David Fairley
he’s 83
and walks
18-holes
3 days a week
at the top of the tee
in Charlotte
he doesn’t hit ‘em
long
but hits ‘em
straight
he got his grip
from Hogan
and got his short game
by talent
and time
TL
Poetry
David Fairley
he’s 83
and walks
18-holes
3 days a week
at the top of the tee
in Charlotte
he doesn’t hit ‘em
long
but hits ‘em
straight
he got his grip
from Hogan
and got his short game
by talent
and time
TL
Tommy Morrissey
the
power
of
belief
TL
“Pee Wee” Martin
last night
flipping channels
saw a man
jump out
of an airplane
like he did
when he was
young
in wartime
today he’s 99
with his mind
and body intact
but you could tell
in the segment
how his heart
got damaged
a long, long time ago
when he came home
breathing
but his buddies
didn’t
TL
“What is …”
lately been
watching Jeopardy
reruns
that make ‘ya think
Trebeck’s still here
it’s interesting how a game show
on television
can connect so many people
round the world
he seemed to understand
how people think
and how emotions play a factor
in performance
he liked putting people at ease
with a joke
a kind word
a look of reassurance
there’s a sense
he would’ve been great
at anything
he had a hand in
‘cause the person he was
was the person
he was
TL
Councilwoman Patsy Jones
never knew
she was once
an English teacher
but makes sense now
looking back
she read everything
that ever came across her desk
she was a close reader
always prepared
for the first and third Tuesday
of the month
maybe overprepared at times
she held herself to a high standard
and fought hard for what she believed in
she never forgot why she was there
she was proud to serve
on the city council
proud she had a part in moving the city forward
from the minor to the major decisions
she helped shape the city she loves
she was tough when she had to be
and didn’t budge if she believed it
to be unfair or unjust or undercut
and she didn’t care if so-and-so didn’t like it much
‘cause she wasn’t there for them
she was representing those who never attend city council meetings
but are affected just the same by what’s in those ordinances and resolutions and such
she understood that
she understood who she was working for
and didn’t take it for granted
as Frost once wrote:
“and that has made all the difference …”
TL
And Everything In-Between
there’s a lady
sitting in the sand
trembling
trying to breathe
in and out
a Tsunami hit her hard
and knocked her backwards
and she can’t find her husband
anywhere
and all his clothes
are floating in the sea
his socks and shoes
just went by
all the papers
the important papers
are scattered
like ash
she reaches for the photographs
the two of them smiling in a frame
wearing silly hats
she can still hear his laugh
feel his touch
his arm around her
his hand in hers
how can she sleep
without him
there
he was always there
taking care of things
taking care of her
how can she sit at the table
next to an empty chair
they talked about everything
and nothing
they already bought the ticket
he must just be away
he’ll be back in the morning
by next week
he’ll be home for Thanksgiving
he wouldn’t miss Christmas
all this wet wrapping paper
these empty boxes
ribbons washed up
like seaweed
he promised he’d never leave her
why is it so cold
summer was just here
why does it keep raining
and raining
where are the roses
he’s out buying roses
there were none in the market
so he went out searching
for flowers
he’s just in the meadow
picking flowers for you
so he can give them to you
when he sees you
again
but you’ll have to wait awhile
‘cause you gotta use your ticket
you can’t waste your ticket
you can’t put it in a drawer
it’s redeemable
go where it’s warm
and dry
and pleasant people
like that place
with the sunsets
and the music
go there
TL