rain

morning cold spring rain.

enough so neighbor  runners

packed in suits head to toe

jackets with the hoods-up go, 

decked in outfits like firefighters 

on the back of a bells-clanging

fire truck running with siren blaring

down city streets. out of the way, 

 

tearing quick, make way.

on this  cold rainy day.

very brisk starting.

out of the way.

times are right

 the ceilings are high.

Floors are natural, wood boards.

no cars passing this morning

all creatures doing as best they can

no rabbits, deer, birds nor wind;

and it's warm enough, you know for sure

after a long winter cold, spring finally began.

time daylight savings

daylight savings time 

forgotten the day after

until six months later.

why do we reset clocks. 

don't tell me.

why not forget the change 

we need the sun in the morning

and the moon at night. 

 coffee and oatmeal are sufficient

cancel inconvience

goes 'round

 

when i heard he was a Beatle

i had no idea Paul McCartney

would write Live and Let Die,

a Jame Bond movie theme;

or that fifty years later i'd write these words,

think this thought, and not be particularly surprised.

my, my, how the world goes 'round.

although, i had not the foggiest idea.

the lake and the towne

the lake waves roared and gulls flew swiftly 

as lives tumbled forward

Into new times and new friends;

always unexpected adventures.

years later i came back and walked on the pier

only slower and not so far out this time.

now i can satisfy myself by looking at old photographs

and pictures i'd painted years ago. 

there are memories. sweet memories we share

of times back then. you know when.

summer was ours. yes it was. 

we'd hear the coal dumper and the morning trains. 

remember?

we saw familiar people walking on main street.

you see one, recognize, and forgot his or her name;

almost recall, but not quite. you never thought some year you'd try to remember.

and there were people then i could recognize but never knew their names. 

their cars or trucks went by and a while past they would be familiar too, 

and we never gave it a second thought. 

i know driving by you couldn't help but look to see what was playing at the Ritz.

you'd smile. some time you'd have seen the movie

and now you'd drive to the next town to a decent theater.

or it was league night at the bowling alley.

maybe friends would come over for cards tonight or a beer.

no matter ... evenings went well.

these endless summers were ours.

 

 

overhead

The International space station

floats overhead, clear as a bell,

bathed in the light from the sun.

Tonight the ISS passes over at

10:49 p.m. Coming from the west/southwest.

It revolves the earth every 90 minutes.

16 times a say

Threatening to soon become Spring weather

a blue jay and a male (red headed) woodpecker

tree hopped outside our window this cold morning,

20 March, with frost on the ground.

reading this on another date you'll have to imagine

the coldness. the stillness. the internal anticipation

of the sweet beginning happening now.

all around, anywhere we look.

 

talk to anyone and behind the day's greeting

is the hopeful sweetness, the advent of tomorrow's glorious season

no one can stop or keep away.

Spring.

Need help, some/space station

The day is a absolutely like a spring one;

which began midnight today March the 21st.

Clear, light blue sky this morning and fields hold 

a light tan cast more or less, as far as I can see.

 

we need sunny days to get the green growing.

plus some heat, of course.

and naturally it will ... happen i mean.

slowly, swiftly through every lawn and field ...

 

green'll cover everything as far as we can see. 

there will be birds and people walking their dogs

with their plastic bags.

 

                        ***

 

the evening news on Cleveland TV said the space station

is coming over at 8:39 tonight, from a west south-westerly direction.

also i heard something "about fifteen degrees." i missed that.

later it was time, Meri said  come on, and we went outside.

in this new home we don't know the directions well,

only East for the rising sun and West where it sets.

she wanted to drive to Delaware somewhere where there is open space.

at home we have trees all around and only a few minutes to get ready.

we stood in our driveway, in about a minute and she starts,

"there it is ... i see it there." i looked and there it was,

just-about overhead. we expected a dot and it's large as captain Kirk's Enterprise. and lit up. 

for seven minutes we watched the space station pass over from the middle of our driveway.

rain hell's worth

 didn't happen, yet, it's gonna.

wind that clock, storm's on the way.

i put on shoes instead of slippers.

serious water coming down, down.

 

we'll soon see how much 

atmospheric anomalies

are shaking our days. 

at the very least: dress for it.

line in a row

seen together during winter months

lined  up on ice in a row 

then leap up to the air all at once

when they decide it's time to go

 

ducks fly in a shifting v 

low in flight, not going far

I've got to stop right there. The title: Line in a row.  When you have a line, 

that's a row isn't it? I am sure that a line indicates a row. I don't have to say

straight  line. A line is a line, and that's a row. March is a month for poetry,

isn't it?  Keep your shoes on. Get in the box. 

get ready for opening day.

When the pitcher pitches,

knock it into the stands.

and when you round the bases

be sure to tip your hat to the fans.

andy

 

Today I was taking a nap

when the phone rang,

"This is Andy from the shipping department..."

That's all I ever hear,

because there is a pause

and I hang up, every time.

He's been calling everyday for a month,

maybe longer, I lose track of time.

