\n
Useful idiots
\nmanaging the RMV
\nthat will not be fun<\/p>\n
\n
They are BOTH too old
\nOne is an evil moron
\nThe other isn’t<\/p>\n
\n
Six minutes per side
\nYou\u2019ll miss me knowing that fact
\nIf\/when I vanish<\/p>\n
\n
I forgot my belt
\non a childhood vacation
\nit was traumatic<\/p>\n
\n
Law of the Jungle
\nWe should know better as the
\nCrown of Creation<\/p>\n
\n
my hygge cafe
\ntrusty laptop gets work done
\nwhile I cogitate<\/p>\n
\n
media reports
\nthat I am old, or “older”
\nbut “younger” lingers<\/p>\n
\n
Ugh, I\u2019m so my moods
\nWhen I feel good, am I \u201cme\u201d?
\nBut not when I suck?<\/p>\n
\n
What world do I want?
\nOne that helps me live my life?
\nOr helps dumb despots?<\/p>\n
\n
Did I raise you right?
\nWill the world be good for you?
\nDo you feel my love?<\/p>\n
\n
There is a bias
\n\u201cI live in the worst of times\u201d
\nStill, it\u2019s when I lived<\/p>\n
\n
I hope we survive
\nMagically joining forces
\nWould that not be grand?<\/p>\n
\n
Gratitude’s helpful
\nAppreciate that you\u2019re loved
\nHow that helps us live<\/p>\n
\n
I hate Jeff Goldblum
\nhe annoys me perfectly
\nas does Kathy Bates<\/p>\n
\n
The loud guy talks most
\nThat is cafe etiquette
\nAlso most boring<\/p>\n
\n
hotel breakfast club
\nbad bacon, bagels, coffee
\nmankind I can’t stand<\/p>\n
\n
Family planet
\nWe are all conjoined siblings
\nKill me, kills you too<\/p>\n
\n
If you don\u2019t believe
\nthat there\u2019s a God in Heaven
\nare you not allowed?<\/p>\n
\n
As God likes to say:
\n“Ye are a stiff-necked people,
\nStop being so dumb!”<\/p>\n
\n
Optimism helps
\nbut not as much as hard work
\ntowards a sane planet<\/p>\n
\n
Looking within me
\nthere is something divine too
\nthat\u2019s so much better<\/p>\n
\n
We tolerated
\nClimate chaos deniers
\nSoon we\u2019ll swim with them<\/p>\n
\n
I love this tableau
\nrain\/ coffee\/ fan\/ morning news\/
\ncalm to embrace it<\/p>\n
\n
Packing for vaca
\nalmost forgot that gizmo
\nthat gets my sock on
\n(no longer needed, 5 months after hip replacement)<\/p>\n
\n
Said no to pastries
\nDeprived but then lost some pounds
\nStill, scones are so good<\/p>\n
\n
I am not on Earth
\nTo build my great resume
\nBut to know myself<\/p>\n
\n
Without any home
\nExcept a confident shell
\nRepels and protects<\/p>\n
\n
Goal: “purpose-free calm”
\nNo return on investment
\nReason: just to be<\/p>\n
\n
Hunger must be fed?
\nWho died and made hunger king?
\nWhat if I felt it?<\/p>\n
\n
I just remembered
\nyou brought pastrami for lunch
\nI feel understood<\/p>\n
\n
Hip hurts when I mow
\nBees thrive when I mow badly
\nProblem solved somewhat<\/p>\n
\n
Is peace on the list
\nof what is OK to feel
\nin a broken world?<\/p>\n
\n
The world\u2019s exploding
\n\u201cunscheduled disassembly\u201d
\nwe meant to do that<\/p>\n
\n
Bravely die in vain
\nfor a cause you’re born into
\nhistoric blooper<\/p>\n
\n
Have Chronic Shpilkes
\nI said that in Junior High
\nStill working on it<\/p>\n
\n
Was life this tinny
\nBefore I wore hearing aids?
\nCranking up the bass<\/p>\n
\n
I see time as real
\nbut reality has rules
\nso I’m stuck in time<\/p>\n
\n
I lack that strong pull
\nto get my way (so screw you!)
