Happy Birthday Dad
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Happy Birthday Dad
Another year full of life
living, creating, smiles, laughs
many miles explored
problems solved, projects finished
the best gift to this family
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Traditions (Santa Cookies)
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Unfold the stiff yellowed recipe in your mom’s handwriting from the box of the vintage icing gun
Blend the shortening you don’t use for anything else with bleached flour you don’t use for anything else
because this is tradition, and you’ve tried it other ways and though they are your own they don’t take you back
to the warm crowded kitchen with grandma and mom and your sisters.
Pat the cold dough into the vintage plastic mold filled with the chemicals they don’t put in plastics anymore
Dust, roll, press, pat release onto the baking sheet.
Paint the faces in the specific order designed to avoid red sugar sprinkles in the icing eyebrows
Give them away to everyone you care about.
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Sunday Sounds
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The game is on in the background
The woodstove clicks warming the home
Soft padding as the kitty roams
Dominoes clatter marking next round
Loved ones chatter, glasses clinking
A great Sunday to my thinking.
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Sunday Games
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Playing games on Sunday afternoon
No one will win anytime soon
Twelve more rounds of this game to play
Keeping our dots incognito
Until our turn at dominoes
Family chatter causing delay
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Emerson
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It was a year ago today
I said goodbye to you
Dear cat
I just didn’t know what to say
Somehow I think you knew
Smart cat
*
Your spunky presence filled the room
And filled my heart as well
Unique
The fifteen years ended too soon
So hard to say farewell
Tears streak
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(A Memento Poem)
Hearts-A-Burstin’
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Vulnerable core suddenly exposed
Simply amazing how little it takes
When your heart breaks is it the sad that leaves?
Does the happy spill out when your heart breaks?
*
Does bursting with happiness feel the same
As breaking with sorrow when the heart grieves?
Does the happy spill out when your heart breaks?
When your heart breaks is it the sad that leaves?
*
Just how can a person know the difference
Between happy pains and the anguished aches?
When your heart breaks is it the sad that leaves?
Does the happy spill out when your heart breaks?
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(A Mirrored Refrain)
Little Sister’s Getting Hitched
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Little sister’s engaged, oh happy day!
The cheer in her heart transcends cell phone waves
Tears run down my face replace words I can’t say
Hope and happiness alternate in waves
They compliment each other brilliantly
In teamwork and laughter their love shines through
Each wonderful, and wonderful as two
Challenges they will face resiliently
He being something quite special to this clan
Sarcasm and loyalty undeterred
And responsibility undeferred
A smart hard working military man
Oh how I wish them nothing but their dreams
And knowledge that life’s as great as it seems
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(A Burns Sonnet)
Long Distance Hug
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My mom made me a hug of wool
To comfort me when she could not
Some sad days it gets used a lot
*
Embraced when the world seems so cruel
Or I can’t face the rat race
Or for woes that seem minuscule
*
Love disguised as stuffing and knots
Mom crocheted me a hug of wool
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(An Octain Refrain)
Prom Photo Flash Mob in the Garden
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Smiling Parents
Holding hands
In jean shorts and polo shirts
Walking just a few paces behind
Flowing gowns
Heeled shoes
Crisp tuxedos
*
New loves
First loves
Smiling laughing chatting arm in arm
Holding bouquets and hems of dresses
Taking selfies
Group shots
Posing proudly
*
Dodging daffodils
Compacting grass
Please don’t step on the flowers
Sir this is a public garden
Sparkly departures
Firm handshakes
Waving goodbyes
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(A Trinet Poem)
In Memory of Grandma
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Grandma liked men best, flirting without shame
Talking to each one as if he’s her next flame
Grandma liked cowboys in really tight jeans
In each rodeo she found the man of her dreams.
She read romance novels from cover to cover
As soon as one’s finished she picked up another.
*
She had a sly smile that went up on one side
And a sense of humor she tried to hide
But one look at the comics she taped to her fridge
Told you a lot about the humor she hid
Sending us cards for every special occasion
With neat handwriting in green felt-tipped pen
*
Grandma had a magical green thumb
Just name a plant, she could grow every one
Enormous Christmas cactus, blooming bright red
African violets with special lights overhead
Strawberries and veggies she didn’t even eat
For any plant, grandma’s house couldn’t be beat.
*
More than just plants, she raised a strong daughter too
Who always does the right thing to do
Who’s caring and thoughtful and kind to all creatures
Who’s influence from grandma is more than her features
Though we will miss grandma, her legacy lives on
In the caring strength and beauty of our mom.
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(Throwback Poem)
(An Elegy Poem)
A Picture and a Poem 