Before leaf blowers
there were rakes, harder on backs,
easier on ears.
Raking affected only
the raker; blowers are hard
on everyone’s ears.
To leaf rakers everywhere,
I offer thanks and a cheer.
JDG
Category Archives: poetry form – choka or naga-uta
When Thanks Flows
On every other
day of the year, thanks flows forth
in the moment, but
on this day, preparation
is a must. Thought has
to be given to who, what,
where, and when to give
thanks. At last it is done; then
free-flowing gratitude comes.
JDG
Lesson Learned
That startling sound?
a bird hitting the window.
That startling sight?
a squirrel carrying it off.
Hoping I’m wrong, I
go out to check. Bird’s still there,
but in shock. I touch
its feathers gently.
It looks up. I speak softly,
then back off. It flies first to
the porch railing, rests
a while, gathers
itself, then flies off. Sometimes,
as the bird and I
discovered, first impressions
can be very, very wrong.
JDG
Driving Lesson
Stopped at a red light,
I grip the steering wheel hard,
worried I’ll be late.
All the gripping in the world
won’t make the light change
faster. What needs to change is
me. I sigh, let go, relax.
JDG
The Show Goes On
Most of the drama
at my grandkids’ school doesn’t
take place on the stage.
Auditions aren’t required,
impromptu skits can
occur anywhere and are
often done after hours.
JDG
Life’s Panopoly
Life’s agenda does
not match our own. We do our
best to curtail sharp
turns, unanticipated
events. Life smiles
at our plans and offers up
a range of alternatives
JDG
Compelling Conversation
Those two mourning doves
sat in the road before me.
Their conversation
must have been intense because
even as my car
drew near they stayed. Did they each
want to have the final word?
JDG
