* * *
110201
PRE-SNOWSTORM
Dear media,
be speedia.
Politics, crime, gossip, sports...?
We want weather reports!
110131
MAIS NO! MAIS OUI!
Pleasure means feeling good.
Guilty means feeling bad.
In truth, can people claim
“guilty pleasures” they've had?
The terms are oxymoronic,
separate as vinegar and oil—
but, if egged on, they may (oh!)
merge in a marriage royal.
110130
A LITTLE NUTHIN’
Pomes make homes
fer minds, I think.
Sum o’ them are logs.
This’n is a chink.
110129
HEALTH FOOD FORAYS
In the aim of health and the form of seeds,
I bought some chia for my pet,
by which I mean my husband;
he who claims that sprouts are weeds
and the taste of pulses repulses.
Pre-diabetes has him hexed
and I'm sure he's wondering what is next
in the way of seeds and weeds.
Though I don't plan to feed him vetch,
I'm keen he be keen on quinoa.
110128
EARLY THANKSGIVING
An early wake, an early rise,
comes today as a surprise—
a gift to squander or invest;
to rust-and-rest or do my best.
So, using pen as my voice,
I choose to make my highest choice
of how to spend this interlude:
a litany of gratitude...
for every person in my life,
for my role as someone's wife,
for health and wealth and soul and mind,
for Nature's wonders, and Divine.
110127
AT THE CLUB
Round and round,
we're walking laps;
we don't want
our health to lapse.
Round and round,
laps on laps;
laps on laps
till we collapse.
110126
UNEXCEPTIONAL
EXCEPTIONS
In every season,
come unseasonable days—
extra hot or cold.
For some reason,
people seem amazed
when such days take hold.
110125
DEAR CATS
Thank you, cats,
for something new
(especially a certain
one of you).
How long’s it been
(one week? or two?)
since you’ve mis-placed
your pee or poo?
110124
PRE-DIABETES
Do not let this
be defeating.
Master wholesome
ways of eating.
110123
TROUBLES, KNEE DEEP
"My knees, my knees,"
he groans. "I don't know if I can
make it to the top of the stairs
with these knees."
"Well, don't leave them
at the bottom," she protests.
"I'll be sure to trip over them."
110122
THE RAISING OF THE BAR (for Susan)
We had a peek, this week,
at a friendly small-town town,
one that deserves renown:
Morrilton.
So solicitous of us
were the people there,
they raised the bar on care.
"Thanks. Well done."
* * *
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
The Usual Gamut
* * *
110121
DIABETES AND YOU (for Jaime)
Diabetes comes from DNA
and from the way you work and play.
Diabetes comes from what you eat,
especially food too fat or sweet.
Diabetes makes you drink and pee,
plus, it affects how well you see.
It makes you tired, it numbs your feet.
Let's make this sickness obsolete.
Do not be a diabete!
[ASIDE: Jaime made a presentation on diabetes
and footcare to our Lions Club.]
110120
COFFEE PRE-JUNKIE (for Lizzie)
Medicate your head?
Why do what you will rue
and later struggle to undo?
Meditate instead.
110119
PLEASE EXPLAIN
Who is this person who,
in photos and in mirrors,
looks pillowy, marshmallowy,
and billowy, but who,
inside, feels willowy?
110118
THE EVERYDAY VARIETY
For better or for worse,
I make and fill my own thirst;
when I want a poem, I write a verse,
and—best of all—get to read it first!
DEMISE SURPRISE (for Sargent)
Someone just died
at age ninety-five.
People keep dying
not known still alive.
110117
WINTER WAKING
Winter-haze tonal grays
can make moon-sky
bright as noon-sky
and early wakers wonder
whether morning
is coming or glowing.
110116
DRAFT HORSE
I’m workin’ on
a long, long pome;
plowin’ long and steady.
It’s gonna be
a hard, hard pome;
I’m tired of it already.
A BOUT
Clouds out-crowd.
Clouds attack.
Sun’s uncowed by bully clouds—
through a crack, it slips back.
Then it puts those clouds to rout.
Sun is back.
Sun is out.
How does this come about?
Sun, no doubt, has more clout.
110115
EMBRACING THE SHADOW
[ASIDE: Under construction. This long poem
will take a while to complete and edit.]
