Thursday, July 31, 2025
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
the teacher
Seeing him as if for the first time
Taking command of the situation
So obviously in his element
Telling us his questions to answer
Then calling on each of us in turn
Keeping the responses on track
Turning his eightieth birthday party
Into a kind of classroom
He didn’t know we would be there
A large group waiting to surprise him
But he took the unexpected in stride
Surprising us with a learning experience
Projecting his voice making eye contact
Like a mental muscle memory
This former teacher held our attention
With his impromptu lesson plan
Teaching us in his well practiced way
Drawing out the many varied responses
And I got a sense of what it was like
Being his student years ago
He left us all uplifted
Inspired by his enthusiasm
Learning from listening to him
And hearing from each other
Monday, July 28, 2025
Sunday, July 27, 2025
Friday, July 25, 2025
happy to be alive
If you ask him how he's doing
He has a ready answer
I'm happy to be alive he says
Accentuating the positive
We have a regular phone call
On his Long Island return trip
From his weekly medical treatments
Just to talk and keep in touch
As friends for many years do
Sharing so much in common
Always enjoying our conversation
Looking forward to the next
I wish I could do more to help him
But he is more often the one assisting
Glad to do whatever he can do
To take care of everyone else
Now he's reached a major milestone
Celebrating turning eighty in a few days
And it's my turn to say how I feel
I'm happy you're alive my friend
You're a good person
You deserve all the best
And I hope you have many years more
Being here among us
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
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