A Different Thanksgiving

For 30 years we had dinner at Ray and Carolyn’s.

For 25 of those years we had Fred and his date.

On occasion there were other people.

Diana and I helped facilitate their leaving San Diego.

Now they live in Vermont.

It is strange to not have Carolyn and Ray

With us on this day.

I trust they have family and new friends

Joining them for this Thanksgiving.

Though distance and differences have,

I think, written “closed” to new interactions with them

Still there is a lot of history.

I’ll remember Ray’s retirement party,

Complete with a simulated fire emergency.

We came looking for open seats,

Only to find we were assigned the seats next to them.

There was travel to Russia,

A cruise that circled South America,

And time with their wonderful daughters.

We have much to be thankful for.

Breath In Breath Out

A strong exhalation allows for intake.

We expel used and gather fresh.

Should we not inhale adequately, we have a problem.

That new air, much like a new thought,

Brings us the possibility of change.

Where are we going, how will be get there?

Yesterday’s universe was threatening,

Will we accept it, or renounce its limits,

Bring in fresh air and explore alternatives?

Polling

I shook hands twice with John, good man.

No doubt his endorsement of my writing helped.

If he does not love his candidate

His opposition to my choice was emphatic.

Unlike the shrew to whom I wished a nice day,

Having been offered a very worn tabloid indictment

Without substance, but with substantial volume,

John had reason and a lifetime dedication.

Janet, a resident in a 2-storey walkup,

Was a clear minded professional

Who could easily recite her issues.

Unlike John she had not looked at the party affiliations.

Instead she enumerated here concerns

And how the candidates aligned with her thinking.

My job was to remind people to vote.

Not to change opinions.

This was my 10^th, and probably my last sojourn,

Into a world that should deal with truth

But in fact looks only for results.

Saying No

I admire Neal, he can say “NO”.

No equivocation, no excuses.

Cowardice in the face of a bad proposal

Requires I search for an unassailable out:

“I will be in the hospital”

“I receive my global award that evening”

“I’ll be on the space shuttle to the moon”

Of course Neal doesn’t receive many offers.

That probably is a result of his subtle dismissals:

“Your friends make me sick”

“I hate Modern Jazz”

“I’m waiting for a better offer”

To commit such nonsense to typed exploration

Suggests that I am not in a serious state of mind.

The Face in the Mirror

It’s a little wrinkled and traveled.

I don’t know if the unhappy 16 year old

Would appraise this face and the journey

It has taken as one worth the miles?

My guess? Mixed results.

Problem: I am never quite finished with yesterday.

Was I really responsible for that failure?

Didn’t the gods, or Michael push me?

The deal went beautifully, I thought, I think?

Surely that 16 year old would applaud my cleverness.

Even he knew of its existence from earlier times.

Don’t I now stand straighter then before?

He most certainly would offer a sagacious smile

Noting pathetic characteristics so familiar.

OK, I grant I’ve had more than my share of good fortune,

And, on occasion, I could understand and accept.

I hope that the 16 year old can also accept.

Paul and Julie

They are here until Monday.

Good people, very comfortable in our home.

Values not far from our own,

They have done a great job with our grandkids.

Anne has found her parents very supportive,

While Evan, seems to be pushing his limits

Well past my initial estimates.

In short two healthy young adults.

With both children living away from home,

Neither finished with their education,

We no longer expect family visits,

But having the 50 year olds wakes our routine.

Paul, about 6 feet tall, seems to have grown.

The alternative explanation is his 79-year-old father

May have shrunk.

I’ll go with the former.

It is not inevitable that a widening world

Will be the burden of the youngest.

Chances are my 2001 Avalon

Will need replacement very soon.

Andy Would Have Loved It

Every 2 weeks Andy and I would review

My posting of 5 new poems.

Last Wednesday we had 30 poets

Reciting before a rapt audience of 60.

Andy would have heard it all,

Including the unspoken impact.

He might have spoken to one or more poets,

Seeking a further understanding.

Dee and Andy would have stretched

Their days’ end to 8:15,

Unwilling to leave while there was

Yet another poet to bring a gift.

Hold On

Losing in love, the market place, or cards

Carries a price tag that is measured in time.

It would be foolish to assume winning is free.

When the gods reward your prayers

So that hope for 20 people at your party

Turns into 60 happy guests

Something has gone far too right!

When a poetry reading event

That requires no entry qualifications

Produces 10 to 15 well written verses, you may be overjoyed.

How might you respond to 30 superb poetic offerings?

Such were the results of our first Poetry Jam.

From an opening Rap piece through tales of adversity,           

Memories of first love and religious prayers,

We heard truths, laughter and received extraordinary insights.

When the poetry and praise had ended

Came the recognition that a repeat performance

Could not be delayed beyond January,

My thoughts turned to the impossible.

How could we duplicate the quality of this evening?

Passing the Churches

With Doobie in a his stroller

We start the walk up C Street.

From 7^th through 10^th there are Christian Centers

And Churches on both sides of the blocks.

It’s Sunday, about 9:30, but with far fewer tourists

 Remaining from our annual summer crowds,

Church attendance has returned to 90% of capacity.

We are blessed with both a climate and attitude

That accepts neat, if very casual, attire in almost all of the

10 church services that are now in transit from the 8 AM

sermon to the people who prefer the 10 O’clock service.

Weaving the dog occupied stroller around and through

Groups coming or going to hear their minister’s Prayer Service 

Is easily accomplished. Most folks in Coronado are dog-lovers

And smile happily, and return our “good morning” offer.

It's Not Right

It’s not right, or at least not as right as I want.

It’s too warm so the a/c is blowing.

Sure it cools the house

But my electric bill is a killer.

Too many parts of my body are aching and

I don’t understand why so many people

Insist on holding opinions that are way off the mark.

If they would listen carefully, I could help them.

At least Diana often agrees with me.

And my boys, long since fully grown,

Will, on occasion, take my side.

But we all agree on Coronado.

It is imperfect, too many tourists.

Of cause I don’t blame those visitors.

I’d be a little jealous if I lived anywhere else.

I guess moving to this would-be island was very clever.

Neighbors are friendly

I can take our dog to a zillion outdoor eateries,

The dog beach, our Library or a Sunday concert

(provided we set-up curbside).

Yes, Coronado offers material advantages,

But it’s the spiritual nature that embraces.

It’s a great place to dream.