110114
PROGRESSION
Winter is kind,
and ever more bright;
as she suspends heat,
she extends light.
OFFSPRING
You greased it, eased it,
cursed, birthed, and nursed it.
You raised it, praised it,
groomed it, pruned it.
You composed, concocted,
and spun it;
and it looks so easy
once you've done it.
110113
WHEN?
Bundled up
one way or another
season after season
people are waiting
people are holding in;
bundled up
one way or another
season after season
bundled up as babies
people are holding on
looking to each other
each waiting for the other
waiting for release
bundled up and waiting
waiting for a reason
or just for an excuse.
110112
WINTER BLISS (for Connie)
Perfectly
simple serenity:
me on bed
in sunlight spotlight;
cat on me.
110111
BLIND REFLECTIONS
Emma dear, Emma wise—
what’s inside those Emma eyes?
I see, in them, myself reflected
but mine are not, to you, a mirror.
I see in yours myself reflecting
why mine are not, for you, a mirror.
Emma dear, Emma wise—
what’s inside your Emma eyes?
110110
POETRY
Not the words but the way;
no specific thing you say.
It’s the truth told by the lie,
the do not know that answers why.
110109
BEAUTY MARKS
A few of the nuns
(let's not say which ones)
had—let us say—
facial blemishes
which, in any case,
they bore with good grace,
helping us know
what God cherishes.
MOMENTOUS
In this now,
my struggle’s
through.
World, …I am
at peace with you.
OBIT
Poet:
probed deeply,
wrote long,
reportedly died of
stub wounds.
WEB OF DECEIT
E-linked, business-network friends
keep recommending further friends,
but to claim these, one must state
form of relationship to date.
For the terms sites recommend
(classmate/colleague/client/friend),
how to answer is hard to guess—
there’s no sort of, just no or yes—
and these implied acquaintanceships
foster false pre-lationships.
110108
SLEEP-IN
I wake today
when the birds untree
and rise to flock.
I wake to the sun
and not to the clock.
BRIEF SANCTUARY
They’re our cats
but we root for the mice,
one of which
was discovered today
dried and flattened
under an out-of-the-way rug.
Poor baby is now a mummy.
110107
ISP’S
Once the computer
was an extension of us;
now that’s vice versa…
and it keeps getting
wersa and wersa.
110106
GOOD DAY
Up, groom, eat,
then out the door.
Drive, arrive, work, drive,
and eat some more.
Catch the mail.
Write a pome.
Good day:
good away, good at home.
110105
FLURRY OF HURRY
Flit-flit-flit;
I’m in a tizzy—
not a state of zen!
But it’s nice
to be so busy—
every now and then!
110104
COOL CATS
Winter cold gives no pause
when outdoor freedom beats cold paws;
“Let us out!” our cats insist.
Icy blasts don’t deter
those brisk excursions they prefer
(and, in truth, cannot resist).
110103
HOW I SEES IT
Once agin, I awake
to butt of cat in my face.
Cat don’t mean to offend.
Naw, an' mine's the “livin’ end!”
110102
APPLICANT (for Hermann)
With a wink,
I will state
if I’m asked:
I can think,
I can wait,
I can fast.
[ASIDE: Siddhartha's résumé.]
* * *
110121
DIABETES AND YOU (for Jaime)
Diabetes comes from DNA
and from the way you work and play.
Diabetes comes from what you eat,
especially food too fat or sweet.
Diabetes makes you drink and pee,
plus, it affects how well you see.
It makes you tired, it numbs your feet.
Let's make this sickness obsolete.
Do not be a diabete!
[ASIDE: Jaime made a presentation on diabetes
and footcare to our Lions Club.]
110120
COFFEE PRE-JUNKIE (for Lizzie)
Medicate your head?
Why do what you will rue
and later struggle to undo?
Meditate instead.
110119
PLEASE EXPLAIN
Who is this person who,
in photos and in mirrors,
looks pillowy, marshmallowy,
and billowy, but who,
inside, feels willowy?
110118
THE EVERYDAY VARIETY
For better or for worse,
I make and fill my own thirst;
when I want a poem, I write a verse,
and—best of all—get to read it first!
DEMISE SURPRISE (for Sargent)
Someone just died
at age ninety-five.
People keep dying
not known still alive.
