STEVEN
JANUARY 21,2012
Oh, please, please, just for me
Can you make it a goal
That before completing high school
You'll be listed on the honor roll.
Every marking period I intently seek
The students who earn acclaim;
But I'm usually somewhat saddened
Because I never see your name.
I don't ask for much.
At least I don't think I do;
So I'm making this request
Specifically to you.
It may sound as if I'm nagging.
I may even sound like a dunce;
But try to remember, kid
You're only this age once.
I hope you'll give some consideration
To these words of mine
As I only want the best for you.
(I know it's an overused line.)
Happy seventeenth birthday!
You're held in high regard.
So next year instead of a crummy poem
I'll get you a store bought card.
PICTURE PERFECT
I'm really excited.
I'm going to see you race.
I check the camera for batteries
And install them in the proper space.
I think I'm taking snapshots,
But it's the video that's been rolling.
Another button wrongly pushed.
I'm way beyond consoling.
As you race around the track
I pick up the camera and aim;
But when I check it later, I see
I didn't get you in the frame.
I had such lofty plans
To film your burgeoning career.
Oh, but what a mess I've made;
Well, there's always next year.
I've edited, and I've cropped.
I've even removed the red eye;
But regardless of my efforts
My errors just multiply.
Sadly I've come to the conclusion
A photographer I'm not.
Still I hope it will bring out a laugh
When thinking of the grandmother who always blew the shot.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
TURNING 16
I can see it now.
You're cruising without a care;
Driving down Twelve Corners Road
With the wind blowing through your hair.
Your elbow rests outside the window
As you flip the radio dial.
You're feeling oh so cool,
And you've barely gone a mile.
You're sporting a huge grin
That just won't seem to quit.
In this precarious world
You're an example of true grit.
We all knew this day would arrive;
And we'd need a boost of caffeine.
I can't believe it's January 21,
And now you've turned sixteen.
The adrenaline is pumping;
Our worries have just begun.
Use your head and common sense;
It doesn't mean you can't have fun.
Happy 16th birthday, Steve.
You've got the world at your door.
Open your mind; open your heart.
There's so much to explore.
2010-ANOTHER YEAR GONE
It wasn't a good end for Jeff Gordon.
His car went up in smoke.
Some of his challengers may have snickered,
But to him it was no joke.
You, too, had your ups and downs;
But you never cried the blues.
You hung in there like the champ you are;
Even if there was an occasional bruise.
Another holiday has rolled around,
But then it's gone in a flash.
Once it was toys, but now you say,
"I'd much prefer the cash."
Your wish in my command.
Here's a few dollars to help reach your goal.
It's always so much better
Than receiving a lump of coal.
(You have been good, haven't you?)
I wish you happiness and health.
That's most important of all.
You can't go racing through life
If your chassis slows to a crawl.
Take your vitamins; eat your veggies.
I'm sure all great drivers do.
But most of all have the best holiday ever.
That is my wish for you.
EASTER 2010
No Easter for the bunny this year.
He is taking a well earned break.
The stress finally got to him.
It was more than he could take.
He's soaking up the rays
On a far off Caribbean isle;
Wearing a hat and big sunglasses,
Enjoying his self imposed exile.
Kicking off his sandals
And squeezing the sand between his toes,
He sips his iced tea slowly
As the rhythmic music flows.
Sleeping in most mornings;
Dreaming about his past.
Wondering how this bunny stuff came about,
And wondering how long it will last.
Sometimes one needs a rest
When life gets too confusing.
Just a little get away
To have some time for musing.
Relish this blossoming season.
Savor its' fresh smell.
Revel in a new beginning
And bid the past farewell.
UNTITLED
We are filled with deep sorrow
At the decision you have made;
And can't help but wonder why,
Of what were you afraid.
Though we would like an explanation,
It's not something we could demand.
We're just left wondering.
We just want to understand.
You always seemed so happy with us.
How did things go so wrong?
I wish you could be forthright,
Be honest and be strong.
If you could retract it all
And make a different choice.
Would you take it back
And hear us all rejoice.
How can you turn your back
On one who loved you from the start?
Someone who didn't deserve the rudeness,
Or deserve to be torn apart.
You are in our hearts for life.
Should you need anything, we're there.
Half your blood is ours;
We're not going anywhere.
CHRISTMAS ALREADY?
(2009)
What?! Christmas again????!!!
Oh, thanks a bunch!
I was just plopped in front of the tv
Consuming my crappy lunch.
Didn't we just have Christmas?
Didn't I just put away the tree?
Didn't I just vacuum up the tinsel,
And rearrange the furniture the way it's supposed to be?
Guess I'm a bit grouchy.
Where did the time go?
Seems like a silly question,
But I truly want to know.
Probably doesn't make much difference now.
I know you'll do just fine.
So chin up; keep looking ahead;
We can't stop the passing of time.
Have a fantastic Christmas.
May your New Year shine bright.
May your life be joyous.
May your burdens be light.
THIRTEEN
I simply cannot believe it!
It's something I've never seen!
Imagine closing all the schools
Just because you've turned thirteen.
