Ah yes! Retirement Years!
Elimination of all the fears
Of time clocks punched – or “9 to 5”
It’s so good to be alive!
But wait! What’s this I find?
It’s a “slippage” of my mind!
Where is that? … What’s my name?
My mind’s an ember … not a flame!
Where’s my keys? … Where’s the car?
I can’t go walking very far
‘Cause I’ll forget where ‘tis I live
My mind’s become an open sieve!
In the mirror every morn’
I see a face so old and worn
But, it’s always someone new
So I say: “Howdy do!”
On Easter Morning, with old legs,
I hide my own Easter Eggs
Then spend the day lookin’ ‘round
For where it is I laid them down.
Just one newspaper do I read
It’s two years old, but all I need
For all the news within its’ “new”
And the pictures? They are too!
And presents for Christmas morn’
I wrap myself, and tho’ forlorn
When opened, I yell with joy!
“A present, from that ol’ boy!”
Retirement, seen from years ago
Emitted visions all aglow
Of life to be so very fine
But that was with my mind, in line.
So, here I sit writin’ prose
Comin’ from mindless throes
Of thoughts that lack a clarity
(Retirement ain’t what I thought it’d be).
Said Stan to sweet farmer Sue
I like this thing that you do
That bumpy ride
Sure saved my hide
And that’s real fine howdy do!
That first cup of coffee, what could be sweeter
It's starts the day right, it's a sadness defeater
We wake up all groggy and stumble over things
Into walls and doorways, to a table we cling
Lucky if we make it to the kitchen in one piece
Hopefully we won't get splattered with grease
While cooking up bacon and eggs and some taters
I'm wondering the cost of a live-in cook and baker
Okay back to the brew that revives us once more
Without it we're zombies with bumps galore
If the girls at the office could see us like this
There'd be no more begging for a passionate kiss
Pretend not to see me, avoid me like the plague
They'd make up excuses no matter how vague
So you see the importance of our morning brew
It starts the day off with a bright howdy do
That first cup of coffee, what could be sweeter
It's yummy in the tummy the sadness defeater
falling rain, droplet by droplet
pane pain pane
sipping on leaves
fall falling
failing to see
leaves livestock
lumbering, conceited
between the pages
their veins throbbing
as a moppet scribbles
over their bones
with primary colors
heavy-fisted, fat crayons
that melt
into the whirligig
cheek flames
and bright eyes
follow the track
jump into the raked
leaves piled high
aww, rains leaking
inside…pane…pain
child leaves it all behind
the grown kid rounds
Louisiana, not impressed
until Autumn leaves
remind and reminisce
stopping the automobile
in real time…real smooth
New Orleans beckons
but the scenic view
having said, howdy-do
is left behind with the pain
of slippery rain
Old-fashioned parloring. Dreaming
of friendship with tea and cakes.
Feathered fascinators, blooming hats,
all dressed like a bountiful bouquet.
Chatterbox of lovely talk, liveliness
in eyes and lips. Excitement of togetherness.
A cozy of ladies is the best. Dress us up,
kiss us with tasty treats and sips of chai.
Such is the picture of yesteryear, placed
in the Southerner's space. Children pass by
with hardly a howdy-do. Little girls pleased
by a lit up screen, chattering at a box,
unable to size up the others by their character,
wearing ripped up jeans and too small shirts.
These girls don’t know the beauty of baking,
the blossoming of a glass teapot, the lumping
of sugar, an afternoon of nestling in proverbial
glow with sun streaming its shadows on the wall.
One girl glances up, her eyes fly off, like butterflies,
into the space behind the frame, the fragile glass
removed for this moment of time. Her great-grandma
smiles and weeps, holds hope for this progeny.
Suddenly, the girl of twelve, is whisked away in time.
She’s seated at a fresh set table, not questioning why.
The leaf wafted down,
In my side view.
Landed gently beside me,
The tree saying, "Howdy Do".
Misty morning.
Lots of rain and dew.
The tree saying good morning.
Next,
It will be you!
That first cup of coffee, what could be sweeter
It's starts the day right, it's a sadness defeater
We wake up all groggy and stumble over things
Into walls and doorways, to a table we cling
Lucky if we make it to the kitchen in one piece
Hopefully we won't get splattered with grease
While cooking up bacon and eggs and some taters
I'm wondering the cost of a live-in cook and baker
Okay back to the brew that revives us once more
Without it we're zombies with bumps galore
If the girls at the office could see us like this
There'd be no more begging for a passionate kiss
Pretend not to see me, avoid me like the plague
They'd make up excuses no matter how vague
So you see the importance of our morning brew
It starts the day off with a bright howdy do
That first cup of coffee, what could be sweeter
It's yummy in the tummy and a sadness defeater
That first cup of coffee what could be sweeter
It's starts the day right it's a sadness defeater
We wake up all groggy and stumble over things
Into walls and doorways to a table we cling
Lucky if we make it to the kitchen in one piece
Hopefully we won't get splattered with grease
While cooking up bacon and eggs and some taters
I'm wondering the cost of a live-in cook and baker
Okay back to the brew that revives us once more
Without it we're zombies with bumps galore
If the girls at the office could see us like this
There'd be no more begging for a passionate kiss
Pretend not to see me, avoid me like the plague
They'd make up excuses no matter how vague
So you see the importance of our morning brew
It starts the day off with a bright howdy do
That first cup of coffee what could be sweeter
It's yummy in the tummy and a sadness defeater
hello
meet, welcome,
waving, applauding, beckoning
howdy-do, pleasantries, sendoff, sayonara
forsaking, bemoaning, grieving
heartfelt, teary
goodbye
Date written: 02/21/2023
The trees unfurl their buds and blossoms cheer.
