Brooker Creek February 9, 2018

album

Southwest Pinellas February 8, 2018

album

Fort De Soto February 6, 2018

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the eagle and the owl

for Milt and Rosie

He was her magnificent eagle

The way she saw him first

So handsome with his aquiline nose

When she put her enchanting moves on him.

Rosie told us this love story

How Milt caught her eye in Buffalo

Enthusiastically chanting on the picket line

Both of them young communists.

I think she was Milt’s wise owl and sharp wit

Giving him the kind of insight into people

That comes to her so easily

I wonder if she knows how special she is.

Their paired history together more than 60 years

From their thirties into their nineties

Living through so many shared events

Console her now remembering it all.

His fierce passion for the class struggle

Inspired us to engage in so many union battles

Alongside the comrades rallying to the cause

Struggling to make a workers’ revolution.

He took me under his wing in my youth

When I staffed the Center for United Labor Action

When I leafletted at the unemployment office

Encouraging me to help others win denied benefits.

If Milt stood up to talk he spoke in a shout

Calling for the overthrow of the capitalist bosses

His hatred was visceral leaving no doubt

For him the enemy was very personal.

With Rosie the typesetter as his partner

With Vinny and Libby they were a team

With Sam and Dottie they were our leaders

Able to bring forceful clarity to every question.

Now Rosie has outlived them all

Facing a future without her life partner

So difficult to be bereft of his companionship

How I wish I could ease her burden.

Rosie the resilient never ceases to amaze me

Taking whatever falls on her and finding the good

Cherishing beautiful transcending experiences

Treasures that can never be taken from her.

She gives to me more than I give to her

Appreciating my photos with her lively comments

Approving of what I write, giving me affirmations

How I hope we have her with us a while longer.