110117
WINTER WAKING
Winter-haze tonal grays
can make moon-sky
bright as noon-sky
and early wakers wonder
whether morning
is coming or glowing.
110116
DRAFT HORSE
I’m workin’ on
a long, long pome;
plowin’ long and steady.
It’s gonna be
a hard, hard pome;
I’m tired of it already.
A BOUT
Clouds out-crowd.
Clouds attack.
Sun’s uncowed by bully clouds—
through a crack, it slips back.
Then it puts those clouds to rout.
Sun is back.
Sun is out.
How does this come about?
Sun, no doubt, has more clout.
110115
EMBRACING THE SHADOW
[ASIDE: Under construction. This long poem
will take a while to complete and edit.]
110114
PROGRESSION
Winter is kind,
and ever more bright;
as she suspends heat,
she extends light.
OFFSPRING
You greased it, eased it,
cursed, birthed, and nursed it.
You raised it, praised it,
groomed it, pruned it.
You composed, concocted,
and spun it;
and it looks so easy
once you've done it.
110113
WHEN?
Bundled up
one way or another
season after season
people are waiting
people are holding in;
bundled up
one way or another
season after season
bundled up as babies
people are holding on
looking to each other
each waiting for the other
waiting for release
bundled up and waiting
waiting for a reason
or just for an excuse.
110112
WINTER BLISS (for Connie)
Perfectly
simple serenity:
me on bed
in sunlight spotlight;
cat on me.
110111
BLIND REFLECTIONS
Emma dear, Emma wise—
what’s inside those Emma eyes?
I see, in them, myself reflected
but mine are not, to you, a mirror.
I see in yours myself reflecting
why mine are not, for you, a mirror.
Emma dear, Emma wise—
what’s inside your Emma eyes?
110110
POETRY
Not the words but the way;
no specific thing you say.
It’s the truth told by the lie,
the do not know that answers why.
110109
BEAUTY MARKS
A few of the nuns
(let's not say which ones)
had—let us say—
facial blemishes
which, in any case,
they bore with good grace,
helping us know
what God cherishes.
MOMENTOUS
In this now,
my struggle’s
through.
World, …I am
at peace with you.
OBIT
Poet:
probed deeply,
wrote long,
reportedly died of
stub wounds.
WEB OF DECEIT
E-linked, business-network friends
keep recommending further friends,
but to claim these, one must state
form of relationship to date.
For the terms sites recommend
(classmate/colleague/client/friend),
how to answer is hard to guess—
there’s no sort of, just no or yes—
and these implied acquaintanceships
foster false pre-lationships.
110108
SLEEP-IN
I wake today
when the birds untree
and rise to flock.
I wake to the sun
and not to the clock.
BRIEF SANCTUARY
They’re our cats
but we root for the mice,
one of which
was discovered today
dried and flattened
under an out-of-the-way rug.
Poor baby is now a mummy.
110107
ISP’S
Once the computer
was an extension of us;
now that’s vice versa…
and it keeps getting
wersa and wersa.
110106
GOOD DAY
Up, groom, eat,
then out the door.
Drive, arrive, work, drive,
and eat some more.
Catch the mail.
Write a pome.
Good day:
good away, good at home.
110105
FLURRY OF HURRY
Flit-flit-flit;
I’m in a tizzy—
not a state of zen!
But it’s nice
to be so busy—
every now and then!
110104
COOL CATS
Winter cold gives no pause
when outdoor freedom beats cold paws;
“Let us out!” our cats insist.
Icy blasts don’t deter
those brisk excursions they prefer
(and, in truth, cannot resist).
110103
HOW I SEES IT
Once agin, I awake
to butt of cat in my face.
Cat don’t mean to offend.
Naw, an' mine's the “livin’ end!”
110102
APPLICANT (for Hermann)
With a wink,
I will state
if I’m asked:
I can think,
I can wait,
I can fast.
[ASIDE: Siddhartha's résumé.]
* * *
Monday, December 6, 2010
Pets and Predicaments
* * *
101118
COUNTER POINT
"Tick-tock," goes the clock
that hangs on the wall.
"Tock-tick," claims another
just down the hall.
"Ding-dong, both wrong!"
a third chimes in.
"I am music; you're just din."
101117
ESCAPEES
There's a mouse in the house,
I suspect—just look how
this bedroom is wrecked.
A chipmunk’s misplaced—
this I know—brought in by the cat.
