The Poetry Marathon

Luxuriating in

a blanket of cozy down,

upon waking up.

Showering–spirts of

bracing water tingle

while warm water sooths.

Jane Austen now leans

very close, her tales repeating

charming adventures.

Refreshed by Jane’s

Salacious gossip, plunging

into a sparkling warm pool.

Toweling dry and

swaddled in cotton sheets,

sipping mint tea,

as I go to bed,

I fall asleep while reading

a bodice-ripper novel.

Season of waiting,

patiently serving my time

Waiting for reason.

Still meditating,

now plotting personal schemes

and most public rhymes.

“Waiting for Godot”!

 going with the ebb and flow,

but not in the know.

Meanwhile, waking up

to an eternal “Groundhog’s

Day” each summer morn.

Open umbrellas–

Solid, plaid, paisley, striped,

for shower and sun.

Expect a downpour,

then grab one going out the door,

and sing in the rain.

But if the sun shines,

Copying Miss Scarlet O’Hara

Sure sounds mighty fine.

In memory of Walstein Smith (1920-1998), attorney and professor at Baylor University for 41 years

Dear Dad,

Here is a loving letter I am posting for you to share with Mother in the Great Beyond,

detailing some events that will delight you, and others that will make you rather mad.

As for my white-privileged self, I put everything in an annuity before the economy tanked,

for which I must acknowledge your own struggles and my financial advisor to thank.

I’m following a healthy Mediterranean diet, gardening, and taking walks in the sunshine,

although lots of folks are deadly-ill down here, and the economy has really declined.

But since arrivals have piled up at the Pearly Gates, you will note we‘ve been conned:

Churches are closed while store-raiding protesters sacking stores much celebrated.

Freedom of speech is in question for those with whom the P. C. Millennials disagree

while the powerful applaud ravaged cities disbanding the cops and looters on sprees.

Lincoln the Great Emancipator’s statue and reputation are now in gravest danger

while the woke and enlightened would take the white baby Jesus out of the manger.

Never mind that people from around the world have pictured Him like themselves—

our hero, who asks everyone not to hold a grudge and always love all their neighbors.

So flag down the Man Upstairs (or in your case up the street) with a few urgent pleas:

We ask for patience and wisdom to heal our world and nation from a most cruel virus

and for the ability to respectfully debate and coming up with solutions as we disagree.

Your Loving Daughter

Listen to the swarm as we explore solutions to the world-wide plague,

That dastardly virus COVID-19, for which solutions are admittedly vague.

Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization do lag

on presenting-fixes to the pandemic’s problems while the economy drags–

no masks, then you must wear masks, the so-called authorities do proclaim.

Meanwhile, many disregard this sage advice—sans masks—with distain.

Oh, the COVID-plague makes the disaffected P. C. populace very restless,

And spiraling into a Deep Depression, it certainly makes the economy lag.

First, they said let us flatten the curve in a space of a few locked-down weeks.

Then, any uptick in the number of cases meant an extension of this deadline

else an upsurge of deaths rivaling the Bubonic Plague then perilously sweeps.

Moreover, the only sure-fire resolution that would make everything all so fine

was to distance safely those venturing out a mandatory six-feet-apart in line.

Of course, we were to wash our hands in running water, vigorously scrubbing

while belting out “Happy Birthday to You” else the apocalypse was coming.

So what could be the answer to this menace the wise now passionately seek?

Oh, the COVID-plague makes the disaffected P.C. populace very restless,

And spiraling into a Deep Depression it certainly makes the economy lag.

Follow the lead of public health medics those who fought the 1918 Spanish Flu:

Quarantine those most likely to die from the virus is what everyone should do—

The elderly, the morbidly obese, those with hyper-tension, and Diabetes Two.

In the meantime, improve everyone’s odds of making COVID-19 less severe—

Getting lots of Vitamin D, so they catch a less severe case within this year.

That is a common-sense solution of what every one of us should now do.

Oh, the COVID-plague makes the disaffected P C. populace very restless,

And spiraling into a Deep Depression, it certainly makes the economy lag.

Recipe for Early Morning Pep

1. Go outside and smell a whiff of mint kissed by this morning’s dew.
2. Then drink a cup of freshly- brewed coffee like granddad used to do.
3. Take a brisk shower alternating 30 seconds of cold and warm water.
4. As they leave for school, hug and kiss your sons and your daughters.
5. Go to work with a purpose each day, or else why would one bother!

9:19 CDST

Today I will celebrate a woman who is certainly like no other.

A public-school teacher, business community college instructor,

Blue Bird leader, quintessential 1950’s mom—my late mother.

Although since I would not want to ever wish to equivocate—

About all else, obsessively-compulsively-she was never late!

Ever a lady in the truest sense of a rather old-fashioned word,

She was the perfect partner for my dad with her style and verve.

Also, trained as a classical pianist, she was sure to entertain us,

but insincerity was certainly not in this small-town girl’s nature.

Thus, if I ever tried, I could never measure up to her example,

For above all else, her love and care remained ever ample.

Note:  I did not see the assigned prompt when I first posted, but here is a short poem honoring a very memorable woman, my mother. 8:47 CDST

There once was a Texas town named Waco.

With an inferiority complex muy bueno.

But HGTV started airing Fix’er Upper,

And the town found many a fan and lover,

So Seattle snow birds will discover.

As a native Wacoan, who returned 20 years ago from the Intermountain West, I thought I would celebrate my hometown.

Poetic Prompt: Location 8:16 a.m. CDST

More than–give or take–15-odd-years ago
I researched patents for Silicon Valley egos.
Nanotechnogy, biotech, the Singularity too,
I edited lots of copy and even proofed reviews.
But that was long ago, some light years away,
Now, I must call tech support Online to stay.
While teaching, Blackboard often mystifies me.
Furthermore, my mistakes belie my history.

If I had but one, albeit unnatural, irresistible, awesome desire,
It would be to keep unquenched this overwhelming, holy fire.
Yet for want of sound sleep almost eleven hours forsaken
–Not to mention scrambled eggs and a rasher of frying bacon,
Buttered toast, strawberry jam, some berries,one juicy melon–
I would not think of chilling, for writing poems is awfully thrilling.
So using both rhyme and rhythm, my spirit stays quite willing
To pen my slightly didactical, moreover pretty intractable, song
Eschewing those conjunctions and prepositions overused,
All the same, I must enthuse, I’ve found neither patron nor muse.