Thursday, February 25, 2016


RETIREE ESCAPING from Syracuse to Dunedin, Florida in 3 Days!!!!
Started out with winter coats, hats, scarves and gloves – bitter cold, icy roads…… on a journey to the sun, the ocean breeze, the blue sky, the palm trees that are the promise of the Sunshine State for those of us who live above the Mason-Dixon line in the winter months. This was the first year the stay was for a month. It is the world of the retirees of the Northern US and Canada…… that journey to escape the cold and the gray to reap the rewards they have worked so hard for. More on this as I explore the snow bird phenomenon and my thoughts about it both general and personal.
RESEARCH and FIRST THOUGHTS

On our way down, we stopped to visit some friends from our town who just moved to a 55+ community in Georgia near Atlanta. They are both retired and have made the commitment to be down South and living in a restricted community. Their home is brand new and had a sparkling interior with beautiful tasteful finishes such as granite counter tops, shining floors, high ceilings and an open floor plan. Along with a new house in this community comes a built in sort of village/family with a large and upscale community center.

This center contained an indoor Olympic sized pool, hot tub, large workout area, ping pong tables, pool tables, rooms set aside for classes in art, fitness, crafts, personal learning, club meetings, community choir rehearsals, special gatherings. In addition, there were tennis courts, pickle ball courts, an outdoor pool and spa next to beautiful landscaping and places to relax and lounge outside.

OK…. Wait for it!.... it is also on a waterway and has a marina with boat slips (for a hefty price) and place to store kayaks. It was very hard not to be impressed and possibly jealous??? So, I had to ask myself:

….. would I be ready to confine myself to a restricted community of retirees/seniors?

 ….sort of an intense overly familiar small town atmosphere where I see the same people all the time and socialize and possibly experience the gossip and cliques that result?

…..Or could I live someplace like that and have so many activities to use/participate in at my will AND be able to take advantage of those that I really would like and avoid the negatives?

---- leave all my friends and relatives up North and all those familiar things – climate, activities, food, stores, institutions……just hope some might like to visit??

When one retires, does it mean a whole new type of life, retro to being like a student on a campus where you hang out mostly with your peers?

This experience in Georgia followed me as I traveled farther South and discovered that these types of communities appear to be everywhere and new ones being built and existing ones expanded.  Most are behind stone walls and fences and promise untold luxuries. Is it the baby boomer retiree population stimulating this or seniors asserting their desire and entitlement to live out their lives in the luxury and play time for seniors they always dreamed of?

I don’t have the answers yet, but will be keeping my powers of observation and ‘curious minds want to know’ cap on to explore this phenomenon.


                                         

So, back to my original word. 3 days later, here I am in Dunedin, Florida. The sky is blue, the temperature is in the 70s, the ocean is near and I am retired, on vacation and this is February.

The new adventure begins.




















Thursday, February 11, 2016

The Poetry Collection - Part 3

A One-cat night
This is the last group of the poems from the past. It appears that I must have been observing and processing some relationship dramas as told from the perspectives of both men and women. Many of them are dark and make me wonder now what might have inspired them. Despite this uncertainty, I must say I like them and they still seem to express how I sometimes see the world and my place in it as a woman and one who wants to figure things out about myself and others. To me seeing dark drama can be disturbing but useful and interesting. "Happy endings all the time" is unrealistic and frankly - boring. Thanks for reading.  (Next post will be tales from my trip South - stay tuned)
 
Rumination 
I was not likely to please anyone…
…my mind wanders over the landscape pondering how the Grand Canyon was born. Little by little I draw a face with a stick
Calculations wrong again.
Diplomacy negates good intentions for justice.
Dallying with immeasurable research about neither parenthetical nor grand ideas.
Relatively meeting opposites to attract a burning coalition of chum or foe.
Rumination marches me forward into the mind of the tortured tyrant.
A makeshift and self-made prison is my fate.
…I was not likely to please anyone.  
 
Mother
The strange part of it all is that
the fight started without warning.
I called his mother a drunken mess
and he exploded
leaped on me
growling, snarling, foaming - a mad dog
Jeez, attacked me like an animal
biting and scratching.
The red eerie glow emanating from his eyes
beamed through the cold night air.
A hard blow to my mouth knocked out my bridge
sent me bouncing to the solid concrete.
Satisfied that he had taught me a lesson
he spit on me, kicked me one last time
then made a triumphant exit
whistling a snappy sappy little tune. 
My body hurt - ached - down to the toenails
any passerby could see I wasn't well
scooped up my bridge - my head hotter than hell
how I made it home - it's hard to tell
Safe now..OK… yeah ….but she is one!, I had to yell! 
 
