Old Friends

There’s a comfort level with old friends
That’s like a well-worn shirt.
It is cozy and indulgent
Like your favorite dessert.

There is history and background
Stretching back for many years
With events you’ve shared, both joyous
And imbued with grief and tears.

There’s no worry ‘bout appearance
And no need to pull a punch,
Just some catch-up and warm feelings
For a most delightful lunch.

Earl's

There is no Earl at Earl’s;
It’s just a name that’s meant to tease.
It represents East Harlem
And the menu’s beer and cheese.

It doesn’t call attention
To itself, so all who go
Are regulars or those who heard
From others in the know.

Six beers on tap that rotate
And the most delicious bread –
A toasted sourdough that’s served
With cheddar, chopped to spread.

Some other sandwich items, salads,
Mac & cheese and soup –
A perfect place to go alone,
In pairs or with a group.

En route from a museum show,
No better place can please
For comfort, sustenance and brews
Than Earl’s, for beer and cheese!

Ball Boys

They run to catch an errant ball
Then crouch or stand stock still
Until they need to pass a spare
Or towel, if you will.

They’re meant to be invisible;
They do their madcap dash
And rush back to their places
Quicker than a camera flash.

Their caps are meant to cover up
Their crewcuts, dreads or curls
And nowadays, to be PC,
Some ball boys might be girls!

(written while watching the men’s final
at the Australian Open Tennis Match)

Segue to Smooth

A day that segues into smooth
From bumpy at its start
Is like a prize awarded
For not crumbling apart.

The smiles are that much sweeter;
The vibes all silk and satin.
The energy as upbeat
As the best parts of Manhattan.

Without a little snag or two
To bring about disfavor,
The smoothness wouldn’t be the same
We’d write about or savor.

Alternative Facts

The earth is flat. We'll never die
And unicorns exist.
Olympic athletes never cheat;
Decorum won't be missed.

The sun did shine when Donald Trump
Took office; folks all bowed
Because they formed the largest yet
Inauguration crowd.

When Colbert talked of "truthiness,"
He meant it as a joke.
When lies disguise as facts, our dreams
Will all go up in smoke.

Pressure

The icon on the dashboard lit up,
Giving us the sign
That pressure in the tires
Was a little out of line.

We checked them all; they looked okay
But somehow, knowing that
A problem had been noted made me
Worry 'bout a flat.

A tire center added air;
The icon disappeared.
We didn't have the situation
I'd, for nothing, feared.

The cars today are very smart
But what they do not know
Is the way my pressure rises
When the tire pressure's low.

The X-Files

I watched it 20 years ago
But much to my surprise,
“The X-Files” has returned and my
Affection still applies.

It seems a bit old-fashioned
(Their computers and their phones!)
Yet the stories still seem possible,
With aliens and clones.

The attraction of the show, though,
Both today and way back when,
Is the Scully-Mulder chemistry,
A treat to see again.

For when actors play a perfect pair,
That partnership is gold
And no matter how much time goes by,
Their magic won’t grow old.