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years ago in our little town we had indigenious people around

 but to tepresent them in plays we used locals to sing and speak. 

 after all these native americans had to represent our thoughts. it was our show with our ideas. 

 we could write their words we can feel their stones. 

we didn't surrender our space.

Thin air logic

i can't keep the thought i thought fresh in my head long enough to write it down, or so i reason. it is swirling. 

is this reasonable? i need some answers before i evaporate.

Halfway out

halfway out of the month meaning we've watched the months pluck away one at a time until the end of the year is nearby. memories are few as home and reading is what i recall, with not friends enough, although, the rabbit and deer were here. it has been cold so today a good change; the cold has lessoned and today's temperature climbing into the forties seems special. i look forward to the relative warmth. and, yes, the sounds i hear are the clocks ticking.

Thirty-eight

cold enough last night i had to put on a second cover to keep warm. today it will be cool in the afternoon. now i have lost track of many concepts. the morning temperature is thirty-two. farendheit freezing is cold enough. i showered, i'm warm and comfortable. spending time in ohio has made me acclimated. i'm assimulated.

Eukraine bleed-over

help all to repair this splendid country of crushed brick and dust. grow plants and animals again.

Lights down below

heat goes above when you're sealed. lights are dry and warm. leaving the thought to sit; dry and warm. the room feels like a submarine. crack a window open. let in a draft. only enough, hear the wind stir the trees and the call of the lonely train approaching. hear that whistle blow. that lonesome whistle blow. by noon light snow flakes began to fall.

Good morning

forgot to shave, but nearly had it together. while the season December seems getting by me. my clothes are clean. my fingers are too. if we had the music i'd dance with you.

Can not find

The familiar road is near here, Dear. 

do not fear i can steer.

Unhooked

now we are two weeks and two days before Christmas. i recall the time when we lived in the holiday spirit, grandparents, the decorations and the tree. from our windows on Main street we saw the whole town go by cold blue nights. street lamps were decorated. always we had snow. familiar carols on the radio and TV. Christ is born in Bethleham every year. again in a manger.

Cold and damp

no surprise this Tuesday, yeah. we've boiled down the day to what is. no one walking out nor drive passing. Just worthy Rod i saw picking up a few sticks at the conclusion of his walk. Forties all week they say. and cast out the U in forties. i asked Meri why and she explained: they do what rhey want. Little is seen most every day.

Best grapes

talking eating plump grapes the way you want to find them. surprise me, honey, where have you been? i'd expect you on a cablecar halfway to the stars overlooking Sanfrancisco Bay anytime, any day. i love you, darling, i really do. here's a poem i wrote just for you. grape sure.

Snow late

we're in the December part of the year and it's dry. i mean snow time is here around, and nothing's found resembling white heavy flakes coming down. not fall or spring, colding like the Dickens. we'll wait to see what happens. the woods will be mystic when white has fallen

Latest

for awhile or for always. ten A.M. is when i woke, because she came in and found me. i bore no awareness of today. out deeply, morning covered me. see to my knee. out to be. hear my plea - return to me.

New month

old year wearing thin a hearty cheer and begin again so very quiet when day begins. like winding back the years. when there were fewer people with less going on.

Little reappears

first the rabbit's gone, then wait a few days and snap: Little is back in the yard. Sunny, blue and cool. a soft beginning for December. like others i suppose, though i don't remember. hey, if you're not making notes on all then days of seasons tend to blend. that's pleasant also. relax and keep working.

Vibrance

the morning woke me to the tune of gusty wind and tap/humming rain. our group Living With Change meets today; we can take it. last nighr we went to Finney Chapel for Sergei Rachmaninoff's Second Piano Concerto in C Minor and Beethoven's Symphony Nine in C Minor. Giant goodness. the pianist for sergei's really shook us down. at the end we didn't stand for him and we should have. i should have jumped up, led the audience. i thought he'd play after the intermission, he didn't. i'm saying so he knows how much we appreciated his performance. Byron Wei-Xin Zhou knocked all socks off.

The week will turn December

can imagine my old truck on back roads doing easy, steady and loving it. Some friends are gone yet all i can remember. had a slice of sandwich meat, orange cheese, on a flower tortilla wrapped in a tube then microwaved for thirty seconds. this is home-cooking a good, hot meal. also found the best icecream cone place by the library, near the lake. end of the road in Lorain. well frequented in the summer. so good that two days before December and i'm thinking about it.

yes, rain again

a calm song going on not too long, relatively. what's more? our song is drops wet from the sky oh, my, so i see it falling, splashing good morning damp on our camp this Sunday, a funday filled with football. somewhat as soon as we tune it in, turn it on. good day for keeping dry. go ahead, now try. i'll read some, play the piano, create a line or few, it's what i do. this one's for you. tap it out like code. that's the mode, i'm told.

Eukraine near cold weather

we see it closer daily, been a while but you know. and sure you're able but, like you i'd prefer warm soup and the fireplace. a candle for soft light dancing flickers on the wall. peaceful thoughts with those you love near. all warmth and smiles, calm shadows and hymns; family and friends kindness soaked with grins

Slip down

The mercury in the thermometer took a hit. Then skipped ,, down. Walking on the block near the lake is coming old. And comforting. I Won’t go out to try it. Not today ,,, it’s too cold to think about it. No breeze. Don’t need one. Not inside I don ‘t.

Cleanup

one word, several jobs: raking, cutting, sweeping. November sees much yard work until trees are bare, yards are clean. nighttime the winter moon shows white.

Impossible

it's impossible to wake without a thought and begin writing over a light blue empty sky. good intention will take me how far? we will find the response to this querry. aren't you fortunate? i ask the question of my problem and you can ride along at my side. i'll look both ways at every corner and keep speed manageable.

Quiet neighborhood

the mail person dropped junk post into our metal box. the lid slamming was the first sound i heard today.

Things to say some

this is not the biggest news. not news important only information. stuff: what it is. i don't eat meat i eat butter. how's your diet? thinking eating - how about ice cream. have more good weather going on. not quite as cold, all is better. sun is shining bright feeling right. found in my phone where i can maKe notes. this is good information. now i need only remember a while until it's automatic easy street, oh yeah.

A line out at a time

go figure why construction has changed; workers are willing yet parts are difficult to acquire. the light green and blue of the reflecting bay invites geese to swoop in to float a day in calm waters, quiet under the sun. from a small boat i too will drift enjoying the warm afternoon. such a beautiful day, near perfection. all i need is a small boat.

Serious post

enough accidental fluff, this is crunch'em direct throw into the arena. well the rabbit is hiding, with no forwarding address. the temperature is in the low twenties; about as low as a body can take in November. it's Sunday, the browns are playing. there's football all over. the San francisco forty-niners are a treat for us. we had a good time and are left with good feelings from the bay area. oddly Sunday wasn't fooball on TV memoirs, it was the Chinese and tai chi in Golden Gate park; then boats and painting wth Stanley. love to you San Fran. put in a memory of Golden Gate Bridge because it is prominent.

Used to living in the cold

this is the kind of poem warm hearts absorb. they do daily if they can find many offerings. if they can't then i'd say life is about normal. isn't that how lives move on. no question. living with normal everyday, anyhow. that and a bus pass is all i need, well, lunch money. i can't imagine how much i save not buying tobacco. hey, ice cream keeps me going. i hope the bunny shows up so we can know he has a spot out of the below freezing temperatures. i meant she, we think she's a she.

Filling in the gaps

worker-man comes to measure. sounds like he checked the angles. i waited making my own notes. His name is joe. He left his truck running, lights on - it is three in the afternoon. Time moved easily, all went well. she will get a new oven someday. The afternoon is calm and cold. friday eve and we'll be quiet at home. no idea if the rabbit is around. it should have a hole, the temperature is 21 degees, that's below rabbit comfort of 32.

