Poems from other Decembers, from other poets, too

laden cedar branches
made silent by the snow
nothing at all to hear

[from the late Dion O'Donnol's every day living, 1997]
~~

Christmas shoppers;
into the blind beggar's cup
a silent snowflake

[Dorothy McLaughlin, from our flip calendar, connecting our houses, 1997]
~~

looking up
from my Christmas reading~
thicker icicles

[PL - from Poems for December, 2002]
~~

the full kettle's
garbled whistle~
twenty-two degrees

[PL - from Dynamic December, 2003]
~~

last of the pound cake
I baked for two parties
is now my breakfast

[PL - from rising to the top, 2012]
~~

Auntie's first Christmas
   not only an orphan
   but now a widow

[PL - from a branch of red leaves, 2005]
~~~
~~~

A slab of poems for Father's Day

same day my dad died
Joe DiMaggio's home
put up for sale
[PL]
~~

first Father's Day
without him
[PL]
~~

son mimics dad
on exercise equipment
this special day
[PL]
~~~

father/grandfather
both take a lot of trying
and luck of the Irish
[Dion O'Donnol]
~~

Father's Day morning--
memory of him sizzling
bacon for breakfast
[Jerry Judge, from TIMEPIECES, 1996]
~~

twice start daily walk
but cannot go on
unexplainable
[Dion O'Donnol]
~~

FOR FATHERS

A father like a tree is measured; strong
As oak is strong, and tall in youngster eyes
As redwood grows . . . and he must have a song
When frightening winds chase clouds across the skies . . .
The song the pine has sung for countless years.
His heart must be as tough as hickory,
Yet soft as newborn willow when the tears
Of hurt come tumbling down pink cheeks; and he
Must shut all evils out like brave old hedge
With stinging needles. Proud, the father stands
Sequoia-like against the treacherous edge
Of doom lest fate should mark a hopeful's plans.
     In storm, or through the pleasant, sunny days,
     A father's like a tree in sundry ways.
[Ercil F. Brown, HEAR MY SONG]

~~~~
~~~~

Pear season again

pear tree, corner of Couchwood/SamplesRoads-PL

 

From the late Dion O'Donnol's day by day-1998

for August 28:

daughter-in-law's

pear-like preserve labeled

rhubarb

 

From Connecting Our Houses, PL/Dot McLaughlin, 1997

for September 16:

ping of sealing lids--

thought of winter preserves

eases today's work

 

for September 18:

sneaking diced pears

into the tuna salad--

he eats three sandwiches



February 28 - various years, two authors

1997
late February
windows open all night
but snow's forecast
[PL - Connecting Our Houses]
with Dorothy McLaughlin
~~~~

2003
editor's illness
I read his final issue
as a eulogy
[PL - February's Fallout]
~~~~

2004
quiet pond
mirroring perfection
of all things
[the late Dion O'Donnol,
daily moments]
~~~~

2005
chinese jade tree
alabaster lotus bowl
drinkers of the wind
[Dion O'Donnol,
best of days]
~~~~
swinging on a branch
between the dogwood clusters
a mockingbird
[PL - winter's loose ends]
~~~~

2006
unexpected snow
sending students to Hastings
instead of high school
[PL - hearing puffs of snow]
~~~~

2013
resigning
his second day on the job
at the Pentagon
that makes my 7-week stint
seem like an eon
[PL - drop by drop]
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