Attracted to sci-fi, I read it all
when I was young: the classics and pulp, too.
I watched the movies, and I now recall
near every alien directors threw
at us: the monsters building-large or small.
And sure they all were gross, but in my view
they shouldn’t shine with slime, for don’t you see?
That costs a body too much energy…
(Ottava Rima)
She didn’t differ but she typed the word.
She meant “defer.” Her phone did not detect
the error though the syntax was absurd
(we differ from – deferring to’s correct).
We understood her meaning – she was heard;
her sentiment is what we all expect.
Cooperative as always, she remains
a neighbor who mistypes and entertains.
(Ottava Rima)
Five days ago the boy was taken ill.
There’d been a case of Covid at his school.
His parents tested him – they knew the drill:
a negative and soon a forehead cool.
In caution they conducted him by car
for deeper testing, through the hospital.
They swabbed and then awaited PCR
results. We isolated him until
we heard the happy negative. I read
to him that day at home, prepared the mac
and cheese. I hung with him on couch and bed
until his breath and stamina came back.
Now I’m not worried. I don’t feel so bad.
But this might be a case of what he had.
I wish she didn’t irritate me so.
I’m sure I’d miss her rage if she were dead.
She’s quick to take up verbal arms, to throw
her hands into the air, declare instead
of listening we really ought to know
she’s walked that road herself, so give her cred.
I wish she’d use a gentler tone, of course,
before her judgments rend her reason hoarse.
(Ottava Rima)
It may be enough
to dwell: to savor today
without memory.
We had a hedge of juniper to hate,
disgracing where the sidewalk meets the yard.
A volunteer removed it, to abate
his gratitude for staying here rent-free.
He piled in the garden all the weight
of aged branches, needles, scales and twigs
(we’ll pay someone to haul away that freight).
Now we can see beneath, a wall root-marred,
remove, repair, rebuild, or recreate.
(Magic 9)
I’m selfishly worried today –
I know I should feel empathy
for elder distress and dismay
and stresses on young family
but I want to go my own way
ignoring each unspoken plea –
just wrapping my arms around me.
(I had to blurt that out to feel all right.
I really didn’t sleep enough last night.)
I walked one way. It took me near an hour.
And then I rode two buses to return.
The walking gave reminder of my power,
and from the bus rides I found things to learn.
My body still has strength. My heart can laugh.
I needn’t yet suggest my epitaph.
And though non-driving uses up much time
it’s pleasant, and gave topics for this rhyme.
I saw new stores and boulevards repaved;
a clutch of peers, some clad in clothes so loud
they didn’t work four dozen years ago.
Kids weren’t looking nice as they behaved,
but gave their culture reason to be proud.
I reached my door well-spent, my mind aglow.
I bought a new umbrella yesterday.
I left the old one in a restaurant.
(The rain had stopped – I took it anyway –
I walk, and tote whatever I may want.)
Selecting portable, and cabernet
in hue, although my style’s nonchalant,
I wondered why so many come in black.
In rain, I go for seen, from front and back.
(Ottava Rima)
We all agree the yard must be redone.
At first held hostage by a crazy crone,
at last the county moved her. Everyone
remaining knew the hedge would have to go.
I thought we pulled the trigger on that gun.
But I got home the other day to find
somebody unrelated made a run,
removing sprinklers and each paving stone.
The work is backward and the sense makes none.
(Magic 9)
 | 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 