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North Wind
The night is silent, peaceful, still
When North Wind gusts over the hill
Cavorting through the evergreens
Symphony of sound, yet unseen.
I lie in bed and try to sleep
But North Wind calls, “Come take a peek.”
The Douglas firs now bend then sway
As Wind whirls on in happy play.
There’s something comforting in the sound
When I’m cozy, safe, and in bed bound
Yon storm can rage and rant and blow
I’ll snuggle abed and dream of snow.
If tomorrow’s hills are covered white
I ‘ll know the dreams were true this night
And happily sledding I shall go
Bundled against the wind and snow.
So come, North Wind, come and play
While I lie in bed and wait for day
My dreams are sweet as they can be
When I listen to your melody.
Dec. 18, 1999
Ice Princess
Ice fingers painted the world last night
Creating a frigid land of delight
Fairies flew with gossamer nets
Covered trees, bushes and shrubs still wet
A glowing rose they cased in ice
Treasure rare beyond all price
Apr. 21, 2001
The Graduates
Graduation is the leaving
Of young graduates from school
The beginning of their journey
Away from parents’ rule
Off some go to practice adulthood
Claiming grown they finally are
Yet their semi-independence
Sends them back to the ‘cookie jar’
Finances haven’t made it
To catch up with spending spree
And parents’ pockets support them
Until they begin to see
Life’s journey has its pitfalls
And wise they’d better be
For wisdom calls for budget
Lest they suffer bankruptcy
Others journey off to college
And study specialties
And some go on to make us proud
In this land of liberty
Some fall into marriage
And rise again with faith
Providing us with children
To keep this country straight
Teaching young minds so open
Of Freedom’s sacrifice
And the need to be good citizens
To protect the stars and stripes
Some will go into business
And keep the economy strong
While they wheel, deal and negotiate
Working hard and all day long
Many of our young ones
Will go far across the sea
Defend our lives and some of them
Graduate to eternity
We must keep them in our prayers
For all the time they’re gone
And be thankful to our graduates
Whene’er we hear this song
Isn’t it a Godsend
America’s strong and free
And our graduates have choices
To become like you and me
Graduation is a leaving
Of young graduates from school
The beginning of their journey
Away from parents’ rule.
June 3, 2004
The Apple Tree
Old, gnarled lady with
weather-beaten face
arms out-stretched, showing
off new dress of lace.
White blossoms in bright array
dance gaily in the breeze
this early Spring day.
Arthritic hands
Deformed and bent
Praise God in joy
For this gift heaven sent.
Soon He’ll exchange it
For robe of green
And fragrant blossoms will
no longer be seen.
Until that day
One year hence
When again her skirt
Flutters over yon fence.
April 18, 1990
Snow Ghosts
The day is raw
skies leaden
arthritic hands florid
with pain
of dampness
the chill numbs
fingers
inches into minds
strips them bare
as unfulfilled forecast
of snow
barren as unborn poem
on blank page
we build up the fire sip
hot chocolate gossip
to melt frigid concepts
propagate ghost stories
Jan. 19, 2002
Child of the Sea
I must go visit the sea again
and stand on the sandy shore
I long to taste the salty spray
and feel the ocean roar
In tidal pools I’ll squish my feet
and hear the gulls’ mad scream
and when the sun slips ‘neath the sea
I’ll watch the lighthouse beam
At night when tucked in cozy quilts
soft breeze will beckon me
to gaze once more at silv’ry sky
and moon shining on the sea
Should storm winds gust and waters rage
I’ll open wide my door
to listen to the crashing surf
come pounding on the shore
Remember childhood days long gone
and castles in the sand
exciting fishing trips off shore
fried Massachusetts clams
Ah yes, I miss the salty brine
and shelling by the sea
sweet memories of happy times
bring childhood back to me.
Feb. 3, 2000
This Old House
This old house stands as she’s always stood
Best kept home in the neighborhood
Mother came here when a bride of twenty
To provide Dad’s home with children plenty
The house was old and small within
Children’s play made quite a din
First came Earl, Charles, Sheila, Kevin
Then Jerry, Vivian, Kathy made seven
These walls sheltered us from snow and rain
They’ve watched our joy and shared our pain
So many little ones now grown
Lovingly still call this home
We grew and loved, we fought, forgave
Learned our lessons, were taught to save
Ventured forth for adventures new
School, music lessons, first dances, too
One by one we left, the world to roam
But to each of us this house remains home.
Nov. 1, 1998
Little Girl
floating on interwoven channels
of your mind
what do you find
as you drift through dreams
little girl drifts
along
on tidal currents
some weak some strong
she picks up
a discarded paper cup
from the gutter of mankind
watches passing feet
and wonders
what it will be like
to be grown up
and stroll the street
will she trash her bike
and dress in bright threads
like the stylish women
she meets who offer her
tempting sweets will she shed
a little girl’s delights wear
ruby lips like them
and clip along on spikes
drift on little girl
dream big little girl
you will be grown up far too soon
May 13, 2005
The Fisherman
Oh happy boy
this day in spring!
Wouldn’t trade places
for anything.
Fishing rod bent
with line pulled taut
Worm bucket full
of the fish you caught.
Dec. 4, 1998
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