I Almost

I almost went to Florida To visit with my aunt Until the virus landed And my plans it did supplant. I almost got a chance to see A Sarasota treat. The Ringling exhibition Would have made the trip complete. I almost got to quilting class To start on something new And as to when I’ll get there, Well, I haven’t got a clue. I almost got to go to Greece, A long-awaited tour. Perhaps next year I’ll have the chance To get there and explore. I almost got to see my play Produced up on the stage. I almost got to celebrate My birthday’s special age. I almost got to keep My Friday babysitting dates. Though FaceTime helps a bit A lot of hugging yet awaits. I almost got to live my life Without this daily fear. I’m hoping that these almosts Will, at some point, disappear.

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Gordon Mcconnell

Date: 3/28/2020 6:52:00 AM

This a wonderful piece ilene, sadly I've never come across your writings before but so glad John Watt told me about you. This is so pleasing on the eye with such great rhyme and flows too. Hope you're keeping safe in these troubled days, Blessings from Scotland, Gordon

Ilene Bauer
Date: 3/28/2020 2:20:00 PM

thank you for reading and commenting, gordon! i owe a lot to john for his kind words. ~ stay safe in scotland...

Rico Leffanta

Date: 3/27/2020 1:39:00 PM

You certainly live in interesting times! TV news reported a 38-year old Waikiki bartender caught the virus a fortnight ago and is still in a ventilator, yet none of the others in his multi-generation household have tested positive. Let us hope you have their genes and can write, "I almost got to hospital" when this pandemic ends! Aloha! Rico

Ilene Bauer
Date: 3/28/2020 2:29:00 PM

ha! i can't wait until i can stop writing about this topic altogether, rico!

John Watt

Date: 3/27/2020 9:08:00 AM

Ilene, oh how we all can relate. My daughter was going to be in a play this week and next - almost. I do hope your birthday gets celebrated and your play gets produced and your trips get rescheduled, and your grandkids get hugged, all soon. E-hugs, John

Ilene Bauer
Date: 3/28/2020 2:28:00 PM

thank you, john! i, too, hope that we all get to do all of the things that got canceled. in light of the more serious problems, i guess mine aren't so bad, but disappointments are also tough to deal with...

Tom Cunningham

Date: 3/26/2020 11:37:00 PM

One thing about this Ilene, is when this dark cloud passes live like there's no tomorrow. It's certainly made me think. Stay safe. Tom

Ilene Bauer
Date: 3/28/2020 2:25:00 PM

yes, i can just imagine the celebrations that will take place. i'll be happy just to be able to go see my grandkids and eat in a restaurant...

Maurice Rigoler

Date: 3/26/2020 8:28:00 PM

I can relate to this poem, Ilene, as can most of us. It's in the same class as "If I had..." The only way to make things happen is to do them, and I've done many things that way. I never thought I'f go to Greece but I did. I never thought I'd be writing poetry and enjoying it so much, but I am. I never thought I'd have an art collectiom but I have, and it's paying off now that it's selling. You have probably done more things than you'd ever imagine! Count your blessings. / M

Ilene Bauer
Date: 3/28/2020 2:23:00 PM

hey maurice! all the things in this poem have been put on hold because of the virus. i can only hope that i get to do some, if not all, of them at some point in the future, but who knows?

Gershon Wolf

Date: 3/26/2020 7:29:00 PM

Haha! Touche, Ilene. Very clever. 'Vintage Ilene Bauer!' Love it --- almost. (Just teasing). Mr. Alan Most, aka Alm...

Ilene Bauer
Date: 3/28/2020 2:21:00 PM

ha! thank you for the "vintage Ilene Bauer" line - that made me smile, gershon! (i also love the "alan most" line...)