Hillsborough River March 7, 2020

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ninety nine

Try to imagine what it is like 

Turning ninety nine years old 

Still lively despite many infirmities

Cheerful despite sadness from many losses. 

This is Rosie we are lucky to know

Who has her wits about her when speaking to us

Telling amazing stories of past people and places

Whose bright eyes catch ours when we visit.

She includes herself among the fortunate

“A lifelong recipient of bona fortuna” she says

As we are fortunate she is with us today 

Smiling to see us happy together.. 

How fitting that she is named Rosie

With her upbeat outlook setting the mood 

Never mind the particulars of her circumstances 

It's enough to know it's not easy being old.

I write for myself but I write for her too

Knowing she'll tell me directly what she thinks 

Usually approving and sometimes giving high praise

“Really loved this one. Smiled the whole way through!”

Oh such encouragement do we ever get enough 

Giving generously she is a presence in our lives

What's not to love in such a beautiful person

Someone we hope has a wonderful next year.

Florida Botanical Garden March 5, 2020

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limpkins cri de coeur

A pair of limpkins working methodically along the shore 

Hungry birds probing busily for clams and snails 

Focused on feeding themselves as I watch them

Walking on stilt legs across the way the other morning.

At night their calls reverberate penetrating the walls

If you happen to wake and listen in the darkness 

A piercing scream that would be a howl of lament

If a person were the source of that sorrowful sound.

This morning one was standing a few feet away

At the water's edge just behind our house

While the other cried out nearby protesting

Continuing its lifelong endless complaint.

I do not mind being their local audience

Welcoming their presence joining us here

Announcing themselves in their unmistakable way

Showing their skills shucking the shellfish. 

If a day goes by in silence without them

I look out over the water wondering where they are

Realizing I miss that emphatic shrieking squawk 

A noise that affirms nature thrives in this place.