Thursday, April 30, 2026

Poets Who Have Sailed

Looking back when

I was dating

legally again

remembering

the moments

just thinking 4am.

Just Dad ***

Big bro the eighteen wheeler
slept next to him last night
in the Walmart parking lot
snow crunching tires

ice.

Getting darker early
all the kids at home
driving school bus
daily

later being alone.

Strange Happens

Aged dancing is for glancing
off a wall or two
down the hallway signing
wall space

Jack was here
loved too.

Crack Of Bat ***

Days are nights without the cell

getting lost and running

love is like a friend without

a separate place and money.

Quackers

It's a baby duck good morning

rainy dark and cold

the babes should be

inside the barn

heater nearby

turned on.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond, Virginia

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, Virginia

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Father

I pointed out to father

one day at the store

Playboy magazines

for sale

when I was about 4.

Smiling person on the cover

reminded me of mom

and I remember thinking

they don't wear clothes

that's dumb.

Dad thought it was funny

and I was happy then

being a self taught

sandbox artist

and comedian.

I must have talked with mom as well

for out there on the lawn

next day a pile of magazines

the trash man took up front.

The Washington Monument Washington DC

Monday, April 27, 2026

Rainbow

Va Beach Rudee's Inlet late in afternoon

Rainbow ***

There's a promise in the sky

been there for awhile

calling out the likes of me

naive, Sunday'd and riled.

Weeds will blossom in warm weather

with utter disregard

history, wars and education

beatings and old bars.

Blue Angels performing at Va Beach ten years ago

Fix Ups or Reworking a Poem and Popping a 10.0 Autorank

Fix Ups ***

To all the things just hang around

don't fall just twist or rattle

rafters swinging by a nail

or poets like to prattle.

Not reading any books at all

nor comments on the wall

Silas Marner copy by

bent bookshelf near a fall.

Broken bricks on the front walk

weeds marathon the path

mailbox numbers falling off

car truly needs a bath.

Pollen, pollen everywhere

and not a thought to think

brain fog just returned again

and eyes can barely blink.

Free the cows and let them in

to take care of the grass

milk themselves create some treats

and serve themselves au gras

Clean up the environment

and old age as well

all the parts including we

conduits grounded

shells.

Comes a time when fix it

means not much I can tell

except to wander not

leave off

the spot inside the bell.

Saturday, April 25, 2026

Friday, April 24, 2026

Lilliputians

Lilliputians ***

I dream of flowers in the evening

dropped by running lovelies

who laugh and go while I

stay home rest in the chair

the limbs are very heavy.

Just like Lilliputians

tying arms and legs

then zip shut eyes

while I try

to hear tv dissembling.

The last stop before

"I'm out" is here

uncomprehending

joy

dealing with

the characters

who hide behind

our tears.

Old John Swift

did Gulliver

300 years ago

All his little buddies

lined up in a row

Lilly's are the best go to

they mulch the rest

and nature rules.

And then it's on to chasing

daisies run the woods

a tree fell down some years ago

butterflies love wood.

Come to think it looks like me

and there's the old brown chair

moss and whispers all of it

I can't describe

we will be free.

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Is Life Lonely In The Country?

Is Life Lonely In The Country? ***

Retirement's not missing people

my people sleep nearby

4 am she's in the bed

making lullaby.

I won't say she's perfect but she is nearby

and so nearly perfect and of course

she's mine.

Ponder this a moment. Poem ponder play. Periods of messaging interspaced with space.

Okay back to when I said she's mine or some such thing.

The point:

If she is happy everything is fine.

Women wearing masks out there I see them in the stores. Men as well.

I hear the rest already. I hear dissatisfaction. I feel the avalanche of great pol grating malefaction. What is that word ? I feel it. Let's just share one notion.

I have her here already. She's sleeping so soundly. I married her take care of her protect and entertain her. She's people and I love her or as I like to say:

I love people or most clearly would if I had a heart. She thinks I do have one but I'm not so sure.

Oh sure!!

There! You see. Comments. Short and sweet. So much chatter everywhere. It's time to go to sleep. Go see her say good-nite. Nose to nose without eyewear I notice

her face glows. It lights up radiant and kind (a smile) and eyes say a soul inside most precious and again nearby.

All the years come down to this. A fine woman

and a list of poems, prayers, and some perfect weather.

Great food prep also does some good although it puts on weight. Always there's a balance to it. Life is just that way. Go awhile and boom it's over. While the last line should not show up late.

Cats Eyes

Had a pocket full of marbles

once in the third grade

good day out at recess

dirt scrambles and great plays

Heavy the pants pocket

on the ride back home

on the bus with everyone

and a marble trove.

Cats eyes and the rest of them

beauties every one

gambling surely elevates

grade school experience

In the eyes of others

especially the girls

a pocket full of marbles

might beat a head of curls.

Reflections ***

We have a stationary bike

does not go down the road

and we as well in small circles

walk up our hill alone.

There are others with us

out corners of the eyes

texting little flashes

hits our parts inside.

Thoughts learn to be silent

feelings cast their fears

dreamers do not sleep at night

Friday, April 17, 2026

Marine Corps War Memorial

https://www.nps.gov/gwmp/learn/historyculture/usmcwarmemorial.htm

Thursday, April 16, 2026

Dooley Mansion Richmond Va

Richmond, Va. Dooley Mansion Japanese Garden

Motorcycle Ride

It doesn't matter how they go
wheels too fast for mine
put my feet
right to the ground

Old Tracks New Stacks

Old Tracks New Stacks ***

Years have left this train

beside the track while

others go

all the riders sliding by

one angel still on loan.

There are no others waiting

on the other side

except the one who built

the trains and sees

each one inside.

Out of the City ***

Right on main street left one block
middle of the road still rocks
but no romanticism other isms
leave those bitter stocks.

Signed off all the shadow streets
now country roads new places

Richmond Va Carillion War Memorial

Richmond Virginia Carillion War Memorial

https://www.carilloncivic.org/CarillonHistory.php

Saturday, April 11, 2026

Leg Cramps ***

Used to be some sweaty stuff
when waking up besotted
now sleep is interrupted
by calf muscles be knotted.

Screams of pleasure once upon
becoming something else
Henry Eight back from the grave
ghost searching for new pelts.