Born of a pandemic’s isolation
a consequence 
of our disconnection
and the thousands of moments
of kindness we missed
is being left nearly empty 
with gaping hearts
and outstretched arms

I can’t stop talking to strangers
and they can’t stop talking back
sometimes we even hug
I ask about their plans for the week-end
did they go to the fair yet
are they ready for the storm
where did they get that scarf
how long have they worked here

somehow they know
I need them to smile
I need them to answer

somehow they know
what I really want to say is
I love you

It is the stuff of evil queens and witches
ten seems too young to face betrayal
yet your best friend blamed you
to avoid her mother’s punishment

you were never to know
but it didn’t unfold that way
her mom called yours to report
”your misdeed”
though not yours at all

I witnessed your fury at the news
your indignation filled the room, the house, 
the solar system
you slammed your hand on the table
demanding to speak to her mother
to prove your innocence
to set the record straight
to convict this false accuser

but you mother refused your plan

she talked in quiet words
about friendship and forgiveness
as you seethed

in her calmest tones she tried 
to help you see a bigger picture
to understand many we love 
will disappoint us sometimes

Do you understand what I’m saying, Lilly?

and with your jaw set and your eyes narrowed
you said “yessssss” through your clenched teeth

“And have you learned something from this, Lilly?

your eyebrows lifted and your eyes opened wide
as if the life’s lesson finally landed

“Have I learned something? Yes! 
I’ve learned THERE WILL BE PAYBACK! Oooh, yeah!”

ten seems too young to plot vengeance
they grow up so fast

In their quest to save the earth
Coke calculated profits’ worth
Considered bottles’ single use
Which clearly is a great abuse
Considered plastics’ poison cost
To creatures, landfills, oceans lost

At the close of that long day
They made the call for their own pay
They'll keep the plastic, one-time use
And write some PR — keep it loose
“The use of plastic we’ll reduce”
Don’t tell them how — give no excuse

Coca Cola hatched their scheme
Their bottles won’t be colored green
Mello-yellow, Fresca, Sprite
Will have no color —  (gosh they’re bright)
Seagrams Ginger Ale won’t too
And then the rest is up to you

With empty bottles pressed to lips
We’ll sob regrets with thirsting sips
But bottles looks so clean and clear
Just like the water til that year
When tipping points reminded all
That water’s grey after the fall

——————————

You can read about Coca-Cola’s plan to continue making clear one-time use plastic bottles here - but with clear rather than green plastic. Ya. It really was the “least” they could do.

Lost time is never found again
our most precious resource
frittered away thoughtlessly
killed without forethought

moments, hours, years, lifetimes
on someone else’s agenda
chasing their dream — not ours

robbed of our birthright
by million dollar ad campaigns
click bait and insta-mind games

trapped in a milieu of comparison
keeping up and playing along
only to find we’ve lived it wrong

the only real Brigadoon
is the one we build ourself

the sacrament of marriage
is not open to all
those interpreting
the sacred words 
of their higher power
can make those rules
(Amen)

but the contract of marriage
is the right of every citizen
those interpreting 
the constitution
make those rules
and they will fail us
if sacraments
are wedged into public policy
(U.S. Constitution)

The first amendment
builds a barricade
creating safe space
for Americans to love each other

This place of false gods
and its preoccupation 
with the treasure of our attention
incessant like a snake
hissing fear and fantasy
to muffle the tender whispers
of our idealistic hearts

the day we turned away
we made a plan
instead we’d live under the blue sky
writing and painting a great story 
a sacred story 
that concerns no one but us
it was our time
it was our choice
it has become our happy ending

The unfathomed number of living things
their lives cut short
just to feed me

the crisp carrot yanked from the earth
the juicy orange plucked from its tree
the flocks and herds of animals
all ended for me

sins mount beyond mere nourishment
as the excess deaths are tallied
the murders of pleasure
the second helpings
the desserts and snacks

then the deepest shame is added
the useless deaths
meaningless sacrifices 
without beneficiary
caused by lack of planning and care
discarded food scraps 
blackened bananas
freezer burned chicken
soured milk

despite our indifference
nature requires no recompense
only a request for
reverence and respect
for life ended
so we do not

thank you, supper

One day, we needed something magical
you sketched an amazing imaginative
fantasy sleeping altar

soon there was a proper drawing
a dimensioned plan with a materials list
then we built it

a king-sized water bed 
canopied with four massive posts
we stained and upholstered it 
I sewed the canopy curtains
and hand-stitched the bed spread

the huge bookcase headboard 
housed way too many stereo speakers
cherished books 
small art treasures
and our dreams

it was the centerpiece of our home
and the hub of our life
from this bed we ate, slept, sketched,
read, studied, argued, and entertained

we made Maggie there
it became her sanctuary too

we were cleaning the garage yesterday
we found a board
one of the original shelves 
from the headboard
unearthed from behind a cabinet
still covered in the avocado green burlap
stapled by 18 year old us
over fifty years ago

a holy relic 
of that venerated place
the center of our universe

we threw it on Keith’s woodpile
where it waits to be repurposed
writing this
made me want to rescue it
to find it a place of honor

great beginnings
deserve to be celebrated

To challenge the depths of infinity
securities must be set aside

there is no tether long enough
to keep us safe as we sink
to its center

the uncharted darkness
pulls us apart until our atoms
become strangers
and we realize
we are vibrating nothing 
profound wholeness
pulled toward the heart of creation
where we vanish in love

It seemed everyone was having a hard time
in their own way. It was too hot to turn on the oven, so I ordered cream puffs from the bakery, made copies of this poem for each one, and delivered some granny joy to move the needle away from stress and toward love. Treats always lighten life. A poem makes them even better.

_________________________

ENCHANTED CREAM PUFFS

When you life is getting tough
And you feel you’ve had enough
Homework, cleaning, all that stuff 
Don’t just storm out in a huff 
Try your Granny’s yummy fluff
Wrapped inside a sweet cream puff 

When you’re bursting at the seam
Set to kick and punch or scream 
Just one bite will taste supreme 
Through your body love will stream 
Your awesome future you will dream 
Cuz magic is inside the cream 

(Each cream puff deserves a meme)

If you’re wondering what got me started writing poems, you’ll find the story here. Or, if you’re wondering why this collection is called Slender Stalk, click here. If you’re wondering where you can read the past issues of Slender Stalk, click here. If you’re wondering where you can read more of my poems, check out my website: Life at 240.

If you know someone who you think would enjoy these poems, please feel free to forward this email to them. If you’re reading this poetry letter for the first time, you can subscribe here to get ten poems emailed to you at the beginning of each month.