Snow on The ground

all the color, falling leaves, chilly days, then to wake this morming withe a mantle of white, winter snow covers the field's floor completly. thin as a coat of primer paint but accross as far as you can see. frosty snow covered all this morning. hello November white day. we've been waiting for you. you are a thrill.

Word game aboard

 Instead of waking to think a poem

I now follow the game route most popular

Then quickly walk into  a wall.

Could I clarify this? Steady now.

I have no desire to battle, not when I can prattle,

After all, i learned to fence in college.

Fighting with a foil seemed pirate ship practical.

It’s what you need on the high sea, or in the bay,

What do you say, Bobbins?

Keep your foil and long boots handy.

I have no idea why long boots were pirate practical.

Canons mounted in the deck are understandably steady.I

A good roll near the bay

when sunny and warm seems fine.

What do you say?

What do we say?

Drop in numbers, signifying atmospheric temperature

How can weather folk think way ahead?

 Talk a week afore a certain weather happens.

This  makes everything derivable. 

 Now I pause and lost my intention.

That shows you the worrysomness of writing some.

And it’s poetic cause it rhymes a crumb, chum.

Are we back on target? What say you?

Perhaps this would work better next week.

so then they flip

 

Earth's magnetic poles flip every 200,000 years.

We have somebody out there marking it all down.

The poles haven't flipped for 800,000 years as of last

 Wednesday. “Wednesday here a week” is how we say it.

moreover, they are long overdue. “They” being the poles

Keeping you in full fledge, we are.

Oh, pass the pancake syrup, quickly . . .  so i can pancake 

down before any flipping gets underway.

Same error or so and successfull

 i go to bed with my radio

to hear jazz midnight to six.

Wolves f m  wCLV clevelandia.

Spellcheck- what is wolves?  Radio w c l v

For over sixty years I have gone

to bed with earphones and my transistor radio.

Have me checked for something.

What i also need is a pen and paper

so the good phrases quit floating away

Or should I just close my window?

Close your mouth.

Like the Dickens it’s raining this morning.

A good looking day, where unlike the flooded south.

we have sufficient  elevation for safety,

and apparently can take flood water rains.

Worn is how the day begins

 Cleveland again. Traffic should be light.

Fridays are always heavy; that’s tomorrow.

When Cathy was here we ate lunch downtown,

Wonderful.  Keep saying we’ll do it again.

Coming in this morning 

Tried the radio,  can’t agree on a station.

Usually we never listen to the radio.

We’re way out of practice.

Read about the Sequoia giants in California.

Cresent City.  years ago we were there.

Pleasant to return to California memories.

Packed a sandwich and half an avocado for

On the way home.  I’m going home.

Leaveless

 Not completely, but working on it.

Bareness is a thought; yow.

See through the trees, beyond them blue skyness.

hello sunshine. It's a lovely day.

balanced

 moderate: breeze, humidity and temperature.

 in-the-middle of an average day, i'd say.

Then i went out to the sun.

lovely. summer on the run.

The date’s unknown when I scribed this poem 

in 22; close enough, that'll do.

I’m 139/83 blood pressure with a temp  96.1  the

nurse poked my butt left and right.

Now I wait an hour

Then flower on home.

Then power on home.

Sounds eleven by the clock

Time set back an hour today.

There is order all around.

Have to give hours a number

Make the rules

then change them.

The world is getting crowded.

Take your time.

A few make noise

 Can’t rake, have to blow with small

noisy machines. You can hear up the block,

and around the corner; take hours to do the job.

After so long i can’t walk out there any longer.

What do these people have in their heads?

We’ll have a warm afternoon; maybe the last one.

Winter has got to be arriving soon.

This nice weather can’t keep hanging on.

Blue sky and direct sunshine pour on us.

Come on in good day, spread all over.

a handful remain hanging

 we wait all year.  not exactly, but knowing it’ll happen.

a handful remain hanging to the trees.

twenty percent.  overall the color has faded.

leaves have let go by a large measure.

air is breezeless, cool a bit, not much.

overall the autumn continues calm. not so strong,

this day starts November.

Heavy leaf cover

It only happens once a year;

after it’s dry, after full color.

 like a winter blanket the leaves cover the ground 

after dripping down,

smothering sounds tranquilly.

so I walked the front and sides.

there are a lot of leaves. wet and large.

 no trace of anybody around; meaning birds, chipmunks, squirrels or rabbits.

 a quiet, nice day again.

find comfort.

Prisoners

 Some had marijuana growing in the closet,

Not to get rich, to get high some.  

Big deal.

Better than booze.

Now laws change; what about that?  Just wait again?

Takes a lot of time.  Come on. Be reasonable.

I want to free all those who errored a little.

Give us a break.  And hungry people, please help them.

can we sit by the running water, lake or river,

hear the quiet, don’t get excited.

a few birds pass overhead. warm day.

 take it easy.

no breeze

 quiet completely.  no chatter about.

with no one thinking’s this can be called a thoughtless day.

nary a head turn. i imagine this is record stillness.

toast and coffee, that’s it for me.

preparation for the day ahead.

you are kidding. where to begin . . . 

A degree above freezing;

Ding-near cold for a rabbit.

Can not find

 the title for this rhyme

call them poems … many don’t rhyme.

Is or are … joking some now,

All have heart.

Must read and be cautious for

What is written. Sparking feeling.

 Starting over.

Cool and light rain, called drizzle.

Charming … leaves falling. 

A beautiful time of the year.  

I said that fifty times or so. 

Driving light traffic country roads 

Is a pleasure. Through the window today

 I saw a leaf falling … Lonely, coming down solo.

 there are many more to drop. Maybe half have fallen.  

The colors are bright. The air is still. 

Infrequent falling leaves as I watch.

I’m putting out nothing special thoughts of this fall morning. 

Maybe we’ll see the rabbit this afternoon.

Trash pick-up today. And one of the last local vegetable days at five. 

A concert at seven.

Now a quick walk up and down the driveway, then read a little McMurtry. 

Our group Living with change meets at 2:30.

wi

Britteney Griner

 Let her back

to her life.

patches are

 sky spaces blue

 far beyond high thin clouds, above

orange, yellow and red-rusty colored trees

over long fields sprinkled by thousands 

of fallen leaves

in morning dew 

i think of you.

feel the breeze.

home-

 this is where we find the opening.

how to look once and keep looking.

tell me what you see.

Can not see the lake from here. 

the queen has moved on.

she walked on board in fifty three.

We saw it on our first TV.

Summer day in fall

 For us we have a wonderful, colorful 

Seventy-five degree day in autumn, hurrah.

Look at the reds and orange.  Yellow brights.

Stretching out and long lasting.

The more she mows, the more that falls.

Pulverize it to dust for the yard’s good growing.

What days, what times in color.

Spectacular summer days in fall.

the winterberry

 

the winterberry is out

so are the robins 

working hard to eat all they can

before flying South 

or so, then to return in the winter.

i am not a bird charter,

only reporting what i think

will be. i have read the red

winterberry fruit is a favorite of robins.

already they  have nearly cleaned

the bushes of berrys

Final guardian game 2022

 Against the Yankees, first inning.

Three to nothing. There are fans who 

haven’t had their first beer and

their team is wrapping the season

before they can sit down.

Want to talk football instead?

i’ll do what fifty thousand other fans 

will do - hang on.

Seventeenth is a Monday

 What do you say, feeling okay.

Arbitrary.  Out of the way.

Monday’s usually, seems to

 be followed by another day.

Great answers are not

Always found each time

You look, you see. Often

The good line occurs to me 

During the evening and 

I don’t write it down;

So you know where it ends up.

Silence

 Silence is comfortable as a soft

cloth covering a table.

The prelude to winter.

