The sand has its own challenge
I found as I sat in my chair
Low to the ground and comfy
Not so when it’s time to arise
My legs do not work in close quarters
Needing more distance to stand
I dug with my heels like a turtle
And carved a big hole in the sand
I rocked forward a few times
Until I was almost launched
Caught my balance and stood up
A bona fide victor at last.
The ocean was quietly rolling
Wonderful day at the beach
Memory of past times beguiling
I walked straight into the surf
Confidant I could still do it
I waded still further out
Wave one and wave two I maneuvered
Wave three was a total rout
I landed flat backwards and splashing
Legs waving high in the air
My son saw me flailing, gave me a hand
Eventually I was upright
I cannot describe my sadness
To face up to this simple loss
I’ve played in the water since childhood
Now I am like a beached whale.
I’m off to the beach
With my family galore
Weather report rain
A wet week in store
We will have fun just the same
No need for sunscreen
Morning sun’s first rays
Slanting westward golden beams
Brightening the day
Evening finds sun gleaming
Eastward on the other hand
Brilliant curtain fall
My window looks south
Sitting sideways to the sun
Arching daily route
Belle died at noon on Saturday
She left in peace with family around
Her ninety-seven years a testament
To life well lived and loved.
A friend to us who knew her well
She left a vacancy not soon filled
This morning the swimming pool is blue
Sun and fair skies foretell a lovely day.
Belle loved the pool in Summer
And sunning on the patio in Autumn
When falling leaves transformed the color scheme
Before Winter sent Belle back inside.
We played our Scrabble-like word game Royalty
By the pool or in the Party Room upstairs
Belle was the queen who beat us all
At forming words some of her own creation
She seemed to pull letters out of nowhere
To fashion words sometimes bizarre.
Belle is gone and yet I see her everywhere
Dressed in her Thriftique classy clothes
Speaking out to bring justice to the world
Celebrating Seder with generations of her family
Including us as her adopted relatives
Teaching us the ropes to vote absentee
Belle has been freed from suffering.
It was a grief to see her bowed so low
My heart rises remembering the wonder
Of the very special person that Belle was
Now living on in vibrant memories.
I did not know loss could produce such gain.
Summer dawning sounds
Birds begin the melody
Background locusts buzz
Whistling kettle shrills
Morning paper lands with thud
Coffee time complete
Pests have legs and crawl
Others meant to fly have wings
Bad ones bite and sting
But the worst of all
Can be found in human forms
Too many to list
Daily Prompt: Pest
Bright autumn colors
Wait beneath summer’s green leaves
Jack Frost’s grand surprise
Dark tresses of youth
Age transforming to silver
Alchemy’s magic
Daily Prompt: Hidden
Fiddling on his roof
Puzzled amidst changing times
Tevye’s words still ring true
Can things stay the same
Honoring past treasured ways
Moving future-wise?
Roots traditional
Most beloved and revered
Bear new fruits in time
Daily Prompt: Tradition
