Good-Bye

Good-Bye

It is hard to say good-bye to you today,
not to know when or where we will meet
again, on my side of the Atlantic or yours.
We have known each other for thirty-five years,
have always managed to arrange a way.
You are my best friend in all the world. We can
talk about anything, understand each other,
and when we see each other every few years
it is as if no time passed, and we begin
the conversation where we left off, never
mind the passage of years, but now that
we are older I wonder how many years are left,
how many more meetings before something happens
to prevent them.I like to think there will be many,
that each of us will live a long life, that our life
paths will continue to cross, but if that doesn't
happen, I want you to know I consider myself
fortunate to have in my lifetime such a friend as you.

Blues

Blues can visit on a cloudy day
or one that is blessed with sun
It can be caused by a happening
or by something left undone.

Blues can sap one's spirit
bring a strong person to her feet
but Blues can also be music
hear the harmonic beat

One can see blue in a boy's cap
worn on a windy fall day.
or enjoy blues with young and old
hear the saxaphone play.

Joseph McCarthy's Funeral Day

Joseph McCarthy's Funeral Day

Joe McCarthy, US Senator from my hometown,
found communists everywhere, a hero
to some, a villain to others, died at age 48,
when I was eleven years old. Alcoholism.
His body returned home in glory to some
in shame to others and thousands filed
by to see this man who was brought down
by his own demon while those he sought
to destroy were redeemed. Mother tuned
our kitchen radio to his funeral service
broadcast from our local St. Mary's Church.
During the service we argued, Mother proclaimed
I'd remember forever how I acted on Joe McCarthy's
funeral day, but though I never forgot her words
I don't remember my specific act. She was wrong.

Election Day

Election Day

Mother worked long days at the polls, enjoyed this,
talked with neighbors, returned home after polls closed
with news of people who lived on blocks around,
that she knew from political canvassing, selling Avon.
Mother wished elections were held more often.

The World Waits

The World Waits

The world is waiting for a repairman
who has the answers. Many profess to
know solutions, but are claims based on
facts and substance or mere image,
smoke and mirrors? Is there real hope in promises,
or is hope a childlike illusion? Stand with your flag,
cheer, strike up the band, put faith into the unknown,
believe change is the answer, no matter what direction.
Smile, clap your hands, cheer, different will be better.
Close your eyes, believe verbiage matters.
Someone knows what is right, what is truth.
The Pied Piper enchants. Follow. him!

Mask

Mask

I struggle to put life into the plaster mask
before me with its clay beige hardness
not quite the color of skin, grooves to
represent the furrows of years, mouth shaped
into an eternal smile a little too broad. I try
to simulate lifeblood with brush and paint
but cannot find a way. Who can show me how to
give shape to experiences, accomplishments, failures,
hopes, dreams, all the things that make up a life?