Orange trees

 Been watching it happen

It was slow to begin; now the color is intense.  

plus leaves are falling heavily since last nights rain.

all over they’re dropping quickly as they should. 

  our woods now is thin. you can see through more.

season change is happening all over.

there is joy in our hearts watching autumn unfold.

Rain approaching

 Healthy feeling out. Not overly cool this morning.

Temperatures are holding in a moderate zone.

I’ll be reading McMurtry; enjoying the day.

Wondering what happened to get me here.

Times move along.

can not find

 Absolute rather blue sky and cool it is;

will jacket up and walk a while,

enough to stretch, probably wear me down.

Why that’s good is a mystery

and all will say so; so there.

bravo for thinking about it.

Something To Do Bob in action.

Thanks Bob, for the memory.

Trail mix

 Some fellow that dated my sister, Therman, used

To say the same joke about a movie cowboy,

Tom mix in cement.  He was a good natured fellow

And he told the same joke every time I saw him.

He died.  I don’t recall what happened.  

I just know he was a nice guy and then

He wasn’t around any more.

claraville

 It’s rocking, we’ve got a choice: 

softly in a chair or with music on.

Sunny and warm. Easy going.

The Butterfield Stage comes through.

Wait in line with Lonesome and Jerry.

Yes, and Cutter too.

We’ll all board and head out of here soon.

Under the Ponderosa Pines.

plain day with a concert

driving this way they stopped.

 a brother-in-law had his gallbladder removed

in Chicago, he’s from Utah.  

Tripus interumptus.

Surgery happened yesterday.

In a today picture with his daughter he looks great

standing, smiling. i should have known.

  He’s in ok shape for an old man.

Ok,we’re attending an acoustic concert at Finney Chapel.

I’m in the hall now.

Earlier i used the dental string between my teeth.

because dr Seif said said I should .

i work the string religiously like a pagan searching God.

don’t want tooth pain     this is my poem

from the wilderness.

Less than previously is happening

after a few days with none around 

one came by for an appearance.

  now a rabbit seen yesterday evening

is out of sight this morning. 

 i don’t blame him.  it seems reasonable behavior.

take a look around, eat some familiar grass, then take to the shelter. stay out of sight. 

Cool this morning, it’s the forecast for the day.

so I’m practicing standing, exercise, i need it.

Sifu Bob Cook and Eddie and Sifu Bill all guide me.

New post

 Have been reading and enjoying Mary Oliver.

October now and dry and still; nothing special going on.

Quiet ... Reading an old McMurtry to enjoy again.

The book takes me back and I’m thinking of friends.

Where are my Rome faces and friends?  Scattered I imagine.

people I don’t know but recognize when we pass.

today in ohio i see the stillness on the street.

i remember home at Rome

on the side, near the  front of the Cancelleria.

sunny and warm. no jacket necessary.

home at Rome.

life soup

Storm ready

 It is barreling toward southwest Florida, 

they labeled it a category four, nearly five, hurricane.

I’m a two days drive north and yet the news is Florida.

How can anyone be ready for a hurricane?

Two and a half million people have been 

warned to evacuate, and now it is too late,

Authorities are saying “hunker down”.

There 442 thousand people in the affected area.

Weeds are tall

 Weeds are tall.

a veritable wall, not green 

at all, not now, holy cow it’s fall.

M undid the corral

We’re back to open range

Seems a little strange.

We’ll see if Little, the rabbit notices.

Could be good eating there,

now that the wire’s out of the picture.

Dry without color.

Why it’s called fall.

Time change

  Just pulled in

 the parking lot at the mall

when a small girl walked by.

She had the distinct and unknown

haunting features of someone

from several millinia ago.

Then she was gone.

Slept well as can be expected

 Made it to Monday after food and football.

Woke to sky clear and two bunnies in the back yard.

Cool weather now, holy cow;  last week we had great heat.

Now Fall season is upon us.

 One day soon when we awaken the leaves will be red.

Fresh apples and cider will be filling our head.

We’ll see horse drawn carts plus pies and tarts.

We have accepted the change

 Weather is our story. I didn’t make it up.

Fall is all around

We can take it.  

going to the fellowship.

We’ll see people.  

It’s a pot luck; m made a strada. Has eggs. Sounds like it is.

We’re fortunate.

For all undoings in this world we’re unharmed.

Do you have a sweater because it may be cold?

I’ ve changed shirts twice (It was my helpers idea).

Now I can begin thinking Sunday football.

And lunch.

Lunch and Sunday football.

Saurday morning

 First thing I see our rabbit, Little, on the lawn, front and center

i turn my head and she is gone.

no telling where she went

her trail has disappeared 

quick as a fawn and with no movement,

not even a blur.  sure it was her.

so i walked the driveway three times,

cold it is.   Okay. This day is underway.

it was her

From oberlin to Cleveland

 Going to the clinic for physical therapy 

Then Galucci’s  Italian market on Euclid avenue

Big doings, something to do.

Woke at 11, 2, 3,4 up at 6.  Then got moving.

Way back early man saw the change of seasons.

I hear it on the radio.

We have entered fall.

grey sky

 gun metal grey is the morning sky today.

nearly shining smooth as the barrel of an old gun.

the yard leaves shimmer.

looking for Little, the rabbit.

talked with Alberto in Rome.  my old friend.

he thinks of Putin and the war.

m drove us to Aldi’s  where I see people are more and heavier.

Thursday night football tonight.  Cleveland vs Steelers.

Chubb plays.

Still grey, but Nick Chubb plays.

the wearing out of summer

 plants have had their high point. flowered, bloomed,

drying out, they’re done.

animals changed their habits.not here now, on the run.

and mornings hold a different silence; it’s the cold I feel.

and my shorts and and t-shirts have seen their day. 

so long boys, i’m with you in my heart.

so swimming didn’t happen … can you believe it?

Summer? my tears are falling cause they’re taking you away.

Lisbon, Portugal

on Sat 1 November, in the year 1755

the day began like always

until 9:40 in the morning 

 Lisbon Portugal had an earthquake.

how large a shake can be?

candles flickered in Ireland.

 can you imagine?

definitely the tremor drew attention.

The Queen departed at 96

 a good lady who kept up her efforts;

served well for her life time.

i‘m happy to have glimpsed her

in San Francisco and again in Rome.

a smile for me remembering

The Queen.

good days for both of us.

returned rabbit

 yes it’s here, sleeping near

under the pine tree by my window.

ready for flight and out of sight.

so bunny can rest and have a good night

Glenna

Moved in around the corner.

From Ithaca New York.

Whenever I hear of Ithaca

New York is always mentioned.

Glenna said that is because of

Ithaca Greece.  This is an example of our neighborhood.

Another thing to know then:

her dad’s name is of course Glen.

INSTRUCTIONS

 

on the warming trend post opening page

the last word on the third line is home.

click "home" and you will have twenty poems per page.

rule

 to the letter of the rule

where even thirteen can be a lucky tool. 

the sound of laughter welcomes

then after the bowling alley,

 

past the fish houses on the river,

 open to the lake.

begins the pier, where beyond the block house.

can't be seen from here.

 

at the light house

hidden in fog

is the calling horn

bidding: beware  . . .  beware

meanwhile, checking back at the bowling alley

Sparky Lala will sweep and take out the trash.

Arthur Wintersteller ready to smile is sitting behind his desk.

Irene Klein put on another pot of coffee, is not particularly happy about anything

two bunnies

they were small, young, a surprise.

 we saw no one around for a couple of days

this evening they popped out of the hedge.

quick and small; in a blink they appeared 

then … puff they were gone.

Mushrooms, we have a fleet

 didn’t exist  when i was a kid.

you had to search the woods to find a few.

fields were doused with poisonous sprays.

we played like circus performers rolling 

empty, metal Dow chemical barrels.

