When there are no words,

how do you write a poem

is my question of the day.

~

Sometimes wordlessness

exclaims with an eloquence

beyond the ken of poets.

Somewhere in this mix

of falling sleet, snow, and rain

hides a pleasant Sunday drive.

~

Hidden in plain sight

was the care an uncle showed

to drive in such mixed weather.

So-called patriots

prefer a violent nation

and government overthrow.

~

Paternalism,

ultimately, yields tyrants

intent on subjugation.

Hits and near misses

differ by minor degrees,

making all the difference.

~

Home run or strike out

what a difference that can be

in whatever game you play.

Here we go again.

After a day of reprieve,

looks like there will be more snow.

~

More snow is welcome

during this winter season,

it is January, now.

Home, Hearths, and Hearts warmed,

all in the fullness of time,

by power’s restoration.

~

Even before our

power was restored, we were

warmed by others’ thoughtful care.

This contest between

snow and us was won by snow.

We’ll see about tomorrow.

~

Winning and losing

are esoteric questions

when discussing the weather.

State Farm’s got nothing

even close to my neighbors

when the going gets real tough!

~

Time and time again

neighbors have come to my aid

and always with a smile.

It’s balmy today,

but tomorrow it’s supposed

to snow. What’s up here?

~

Sundown: Sixty four

with reports of snow by dawn.

Climate Change? Ridiculous!

It’s been quiet now

awhile as we gather

our breath for the next outrage.

~

With Marjorie Green

demanding to be seen, we

know we will not wait too long.

2021

was such a grind, I am glad

to leave it behind.

~

This second decade

and all its endless madness

belongs in history’s dustbin.

Many feet of snow

may not be nearly enough

to relieve the western drought.

~

But based on a drought

of knowledge, some snow us with

denials of climate change.

This gray day does fit

December, but what’s with this

more than sixty degrees stuff?

~

Gray December skies

mingle with October balm;

even climates can’t deny.

Doing the right thing,

often contra-logically,

leads to greater suffering.

~

If only it were

otherwise and doing right

always made our burdens light.

Normality, where

are you hiding? If you come

back, we promise we’ll be good.

~

Nobody really

cares about normality;

they’re questing for excellence!

Watching water rise,

this artist must remember

there’s beauty in destruction.

~

Artists see beauty

in unexpected places,

give purpose to life’s messes.

The wind in the trees

disturbs the leaves, but the birds

remain unperturbed.

~

Birds are unperturbed

because they harness the wind

while leaves suffer the whirlwind.

Friend, I wear this mask

because I value your health

more than petty polemics.

~

My son, you’ve taken

to heart the Christmas message

of good will toward men.

The best way not to

get hooked is by not taking

the dangling bait.

~

Irresistible

though that dainty bit might seem

it’s best to leave it alone.

Scoops of Pelicans!

Such a pleasure to behold

after brushing extinction.

~

May such scoops become

the norm as we grow wiser

and take greater care.

Seeds in that hanging

bird feeder were enticing

enough that some birds did the flips.

~

Dining ecstasy

offers a whole new meaning

to the phrase, “flipping the bird”.

Why can’t people read

what is written on the wall

in ten foot tall flaming script?

~

If it means wearing

a mask, the writing becomes

invisible to many.

The day grew colder,

but playing with Knox kept me

smiling and toasty warm.

~

Dashing through the woods

and across the bay, we go,

for a Christmas Beach Vacay.

Tuxedo to suit

to jeans and a polo shirt:

it’s been a day for changing.

~

Seems like you’re in sync

with this December’s daily,

quick changing weather.

Need an up-lift? Try

picking up a pen and put

away your worries.

~

Or scribble worries

randomly across the page,

making room for worthy thoughts.

Why should we rely

on soulless apparatchiks

to gatekeep basic health care?

~

Unhealthy choices,

not care-filled ones, were made at

some ballot boxes.

Riding the seesaw

of this December’s changing

weather is no child’s play.

~

Climate’s spinning ‘round

mostly what we lose is ground

gone to rising seas and storms.

Profiles in hate

writ large on pick-up bumpers

clad in patriotism.

~

With no shame they do

proclaim their right to reveal

rather than conceal.

Sometimes we just need

a little break before we

can resume our lead.

~

Disquiet malaise

sometimes takes the upper hand

resulting in lethargy.

Seldom do we see

as clearly as they would like

when we’re sure we’re right.

~

Blinding convictions,

those cornerstones of dogma,

keep them safe in their own mind.