A couple of old poems, one for Christmas

In July of 1984, after 24 years of marriage and four children, plus a recent Master's degree in Music Education, I filed for divorce. Two events made the act seem egregious at the time. The day before, we had seen our 17-year-old daughter Jennifer depart by air to Germany as a year-long exchange student. I hadn't told her my plan. The day I DID file was our first-born son's 23rd birthday.
We all lived over it, thought there were some rough spots. During this time, I was teaching music and gifted ed. As part of my post-graduate studies, I took a university course, Writing Across the Curriculum. It, too, changed my life, and I began writing poetry as a result.
A local poet presented me with a book by another local poet. Poetry Patterns by Anna Nash Yarborough of Benton AR was my "bible" as I learned.
The following two poems were a result of these events.

A TRIOLET

Jennifer's going to Germany;
I wish I were going, too.
Just think of all the things she'll see;
Jennifer's going to Germany.
Will she take time to write to me
and tell me of everything new?
Jennifer's going to Germany;
I wish I were going, too!

A KERF FOR CHRISTMAS
An untraditional
Christmas this year, I promised,
knowing the family, which used to be
intact, if not tranquil,
would be split, with the youngest
sibling here, the oldest in Germany.

When people said, "How sad,"
I screamed inwardly, Not so!
Untraditional, yes, but not bereft
of memories we had
in past years. Christmas will go
on, even though few traditions seem left.

c lovepat press, 1992