I wanted to be home last night, instead
of riding Muni with the somnolent,
and shuffling trains to arrow toward my bed
amid some screamers with bizarre intent.
I didn’t want to wait so long to tread
my path (the bus was late and slow). I spent
three fares and too much of good attitude
in pilgrimage to couch and comfort food.
(Ottava Rima)
The trees still stand, but they’ll soon go away
to make room for the A.D.U. that’s planned
next door. The saw incurs a short delay.
The trees still stand.
My neighbors have decided to expand
their dwelling space – of course I said okay.
I have no vote on how they use their land.
And I won’t mourn the leaves, though sparrows may.
The foliage is anything but grand.
As always change occurs, but for today
the trees still stand.
(Roundel)
I really don’t mind exiting at 10
to walk an hour to a heated bed,
where facial lotions will be stroked and when
my body will relax from toes to head.
There’s time enough before I leave my den
to read and post and stretch and even ped-
al for a bit. The only down with ups
is limiting the coffee to 3 cups.
(Ottava Rima)
A neighbor’s light was on at 4 a.m.,
but I stayed in my sheets till nearly 6.
An hour later there’s a diadem
of lampshine from above her, that predicts
the students there are readying to mix
with others in a Monday college class.
But still the sun’s asleep. My lights transfix
a moth outside my picture window glass.
(Huitain)
In middle age I took up exercise.
I’d had a bout of immobility
and learned how vital, more than even eyes,
my body’s movement is. Astounding me,
I then grew younger. It was glad surprise.
Just like the past year’s big discovery –
I’ve daily practiced balance, breath, and reach,
and feel less old from what new manners teach.
(Ottava Rima)
The card expired 15 years ago.
I kept it in a box of useless stuff
that someone stole. And little did I know
the issuer was loose. There was enough
ID to activate the old account
and get a new card mailed to an address
not mine. The previewed bill made worry mount,
resuscitating what was waning stress.
Of course I called as soon as I could see
inside the envelope, delivered late.
I worked through “bots” to some with agency
to cancel, void, assure and thus abate
the tension I should know to keep in check.
The aftermath is just an aching neck…
Amorphous dread is my Achilles’ heel.
It weakens like I’m cut and lately bled,
distracted by unease I can’t conceal:
amorphous dread.
I don’t complain – no hopes of mine are dead.
In most respects I’m living my ideal
existence, and no peril looms ahead.
But formless fear is weaving an appeal.
Anxiety’s a floss-strong length of thread,
and nothing fully soothes me when I feel
amorphous dread.
(Roundel)
I set up an account online, and failed
to fund it with a transfer from within.
I tried correction via chat – assailed
by stupid prompts, and soon had to begin
again with “press or say.” I never nailed
the answer till I turned to origin.
I visited the bank to get things right –
I took a walk and more than one nice sight.
(Ottava Rima)
Perhaps original and edging sin,
our species have evolved to notice strange.
It gave advantage in the race to win
survival through a world of threat and change.
But xenophobia can go too far.
Its consequence (both logical and wrong)
can reach to racism and build a bar
to benefits diversified and strong.
I hear systemic racism accused
of forming a foundation for our ways.
I read of genocide and groups abused,
and human evil booming worse these days.
What’s born of instinct, once a needed trait,
evolves into a tendency to hate.
I played a Scrabble game with family
on Sunday, as it rained outside their place.
I saw them looking at their phones – all three –
a little funny and a small disgrace.
Desiring memory of every face,
I didn’t shout. I chuckled an appeal –
“It’s time to look at others, and embrace
the difference playing online, versus real.”
(Huitain)
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