\nmisnamed “leadership”<\/p>\n
\n
I’m no Joie de Vivre
\nbut survived a sad mother
\nwho wished “Life is Good”<\/p>\n
\n
In one hundred years
\nremember us as heathens
\nhoping you exist<\/p>\n
\n
Learning to listen
\nFirst know it\u2019s a good habit
\nAs good as talking<\/p>\n
\n
When one wears a mask
\nThey can read and move their lips
\nNo one thinks they’re dumb<\/p>\n
\n
sometimes an insight
\nI remember from childhood
\nI realize again<\/p>\n
\n
Before dawn, a fox
\nRed, with a bushy black tail
\nRan by, with a limp<\/p>\n
\n
I wish to not judge
\nThe young bore with vocal fry
\nAnd his loud girlfriend<\/p>\n
\n
Not every actor
\nNeeds to have something to say
\nEvery single scene<\/p>\n
\n
When I learned to work
\nright away I knew half-baked
\nwas unusable<\/p>\n
\n
Life is empty space
\nIt\u2019s what you make it, but no
\nYou\u2019re what it makes you<\/p>\n
\n
He praised my patience
\nShpilkes has guided my life
\nglad it might not show<\/p>\n
\n
thanks, universal
\ntruth, love, lived experience
\nmaking me want more<\/p>\n
\n
This is not a fight
\nMy generation v yours
\nI used to be you<\/p>\n
\n
when in a foul mood
\nunsubscribe me from all lists
\nstrange when a stranger<\/p>\n
\n
Reasons I do things
\nthat look cautious, elderly,
\nhelp me be less old<\/p>\n
\n
billions of brilliance
\nand panicked absurdity
\nstumbling forward<\/p>\n
\n
Friends who search for me
\nwho allow me at my best
\nthanks for your consent<\/p>\n
\n
Red and yellow leaves
\nshow up when chlorophyll fades
\nwhat should fade in me?<\/p>\n
\n
Listening within
\nI am what is not me there
\nThat is who I am<\/p>\n
\n
Don’t be a shirker
\nSaid my responsible dad
\nNow I can’t relax<\/p>\n
\n
Competitiveness
\nIf you judge yourself, just say
\nI’m better than them<<\/p>\n
\n
So many nudniks
\nwho are not accountable
\nfor their mishegas<\/p>\n
\n
Years when squirrels bloom
\nthey are deer in the headlights
\nDoes more mean dumber?<\/p>\n
\n
I’d love to knock out
\nthe bastard ruining the earth
\nBut there’s too many<\/p>\n
\n
I’m not disciplined
\nYet I ride my bike daily
\nBut more cause it’s fun<\/p>\n
\n
Feeling fraudulent?
\nyour disingenuity
\nmay not be helping<\/p>\n
\n
Disinterested
\nis not uninterested
\nwhat I learned today<\/p>\n
\n
Watch the rainy day
\nwho cares what I accomplish,
\nwhat I choose to not?<\/p>\n
\n
Being sane and kind
\nAvoiding parental-ing
\nThat is my sonnet<\/p>\n
\n
2 lobsters per day
\nI offer to all despots
\nTo end their madness<\/p>\n
\n
83%
\nBelieve in an afterlife
\nWould I still go there?<\/p>\n
\n
Hold yourself upright
\nfor what purpose? to impress
\nothers on all fours?<\/p>\n
\n
When are you happy?
\n\u201cWhen you lose and find\u201d dad said
\nAppreciation<\/p>\n
\n
Call of me as bird:
\n“Share my food!” FUCK! “Share my food!”
\nWhy can’t I shut up!?<\/p>\n
\n
Abuela and child
\nSo easily enjoying
\nThe love between them<\/p>\n
\n
Who would want a \u201cT\u201d
\non their rapid test?, and yet
\nthe suspense thrills me!<\/p>\n
\n
If I was more like
\nI wish I was, you\u2019d like me
\nmore and so would I<\/p>\n
\n
early hints of spring
\nthinking of kayaking soon
\nbeer while mowing lawn<\/p>\n
\n
I wouldn\u2019t like jail
\nMy crime would not be foolproof
\nPlus it would be wrong<\/p>\n
\n
Your soul is putrid
\nYour joy is a zero sum
\nBillions abhor you<\/p>\n
\n
Alive for many years
\nEach day is the very first
\nBefore tomorrow<\/p>\n
\n
Who said I’m perfect?
