I ran a little errand yesterday –
a morning amble to secure a snack.
Outside the house, on sidewalk, feet away
from driveway, stood a suitcase, handle up
and wheels below, abandoned I would say,
like luggage airports warn us to avoid.
The text was sent last evening – a display
of panic in a neighbor who came back
the night before, from travel to L.A.
(Magic 9)
I stayed up past my normal time last night.
My eyelids didn’t droop, although the book
I started failed to grab me with the right
description, action, concept. I retired
not so tired, turning off the light
and taking half an hour to drift off.
Now I’m surprised my door was left untight,
my phone uncharged, my iPad on. I took
to rest without accustomed oversight.
(Magic 9)
My friend admits she told a lot of lies –
some social, many hiding feeling shame.
She says she’s learned – at 70, she tries
to tell “her truth” to each. I watch her claim
she won’t retreat, now honesty’s her goal.
But sometimes lesson-learners over do.
She tends to preach while tending to her soul,
announcing declarations like they’re new.
I early chose to not misrepresent.
I enter conversation with no mind
to lie. Clear speech is always my intent.
But if my interlocutor’s inclined
to not attend, to flounce or disrespect,
I take that as a license to deflect.
Heralding summer
the blossoms trumpet southward
to the morning light
For years I suffered regular neck pain –
I thought it stemmed from all the office phone.
It seemed that yoga made the ache abstain –
I’ve seldom felt it lately, like the bone
or tendon wasn’t under that old strain.
But working crosswords yesterday, alone,
the ache recurred. Could posture at this table
have torqued my cervical, to pain-enable?
(Ottava Rima)
I’m at loose ends today, and it feels great
not knowing where my stamina extends.
I listen to a prompt to meditate.
I’m at loose ends.
The kids away, I have spare time that bends
around my healing arm, my foot, all freight.
Discarding every list, no task impends.
I think I will unravel, rest, and wait
alone – I don’t want family or friends.
I’ll use today to just appreciate
I’m at loose ends.
(Roundel)
I picked her up to comfort her. That’s how
I earned my latest injury this year.
Her toddler head collided with my brow,
and overnight a shiner did appear.
It’s like I’m wearing purple shadow now –
my outer upper eyelid has a smear
of bruise that doesn’t hurt, but it will be
with me a week, for I am elderly.
(Ottava Rima)
For over 16 years, this eastern wall
has kept a neighbor’s yard from seeing me.
I’ve heard the tenants rowdy, and recall
the time a beer can landed on my deck.
But mostly it’s disturbed me not at all,
until the owner shared his building plan.
The structure he intends will not be small:
two levels up, wide as the property.
I may erect a blind before this fall…
(Magic 9)
I do not miss terrestrial TV
(I read the term first-time a week ago).
I disconnected very happily
last summer – now I’m streaming every show.
The landline left my land – all calls are free
from wires anywhere a cord can go.
For dear as old technology once seemed,
it’s only trended downward, unredeemed.
(Ottava Rima)
I used to be at work from 8 to 6.
I did a lot each weekday that transpired.
And many said I loved my work/life mix
so much, I’d never call myself retired.
But they misunderstood how task addicts
arrange our days – they didn’t have a clue.
I’m home but at it hard – my labor fix
survives, but now it spans from 6 to 2.
 | sputterpub on Vacuum |
 | Ronald E. Shields on Vacuum |
| sputterpub on About Mom, With Love |
 | groomie on About Mom, With Love |
| sputterpub on No Blocks |
Sputterpub's Blog 