Work, Play, Life

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100620

JOB DESCRIPTION

What do they ask for
versus what do they mean
(they, meaning spouses
or would-be managers)?

There is more than a sinkful
of difference, for example,
between “Do the dishes”
and “Clean the kitchen,”
between “Clean the kitchen
and “Keep the kitchen clean.”

[ASIDE: Actually, this derives from a
presentation on diversity I once made at
a college. First I talked with women alone,
then with men, then with both together.
I came away with appreciation that people
communicate as well as they do, given the difficulties.
Each group, though, gave the identical response
to the question, “What do you most wish
your significant other understood about you?”
The answer: “How hard I work for their benefit."]


100619

OR-
ISON

Each moon
so fair.
Each sun.

One life
so rare,
so blessed
beyond
compar—
ison.


100618

REMEMBRANCE

Not for me a ring or locket.
Poem pieces in my pocket.


100617

OPUS

Too too many, don’t you think?
Too profuse with pen and ink.


SNEEZIES

She (in one room): Achoo!
He (in another): ‘Zatchoo?


100616

COURSE OF LIFE

Harm, charm, amusement,
glory, turmoil, strife.

Life is the teacher,
the master teacher,
teaching each creature
the way to master life.


100615

ANYTHING THAT WAKENS

Anything
that wakens us to now—
a sonic boom, an itch, a cow,
a door or body creaking—
that’s God speaking
(a.k.a., the Tao).


100614

REAL DEAL

I’ve pinched my arm
black and blue
making sure
my dream-job’s true.


100613

FORTUNE TELLERS

More of these
than blades of grass:
dewdrop globes, not of glass—
yet, crystal balls
(prismatic, bright)—
lucid forecasts of delight.


SHAPE

Touted in today’s paper
(in a sales flyer):
“Shaped Rubber Bands”—
primary-color squiggles
outlining animal shapes
(panther, dolphin, bear,
seahorse, butterfly, gator).

One mystery shape
goes undeciphered:
big-headed frog? tree in pot?
hammerhead anemone?

This optical-illusion puzzle
is a metaphor for external reality,
including the proposition
that it may not be external.
Every now and then
an insight falls into place—
but until you see it, you don’t see it.


100612

WRITER

Unlike some in the
work-world mob,
you won't hear me
moan or sob—
I love my job!
I love my job!


100611

THE TEACHER APPEARS

This job,
beyond the work itself,
has one benefit after another,
and the best so far
is one not even contemplated
at the outset—a good editor.


100610

LOVE’S GRACE

Life’s a school that each attends.
The work is hard; to make amends,
love graces us with friends.
Friends!
In unexpected forms and places.


100609

TAX RELIEF

After taxes—
ataraxis.


100608

QUITTER

First to go when I get busy
is exercise. Then sleep.
Then any semblance
of healthful eating.
The final mark of crisis
is when I stop writing
these daily po


100607

SAY OF HER

March two, two thousand two
to today when she is dead
(we know, we took her vitals)
she wrote a few good pomes
but was proudest of her titles.


TURNABOUT

Perhaps I wasn't
the world's best sleuth,
searching all those years
for truth.

No matter. I see—
@Truth is following me


[ASIDE: What a Twitter handle!]


100606

BLISSFIT

My idea
of bliss
is this:
overhearing
people
laughing.


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