Shakespeare Sonnet 29:

“Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,

Featured like him, like him with friends possessed,

Desiring this man’s art and that man’s scope,

With what I most enjoy contented least;”

Is the bard speaking 

of the human condition,

or just people like me?

I can make a list of

what I have,

of what I’ve done.

Ain’t bad.

But it’s not enough,

And I can’t point to

something I want to

do that I’m not doing.

The challenge:

Live fully within 

the confines of my life;

Giving, loving,

making a difference.

June 28, 2022

Spent the weekend in the book;

Reading how to land the fish you hook.

Position your rod right.

keep the line tight.

Let the fish run;

Until it’s done.

I was so ready this morning.

Up at sunrise;

On the Battenkill

As first light’s dawning.

Calm; beautiful.

A perfect day.

But so intent on my lessons;

I don’t watch the trout play.

One nibble;

No bite.

Headed home.

Humbled.

Ready, but not too ready;

Let come what may;

The fish will be there

on another day.

June 20, 2022

Think Milton.

Think Baez.

Think Dylan.

Baez, the activist/artist.

Dylan, the singer/composer

who sang about our time.

Milton, who agitated against

the Crown and the Church

while writing poems

that have become classics.

For us regular folks,

the joy of loving what

we do badly

suffices, not sadly.

June 14, 2022

Hand in a brace.

Surgery on deck.

Not easy to face;

I feel a wreck.

Friends say it’s

just the jitters.

But it doesn’t calm

those nervous critters.

It’s passing from

here to there.

Not knowing

when or where.

Call it a transition.

It’s a new position.

Life and love continue;

Will they bring renewal?

June 7, 2022