Short Missouri Poems

ozark mountains call
watch my uncle ski barefoot
on a broomstick too...

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A total eclipse
might be my last one to see—
Spring rain forecasted...

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Twelve inches of snow
all roads are impassable
sled ruts on the hills
...

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first mow of the year
this grass smells kind of funky
what’s this on my shoe...

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A stick for a gun
a dead frog known as ‘Old Pete’
childhood is conquered
...

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~Home~
here in Missouri where heaven touches the earth, angels can be heard.
...

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Floating on curved wings
feet rippling silver surface
Mallards come to rest
...

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To feel warm spring winds
winter’s chill must be survived
reading by the fire
...

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A million stars shine,
as I stroll this black dirt lane,
they welcome me home.
...

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Wind chimes whistle low
      Sticky, sweet sugar maple
        leaves, red, wave hello...

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To wander lovingly down forest paths
over hills and through valleys
in search of mysteries
...

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~The Slow Life~
I don’t care if you call me a Redneck
or call me a Hillbilly
Just call me for supper
...

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Was a young lad from Missouri
Rushing about in a flurry
- A bathroom to find
- His bowels were maligned
Oops!  Never mind.  End of story....

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                    Spring winds rattle walls
               trash cans roll along the street—
                       No sirens this time
...

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Maybe rain
Maybe not
Maybe it will snow a lot

Sun might shine
Burn your skin
Might have hurricane force wind

Seasons come 
fade away
we’ll get it all in one day
...

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In the dark of night,
jolted from my bed,
with a thousand thoughts,
racing through my head.

What a dreadful sound,
those loud sirens bring,
welcome to one more,
warm Missouri spring....

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Seconds slide into minutes
minutes into years
Only pausing to rejoice
birthdays and graduations
weddings and deaths
Marks on the calendar
to celebrate another creaking joint
and fading memories...

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What’s she doing here
shes a missouri opossum
spread out on a tree

started yesterday
my grandchild said whats that
had to look up

she was spread eagle
against the bark of a tree
I had to research...

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Taking my dogs on a raft trip to North Missouri,
Solomon, Jasper, Jetsam and baby Madame Curie,
None of us are swimmers, but there is no real worry.
We float along in peace, none of us in any kind of hurry....

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There was an old man from Missouri.
Biting his nails, he tended to worry. 
Taping his fingers to stop the bad habit,
he switched to candy wherever he could grab it,
and once he was full, he always got purry....

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The computerized MAP test
Who could take it seriously?
Not even norm-referenced
A state test, only in Missouri
I watch a fourth grader complete his
Answering forty-two questions in seven minutes
Hooray for him I think...

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I Will Be,
           On The Lead!

Scoring's Effort,
                Wakes Our Dreams!

To Field's Where Hope Is Shown;

The Strength Our Voices, .... Roll!
_______________________
Birthplace, .... Rolla Missouri...

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It takes ten minutes
to dawn coat and gloves
scarves and boots and woolen caps
earmuffs and face masks
Pry open the frozen door 
and step outside
wait thirty seconds for the dog to pee
and run back into the house
...

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I
can see
the soft clouds
go drifting by
outside my window.
It’s a stay at home day,
not doing a damn thing day,
I’m calling it a no go day.
I don’t know when I last felt this way.
Wait a minute it was just yesterday.
...

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bright ruby and green
flash dance across the garden.
humming and twirling

sipping from flowers
they zigzag helter-skelter
savoring each drop

chirping their pleasure
as they drink nature’s treasure
suddenly they’re gone
...

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