Sputtering at sunrise
Human engine starts up
Needing its caffeine boost
Always more than one cup
Yes, speaking of coffee
Savor its mountain blend
Aroma-filled goodness
Taste morning’s boldest friend
Body grows accustomed
Medium grade of fuel
Drinking anything less
Makes for a sluggish fool
Life’s experience counts
Paying close attention
Day’s “Five Cup” minimum
Brew’s perfect dimension
Even if you are on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.
Never miss a good chance to shut up.
Have you ever thought about the Rule of Three?
Life is amazing when “three” brings more to see
Making pancakes for a breakfast for me
Why enjoy a short stack of only two
When you can taste a big stack of three
Daughters bring a father happiness and glee
Witnessing the unforgettable births of two
Even more amazing to be delighted with three
Looking at the calendar for dates open and free
A two-day weekend offers much fun for all
Hmm, why not add one day and make it three
A morning walk with nature is thrilling to me
Finishing two miles with much energy left
Let’s add another mile and walk for three
Attending a circus tomorrow for a nominal fee
A show with only two rings just won’t do
Thank heaven P. T. Barnum expanded to three
A basketball game grows late as the seconds flee
Shouting out, the coach wants a two-point shot
Sorry coach, but I’m prepared to drain a three
Listening to music that brings meaning to thee
Some music just doesn’t work as a twosome
So Peter, Paul, and Mary sing tunes as three
Dancing as a couple with a two-step are we
Someone challenges our dancing with a new step
Now we enjoy our dazzling dancing with three
A chef prepares a breakfast omelet for free
Starting with two eggs certainly isn’t enough
He brilliantly adds another egg to equal three
Shopping for a stunning dress to impress me
She can’t decide on which one or two to try
So my wife brings home a cute set of three
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost follow thee
A poet pauses to give thanks to above
The Holy Trinity makes a blessed three
Sometimes a poet’s journey finds a fun-filled avenue to follow. This poem was published back in March, 2019.
Craving nightly snack
Lover of potato chips—
Ready to “Pringle”
Montana? Where’s that?
Easy to find, just look up—
Under the Big Sky
Shortest baseball game
First batter up, downpour starts—
Hit it and quit it!
Traveling back to Montana, Phil and Phyllis arrive from back East. They’ve brought their teenage grandson along to fish the Gallatin River.
Staying at the Rainbow Ranch, they plan to fly fish right along the river, which runs adjacent to the property. The Ranch employs a fishing guide during the summer months. Bert knows all of the best spots to fish on the Gallatin, and he is always bragging about his fishing prowess. As he always reminds people, “experience counts.”
Complaining under his breath, Bert takes the trio of fishing pilgrims to the river. He always frowns upon city folks who come out to the Gallatin to fish. Mumbling under his breath, “All novices . . . they have no clue about fishing a river.”
Bert sets up Phil and his grandson, and they begin making tentative casts on to the river. Each has fished very little, and their inexperience offers a bit of amusement for Bert.
Meanwhile, Phyllis moves down the river a few paces from Bert. She shouts out to Bert, “I wonder who will catch the first fish?”
Bert replies, “A piece of ‘rainbow trout’ cake my dear!”
Bert begins to cast several times with little luck, not even a bite. He glances down the river bank at Phyllis, and reminds himself he has plenty of time to catch the “first” fish.
Phyllis spies a perfect hole in front of two rocks. She casts her first line perfectly into her chosen spot. Hmm, Bert didn’t even see her awesome cast because he is too busy with his own fishing.
Strike!
Phyllis’ line goes taut. She has a “granddaddy” rainbow trout hooked on her line.
Bert looks over at her with dismay. Phyllis laughs and continues reeling in her prize catch. Calling over to Bert, she shouts, “Experience counts, you know.”
As she lands a hefty, beautiful rainbow trout in the tall grass along the river bank, she tells Bert more of her story, “I fished these same waters years ago as a little girl. My daddy taught me well. I practically grew up on this river.”
Bert realizes he has been had. If he does catch a trout today, it will likely taste more like crow.
Summer-like weather arrives
Welcoming warmth, nature thrives
Snowy cold gone, long banished
Winter’s shadow, now vanished
Beaches open, pools start up
Outdoor chores now piling up
Paradise smiles, open now
But wait! Winter’s final bow
Halt, recall nature’s humor
Winter’s back, not a rumor
Over Montana’s Big Sky
Snowflakes dance, find their bullseye
Cold and snow rudely drop in
Wrecking spring, crashing tailspin
How can this accident be?
