Magazine Posts

We were strangers, when we first met.
We are becoming strangers now and yet
a lifetime of memories, that were made,
are mostly gone and can't be replayed.
Such a loss for you and I,
but try we must, not to cry.

When I plead my troth, dearest wife,
it was to you and for life.
Worry not, I do say to thee,
this place in life is where I'll be.
I love you so, my darling one,
your are my World, Moon and Sun.

The blazing red of the fire bright,
brings us a comfort and delight.
The flickering of flames, the silent night
are shadows I see, within this light.

A quasi farm boy, just like me,
joined the Navy and was to see;
First plane ride, from Island Whidbey,
down the coast, the trip for me.
Then to my home, USS Marsh 699, DE.
Shipped out from San Diego, now at sea,
Pearl Harbor, Midway Island, my litany.
Home Port Guam; Island surveillance to be,
the Marshall Islands, Eniwetok, Truk and Bikini.
Heading South, across the Equator, was my duty,
the ritual of initiation, now a "Shellback" you see
and we crossed the line by Kapingamarangi.
Back to Guam, the R & R for me.
North was our heading, going back to sea,
stopping at the Islands, Jima; Haha and Chichi.
Then to the Island of the Rising Sun, for me,
into the shipyards at Yokosuka, our destiny.
Repairs completed, headed South, visiting Island Ulithia.
Going ashore, with Natives in loin cloths a sight to see.
Getting underway, once again, our next journey,
back to San Diego, where I like to be.

Sunset at Mt Shuksan with the Belt of Venus showing its winter colors.

When I was young, back in the day,
we lived in Seattle, out Riverton Heights way.
My Dad owned a business, after the war,
that was WW II, if you remember that far.
During the Spring, it was more merry;
I followed the creek to the Golden Arrow Dairy,
fishing the creek, which turned into a ditch,
provided great fun and relieved that youthful itch
of fishing and catching, with nary a mentor,
on this piece of land, now called South Center.

Rid myself of anger.
Rid myself of hate
and try to understand,
what happened as this date.

I see you here.
I see you there.
For Pete's sake,
Your everywhere.
I know not what
You bring to share,
But I will not
Stay unaware.

The Rhododendron leaves, are curled tight.
Fighting the Frost, throughout the night.
Nature has many ways, out and in,
To help these plants, to re-flower again.

You won't know what is inside
the fear that love will deride
to overcome the pain and decide,
to climb that proverbial mountain side.

When love is gone
and no longer there,
does life go on?
For life's not fair,
no place to go,
that I am aware.