Oh,  now we have giant, giant shrooms blowing up on the lawn. Dinner-plate size. On the shady side. In four or five places.

Groups packed together

Or big singles.

You should be smiling.

Oui, oui

Scattered to dos

 Bundle what’s to be done.

Put out good words like cuddle.

Crawl out of thought muddle.

Slick slide into the season.

Returning with reason

on your side, come on, slide

down the middle 

There is buoyancy, a lift in life.

speed on fast,

prey all will last.

 

 

Donut

talking sugar on a large brown package 

similar to a years ago, real thing donut.

at Christine’s breakfast place by my dad’s coal yard.

yes , this starts the day as i recall

they should kick off swell.

and diddie dooo.

rain some seems okay out.

dry in here, okay to the bone.

i ate two donuts; save number three for later.

donut thoughts are appealing

 the small restaurant I forget her

name i don’t remember.  not Christine.

Maybe i will …  Lizzie? That’s her.

a good woman, loved by all.

  Now I can see her smile.

return

 For how long has Little returned

This morning she’s here. Comfortable and cozy.

We think she’s a she rabbit.

Here having breakfast this morning

Closer too. Near our widow.

Large and the same, our Little home again.

Heat has broken

 we’ve lost the heat of summer.

 yet light warmth pervades 

heat will return in force thank God of nature

it’s scary when it goes.

  because this morning is cooler I mention it

Of great note

what we have is a  monarchy transitioned

Last time I was seven.

there is nothing to do

mark the days respectfully

a straight flight is not always easy

 routine drift under heavy clouds above. 

 all is well, however, there is a problem. 

Two of them. So this day is irregular.

Tabby is not at the front desk. Doctor Tajour

said we have to wait because he's working alone 

and doesn't know where his assistant is.

 

He is gluing two crowns in for me this morning.

i don't mind waiting for  my favorite  dentist because

i don't expect a shot of novocaine, only glue today.

Jennifer the assistant turned up.  she said Wednesdays they 

 

usually work at the other office. 

The doctor came in and glued my crowns 

in two minute. He did.

 i'm out of here.

Work on Dr. Seif Tajour.

Mickey Rooney's birthday

A few years ago Sandusky's historic State theater 

had Mickey Rooney make an appearance, as many old performers 

do when they go around the country a final time raising money as they talk about their career. 

In his youth Mickey was a giant star doing films and appearances with Judy Garland. 

in his old age, for Mickey to make an appearance was a big event for Sandusky.

my wife and i happened to be listening to the radio in the car as a couple of people were promoting Mickey Rooney on the local radio station and one of them mentioned the day Mickey comes to Sandusky will be his eightieth birthday.

When i beard that i immediately told my wife we're going.  

She said why? 

And i told her, "so we could sing happy birthday Micky Rooney."

And we went.

And we did.

Rabit home again

 Back again is Little, our favorite bunny for the past year.

Moving on, now a garage sale we do today. Call it yard sale in front of the garage.

It is not easy to make space for shoppers and lookers. and the stress.  no one is around.

 

then talked to Stephen who runs five miles a day. Lives up the street.

another someone unknown bought a roman column downtown.  says it's in the trunk.

then a big crowd materialized.  they buy

the cowl from my sloop Navigator is gone. 

said goodbye to years on the boat.

why is there a soft pain when releasing the past?

 

then no one. around.

Why haven't they taken my hundred years old desk chair. no one all day has looked at chairs.

my wife and i always went to chairs at yard sales.

our Andrew Carnegie portrait print framed for a library stays with us.

Llked talking to Pragna's father.

the day ended

we sold well.  it was still tough work.

good morning

 working on today, Sunday - hooray.

what do ya say? out of the way.

do not forsake me, oh my darling.

we've a sprinkle of rain.

Ned Washington was the lyricist 

and a kind fellow i met at an a.s.c.a.p.

meeting in  los angeles.

what a good way to go to the city.

now we're going easy.

mark this as complete.

warmer than cool.

i've been the fool.

On our planet

 half of all the world's farmers

are subsistance farmers

who manage to grow enough to eat.

Dental

 Brushed and gargled very throughly.

Then got moving; early start in rain.

off to get some kind of cap form made.

They have me bite sticky stuff.

but there is more: next week return to finish.

I have no idea what else happens today.

Five seconds after the dentist comes in

He he shoots my gums with novacane.

dental surprises i don't like.

I sit there and take it, eh?

Where is the fun? 

Need a great song.

Cabin

 three or four hours north 

of los angeles i had a cabin i

 bought from Lonesome Al.

Pine covered 6400 feet elevation. 

up there alone on a warm night 

i left the cabin's main door open.

in the morning the screen door

had white lime from the outhouse

 forming an imprint of a bears nose.

Seems summer's blooming

Never hear blooming 

i suppose in flower stores you do

i don' t hang out there often

Not one in my neighborhood.

Say grows flowers.

 Noontime Canons booming 

 Leafing through three books of mary oliver

reading Lonesome dove again 

Reently several several larry mcmurtry

Tecumseh and the prophet 

Now can i write?

Michael connelly again

Say so.

saguaro cactus

 bad news.

petrifying is the pending

demise of the saguaro cactus.

forever symbolic of desert plant life.

a few years ago we walked

in the Sonoran desert, saw the saguaro while

going to see my daughter

warm sand out

open sky

dry, beautiful.

memorable 

Middle day

 Plain out. You know ?

Regularissima.  And this is satisfying.

Hits the regular button on the nose.

Don't  need a team of horses 

to direct this into the garage.

Park it ,,, mark it 

done for the day

still

 nothing. 

 it's impossible.

the leaves aren't moving.

not a breath.

inhalation exhalation takes 

more than's happening. 

large trees, little bushes, top to bottom

 nature's stiff out there good morning.

breath for me

and i on you

Now a small cardinal is moving

in the winterberry bush near the window.

back and forth all around.

constant hopper.

Okay he left.  

I saw a leaf move.

Slow but more to normal.

The day will make it.

Last week of August

 been thinking, putting time  together.

to notice where we are when i write a little.

so looking at poems can tell me how 

 often i am chopping one down.

i'll have a wack.   now it's quiet, nothing's

going on. 

 haven't figuered if this street

is going to grow traffic wise. 

could be it'll grow out some other streets. 

if we're lucky we won 't have to think 

about it. right now it comes up cause 

there's nothing much else to ponder.

rabbit returns

 how can they return?

Little reappeared, then a large rabbit.

all were waygone a week ago. 

 not a sign. then last night 

at the regular time, same spot.

one, then the other. 

a surprise for we humans.

seems they were passing through.

must have found a new home nearby.

dentist

this one is the best i've ever had;

still i don't like to go there.

all i bring with me is fear.

can't stop remembering other  times.

other years. 

though this is new,

i wear a mask. a disguise. 

but he'll find me crouching down, waiting my turn.

the day after feeling better;

being thankful and cautious. 

Welcome Millers Orchards

Peaches

Produce

Closed Sundays

Mon - Fri

Favored for Flavor

rocka my boat

 ready to bail ...

the world gets watered like a dry flower pot.

no doubt of it pouring.

tension means no traffic ... a big lacka.

a train sounding comfort.

lacka, lacka, lacka.

come-a rocka my,

Come-a rocka my boat.

Rabbits gone

 two days without seeing either one of the big ones, or our Little.

aware there is definitely less movement outsider  our wondows. 

we look at the appropriate hour.

 missing  small bunny she called Little was obvious.

daily for five months we had watched it chew clover, play, sleep and grow.

went from lying on the lawn 

in one of the same spots every day

around 7 p.m.

to gone.

Season slipped by

 hardly aware of how easily the season slipped by.

we're enjoying summer thinking where to go because this is

finally into the heat of the season, then it rolls into fall.

just feeling it before the colors or coolness come bout

but no doubt; the change is in the air.

iconic

 The word iconic has been 

discovered this year.