Some disagree saying it's because
It's Martin Luther King day.
I tell'em "hogwash!" and
Let them think what they may.
We all know it's your birthday.
Why should you go to school
When there are gifts to be gotten,
And money is always cool.
Being a teenager is not easy.
There are choices you must make-
Go to school and snooze through classes
Or attempt to stay awake.
You must perform all your chores and do it with a smile.
No one likes a grouchy kid,
So show them you've got style.
But enough of this nonsense.
Enough of this crap.
Enjoy your birthday to the fullest.
I guess it's time to end this rap.
FOURTEEN
Who has turned 14
With a best friend named Xbox?
Who spends the night at grandma's
And never brings clean socks?
Who has reached the age of 14
And can chow down in a blink
A cup or two of M&M's,
Then make my bathroom stink.
Who at the age of 14
Plays Runescape for an hour or two
Then looks around totally bored
And says "Now what can we do?"
Who is 14 years of age
And enjoys the Southpark crews?
Who is this kid I'm talking about?
Why, my dear boy, it's you!!
THE LATE GREAT EASTER BUNNY
When you told there was no Santa Claus,
I didn't think it was very funny;
And now you've the nerve to tell me
There ain't no Easter Bunny?
Then who hides all the easter eggs
Or hangs them from a tree?
Who leaves candy in your basket?
Candy you never share with me.
Does this mean no trips to the mall
To give his big old ears a tug;
To sit upon his furry, arthritic knee
And give him a big bunny hug.
True story...while traveling down Standart Ave
A rabbit was sitting by the roadside.
Silently I pleaded for him to stay put.
He didn't, so it was under my tire he died.
Am I to blame for this bunny tragedy,
For his brief earthly stay?
I really couldn't help it.
He darted out without looking either way.
So let this be a lesson.
Even when you're the boss
It is good to look left, right, left;
Especially when there's a street to cross.
The rabbit wanted me to thank you
For being one of his friends,
For caring and for believing,
In his will he left you two tens.
(enclosed)
GOOD NEWS THIS EASTER (2007)
Has it been a year already?
Some still believe it was quite funny
On that sad, heartbreaking day
When I ran over the Easter bunny.
Hardly a day has gone by
That my mind does not inquire,
How in Heaven's name
Did he end up under my tire?
But listen up! I've got some exciting news;
Surprising enough to make your head spin.
It turns out the old Easter Bunny
Has an identical twin.
He has agreed to make the rounds
Just as his brother once did.
Isn't this wonderful information,
And don't you agree with me, kid?
We will tell him to be on the lookout
For a car the color of raspberry jam;
And should he see it barreling down the road
He'd better be scared and scram.
But for now we will slip a basket on his arm
And so he won't delay
We will give him a little kick in the butt
To send him on his way.
EASTER 2008
You know the story of Riester and Easter Bunny.
They are stories often told.
But did you hear of their cousin Harry Rabbit?
He was bigger than life and just as bold.
I'm not sure how close Harry and the twins were.
I heard they weren't always friends;
That they had an argument awhile ago
But now have made amends.
Old Harry was sitting around doing nothing
When the phone rang and he went "wahoo!"
Harry grabbed it with lightening speed
And said "Hello. Harry here. Who are you?"
It turned out to be a race car owner
Looking for a driver who could fly.
Said he heard about Harry Rabbit
And thought he was just the guy
To put the pedal to the metal
And leave others in the dust,
Who could drive circles around other cars
And smiled while others cussed.
Trouble was the race was Sunday;
Easter Sunday as a matter of fact,
When folks were celebrating with their families
And could care less about cars zooming 'round a track.
Here an opportunity had arisen
For Harry Rabbit to make himself known.
But should he or shouldn't he race
Or should he just stay home.
"Don't flip your wig, but I got another gig,"
Said Harry with a sadness in his voice.
I'd love to drive while I'm still alive,
But I've made a different choice.
Coloring eggs and baking ham,", he continued
"It's my thing on Easter"
Besides I'm going to spend the day
With my cousin Riester.
Now you have a great holiday and enjoy all your bunny treats;
And remember a rabbit named Harry
Who thinks he can whistle but only tweets.
2009, THE SAGA CONTINUES
Remember Harry Rabbit,
Easter's and Riester's cousin?
I spotted him the other day
And he was just a-buzzing.
He seemed quite excited
As we stood in the Post office lobby.
I guess good old Harry
Has found a brand new hobby.
Those Nascar wheels were way too fast,
He acknowledged with a knowing nod.
Instead he opted to downsize
And to purchase a microd.
There was a lot of work involved
To get it ready for the track;
There was sanding and painting necessary
To bring its' luster back.
Harry fiddled with the motor;
Got it tuned; got it oiled.
He didn't want to navigate
A car that was corroded and soiled.
He finally made it to the track
And ran a lap or two.
As he circled around flashing that Bunny grin,
His confidence grew and grew.
So if you're on the race course
And you happen to glance to your right,
Say "hello" to Harry Rabbit
And be prepared to fight a good fight.
This rakish racing rabbit
Has set his heart on being a winner;
But when it's over, it's over,
And he will be munching his Easter Dinner.
