Tender memories
Child’s early steps remembered—
Milestones filled with love
Young boy clearing path
Throwing shoveled snow behind—
Never looking back
Coming dearest wife
Arriving in a jiffy—
Lifetime partnership
This poem takes a different route from much of my usual poetry. It begins with the word “incessant” and carries this meaning throughout the poem with various synonyms. Using free verse, the number of syllables remains consistent with seven in the odd-numbered lines and ten in the even-numbered ones. Thanks for reading and enjoy!
Early in the morning’s peace
Welcoming the incessant quietness
Predawn light creates shadows
Enjoying their unending playfulness
Cool, crisp air signals autumn
Witnessing the season’s ceaseless nature
Solitary doe walks nearby
Looking for tender grass, endless craving
Neighbor walking her collie
Moving with an uninterrupted pace
Front porch provides morning roost
Dreaming now of countless, unbroken thoughts
Past memories parade on by
Watching an ongoing video show
Former students fill the room
Flourishing with unflagging attention
Grandchildren always gather
Hearing constant laughter, bringing a smile
North wind gusts with icy chill
Feeling winter biting with nonstop bliss
Frigid cold invades the porch
Warming now, by persistent fireplace flames
Life has been kind, a blessing
Spending everlasting time with our Lord
Originally published September, 2020.
Traveling in darkness
Every winding road
Always going uphill
Bearing heavy loads
Filling with emptiness
Sadness ruptures heart
Simply seeking healing
Searching for fresh start
Collecting memories
Hope sheds one more tear
Often feeling numbness
Overwhelming fears
Witnessing tomorrow
Been here once before
Every step well-traveled
Waiting at backdoor
Envisioning sunrise
Source of everything
Yesterday forgotten
Knowing peace shall sing
Wind’s inviting voices
Welcoming from shadow’s past
Harmonizing spirits
Bright skies trying to hold fast
Darkness taking shortcut
Wakening to rising sun
Searching for tomorrow
Ahead of each setting sun
Wind chimes at every hour
Reminding of yesterday
Wishing for better times
Memories’ daily ballet
Today never backtracks
Writing journey’s blessed song
Soaring ahead, true joy
Nature’s essence comes along
Wind gathers final breath
Inviting darkness back in
Following every star
Round of dreams, ready to spin
Marveling at an American treasure
Outdoor movie screens offer nighttime pleasure
Drive-ins share their unique personality
Double features, hometown hospitality
Big screen stars on America’s movie night
Under the night sky, Hollywood’s best shine bright
Notable scenes from drive-ins come to the screen
Danny and Sandy from “Grease” making the scene
Winning combination fuels drive-ins’ success
Love of movies plus cars, who would ever guess?
Practicing social distancing, cars spread out
Another summer night, film-inspired blowout
Family piles into the station wagon
Good thing we traded that tiny Volkswagen
Mom and Dad, reservations in the front seat
Wearing pajamas, kids view from the back seat
Transporting all of us to a place of fun
Kids become quiet . . . fall asleep, one by one
Comfy family night under twilight’s stars
Slice of Americana, with movie stars
Practicing social distance before anyone knew what it meant, America’s drive-ins have been a fixture since arriving in New Jersey in 1933. Following World War II, the American landscape exploded with new drive-ins. By 1952, outdoor movie attendance exceeded indoor theaters for the first time. During the 1950s, the number of drive-ins peaked at 5,000 or so.
Originally published September, 2020.
Watching every child
Life’s mirror shares reflections—
Seeing bit of self
Viewing from window
Life’s gentle pace steps outside—
Adventure’s road trip
Scanning fresh headlines
Life discovers some goodness—
Flowing with kindness
Peering out from her window
Times changing much, much too fast
Being alone many years
Husband and friends having passed
Small home meets her meager needs
But, the neighborhood has changed
Folks come and go, few she knows
Life blurs by, as if arranged
Sheltered from the outside world
Homebound most days by herself
Family in distant states
Ignored like books on a shelf
Watching some television
Staying away from the news
Remembering old classics
Dreaming of Julie Andrews
Reading occupies her time
Local newspaper connects
Crossword puzzle smiling back
Novels thrill with their suspects
Peering out from her window
Another sunset draws near
Unfamiliar car drives up
Grandchildren bring happy tears
Originally published August, 2020.
Running a quick errand for mother
Feeling twenty-five cents in my hand
Heading to the nearby little store
Milk, bread—let’s see what candy looks grand
Years ago, two bits meant feeling rich
A few coins equal twenty-five cents
Today, this sweet tooth will be in luck
Let this candy shopping now commence
Below the front counter, treasures wait
Friendly woman cashier stands and smiles
A few pennies for Sweet Tarts and more
Licorice, Smarties add to the pile
Looking to spend one final nickel
Picking through endless, tempting choices
Spying at last, a sweet Hershey bar
Overcome by sugar-filled voices
Arriving back home without delay
Pockets filled with sweetest treasure
Mother asks about the milk and bread
Two bucks unspent, plus her displeasure
Growing up in my childhood neighborhood, there was a little store just a few blocks away. My brothers and I made many a journey to the store for milk, bread, and other quick-to-find essentials for our mother. I cannot recall forgetting the milk and bread, but having a few coins in my pocket was treasure waiting to be spent on the candy found there.
The poem lists a few of the types of candy found back in the 1960s. Do you have a favorite candy from your childhood?
Originally published July, 2020.
Tempting much too early
Overflowing thoughts stir
Life’s background music plays
Traveling to Big Sur
Remembering darkness
Transforming to moonlight
Memories play again
Rising from calmest night
Filling empty bucket
Pondering this new day
Distant dawn now teases
Opening mind to play
Feeling heartbeat’s rhythm
Leaving shadow’s twilight
Wisdom’s timeless travels
Scaling forgotten heights
Harmonizing sunrise
Glowing horizon beams
Sweet morning refreshment
Waking from blissful dream
Harmony drops in
Lifting spirits high
Waking from slumber
Morning’s bluest sky
Valley’s faithful river
Unending with peace
Flowing with wisdom
Comforts never cease
Sun brightens flashbacks
Counting former days
Energizing with joy
Ready now to play
Time injects stillness
Billowing with clouds
Yielding blessed shade
Whispers never loud
Heaven’s love singing
Blessing life below
Extending day’s light
Nature now aglow
Big Sky Buckeye 