Tuesday, June 26, 2012

your way


look  where you want,
keep an attentive eye,  
dally where you may.
along your way make important
what you will;
enjoy the colors,
smell the scents,
as wind blows,
as life runs on ahead
don't let it get away,
keep up with it.

Sunday, June 24, 2012

caught


caught a frog on the fence
just the first rung
he was looking for a way -
he was on his way.

i approached easily and carried him back to the pond.
though the month is right for him to leave,
it was dry out there, rough brush to cross;
he can go safer when it rains.  that night it did and he did.

he was as limp as a warm, fish filet as i gently held im,
like jello in a thin, pliable, plastic bag.  he knew it was me.
no fight or resistance when i carried him back to the pond.
i've watched for years, but never expected frogs to be so soft.

Saturday, June 23, 2012

dawn poem

 

near june dawn
one damp
brown leather foot
after another
crept through the woods
to a lake and canoe
where two
set off as few would do
to pursue the climbing amber sun
 not yet in view
and jumping swimming fish
 deep in the blue
the deer and bear and birds

what they saw
no one knew

Sunday, June 17, 2012

a walk to piazza Navona


a walk to piazza Navona
sun is shining on the carnival crowd
regulars and newbies free long  last;
rush about without sense or purpose

without the very cold and rain
snow too we’ve seen
quite enough,  for this is Roma
imperial city of old
worn and tattered
repair the holes in the street again
though not until they’re too large to walk around
oh, the sky is clear blue and bright this time

buy  a piece of this place for a lot of loot,
then rent it out
parents will pay so their children can
drink and party the nights away

and we’ll come back again
be it in sun and rain or moon
to see  the fountains and work of countless artisans
from and for ages beyond measure

three m's and me in city life



dear reader i want to help you.
there are three m’s in this story
my m,  friend maria and chinese maria3
there.  you’re ready.   simple as can be.

seated  in  our Chinese restaurant
m. can immerse to a point
she tells me as I wonder
what point is that?

maria arrived moving slowly
we greet as she sits gingerly
having fallen in the shower last week
and whacked well  her ribs for real.

maria 3 came to hear
about the mishap, pen in hand,
and to take our orders, no mystery there,
for us it is the usual.

at this point i mentioned the man
who lives on folded cardboard boxes
down in front of the pharmacy
on busy Corso  Vittorio

saw him watering  the tiny plants
springing up in the cracks on the sidewalk.
this is the city, where you tend your garden
 where  you find it.  

we talk, ate and depart.
then gather on  the outside.
to the man selling umbrellas
we show him ours,  as all notice rain had passed.
                                 
that’s 3 m’s, lunch and me
and briefly raining weather
no confusion,  call it a Sunday
wrapped and packed together

i've painted so many


i’ve painted so many
Ohio wants boats and light houses
Roma likes loose abstraction
while i’ve maintained post impressionism

leaning away in style
cause i am free and growing
reaching with my brushes
seeking to find

consistent in my stretch
for another thing
even i never knew
and may not get to

a summer festival banner weekend


a summer festival  banner weekend
for small farmer apple town Ohio
when curious regular folk and their cousins neighbors
turn out, see ‘em,  lining up and down the way.

have a meal, spin the wheel,
try a share of homemade pie , amid the chattering.
an sample some of yesterday,  here today.
and be sure to view  old tractors on parade,

rolling clean and well buffed like everyone.
she pours me a bit of homemade  lemonade.
go ahead sun, shine, while kids crank that ice cream ready,
and, life, we’ve  got it made. oh, yes,  we’ve got it made.

doing something well takes time



to do well may be easy
but always takes time

do a thousand times
with care and attention

that ’ll learn ya
and might get some mention