Twenty-Two

Off campus on the cusp of college graduation

In a house living together with good friends

You are savoring the last semester break.

Let the good times roll on!

Through the years now a birthday poem

Becomes a tradition wishing you all the best.

Now you are waiting for job interviews

As an uncertain future draws near.

Whatever will find you will find you

Depending on what you are looking for.

What happens to us takes shape

Out of our imagination of ourselves.

Teaching children is such a challenge

As you know so well by now

And so rewarding when all that effort

Creates a positive impact in their lives.

That could be you by this time next year!

But whatever unfolds between now and then

You are graduating with honors my pride and joy

Excellent accomplishment diploma in hand.

saddle river birds

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harbinger of spring

Cheer up, it won’t be long.

Cheer up, it’s coming soon.

The robins are here.

The red wing blackbirds are here.

Now the snow is falling again this afternoon

On top of the snow yesterday morning

On top of the heavy snow the day before that

On top of the packed frozen crust.

We went for a walk this morning

To the only cleared walkway in a park

And saw the flock of robins in the tree

And on the snow eating the fruit.

Seeing them I imagined their spring song:

Cheer-it-up, cheer-it-up.

Then you saw the red wing blackbird

A sure harbinger of early spring.

Then we saw them everywhere

Red wing blackbirds moving through

Perhaps pushed north by the advancing storm:

Five weeks more to the equinox.

piermont pier ice

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