Narrated by Val Cole
POEM:
Grass grown tall green slicks drizzle wet,
new planted seedlings shakily take hold,
crumpled mulch retains soil covered mold,
run tongued dogs
checked for ticks
lap water bowls.
And I am left with trowel and rake
to gather weeds in sunlit rain still cold.
How easily
I have
forgotten
where
to start
in nature’s language
to uproot
the untranslatable.
Narrated by Val Cole
POEM:
After checking each other
for spit-up stains, we head to an Italian place,
glasses of red wine, gnocchi,
in a booth by the window.
There’s a flurry or two, Christmas
lights strung across Main.
The marquee on a local theater
seduces: Ultimate Elvis. Tonight Only.
We buy tickets, take our seats
just as the bedazzled impersonator
wraps a scarf around the neck
of a blushing bouffant-haired retiree.
Pompadour swept high, new jumpsuit,
every other song: White Pinwheel,
American Eagle, Orange Sunburst,
Chinese Dragon, Black Conquistador.
With a hip-swivel-pelvic-thrust, Almost-Elvis
belts out “Are You Lonesome
Tonight” and we smile
because tonight, the answer is no.
During “Love Me Tender”, she lays
her head on my shoulder.
At the start of “Heartbreak Hotel,”
I flash my best lip curl.
We kiss, as the man crowned Best of the Midwest
croons, “The Wonder of You”
and tickle each other during “Teddy Bear,”
drawing glares from neighboring blue hairs.
We lip sync “Suspicious Minds”
and “All Shook Up,” passing
an imaginary microphone between us.
Then, we’re on our feet
for “Shake, Rattle, and Roll,” slow dancing
in the aisle to a bellowing encore
of “Can’t Help Falling
in Love”: sunglasses and sideburns.
At home, she puts her finger to my lips,
“A Little Less Conversation,”
pins me down on our full-bed,
which tonight, feels king-sized.
Narrated by Val Cole
POEM:
I miss you…
phoning
just to say hello.
I miss you…
calling
to hear about your day.
I miss you…
coming here to stay
giving me
your precious time.
I miss…
our travels together
taking in the sights
like kids set free
on a playground
finding pleasure
in exploring new things.
I miss…
your smile
sharing
hearty laughs.
I miss…
your affection
warm hugs
when you greet me
at the door.
I miss…
lying next to you
the warmth of
your physical presence
feeling secure
your arm wrapped around me.
I miss…
life with you
loving you
growing older with you.
Knowing…
You were my ONE.
I miss you.
Narrated by Val Cole
POEM:
Sometimes I’m stunned by how time
moves through a life
so easily
and quietly
so that one spring day,
you’re ten, running to a neighbor’s to climb
his apple tree;
the next week,
you’re buying your first house in Adrian,
wife pregnant with a third child;
two weeks later, you’re drinking wine
at your daughter’s wedding, then kissing a grandson,
attending his high school graduation
until next month
when you’re escorted into a one-room apartment in senior living
and you stare out the window while the smiling aide says,
“Look at that view. Isn’t it fine?”
### 1. **The Road Ahead**
The road ahead is long and bright,
With twists and turns, but that’s alright.
Each step you take, each choice you make,
Builds the path for dreams to wake.
So rise with hope, embrace the day,
Let courage guide you on your way.
For every challenge, every test,
Is just a chance to be your best.
### 2. **Believe in Tomorrow**
When shadows fall and doubts arise,
Look to the stars, the endless skies.
Believe in tomorrow, let your heart soar,
For the strength within will open doors.
With each new dawn, a chance to grow,
To chase the dreams that you long to know.
So take a step, be bold, be brave,
The world is yours; just learn to crave.
### 3. **Rise Again**
When you stumble, when you fall,
Remember this: you can stand tall.
With every setback, you will find,
A stronger spirit, a sharper mind.
So dust yourself, and rise again,
For every loss is not the end.
With grit and grace, pursue your flight,
And turn your struggles into light.
### 4. **The Power Within**
Deep in your heart, a fire burns bright,
A beacon of hope, a guiding light.
Harness your dreams, let them take flight,
For within you lies the power to ignite.
Embrace your journey, both near and far,
Know that you’re destined to shine like a star.
With passion and purpose, you’ll surely prevail,
For the strength within you will always prevail.
Staring out a window, the clouds float astray
The peers in my class, all went about their way
Some talked, some smoked, quarrelled in the fray
Some swore, while some had tattoos on display
Maybe it were the shenanigans, or the carefree tone
For them to become one, and for me to become alone
Yet one day, the differences faded
The rain descended, and together we stayed
The differences we thought we had,
Were but presumptions, misunderstandings bland.
The sharps and flats, though distinct in play,
Together they blend, to bring the music we pray.
Sometimes it’s worth the effort to break the ice
For In telling the tales we come alive and thrive
Through every step and every stride
Knowing me is knowing you, side by side
Tuck your children into bed; safe in covers of dreams,
Far away from unimaginable things,
Kiss their little heads,
While far away a child their same age lies dead,
Send yours off to sleep,
Soothe the nightmares from their heads.
You shall not weep; for you have no cause.
They bury them on blankets of sand,
Some dead lay hand in hand,
Others solitary never to wake,
Sun bleached corpses in hell,
Leave them where they fell.
If you possess any decency or compassion know-one can tell,
Leave them where they fell.
You say I’m eating my feelings
Like it’s a bad thing.
But what else should I do with
This bowl of sweet, sweet futility?
No one to share it with,
No one to see,
The solitary cherry
Is all for me.
Alone with my shit sundae,
Ice cream into the void.
Stained lips in sunlight
Folded lashes on soft cheeks
Hands lost in wild hair
A secret goodbye
To you, to my childhood
Chalk on the sidewalk