Old Bill
Old Bill on the park bench sat alone watching the pigeons milling about his feet searching for any hint of a treat. The day was gray, cold, too quiet. Bursting into song for the bird congregation an aria from La Boheme, powerful, lyrical gesturing to his imaginary lover tears rolling down his cheeks. A young woman hurried past looking through him, not seeing. He cried after her, "Come back, my love. My monkey died today."  
 
*BEEP*
“Hey, Tony, honey, non-actions speak louder than words
you haven't called me in a week
Did you lose my number?
I always told you to look on the men's room wall
-- for a good time -- yeah, that's me.
that always got a laugh before, remember?
(nervous laughter then a pause)
Was it that look of disappointment on my face
when you forgot my birthday?
Hey, man, I know we ain't serious
you got no worries there
It's just that ......
Oh, never mind.....
Anyway, I'm here all night
.....  if you get the urge, you know ....
you know where to find me.”
*CLICK*
 
 
Hopeless
Gray goo still oozed from the wound.
Even your sweet kisses could not stop the pain.
It hailed, it stormed, no sign of the sun
my legs were going numb.
Sometimes I can't even remember your face
your smile so brilliant so welcoming
like hot steaming tea on a blustery day.
Starting to slip into unconsciousness
out the window, through the door
behind the dark curtain
where no safe soul can follow
disappearing into the bleak barren landscape.
My arms desperately stretch search toward the safety
of your soft cheek, your warm whisper
but you are gone, tired of sickness, weary of woe
preferring the soft light on the horizon to the blackness that is me. 
 
The Last Straw
I was at the bar last night
that same freak was there
watching me
with those murky piercing eyes
casing my every move
his greasy unkempt hair
sticking out all over his head
a cigarette dangling from his mouth
wrinkled jacket stained in the front
drinking beer - a damn foam mustache
Shit, it gave me the creeps.
“Hey, Joe, who is that freakin' guy?
He won't stop starin' at me”.
 
Joe, the bartender, was everywhere at once
slicked back black hair - pierced ear
dark skin - built - easy on the eyes
serve me up another Canadian Club on ice
maybe a little solicited advice.
“Ah, he's harmless - a walkin' wasted man
here every night ……
just ignore him ....... "
I'm not good at takin' advice
“Hey, buster, what's yer problem?
Look somewhere else for a change, will ya?”
The freak didn't say a word - mute f--ker!
Finally I heard him mumble something
“Speak up, mister, can't hear ya!”
“Your eyes - how they sparkle
Your smile - puts the sun to shame
Your hair - soft and silky frames your face
I couldn't help but notice”.
 
Joe started to laugh like a hyena.
That was the last straw
I threw a twenty down the bar and left
What a sick f--kin' world, man! 
 
The Fight
She:        You bleepin' bleep!
He:         That's not what you called me last weekend when I bleeped you
She:        Yeah, that was before you bleeped my aunt
He:         Well, she's a whole heluva lot nicer than you, bleep!
She:        Why, you bleep of a bleep! I'll kick your sorry bleep!! 
With that, she curled her hand into a fist and punched him
in the face
She stepped backwards from the force and shock of it
Then he hauled off and punched her back - hard
so hard she fell down - the wind knocked out of her
As she lay stunned on the floor
he stood straddling her body with his legs
 put one foot on her chest
a menacing grin on his face
He:         Got anything else to say, bleep?
 
She squeezed her eyes shut to blink back the tears and quietly answered: 
She:        You win...............................bleep!. 
 
Fireworks
Night slammed down its curtain with a thud;
raucous not subtle delivery.
Slaving for the slithering in the dark
despite warnings of progressive disincentives
swerving sideways almost going jugular
sensing widespread alienation
upon the frigid moody landscape.
An awakening like none other
inspired by the moon and the stars
adrift on a glacier of hidden desires.
Easing into the fire of flagrant disregard
for particulars and postponements
the cinders seared my burning orbs
with vibrant visions of smoldering sensation.
Brilliant twinkles
sparkling explosions
fireworks. 

 
Jealousy
Don't be a Doubting Thomas!
You are the butter on my toast.
Just because I notice a Tom, Dick or Harry
doesn't mean it's not you that floats my boat.
No need for jealousy
or a prohibition policy
specifically and generally
not to be confused with occasionally.
You are the pinnacle
THE HE - to me - all others are merely overaged brie
the hero.... the winner .... the star
Just get in the damn car
I'm not goin' far
Tonight….. maybe just to that new bar?
 
Her Way
into mirrors, puddles, windows her gaze
not really noticing the displays
but hoping for praise
narcissistic phase
self-centered haze
primping to amaze
 
predictably the action plays
her motive betrays
toward a myriad of forays
like emitting sting rays
he mesmerized stays
in a trancelike daze
magnetized by her electric ways
 
 
 
 
 

Friday, February 5, 2016

The Poetry Collection - Part 2

Part 2 of the poetry collection is also from the work of 7 - 10 years ago. As were Part 1, they are all over the map - funny, dark, sweet and some maybe thought provoking. At least I hope so. I have had some feedback from Part 1 about particular poems some of you liked and why - I really appreciate that.

