Thunderstorm Watch

There’s a thunderstorm watch

Though it’s sunny outside

So I don’t feel the need

To take cover or hide.

 

Yet it may come to call

Like the weatherman said

And that knowledge will fill

Many people with dread.

 

But I don’t feel afraid;

I don’t need to be out.

If the thunder goes boom

I’ll enjoy it, no doubt.

 

For when Nature decides

She has reason to vent,

I admire her pluck

(To a certain extent).

One Hummingbird

 I mixed some sugar water,

Hoping there would be a visit.

One hummingbird obliged, but oh,

That viewing was exquisite.

He darted to the feeder,

Little winglets all a’blur

And he sipped to his contentment 

(Or it maybe should be her).

I grabbed my iPhone camera,

Thinking I could catch that sight, 

But just one hummingbird came by 

And still, that is all right. 

The Garbage Truck Redux

 The garbage truck goes by; I flash

To seven years ago.

I’d lift my grandson up and then,

His eager face a’glow…

We’d step outside so he could watch

The sanitation crew

Dump everything recycled 

In the truck for it to chew.

The men would wave and we would wait

Until they drove away,

A little part of our routine

On babysitting day.

These days he barely notices

When pick-up’s taking place,

But I remember and it brings

A smile to light my face. 

July 4th

 If you’re an American, 4th of July

Conjures fireworks, hot dogs and beer.

The barbecue sizzles and friends gather ‘round

To acknowledge that summer is here.

We rarely remember the battles once fought

To gain independence at last.

The focus is partying on a day off

And not on lives lost in the past.

So let’s light up the grill and toss frisbees and drink 

While American flags we do wave,

But we shouldn’t forget all those patriots who

Made a home for the free and the brave.

At Your Own Risk

They can’t get lifeguards for the lake

And everyone’s on summer break

And so, just for vacation’s sake,

It’s swim at your own risk.

 

For swimmers, there’s a lot at stake

And when their skin begins to bake,

It’s quite an easy choice to make,

Their water entry brisk.

 

Bravado is a breeze to fake

And confidence is hard to shake.

Let’s hope this choice is no mistake

Or we will hear tsk tsk.

Unvaccinated

 I haven’t seen the dentist

Since pre-Covid days, although

I’m finally feeling ready and

I called to tell him so.

I questioned the receptionist 

If he’d received his shot.

Her answer, most evasive,

Let me know that he had not.

I told her, “Have him call me,”

Which he did and when he called,

He said he needed no vaccine,

Which had me quite appalled.

Since he had beaten Covid,

He has antibodies now.

His hygienist does, as well;

To that he’d take a vow.

I thanked him for his time, but

After seeing him for years, 

I’ve found somebody new 

Who’s vaccinated, it appears.

We all must do what we must do

So we feel safe and sound 

And on this issue, what I know

Is I must stand my ground.

Reflections

Ferry on the river;

‘Copter in the sky.

Bicycles and scooters

(Some with bells!) all pass me by.

 

Joggers pound the pavement;

Walkers simply stroll.

Benches are deserted.

(Recent raindrops took a toll.)

 

Still, I’m out here sitting,

Checking out the scene,

Feeling not quite up or down

But somewhere in between.

 

As my trusty pencil

Jots each thought upon a line,

It helps record reflections

Found within this mind of mine.