Filter Value

I wavered at the academic gates –
Should I attend the university?
Or get to work at once, creatively?
What benefit to further school awaits?

My father had an answer good for me.
He pointed to a million books, and said
if I encountered decent faculty,
they’d aim me toward the gems that should be read.

I ate that wisdom and enrolled at Cal –
a choice I’ve had no motive to regret –
and now apply my father’s rationale
when I observe the loathsome Internet.
The information highway is a mess
without a filter – proving more is less.

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Rest After the Overnight

I woke at 4 this morning, after 6
unbroken hours fast asleep in bed,
to see the dark of rain on wood and bricks.
I hadn’t heard its patter overhead.
My slumber was too solid – I was dead
to interruption, deep in dreaming rest.
I smiled and returned to sleep instead
(the night before was for a 4ish guest).

(Huitain)

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Talking to a Four Year Old

They keep on asking him “Did you have fun?”
He answers “yes” because that seems to please,
like when they shoot and bid him to say “cheese.”

It’s not my place to quarrel – he’s their son –
but empty questions beg polite decrees.
They keep on asking him “Did you have fun?”
He answers “yes” because that seems to please.

It isn’t what the boy and I have done –
we like to be together – company’s
our pleasure – we don’t need festivities.
But they keep asking him “Did you have fun?”
He answers “yes” because that seems to please,
like when they shoot and bid him to say “cheese.”

(Madrigal)

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The Forgotten Mask

Upon the table, by the door,
Shibori-dyed with indigo,
I walked without it to the store:
the mask I dislike wearing so.

I own five more of cloth and two
that makers claim will filter flow
of virus particles (untrue):
these masks I dislike wearing so.

And after near six hundred days
of blocking air from mouth and nose,
I still forget – attention strays –
the masks I dislike wearing so.

(Kyrielle)

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One PM

It’s 1 p.m. and I am done today.
I rose before the sun and haven’t stopped.
I dealt with exercise, this H.O.A;
I made three scheduled calls and then I shopped.
Deciding to relax before I dropped,
I’m sitting with a book and salad now,
and next I’ll nap, if I remember how.

(Rhyme Royal)

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Testing Testing Testing

Awaiting Covid test results for some
I love who feel a little off this date,
who operate with different rules of thumb
regarding symptoms likely to abate,
I plan to amble over, through their gate,
and into rooms I’m sure are clean enough.
I’ll let the grownups rest and generate
some fun for kids too young to get this stuff.

(Huitain)

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Word Origin

I love to be at home, but here’s the rub –
no matter how determined I’m to rest,
relaxing on my couch or in the tub,
attempting to feel easy, lazy, blessed,
I notice what needs dusting, or I scrub
a surface I ignored when I was stressed.
I have to leave if I’m to recreate –
vacation can’t be done without “vacate.”

(Ottava Rima)

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Grands

Of course the grands are relatively old,
and vary in their states of health and vim,
but each of them is better self-controlled
than in their young adulthood – now they swim
in tempered hormones – nothing hot or cold –
and have the time to care for her and him.
Mature enough to focus and to wait,
good grands are in apprenticeship for great.

(Ottava Rima)

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Three Strikes

As far as I recall, I never ate
a morning breakfast with an appetite.
I always wanted several hours wait
(for me an intermittent fast was right).

As soon as I grew teeth, I liked to chew
nutrition – liquid food I didn’t do
if there was an alternative to munch
(and even now my molars want to crunch).

Regarding proper exercising breath,
although the coaches said I should exhale
by mouth, I tried and always seemed to fail
(I’ll in-and-out by nose until my death).

It now appears my instincts were correct –
if I’d obeyed, I’d suffer more defect.

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A Brief Note

Haven’t written today. If I had it would be
perhaps on the way my home’s precious to me.
Though it may be cliche to pursue privacy,
if asked I would say here I’m perfectly free.

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