Cold slides in, snow covers trees
Blessed with nature’s fairytale
Big Sky folks laugh, “Spring’s in jail”
Cornering winter’s good cheer
Just waiting a day my dear
Tomorrow’s change now coming
Spring’s freedom and homecoming
A freak event of nature found Montana turned in a winter wonderland over a period of a couple of days. In the meantime, nearly all of the United States was enjoying the arrival of an early summer. At times, living under the Big Sky does require a sense of humor.
This free-verse poem was originally published in June, 2019. While the theme is filled with humor, between the lines one can read about the endless duties of a mother. In this case, she is busy during a summer’s break from the school year routines. This repost is dedicated to all mothers for a job well done!
Summer finally arrives
Breaking from school routines
Children eager, excited, hyper-filled, energized
When does Mom get to take a break?
Chauffeuring children everywhere
Swimming lessons, sports camps
Gas tank never seems full
When does Mom ever get to run to a special place?
Thunderstorms pop up
Bringing their usual culprits
Rain, wind, hail, lightning, thunder
How did Mom’s new umbrella end up in the yard?
Enjoyable family gatherings
Long picnics, games aplenty
Lots of tasty food prepared
But Mom—why are we picking up a bucket at KFC?
Travel plans made
Laundry, packing, laundry, repacking
Mom still must be “Mom”
When does Mom get to enjoy “her” vacation?
School arrives again
Summer finally over—finally!
Bus leaves with the kiddos
Why does Mom hit the snooze again?
Proud of my memory with its endless perfection
My impeccable recall never needs any correction
As a small child from many years ago
My memories remain vivid, this I know
My family stands astonished and amazed
While my data files work through a maze
I remember many, many things from my past
Hoping that these remarkable powers will last
Many beautiful memories organized to be found
I am thrilled by a brain that is sharp and sound
Sometimes my mind feels like an encyclopedia
Please don’t ever challenge me with Wikipedia
God has blessed me with an awesome mind
As for my car keys . . . please help me find?
The pace of work at Bill’s office has recently been too much to bear. Laboring for countless hours to land a substantial account for his marketing business, he has been working diligently, nearly nonstop, with little time off.
Viewing a beautiful day outside of his office window, Bill checks his calendar. All looks free for an afternoon rendezvous with one of his favorite places . . . a splendid, quiet 18 holes on the golf course.
As he quietly slips away from the office, Bill instructs his secretary to hold down the fort . . . “Please keep the boss off of my back for three hours.”
About two hours later, Bill’s boss shows up. He needs to catch up with Bill about this new account. Let’s eavesdrop on the conversation between the boss and Bill’s ever-protective secretary.
The boss asks the secretary, “Where’s Bill at? I need to check on his progress with our newest account.”
She dutifully replies, “He’s working on his game.”
“What game?”
“He’s working hard to land this new account that’s better than par.”
“Well, I hope he keeps his eyes focused on the prize, just like an eagle.”
“Oh, I’m sure he’s looking for lots of birdies, perhaps an eagle or two”
As the boss leaves the office, he turns around and smiles, “Bill really is my ‘ace in the hole’ around here.”
Meanwhile at this same moment on the golf course, Bill tees off on the short, par-3, 13th hole. His ball carries straight and true, lands softly on the green, and meanders right into the hole.
A hole-in-one . . . an ACE!
Oh, Brother!
Sometimes people look at me in a sort of puzzlin’ way
They just don’t appreciate my approach to each day
Through their eyes, I must be an utter red-neck
They fail to understand my life, not one lil’ speck
Some say I have an accent when speakin’
Darn if I know, I’m just talkin’ and seekin’
Before I digress too much further, let’s see
I live in America, lookin’ always to be free
My Daddy taught me the major differences in life
Between right and wrong, always love one’s wife
My Mommy shared her love of nature’s delights
Her bountiful garden, with colors always bright
Growin’ up in an awfully small, yet welcome place
Life remain’ balanced and gentle, a relaxin’ pace
Joinin’ the U.S. Navy at the earliest possible age
Livin’ on an aircraft carrier, like workin’ in a cage
Comin’ ashore to meet a lady for a date
Becomin’ my lovely wife and first mate
Receivin’ a degree with honors from Silage Tech
Not regrettin’ my time there, never wantin’ to fret
My best friends live and labor on farms and ranches
We hook-up on Saturday nights for fun-filled dances
Livin’ in the countryside, but drivin’ to my job in town
People say I’ve been too busy, never makin’ a sound
Can’t they see who’s followin’ me down the walk
Two lil’ youngins, brothers lovin’ to play and talk
My two boys, Pete and Re-Pete, makin’ me proud
Even when their horseplay gets a tiny bit too loud
Oh, Brother!
Big Sky Buckeye 