\nYou may have misunderstood
\nme say “not perfect”<\/p>\n
\n
I’m no naysayer
\nbut you’re full of some ideas
\nthat need dissuasion<\/p>\n
\n
Just learned it\u2019s always
\nMidnight at the North Pole – wow
\nCan\u2019t wait to share this!<\/p>\n
\n
I love any day
\nWhere I needn\u2019t make my bed
\nBut I still make it<\/p>\n
\n
First time I saw snow
\nI’d enjoy it more if it
\nwas always like that<\/p>\n
\n
There is one damn place
\nWhere my discipline declines
\nInhibiting\u2019s hard<\/p>\n
\n
Be your own best friend
\nIncludes being an adult
\nNot child or parent<\/p>\n
\n
We are the heroes
\nand you are the assholes, cause
\nthat’s just how we feel<\/p>\n
\n
\u201cGood enough mother\u201d
\nTurns down the pressure cooker
\nI am good enough<\/p>\n
\n
Goal-free v Aimless
\nan Important Distinction
\nin the Game of Life<\/p>\n
\n
Hungry ghost be damned
\nBeing satisfied is nice
\nIf you’re satisfied<\/p>\n
\n
I parent myself
\nI send myself to my room
\nTo go within more<\/p>\n
\n
How do I love thee?
\nI cleaned out rotting fridge food
\nIt was disgusting<\/p>\n
\n
Life is not different
\nthan it was when I felt good
\nso feel good, dammit!<\/p>\n
\n
“in it to win it”
\nbut then, “in, not of, the world”
\nlife’s big juggling act<\/p>\n
\n
You think “Life is Good”
\nDespite evidence it’s not
\nThat makes my life good<\/p>\n
\n
semi-retired
\nhow to invest my free time?
\nproductive futzing<\/p>\n
\n
If you only did
\nWhat you say you only do
\nLife would be better<\/p>\n
\n
“Let there be light” said
\nthe power that let us be
\nand choose thrive or die<\/p>\n
\n
Jerk\u2019s car weaves past me
\nMaking record time, till crash
\nAverage group speed down<\/p>\n
\n
I don’t see just how
\nI contribute to the mess
\nbut I’m sure I do<\/p>\n
\n
It helps me to know
\nI\u2019ll be forgotten one day
\nLess pressure to \u201cwin\u201d<\/p>\n
\n
\u201cNoise\u201d is to my mind
\nAs heat is to an engine
\nNot what it\u2019s made for<\/p>\n
\n
Roundabout design
\nDoesn’t consider needs of
\nentitled people<\/p>\n
\n
Now at 68
\nI can finally shut up
\njust a little bit<\/p>\n
\n
Soft strong call “Ohai!”
\nDog bounds up stone wall to her
\nAllison power<\/p>\n
\n
Did you ever feel
\nfraudulent at being you?
\nkidding, me neither<\/p>\n
\n
Scrambled eggs again
\nWhere nobody knows my name
\nBut still feels homey<\/p>\n
\n
“Life is Good” she hoped
\nOvercame morphine to slog
\nThrough her to-do list<\/p>\n
\n
Are we just our moods?
\nWhen we feel X we are X?
\nStupid universe!<\/p>\n
\n
Is this wise advice?