Cover it up.

Give it a rest.

i have an island

 

i have an island in my room

i keep it in my bed

it's there i sun and walk on sand

and swim inside my head

piano tuned

 said as if done.

the man's on the run

heading this way.

will see how it goes.

holy mackerel, don't need anything

but a pleasant time.

what i want, what i wish

row the boat.  catch a fish.

simplicity elasticity, musical notes in captivity

here this poem ends ... explicitly 

now tune the piano?

and the man quickly did.

when she asked me

 

when she asked me to turn

off the sprinklers in twenty minutes

i nodded and  noticed the kitchen clock

and then the one in the living room.

they were ten minutes apart.

i began to tell her and she said

“Oh, jack” in that tone, you know which one.

“This is not science.”

“go make a clock then” is what i thought

but didn’t say,

then forgot where i was going with this

so i returned to the spot where i thought it

ever do that?

it usually works  -  to capture forgotten thoughts

return to the spot where you thought it.

this time it didn’t work.

looking out the kitchen window

there on the back of a chair

a squirrel sat intensely

looking in at me.

i had a plan where i was going with this

but  now, before i forget again,

i'd better go out

and turn off the sprinklers.

The long shot of the morning sun

 i remember the long shot of the morning sun, first thing, at the crack of dawn.

 how it hit the kitchen wall.

that's  how i learned where east was

 and that the sun moved a little every day cause i made a small mark on the wall with a pencil where the sun first hit.

and the weeks became seasons and changed where i marked on the wall. 

Oh, the color of the sun and the wall. 

i'd mark small so my mother wouldn't see it.

F in space

woke with a tone in my head,
checked on the piano, it was an F.

later in the day i remembered the F.
next day, again i duplicated the F.

then a train went by:
what do you know, the mournful tone was? an F.

now i am waiting another F'n train.

Let's retire the bucket list

like large stars people mounted on their houses,

 because it was the rage a few years ago.

thank goodness it is out of fashion now.

Dump 'em.

i say that so a few more people will

take down the ridiculous stars.

while we're at it: retire the bucket list.

we don't need a list of special things we 

must do in our lifetime.

Survive and return

 didn't expect to look out this evening

to see frolicking two full grown bunnies.

for ten or fifteen minutes they did

typical rabbit play: hopping, running, staying close.

turning the corner on summer

change comes whether you think of it or not.

are you talking to me?

keep your eye on the ball. 

that's common sense.

 

don't know why i repeat the rules

eventhough the rules keep changing.

all seems so simple when you see the field.

stay within the lines.  that's what they're for.

 

plenty hot and humid out.

though we've signs that another season will soon appear

line up, wash well, dry, stay clean, my dear.

and be ready for what change comes next.

Zucchini bread

 no yogurt with dry cereal this morning.

 sure they exist, but forget about it.

today it's zucchini bread and butter

so moist and light

it tastes like cake - the bread does.

not a tough meal to take.

call it a tasty breakfast.

but don't talk with your mouth full.

Renewal

Old school mates, from 61 years ago.

That says it. That, and: my goodness.

Imagine seeing someone you once knew that you haven't seen for a lifetime. 

A wonderful event. 

A tremendous wow to all, even persons reading this. You get the idea. It doesn't often happen.

Of course It warms the heart.

rolling

stand back, make room.

no obstruction, time is moving.

 open road free wheeling,

fine weather hauling.

hills won't matter.

free spirits chatter.

songs are calling.

we're heading home. we're heading home.

one about

there's one reported this a.m.

a solo rabbit at first light; out scouting.

all the great night storms predicted 

resulted in a sprinkle.

so night ran quietly on hardly a breeze.

74 degrees This mornin', warm as you please. 85 this a.m.

looking at cloud thickness all day. 

and hey, now i can hear it raining. 

 300 species of hummingbirds in the world.

17 species in the u.s.

with these words

to you i send a warm hello

and advice to keep a lookout for what's ahead.

how prepared can you be?

please, be as best as you are able.

worn out

 after a night out staying fully alert.

morning wakes in silence, no one hurt.

energized and tired, all in one.

time to to sleep, no need to run.

this is home land. safe for all.

good dreams, my friends. wall to wall.

 sun sets

some do

flush red

others

rush out

grey

Been a while

not since april

has another month begun with A.

put a note up with a staple.

into this tree, mark it maple.

Books

 around on tables.

here they are. seems many.

just reading one at a time; or two.

i tell you reading keeps me company.

books tell a story.

Evelyn 13

 the town we came to last

October with Catherine my daughter.

the town is Wooster,

an  R instead of W and you'd have Rooster.

 an hour away when you figure.

good weather, good country drive. 

ordered the Evelyn 13 again.

leftovers were boxed and became supper.

john walker

 John walker caught me, turned came back

we talked the morning with interest covering his current book and frogs.

i explained how the principal takes a position.

he will look now to see who is boss .

i have to speak up for him to hear.

John lives in his world as i harbor mine.

we are comfortable talking.

i made a four line poem as an example.

that's how comfortable the space john gives me.

always i'll speak louder, more clearly.

he walks miles each day.

i call him john walker.

a good soul.

not raining

 skip the prediction.

sure we have the complete thick

cloudiness masking completely the entire sky

all the way up and across, from one

side to the other plus up and down,

 it's totally gray with no darkness

anywhere.

so it doesn't seem like rain will fall.

not immediately.

maybe after a while.

three minutes after i finished writing this

i turned my back and

it began to rain ... hard.

Asphalt day

 with expectations that never again 

to wake thinking, worrying

about the great black work being

done on our driveway ... good luck.

today they pour, roll and spread smooth.

will it smell?

and the rabbits keep away?

and, yes, we've good weather;

there is no rain.

rabbit trio

quietly near summer sunset

in the back yard three rabbits appear.

they don't walk or run out. 

quietly they appear at once.

our little one is surrounded, 

and may be the attraction.

ten minutes later they disappear. 

Pebbles be gone

 The workers are going at the drive.

Monday will see them put down asphalt.

That will be the end of it for them.

For us it starts our hundted foot stretch

of driveway. Clean, smoothed. 

Easier to walk on for me.

A sight prettier than gravel.

We'll see how it affects the rabbits.

They are our interest now, until the day they disappear for the winter. 

A lot of trees, an acre of land and tabbits.

Of this we care.

Dreamed some

 and i remember at the end i told my friend Joe i'd have to move back to California again. during the dream i know the weather was fine.

if i was down by the boats i'd really like that. i guess my friends and the boats i knew are all gone. Even Mike at the shipyard is probably retired by now.

it's better to just dream some and feel good about the marina in Sausalito, California. i have warm feelings when i think about it.

Fighting rain

 all eyes to the sky.

the hard way of prediction. 

we know rain is surrounding us,

on tbe way to wash us down.

radar doesn't  lie.

the soil is sticky enough right now.

thank goodness the Mennonites are an able crew, and yet there's only one of him.

hats off.  attention.

we made it, this shed's in.

darkness

starting easy on the light side.

its a grey day, no doubt.

an atmosphere dull, not sharp.

what this weather's about.

 

reposted

Saturday, 10-28-2017

October skies

take some steel and winds
not great, but easy.
color them rolling,
skies alive. 

 

zero day

no plans are set.

consider this open time.

wall to wall.

free with no appointments, 

that's how to awaken.

gives me space to create. 

fill the day with what is best.

i should make a list.

broke down and back together

 had a circle of dream,

 light as a feather. 

in the back of my mind i'm keeping an eye out for what's next.

Angela Merkel spoke. a pleasure to see dignified composure and competence..

                      

                                 ***

took the car in; then after the oil change

paid 500 dollars more for new break pads.

plus another hour and a half waiting

for them to do the job. 

i think one guy did the work.

they had coffee and no donuts.

you go to an auto dealer and that's what you get. 

it is good i report, so you remember.

