This poem has been in the works since the 1970s. Sometimes it takes a long time to discover what I feel like I need to say. In this case, I believe there is a mandate for all of us to help others along, sometimes with physical help like a little cash or food, and sometimes by pointing the way with the fact of your creative life.

Image generated in Adobe Firefly by Scooter Smith.

This is simply an expression of deep love for my wife, an appreciation of our life together, and an awareness that it is drawing to a close.

The featured image was generated by Scooter Smith using Adobe Firefly.

This is as self-explanatory a poem as you are likely to get.

The featured image was generated by Scooter Smith using Adobe Firefly.

This is a shout out to old men and their spouses who love them. 

As I wrote it I heard a country string band. So, it’s a song that I just haven’t put music to yet.

The featured image was generated by Scooter Smith using Adobe Firefly.

I rediscovered this poem I wrote in 1989 during my years with Joe Stanco’s Poetry Circle.  (I edited it a little, very little, because I can’t stop myself.) Joe’s Circle included the well-known poet, Tim Seibles, as well as VP Crowe, Amy “Moonlady” Martin, Gordon Hilgers, Jas (James) Mardis, and Sam Modica. Nice crowd to learn from.

Of all my performances of (what was almost unanimously terrible) poetry, this was the one that actually made people stand up and cheer. It may not have been great word art, but it had a message people could get behind.

I’m still thrilled by most of it, too.

I used Adobe Firefly to generate the illustration.