Double Mastectomy

She had both her breasts removed
didn’t want to take a chance of infection
wanted the freedom to live her life without
the fear of cancer and after careful consideration
took a bold action and chose an operation
some would consider extreme.

In her explanation she said, “My body
is predisposed to this disease, I could live
my life under the threat or eliminate it before
it takes hold.” Some consider the action brave
others find it somewhat depraved to mutilate
a body but after plastic surgery and tattoos

this is a logical next step. More practical
lacking vanity or artistic expression
but a life enhancing operation adding years
free from worry of a growth that would involve  
suffering more than is necessary. 

Will this become the new normal?

Ice Tsunami

Shards of ice blown by the wind
move through the water like a large wave.
Sounds of breaking glass are disconcerting
as it cuts through the wood framed houses
crushing into the living rooms.

Residents along the shore have never seen
anything like it, but with climate change
they'll become like the dinosaurs of long ago,
unable to survive the coming end.

Their bones will be found 
by future generations 
their frozen artifacts 
clues to their habits and lifestyles.

Generations of Mothers

It is interesting to trace 

generations of mothers 

my father was his mother’s favorite

my mother orphaned when she was young
attempted to become a super mom
wanting what her mother-in-law created

a house full of children but sometimes

she became overwhelmed didn’t know 
how to create order from chaos 
always seeking that magic touch to let
every child know they were loved. 

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I restricted my family to two plus one
they got along most of the time
found that large extended family
through my work but in the end
it was my children who gave me 

the greatest happiness

and the grandchildren they brought
through the women they married,
strangers in every way 

except, they are the mothers

of my grandchildren and as a result

sacred in a special way.

Evolution of a Painting

   

No Soundtrack for my Life

Most movies in theaters and on T.V.
are enhanced with a soundtrack
or theme song to capture the essence
of the story unfolding on the big screen.

I wonder what the soundtrack would be 
to my average life. A long drone from machines,
a staccato pattern from a computer keyboard,
or just the cacophony of street noise?

No real theme but the daily comings
and goings of ordinary. No real seasons
in the landscape, haven’t spent
time exploring like I used to,
fell in love long ago being 
content has a melody doesn't it?

Things Go Bump in the Night

It started when she was laid off from work
figured it was because she was home for 
longer hours that she never noticed it  but now
she hears things go bump in the night.

Sometimes they stomp on the ceiling like workman
in heavy boots, other times she hears chewing
like sharp teeth cutting through electrical wiring.
She contacted pest control but nothing was there,

called the police and the apartment manager
because of her age they decided 
she was losing her grip but no one 
seems to be able to explain

the footprints in the flower bed or the fact that no
pests have been found. She couldn't sleep in her house
so moved out to get away from whatever was crawling

in her rafters. She moved in with her sister's but problems 
continued. Found scratches along the window seals,
hand prints on security lock, food missing from pantry,
plus a whole box of antique knick-knacks gone.

Some say she is crazy but her sister witnessed
the same things. The two think they are being haunted
by other worldly creatures or that relatives are driving them nuts
in order to get the inheritance but everything is too real.

No one helps exorcise the demons or bring peace
to their lives so the two old ladies are declared unfit 
to care for themselves and relatives 
come in to pick through their things

and those creatures who went bump 
in the night have finally disappeared.

My Oldest Brother

My oldest brother caught the imagination 
of his younger siblings he ventured into the world first, 
well liked and intelligent, elders hung their dreams 
on him, a good boy with a strong faith, the priest

chose him as one of their own, taking him away 
from home, educating him in the ways of the lord 

but couldn’t keep their hands off him.

He had to get away but the war in Vietnam was raging
got drafted within the first year. Sent off to fight 
the 'cong in the jungles. Found a life of debauchery, 

filled with sex and drugs, facing death was easier 
with a drug induced numbness, sent home broken 
and addicted, still seeking the adrenaline high

through Hollywood fame, acting classes, 
black and white photos, comedy routines 
at open mics, night clubs and all the drugs 
with almost pretty girls who wanted him 
but couldn’t tie him down.

They moved away when he started 
to arm with guns seeking to protect 
himself from strangers who would take his life.
Some of them real, others imaginary, 

couldn’t live around the familiar 
preferred the dark streets of L.A. 
where other lost souls wandered

and yet in the minds of his family he was still a hero,
misunderstood and abused by a system 
he was sworn to protect, 

no matter the evidence, 
still an innocent boy from long ago
intelligent, funny and spiritual.