October 2024
Bio Note: I am blissfully retired, and finally have time to garden, write poetry, and dote on my 9 grandchildren, husband and dog. My new favorite pastime is cooking recipes from the NY Times for my two oldest granddaughters. They are very tolerant...
Celebrating Now
Long walks and sunshine. Not the mileage
I used to clock nor the speed, but birdsong
and daffodils I’d have missed before.
An outing with granddaughters, peeking
into their lives and loves, their favorite band
(loud) and the in spot for burgers and fries.
The quiet, driving home.
Dinner with friends repeating tales decades old,
tsking at AI, cryptocurrency, Tik Tok, X.
Evenings of old sweatshirts and slippers,
takeout and TV, my dog chasing rabbits
in his sleep.
Old Age Story Problems
I mostly subtract as I age. The house filled with noise and children becomes quiet and empty, so I sort and sell and give away and subtract myself to a condo that fits tight. I was never good at math. I remember carrying over from one column to the next, fingers busy counting under my desktop, forehead furrows that became permanent as life multiplied. divided, subtracted — babies, divorces, moves for jobs, untimely deaths. I’ve added Zoom and Facebook, but taken away kitchen laughter with friends. I put away groceries I bought today, wondering where I’ll fit the super-size box of oatmeal that was on sale. Saved enough to add a peanut butter cup at checkout.
Sharing October
The autumn rain last night
left the earth boggy, trees dripping,
sky fog-murky and chill. My dog
doesn’t brood over this. He sets off,
grass wet beneath his paws,
the scents of animals and earth
glorified. I watch him following
the zigzag of a rabbit’s trail
until he loses it, circles back, nose eager,
tracing it again. We’ve shared twelve years
of walks together, sniffing for rabbits,
chasing squirrels. He is faster than I am,
more earnest and wise, certain
of the people and things he loves.
Now he races back where I’ve lingered,
ankle deep in this poem, telling me it’s time
to move on, to celebrate his lovely morning
of rabbits and mist.
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