There was no actual calamity –
a canceled train one way, and coming back,
computers down and signs no one could see,
while in between my sleep was short and slack.
I witnessed toddler tears, frustrated glee,
and tired parents’ optimism black.
I made it home. I stripped though I was clean,
and stepped into a bath I bombed with green.
(Ottava Rima)
My brother gave up cigarettes at last.
He’s over 60, overweight, in need
of exercise, and feeling it. He’s past
excuse and now he wants his breathing freed.
He proudly told our mother he’d succeed.
If she knows how to nurture, she forgot,
responding “Yeah, but are you smoking pot?”
(Rhyme Royal)
Ignoring most the ads that introduce
or interrupt the games I didn’t buy,
on rare occasions optics will induce
me to look closer. Something caught my eye
last week – a bunch of letters made me spy
and pick the word I found in the array.
I wonder: was that marketing? And why?
I offer it to other brains today.
(Huitain)
Perhaps it’s untimely to counsel you now,
but I can’t suppress my emotions.
You’re full middle-aged, and of course you know how
to live – you don’t need any notions
from mother or father – not even from spouse –
each may be a foe you’re evading.
But now is the season to exit the house
where drudgery love has you fading.
Potential must grow to kinetic at length,
or wither without good production.
I know you and urge you to harness your strength,
and flourish beyond love’s obstruction.
I planted iris seeds. Now will they grow?
I understand that rhizomes are the way
they’re propagated mostly, but I know
it’s possible, or so the experts say,
to let seeds germinate a month or so,
protected from conditions that decay.
They reproduce in nature from their seeds –
I’ll take that lesson for my private needs.
(Ottava Rima)
I tell you, it’s humbling – this processing years.
I used to be sturdy and durable.
But now I bruise easily, doddering nears,
and I know the slide is incurable.
It’s fortunate no one needs means – all my dears
are solvent and I’m not insurable.
But maybe I’ll land on a level plateau
and rally for more – I don’t know.
It isn’t just the way my fingers bruise –
the slightest bump will mark my skin – a key
that’s stubborn twisting will abuse –
but too I note their strength abandons me.
I’ve trouble turning caps. So please excuse
my teaching what he wasn’t meant to see.
He watched me work to open vitamins,
and now your son’s empowerment begins.
(Ottava Rima)
He hated clutter as a young adult.
He only kept the necessary then.
But soon he fell in love, and the result
affected him of course. Soon after when
they married and he tried to keep things nice,
he learned his partner differed in regard
to cleaning house and shopping. She’ll buy twice
or even sevenfold, and won’t discard.
He made his case for spare. She wasn’t moved.
She smiled but said her priorities
were otherwise. Their rooms grew disimproved,
and pretty soon he stopped his pretty pleas.
He’s not about evolving into drudge.
Their home’s a mess. It’s meaningless to judge.
The way I walk to market takes me past
some houses made a hundred years ago.
The buildings were constructed then to last,
from storied residence to bungalow.
Today I see example of contrast:
a habitat that’s counter to the flow
of vintage houses block-appropriate.
Contemporary style looks misfit.
(Ottava Rima)
You say you’re giving up duplicity.
I hear and then admit my own surprise,
but I don’t think I show that audibly,
and phoning we don’t see each other’s eyes.
Astonished now I’m wondering what lies
you’ve strewn like mines along the path we wend.
I guess it’s time I query you, old friend.
(Rhyme Royal)
 | 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 