Earth As Man, Man as Earth

 —Poetry by Fay L. Loomis, Kerhonkson, New York
—Photos Courtesy of Public Domain

 

 

LATE APRIL DAY

“tis a cold and snowy morning
flakes flash like coconut slivers
layer the ground

clutches of snow cling to evergreens
hover over white Andromeda blossoms
on a late April day

 

 

 

 

 

QUICKENING

wind riffles pine needles
slivers of tinsel shimmer

lift from mundane
quicken soul 

 

 

 

 

EARTH

husky wind
dark brown soil
sun-dried grass stubble

earth as man

 

 

 

 

LOOKING BACK

life trickles by

too afraid to live
waiting to die 

 

 

 

 

I WEIGH THE IDEA

excruciating leg cramps nightly
even if aborted
throbbing pain following day

eight-year stroke delay
eighty-seven years of age
(stark numbers)

push through exercise
eases suffering
pain never stops

better to stop living
I weigh the idea

 

 

 

 

CHAINSAW PENNIES

Musk says chainsaw the one cent
costs more than three cents to produce.

Does he know the magic a penny holds
for a kid born shortly before WWII?

Candy corn, Bazooka Bubble Gum, licorice—red
    or black
jelly beans, Hot Lips, Tootsie Roll, colored suckers.
    Wow!

Been collecting found coins for several years.
Two tea tins crammed full, mostly pennies.

Bu Shen Yang Gan Tea, astragali for fitness and
    longevity, Pekin Chine
picture of an old  robed man seated on a woven
    mat, cup in hand.

Orange Ginger Mint, The Republic of Tea
displays a teapot, nestled on black leaves, scorch-
    ing red sky.

I pick up paper rolls from the bank
awkwardly wrap the vagabond coins.

Discover I have ten one-dollar bills (who threw
    them away?)
pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and two Euros.

I stand at the window while my deposit is counted.
    Two lumpy rolls
rewrapped. The women now understand my
    challenge.

I deposit $34.75 into my checking account.
Not bad for a previous hoarder.

I rarely find money these days
know I’ll never have this experience again.


(prev. pub. in Culterate Magazine, 3/31/25)

___________________

Today’s LittleNip:

LONG FINGERS OF NIGHT
—Fay L. Loomis

why frown you so in your sleep, my love
‘tis a time for rest

fall into the long fingers of night

___________________

—Medusa, welcoming Fay Loomis back to the Kitchen, and our thanks to her for sharing her fine poetry!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A reminder that
Zoe Byron will read in
Oakdale today, 1pm; and
Love Jones Vibes takes place
tonight in Old Sacramento, 8pm.
For info about these and other
future poetry happenings in
Northern California and otherwheres,
click on
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