Howdy-do Spring…achoo…grab a tissue.
Grass grows Godiva-strong. It’s as I fear -
For all your beauty brag, I’ve an issue.
Here goes: my t-shirt clings with salty-sweat.
The sun is harsh…it’s heart beats me to death.
There is no pool in sight…I’m not cool-wet.
I’m sick of lemonade, its stinking breath.
Forget the drilling of Carpenter bees
and clouds of gnats as I relax outside.
The dive-bombers, abuzz - I’m ill at ease.
The insect fog does follow close, my stride.
Season attacks - Spring’s not all its beauty.
Jack Frost…better off when he’s on duty.
1/31/2023
Spring Is Not All
Sponsor: Michelle Faulkner
I’ve been trying to have a conversation.
Just to get a little piece of mind.
These drugs giving me a sensation.
Dying slow, but I’m feeling just fine.
Too bright in here, my pupils dilated.
Shades on, but, there ain’t no sunshine.
Stacking up this paper that I’m chasing.
Even though I can’t take it when I die.
HEY HEY!!! Howdy do.
What’s the word? What’s the move?
Pop a yop, I’m in the groove.
Call me Ed, cuz I’m a dude.
You're so rude swear you only listen to respond.
On that Dexter crap. Always yelling omelette au fromage.
And you put on the façade that you on your wits.
You just buying mods for your sims and starting arguments.
An Acquired taste that’s you black licorice.
You and I together love forever that’s superfluous.
Be too kind. Err on the nice side.
Howdy-do neighbor! Smile wide.
Keep your eggs on the sunny-side.
If you run into Bonnie and Clyde?
Remember this— don’t hitch a ride!
Is your blood boiling? Are you full of pride?
Let the golden rule be your guide.
Don’t be bossed. ‘tis cyanide.
Don’t conquer and divide.
Your innocence is not implied.
Don’t soak your words in formaldehyde.
With someone else’s problems, be not preoccupied.
Be friendly and smile— your lips at high tide.
Just be too kind, my friend— err on the nice side.
10/29/2021
Hello my name is Marilda McQueen. You were not invited. Please return to your ship.
Politeness rules in this land of fools.
Howdy do Marilda. I am Tom Twiddlepacker. I am taking over Earth and your dog.
Good manners are ever so important.
Pardon me Tom. I am Marilda’s mother. This is a lazar gun. Put Fluffy down immediately.
Etiquette being what it is,
Pleased to meet you Ma’am. I am Tom’s wife Tilly.
I am taking your teeth now too.
The ones I am wearing or the ones in the velvet case? Both.
Hello my friends. I am G13YM2 your captor greeter. Please get in line and be quick.
That is the way Earthlings talk, right?
G12YM2, my name is Marta. Where are you taking us?
That is not your business my friend, and you are welcome to meet your acquaintance.
Hello my name is Ted Twiddlepacker. I am the one who contacted you.
Please let me know that you have my pepperoni pizza.
Glad to meet you Ted. Get in that line if you want something tasty.
Polite, mannerly, showing etiquette, they tricked us into a smooth abduction.
Yes, we are that easy.
the sunspots ensconced
behind howdy-do curtains
a cockcrow in lace
white watering can french blue
white sprouts of ivy deep green
unhackneyed eggs bright brown
the pale yellow sun flickers snow
and no one wears silk nightgowns
as knees fall, and wrinkles like weeds
are read on the backside of palms
that hurry the yolks and sizzle
the bacon, pour coffee into old cups
one for the geezer who grumps
but puckers up for his buttercup
The copper, silver chimes are cling-a-ding-ing.
The red cardinals, wrens, and sparrows are singing.
Greening faster than I can type, the woods are alive and witty.
We are all loving the bright, vivid, fresh newest green color so pretty.
A tiny black and red striped garter snake slithers over through the grass at my feet to say “Howdy-do.”
I give her blessings, then sit back and enjoy the sun, and the
gentle waving of the grass, anew.
If there was ever a better day, I do believe it at all.
I listen to the triumphantly happy birds, chirp, whistle, and call.
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