Decoration Day 2023

 Memorial Day 2023

Thinking about how it should be this year,

with the latest pandemic behind us, 

seemingly nearly normal.

Reminded that it’s about the fallen,

not all the passed of the past,

just the warriors, deserving of decorations,

holding fast to the original Decoration Day.

Remembering it’s not about the current troops,

hoping to not hear “Happy Memorial Day”,

no matter how well intended.

This is not Christmas,

not a day for glee, not founded in joy,

surely not only for backyard barbecues,

though it’s understandable to want them.

It’s Memorial Day 2023,

and it’s important to notice it exists,

to recall why,

not allowing politics or philosophy to

keep us from rendering heartfelt thoughts,

reflecting, respecting, appreciating, honoring,

remembering the service and sacrifices of the fallen.

Feeling those who survived their own war,

at home or in some distant land,

in uniform or mufti,

ones who have one great challenge remaining,

one great responsibility,

honoring with loyalty and respect 

those who lost their own final battle.

Reminded of our task,

it is the duty of the living 

to remember the dead,

to feel blessed by their gift,

to never forget,

even as the nation seeks to heal.

The fallen deserve nothing less.

International day of laughter

 

I just learned a new word - gelastic,

delightful, and to me, fantastic,

though it has nothing to do with being elastic.

It’s all about style,

how in a short while,

at the start of one’s smile,

as the joy one seeks to master

becomes clear shortly thereafter,

and they break out in wholesome laughter.

A friend’s 79th birthday

 

At seventy, still time for joy aplenty

At seventy-one, still room for fun

At seventy-two, still so much to do

At seventy-three, still a lot to see

At seventy-four, still more in store

At seventy-five, still happy to be alive

At seventy-six, still ready for new tricks

At seventy-seven, still not ready for heaven

At seventy-eight, still living a life that’s great

At seventy-nine, still doing fine (oh, and don’t forget the wine)

At the end of your eighth decade, still full of the joy you’ve made.

Return

 RSVP

As for me,

whatever future

I am trying to shape

shapes me in return.

When you see me cry,

it does not necessarily mean

I need help. 

Sometimes, pure beauty

has that result in me,

like the glory of innocents

who do not think

they should stop trying

to improve the world.

I will continue to

seek magic,

look for legerdemain,

believing the solutions we need

lie only in those realms.

But also, I will look

to my heart,

posit my soul’s purpose,

light another candle,

pen just one more plea.