Sentences: Simple, Compound or Complex

Sentences can take you off track

don’t let them
distort your words, form a crack, 
cause mayhem.

Learn the form
to transform
Ohhh yes!

Say what you mean
keep it clean
use sentences that are
simple, compound or complex.

Do it right, get some fame
learn to ask questions,
make statements and express
strong emotions, then sign your name.

Anybody
can be amazing, in this convoluted

maze of words learning to express,
like a master in a game of chess,
asking questions to get answers
telling stories, becoming authors.

Today we’re here, tomorrow there,
with this treasure chest of specs
using sentences; simple,

compound and complex. 

Did you work on our rap song? I asked,
Not yet, but I have ideas. You stated.
We have to get it done, I commanded.
What a great job!  We shouted.

Look what knowledge did for Shakespeare,

F. Scott Fitzgerald, and R.K. Rowling
brought them fame so enticing
book deals, movies and theater.

So much money and lavish praise
for their sentences:
simple, compound

and complex. 

Anybody
can be amazing, in this convoluted

maze of words learning to express,
like a master in a game of chess,
asking questions to get answers
telling stories, becoming authors.

Today we’re here, tomorrow there,
with this treasure chest of specs
using sentences; simple,

compound and complex. 

Coffee Pot Formation in Sedona

Great Grandma’s Lap

She was turning eighty

he could barely sit upright

but she held him strong

close to her heart.

His fingers touched her arm
baby skin on paper thin

one giving love

the other taking it in

One cycle ending

the next one starting

tick, tock, 

time passes on. 

Hart Street Mayhem

I was sitting in your house

on Hart Street

the new owners had five children,

two girls and three boys,

they were crowded but happy

packed into the small space

with the big yard and plenty

of space but it seems
the road had been closed

to accommodate drag racing
for the weekend.

Drivers revved up their engines

screeching across the asphalt

coming to a stop at the finish line.

Visitors from all over milled around

so residents sold trinkets 

along the sidewalk 

making a little cash for all their trouble.

The neighbors were worried with the changes

then you wandered in upset with the crowds

rushing to the restroom to fix your Mohawk

glad you moved out when you did.

Two dogs started to bark

then we placed our bets 

for the next race

waking-up before the 

night was done. 

Cold Snap

Reports of a cold snap

heading down from Canada
a frigid mass of cold air
ice crystals on citrus fruit,
highways like skating rinks
layered clothing a must
to withstand the winter freeze.   

The sun will shine through

during this polar front
making the less experienced
dress inappropriately
chilling to the bone 

forcing them inside with a fire

and the family dog close by

to keep them warm.

Dreamscape Wedding

Water rushing through the streets,

washing away cars and flooding homes

a wedding in a propped up shelter

the bride holding her dress above her knees

tiptoeing barefooted into the lighted room

standing with her new husband, 
until the ceremony was done. 

Thankful for the Many Blessings

pictures to be posted later

It that annual celebration of family and thanksgiving
we gather round the table and notice who is missing
traditions broken by death and living
and yet we gather to give thanks for the many blessings
the breath of life for another day
a new marriage, a new sobriety,
the possibility of a new home
new teeth, and new tattoos
all designed to bring happiness
for a little while
we bow our heads and give thanks
glad for all who have gathered here.  

Early Morning Phone Call

                                                        

The phone rang early this morning
too early for a sales call,
no family or friends,
unless it was an emergency.

My mind tried to predict
who and what and why
only the sound of , “Hello,”
then a click.

It didn’t matter, except,
it sounded like my sister 
who passed
a month ago. 

Her voice was clear
maybe she had to say
something 

but then remembered 
she was dead

and hung-up instead. 

After the Rain

Woke up groggy this morning
couldn’t form my thoughts
words got twisted on my tongue
felt hung over and confused
but I haven't had a drink

still find in difficult to think
then the rain broke through
first a few drops than many

the words 

started to form
first poetry 

then prose 

I worked the rest of the day 

until a story was told
and I had said everything

I
wanted
to
say.

Another Dream Along a Roadway

Last night I was riding in a car along a mountain pathway.
Bill was driving and we came across a scene
of a serious accident. Many bodies were strewn
across the road. I turned to Bill and asked him to stop

so we could help the injured and cover the dead.
He said, “There are too many we can’t help them
better to keep going and stay out of the way
so the rescue workers can do their job.”

At some point I felt relief, overwhelmed by my helplessness
wondering when I became a burden instead of a helping hand.
We continued to drive around the mountain side
beautifully covered in snow, offering us a tranquil vision

of eternity. 

