What’s in a Name

A conundrum:

We had a great business idea that needed a great name.

After hours we reduced the criteria to three elements:

Something reassuring, yet explosive and suggests the future.

For some reason there were no cheers.

Just Marvin and I voted to incorporate

Our next business adventure, under that epithet.

It’s 20 years, maybe 30, maybe 40.

We’ve long since forgotten our “awesome” business idea.

But that name, which bespoke

Strength, huge returns and “NOW”.

Has yet to attach itself to a big spender.

Still I can see 10,000 locations with banners declaring:

TIP TOP URANIUM for Home Protection

It wipes out bugs, unwanted neighbors, in-coming missiles

And leaves your home spotless.

Evan's Story

There is time to reflect.

It hasn’t always been easy.

Yes, there were moments of joy

But the schoolwork was hard.

He was lucky.

Between a growing acceptance of homework,

Good teachers, loving parents and a following sea

He finds himself with a High School diploma,

And some amazing possibilities.

Evan’s love for nature, and in particular our winged partners,

Will be part of his future, which begins now!

Rosie

It’s 15 years since we buried Homer

And adopted you, Rosie.

We’ve both moved on.

My aging is not all that subtle

But you, my baby, are very old.

Hearings gone, legs unstable

And your lost focus sobers me.

All your buddies have died,

There are no pregame attack postures

Or recognition barks.

You had the best double shift and run moves

And I recall six dogs in chase, utterly confused.

We taught you few commands

And curb crossings required no approval.

Today we will hold you for the last time

Then retain your ashes until ours are mixed

And waved into a welcoming sea.

Ron Calvert's Big Day

I pulled up to his store

He had opened a lighting shop.

It was potentially a very good or bad day.

His money had gone into heavy advertising

For this post Thanksgiving retail event.

I hadn’t considered it could be both great and a disaster.

Inside “Ron Lights Up Your Life” shop I saw joy

They sold almost all their inventory.

Ron in great humor had bought beer and wine

For his five employees and a dog bisque for Ted.

I smiled and offered a toast to his good fortune,

While feeling guilty because I had not

Reviewed his strategy and projected numbers.

He will be a month without new inventory.

His spectacular event will have cost more

Than the revenue it had produced.

Any benefit from knowing people liked his store

Would be decimated by having little to sell

Before Santa and his exuberant customers

Will have finished their shopping.

To Find A Title

Lamenting my impossibly iced over memory

Rose Mary offered a solution

She believed that “Moving It Down” (not really)

Would be a great title that we three would remember.

I was less sure of our recall.

The conversation drifted for two minutes,

Until I asked about the title we would remember.

Silence … followed by groans.

With even greater assurance we agreed on a second title,

But you know that after four such attempts

We looked at one another, counted are combined years,

And ordered dessert.

Thirty-Two Ties

My father was built from a different model.

Broader and shorter, he had excellent taste.

Not so his son or grandsons.

None of us have any interest in wardrobes,

We are the victims, not the beneficiaries, of dress codes

With one possible exception:

I inherited thirty-two ties.

Every color, length or design awaits me

When I open my closet door.

Living in Hawaii when ties became an option,

Even in a very staid Accounting Office.

It is 50 years since I wore a tie…

Except to Weddings, Bar Mitzvahs and Funerals

I should give away all but two; one black, one blue,

Which should cover just about all events.

If I were Irish I’d keep a green beauty,

Assuming there is still a Saint Paddy’s day parade in New York.

Those thirty ties might find a home.

They maybe summoned for Weddings and Funeral