I won’t resent the recent clumsy act
of some unthinking new co-resident,
who hauled the bins that weren’t emptied back.
I won’t resent.
And though I’m told that my four neighbors meant
to reimburse me promptly and exact
for common bills I paid, for all I spent,
I’m trying not to feel it’s honor lacked.
I want to think them all intelligent
but victims of life’s power to distract.
I won’t resent.
(Roundel)
We had some heavy storms last winter here.
I took on water under one deck door,
and western window trim has softened where
the rain hit sideways. Underneath my floor
I think some puddling water pooled, and more –
my eastern wall of brick was kissing mud.
I failed to fix it all. This fall, for sure,
I’ll spot-protect against the chance of flood.
(Huitain)
The poetry won’t always be profound
or inspirational, if daily writ.
Epiphanies and insights don’t abound,
but there’s no dearth of things appropriate
to notice, whether weather or the sound
of body politic or intimate.
For even when I don’t have much to say,
I pen a little record of today.
(Ottava Rima)
The green above my cottage was removed,
that leafed from scrawny trees and barred the way
the neighbors need for new construction, who’ve
the right and are polite. I have to say,
the absence of those limbs and leaves improved
the look outside and light within today.
Although I like all trees, I’m not nonplussed.
But racing rooftop squirrels must adjust.
(Ottava Rima)
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…
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