photo by Kay 1995 (Portland, Me.)

May 9, 2025
Happy 72nd, Jay.  We've turned over a year together for 50 years, LOL.  


 

At seven and a strong little girl

On a crowded beach on the Mediterranean

With her brother

Out at sea the US Independence

Sat anchored awaiting passengers to return

They decide to claim a Pedallo

And make it the couple miles

To see the giant boat, yell up to

The crew, and be invited to board .

Off they go, legs turning fast

Into the ocean blue

Their father must have called

Them back to shore before

The waves got big

65 years later she's still stunned

 by fearlessness and

 what amounts to dumb.

 



 

4 o'clock in the pouring rain

47 degrees

Geese family out on a daytrip

Swallow swarm the very top

Just missing the water

Just skimming in tight small

Circles near merganser heads

I am here to witness

The loud thump on the car roof

The fog and 100 swallows in

Manic turns dominate

 

All the green has grown tall

In this Never-ending rain

My eyes swollen by pollen and grief

Fighting the words for happy

Birthday and seeking a future ,

Even a present rather than our past

 

Shine. I need a break from dreary

I need a break from the cycle

I need to not turn quickly over

Choppy water, rather make

Strong long front strokes

Around the river's bend


Through the Grey

The stunning white of merganser wings

Offer up new sights, newness

I hang on to this beauty

as the perfect reason for living

Today, on your birthday, I

offer it to you, too.




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