ICU

Our mom caught Covid and we’re all in shock
(she had the shots and mostly she behaved).
She’s in the ICU, and that’s a block
to seeing her. The diagnosis gave
us reason for the falls and the fatigue
that led her kids to worry she faced death.
Her viral load is low – her tests intrigue
the doctors, but for sure she’s short of breath.

Four days in bed and chair extort a toll.
Disorienting scenes have her confused
(she’s always tried to manage and control).
Frustration and complaints are quick-excused,
but how her will retreats gives me concern –
she may grow too compliant to return.

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Between the Lines

The space between lines
frames nothing but eye relief
not good for reading.

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Recording Relief

A benefit from daily poetry
(less valuable than practice, but still nice)
is how the pieces serve as diary
(to feel and then record’s like living twice).
At times when I reread, the words entice
my memory – provocative technique.
Well here’s a little record of last week.

Six days ago the sky was middle-blue.
The atmosphere was clear without a cloud.
I chose to cherish all within my view;
I mourn for missing rainfall, but I vowed
to just appreciate. My grief’s unbowed
for what we’ve done to water, land, and air,
but Wednesday I loosed loving everywhere.

Ten days ago Mom fell two times or three
(the woman’s in her tenth decade alive).
They stitched her up and checked her out, to see
the damage falling does to 95,
and found Coronavirus. We derive
some hope from dire test results. Before,
her symptoms made approaching death look sure.

The night before composing this, as well,
I got a second offer on the place
I bought and built and tried but couldn’t sell
some years ago, when there was not a trace
of interest (stressful memories embrace
me, but I steel myself to sell a deed).
It’s looking like transactions will proceed.

(Rhyme Royal)

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Mondays

I’m starting to like Mondays once again.
When I was young, five days a week I’d go
commuting to my office, working. Then
I took to taking Mondays to bestow
selected time on me, instead of kids
and client work. At first I had a blast.
But soon my day was filled with errand’s bids;
the ecstasy of Monday didn’t last.

I now go to the office once a week.
I care for grandchildren another two.
That leaves four days to use the way I seek –
I sometimes don’t know what I want to do.
Each Monday I return to exercise;
that weekly powers me to organize.

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Semi-Pathetic Fallacy

A week ago we had a little storm.
The forecast was more promising than true.
Some drizzle teased, but we’re too dry and warm
for winter like the seasons we’ve lived through;
we have to say goodbye to what we knew.
Tomorrow’s strange – I’m trying to be calm,
although it’s looking like we’re losing Mom.

(Rhyme Royal)

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From a Fan Fan

I thought my little cottage needed screens –
I had them on the wish list from the start.
But reconstruction soaked up all my means
before we got to insect blocks. In part
I was okay with screen delay – they thwart
the bugs but also compromise the view.
I called a halt and thought I would make do.

It happened I was in for a surprise,
because we had installed a ceiling fan.
It turns out that its breeze dissuades the flies;
mosquitos, moths and others I would ban
don’t favor moving air in their lifespan.
I learned again the lesson time keeps giving:
acquiring better practices, through living.

(Rhyme Royal)

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Going Out

On Day Four Hundred, I had lunch inside
a restaurant I walked to from my home.
The outing left me feeling satisfied,
at liberty to dine with friend and wine,
my mouth unmasked, my taste buds gratified.
I told my friend I’m fain to take the train,
to board a bus, to pay my fare and ride.
And so I’m telling all who read this poem –
for now the tide is starting to subside.

(Magic 9)

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Clocks

My son asked, did I hear the latest news
about the region’s elementary schools?
“They’re dumping analog – they plan to use
all digital for classroom time.” “The fools,”
I said. He uttered “Kids can’t read the clock.”
And I responded “Why can’t they be taught?”
(My aim is not to censure or to mock,
but doesn’t school mean teaching? So I thought.)

It’s more than just a style choice at stake.
A clock face can be understood from far.
Aimed well in daylight, analog will make
a compass pointing sure as guiding star.
We don’t need more school theories to despise,
so let’s not render dead the term “clockwise.”

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Return to Transit

I hope it’s like a muscle memory –
the ease with which I ride a bus or train.
I’m sure the skills will soon come back to me,
although it’s been four hundred seven days
since I had public transit liberty.
My kids were Covid-cautious, and they pled
for my restraint. Now shot immunity
is likely, and the traffic’s grown a pain.
I found my card. I’ll load it hopefully.

(Magic 9)

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Cardboard Mystery

So now the students share the bins with me.
They even pull them, early, to the curb.
I wrote – they sent sincere apology,
and I thought (prematurely) they could learn
(in spite of their hysteria at bees
they misidentified as hornet hordes).
But when I checked the bins’ capacity,
I found unflattened cartons to perturb,
in stubborn 3-dimensionality.

(Magic 9)

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