 

Lucky Strike 


Standing under the bare street light she leaned against the post and lit up a Marlboro with her purple lighter    
  the end glowed …
It was late
the street quiet and deserted
   the smoke swirled in a cloud overhead
Her black hair was long and straight, shimmery in the back light
   her attire dark and loose
   evening camouflage ...
 
 
Looking upward, her gaze fell on a face in the window surveying the nighttime scene
He smiled down at her, unexpected … warm
Her smile radiated back to him, hopeful … tentative
A minute passed - eyes locked … connecting not averting
Then as he had come, suddenly gone ... missing

Lighting another cigarette, she looked up one more time then slowly walked away staring at the sidewalk ahead
Her quiet humming murmured in the silence

The Dancing Queen 


On the floor here comes the queen
my loyal subjects clear when I appear.
The princesses are an envious green
when the male chorus line forms
for a chance for a dance
with me.

My hair will fly
my body gyrate
with the beat - burning heat
faster spinning as the music pumps
on your back feel my thumps
can't promise not to inflict some lumps

Stay out my way!
Give me room!
Goodbye to that gloom and doom
when the beat is sweet
Behold the dancing queen!

Far Away 


Far away from the teeming city
the stars individually shine
the silence of the night peaceful
the hillside dark and tranquill

By day the heat rising from the fields
I can almost hear in its steaming
the babbling brook- bubbling melody
 
Along the pinetree path
the crackling of a stick underfoot
startling me with its harshness.
The buzzing bugs - ear-tickling
white noise for napping.

Night falls once again - the moon glowing, lulling
under the black country sky
to sleep ... dreaming of this place

My Holiday Greeting 


Pink Ladies in the parlor
champagne with caviar
a beer or two with Grandma
in the back seat of the car.

Manhattans in the restaurant
martinis on the deck
a glass of wine with Mary Jane
have another - what the heck!

White Russians at the party
Grasshoppers in the snow
two shots of Seagrams at the pub
meet me under the mistletoe!

No matter what you like to drink
scotch, whiskey, wine or rum
Have a safe and happy holiday
Pa Rum Pum Pum Pum!

Death in their Leers 


malcontents breathe heavy at my door
hot acrid air seeping beneath
curling
snarling
seeking exposed naked vulnerability
attack mode
revenge riot
ever misunderstanding my motives
condemnation

welcoming my deserved punishment
the dedicated wounded souls
hacked through
clawing
kicking
death in their leers
righteousness in their hearts
swirling savagely around me
ripping at my pale wicked flesh
flogging
squeezing
a worthless life made breathless
lifeless
sacred retribution

Sweet Release 


He said he'd always love her
but she knew it wasn't true
the drip drip of the faucet
light rain pattering on the roof
she waited like the expectant bride
that day he stopped calling.

she should have known
he wasn't to blame
for never once did he speak her name.

Passers by her basement window
see her face staring out
out to the busy main street endlessly
hoping to catch a quick glimpse
or someone who looks like him 

she should have known
he wasn't to blame
for never once did he speak her name

Her yearning will never cease
to hear his voice
to see his flesh
to live in his dreams
just one more chance for sweet release.  

she should have known
he wasn't to blame
for never once did he speak her name

Never Lie 


Boy, it's not that I want to be free
it's just that I can clearly see
that I'm not good enough for you
even though you think our love is true

Girl, these aren't the words I want to hear
Why don't you sit me down, buy me a beer
risk the sliding of a tear
and say
Baby, you and I are through
Just don't want you - what can I do?

Instead you tell me I'm the best
So much nobler than the rest
Deserve a different better girl
Man, I hate it when you lie.  

These aren't the words I need to hear
Please sit me down, buy me a beer
risk the sliding of a tear
and say
Mister, you and I are through
Just don't want you - nothin' I can do.

If you wanna leave
don't introduce him to Eve
but kiss his cheek and say goodbye
thanks for the good times
let him plead - let him cry
but whatever you do - never lie!

Sit him down - buy him a beer
Risk the sadness - the heartbreaking tear
but whatever you do - never lie!

kisses 


How many ways are there to kiss?
Do they all conjure blithe bliss?
 
The little peck upon the cheek
sometimes can feel a little weak

The juicy smooch upon the lips
causes my heart to do some flips

The tender buss slow and sweet
usually sweeps me off my feet

The desperate french with the probing tongue
makes me feel so sexy and young

The gallant lips upon my hand
make me feel so elegant and grand

but clearly the greatest kiss of all
(it could be Pyramus and Thisbee through the wall?)
is the peanut butter smack of a child - so small.