Reading in the sun

 when i glanced up from my book

two rabbits were ten feet in front of me.

next to them

two humming birds were at the feeder.

 

it took less then a second

for the rabbits and i to see each other.

both rabbits simultaneously split the instant we saw each other.

the birds drank at their usual pace.

 

i  need a bit more sun.

now i'm in the shade.

these are the moments we wait all winter for.

Three here

 sunny, warm and silent morn.

out the kitchen window 

two small deer in the yard

getting water from our dish;

heads suddenly turn

 their moother is here.

she leads them into the

woods and quickly away.

winter lover

 

  here's the review. 

had blue snow; 

not more than we could handle.  

didn't get covid, worried about it 

stayed at home. TV and

 good books got us through.

  ate everyday. 

reading and

 The new style of penmanship is easy to do, while

the old fashion was elegant, swirly, handsome.  

writing notes for shopping, corresponding with friends and family.

Making notation for later- things you need to remember.

flotation. Croation.

month on

 once underway spinning

 the beginning has begun.

we'll be whirling underway, 

count on us.

San francisci Bay i say, Sifu bill, 

thanks to you.

another perfect day.

we're hundreds. half here

and half wishing we were

and thinking about it.

right down to coffee and a donut.

Clean the draft

 Chris will bring his experience to

the situation, he said.

get the drain on the level.

what a devil.

now at seven a.m. Meri is working on it.

i woke to hear her working

in the mud  on the exterior.

she got up at five and cleaned the drain.

what a pain.

Chris forgot to get here.

he went to a party instead.

Color him red.

The Invisible Man

Does it happen to you or am i the only invisible man? Usually when it occurs i am next in line in a store and two or three shoppers come in and the next thing i know they're in front of me getting waited on  ahead of me.  i must be invisible.

 We went to Drug Mart and while she shopped i picked up an old car magazine, the big summer edition.  On the way home i noticed the 5.98 price on the cover.  Oh my, it wasn't a freebie!

 I didn't really care about the magazine. I sat at home and looked at it, about fifty cents worth, and we went back to that mall for take-out Chinese food, so i took the magazine back to the store,  put it on the rack where i found it and left.

There were four employees nearby, not busy not doing anything but talking, very close to that rack, but no one saw me either time.  I have known it for many years, but still it is a strange feeling, for i am occasionally invisible.

 

Blend in completely

 two young deer 40 feet away

behind our house in the woods 

are invisible when they are still.

i can not see them at all.

week to go

 holy cow, hot, humid now, 

moving toward July.

we've only a week to go.  

so get ready. 

last warning. 

Honey, it's upon us.

June floating by

 a most wonderful time of year,

i am pleased to hold it so dear.

time for a picnic with all the goods.

 a large golden pond and the dark,  thick woods.

 the month is so teasing,

fresh berries are pleasing,

lovers entwine.

pour some fresh summer wine.

our yard

 wait all day. well, a few hours.

until i finally go out. 

Inside home all morning,

into half the afternoon.

finally get up the ambition to go out.

 neighbor starts mowing. 

 picture this.

a racket.  distracting. disturbing.

impossibly bad  bad timing.

i left. 

 now from inside i consider words to write. 

it's hot out there. 

humidity is a factor.

in here it is quiet.

overhead

 can't see the the planes soar over.

they're high up.

maybe they're new york to alaska bound

or some other far place. New Zealand?

also it's cloudy today

what i hear closer to home

are a variety of birds 

and a smidge of neighbor chatter.

doesn't matter; some adult neighbor kids

are visiting for a while this summer.

now there goes another plane.

Oh, so very far away.

Weak end

 piling on hours to construct the day.             got'em together. now what do you say? 

we can begin the next month soon.

don't bother to tell me when

you'll reach for the moon.

Great humidity

 a promise of heat, we'll see. 

morning is wet with humidity.  

rabbits are out and we are too. 

light walking and taffic. 

trees are quiet, birds are few. 

clouds are whisps, sky is blue.

we classmates

we classmates today gathered at the 

golf course Bar North for lunch and talking.

and remained inside in air conditioning on a terrible ninety -something degree, humid day. 

we numbered nineteen. Skip came all the way from Houston.

one long line of tables worked for our group.

you know, i met Cynthia, Tom Meyers and Leslie way, way back in kindergarten.

the rest jumped on this train along the way.  we've ridden together ever since.

another fine day we had.  such a good time for all.

this is why we return and see these familiar faces again and again.

Storm last night

 don't know where the bunnies slept.

i think close along the leeward side of the house.

or under the heavy fur tree.

Jeeze the rain was beating down.

and we had the largest booms i've ever heard.

 shook the earth.

made me nearly roll off the bed. 

but i didn't get up to look out the window.

halfway slept and rode out the storm.

let it happen by itself.

hey, i would have helped if i could've.

you should have heard the amount of water pounding on the house.

Flashing light

 saw lightning bugs

last night three lit

bright as car headlights.

soon summer evenings will bring countless

flashes filling the black yard,

flooding the darkness with blinkiing lights.

.

so softly

  i will care for you.

help along the way.

when turning at a corner

gentle wind will warm you.

stay well, dearest,

 all is night and day.

poet's today

a date doesn't have to be current.

 written well today.

mentioned by the poet,

fits now.

try it on, Clownie.

sit down next to me.

crowd me not.

we can't share bus tickets.

you  know i like to write about bus rides.

Shooting

 citizens are frustrated the government does  nothing.

so today people parade

 against guns and shooters.

children's lives have been taken.

what is the meaning of this? 

kids.  the world is for them.

let them play and have fun together.

holidays, family, celebration.

bring back playgrounds in our culture. 

get on course.

and of shooting,

middle and old age people 

don't want to get wasted either.

much sun

 the day before June how it goes.

to load up on sun when it shows.

the grey-edged folly in the heavens,

cool blue and brightness in the sky.

 while meri mows the last of our acre.

thick and long.

 a while it'll take her.

i'm glad she is strong.

Free time

 Thinking before or after writing

Either one is happening always

Unless i'm writing, then it is between time.

Like somthing to eat; just finished or is next.

Let us mark it all down.

what fits into this scheme are our creatures.

Loveable and quick.  One rabit ran out of the bush two days ago and nearly ran into me. he saw me and froze. we both did. It 

We looked at each other and wondered what would happen next.

notice our rabbits. they are here or abscent.

never half way.  mark it down.

lit

 from space our planet appears lit.

not well just lit, overly so.

our planet shines in the large space pond

when seen from somewhere out ... beyond.

Paint away

 it sits around too many months.

years now.

 throw old house paint away

at the paint dump in Elyria.

the worker guys were jolly, old, heavy, slow.

they gave us cardboard boxes for packing.

Oh well, jolly is too much.

say they're very happy.

then out in the world,

 heading to wellington,

streets are dry, traffic light.

stopped to see Tim the clockman,

he'll pack our grandfather clock,

port it to oberlin, oil and set it up.

he wears clothes and glasses

from a hundred years ago.

back to home before returning

to Wellington a second time to do taxes

with another great, easy fellow.

job day, okay. what do you say?

Weekend warm

 we'll have a few summer days                                                                                                 leaping on us out of nowhere                                                                                                     when we thought it would                                                                                                                  take a while to get here                                                                                                                   pow it's upon us                                                                                                                                thank god of good weather    

Mid week

 Cold morn, later warm.

heard the news.

poor families of little kids shot in texas.

the things we have to put up with.  

poor united states of america.

pals

 Being nice to my friends, thinking of them. how i enjoy seeing them even though i don't have a load of new happenings to report.

seeing you and saying hello means you elevate my happiness by being here.             so hello means you make me happy.