\n\u201cBegin with the end in mind\u201d
\nI\u2019ll be dead- so no<\/p>\n
\n
Erikson’s last stage:
\nintegrity or despair
\nPros V Cons are clear<\/p>\n
\n
\u201cmaturity\u201d means
\nI\u2019ve lived long enough to doubt
\nI know everything<\/p>\n
\n
you won\u2019t see, in hell
\n\u201cfine people from both sides\u201d there
\nthey\u2019ll all be assholes<\/p>\n
\n
My belief that I\u2019m
\na stranger in a strange land
\nis true, and not true<\/p>\n
\n
If there were no God
\nSimply that we are alive
\nIs pretty divine<\/p>\n
\n
Sherlock’s special skill
\nis knowing where you have been
\nbut not where you’ll go<\/p>\n
\n
Curiosity
\nis what makes a person smart
\nthat’s why you are dumb<\/p>\n
\n
Who knew that the curse
\n“live in interesting times”
\nwould be so boring?<\/p>\n
\n
What you said is false
\nWe are not afraid of change
\nWe\u2019re afraid of dumb<\/p>\n
\n
Life is surprises
\nsometimes global pandemic
\nsometimes feeling good<\/p>\n
\n
every winter\u2019s mood
\nthis hell will last forever
\nand then it\u2019s over<\/p>\n
\n
“Keep Calm, Carry On”
\nneed to achieve and maintain
\nnot my normal state<\/p>\n
\n
Pickled herring, Yum!
\nBut suggestion: have a mint
\nWhen donning your mask<\/p>\n
\n
How to fix the world?
\nHelp people row together
\nEach in their own boat<\/p>\n
\n
I owe you something
\nfor me to be my best self
\nwe both benefit<\/p>\n
\n
If a pandemic
\nHas some odd good consequence
\nThat\u2019s not an \u201cupside\u201d<\/p>\n
\n
right to swing your arms
\nends where my nose\/mouth begins
\nwear your mask, dummy!<\/p>\n
\n
aiming for sane, calm
\nin this “special period”
\ngood time for lessons<\/p>\n
\n
\u201cNothing to be done\u201d
\nGodot expresses \u201cRegrets,
\nsocial distancing!\u201d<\/p>\n
\n
on zoom; out window
\nmany strangers strolling past
\nhumans getting by<\/p>\n
\n
I don\u2019t pray, I hope
\ntelling you I care feels good
\nif it works, do it<\/p>\n
\n
Hug friends I admire
\nEat street food, hold hands at films,
\nI want normal back!<\/p>\n
\n
A FEW QUATRAINS, AND THEN MORE HAIKU, BELOW:<\/strong><\/p>\nwhy I need to be better:
\nso I can help us commune
\nso I can see beautiful
\nso I can love what I love<\/p>\n
\nmy mood improves after
\nfocusing within, good coffee,
\na substantial bowel movement
\nlife’s secrets are varied and elusive<\/p>\n
\nthat couple sipping coffee
\nand making small talk
\nare not writing a poem
\nabout me spying on them<\/p>\n
\nI have burned in my brain
\n“slow down, you move too fast”
\nas advice for someone else
\nbut it actually seems wise<\/p>\n
\nthere is hardly a downside
\nto focusing “within inside”
\nso what seems crucial
\nstays in perspective<\/p>\n
\ntrying to get perspective
\non where one is at
\nis not living in the now
\ntoo self conscious<\/p>\n
\nI respect my own journey
\narriving at a place
\nwhere I am me
\nI’m just a person<\/p>\n
\nweird free day
\nplane cancelled, fly tomorrow
\nI might go to the circus
\nI might eat a lobster roll<\/p>\n
\nWhat’s wrong with this picture?
\nman in woods, on a cabin porch
\nwatching his breath, writing poems
\nnothing, so be that person<\/p>\n
\nLife needn’t be a race
\nto some mountaintop finish line
\nand then they build a statue
\nand everyone remembers<\/p>\n
\nit no longer feels phony
\nto try to be my best self
\nto look carefully
\nnot afraid to see<\/p>\n
\nwe might be soul mates
\nas we seem to qualify
\nas willing to be ourselves
\nand become known well<\/p>\n
\non a perfect cabin porch
\nnear a radium hot spring
\nall is as calm as you’d want
\nget my mind in tune<\/p>\n
\nthe faint traffic sounds
\nsubplot to gigantic Rockies
\ndoesn’t disturb me
\nor that huge chipmunk<\/p>\n
\nmy coffee’s slogan:
\n“wake up and kick ass”
\nbut I am feeling serene
\nI am amped up to chill out<\/p>\n
\nlog cabin look and feel
\nimprinted on me as pure and real
\nLincoln, and Lincoln Logs
\nhave succeeded in their branding<\/p>\n
\nDogs seem to like being mastered
\nowner takes away the stress
\nof eating their kill
\nand keeping peace with wolves<\/p>\n
\nwhy is sad my default?
