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Getting Ready
All my life I’ve been getting ready Since I woke at 5 this morning, I’ve been going steady And all week I’ve been waiting for this afternoon I ran, lifted weights, swept, and even washed the spoons And you know what, I’ve been waiting for June Just like I was waiting for April I think
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Death in April
You died in April I was sitting at the table I heard my mother cry While my father went about his life Why does death, even for the old, puncture like a knife? I think about your seed: my family It seems none of us can talk candidly No, we prefer skydiving and moonlighting Me,
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Number One
“Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand in the presence of kings. He will not stand in the presence of unknown men.” – Proverbs 22: 29 We all admire greatness. Skill, finesse. A professional who can make something really hard look effortless. Think of your Olympic figure skaters. I’m in
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The Minted Printer
The commercial advertised all of life’s major events A young girl turned woman living in it Candles, balloons, graduation caps, dresses, hospital gowns Each milestone printed on an announcement whenever she turned around A postcard, a memento of each step The computer printer tried to keep up with each breath But at some point the
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Aorta Branches
I noticed that tree looks like an abdominal aorta I may be the only person who notices that And maybe my old study buddy We’re both doctors – sorta Too much time in the anatomy books Makes nature and everything take on some strange looks But I love to get out in it Any time
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Don’t Ever Die
I’d always thought it was you I go through the house each day and pick up your shoes Along with all the other things you leave behind: a half-filled coffee cup in the bathroom – plus the one from the day before – and the one from the day before that Your coffee cup collection
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Personal Question
She asked, “Can I ask a personal question?” I stared at her, not caving to deflection “About your blood pressure,” I continued “Let’s give it another measure 160 over 90 That reminds me – take these handouts Check your pressure at home three times a week Write the numbers down and bring your log back
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Being Tall
I wonder what it’d be like to be tall I think about it when I watch basketball To be just a few feet from the hoop I could hang around and wait for an alley-oop They’d call me a seven-footer I’d instantly be good at most sports I’d be an overlooker They taught us in
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Get Out
Something I’ve noticed about spring: in addition to flowers coming out, people come out. It’s rough, when you’re an introvert. Just this past week, I’ve seen twice the number of joggers in my neighborhood. Oh, and cyclists have doubled as well. Even bikes hauling kids. And some joggers push strollers. I even saw a guy
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Flowers on Everything
Lately there’s flowers on everything Yellow daffodils, purple lilacs, pink camellias, and other ones I can’t identify But they all offer me a thrill They captivate my eyes I took a walk this evening with my dog Everything is in color Up above I sensed something hover Blue herons making their nests Their blue-gray-black feathers
writings on life
gremlin fodder 