Her calender was packed
She had so much to do
Had been valedictorian
Damn proud of it, too.
The world was her oyster
Grabbed the bull by the horns
Her drive and her intellect
Brought her accolades galore.
I met her post haste
She was school principal then
My son was a student
In her office...once again!
She told me her schedule
How she ran marathons
Her lists to achieve
Were impressive and long.
I met her one day
Said, "Come sit for awhile."
But she just couldn't stop
Had to run, in denial.
Today I sat down
To read yesterday's news
Saw she died on a treadmill
She was just 42.
2015
Some birds were playing tweeting,
In my home gardens in a cool evening,
Calm and peace returned surprisingly,
Came rain sudden like the school principal!
(Veterans Day 2009)
Side by side, they stood at attention,
facing the American flag,
former Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines.
Not one muscle twitched, nor eye blinked
as the 3rd Grader stepped to the microphone.
"Because of you, I am free," she said.
In a clear voice, she continued to express
her appreciation and gratitude,
for their service to their country,
their sacrifice for freedom.
Though his legs trembled like Jell-O
beneath the knife-edge crease of his uniform,
Grandpa's pride filled his throat
as the little blond resumed her seat.
She had recited the entire speech
from memory, and later received
a note from her school principal--
Awesome job today!--
which now decorates the front
of his refrigerator.