A Broadway play, a matinee,
Two
seats right on the aisle.
The
highest row, but even so,
We
both left with a smile.
The
show was sad, yet we were glad
For
every great performer
Was
new to us and, as a plus,
What
made us feel much warmer
Was
meeting John, a paragon
Among
all theater ushers.
He
made us laugh, unlike some staff
Who
only act as shushers.
It’s
kind of rare to really share
An
unforeseen connection,
But
our good luck relied on pluck
And
also, seat selection!
“The number of steps I recorded
Was
22,000,” she said.
It
sounded like miles,
Which
brought me some smiles,
‘Cause
I measure mileage instead.
They
next were discussing some money.
“Just
Venmo it, then we’ll be square.”
I
thought – what the heck?
I’d
use cash or a check,
Since
of Venmo I’m quite unaware.
Before
they walked past, I heard “DoorDash”
And
knew they were ordering food.
Why
not shop in a store?
That’s
what markets are for –
But
I guess that’s an old attitude.
Certain
changes I know can be helpful,
Yet
for others I haven’t a clue
Why
the tried-and-true ways
From
the old-fashioned days,
Like
with miles, just simply won’t do!
I get a letter every year
(First
thought it was a goof)
That
if I want my pension checks,
I
have to send in proof
That
I’m still breathing; if I am,
To
prove it, I should mail
Two
photos and a form, which I
Must
forward without fail.
The
form has basic into;
With
my driver’s license scan,
It
won’t be quite enough.
I’ll
also need, as per their plan,
A
picture of myself in which
I’m
holding, so it’s clear,
A
newspaper which shows the current
Day
and month and year.
There
must be scammers who,
From
the deceased are on the take,
But
a photo with The Times
Seems
like an easy thing to fake.
Still,
I sent what they requested
And
I hope it will arrive
So
the Board of Education knows
That
I am still alive.
For voters who sit on the fence,
Allow
me to add my two cents.
If
your rearing forbids
Nasty
words by your kids,
Of
one candidate there’s no defense.
If
you’re childless, with maybe some pets,
Voting
one way you’ll have no regrets,
Since
when bullies are beaten
Who
believe cats are eaten,
We
can focus on climate and debts.
And
for women, just think about Roe.
Let
our ballots let everyone know
That
when we get to choose,
Anti-female
men lose
As
our voting booth bodies will show.
This
election will let us decide
If
our country can cross the divide
To
unite for a chance
For
respect to advance
Or
to mourn when democracy died.
A challah is a braided bread -
With butter, it’s delish.
It looks impressive when it’s whole
And waiting on a dish.
But when it’s time to eat it,
Many raise a bread knife - but,
It’s so much better with a piece
Ripped from the loaf - not cut.
I always grab a hunk this way;
Its texture, so enticing,
Is pillowy and soft and doesn’t
Taste the same with slicing.
Here’s one more tip - some bakers
Overstep and are quite brazen,
But to me, it is a shonda*
Eating challah filled with raisin.
*a disgrace
Growing old is very strange
For
certain things are bound to change
And
others you must rearrange
To
fit the way you’re feeling.
Since
doing things requires pep
And
sometimes just that extra step
Or
daily items you must schlep
No
longer seems appealing.
It’s
easier to stay in place
In
home surroundings you embrace
Instead
of slapping on a face
To
prove how well you’re dealing.
Not
everybody feels this way.
Some
forge ahead and greet each day,
Excited
for whatever may
Bring
joy to reach the ceiling.
Yet
I don’t envy those who go
From
here to there or to and fro.
I
look inside myself and know
There’s
nothing I’m concealing.
A plane is soaring overhead
Against a bright blue sky.
I wonder who the people are
Who chose this day to fly?
Some relatives about to land
In time to share a meal,
On this eve before a holiday
Both somber and surreal?
Or some business folk returning home
From meetings out-of-town,
Reuniting with their families,
Looking just to settle down?
Or some tourists on a long-planned trip
To take in New York’s sights?
Or the crew and pilots, needing to
Unwind from all these flights?
I sit here in the yard, relaxed,
And gaze up in the air,
Just grateful that today I’m not
Strapped in a seat, up there.
