califon raritan high bridge

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back to school

The best summer ever
Maybe not for you, but for me
Seeing you being so capable
Working your busy life.

You love working with children
And you love doing crafts
So you got up in the morning
Happy to be off to day camp.

You enjoy being a sociable waitress
And you liked the restaurant boss.
You got practice speaking Spanish
Serving immigrant clientele.

You found time to tutor a young Korean
Practicing the methods you learned in college.
Your bank account balance went up
Enough to see you through next year.

You made sure to have time for friendships
For going places and having fun together.
I see the emerging adult doing so well.
Nothing is better than that.

black river kay center august

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the view from here

The view from here is big picture
A bird’s eye view of old main street
And the new pier development
Looking out across the estuary.

Old people live in the new condos
And new people live in the old houses.
The old timers move away and pass on.
This is the face of gentrification.

You need day care for two two-year-olds
But the village day care center next door is closed.
There are very few young children here now.
That’s the trend in this now trendy place.

I moved away more than 20 years ago
When these changes were being chosen
Having failed to win the mayor election
As if to reverse the tide of history.

You are here now volunteering
Bringing new blood to the fire department
On call driving the ambulance
Going out in the river for underwater rescue.

I am happy you have this magnificent view.
I see optimism embodied in two young children.
I hope that your new relationship works out
And you succeed in making your life in this place.