Where'd it go?
101116
COUNTING THE MINUTES
Muse, it's 5:19 a.m.
That's awfully late.
Was I stood up?
I thought we had a date.
101115
PERCHANCE TO DREAM
Things get precious,
just by being rare—
like that thing that knits
the raveled sleeve of care.
101114
MEDITATION
DIRECTIONS
“Breathe—slow—in,
through the nose,
to a count of seven;
hold another count,
then let it out—
through the mouth—
at that same pace.”
(Then pass out?
Nothing was given
about when
to breathe again.)
101113
LOVE TAKES A TOLL (for Emma)
A year of your pet's life
equals seven of yours.
(About.)
(Depending.)
Life with a cat or dog
(a typical choice)
can be heart-rending
as it grows up—
for how it acts up
and what it gets into.
On a cat, you cain't
impose restraint
or, on a cur, a curfew.
Pets take a toll.
This formula occurs:
For every year of your pet’s life,
take off one of yours.
101112
DOUBLE DOWN
I thought “depressed”
meant sad and bad,
but now I know—
it just means low
and oh… so… slow.
101111
QUESTIONS
OF TALENT
Did I—do I—
have a gift?
Did I lose it?
Am I hiding it
even from myself?
101110
IN POEM COUNTRY
Up with the chickens,
then up with the owls;
I’m not one
to throw in the towel.
A poem is something
to not postpone;
I could write ‘em
till the cows come home.
101109
SIMPLE MINDED
You are there.
I am not.
That's the thought
I just thought.
101108
SORCERER’S APPRENTICE
Leonard Cohen, for a poem,
used a book of rhymes.
I use one for mine; that’s the scoop.
Here’s my favorite group:
aquatic, chaotic, despotic,
erotic, exotic, hypnotic,
narcotic, neurotic,
psychotic, quixotic, robotic
Building blocks, rhyme-words are—
keys-and-locks, gears for clocks,
ingredients for a cake;
myriad combinations
for myriad things to make—
including exotic spells to cast
and chaotic spells to break.
101107
IT WASN’T MUCH
“A walk in the park,”
that’s what they say—
and that’s what it was:
an easy cliché.
It wasn’t much—
nothing arduous,
explosive or clutched;
nothing that transcends.
It wasn’t much—
a casual outing
by two casual friends.
It wasn't much—
before our fingers touched.
101106
HEY, SANTA! (for Trevor)
This, for you,
should be a breeze—
put brake pads
in my stocking, please.
101105
I GIVE UP
Clothes, money, attention,
opinions, encouragement, advice,
aggravation…
It doesn’t seem to matter;
no matter what I give,
I get more than double in return.
What gives?
101104
EMPATHY NO MORE
I know you’re
upset about something
and I know you want me
to get upset along with you.
But I don’t want to.
Getting upset
makes me upset.
101103
OPERATIONAL LIMITS
Medicine, what is your tonic,
your remedy for grief?
What can you offer as relief
for pain, intense and chronic,
in bodies already half-bionic?
101102
CLOCKING OUT
Summer birds are seen no more;
sky is emptiness galore;
northern winds grow whippy;
days turn short and nippy;
jewel-toned leaves
that crowned the trees
have browned or blown away—
the year is calling it a day.
101101
BARGAINING WITH MY CAT
“Give me some inspiration,
Scout—to write about;
I’m in the mood.”
“Hmm. Well, don’t be rude;
give me something in return.
I’m in the mood for food.”
* * *
101118
COUNTER POINT
"Tick-tock," goes the clock
that hangs on the wall.
"Tock-tick," claims another
just down the hall.
"Ding-dong, both wrong!"
a third chimes in.
"I am music; you're just din."
101117
ESCAPEES
There's a mouse in the house,
I suspect—just look how
this bedroom is wrecked.
A chipmunk’s misplaced—
this I know—brought in by the cat.
Where'd it go?
101116
COUNTING THE MINUTES
Muse, it's 5:19 a.m.
That's awfully late.
Was I stood up?
I thought we had a date.
101115
PERCHANCE TO DREAM
Things get precious,
just by being rare—
like that thing that knits
the raveled sleeve of care.
101114
MEDITATION
DIRECTIONS
“Breathe—slow—in,
through the nose,
to a count of seven;
hold another count,
then let it out—
through the mouth—
at that same pace.”
