5/13/43-2/18/19

Just wanted to see you again

Can’t hear your voice

I love you and miss you, Regina

Often times when left to my own devices

It is true, relaxation begins

Maybe small explorations

Into projects that

Needed more time

Or even forage for new ideas

But now with five days

To myself

Okay mostly myself

A sense of freedom tingles the imagination

And as usual it begins with morning coffee

Laying out my days schedule

Full of delayed gratification

And though I was left a Honey Do list

Like cutting grass or mopping the floors

There is even the possibility

Of a visit to Home Depot

For flowers for the season

But that thought alone

Freezes me

As then quite clearly

Inner voices speak up

Daffodils or pansies

Annuals or perennials

I’m just dropping that whole idea then

The Honey Do list is laid aside

Going to go on to something else

Maybe I could help with one of the grandkids

That’s pretty funny

Considering I’m like their 2nd, 3rd or 4th choice

Next possibility

Look up where the yard sales for next weekend are

That’s always a hot date

Depending on the weather

Or maybe I should

Just write this all down

Acquiesce to my inherited

Role as the number 2 executive

Maybe even just turn the calendar pages

Or at least change the sheets on Day 4

That’s worth two points

FXC 5/13/19

Copyright

Not happy today

Known you since we were ten

Many playful years

Maturing when we could

Your life became so meaningful

Influenced so many

Endless facets to your talents

Yet humble

Not sure how we will endure

As you begin your new journey

Suffice it to say

I will always love you!

FXC 5/10/19

Copyright

Should have left you long ago

Years ago

The first time you looked away when I was talking to you

As you noticed a new sweet young thing

Or when you quashed an idea I had

Dominating me

Why has it taken so long

For me to understand

I was a trinket

On your walk through life

Yes, yes ultimately

I was afraid

Afraid of you

And not sure enough of myself

To break free

Until now as I realize

My need for you

Leaves me ashamed

Eclipses my very existence

So very late

To be reborn

FXC 5/09/19

Copyright

The length of a relationship

Can often be determined

By the peripheral objects

On ones’ side of the bed

There might be a lamp

On a nightstand for reading

A pencil and paper for puzzles

Possibly a channel changer

As seniority increases

There might be a heating pad

Or even a vibrator for aching muscles

Maybe even ear plugs

Or eye shades

When sleeping patterns don’t match

But hopefully

The guest room

Is not the final option

FXC 5/8/19

Copyright

Grocery trip

Sunny morning

Warm breezes hinted

Summer

Walking towards the entrance

Ribs were being grilled

Aromas wafted

Two guys cooking, chatting, laughing

Couldn’t have been more than 100 feet away

Suddenly attention shifted

Off to my left, their right

As if a spotlight

Heralded her entrance

A moment of beauty

Okay, an eternity of beauty

Tattoo on left forearm

White blouse, ocean blue shorts

Hair to her shoulders

As she approached the cooking

Smiled broadly and said

‘Good Morning guys, how are you this morning?’

No words from any of us

We had been spoken to

Couldn’t have wished for anymore

The hint of perfection had spoken

Heads now tuned

To follow her entrance into the store

Smiles all around

But the truth be told

Gratitude Is in our hearts

Thank you for being

All of you

Yes, I’m talking about

All of you!

FXC 5/8/19

Copyright

Went to a Derby Eve party last night

Didn’t start till 8

Don’t drink

So the horderves

Were critical

Didn’t disappoint

Shrimp in deviled eggs?

Don’t know about that

Bruschetta is my favorite

Brought a friend along

Who nails that every time

Then the evenings’ success

Hinges on gingerly

Locating a palatable conversation

From among the endless guest list

Of friends some yet to be met

Others familiar with

Others you wish you could remember their name

Avoid those if possible

As has been done for years

At this same annual party

But the main attraction

Occurs randomly

A woman, it has to be a woman

Never really saw a man do this

Unless drinking or a salesman

Only a woman with the innate

Need to belong

Circles, scanning

Looking for a friend

A group of friends

In which to enmesh

Herself in conversation

May get lucky

And happen upon a friend

Or friends already known

But as might happen

Will need to search for a group

Starts on the edge of the group

Leans in to listen

Smiles and nods appropriately

Will agree with a comment or two

When she has been granted acceptance

Will join the group with her own thoughts

Now nodding and smiling is returned

This is as good as it gets

They are now bonded

How do they do that?

Men see a precipice

From which all their social acceptance

Would plunge into oblivion

Why even attempt to engage

With someone you might not know nor remember

And even more might not see for another year

Men see no safety net

Just stand to the side

On the outside of the group

Play with your food plate

Or fumble with your drink

Need to get really good at nodding

Don’t look at the your watch

And remember

See if there is someone

Anyone to provide

A safety net

FXC 5/4/19

Copyright

Well, here we are again

The renewal date for

My ancestry searching program

Oh and it seems like so much

And in a way it is

Takes time

Doesn’t seem to be really getting anywhere

Seems like my relatives

Don’t care as much as I do

Some of whom I question

If I am actually related to

Which brings up a good point

Do I really want to know

Who my flesh and blood are?

There are so many criteria

To be used if you are making

Your own relative database

Tall, medium build, head of hair

Humorous, intelligent

Same religious beliefs,

Same political beliefs,

Someone like me

But the roll of the dice

Robs you of that surety

Go to church, political convention

Neighborhood gathering

Or worse yet start researching

Your ancestry

Some individuals are

Pillars of the community

Others tear down those pillars

And nowhere can you really discover

Family secrets unless revealed

At a family reunion

But then the reunion ends

Traveling home a discussion ensues

Did you know about ____?

Now images dance in your head

What else don’t you know

About even your close relatives

Then

Political elections ensure

Shock and dismay

At how different beliefs are

Even with your closest relatives

But maybe even more so

With your close friends

There is a widening circle

Of protection

That needs to be a perimeter

Around you

Less unwanted traits

Appear, leaked from family or friends

Who might be family

And finally

Inevitably

You have to ask

Am I Related To You?

FXC 5/2/19

Copyright

Trying to find the most efficient

Method for cutting grass

Simple enough gas or electric

Had a few different ones over the years

And actually no major problems with either one

Except for a memory from youth

Push mower

Why not?

Granted my memory of hot summers

Has faded

But wouldn’t that simplify my life

No plugs or gasoline

Just sharpen the blade periodically

Better for the environment

Great exercise

Hasn’t there been a

Enough time saver inventions

Most just freed up time

To be busy with something else

From radio to TV

From three channels to 1003

House phones to cell phones

Coffee to cappuccino

Be honest this list is endless

Are we forced to choose

Which technology we will use

To describe our lives

The latest fad or ad

Or are we able to

Personally define

Who we are

By our choices

True we will lose time

With a push mower

But actually

Isn’t that our choice

FXC 4/30/19

Copyright

Gosh darn

I’ve know you a long time

Spent odd moments together

Mostly small talk

Including the weather

Children, sports

Of course the BLACKHAWKS

Two crusty old souls

Knew you could draw, paint

Didn’t really understand what it is you do or see

As you work

I’ll admit it, I could not understand it

Landscapes

Portraits

Luscious hues

Peaceful, anguished

Images that began to speak to me

Now, now

Hope it is not too late

To share our vision

You adding color to what I write

We will be a new beautiful shade in the rainbow

You and I

Now I know why

It took so long

You and I

Fine wine!

FXC

4/26/19 Copyright