\ngenerations escaping bias
\nwhat I’ve added in bad ideas
\nmy work is cut out for me<\/p>\n
\nwhat’s attractive to humans
\nis indecipherable to an ant
\nloyalty, beauty, ideas of love;
\nnothing compared to that spilled food<\/p>\n
\nso easy to break what you made
\nand then it’s irreparable
\nso think hard, maybe inhibit
\nmaybe behave, maybe survive<\/p>\n
\nlearned cosmic particles hit
\nlike a hockey puck at 100 mph
\nare we that dense, to not notice?
\nso much going on that I don’t know<\/p>\n
\nthis hotel utilizes materials
\nfrom nature, all around here:
\nslate, bison, spruce, all transformed
\na zero sum interior redecoration<\/p>\n
\nI enjoy: walks on the beach,
\nholding hands at movies,
\nfeeling that life has no purpose
\n“for a good time, call Ira”<\/p>\n
\nmy entire adult life
\nI have had the means and ways
\nto feel the goodness within
\nhow do I still not realize that?<\/p>\n
\nshort term community, on this plane
\ncooperating and behaving just enough
\ntens of thousands of pounds of humanity
\ngo here to there and then off<\/p>\n
\nwhite shirt, fun professional socks
\ndone with work on plane
\nnow winning or losing his phone game
\nreturning, victorious or defeated<\/p>\n
\nmy high value is high paying
\ncould work so many fewer hours
\nbut the confidence it takes
\nto say you deserve it!<\/p>\n
\nI did plight my troth
\ndidn’t know I “pledged my truth”
\nbut that’s what I did<\/p>\n
\nthis person knows me
\nloyal, despite my defects,
\nI should try harder<\/p>\n
\nIndependence Day
\ndo they just hate our freedom?
\nor that we hate them?<\/p>\n
\nIf I were a tree
\nIt would help me be stately
\nTo know all trees die<\/p>\n
\nIcy Civic skids
\nMuffled, comfy, in control
\nAll\u2019s well with the world<\/p>\n
\nIf I lose my mind<\/p>\n
And can\u2019t remember at all<\/p>\n
I may arrive late<\/p>\n
\nThe older I get<\/p>\n
I learn \u201cI am what I am\u201d<\/p>\n
But feel free to change<\/p>\n
\nMuch of our wisdom<\/p>\n
Is spent on understanding<\/p>\n
What loved ones just meant<\/p>\n
\nWhen I die, it\u2019s yours<\/p>\n
It was given to me too<\/p>\n
Nobody owns it<\/p>\n
\nDoes Superman feel<\/p>\n
A gentle, loving caress?<\/p>\n
He must feel the pain, too<\/p>\n
\nAnts don’t learn to build<\/p>\n
if not perfect, it won’t work<\/p>\n
only success lasts<\/p>\n
\nOld men all too loud<\/p>\n
To be heard above the roar<\/p>\n
In this greasy spoon<\/p>\n
\nEighty five thousand<\/p>\n
Thoughts per day go through my head<\/p>\n
Which are the real me?<\/p>\n
\nI am me in part<\/p>\n
By how we are together<\/p>\n
I am in context<\/p>\n
\nI hear what you said<\/p>\n
But my ears are connected<\/p>\n
To my fragile mind<\/p>\n
\nSaturday morning<\/p>\n
Quick stroll to bacon and eggs<\/p>\n
Catch up on podcasts<\/p>\n
\nGreek, Cuban, Deli
\nIndian, Chinese, Veggie
\nFaves on desert isle<\/p>\n
\n\n
Hammer in a nail<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
there are other solutions<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
ways to connect stuff<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
what do chipmunks think?
