Category Archives: Poetry

The Drifters Their lyrics sealed the promiseof August of ’59,There goes my babymovin’ on down the line. I had a brown-eyed sweetheartwhen I was seventeen.Our worlds were far apartand the Drifters fell between. The mournful whine is silent;the booming drum … Continue reading →

Owl Love Sometimes on my morning run,I hear the call and responseof two owls.They move around,never in the same place twice,but I know who they arebecause the smaller of the twois one white note higheron the keyboard,and each has a … Continue reading →

[haiku] pan-fried troutI learn something newabout my father

The Plumb Line Amos 7:7-17 With a plumb-line, the wall of Israel was erectedwith closely-fitted, well-joined stones.These perpendicular stones were the very bonesof a great nation, but a careless people neglectedtheir promise to the Lord. They failed to stay the … Continue reading →

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector I’m feeling special standing in the temple.I’m such a sight to see!I lift my words to you my Lord.Behold: take a look at me! Indeed, I have risen above the rest.Lord, … Continue reading →

Lao Tzu Advises the Board of Directors The best manager is a gracious guest in my house.As host, I am pleased to do my best.We both get what we want. The best manager is hardly recognized.Good results come naturallyand the … Continue reading →

NOTE: From Bud and Mary. The year was 1956 when I was 14. Friday Night Fights Every Night The Gillette Cavalcade of Sports–Boxingfrom Madison Square Gardenwith the Look Sharp/Be Sharp theme songand Jimmy Powers announcingwas a regular Friday night eventfor … Continue reading →

She Loves You The Kennedy assassination stunned the nationlike nothing else since the attack on Pearl Harbor.We all remember what we were doingwhen we heard the news. What followed was six weeks of sorrow.The grieving widow and her two small … Continue reading →

Back Jackknife for Bud Baldwin His rigid arms are pointing down as he walksthe diver’s practiced pace toward the edgeand deftly spins around to set his feet.The crowd grows quiet as he is on his toes,to seek and find the … Continue reading →

[tanka] the boy who cameto be my fatherkissed her cheekwhat did my face look likebefore that happened?

The Alpha and Omega of Gratitude Giving thanks in your heart is the alpha of gratitude.Gratitude is the sum of what you sense and say.Remembering to offer your thanks is the omega of gratitude. Longing for things you lack is … Continue reading →

[tanka] a pinwheeling leafstrikes the watercourseand floats around the bendgone foreverdo you ever think of me?

Wheel of Water For God’s Creation Grass emerges from the winter snow.Blades lengthen. Flowers grow.Trees in the wind sway and sough.The summer of life is all we know.Autumn breezes start to blowand all of life begins to slow.Brown turf is … Continue reading →