The color of summer

 It will be warm today, one of the warmest and looking out this morning i see the sweetness of summer the way it should be, warm in the heavy shade of green you want to see.                                                              birds and rabits all on board; beige and white, blending in. there are trees and bushes thick with life. now a heavy sprinkle of rain.                    what a day.                                                            a good morning for you

Little birds

  see the short birds

 running in the Wallmart parking lot.  

little ones.       Plump but look how fast they go.                                      

do they immigrate south when there's snow?    i haven't the foggiest idea.                           

seems would be hard for them to run like that on ice. 

they have a lot of tricks though.

 birds have developed good abilities 

for many things they can do.

in wood times - reprise

 t Tuesday, September 28, 2010 8 comments

in wood times - reprise

in wood times i've spent walking
gathering colors, tasting sounds
by ferns, tall grass, and animals
under the forest canopy, making rounds

flushing pheasants as i go
they streak off in a line
then to stop, a place i know
amid green berries on the vine

wild white rolling clouds above
reflect the light, contrast the blue
in nature's time i touch the love
and symmetry by which things grew

the wind plays light and sweet
with mint and closer scents
honeysuckle and wildflower complete
the multicolored firmament

at a small creek bank i pause to drink
and there, witness life within
a small plant reaches water's brink
the shoots are young and thin

where hours pass i cannot say
the sun marks shadows on the land
little voices beg me to stay
i promise trees, i'll come again

Slip by

 All has changed for the better.  Am I kidding myself. We saw the play. We're halfway gone at the intermission. Don't know why we came back. We did. The show did have some actors playing a dog and a chicken. They were the best parts of the show. 

  I'll.remember them when I think of the performance. Good blocking. Of course the dog and thr chicken talked - it was a play.

In my mind

 today we'll see a play.

 new ideas will fill our minds.  

thoughts will rise. 

i'll have to write things down. 

inspiration will clamor. 

this is an afternoon show. 

we'll come home in sunshine. 

that says a lot of goodness for us.  

we're not evening people.

Clocks are wound

 can't learn much but it's a start.                 Tim winds his 17 clocks every Sunday         now we follow his example starting today. the sun i see ricochet                                        off the house being built across the street. Rod complained about it.                        this morning i see it bright. he's right.                           he hopes it will not be another sided white.            i hope the clocks run smoothly.                    and stand with rod.                            learning about clocks takes time.

the last day we saw rain

 

the last  day we saw rain                                                                                                            then 2022 dried a while,                                                                                                                 a surprise we needed,                                                                                                               the land did too, while                                                                                                                 for this afternoon is                                                                                                                         projected two inches of rain.                                                                                                    that is a monsterful.                                                                                                                 how can i mark this                                                                                                                future projection down?

the day before the rain quit

 

the last  day we saw rain                                                                                                            then 2022 dried a while,                                                                                                                 a surprise we needed,                                                                                                               the land did too, while                                                                                                                 for this afternoon is                                                                                                                         projected two inches of rain.                                                                                                    that is a&  monsterful.                                                                                                                 how can i mark this                                                                                                                future projection down?

soft night train

 

no screeching last night.

in breaths of quiet, light wind
the train pattered like grandma’s slippers
sliding along the linoleum kitchen floor,
hardly going anywhere 

and the whistle was not a blaster,
instead it gave soft puffs
like puh, with a long breath between the next muh.
muh ma, as if needed to be picked up and cuddled

loud noise

27 august 1883
the loudest noise our
planet has ever heard.
circled the earth four times.
if you were nearer than
ten miles from Krakatoa exploding
you'd be deaf.
floating pumice fields 10 feet deep
clogged ports,
there was so much ash thrown in the sky that in Nicaragua, on the other side of the Pacific, the sun was blue. 

poem for us

what poetry means
are soft words
how we feel
blanket warm
in light of dawn

with a pleasant look on our face.

and music with delicious melodies. 

rest calmly night

 

no wind, yet the sea moves 

on slow long breathes in and out;

respiring a sweeping rush of shore pebbles.

folding waters cause an occasional boom on the shore.

the near full moon reflecting

white sparkles in the sea

throws scattered far reaching points of light,

in the nearly-still envelope of evening.

 

how you do it swell.

evening, you're a sweet song

i know you mean well,

i can tell by how you've done.

a small boat in light ripples

 my Monterey, Snort,

built in 1930s when the name 

meant a shot of whiskey.

how sweet our time together.

how i patched you

and worked to make you right.

thank you,  Morgan for selling her to me.

 i ordered a two cylinder, 900 pound  diesel engine 

from China.  it came to the boat yard in Sausalito.

i put it in.  a pal set it straight in the boat.

and i hooked the mechanical and electrical.

 

i can taste the salt water breeze of the Pacific

when i think of it.

oh, we had our tine running in the bay

and on the ocean.

 

 ***

 

hurray.

for the fiftieth anniversary of the Oakland bay bridge

i took my 28 foot old wooden sloop Navigator,

my nautical wood working friend Mike and Meri 

and along with over a thousand other boats

on a black windless night

 

 packed close like sardines a tin i heard them hitting  each other.

managing in the thick of music, lights and celebration

we  had a fine rime and got home without a nick.

all part of life on San Francisco Bay

sloop

a lengthy swift sloop at sail at sea
with half a breeze and half a sun as you man her
nowhere to go and no call to go
just time to set far back
look up to the tall sturdy mast
as nylon sails snap
to the occasional wind's lick

the ocean spits bits of spray
back and forth over the bow
with a gentle lift the shore is visible
then a recline and shore is gone
another lift and the long, low line of land is there again

no need for a shirt with warm air rushing over you
and your hair is twisted and thrown and dampened by spray
a red neck feels good and a tan face
makes it better to have lived this way
strong hands hold the ship to a meandering course
from nowhere
in particular
and back a gain

scattered over

 can't get away today,                                    going to cover us well                                         is the prediction,                                                      stay in to keep dry.                                      plus there is  more on the way                              with thunder they say                                  and we haven't even begun.                         now is quiet as France.  let's                    someday waltz across the bridge.                          with umbrellas

with the volume of a bright candle glow

  red clock lights

blinked away this morning.

hello okay.

blinking  meant the current was interrupted.

good morning anyway.

don't blow a gasket.

i'm surprised the flashing didn't wake me.

how are you with blinking?

good thing coffee settles everything, that's      my thinking

glow on.

 

light stepping

 
good shoes, the right jacket.
open land to the end of the field.
cross the piece of woods beyond.
dry weeds snap and crackle as i walk

through the short stretch of brush
to the pond. it's morning
and already a pleasant day
can be seen ahead. 

the good sun, light breeze. sit and listen for a while to the soundsof the day. a bird or two and large clouds. enough to make a full world. 

make a note: a very good time of morning for an easy hike

War is hell

 such torture the world suffers.

unnecessary to endure.

not stars nor flowers or love.

come out of that; turn a light on above.

it's coming from the sun

it’s fitting that I start from here 

the tale that I can’t tell 

just meditate and don’t relate 

you know the story well

 

 i’ll tell you what the prophet sees 

the things I can’t relate the thoughts you’ll twist into your toys the things you won’t debate

 it’s not what you expect you see that’s how we play the game we hesitate instead of flow as the world remains in change

 the greatest words I’ve written the wildest things I’ve said were sung by children half-asleep and wetting in their bed

 there is secret news I’m going to say it’s sleeping in your heart but take your time, it’s here with mine don’t leave before you start 

 it’s coming from the sun there’s nothing more than that the fire burns, heats the earth and here the poet sat while knock, knock, knocking the postman at the door brings coupons free, some for me and still I look for more 

 but there’s something that I’ve written the wildest thing I’ve read when world began in secret news the words some others said it’s not as you expect, you see that’s how the world does go we go about trying to learn instead of forgetting what we know

 while knock, knock, knocking the old man at the gate chases his hat, loves his cat and that’s more than he can take

 beyond the last tomorrow when the old man loses sight thoughts will rush like choir boys passing each by candle light 

 it’s coming from the sun 

  i can see it coming down 

what it is our words won’t say but there’s sure enough around

 it’s fitting that I say no more of the tale that I can’t tell 

after all, I’m only you, a poet too, as well

sail on lightly

 the bay in light winds, always ready

  on clear, fine temperature, sunny days.

  i love how your waters rolled under me.

