TRANSITIONS
LEAVES
the field is cleared of stuffed toys
green plastic monsters
and air conditioners
I can breathe
there is nothing to say
perhaps the time has come to listen
rain falling finally
with El Nino's first volley
suddenly El Norte sneezes
and the leaves are down
freezing nights will follow
I wish Lady Hummingbird could snug
under the covers
obviously unrealistic
Tabitha would eat her
who
in complete honesty
could deny me my foolishness?
might as well enjoy rain glistened rocks
the shuffle of chips through guacamole
at Christmas dinner
Bill slicing ham at a snail’s pace
Charlie, her ebullience
Susan's beautiful table, her tree
time to hear beyond words
BOXES
Appreciation, like noblesse oblige, has a special place in British custom. “Boxing Day” is when servants and tradesmen get a “Christmas Box” the day after, with gifts from masters, employers or customers. . . . .
Boxing Day, BBC News: “UK FLOODS: HOMES EVACUATED AMID HEAVY RAIN --
“Hundreds of flood alerts and warnings have been issued -- more than 30 of them severe, meaning danger to life.
“Friends of the Earth climate campaigner Guy Shrubsole said the record rainfall and repeated flooding in December were a sign of changing climate and highlighted the need for greater action by the government.
“Kelly Hughes, a hairdresser who lives in Whalley, said the situation was 'a million times worse' than a fortnight ago when floods also hit . . . 'It's just horrific, really bad . . . There are no more sandbags anywhere. People are panicking. That's my business and my home. It's a double whammy.”
CLIMATE WITHOUT BORDERS
This is not a story, a five-part play, or a poem. Simply, it's what's happening – fast.
A message on Next Door today (26 December):
hi neighbors,
Early morning of dec 25, the police knocked at our door asking if we had heard anything around 6am. Apparently a neighbor went to the park for his usual morning exercise and when he went back to his car his car window had been shot with a gun. We moved around the area 6 months ago and a few incidents have happened in this park since then. I'm sure there have been some before. We drive around the area often and always see random cars or people doing nothing in that parking lot. Probably up to nothing good. There are no visiting or parking restrictions in that park. Has anyone tried contacting the city of Sunnyvale about this? Could someone provide some guidance about how to request this to the city? I would be willing to start doing something about this. I have 2 little kids and we go to this park everyday. Now it just feels unsafe. Thanks!
OUTRIGHT IMPOLITIC
Burning down the Greek temple of Artemis for publicity was just too much. Officials in 356 BC put Herostratus on the no-say list, his name verboten. Our Greek Democratic principals won't allow such censure. It would cancel profits to be had from the controversy. But maybe Hillary could slip in the shiv, starting a new trend. How many Trumpeteers would get the metronym? Name calling would be lifted to new heights, the mob would struggle to understand what hit them.
Or maybe it would be too arcane for some of the people some of the time. At least long enough for them to elect a demagogue. Herostratus? History has a way of repeating itself.
with some sadness
I note
it's time to switch off
the Christmas tree
* * *
in the gloaming
where once I took to thought
bridled words find their rest
there is naught but appreciation
and the greatness of all that is seen
or not
now at home
