ANNIVERSARIES

We just passed the one year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.  This made me think about anniversaries and gratitude and the good, the bad, the power of celebrations and memories.
Anniversaries are a date, from which we can create, memories good or bad, thoughts joyful or sad.

Transcript

We just passed the one year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.  This made me think about anniversaries and gratitude and the good, the bad, the power of celebrations and memories.

ANNIVERSARIES

Anniversaries are a date

from which we can create

memories good or bad

thoughts joyful or sad.

Religions create festivals

Countries call them holidays

anniversaries come every year

some bring good memories

and a happy smile

Some evoke a sadness 

and we release a tear

Year after year

time flows by

let it fly

let it crawl

make your choices

to use it well

it won’t come back

except as anniversaries.

FEBRUARY 24th, 2023

I am grateful

sleeping in cool night air

under a silent fan

waking to sunrise shining

over the pristine waterway.

I am grateful

Drinking a glass of pure water

looking out over the lush green landscape

meditating in our silent room

eating fresh fruit and

whatever else I choose 

for a breakfast of champions

The day will unfold

according to our plans and desires

Freedom to stay here or go there

To walk safely along a path

sit on a bench outside

waving to neighbors passing.

I now imagine

This same day in Ukraine.

After a year of bombardment

sleeping in a dark, cold basement

Waking up to destruction and devastation

drinking precious bottled water

Hoping no more sons and friends have died

Picking through food carefully gathered

finding enough 

for a breakfast of survivors.

The day will bring the unknown

Maybe safety, maybe danger

Maybe horror, maybe delight 

No prediction is possible

in this war.

Just gratitude for the next breath,

the next meal

The roof over our heads and no more deaths

today.

THANKS TO THE SILENT ONES

Sunday night garbage

sunset Garbage out

dawn Garbage gone

Early Monday

gratitude overflows

LAUNDRY 

I can imagine her grandmother’s 

line of frozen clothes

At an Iowan farm in winter

In India

I  remember the dhobi 

women in saris

Pounding the dirt 

And elasticity out 

On river rocks.

I empty the washing machine

fill the dryer

Taking this all for granted

Then gratitude flows.

THE RED JACKET

They all know we are older

The 50th reunion red jacket

gives us away,

also maybe the way we sway

from presentation to conversation,

from coffee and cakes,

to drinks and snacks.

Out of 100 graduating in 73

here there maybe 2 or 3

whom I have spoken with

since the 45th.

Some others passed on

to the higher realm.

Two Bob’s I knew well

both departed, 

they won’t be here,

Others won’t travel any more

to sit at dinner and a table for 4.

Some classmates living very close

never come to these events,

no matter if invitations are sent.

This is an anniversary that has no meaning

unless you have that inspired feeling,

to see us all before it is too late

and realize that this is fate,

that brought us together years ago

to have this educational boon,

so now lets just meet on zoom!

©MartinStrasmore2023