Tag Archives: rhyme

Washing Hands Lament

There once was a man
who didn’t wash his hands
then touched everything in the kitchen.

When I remind him again
after he’d touched his glands,
I always felt I was bitchin’.

(That is to say,
not in a good way,
I’d rather eat rotten chicken.)

What should I do?
What should I say?
I continually remind him
day after day.

He just shrugs and stares.
He clearly doesn’t care.
Maybe not caring’s the trick
(At least ’til I get sick.)

You’d think what we’d seen
during Covid-19
would change his hand washing
without all my bossing.

What should I do?
I haven’t a clue.
And now I’ll go puke
’cause I’ve got the flu.

Diamonds in the Trees: ImproVerse Rhyming Poem

Friends were complaining after a major ice storm in the Chattanooga Metro area (Catoosa County, NW Georgia). With lows around 6 degrees above zero, it WAS cold! As the sun came up, it showed something magical: Diamonds in the Trees. I walked through the woods and out into the wildflower field at Spirit Tree Farms, where goldenrods, pokeweed, late bonneset, blackberries, grasses, and other native plants joined with honey locusts, hickory and oak trees, and more, to show off  a collection of sparkling jewels unmatched at any jewelry store. I riffed these iambic lines in a video, trying to stiffle my crying. Thanks to HomeGrownNationalPark.org for the inspiration, and to Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus for the Creation.

Just When I Thought I Wouldn’t Care

Just when I thought
I wouldn’t care,
folks who brought me here
can’t be left there.

There’s much I want
to go and do.
I imagine at one time
they did too.

But then I and you
came to be,
and they stayed and cared
for you and me.

Now it’s our turn to watch and tend;
As they did before, we’ll help to their end.

Longfellow Christmas Day Remake: Peace On Earth Poem and Video

I have few words
This Christmas Day.
There isn’t much
I want to say.
But I’ll pray more,
Knees on the floor,
For peace on Earth,
good will to all.
 
I thought now
That the rain has come,
To solve my gifting
Conundrum,
I’d wish you near,
Those I hold dear,
And peace on Earth,
Good will to all!
 
I miss you all!
Know in my soul,
I wish to speak
So you will know
My deepest hope
For all my folks
Is peace on earth
Good will to all.
 
And if I fail
To talk to you,
Please still believe
My heart is true!
My fervent prayer
Gives love to share
With peace on Earth
Good will to all.
 
Though I may not
Take sorrow away,
Know this: I ask God
For you every day
To bring to you
Christ’s joy that’s true,
And peace on Earth,
Good will to all!
——
With gratitude for Longfellow,
And Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our salvation.
 
 
I Have No Words: Christmas Day Poem in the style of Longfellow’s “I Heard The Bells”.

“I Know It’s Not Much, But … ” It IS! — rhyme

Backstory: On #HomeGrownNationalPark‘s Facebook page, someone posted a photo of sprouting acorns, and wrote: “I know it’s not much, but … “.
 Here’s my response:

I’m in several native plant groups, including Greater South-Eastern Native Seeds and Plant Exchange , and I always encourage people to NEVER apologize for their efforts. We’re all doing what we can, the best that we can. Think of it: 20 years ago or even less, hardly anybody but Doug (founder of Home Grown National Park) and my dad Gene L. Kuhns and a few eco-pioneers were doing anything, and now look at us! Changing the world, one acorn at a time.
People rise up in frustration,
scowling at the United Nations,
holding demonstrations.
But you don’t need to sound a horn.
YOU are sprouting acorns!
And that’s an example to the rest of us,
and is marvelous!

 

We’re So Connected, We’re Not: Lament

Instead of scenic views and observations,

we watch reels.

Instead of conversations:

“Look at this.”

Instead of asking and learning:
“Google it.”
No wonder we’re so disconnected
from each other:
We’re too connected
to our devices.
But at least with GPS
men can get directions
without asking anyone.