Party Hearty

A friend asked me to write a generic birthday poem.

Party Hearty
27 Sept 2012

We heard of something divine
Thru a friend's grapevine,
And wanted to drop you a line
To let you know this is genuine.
It's time for a celebration,
To kick up your heals.
Yeah, it's a declaration
Of how good it feels.
Bring on the birthday cheer
Of drink, candles and cake.
It happens only once a year
So make the memory a keepsake.

Vacation Typification

Vacation Typification
24 Sept 2012

The MP3 music's bopping.
Step on the gas and keep hopping.
Crossing the mountain we aren't stopping
Even tho our ears are popping.
Although it seems to give you pains
To simply switch highway lanes,
We're playing leapfrog by lane swapping.
Past the summit the elevation starts dropping.
Coasting down from the pass
Improves milage and saves gas.
We have to turn and swerve
To make the next curve.
We're going fast, for goodness' sakes,
Before we wreck, hit the brakes!

Yesterday's Heroes

Yesterday's Heroes
14 Sept 2012

Men of World War Two,
Called the Greatest Generation,
Did what they had to do
Earning eternal veneration.
After coming home, they bought bungalows
With master bedrooms, picture windows,
Sliding glass doors and backyard patios.
Everyone started watching TV shows.
Those fighting GI Joes
Are yesterday's heroes.

Fighting in the jungles of Viet Nam
Was schizophrenic and unpredictable,
At times there was confusion and bedlam.
Many media stories were contradictable.
The men came home to stereos,
Women wearing pantyhose,
Muscle cars, paisley clothes
And eating sloppy joes.
Alas, today's John Does
Are yesterday's heroes.

Cool Dip Pool Tip

Cool Dip Pool Tip
9 Sept 2012

All this dancing's making me sweat
The caller's moving us so fast
My clothes are getting all wet.
I don't think my stamina'll last.
I know, let's go and get cool
By square dancing in the pool.

This caller's the fastest talker in town,
Staying in here, we'll only get hotter.
I think I know of a place to cool down,
Let's go dance and splash in the water.
That's a way for us to get cool,
By square dancing in the pool.

Vacation Conversation

This was inspired by my niece's blog: http://kristamaesmith.wordpress.com/2012/08/21/an-ode-to-the-travel-bug/


Vacation Conversation
3 Sept 2012

Come away with me, my dear.
Let's plan to get out of here.
The window's view is a nice touch,
But it doesn't change that much.
Let's go on a traveling vacation
Where the scenery has variation.
We'll give our routine the slip,
Shake things up by taking a trip.
Perhaps we'll risk the dangers
Of having to trust strangers.
You never know what we'll find.
Really, tho most people are kind.
They're going their busy way
Unmindful of our visiting foray.
If we don't make it too abrupt
They won't mind a pattern interrupt.
If introductions aren't too awkward
Their hospitality might be a reward.
There's a big wide world to see.
It'll be an adventure for you and me.
Come away with me, my dear.
Let's plan to get out of here.

Yacking and Bootblacking

Yacking and Bootblacking
24 August 2012

I've learned that without fail
Every pair of boots tells a tale.
As I sat on the shoeshine stand
My boots got polished by hand.
As the bootblack earnestly cleaned,
He talked of boot stories gleaned.
A person's boots become a part
Of their journey from the start.
My boots have gone many miles
Matching gay pride smiles.
Other boots helped the wearer bridge
Experiences on their pilgrimage.
The bootblack cared so very much
It came thru in his erotic touch.
Polish was bare-handedly applied.
Brushing was too fast to be spied.
In the end, not to be remiss,
He gave each buffed boot a kiss.

Quarters' Importers and Exporters

Quarters' Importers and Exporters
21 August 2012


Calling:

All hail East, whose element is air.
Come, attend us, in our prayer.
Join us in our rite
As we celebrate this night.

Hail South, whose element is fire.
Be with us to grant our hearts' desire.
Dance and make us right
As we play this night.

All hail West, whose element is water
And whose animals are bear and otter.
Lend us your influence as we unite
To romp and frolic tonight.

Hail North, whose element is earth,
Help this tribe as we give birth
To mirth and our souls take flight
On this honorable night.


Releasing:

Hail color white and direction East,
Thanks for attending our feast.
You are now released.

All hail North and color evergreen,
Thanks for visiting us and points in between
We set you free, to go on serene.

Hail West and color blue,
We give you your due
And bid a fond adieu.

All hail South and color red
Thanks for the presents you spread
We say farewell as we head to bed.

We release back to your abodes
To resume your normal modes
Until called for future episodes.

Afternoon Swoon

Afternoon Swoon
14 August 2010

After stepping out of the shower to recover,
I languidly stretch out across the bedcover.
A gentle breeze billows the sheers
As its fingers tickle my hair and ears,
And caresses my full-body bare skin.
I stretch straightening limbs again,
Then like a pet curl to the acquisition
Of a comfortable sleeping position.
Giving in completely to unwinding
And the afternoon's touch of cool,
I begin to breathe deeply, not minding
My mouth wide open and start to drool.

Last Tune For Betty June

I got word that a second cousin on my mother's side had passed on.

Last Tune For Betty June
5 August 2012

My twin and I were born
Seven weeks before Betty June.
Her mother was no greenhorn,
BJ was fifth in her commune.
Our mothers socialized together.
It's hard to imagine whether
In school or church without her.
In grade school, as it were,
We lived thru the block
And played Pony Express
Using bikes as livestock.
Each person got to possess
A corner of the block and stand by
Waiting for a fifth to come by
With a pillow standing for
Postal delivery and more.
After graduation all went nomadic,
Living our independent lives
And keeping in touch was sporadic
As we got on with our husbands or wives.
We heard she was on dialysis.
And now she's gone, too soon,
Much too soon in our analysis
So it's bye-bye Betty June.

Surprise Email

On the 31st of July I got a surprise email: "Congratulations! It is my pleasure to inform you that you have been awarded a First Place Gold Medal Prize for World Poetry Movement’s Best Poets and Poems of 2011 International Open Amateur Poetry Contest!" The award name is so long, I think they should have shortened it down to Best New Poet of 2011.

Here's the prize-winning poem:

Yesterday's Rose

dedicated to Hazel, Margaret, Betty and Doris

18 January 2012

While passing into my yard

By the white picket gate

I noticed the rose on guard

Had entered a wilted state.

When a faded petal goes

That's yesterday's rose.

Still wanting to belong,

Joining where she can,

Singing her own song

While hoping for a man.

Wearing old-fashioned clothes,

That's yesterday's rose.

She can still kick up her heals

And enjoys dining and dancing.

She know how it all feels

And what's life enhancing.

One of today's widows

Is yesterday's rose.

Looking for a good time

When she can whim it,

Spending her own dime

Within society's limit.

Not youth but wisdom shows

That's yesterday's rose.