(Then pass out?
Nothing was given
about when
to breathe again.)
101113
LOVE TAKES A TOLL (for Emma)
A year of your pet's life
equals seven of yours.
(About.)
(Depending.)
Life with a cat or dog
(a typical choice)
can be heart-rending
as it grows up—
for how it acts up
and what it gets into.
On a cat, you cain't
impose restraint
or, on a cur, a curfew.
Pets take a toll.
This formula occurs:
For every year of your pet’s life,
take off one of yours.
101112
DOUBLE DOWN
I thought “depressed”
meant sad and bad,
but now I know—
it just means low
and oh… so… slow.
101111
QUESTIONS
OF TALENT
Did I—do I—
have a gift?
Did I lose it?
Am I hiding it
even from myself?
101110
IN POEM COUNTRY
Up with the chickens,
then up with the owls;
I’m not one
to throw in the towel.
A poem is something
to not postpone;
I could write ‘em
till the cows come home.
101109
SIMPLE MINDED
You are there.
I am not.
That's the thought
I just thought.
101108
SORCERER’S APPRENTICE
Leonard Cohen, for a poem,
used a book of rhymes.
I use one for mine; that’s the scoop.
Here’s my favorite group:
aquatic, chaotic, despotic,
erotic, exotic, hypnotic,
narcotic, neurotic,
psychotic, quixotic, robotic
Building blocks, rhyme-words are—
keys-and-locks, gears for clocks,
ingredients for a cake;
myriad combinations
for myriad things to make—
including exotic spells to cast
and chaotic spells to break.
101107
IT WASN’T MUCH
“A walk in the park,”
that’s what they say—
and that’s what it was:
an easy cliché.
It wasn’t much—
nothing arduous,
explosive or clutched;
nothing that transcends.
It wasn’t much—
a casual outing
by two casual friends.
It wasn't much—
before our fingers touched.
101106
HEY, SANTA! (for Trevor)
This, for you,
should be a breeze—
put brake pads
in my stocking, please.
101105
I GIVE UP
Clothes, money, attention,
opinions, encouragement, advice,
aggravation…
It doesn’t seem to matter;
no matter what I give,
I get more than double in return.
What gives?
101104
EMPATHY NO MORE
I know you’re
upset about something
and I know you want me
to get upset along with you.
But I don’t want to.
Getting upset
makes me upset.
101103
OPERATIONAL LIMITS
Medicine, what is your tonic,
your remedy for grief?
What can you offer as relief
for pain, intense and chronic,
in bodies already half-bionic?
101102
CLOCKING OUT
Summer birds are seen no more;
sky is emptiness galore;
northern winds grow whippy;
days turn short and nippy;
jewel-toned leaves
that crowned the trees
have browned or blown away—
the year is calling it a day.
101101
BARGAINING WITH MY CAT
“Give me some inspiration,
Scout—to write about;
I’m in the mood.”
“Hmm. Well, don’t be rude;
give me something in return.
I’m in the mood for food.”
* * *
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Writer at Christmas
* * *
091225
DENTAL FLAWS
Hot and cold,
sweets (like cake)—
these things cause
my tooth to ache.
Though I beg
the pain to slake,
eyes and jaws
and cheeks partake.
091224
VERSE-ATILE
What shall we make a poem of—
a feather or a father?
A roux or kangaroo?
What shall we make a poem of?
Anything will do.
091223
DECEMBER 23
We're two days shy of Christmas,
said Adam, and—I believe—
that means tonight is Christmas
eve eve, Eve.
091222
WRITING
ASSIGNMENT
Others build
or grow
or fix.
Others mother.
I do this.
* * *
091225
DENTAL FLAWS
Hot and cold,
sweets (like cake)—
these things cause
my tooth to ache.
Though I beg
the pain to slake,
eyes and jaws
and cheeks partake.
091224
VERSE-ATILE
What shall we make a poem of—
a feather or a father?
A roux or kangaroo?
What shall we make a poem of?
Anything will do.
091223
DECEMBER 23
We're two days shy of Christmas,
said Adam, and—I believe—
that means tonight is Christmas
eve eve, Eve.
091222
WRITING
ASSIGNMENT
Others build
or grow
or fix.
Others mother.
I do this.
* * *
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