\nmy house is their country club
\nand I\u2019m intruding?<\/div>\n
\n
Big bright cardinal
\nSlumming at our bird feeder
\nNow off to elsewhere<\/p>\n
\n
what has life taught me?<\/p>\n
epitaph for future gens<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m rubber, you\u2019re glue\u201d<\/p>\n
\n
\n
It\u2019s work to keep up<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
with old friends who knew you when,<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
know how you got here<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/div>\nWithin the silence<\/div>\n
bedrock, where one can touch down<\/div>\n
\n
what’s false dissipates<\/p>\n
\n<\/div>\n
Naked audience
\nThat method is unnerving<\/div>\n
\n
Keep your shirts on, please!<\/p>\n
\n
my dream vacation<\/p>\n
Grand Rapids in goal free state<\/p>\n
many hours to futz<\/p>\n
\n
new law: president<\/p>\n
must speak in 5-7-5<\/p>\n
\u201ctremendous disast!\u201d<\/p>\n
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
You banged my cart, sir!<\/p>\n
how about some eye contact?<\/p>\n
You\u2019ll see I exist.<\/p>\n
\n
What to do today?<\/p>\n
so Earth\u2019s in a better place<\/p>\n
than when I woke up<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
bird protects its nest<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
swoops down, pecks back of my head<\/span><\/div>\nnature runs afoul<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
Why are folks my age<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
Appearing to look so old?<\/p>\n
Like my grandparents!<\/p>\n
\n
Swiftly flow the days<\/span><\/p>\nthis little girl I carried<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
we both think we’re young<\/span><\/div>\n\n
\n
Befriend young people<\/p>\n
To see they\u2019re not killing me<\/p>\n
Why would that help them?<\/p>\n
\n<\/div>\n
Shoving rocks uphill<\/p>\n
How happy was Sisyphus?<\/p>\n
Yay, I did it!! oops<\/p>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\n
the planet knows not<\/p>\n
how we have afflicted it<\/p>\n
still lives, dies, evolves<\/p>\n
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Dear amygdala:<\/p>\n
Why can’t you calm the fuck down?<\/p>\n
Everything is fine!<\/p>\n
\n
\n
your child takes a chance<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
to create a healthy world<\/span><\/div>\nit\u2019s ok to brag<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
Guy ground stumps, made holes<\/p>\n
Said \u201cfill w 6 bags topsoil\u201d<\/p>\n
Perfect fit! Genius!<\/p>\n
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Will I scream like that?<\/p>\n
When I tell a long story<\/p>\n
when old, at Kelly\u2019s?<\/p>\n
\n
Humans reaching out<\/p>\n
To not kill, plus be charming<\/p>\n
Ants have it easy<\/p>\n
\n
No need to suffer
\nperformance anxiety
\nif you don\u2019t perform<\/p>\n
\n
Family business<\/p>\n
Easy, if love and trust rule<\/p>\n
If not, follow rules<\/p>\n
\n
In reality<\/p>\n
Monday\u2019s not worse than Friday<\/p>\n
They are both not real<\/p>\n
\n
Talking to people<\/p>\n
less dementia\/ suicide<\/p>\n
\u201chow was your day, dear?\u201d<\/p>\n
\n
Laying Zach to rest<\/p>\n
Village gathers to love him<\/p>\n
Blessed memory<\/p>\n
\n
How do free and brave
\nElect such uptight cowards!?
\nThrow\/ vote the bums out!!<\/p>\n
\n
How my job is done
\nBy 40 other people
\nMixed love and learning<\/p>\n
\n
It was impolite
\nSo I minded my manners,
\ndidn\u2019t kill Hitler<\/p>\n
\n
Which world do you choose?
\n– let us reason together
\n– Sit down and shut up<\/p>\n
\n
Two score with one wife
\nThrough poor, sick, worse, plus cherish
\nWins best friend forev<\/p>\n
\n
I heard you read these
\nSo let me thank you, Patty
\nFor undying love<\/p>\n
\n
Wedding machiah
\nTribes unite to affirm them
\nGood golly! Mrs!<\/p>\n
\n
One hundred degrees
\nMoviePass, a\/c, mindless,
\nGood for what ails ya<\/p>\n
\n
Perfect weather day
\nTo meditate butt naked
\nGentle breeze from fan<\/p>\n
\n
Longevity genes
\ncould mean I\u2019ll survive until
\nmy shit\u2019s together!<\/p>\n
\n
Your title is great
\nWhat are you entitled to?
