This was a project I did basically during the pandemic. I started writing a poem a day. Once ‘real life’ started again it got harder to write everyday, which is interesting.
…mostly cool
my dog, he drools
…really bad
the floor becomes
a gross drool pad
he cannot hide
his want of food
his pushiness
…frankly rude
mealtime done
there he sleeps
gather towels
into a heap
life with dog
…mostly cool
but not so much
the pounds of drool !!
cold outside
cold outside
see my breath
stay too long
might mean death
get inside
warm right up
pour the coffee
in my cup
Finding Simple
Why is finding simple
often quite quite hard?
Seems it would be easy —
complex? Just discard.
But reaching toward the simple
feels more like clearing vines.
Each tendril is connected,
dug in and must be mined.
Pull on one small thread
find a monster at its end.
Have to just keep pulling,
the time you have to spend.
Maybe when you finish
you find a clearing, clean and bare.
A simple life for living —
but I can’t tell you, I’m not there.
More Towels!
These two things
They do not mix
Dogs and rain
Do you want pics?
When dogs go out
In the rain
The mud they spread
Is such a pain
I just can’t win
Although I try
The mess is such
I want to cry!
From smelly fur
To dirty paws
To leaves and sticks
There should be laws!
Every time
The beast goes out
Here comes the mud
More towels! I shout
Pushy pushy dog
Here he comes
Jumping on the bed
Does he want his breakfast
or is he checking if I’m dead?
Here he comes
Lounging on the couch
Pressing with his paws so hard
“Pet me now you big old grouch!”
Here he comes
Begging for some food
“Don’t you see my sitting here?
You aren’t sharing?? Oh so rude!”
Here he comes
Barking really loud
“Look Look Look a squirrel!!
Aren’t you very proud?”
Here he comes
“Hey I want some cuddles”
When this dog is gone away
my tears will fall in puddles
rushing ‘round
rushing ‘round
moving fast
this here pace
it can’t last
oh I wish
for some slow
until then
have to go!
it did not flood
it did not flood
we are all dry
the winds came in
blew rains goodbye
some trees around
they lost some limbs
no twig or leaf
was forced to swim
Waiting now
Rain pours down
Makes it wet
Ponds are big
Full I bet
Still so dark
Can’t yet see
Water up
To my knees?
Floods do come
Every year
Question now
Is it near?
Backyard filled?
Pump it out?
Rain just stop!
Hear me shout
Slowly now
Light will shine
We will see
What we find!
do it different
if you’re stuck — do it different
try a new, weird way
instead of drinking coffee
drink tea to start your day
used to wearing shoes
with matching yellow socks
how ‘bout trying sandals
or maybe even crocs!
like to eat a sandwich
with ham and cheddar cheese
when you’re at the diner
"roast beef for me, please”
always take the bus route
numbered fifty-five
walk for twenty blocks
or maybe even drive
you have to shake your brain up
feed it fresh to-dos
soon you find you’re looking
at a life that feels quite new!
The Late Wake Up
Today I woke up late
Much later than the norm
Must have been under the covers
Calm and safe and warm
Now the day begins
I’m up and out of bed
The thing about the late wake up
It starts my day with dread
Because I need to rush
To move at double speed
The rhythm of the morn is broke
But the day it must proceed
Decisions
Should I go
this way or that?
Decisions are hard —
like internal combat.
One way seems right
then the other peeks in.
Which way to turn?
I can’t really win.
The cycle goes on —
repeats and repeats.
Finally collapse.
Claim my defeat.
Pick one or the other!
It probably won’t matter!
But choose one I must
to get over this chatter!
Either choice is ok —
both end my dismay!
Decide on a way
with no more delay!
Lucky Seven
Gorgeous weekend morning
Perfect breeze blows just right
In pulls a big truck
Painted color of the night
“Lucky Seven Tree Co”
Nothing lucky there at all
The noise of saw and grinder
Roars in — invading all
The quiet shatters loudly
On this lovely weekend morn
It isn’t even 9 am!
At least you could have warned!
I would have closed my windows
Put plugs into my ears
Instead I sit here cringing
As branches grind through gears
The hum of the machine
Eating all that comes in close
A blank spot now across the street
A tree is now a ghost
Mosquito Bite
Something bit my toe
Could not have been a gnat
Must be a mosquito
The one that did do that!
Now I’ve got a bite
Itches like the devil
When my shoes rub the place
The itch it goes next level!
I’ve tried a bunch of creams
And soaks and serums too
Nothing seems to help
What else can I do ?!?
I have to just let time
Heal this horrid bite
Next time be real sure
To put the bug spray on right!!
Greedy Drool Dog
My dog is very greedy
He begs for all my food
Seems he’s always hungry
Always in the mood
He seems to like everything
Cheese and eggs and ham
He always comes a’running
When he hears the cupboard slam
The problem with this dog
He produces lots of drool
So when you eat around him
On the floor will be a pool
It is really quite annoying
Sometimes I get mad
But then he looks at me with love
Well, then I am just glad ❤️
The Complainer
Have you ever met a complainer?
He grouses, grumbles, and gripes
Fussing and futzing surround him
Do you know this specific type?
Nothing will ever please him
He will always find a new fault
Order a chocolate milkshake
He will bleat loudly, “I wanted malt!”
Seems no way to please him
Nothing is ever quite right
You can try to convince him
You can use all of your might
But chances are he is stuck here
Mired in his grievance-filled ways
He does not see he needs changing
And so there’s not much you can say
He will go on complaining
The only thing you can do
Is to notice how lonely this man is
And never ever let it become you