Short Poems

I like poetry. I write poetry. To the amazement of many, I sold much of my poetry when I was younger.

I loved writing short poems. Many of them had titles as long or longer than the poem. Here are a couple of popular ones I wrote when I was a young woman.

INFORMATION I WISH I DIDN'T HAVE

Part of Adolf Hitler's
personality problem
was due to
Poor potty training


WHY WOMEN'S LIB
CONFUSES ME

Am I the cause of all
my problems
Or is he?


RAMIFICATIONS OF STATIC CLING

As he stood up to ask
the mayor's wife to dance.

A little baby sock
fell from the leg of his pants



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My Boyfriend's Back

Ya, Ya, Ya - My Boyfriend's Back.

He's been away for a few days playing golf with his guy friends on some island. When he got in last evening the very first thing we did was play two hands of cribbage. Later on we ate soup in a restaurant by the park - then lingered to listen to the Philharmonic Orchestra performing 40s music in the band shell. Still later we sat on the couch and watched the controversial 1959 film "On the Beach" on PBS.

Very romantic movie even though every person in the world dies in the end.

All of the above are things that I wouldn't have done by myself.

Today is a work day. We got out a mailing to 700 people for a project I'm involved in - then came home to do 8 loads of wash for another project. (Several years ago I helped start a ministry in my church where we house homeless families from time to time. Now there are 50 to 100 volunteers doing the hard work. I sometimes do some laundry.)

This evening my Boyfriend is getting ready to leave again for a few days. He's going to his sister's memorial service. When he gets there he'll will get people back and forth to the airport - and do whatever else needs to be done. His children and other relatives from other parts of the country will be there.

We've had a lovely 24 hours and I'll miss him. But we both have big lives and big obligations.

And my Boyfriend will be back.



***

Breakfast with the Celebs

I think my 17 year Saturday morning breakfast date with my Fake Parents has settled into a new place. Well, new for me. We've eaten there the last three Saturdays, including today. It's across the street from the old restaurant that they can't seem to find anymore.

But, before I get on with this I need to digress by saying that my niece has gotten after me about my name for them (Fake Parents.) So, in her honor, I'm changing their name to "My Oldies."

When I called them (My Oldies) last night to remind them that about breakfast the conversation got a little complicated so I finally ended up saying "You go to breakfast and I'll find you."

They did and I did.

It wasn't hard because they've been eating breakfast 6 days a week at the same place. As of three weeks ago it's now 7.

It's fine with me. This place doesn't serve eggs but I just take my own. When we're seated I surprise them by whipping my boiled egg in a baggie out of my pocket.

Breakfast is entertaining because a parade of people drop by our table. No, it's not to visit with me. Everybody knows My Oldies.

They always buy an extra pastry for a person who stops by to chat but obviously can't afford his own breakfast.

Today we had a long visit from the charming former owner of a former french restaurant that they frequented for many years.

Then a guy stopped by who was very funny - the one liners never stopped - who turned out to be a stand up comic who met my Oldie friend 20 years ago when he went to Comedy Driving School.

This restaurant costs (quite a bit) less than the one across the street and that's a plus but I've been fussing about paying $1.25 for cream cheese at this one. When My Oldie forgot to order his cream cheese this morning I magnanimously offered him mine but a restaurant employee hurried over and gave him one - for free.

I felt like Shecky Greene eating with Frank Sinatra at Jilly's.



***

Natural Acts

A young person dying is an unnatural act. Not supposed to happen. Doesn't make sense.

Old people, however, are supposed to die. But how old is old? And just because it's "natural" why do some people think it's easy?

In the last three days:

• Someone I love's grandmother died. She was 95 years old and in many ways her death was a blessing - but it's also the end of an era. She was an exceptionally strong woman until just a short time ago.
  
• Someone I love's father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. Not only do I love her but she loves her father like crazy - and I love him as well. He is the epitome of a Southern Gentle-man.
  
• My Boyfriend's sister died. What a life she had. Born on the other side of the world, superbly educated and gifted in many ways.

When I told my young neighbor about the death she said "How old was she?" When I answered "70." she said, "Well she had a long life."

That's one way to look at it. Another way is that she died 25 years younger than the grandmother I mentioned above. Age is relative.

Growing older has its problems but there are also great blessings. We all know many people over 70 who are making their best contributions to this planet.

My friend sent me a note this morning in response to my Boyfriend's sisters' death. She said:

...the obit describes a lovely life, full of beauty and peace building... Every well lived life helps to heal the world.

I want to always value and mourn those who are declining and leaving before me - even if it is "natural."

***

Velvet Elvis

When I was doing consulting work, occasionally a friend would ask:

"Isn't it frightening to work with such smart people?"

No, it wasn't. It's frightening to walk into a group of 2nd graders. Or, worse yet, teenagers. Working with a bunch of Ph.Ds was fun and fulfilling. If you do it right the truth comes from the group - and they credit you!

I've attending this class on Wednesdays at noon. We have a yummy lunch and sit in a great big square. About 40 people, young, old, male, female.

• All smart.
• All embracing mystery.
• All searching for truth.
• All respectful of other's thoughts and feelings.

Our leader is super smart but - much more than that - a sensitive listener.

He recognizes truth when it pops up from the group.

Our book is Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell.

I'm learning more from the questions than the answers.



***

Into the Woods

This morning I woke up not feeling so good. Yesterday we had a lesson in Sunday school on "Introspection." We're supposed to think that way during Lent.

After being up a while this morning I had a phone call that made me a little sad. It caused me to be introspective.

Then my Boyfriend and I had a very serious conversation about our "feelings."

Then we decided to go to a state park for our walk.

We walked many miles through wilderness trails. We walked up hills and around fallen trees. We walked over a stream, stepping on rocks. I lost my balance and one foot went into the muddy water up to my shin. We started out cold but got very, very warm.

When we'd gone as far as we could possibly go without passing out we discovered that the only way to our car was to turn around and do it again.

I was getting dizzy. My foot and leg were itching. We saw a snake.

We finally reached civilization in the form of a spring lake with a concession stand near by. We bought cold drinks and dangled our feet in the cold spring water. Sand flees began biting us.

Then we found our car and drove home.

How do I feel after all of this? I feel great! I feel alive! I feel at peace with God, other people and nature. I feel like The Strongest Woman in the World!

I feel like my two year old granddaughter when she stands on the dining room chair, raises her arms and says:

"I KING OF DA WO'LD!"


***

Movie Review

Last night my Boyfriend and I saw "Bonneville," staring Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates and Joan Allen. You could call it an older chick flick.

The chicks - not the flick.

Also three of the finest actors around.

It's very much a road movie - but not as brutal as "Thelma and Louise."

Jessica Lange is a new widow. Her husband's daughter by another marriage wants his ashes and is willing to let Jessica stay in her home if she gives them up. Jessica promised him before he died that she'd spread them.

She, Kathy and Joan take off for the daughter's fancy memorial service for her dad in California - in his '66 Bonneville. You guessed it! They end up spreading the ashes over his and Jessica's favorite places along the way.

It's slow moving and predictable. But that's not my problem with the movie.

My problem is that she risks everything to grant his wish - while he (through carelessness) left her homeless.

I'm sure everybody in the theater was thinking "What a loving wife."

I was thinking "What a dope!"


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