Facing Life

Another report of a super storm
thousands left homeless
many died -

an emergency
for Red Cross and volunteers
to lend a helping hand.

After the storm ghosts linger
wandering aimlessly
death came too soon
their souls not ready to depart

Gradually the debris gets cleared
a new life must begin
restructured and redefined
missing loved ones and precious things
filling the gaps with small acts, 

surviving in the face of no evidence
that life will ever be normal again. 

Prayer helps and falling in love again
is a boost, a baby born 
with all the promise of life
and little by little routines

becomes familiar
and the tragedy 
only a faded dream. 

Prayers for survivors in the Philippines,
Midwest and Italy.

Jung Shin

He dyes his hair
to hid his age

and wears it in combed back
so unlike other Asians

he wears a hearing aid
and large rimmed glasses

his smile is sincere
and his talent so amazing

with a few strokes
he finds the face on the canvas

and with expert hands
guides his students to do the same

creating personal masterpieces
for generations to enjoy.

Pagan Babies

When I was young I used to save
a milk carton of pennies
to feed the pagan babies in China.

Carton after carton was given to the nuns
who packaged those pennies
and took them to the bank.

When enough money was collected
the nuns sent a check to the missionaries
who fed their bodies and saved their souls.

Years later, the population of China
is booming although there are few
Catholics among them

and as our economic systems fail
I wonder if somewhere in their schools
children will collect cartons full of pennies

to save us of from our impending bankruptcy
and deliver us from our financial missteps
so that we can redeem ourselves from collapse?

Family Meal

Last night I had a dream
I was standing outside the back door
with my husband

we could see my mom
setting a long wooden table
for a home cooked meal.

The clatter of dishes
and conversation filled
the room.

I opened the screen door
and my mother said,
"This is not for you."

I stepped back onto the patio
and looked at my husband
to tell him we would have to wait.

The next morning I told him
about the dream. We agreed
we still had things to do on earth

so we better get about
doing those things before
we crossed that threshold

to the other side.

Dream Art: Phase II

Diana Dream

Phase I color blocking and quick paint

Close-up

Silk Bandannas

When I went to church I wore a silk
bandanna to show modesty
before the Lord

hiding luxurious waves of amber highlights
so the worshipers could concentrate
on the gospel instead of my emerging
adolescences adorned like the Virgin Mary

humble and obedient to the God above.
Sometimes I wore a lace mantilla
but in springtime it was a pastel hat
with feathers and netting adding fashion

with patent leather shoes and matching purse
competing with the other girls
to attract the most attention

with heads bowed in prayer.

Somehow spirituality got lost
in those days when appearance
was more important than substance

but all things change and the bandannas
were discarded along with other traditions

of the church.

Heaven’s Path

She saw her brother waiting by the stone bridge
hurried bare footed across the cobblestones

took his hand as they crossed
the stream coursing through a clearing.

Up ahead she could see
familiar faces; her sister, three bothers,
her father and her mother.
She took off at a run

happy after so long
in the embrace of those 
who had been gone

too many years one by one.
A flood of conversation
trying to catch up on all the news

heaven had to wait because on this path
she met so many of her loved ones
didn’t want to let them go

but Saint Peter called
and she had to move along
but the good news

her family traveled with her
for the rest of time.  

When Antiques were Modern

They were not antiques in their day
but modern artifact of the time:
the telephone on a party line,
a refrigerator instead of an icebox,
a sewing machine run on foot power,
an automobile to replace the horse and buggy,
the locomotive improved on the wagon train,
the vacuum to replace the broom,
computers made typewriters obsolete,
and on and on with so many things.

Morality and traditions also became outdated
replaced by a different value systems.

Regular church attendance dwindled,
belief in god questioned and ridiculed,

the sanctity of the home was infiltrated
with cable TV and pornography,
seeking pleasure for pleasure’s sake
self sacrifice left for the volunteer soldier
sent to fight, not for liberty, but for corporate greed,
while the government spied for national security
but left their own house in disarray

I found a macramé plant holder out in the garage
a few beads and rope left over from the seventies

when times were simpler and less modern
sometimes I long for that simplicity. 

Landscape

Photograph taken by Aaron Rice,

Painting by drice

May She Rest in Peaches

In Memory of Bernice RIP 2013 at 92

Fall of Rome

Decline in Morality

Emperors were known for having 
lavish parties.

