SECOND THOUGHTS

 

is this what retirement means?

to check email to see if anyone still cares,

clean out old junk,  gather

clothes to give away

 

another miserable day of boredom

lost opportunity

sad

 

this is what it’s all about—

the count-down to

loneliness

 

prelude to stiffness,

pain;  the wrinkled ghost

ignored

 

or maybe,

this is the time

to sow an orchard

 

renew my sense of purpose

light a new candle

help me see my way

 

reap the fruit and flowers

of new life—

to take a chance

let the delicious juice

run down my chin.

 

 

My Bubbe

 

My mother’s mother

Russian bubbe,

couldn’t say Herb or Herbie

she said Hubbie.

 

Every Saturday I arrived for

spaghetti made in a Russian metal

stove top oven.

I loved it. I loved her.

 

Her English was not good.

My Yiddish was minimal, but

we talked and understood

most of the time.

 

She would say, shalem aleykhem,

I would say, aleykem shalem,

She would say, vos makhstir,

I would say, nish koshsa.

But always zei gezunt

when I left.

 

One morning, her stay-at-home son found her

dead in bed. We mourned and missed her.

I have looked for years but can’t find an

oven like hers.

 

 

 

MY WIFE

 

My wife is extraordinary

in the way

she is loving, loyal, giving,

without guile or excuses for her

devotion to our

children,

grandchildren,

books,

herself, and

me.

 

She possesses calmness and serenity,

not in the face of threat,

but in her quiet approach to living.

 

Her inner strength

flows from a deep reservoir

of goodness which itself springs

from the heartland that

nurtured and formed her.

 

From the ambiguity of her family past

to her unambiguous but unassuming determination,

my wife is extraordinary in ways that

never cease to amaze me.

 

She can be unnerved by

petty carping,

but cannot be rattled by

sharpies trying to shake her confidence.

Her self-esteem and

will to be strong are unbending.

 

My wife is devoted to gently,

but consistently and unconditionally

nurturing her flock.

 

The limelight and spotlight

are not for her,

she gives them up willingly

to be private and observant,

contemplative and supportive.

 

My wife is very special.

 

 

Celebration Place I-2011

 

It might be the sight, the sound,

the gorgeous setting,

that startles the senses creating a feeling of

excitement and anticipation,

the wonder that this place, anyplace

can be so fantastic.

 

Maybe it smacks of

“I can’t believe this is it,”

Meaning really,

“better than we could have imagined.”

and finally,

“we deserve all of it,”

 

The time goes quickly,

feelers out, egos suppressed,

bonds reestablished, made stronger,

by blood and bile and breath,

as brethren, their mates and kids,

join sister and SO.

Gathered for a birthday bash,

Three score and ten, healthy too,

kids, their kids, plus kith and kin,

a whole week of slow and go, and constant din,

old pictures and music from the past,

oh lordy, lordy, make it last.

 

Let’s mark the date,

to gather strong,

the next place wherever,

it can’t be wrong,

to celebrate times passing seasons,

a family’s strength to nurture all.

 

[this was a family reunion in Pacific Grove, CA for my 70th birthday]

 

 

 

Celebration Place II-2013

 

Ospreys by the dozens,

a rookery no less,

the house on a hill-side,

the inlet below.

 

Family again together,

joyous and growing,

Ellie has arrived,

Noah still inside….

How many more?

It’s quiet on that score!

 

Even blood must be

refreshed,

awkward for a moment, but still OK—

maybe distant, but not

strangers.

 

Cooking and playing,

talking and resting,

remembering and loving.

 

[this was a family reunion in Annapolis, MD]

 

 

Celebration Place III-2015

 

Surf’s up dude

One block to the beach

Flip flops and boogie boards

Our every two year reach

 

To bring family together

Talking, playing, and kvelling

The whole mishmash mishpucha

Alert for all the telling

 

Of new additions and positions

Information slowly out at first

But excitement primes the day

We all have a thirst

 

To hear the good news

Reestablish strong bonds

For the old folks it’s easy

And the kids bring it on

 

The house is okay

Lots of bedrooms and baths

But the layout is crazy

And makes for some laughs

 

Tasty cooking as usual

A good coffee stop near the way

Taco shops in abundance–

Are a disappointment we can say

 

Lego Land is a rip-off

San Diego Zoo a trek

Aviation Museum take a flyer

We tried them all what the heck

 

Moonlight Beach at Encinitas

A great call for our group this year

It’s time to plan the next one

To continue love and cheer

 

[this family reunion at Encinitas, CA, 2015]

 

 

 

 

 

 

I WANT

 

I want to work,

I want to play,

I want to be relevant,

I want to contribute,

I want to be happy,

I want my family to prosper,

I want to grow old with my wife,

 

I want, I want, I want, just like everyone else,

Is there enough to go around?

 

 

 

RANDOM THOUGHTS

 

A poem can

hear and mirror

the rhythms of life.

 

A moment of reflection

can be the awakening of spirit.

 

Boredom is

the major season of

discontent.

 

A good wo/man

is the anchor of life.

Energize, catalyze,

organize, synthesize,

knowledge for the future.

 

 

Integrity, honesty,

being honorable–

true grit.

 

A daughter’s emergence

is the Spring of

joy and bewilderment.

 

A summer’s breeze

can warm

the coldest heart.

 

Breath slowly,

remain calm,

feel better.

 

 

The heat and humidity of summer

conspire to

melt

your

resolve

 

GROWING UP

 

What does it mean to be in control

of emotions and feelings

when the environment and other souls

struggle to share

the same air and light and to breathe

freely and shine?

 

 

ANXIOUS

 

Is there a reason

we are so severely tested

to challenge our faith, values,

and humanity when the choices seem obvious

compromise if we must,

randomness is a crisis.