Poem 258: Babysitting

House sitting is sort of like

sitting in a house

Horse sitting sometimes means

sitting on a horse

Cat sitting always means

sitting watching cats

but babysitting never means sitting.

It means watching, feeding, playing, burping, laughing, crying and being

completely worn-out.

Poem 257: Ridges

The crunchy surface of the floor is ridged

It waves before me in its frozen position

Calling me to mount and slide, and mount and slide

Up and down, rise and fall, climb and descend.

The ridges are my enemy and the downward slope my friend

Then my knees begin to hurt

And I pray for more ups and fewer downs

But it remains constant: up, down, up, down, up

Never gaining more or losing less

But remaining, by average, constant and ruffled

Like a potato chip.

Poem 256: Lofty Barns

Walking into the barn 

the smell of hay floats through the air

Making my sinuses begin to drain and stuff

The cats run at me, rub against me and curl up on me

I lay on the ground to pet the horses noses

I am in the loft and can reach through the floor to the tops of the horse's stalls

They neigh and throw their heads back in hunger not caring to be pet

But I can't rise

The cat is on my back, nuzzling my shoulder blades

And telling me, is his own way

that I am loved

Poem 255: Job Apps

Its a burdensome situation

applying for jobs

it may take more consideration

and determination

self-confidence and motivation

and much more patience

than working for a pay check

or living cautiously.

Poem 254: Children at Play

Sometimes when I am tuckered out

overworked and drained,

its nice to come and settle down

and with a good book lay.

But when my mind is crushed and I

have no thoughts left to think,

I'd rather simply sit and stare

at a movie on TV.

Now even better then this rest 

(or vegetation state),

is watching groups of little children

run around and play.

Poem 253: REVERSAL

Watch out

I am backing up

I've almost gotten there

Be careful

I am in reverse

my lights are on I hope you look

Look out

I am leading with the back

my direction is reversed

I'm backing up

so watch your children

and your feet

and dog

and....

CRASH 

...your strong, red cement wall

Poem 252: Age Pains

my teeth hurt when I woke this morn

my back hurt when I stood

my toes feel like they've all been broke

my knees do not feel good

my eyes see spots quite blackened-out

my voice is raspy when I shout

and if I listen close I hear

time's echo ringing in aged ears

Poem 251: Patience Pending

It is waiting for a clearance from security

It already got the A-OK from me

but meanwhile, until it comes,

It would be wise not to forget

that currently my state of mind reflects

(in neon lights flashing):

a current state of: Patience Pending.

Poem 250: WaitingnitiaW

Halfway to the halfway mark

and waiting.

Waiting for another chance to start again

just waiting

for a paycheck, or a special circumstance

I'm waiting.

Strumming thumbs, thumping foot, crossing legs

and waiting

waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting

and waiting.

Poem 249: GF Beer Tasting

Just a little taste of each

and by the time I'm done

I cannot keep a steady hand

or straight like an arrow run.

Just a little sip of each:

sour, bitter, caramel, dry

a plastic cup pushed in expands

and beer splashes my eyes.