Political Corruption

Each throne was sold to the highest

bidder, regardless of his ability to lead.

Wars and Military Spending

The cost of maintaining an army to fight

constant battles left Rome in more of a war

state than a social state

Failing Economy and High Inflation

With increased taxes to support wars to protect Rome

and its corrupt line of emperors, the civilian masses

were unable to survive

Lack of Civilian Protection

The military was charged with protecting

but it was no longer regularly paid to do so.

Is History Repeating itself?

Happiness

Happiness is interesting, because everyone has

a different idea about what it is and how to get it. 

Here are ten suggested ways to get happy.

Exercise more – 7 minutes might be enough

Sleep more – you’ll be less sensitive to negative emotions

Move closer to work – a short commute is worth more than a big house

Spend time with friends and family – don’t regret it on your deathbed

Go outside – happiness is maximized in nature

Help others – 100 hours a year is the magical number

Practice smiling – it can alleviate pain

Plan a trip – but don’t take one

Meditate – rewire your brain for happiness

Practice gratitude – increase both happiness and life satisfaction

Wesley Remembers Momma

Mom's sweet soul passed away on Sept. 21st 

due to complications with stage 4 cancer.

She lived her life with optimism, grace, 

and a positive light that all who knew her felt. 

She faced this grave experience with the same 

clarity and serenity I could only hope to adopt. 

I will miss her very much, but her love and humor 

will live on through my thoughts and actions. 

I love you momma!

Children Confront Death

They never knew their aunt but she knew about them
but never took the time to meet them
and now she’s dying and apologized for being remiss
for not taking the opportunity but now it’s too late.

Mama won’t let them see her, 

she thinks they will become confused
with the machines and death by her bedside.

The kids think they need to meet her 

before she goes away
but mama says no, and that’s the way it will stay.

Seems that life is wasted when love is waiting nearby
a smile for a stranger is lost when those who could love you
are waiting in the wings and must settle

the memory of being so close

and not getting the chance to say, 

“Hello I’m glad to meet you,

and now you must go away.”

Path to Heaven

When she lay dying 

she seemed to linger longer 

than expected.

Her smile suggested 

she was at peace,

and everything was okay.

After she passed, 

her son had a dream...

and asked her, 

why she took so long?

She replied, 

"I took the time 

to mark the path for you 

could follow when 
your life was done."

Afterlife

She said she didn't believe in an afterlife.

"We die and that is that. 

Our best chance for a good life is here and now."

I said I had experiences to make me believe there is more...

when people I knew were close to death, they saw

members of their family gathering to escort them home.

She said, "It was only the chemical reaction of dying

combined with a strong belief system

that created those images."

I asked her is she knew anyone who had died

and was she with them when they were 

close to death?

She said, "I only knew my husband Burt,

who suffered dementia for several years, he became afraid 

when the men in black appeared at his bedside.

We sedated him and he died without incident."

I guess I wouldn't believe either 

if that was my only experience of death.  

Life in Fast Forward

She was born the sixth in a family
which grew by four more

but she was the favorite, with a sweet nature
and not part of the competition

among the older ones

Who had to watch out for her

and got in trouble if she got hurt

she didn’t tumble with the rest
her dimples seduced those on the sidelines

became a cheerleader, envied and lusted for
by total strangers

and in the limelight she was alone.

One of the few not asked out for the prom
everyone thought she was spoken for

the boys would shiver when they got close to her
too popular but left alone for the shark

who was older and bolder
so he took her as his own

stealing her away from her brothers and sisters
mother and father, keeping her hidden in isolated areas

where she fell in love with the wilderness
finding comfort in the open air

giving birth to her only son  

who had to compete with him

for her affection. She left them both

to get away to save herself

but told her son she would come for him

and she did and they became meshed as one

neither one able to form their own life

until now... and in death it is done. 

Two Poems from Chuck

The Crown of Crows

the crown of crows

fall on you

and peck you

to the end

you look up

and have them pick

each eye

do not cry

instead

brush them off

it is the only way

to remove

the crows

one at a time

by yourself

The 5:25 Tunnel

The passage is non-stop

The passage is one way

The passage comes

The passengers

Are always on board

The direction is safe

Welcome aboard

Everyone loves you

Let everyone go

This is your passage

All your baggage is light

And unnecessary

Keep it or leave it

You will see

You are not alone

Everyone loves you

Leave something for us to follow

We are so afraid of the tunnel

We have so much to think about

Before we enter there

Your message is:

Everyone loves you here