In My Day

In my day we ran outdoors to play
Mud pies, sand pies, ill fated water fortresses and swings
Waxed sliding boards and gliders, pretending we had wings
Pump the swings high then jump off and fly
Then roll, roll, roll down, and down the soft hills we'd go
Then gleefully run back and swing until we had our fill
And then off to dinner we'd go and race outside soon after
Climbing up and down hills the small and the steep
Or climbing mailboxes to sit aloft, a powerful position to keep
Rulers of the neighborhood, the world was ours
Fantasies play acted stretched on for hours and hours

In my day I studied ballet
Leotards and tights and flat pink slippers
Pointed toes and turned out heels, careful, no trippers!
Raise those kneecaps, heads up, arms rounded
Releve, demi-plies, then grand plies and stay grounded
Chasse, pas de bourree, chasse stretch arms away
Pique turn pique turn, arabesque, fourth position stay
Bar exercises then floor exercises made for a challenging hour every Saturday

In my day we danced and sang in yearly recitals
Went to ball games, roller rinks, and ice rinks
Father/daughter dinners where attendance was socially vital
May processions for the Blessed Virgin where we stood seemingly for hours
We attended and sang at eighth grade graduation
I wore my first pair of nylons and three inch high heeled  shoes
With fear and high expectations we wished grade school adieu

Go Forth

Emotional baggage can be left by the front door.

People and places beckon,"Come meet! Come explore!"

Household chores are really just that,

Things you do for need and comfort,

But then don't look back!

Go outside and let curiosity be your guide.

Look, listen, pray, then go forth!

It's time to enjoy the ride!

Did it Rain Last Night?

Did it rain last night or no?
The pavement on the porch says yes
But the leaves in the front flower bed say no
The ground has that musky damp smell
The air is cool with an undertone of wet
The sun is up but I see no sunbeams
Just a light bluish-grey solid cloudy sky
The birds are calling, the rabbits jumping and munching
Their wary eyes trained on me while I glare back
Daring them to eat my foliage
They jump away, no plan of attack.

Springtime Cool

Summer heat has blown away
And springtime cool has come to play!

AC and furnace turned off, off, off
Windows flung open usher breezes so soft
All the have to dos are done for a while
Birdsong and blooming flowers sure make me smile

Summer heat has blown away
And springtime cool has come to play!

Walks in the meadows, parks, and beaches
Cotton ball clouds and ripe juicy peaches
Swings and slides and merry-go-rounds
Dizzying maypoles lift you up off the ground
Softball, baseball and soccer crowds as well
Play tournaments galore with tempting snacks to sell

Summer heat has blown away
And springtime cool has come to play!

Lemon, strawberry and blueberry pie
Funnel cakes, popcorn, and chocolate ice cream,
my,my,my!
Cotton candy, water ice, hot dogs and beans
Picnics, paddle boats and tubing down streams

Summer heat has blown away
And springtime cool has come to play!

It Never Fails To Rain

It never fails to rain when I take the time to water my plants.
Big clear droplets, too many to count
In a myriad of sizes and shapes, perch ready to dismount
Round leaves, spiky leaves, spring petals blooming
Pinks, yellows, purples, and greens
Nature's business booming

I watered the spider wart, I watered the lilies
I watered the hostas,the rose and not to be silly
A rainbow emerged as I sprayed, oh how thrilling!

It must have rained last night
All was still wet by morning
Birds sang, motors whirred
Rain gutters dripped making a steady tapping
The pavements are damp, the cars are be-speckled
Good weather for farming

It's cool and a bit misty off in the distance
Look, hear, and listen, at nature's insistence
Scruffy rabbits sneak and come to spy
Bold as you please squirrels scurry by
All tripping a light sensor that now has turned off
Only to be reignited by squirrels from the branches aloft
Yep! It never fails to rain when I take time to water my plants
And this poem is now finished by happy happenstance.

Doing the Dailies

Waking and stirring, dreaming no more
Responsibilities have come a-knocking at my door
Feed the cat, fix the breakfast, time to take a shower
make the bed, wash the dishes, finish within the hour
Plan the meals, wake the husband, wake the son
Try not to holler!
Water the plants, sweep the path, pull some weeds
Gracious, it's getting hotter!
Run the sweeper, pull up the shades, start to dust
I NEED A MAID!
Grab some ice water and an ice cream bar
Run to the sofa
IT DIDN'T USED TO BE SO FAR!
Put my feet up and grab the remote
Watch the tube, don't come unglued
Numb your mind and let the pains drift away
And after all tomorrow is another day
Sigh....

Lazy Summer Morning

My poetry this morning is like an objective journal entry
There is no burning passionate urgency
When sitting outside in the early morning
The sun comes up with inspiration drowsily dawning
I find it easier to report about the scene
Let the sights and sounds pulsate as in dreams
Their unseen but vibrant waves
Massage and sooth my muse
And let descriptions sparkle and flow
Sometimes hitting their mark
And sometimes running to and fro
Still there is no urgency
No sparkling flashes, glimpses or rages
Wondrous insights to spill onto pages
Just breathing in the intoxicating flavors
Of the eternal here and now
There is so much to savor
This is an ever so pleasant and splendid tome
No feeling pressures or responsibilities
And lest I forget, no cursed urgency!

Morning Music

Feathered wings snapping and beating
Squirrel's claws tapping, leaves rustling, branches creaking
Birds chirping, singing, cooing
Haunting echoes, single tones in a holding pattern
As well as eighth and sixteenth notes
Staccato and easy listening melodies
AC motor turning on and whirring
Birdsong, appliances, motor bikes humming
Words and phrases inside my head strumming
Airplane engines, distant revving and birdsong chorus
This is the closest I'll come to being in a forest.