FREEDOM

Jesus,

Bless those who gave their

Tomorrows

For our todays.

Penned by friend and neighbor Gregory Gebolys, who gave eight years of his time, energy, and heart for the construction and dedication of the Veteran's Freedom Memorial in Lima, Ohio (shown in photo).  Thank you, Greg, for this labor of love, and also for your U.S. Army service. 

With gratitude, love, and respect to the men in my family who have served:
Grandpa (U.S. Navy)
Dad (U.S. Navy)
Son (U.S. Navy)
Uncles (U.S. Navy and U.S. Army)

Thanks also to Keith's Dad, who served during wartime in Vietnam by building a lepresarium.  He no less risked his life in service to our country than those in our armed forces.

Marie Elena

Photo by Keith R. Good

DECORATION DAY

One-O-Five Summit:
Celebrations of years gone,
And now loved ones gone.

And loved ones now gone
Have laid to rest with their souls
Traditions of old.

Old traditions of
Bocce Ball and barbeque,
Morra and laughter.

More of the laughter,
As we watched evening fireworks,
Donned in our pj’s.

Donned in our pj’s,
Gladly “spending the night” at
One-O-Five Summit.

Marie Elena

***********************
Grandpa, I can still smell the roast on the rotisserie spit. Grandma and Grandpa, thank you for the "Decoration Day" memories of yesteryear.  God rest your souls. 

ALL TO CELEBRATE

In the starlit skies,
reflected upon the
gentle Erie rush
of wave and wind,
a star burst; bright and vivid,
livid with the explosion of color.
Shortly another flash,
varied and multi-colored
twinkles; a million glints
on these Great Lakes waters.
Scattered gulls honk in marvel
each burst bringing an avian
"ooh" and "aah". A moment
to raise our eyes and lift
our voices in remembrance,
as the fireworks display
fades into another rapid burst.


Walt

WAY TO FIND NEVERLAND

"Why are you crying, boy? Are you lost?"

In a manner of speaking, yes!

Who'd have guessed I'd find myself here,

a lost boy in the world of learned men.

Nothing but a moral compass always

pointing due North, giving forth all

my heart desires, leaving little in reserve.

My sole existence seems to have swerved

into an unfamiliar place as I face

my aging with as much ambivalence

as that little spark remaining can ignite.

And I declare to "stand up and fight"

as I soar past the second star on the right

and straight on until morning, without warning.

I will take you as my Wendy, a friend

who knows me as well as can be imagined,

a solitary figure at the window living dreams

only read in stories and fables. You are able

to provide the urge to stick to my muse,

and my shadow and everything else that slips away.

No Nana barking in the night, for it just seems right

that the vigilance of such protection is

taken to heart as I start to feel the tingle

of youth long forgotten, slightly rotten

but never totally elusive, or exclusive to my survival.

I feel my spirit lift. A light and airy faerie that

refuses to die since I truly believe, and am relieved

that I am not the only fool clapping; slapping hands

together, whether you can hear me or not.

I can claim my place along with the other lost boys,

the Michael's and John's and others, brothers all,

never to fall far from the tree, fulfilling this need,

I know, I have to crow and let my voice be heard,

every word of this fantastic voyage of life,

looking to find a place to land in this Neverland!

When it feels life is giving me the hook

and I'm up to my knees in Smees, it's a crock

to think that time is ticking away from me.

I'll find my "Happy Thought" and go do what I ought to,

making as much noise along the way. The second star

to the right is the way to go. And don't forget to crow!

Walt

WAY TO MAKE WAVES

Sedentary and tranquil
gives way to tumultuous and
turbulent; a churning

turning your demeanor
irascible, highly harassable
and looking to pick

your battles when they come.
Never one for confrontation,
but in your station you choose

to defend your honor and hone
a place for yourself, (or a small
piece of you) to claim your notoriety.

Your sole propriety to society
is to stay alive long enough
to outlive your dreams and it seems

the only way that will happen
is to rage against the light, and
anything else that gets in your way.

For on this day, you have decided,
there is no need to hide your ire,
you fire from the hip and slip into a stance,

your chance; your only chance
to take charge, be large and barge forward.
Don't mind rocking the boat, the tide has come in

and you need no assistance in churning up
the foamy brine. For in your own mind,
you are already making waves.


Walt

...AND THAT'S WHEN I CARRIED YOU

When your burden is heavy,
place them in my hands and continue your journey.

When your mind is troubled,
hand them to me and be comforted by clarity.

When your challenges are oppressive,
give me the chance to handle them. Be at peace.

When your heart is breaking,
remember I hold the capacity for eternal love.

When your eyes are unseeing,
know that my hand is outstretched to guide you.

When your confidence wanes and doubt resides,
be grateful my hands will wash yours, strengthening them.

And when life seems arduous,
rest in my hands, and I will carry you.

I will hold you close,
and you will be loved.


Walt

AFTERGLOW (NONET)

As the sun slips beneath the water,

Her afterglow lingers above -

Much to wooing moon’s delight.

And they bask in the glow

Those fleeting moments

They call their own,

As their hearts

Become

One

Marie Elena

KIMO: ERIE'S SWELL, TOO!

As the sun's glow scurries for horizon,
a gentle embrace finds us,
and our hearts become one.

Walt

KIMO: ERIE SWELL II

On starless nights, she traces the shoreline

entranced by a calling wave

and sympathetic tide.

Marie Elena

KIMO: THIS, I KNOW.

I come home. Keith is running the vacuum.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“I am just sucking up.”

Marie Elena

Honest.  Just happened. I love that man. =)

KIMO: ERIE SWELL

The splash of a distant wave calls your heart,
leading you to the shoreline
a ripple in the tide


Walt 

"LUNE-Y" RESPONSE

Quick! Wet Ones®!
Murky Erie planted a kiss
On baby’s lips!

Marie Elena

Here, Walt.  Let me get that for you:  Groooooooooooooan...

LUNE"R" LOVEMAKING

Erie shores awash,

kissed by the raging tide. 

Quick wet ones.

Walt

MAYBE I JUST LIKE IT THIS WAY

Coloring outside the lines
Clapping to the off-beat
Seldom dressing to-the-nines
Adding salt to balance sweet

Drinking hot tea every night

Watching college football

Rhyming everything I write

Softly silent snowfall

Crunching leaves beneath my feet

Cutting grass in summer

Seeing fields of corn and wheat

Beat of different drummer.

Marie Elena

SUMMER AND BUFFALO ARE NOT MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE

I love the summer season
when it comes to Buffalo.
I couldn't give a reason,
I love the summer season.
It's not akin to treason,
I'm no big fan of snow,
I love the summer season
when it comes to Buffalo.


(But I much prefer the fall!)


Walt