Looking Up

 

I miss my old friend Ric Masten. He died a four years ago after a long, brave battle with prostate cancer. His legacy remains, for many, many people, strengthened by the poems and drawings he left behind. One of his favorite sayings: Look up! One of the things I miss most was his ability and willingness to call me on my "stuff." RIP, dear Ric.

Just Another Unknown Soldier

Unknown, but only to those

who pass without knowledge.

To those who loved him, who waited for him,

To those who hold him in their heart

he is eternally known and loved.

Another Ending

They slept until noon
woke several times to touch
then slipped back
behind the curtain of exhaustion
that blotted out memory. 


She almost didn't come back this time
It could not, would not
last much longer
this wordless liaison
with a stranger
she could never really know. 

Together they watch
the sun drop beneath the horizon
the green flash symbolic
of how they had begun
how they would end.

It's a Hard Day's Night

He pretends to be a wild beast,

but when it's naptime, he just a big ole cuddler.

Good Morning Miss Handley

The desk clerk had greeted her with a big smile when she went to turn in the key this morning. For a moment she was confused and then relieved when the desk phone rang and he turned away. She dropped her room key on the desk and slipped out the door.

Her brother-in-law had loaned her his '47 Dodge, the one that had been sitting on his lot for weeks so she felt safe in driving it. If Bernard had reported her disappearance to the police, they'd be looking for her on the Greyhound bus or the train.

He didn't know she could drive, that Mildred had been taking her out to the old Smith place a couple of mornings each week to give her driving lessons. Turning the key on was the easy part. But she had a hard time getting her left foot and her right foot to work together.

The first few times they went out they had laughed so hard as the sedan lurched down the dirt road that they'd had to go make water behind the row of cedars.

On the Road Again

Traveling is the ruin of all happiness. There’s no looking at a building after you’ve seen Italy.” Fanny Burney

I simultaneously hold two opposing views about travel: I want to never leave home and I want to sell everything I own and hit the road.

At home I would finally clean the garage, get rid of all those boxes of useless envelopes, stacks of books that no one wants to read. I’d read all the history books on my shelves, starting with the history of the Vietnam war, moving on to all the small press poetry books that drifted into my bookcase, and ending with the complete works of Shakespeare. I’d get to know my neighbors better and start a local writing group. I’d walk at least a mile a day and spend more quality time with my cat.

On the other hand I fantasize about getting rid of everything I own, replace it all with a 23-window VW van and hit the highway, with no itinerary and no cell phone. I’d visit old friends and make new ones. Some places I’d stay for a while and sometimes I’d drive for days, pulling off the side of the road to sleep.

Taking the Long View

I've been living in one room for a long, long time. Over the years (yes, years), I've filled it with detritus that would make others cringe but which keeps me sane. And that, in that long view, is what matters.

A Story in Three Voices

 

Note: On Sunday I went with my son John and his daughter Isabelle for a hike and picnic at Pacheco State Park. As a family activity, we took turns writing about our experience. We hope you enjoy our story as much as we enjoyed our outing.

The first thing we saw on this trip was lots of flowers and one kind was a poppy. The poppy is the California State Flower. There were many large birds flying over the meadow. One was a red-tailed hawk. The hawk disappeared behind a tree branch, we think to a secret nesting area. 

When we started hiking we thought we saw some cows but it turned out it was just some tree stumps. So we kept hiking where we saw different kinds of flowers. We didn't find the trail we were looking for; so instead, we sat down on a trail marker and enjoyed the natural beauty.With the sun on our backs and a cool breeze on our faces we enjoyed some of our delicious fruit and cold water. Then, with our hearts full of love for what we shared today, we packed our bags and said good-bye to Pacheco State Park, until we meet again. 

The First Signs

Our Allen's Hummingbird returned this weekend, visiting the feeder outside the kitchen window. It's amazing how much joy this tiny harbinger of spring can bring. Our hopes are that his mate is nesting somewhere nearby and that we'll have babies soon.

April 1st

He capers,

he dances,

he has eyes of youth,

he writes verses,

he smells April and May.

William Shakespeare

"The Merry Wives of Windsor"