Baseball: It follows the seasons, beginning each year with the fond expectancy of springtime and ending with the hard facts of autumn.
It is the great arrogance of the present to forget the intelligence of the past.
Ken Burns (born 1953) is an American filmmaker who specializes in documentaries about American history and culture. Many of his works have been presented in PBS.
Reasons to finish
Overcoming challenges—
Never giving in
Time’s quiet moments
Opening each memory—
Never forgotten
In searching life’s depths
Finding intended nuggets—
Few others shall see
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com
Dusty top of the kitchen fridge
No worries about cleaning
Unless . . .
Taller guests come to play bridge
Windshield wipers, broken and worn
Needing to be replaced
But never . . .
Attempt when rain becomes airborne
Congested and overmatched table
Keeping life healthy and in order
Looking like . . .
Walgreens, filled with pill labels
Remembering school days past
Time to take another test
Pausing . . .
Hoping the “ditto” smell will last
Self-driving cars, soon to be the craze
Sitting in one, with perplexed look
Pondering . . .
Will the back seat driver be unfazed?
Raiding the freezer for a midnight snack
Hunger disrupts blissful sleep
What’s this . . .
Cookie Dough ice cream has been hijacked
Installing a terrific app on her “hip” phone
Grandson helps his Grandma out
Meanwhile . . .
With his flip phone, Grandpa feels quite alone
Finding a parking spot is tonight’s mission
Free valet parking
Guaranteed . . .
When you drive a manual transmission
So many toilet paper choices and sizes
What ever happened to having just one?
Confusing . . .
Mega and Super Mega waiting in disguise
Enjoying a late night film on television
Fearful of falling asleep
Always prepared . . .
Setting an alarm, allows for night vision
Reading and proofreading, reading once more
Retired English teacher
Never satisfied . . .
Writing a “perfect” text with words to adore
If you have enjoyed this bit of fun
Wait for the next round
When . . .
Doughnuts and coffee for everyone
Photo by Alfredo Alvarado on Pexels.com
Originally published March, 2020.
Hidden in forest’s midst
Ancient homestead’s landscape
Under winter blanket
Wakening, day takes shape
One more snowy morning
Old barn wrapped up in white
Barely able to stand
Making for quite a sight
Corral broken, rails split
Livestock forever gone
Snow-painted grass smiles back
Waiting for spring’s new fawn
But wait, life still stirring
Chimney’s smoke drifting high
Rustic cabin’s fireplace
Warming urge to drop by
All welcome, step inside
Plenty of room to share
Coffee’s hot, feel at home
Sitting on kitchen’s chairs
Hilltop looking back down
So many years ago
Memories slowly fade
Covering up in snow
What you remember saves you.
We are asleep with compasses in our hands.
William Stanley Merwin (W. S.) was an American poet with over 50 books of poetry and prose. Over his lifetime (1927-2019), he was honored with numerous awards: including the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry (1971 and 2009) and becoming United States Poet Laureate in 2010.
One’s love of the game sharing
Encouraging life’s new vision
One more summer of baseball
Boys answering their final call
Autumn’s sandlot football days
In field’s dirt, drawing up plays
Collecting each baseball card
Keeping all, never will discard
Playing catch with dad each night
Pitching finds home plate in moonlight
Playing high school football games
Friday nights bringing lasting fame
Playing one final season
Retirement waits in postseason
Wrapped up in competition
Respecting each sport’s traditions
Memories of each game played
Never allowing time to fade
Dreaming of playing again
Competing in life’s senior lane
Remembering each mentor
Always open, each coach’s door
Enduring fabric of sports
Our love of the game playing out
This poem was originally posted in November, 2018. The text was revised and republished one year later. The verses capture my own memories of Thanksgiving during my youth when my extended family gathered at my maternal grandmother’s house. Blessings to all!
Photo by Craig Adderley on Pexels.com
Remembering annual family gatherings from years past
Enjoying special, blessed times which will last and last
Filling Grandma’s packed house with people from near and far
Seeing aunts, uncles, and cousins—as numerous as the stars
Feeling the crisp, autumn air—possibly snow on the ground
Arriving with abundant food and family love to pass around
Pitching in, many helping hands prepare the meal
Eating together on Thanksgiving is a very big deal
Catching up on life from several corners of the state
Thanking the Lord that all arrived safely on this date
Listening to exciting conversation that fills the tiny house
Disappearing from a kitchen corner, a frightened mouse!
Preparing so many favorite and delicious treats
Tasting each will make today an awesome feast
Setting up Grandma’s sizable dining room table with care
Deciding where each family member will sit, here or there
Providing for extra places to eat in the living room
Anticipating that all of us will be eating very soon
Smelling the huge turkey roasting in the oven until finally done
Carving this bird and splitting the wishbone, most delicious fun
Pleasing everyone’s taste buds, with a gathering of yummy dishes
Adding stuffing, mashed potatoes, and yams to everyone’s wishes
Saving room for a sweet symphony of delicious pies
Savoring a slice of pumpkin or many others—Oh my!
Exchanging stories, playing cards, and watching football
Realizing too soon that the time says, “Goodnight to all”
Departing for home, before everyone’s bedtime arrives
Blessing our family time, this thanksgiving feels so alive
Smiling from her large window, Grandma feels so much love
Looking forward to experiencing peace, from the Lord above
Memories are not just about the past. They determine our future.
I kept dreaming of a world I thought I’d never see, and then . . . one day . . . I got in!
Jeff Bridges (born 1949) is an American film actor who has the ability to play a variety of roles. His work has been rewarded with one Academy Award (a total of seven nominations) as well as two Golden Globes.
Searching attic’s hidden treasures
Opening ancient cedar chest
Well-preserved photo album smiles
Connections with family’s quest
Scanning morning’s endless gray sky
Feeling forgotten and alone
Phone rings, lifting away sadness
Connections with daughter’s milestone
Driving endless summer backroads
Coming to destination’s gift
Rustic cabin by mountain lake
Connections waken life’s gearshift
Sitting near frosty window glass
Watching winter’s chilling landscape
Mail carrier drops off letter
Connections with friend’s warm escape
Spending lifetime in school’s classroom
Touching so many youthful lives
Cumulative cache of memories
Connections stir teacher’s archives
Sailing stormy seas
Harbor welcomes home
Each victory won
Drifting back ashore
Future never waits
Grasping dreams today
Breathing youthful pride
Joy running ashore
Dropping life’s anchor
Haven’s quiet place
Yesterday’s wishes
Bringing each ashore
Recalling each step
Gifts for tomorrow
Fading memories
Past stepping ashore
Love shining brightly
Embracing new life
Fulfilling journey
Life coming ashore
Maturing spirit
Quest’s uplifting star
Big Sky Buckeye 