Maybe he's from the "fishing" department.

I've never asked him to repeat himself.

We've never really talked.

I just know when it's

the wrong time for a call

and I'm not expecting one,

the phone rings

and it's Andy.

Dentist, our special one

 Ok, slip-up. Goes around. 

Hold him so high yet still have fear.

There I said the word 

And how's your morning.?

Quiet, nothing... prepared.

Thought I finished with dentists,

Then a holiday  nut broke a crown.

MY crown. ... my golden crown.

Do I get a 21 gun salute for showing up?

Forget you.  Bail out  now or she'll

Drive you you know where.

Yes. I'm ready.

***

get tough.

later, Got through. 

One finite day -1

    

             a quarter into the year,

noting days, like dripping waters, pile on repeatedly. 

  our position labeled fine.   over my shoulder now,

 separating threads, flipping heads

also tails. 

while making bread ... who controls flipping?

 examine what is going on. avoiding  dread, enough said.

Position ourselves in hopes for the most, making toast ...

 turning out a good year ... our objective.

     we're underway ... put jelly on

a mention of jelly to make us all feel good,

                                               

      well beyond this year's starting line

our position is labeled fine. 

   over my shoulder now.

 separating beads, flipping heads

and tails, making bread,

who is controlling flipping?

 dodge  dread, what was said

positioning ourselves for the most, making toast ...

simply turning out a good year ... our objective.

no doubt we're underway ... with jelly on.

 jelly is mentioned to make you feel good

forty one

it's Fahrenheit degrees in the morning.

warmer than anything we've had for 

a while. not freezing is it. not a question. 

reminds me of country roads we've 

driven between here and Shelby 

where Ted and Ali's our old 

breakfast place is. for me it is 

sitting still and looking out the 

window that draws back the warm times. 

open again

the lockdown is done for

had enough for now

don't asume anything.

keep your distance.  mine too.

turned over

where dream world is i keep going.

to return quickly as 

dropping off to sleep.

no problem,  no waiting.

Without hesitating.  

line up now  

wake up

 now it's the month and the angle

when first thing each morning

brightly shining through the blinds

the sun decorates my wall with brilliant stripes.

it 's a bright display

gets my attention.

too bad the sun

doesn't make coffee.

lacking ticking

 

i can't hear it ticking.

upon trying i ascertain

it feels wound enough.

the porch is cold.

the clock is not keeping time in the traditional sense we think of ticking and moving clock parts. not running seems to sum the clock lack of movement. i last checked this morning. it must have been running. i remember no strain or alarm to get it going or worry bout the clock's condition. i surely didn't write a poem about it then.

clock tocking is now in absence.

also ticking is gone.

with this note quiet is registered.

presure in your tires

 one of the easiest things to do.

keep tires up...then one day wham.

 you've seen it happen when you don't expect it, you're suddenly

looking down on misery, not always yours thank god, everyone has a turn.

it happens all around...or used to, yes, misery.  they're making 

better tires than they used to. we used to look down and find a state of distress...

well, yeah.  remember patching tires. a while ago. this is miserable truth.

i am not kidding. on the good side when things are fine we can pull over on the road side 

chew a twig of grass, oh, and sit on a

 knoll, enjoy the view. your tire is okay,l

just relax...take it easy for a while. you're not in a hurry. it's a good sunshiney day.

a month keeper

 seems the weather and the date is where i can be.

the weather because i see it out the windows,

the date because we're doing a quick slip out of February.

i like the month because it's my birthday time.

i don't wait all year for it, but maybe i do.

it's a familiar marker, more than Christmas and other holidays.

and it's in my head because it is only special to me.

familiar, more than special. i know the month well;

cold, snow and my birthday.

crunching water waves

just a picture...in mind,

then it became me, on the sand

near the sea. one foot In

 feeling exquisitely warm water

 such a fine sunshine day.

 we welcome the exchange

standing by in the water. ready to walk

in a while.splash in up to our chin, go ahead fold over, then look around ... rolling

where we  are.  Like waves, we're rolling.

2.

remember a few days ago how the snow melted when winter collapsed,

seems the bottom dropped out of it.

the heavy winter cold had gone away.

it's not even April. not close.

the snow season was ripped out from under us.

No skiers. No complaints.

3.

look how shopping i found little discs of chocolate, on the top shelf.

write those candies down, will you? then scratch them off the list, go on.

lover make sure there is not a trace of those little buggers

bugers and buggers...two guh's i suppose.

candy anyway. 

now, zooming, should we wear our Sunday clothes?

warm feeling, i know. scarf on.

meanwhile, mechanical...

a scientific study to relieve the spot where literary pain...

let me phrase this, that, my hat...no cat

vines entwines, 

pile a stack...sticks, candle wicks

 my heart holds you back of mine, 

nick of time

sublime, so sublime.

change from the depth of winter

now look where we are.

different weather surrounds us,

not usual, it's warmer.

see out the window, the snow is melting there.

