Fall Foliage #25

Seasonal return
of autumnal muse

heightened awareness
of developing color

still unseen within green
of anticipatory trees

simmering, incubating
alchemizing, smoldering

soon-to-be explosive vistas
of radiant, blazing beauty. 

Unlikely Escape

Human ego and greed
DNA gene imprints

evolution's success
also apocalypse

stuck in recurring ruts
of wars and corruption

sadly, unlikely escape
for humankind's folly

still creative genius
perhaps our saving grace

or re-acquired antidote
of not yet gene-imprinted love.

After Eighty

Each day
a dividend day

any pain-free day
a lucky day

another walking day
an upbeat day

each beautiful day
a gladdening day

one more together day
a grateful day

every grandchild day
the very best day. 

Interlude at the Rocks

River greetings
in water language

fast, flowing current
split into two

by glacier-molded
McDonald rocks

welcomed, resting place
for passing voyagers

campers, fisher folks
loggers, swimmers, bathers

ancients and moderns
at this idyllic spot.

Musical Combo

Liquid concert
on receptive metal

melodious
as percussive sounds

gentle drumming
with soothing rhythms

increasing, ebbing
in separate movements

climactic moments
with soft, gradual end

lucky recipients 
of this musical gift. 

Camp in Canada

Green retreat midst expanse of trees
our piece of paradise
for more than five decades

one-room cabin in far north woods
nestled amid glacier-shaped hills
river sights, birdsong, star-lit nights

far afield from suburban home
with many day-long trips through Maine
slipping slowly farther away.

The Learning Bug

Lucky was I
to be bitten
by the learning bug

a need to know
to gather facts
with comprehension

eager to grasp
with bookish tools
vast understandings

avaricious student
no endowed genius
just greedy for knowledge.

Two Ballerinas

Two ballerinas
flanking the window

breezily unfurling,
furling in synchrony

dancing in tandem
in blousey opposition

yellow-ginghamed pair
flaunting easy poses

choreographed by
summer-styled zephyrs.

Second Sight

I recently journeyed back to
Paris, Florence, and Provence
with remembered, favorite sights

extensive travels years ago
tucked away in memory trunks
filled with enchanted images

crepes, catacombs, water lilies
Duomo, David, Uffizi
sunlight, lavender, and poppies

uncrowded, solo views now
mind-etched in smiling moments
found again in fiction-book visits.

Genderizing

Narcissists
mostly men

"I" talkers
rare listeners

co-opters
of others' thoughts

spotlight need
usual for them

self-absorbed
in obliviousness.

Elusive Art

Scalloped sandy cove
tucked inside rocky coast

copied many times
by different artists' eyes

with ever-changing aspects
not captured yet on canvas. 

Pensive Thoughts

Artificial intelligence
ready and waiting
to bleach out our brains.

No more page-seeking needed
just vestigial monument
to bygone dictionary days.

Trees, like people, come and go
briefly noted, soon forgotten
importance in their presence.

Sole worship of money
missing existence's point
when enough's enough.

Unforgiving parents
without any exceptions
Mother Nature and Father Time. 

Happy Thoughts

Button-bursting pride galore
for our Sylvie and Jonah
as newly hatched graduates.

Luscious, juice-dripping peaches
with southern, June greetings
to New England-distant kin.

Veritable bird spa spot
with all our backyard beauties
bathing in turn companionably.

Grape jelly and orange slices
sugary, grocery store fare
loved by more than orioles.

Taste of rich chocolate
with pinch of peppermint
deifying this moment.

Miracle Elixir

Miracle elixir
by any measure

evaporating
condensing

liquefying
dissolving

diffusing
suffusing

solidifying
sublimating

freezing
melting

wellspring of life
and life's preserver.

Epiphany in Five Parts

Bonanza reveals
of cascading wonder
in the twentieth century

atomic strucure
relativities
quantum mechanics
DNA helixes
and plate tectonics

elegant theories
undisputed proofs
new organizing rules
from submicroscopic
to space/time expanse

how privileged are we
ordinary mortals
to receive these genius gifts.

Parental Challenge

How to equip kids
with self-belief and grit

no magic checklist 
just love and example

experiential tasks
leavened with learning

extending the leash
to allow exploration

push to venture
beyond comfort zones

safety net in place
for bounce-back chances

then fledge-ready they soar
you hope, with their dreams.

.

Favorite Piano Pieces

Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto #2
and George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue

pinnacles of piano-playing prowess
especially performed with full orchestration

immense appreciation for these keyboard feats
from this erstwhile advanced intermediate

with abundant hours of diligent practice
for high school success as choral accompanist

yet light years away from highly trained talent
for mastery to play these magnificent pieces.

Tulips Mourants

Petal by petal
life slipping away

jaunty farewell
with each discard

faded remnants
in pile beneath

yellowed-green stems
fully undressed

bearing witness
to once glorious moment.

Spring Revival

Slow unfurling
in northern woods

subtle stages
of set sequence

hints of green
then colored wisps

purple, yellow
mostly white

spreading carpet
of reassuring blooms.

Uneasy Captive

Stuck in neck brace
like purgatory

from mishap
down the stairs

trapped for weeks
betwixt, between

without agency
and autonomy

premonition
of aging woes

future prospect
of lost selfhood

though not ready
to acquiesce yet.