I've done some editing since making this recording. Cut it down a little.
Schnitzy Doodles
The original idea was to try to write a poem or song every day for a year. Now the idea is to write when I can. Hopefully that will be often. But sometimes life goes in other directions.
Thursday, May 25, 2023
Thursday, May 18, 2023
Another One Gone
I've seen a constant string of death notices from friends about close family members and friends dying. Not sure why. Maybe it's my age. Maybe it's who I know. Maybe because of social media I'm seeing more death notices and this isn't anything new. Whatever the reason, it got me writing.
Friends sharing stories, pictures, videos,
tears, smiles, crying, laughter.
Another good one gone.
Why her? Why him?
They try to reason
reassure each other
support each other.
Someone asks about the spouse, partner, children
Are they doing okay?
(of course not)
Is there anything we can do for them?
What can we do to help us accept
that another one is gone
too early?
Rest in peace dear friend.
We will carry on
as you would want us to,
And we will bring a piece of you with us
on our journey.
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
For Lettie
After a four year fight, she is at peace. Cancer sucks.
You were a warrior,
light and grace,
with a heart of gold
and a smile that could lift the saddest heart.
Farewell,
we'll treasure
the moments we shared.
Shed tears, tell stories,
sing songs, and move on,
because that is what you would want us to do.
Warrior,
light, and grace
with a heart of gold
and a smile that could lift the saddest heart.
Five foot two, flapper style.
Pole dancing in the library.
Scooter queen.
Parrot mom.
Lifting a glass.
And, oh that laugh.
Warrior,
light, and grace
with a heart of gold
and a smile that could lift the saddest heart.
Sunday, April 30, 2023
Linus's Song (The House In the Cerulean Sea)
Written for a local writing contest where entries have to be based on the book, "The House In the Cerulean Sea" by TJ Kline. It's a beautifully written book with a couple of themes, one of which you aren't aware of right away. I think it's also a late in life coming of age story, about Linus.
Didn't know what I was looking for,
didn't know what I was missing,
didn't know how deeply I could feel
about someone who felt that way too.
Didn't know until I found
you.
Learning new things when
you're set in your ways
can be difficult.
But learning how to love and live with
you,
came easy once I shut the door to doubt.
I was content with my life,
I had my patterns and routines,
I thought that meant I was okay.
I didn't know what content and happy
really meant
until I
began to know you.
I can feel my heart beat
faster when I see
you walking
toward me.
I can feel the pulse
in my neck
pounding
whenever you are near.
I didn't know,
no, I didn't know,
I could learn to love.
I didn't know,
no, I didn't know,
the strength your love could give me.
I didn't know,
no, I didn't know,
and now I do.
I know I'm thankful
every minute
I'm with
you.
Friday, April 14, 2023
Lantern In a Cave
I sometimes attend an online writing session, The Narrative Method. I enjoy the photo and question prompts, as well as reading in small groups.
Theme: Lantern in the cave. Figuring something out.
Photo: a shadow of a person wearing a cape with a bird on a branch to the right of the shadow.
3 Prompts. I didn't follow prompt one very closely, just went with where the photo took me.
1. What about the shadow side inspired this person to fly?
Figure it out, he said.
It feels like you're gone
Like you're trying to get away.
Like you don't want to be here.
That you don't want to be with
Me.
I don't need to figure anything out, I replied
I know what I have
I know what I want
I know I can do more, be more.
It's not that I don't want to be there with you
It's more like I want to be able
To reach higher,
To soar
Without strings limiting how far I can go,
Without the weight of guilt or anyone holding me down
If you want that to mean that's without you,
Then that is your choice.
You could put on a cape too
if you wanted to
if you dared to.
Figure it out,
Cape or no cape,
Flap your wings or ignore them,
Soar or stay rooted.
I know what I choose.
I have my cape
I have my wings
I have my will
I am off
Whether you choose to come along or not.
2: What do they always know that no insult can touch.
With the sun behind me
I can see wings and a cape
in my shadow
I can feel the strength of my wings
The lightness of my cape
And I anticipate the freedom they will help me
find.
Condescending words,
Mocking questions,
Canned insults,
No longer sting.
I wrap my cape around me
And the words bounce off.
The gestures and narrowed eyes
Disappear in dust at the flutter of my wings
My cape spreads out behind me
As I soar
Higher and higher
Wherever I want to go.
I am invincible.
I am comfortable.
I am free.
I am me.
3. Bring it all together
"Pull yourself together," he said
"I am together," I replied.
"Is this what you really want?
"To leave, to give up?" he asked.
"I'm not giving up,
"I'm just starting." I replied.
"I'm not leaving,
I'm going where I need to be."
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Why?
Rant inspired by a few men I've encountered at open mics, on group hikes, and pretty much, my entire adult life. I think the subtitle is "wtf!"
Older men, getting in my space,
Too close for comfort,
I back up and they keep closing in.
They don't take the hint,
If they do, they don't care.
Hard to believe they could be that unaware.
Sometimes I tell them to back off,
Sometimes I can't find the words.
Sometimes i wish men like that
would disappear from my world.
Why, why, why
Why do I have to deal with these things?
Why, why, why,
Do I think about these things?
I wish I could just get over it.
But I can't.
And I shouldn't.
I'm just trying to do what I like
And I often do it solo
Which somehow makes me fair game
For condescension and criticism.
Some might think they're well meaning
But I don't ask for their opinion
I don't ask for their help
Which seems to provoke criticism.
I wish people like that
Would disappear from my world.
Why, why, why
Why do I have to deal with these things?
Why, why, why,
Do I think about these things?
I wish I could just get over it.
But I can't.
And I shouldn't.
Is it generational?
Is it my size?
Will it ever end?
What's with these guys?
Sunday, April 2, 2023
Who am I?
Who Am I? I’m trying to write a series of poems and songs for my kids, telling my story, things they know, things that don’t know.
1. Music
I like to listen to hopeful songs,
I like sad songs,
I like songs that tell a story
so compelling that it’s like watching a movie or reading a book.
I like a strong beat
I like slow songs that wander,
I like to listen,
I like to sing,
I like to play,
I like to get lost,
I like to get found,
In music.
Eavesdropping
Day one of Poetry Month.
Walking on the sidewalk,
I make way for a group
going the other way,
and I hear,
"And then he stood there like he got
daydreamed into another reality."
Sitting at a table munching a scone
when I hear a guy talking
about driving a truck
up in Alaska,
"I worked 70 hours a week for forty years,
Man, what a waste of time."
Sitting in a workshop,
the instructor takes a break
to tell a few interesting things
he's overheard.
"Not all monkeys are in the zoo."
Eavesdropping
is the best
entertainment
ever.