 

winter has collapsed, 

the bottom dropped out of it.

the heavy winter has been taken away.

carted off, ripped out from under us.

 i don't mind, although it seems  a portent of different  weather to come. 

                   ***

 

note here:i want a semicolon in this punctuation. i will have to wait to try again.

 a semicolon carries a certain flare.

read twice

 doesn't bother me to go back to read

a second time what i wrote. 

generally i always have to.

it's not easy to digest a poem the first crack.

is this good or normal? well, who is to worry?

i don't write them in one pass anyway.

Onward, ahead or so

 This is getting to first base with a poem.

to start i put nuts in a basket. Gathered are feelings and i called them nuts.

he reached into my mouth and unscrewed a post he put in to hold a crown.

i said that right. the post is loose, he(my friend the dentist)'s going to put in a larger post.

 (here my wife would say "he's not your friend, he's you dentist." and i'd say "he is too my friend.")

  now, on the next day.

I'm going back to (my friend) the dentist;

I'd rather avoid the thought, however, I respect the man. 

I'd look ahead happily If i had half a wit.

 i'm going to let him twist a larger screw into my jaw.

 

prediction spring

 yeah, i am melting snow

well, seeing it, not participating

it is too slow to watch snow melt.

i am warm inside looking out

take your time; you melt, i'll be here.

Rascals in line and around

there are a thousand people standing around and the new guy is asked:

"Are you here for your second shot, sir?"

new guy looked at the ceiling, thought before he said, "yes."

The guy who asked is in charge.

 he wore a dark blue shirt with a badge;

i remember him from the last time...the first time.

 He let's the line wait forever, that's who i remember and is dark blue whirt.

 

the next person in line, a woman, spoke out:

"are you going to let the line continue?"

these are not union volunteers. 

the man in charge looked, thought and paused,

 

then said, "Go. go. go."

i heard the man in charge ask: What color is your car?

in the majority there are only white cars, and grey.

"White".  I spun my head around for no reason, i just did.

 

"the man in charge turned to a girl and said, "when he 

comes back tell him he has  a white car".

the one telling and the one told are different ones.

so is the one he told.

the calendar does turn

 see how the snow has finished

has yet to melt,  but it's over.

walking through my February i see

 winter turned the corner.

this is what it looks like at the end.

now after nine a.m. the sun on the glistening snow reflects in a golden light.

duck turn

 i can see it like that.

the crowd is large.

this and that, fat cat, where's your hat?

i looked on the chair ... on the floor ...

on the mat? give me a minute, will you?

Let us chat, shall we? 

pat the cat, where he sat. by the bat. 

this and that, he smiled.

she tried to smile but had difficulty.

the river runs to the ocean, eventually.

major endeavor

as heavy snow falls.

Texas has a hard time...power outages and freezing temperatures.

blurry snowfall here in northern Ohio.

a few feet.  and it continues to fall.

we'll take it easy. see how it, goes. 

 

i don't know how this poor poetry happened. 

there were moments when I lost my balance.

 words got by me.

 all together i'm distracted...we have full-on winter.

 

snow is to my knees.

i'd bake cookies if i knew how.  it's a day for it.

i don't want to read instructions. 

and no one needs the sugar.

good flakes

 out of nowhere, started up

blowing lightly, white dots floating by.

makes a pretty morning, still air.

only a breeze with  no direction.

growing wind ... north to south.

minus traffic again. 

here comes someone walking a dog.

some squirrels, a few birds.

mainly  nothing going by 

hours pass

begins snowing harder

stops an hour. starts again.

reindeer passing, why not

 the message is the snow;

keep the weather foot

on the pedal so

no soot, only flakes

dusting piles

of preexisting pounds

weighing on the other day's

accumulation we see,

every where we venture

this day.  so we're snowed in

and on. and another foot's

coming

words

 words you say

can blow away

write them down

 they stick around

shortcut to happiness

 some pieces go together

when you sort them, however

not all fit in any weather

i'm saying cold can be too much

to comfortably fit pieces forever.

like rain can mess you up also.

a clean dry garage is a start for happiness.

so you need a heater. what do we have now?

a pathway to happiness? seems like a shortcut.

be sure to keep good pressure in the tires.

full of jolly

take off your jacket.

leave it on the chair ... the one by the window.

yes, over there.

full is not what i want to be right now, i need to lean up.

i'm thinking warm weather may get me moving.

right now it's writing and thinking. that's filling my time.

and still i've more to do that remains unattended.

publish my book and poems...that way i can see what i have.

hey, i'm doing everyday. we'll see where i'm headed.

i look back and think i need my writing in a heap where i can read it

and see what to edit. to add.  are you getting along or just

not thinking about it?

***

Major Endeavor

a name tells all.

 an exercise to keep us going,

to develo around my perimeter.
 my heart is good, i'll keep it.

that is not a question.

take a note.

check the hour,
 excuse me,
got to run again.

 

did you note anything?

i'm not talking weather.

look...we'll take it easy

get out your note maker, see what we can put together.