Short Fortieth Poems

There he is again
The kid from next door
At my window
Making faces like before
It wouldn’t bother me so much
But I live on the fortieth floor...

Read More

Starting with first I climbed
Initial steps followed all blind

Quicker I paced to find
Fun and Frolic to bind

Growing in  body and mind 
Longing Life’s purpose, I grind

Forty you turn this kind 
Party now leaving all behind...

Read More

Paulette went on a holiday
Visiting Italy and France
To mark her fortieth birthday
Paulette went on a holiday
Saw the Arc de Triomphe today
And adored Venice at first glance
Paulette went on a holiday
Visiting Italy and France


December 21, 2021
Paulette - 2 Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Julia Ward...

Read More

Married fortieth year, now alone in despair. Home after an argument, sees his wife on the floor, breathing no more. Drops flowers brought. He is an old fool, his first thought. Feels undeserving, with sorrow, fear, and guilt; a culmination without vindication."I'm sorry. I love you,” can be said no more. Calls 911, then he drops to the floor....

Read More

leading to our room. . .
fragrant petals you had strewn 
        lavender roses 
whose hue was that of the sky
when passion first bloomed for us.

lavender roses -
      your anniversary gift
for our fortieth . . .
where the path of blossoms ends. . . 
      we recreate fantasies.


for topic: love and the progress of love affairs
in the "One or Two Tanka -" Poetry Contest of Rick Parise...

Read More

I spent my day shopping for Rubies
And entered an old antique store
The owner took me to the back of the shop
Showed me a set and had me begging for more.

The one that stole my heart was a deep red
Encrusted with small pearls
In two layers around the heart
This was the ideal gift for my green eyed girl

Red is the symbol of love for eternity
It was our fortieth Anniversary
I visualised it around my wife‘s neck
There was no happier man than me....

Read More