So have a Happy Easter
And keep it in the groove
Because you don't want to slow down
When you really need to move.
NO CHRISTMAS POEM FOR STEVE THIS YEAR
(2008)
As hard as I tried, and oh how I tried
There will be no poem this year.
I wracked my brain the best I could,
But it wouldn't slip into gear.
This means no talk of little elves
With pointy hats and turned up toes.
No talk of gifts and other things
Or whether Santa's beak is red from blowing his oversized nose.
No freshly printed twenty dollar bill
To help brighten your day.
I guess you'll have to make due with a ten.
Sorry! What else can I say?
No admiring a well lit tree
With packages stacked beneath.
No pawing around looking at name tags
And wondering who the heck is Keith.
Yes, 'tis a dismal holiday.
My joy is greatly diminished.
And that's why there is no Christmas poem;
So, by golly, I think that I am finished.
STEVE
When the doorbell rang,
I was surprised as I could be.
For there stood my grandson at the threshold
Come to say hello to my computer and me.
With a quick flick, a wave of the hand
He breezed towards that internet device
That would hook him up with Runescape
And put him in paradise.
But first a trek to the kitchen
To stock up on some food.
For once the game begins,
It would be ill fated to intrude.
So with candy and soda by his side
It was time for him to boot;
Time to rub his hands in anticipation
Of the journey and the pursuit.
Every couple of hours I approached him.
Even if it made him seethe.
Because for my own peace of mind,
It was important that he still breathe.
Time elapsed slowly;
Finally time for a break-
Go to the bathroom, refill the candy,
Text a message for his friends sake.
And sometimes when I'm very good
And my arms I do not flail,
He extends to me the courtesy
Of checking my email.
I so enjoy having him here.
After all who am I to critique?
And when it's time to leave he says,
"I'll be back next week."
HALLOWEEN 2000
Soon there will be witches and ghosts
Roaming through the streets
Looking for cookies and candy
And other scrumptious treats.
Porches already decorated with pumpkins.
Skeletons dangle from who knows where.
Leaves no longer clinging to branches.
It's Halloween and excitement is in the air.
Fear not the monsters at your door
That come and knock a time or two.
For the creatures beneath the costumes
Are little boys and girls like you.
AWAKENING
A shackled mind liberated;
A sudden insight into feeling free.
He cried out "Nana, I'm not afraid anymore."
My grandson; he is only three.
Pure joy radiating from his face.
Gleefully peddling down the street
Waving and singing with self assurance,
An awakening abrupt and sweet.
To harness the exhilaration of the moment,
To maintain it without strife,
To mute the corrosion surrounding us,
Now that would be the life.
Shadows raked into a pile
Bagged and placed by the curb.
A handwritten sign prominently displayed
That reads "Do not Disturb".
RANDOM IMAGES OF STEVEN
Arms outstretched laughingly you run to embrace the leaves.
Scooping up an armful, falling to your knees.
This encounter with nature is nothing but glee.
I am touched when momentarily you stop and smile up at me.
The cat fleeing as you chase him down the hall;
My grandson, my protector. There is justice after all.
And when an unfamiliar noise gives you a fright,
You run for consolation, and I tell you it's all right.
The little cars that long ago your daddy held in his fist
Now demand your attention as once they did his.
Clutching them tightly till pried from your hand,
You cannot know my memories, you cannot understand.
Sweet mischievous Steven swaying to the beat.
Intently watching Barney tapping his dinosaur feet.
When first we met you were merely three days old.
I wore a mask so you would not catch my cold.
Lives transformed by your presence, and you so unaware.
Each moment a memory that one day we will share.
And although it is said that all this will pass,
Lifetime images of you will always hold true and fast.
MY GRANDSON AND ME 1997
My grandson and I having such fun.
He's two and a half; I'm fifty one.
Nana, he calls where are you?
I've gone to search for his missing shoe.
Where's Steven? He asks from behind the curtain.
It's a game we play; I pretend to be uncertain.
Here I am! he yells with glee.
I love this moment; just my grandson and me.
Yawning widely but fighting a nap,
He picks out a book and sits on my lap.
Cars, boats, trucks and trains,
Pointing, he identifies each by their name.
We sing rockabye baby when he climbs on my back,
Then suddenly decides he wants a fruit snack.
The gum in his mouth is no longer there.
Later I will find it embedded in my hair.
Rubbing his eyes he still resists sleep.
We rock to and fro till I don't hear a peep.
It's been quite a day, busy and free.
It's been quite a day for my grandson and me.
JUST A LITTLE GUY
We're posing on the steps,
My smile trying to conceal
The rush of thoughts and emotions
I'm not ready to reveal.
Don't you love me anymore, you ask,
Squelching a tear in your eye.
You'll never know how much, I say,
Cause you're just a little guy.
Attentions are diverted
By an unexpected source.
Looking upwards you tell me
That the clouds look like a horse.
Driving past your house
I see you playing in the yard.
I lift my hand to wave and realize
It's just a memory that's been jarred.
Never got to kiss you
Or give a hug goodbye.
How could you understand?
You're just a little guy.