 Cousin Don. Sharlett. Crab louie.

 Mike, dock workers, familiar faces.

at home on the cove. 

 beyond is my bay.

with  the great, steel, red-orange bridge. 

call her the Golden Gate. 

how did you slip from my grasp?

i know you're waiting for me

 as i for you.

i had so much life to live.

Pot lucky

 time for good weather

here it is now and what do you know?

our  deer friends nibbled buds off everything they were able.

little trees, good bushes, that's their table. way to go.

they snip sharp as scissors.

deer do. snipping whatever.

good luck now.  today a Pot luck after service.

can't wait to see what everyone brings.

 nonsense, of course i can and will...for all sorts of things.

i love good taste like deer do.

warm and I walked our grounds

 not muddy but soft.

would be great if it drys.

and jo's lemon pie was a winner;

one of several at our pot luck dinner.

tuesday some

 back to dimitri's.  the dog opens at eleven. 

 we found

 no parking in front.

the day very cold, wore my heavy coat, walked

to the door.  the food didn't

get her vote.  a matter of poor grease.

Potatoes and eggs were fine.

i thought ... and thought ... it was okay.

we took Catherine there another

time ago.  we're Oberniks now. 

sun and colding

 seems should be dickens better

thick and fine; keep in line. 

 it doesn't look like jacket weather. 

the calender creates another tale.

on the ground is a surprise sight

the falling snow is sticking white

some cities are better for what they did

they built their baseball stadium with a lid

big, fat, way out of season snow flakes

have been falling since eight this morning.

no pause. four p.m. it's nearly stopped

Six inches of snow is now melting. rapidly.

busy weather day happening. 

Mystery

 no deer or chipmunks; no sign of them.

 that's why it's so quiet.

cri-min-nently (one word for the occasion.)

Meaning caspita or holysmoke.

looking,  perusing quietly.

thought I'd say a day like this

the robin doesn't seem to know

he's a robin.

 

we're all out'a sorts.

pinch me

 the decorative old  grey piano shop on the left bank

has a family business next door which

steamed clean the load of wash i carried there.

would be

if the weather only warms

in a display of it's charms

summer then will burst forth

to hold us in its arms.

lines of grey

 beyond the far horizon

 heavy  rain clouds pile.

morning when i'm rising

 darkness stacks up half a mile.

Dreamed

 swam all night in dream

mainly upstream.

 peaches and cream filled my head

so it seemed.

Prefer

 woke up on a saturday and couldn't say 

the word preferably.  it came out in pieces.

stumped me completely. 

otherwise, I'm reading an excellent 

book called The American West by Dee Brown.

  been reading the same story

In five or six books for two years.

Started with Tecumseh WwhT beyond Lewis

and Clark into the old west 

eventually into the twentieth  Century.

Wednesday

 middle of the week, 

keep holding on.

spring has reached Its peak.

soon rain'll be gone.

  

Had it

 in a good way. what'd i have?

all the necessary lines.

looked around on dry ground.

then i found every pound.

the name, the month.

couldn't find those. uh

checked several times.

the wrong year.  It was there finally.

when i found the right year.

my name is Rosa. 

i'm cleaning, doing poetry repair.

for me and you, reader. i swear.

who is the leader?  in the air?

we all care.  back up. back up.

everywhere. now take it easy.

lovely day

 says it all, now what do you say.

tell me how you feel.

it may warm soon.  by afternoon?

no way.  not today. but spring is real.

i know we need more flowers.

from what is seen, lawns are green.

spring is early. on the way 

in a matter of hours.

 

 Kirtland

An hour away.

Quilt show until May first.

april 1 2022

 on the top right of the main page tap "home" and you will have twenty posts per page. 

also on the home page is the "archive" revealing posts back to 2007.

Carolina sun

 as the heat of the Carolina sun poured down 

brothers Wilbur and Orville worked

 to overcome the skeptical naysayers.

first building then improving while

 experimenting with their flying machine

 amid the blowing hot sands at Kitty hawk.

such unbelievable excitement and courage 

 while maintaining calm composure and 

persistence on the way to their goal.

it was one hundred years ago the Wright 

brothers  from Dayton, Ohio calmly unveiled

 a gift to the world: the flying machine.

what a time this 20th Century.

no sooner did the first horseless carriages   

begin shaking, throwing dust and rattling  up and down the 

streets when flyers appeared in the sky overhead.

&&& 

Pulitzer winning author David McCullough 

brings to life the story of the great adventure -

how man began to soar like the birds: The Wright Brothers

the date

 it is a pleasure to be reading a book

and when suddenly the date is mentioned.

i find it is this week or the other day.

makes me feel positioned in the right zone.

not far from home.

neither the suthor nor i are alone.

we just moved closer together.

this works in any weather. 

weeks to go

 after a month of waiting

today i got two injections against covid.

special shots for people with no imunity.

now i wait, just wait, two more weeks

for imunity from the medicine to kick in.

how now brown cow

needed rhyme to show i'm serious

not delirious in proof this is a poem.

poof. up in smoke. and like shots -

double poof. 

Scratch this.  It's too early to write right.

day do you have?

 to go major factual i

checked the calender

it's 23 March in this year 2022.

  then noticed  the farm fields.

 

soggy all around; sure enough.

dark clouds this afternoon.

nothing significant.

appreciate what we have.

a song in the morning

 i got my hat, brought my coat

taking  a walk is what i'm about.

Oh, i'll bring my book in case there's time.

leave yours on the hook, next to mine.

so sit a while, stay in line.

 think and smile.

may some sunshine start the day.

during a lacuna i'll make plans

on warm beach sands

to lunch a bunch. Oh man, ole man.

so close to rhyme.

hills to climb 

curiouser and curiouser

first day o spring

 feels like it ought to be

sun, still, wonderful.

nothing to fabricate  about 

this repetition of goodness.

moving

 into a new day unobstructed. 

Loosen your scarf

unbutton your collar and relax.

there's nothing like

sailing over a light traffic, gentle road

 with the object of doing well ahead

to get your chores done.

 and tell me: is the day fun yet?

today my

 today Thursday the 17 of march 2022

i checked the time ...

the sun set at nearly seven thirty pm,

hanging while slowly dropping, 

 Like looking into the face of a

powerful, red glowing cannonball.

that approximation hangs on the clocks.

how well they're set today.

i take responsibility. 

such

 such a lovely day and quiet.

only thing to hear is ringing in my ear

when i think about it.  but i'm too busy

thinking to pay that kind of attention.

breezeless

 all the sunny, calm, warm afternoon needed

to seriously open spring is here.

 heaven is a clean car

  and gas in the tank.

crushed in white

 blanket tight wrapped my shoulder.

sure dark and cozy as i slept last night.

dreamed through silence.

a calm reliance in my heart.

to generate a new beginning,

 starting over heading for a new spring.

snow will melt.  no more dark sky.  

this winter's over. 

let school yard voices sing.

right off the bat

 first day and there is

one interested in our home for sale.

we're going to the clockman

i called and

 clockman is closed until Monday. 

no driving that way today.

forget the meatless so-called 

impossible burger

and fries, and adding to our ketchup  stash.

grey, they say will snow anyway.

i had to keep reading that to see what i was talking a bout.

forget it.

just another day.

how much going on can happen?

not a ketchup's worth.