Home

(Undated. Found on the same paper as "Girls")

Wisconsin, the state of my birth,

    has the climate I can live in nicely.

It is not dull or humdrum,

    it changes almost every day.

I couldn't be happy with pleasant

    weather day after day, after day.

A place with no real spring, or a

    glorious fall, would be dull.

Yes, I am the first to admit,

    we sometimes get too much snow or cold.

Yes, and I'll even admit sometimes itp

    gets too damn hot.

But, I must also admit,

    I could live no where else but here. 

It's Puzzle Time Again

(Undated. Based on my recollection, I would guess sometime in the late '70s.)

Willie brought a new puzzle home

    so my troubles have just begun.

While I sit here trying to help,

    he's working it and having fun.

You see we are both jigsaw puzzle

    freaks, we both have the crazy disease.

But medical science can do nothing

    for us, nothing can make the pain ease.

The new puzzle means a new infection,

    and the best of my recollection,

It took two weeks and six days

    to chase the last nasty puzzle bug away.

I wouldn't mind this latest bout,

    if I could only be allowed to find out,

why he bought himself a new puzzle

    and sent me on a trip to Bugtussle.  

Girls

(For Joanne Mac Millan's baby shower, she is expecting a girl)

(February 2, 1985)

Little girls can be wonderful

    some even say a blessing,

But when they are older,

    they will just keep you guessing.

Who was the young man

    she was just talking about?

And who was that on the phone

    she just asked out?

By the time she's eighteen

    your nerves she will fray.

Your patience will be gone

    your hair will be grey.

Sorry to be the one to

    burst your baby bubble,

But take it from me,

    girls are pure trouble. 

Walled In

(February 25, 1979)

Have you ever felt walled in

    unable to break out?

I am feeling that way today, or to be

    more honest, I've felt that way for weeks.

The need to get out alone

    is sometimes overwhelming.

Oh! to be able to spend

    one week on my own.

To be able to forget that it is

    my job to wash the dishes.

What a joy not to be responsible

    for having to do the laundry,

If I could have my wish, what

    a simple request it would be.

One week in the sun beside a swimming

    pool, while someone else does the housework. 

A Mental Walk

(February 22, 1979)

From my comfortable chair I took 

    a mental walk today.

I walked a lonely snow packed road,

    a road of my youth. 

As I crossed the bridge I stopped

    to stare at the frozen water below.

Why had I walked the road when

    crossing the frozen river was shorter?

I ponder this point and then recalled.

    I was afraid of crossing the ice.

Continuing on I arrived at the top of

    the hill I sought.

There is a small graveyard there, and it 

    is always so peaceful.

Looking down the hill, I can recall the

    fun of my youth.

Oh! to be young again when winter

    was just fun.

Spring is Near

(February 21, 1979)

Spring is near

    I can feel it in the air

The snow is compressing

    It fell in inches and melts in centimeters.

Weeks from now

    The sun will shine daily,

It seems like years

    Since I have seen it.

And once summer arrives,

    I will long for cool weather

How fickle I am.

    I longed for the first snow.

And now I can't wait for Spring,

    I pray for the blessed sight

of those sweet fresh buds.

    I race headlong into Summer

only to proclaim it too hot and sticky.

    When Autumn arrives I love

the colors and the cool crisp air

    But all too soon I see

The naked countryside

    covered with snow.

The world has gone full cycle.

    And again I say

Spring is near

    I can feel it in the air. 

Where is Spring?

(December 18, 1978)

Snow on the groung

    Cold north winds.

Snow mixed with rain due

    Foggy tonight.

Running the furnace constantly.

    House feels drafty.

If you think this is winter,

    You are wrong.

Today is only December 18th.

    Winter is still 3 days away.

So button up tight

    Keep very warm.

If Winter is just around the corner,

    Can Spring be far away?