Mom's Anniversary

I replaced the curtains today.

The ones you gave me

after you got new hand me downs

From Uncle Joe.

They were a golden pleated texture

So basic they never went out of style.

You got them from Auntie Bea

Who knew good quality,

And you nearly had to remake them

To fit your living room,

Using your trusty sewing machine.

But the seams were fraying

And they couldn't take another washing.

Though you cared for them carefully

Always making things last,

Like the ugly blue carpeting.

It was time for them to come down.

I put up cheap curtains from Tuesday Morning.

They're the same color

And no one will notice

But it's not quite the same.

Your drapes had history

A bit of you woven through the golden strands.

It's been 5 years since you died

But it was still hard to take down those curtains.

My Experience as a Judge

@ Poetry Slam 2010

Words slam onto the page

And out of the mouth.

Reverberating off the walls

And into your heart.

Rhythm of its beat pulsating

Through the room.

Connecting the world with poetry.

An Armchair Observer

Watching the world go by my window

Parade of people wind past my door.

The grey haired gentleman with

His nose in a book.

The harried mom with stroller

And toddler in tow.

The labrador retriever

Leading the young couple.

My family stopping by

To visit.

Observing the details of daily life

Charm Bracelet

A pattern set

In the naive days

Of childhood.

Events like silver charms

Marking the family circle.

But chains

Bound to be broken

As we outgrow the mold.

More links, more charms

Need to be added

Before it's clasped.

St Paul Poetry Slam

Take the things you

See, hear and feel

And put them into motion.

Like a blender

Full of words

Whirling inside your head.

Top off,

Ready to pour

A brand new flavor of poetry.

Back to School Dreams

Pencils

Just waiting to be broken in.

That first line on the page,

The crooked letters

Branding the paper

Followed by

Endless possibilities.

Crayons

Sharp and bright

Lined up in increments of color.

The facinating decision

Of first out of the box.

Contrast on the pure white paper

Of a line

Leading to

Endless possibilities.

Books

Pristine covers

Covering adventures,

Spine unbroken.

Words promising

Endless possibilities.

Students

Fresh new faces

Neatly scrubbed

Smiling at each other

In anticipation and trepidation of

Endless possibilities.

Beginning of August

Or as Gary calls it

A Corny Poem

Each day is a kernel

On a cob of corn,

Chomp into it with gusto

And relish each buttery bite.

Savor the sweet lazy days;

Picnics in the park

Walks by the water

Stars at night.

Chew over the memories;

Family gatherings

And the intimate conversations

Only lounging at the beach can bring.

Taste the excitement

Of the state Fair,

Back to school shopping

Birthdays!

August has no time for regrets

Swallow resentments

And digest each moment.

Savor the Day!