\nHow did you earn it?<\/p>\n
\n
After waterfall
\nThat excellent Chinese place
\nMiddle of nowhere<\/p>\n
\n
busy work schedule
\nmet in three different cafes
\nbottomless network<\/p>\n
\n
Life is staycation<
\nI can\u2019t get away from me
\nhere I am again<\/p>\n
\n
No brave without fear
\nI\u2019ll be brave about my fear
\nand not fear my brave<\/p>\n
\n
I Yam What I Yam
\nbut past performance\u00a0doesn\u2019t<\/
\nguarantee future<\/p>\n
\n
When I\u2019m feeling good
\nI don\u2019t care that you\u2019re so loud
\nEven so, shut up!<\/p>\n
\n
when you\u2019re a stranger
\nit\u2019s not that people are strange
\nmaybe it\u2019s your breath<\/p>\n
\n
Everyone who\u2019s died
\nHas discovered what happens
\nIf anything does<\/p>\n
\n
My humble life goal
\nIs to mind my own business
\nI am not your judge<\/p>\n
\n
I\u2019d like to believe\u202c
\nThat the sane will inherit
\n\u202aOur crazy planet\u202c<\/p>\n
\n
Nobody’s going
\nto punch my freaking lights out
\nso I can relax<\/p>\n
\n
Bought myself air buds
\n2 taps brings Siri and pause
\nMakes them worth one fifty nine<\/p>\n
\n
too many squirrels!
\nrunning right under my wheels
\n\u201cthin my stupid herd!\u201d<\/p>\n
\n
such friendly cashiers
\nchatting up customers with
\n>10 items or less<\/p>\n
\n
used my precious time
\nfeedback to cafe owner
\nno reply: messed up!<\/p>\n
\n
SOME LONGER POEMS:\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
\nA POEM FOR MY FATHER, BILL BRYCK<\/strong><\/p>\n\u201cA prince among his pals, we hate to see him go\u201d<\/p>\n
Said classmates at Jamaica High School in 1937<\/p>\n
What experience did the yearbook committee have<\/p>\n
Of that man I loved, years later?<\/p>\n
Where did he get that feeling of invulnerability<\/p>\n
That gave him the freedom to answer Yes!<\/p>\n
To the classic shoplifter\u2019s threatening question<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you calling me a thief??<\/p>\n
Where did he get the entrepreneurial verve<\/p>\n
To leave the safety of his father in law\u2019s<\/p>\n
Wholesale bedding and bath store<\/p>\n
To buy in to an unknown cousin\u2019s childrenswear store?<\/p>\n
What affection might he have ever had<\/p>\n
For the woman who he made my mother<\/p>\n
And though they lacked chemistry<\/p>\n
Stuck it out till they were both diminished<\/p>\n
That man coached me with simple truths<\/p>\n
That were profound and real for him:<\/p>\n
First be a mensch \/ Cheap is dear \/<\/p>\n
If they bought only what they came for, who needs you?<\/p>\n
Gone 6 years, finally memories predate his dementia<\/p>\n
His determination to be the one who makes the sale<\/p>\n
Follow the money, but deliver the goods<\/p>\n
Simplicity is rich, he was richer than he knew.<\/p>\n
\nOur world has never been<\/p>\n
in such a predicament,<\/p>\n
you think, until you realize<\/p>\n
that since the beginning, some A-hole<\/p>\n
ran some country; and their drunken effects<\/p>\n
alter your life, inflicting in ways that seem so real<\/p>\n
You, here, now, hurt by bitter, savage, miserly<\/p>\n
honchos, royals, brethren of old<\/p>\n
Still you have good days and bad<\/p>\n
still, you’ve made something of yourself<\/p>\n
despite the world resisting your success<\/p>\n
despite your own mind, another despotic force<\/p>\n
You went beyond, making your home safe<\/p>\n
you risked a reliable, plodding path<\/p>\n
you dragged yourself to where you were needed<\/p>\n
and jumped in (first planning, then jumping)<\/p>\n
So now, from whatever your height or depth<\/p>\n
how will you alter lives?<\/p>\n
what does your name on the door do to help?<\/p>\n
what business is it, of yours, to add to the good?<\/p>\n
Ira Bryck 12\/19\/18<\/p>\n
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