poem COLLECTION #1: FRAGMENTS OF RHYME AND REASON
part 2: cameos
Along the Towpath of the C&O Canal
A hillside house from river's flooding spared
Through time her graying beauty unimpaired
In verdant woods tight buds their blossoms burst
While quarreling birds their summer song rehearsed
Steel spans, great stones and timbered relics stood
Where once lockkeepers earned their livelihood
The bright plumed drake his lady friends in tow
Disturbs the lazing golden carp below
Enriched by streams with languid fluency
Below, the pewter river flows to sea
We saw the change of seasons through the rain
And heard the shot of hunter sighting game
By green topped waters held by beaver dams
Lie railroad tracks once built by sweat soaked gangs
Raccoon and snake to mortal combat spring
A woodchuck scurries, turkeys take to wing
Road's end brings now a parting of the way
Beyond, the glow of what we shared shall stay
1981
A hillside house from river's flooding spared
Through time her graying beauty unimpaired
In verdant woods tight buds their blossoms burst
While quarreling birds their summer song rehearsed
Steel spans, great stones and timbered relics stood
Where once lockkeepers earned their livelihood
The bright plumed drake his lady friends in tow
Disturbs the lazing golden carp below
Enriched by streams with languid fluency
Below, the pewter river flows to sea
We saw the change of seasons through the rain
And heard the shot of hunter sighting game
By green topped waters held by beaver dams
Lie railroad tracks once built by sweat soaked gangs
Raccoon and snake to mortal combat spring
A woodchuck scurries, turkeys take to wing
Road's end brings now a parting of the way
Beyond, the glow of what we shared shall stay
1981
|
Cape Cod
The Little House in Harwich Is a lovely place to be As we enrich our friendship In the autumn by the sea. 1977 |
John's Island
Flecks of gold morning sun Ride the waves across the shore Tales of days past quietly spun Punctuate the ocean's roar. 1980 |
To Memory
Memory is a river
Standing still we see the present
in reflection.
To catch a glimmer of the past
We must outrun the stream, until,
In its downward course, we stop,
Breathlessly,
To see what went before.
Memory is a flower
Whose fragrance lingers
Long after it has faded.
We press it in a book
And know it is there
But dare not often look
Lest it crumble
Taking away even the little we have.
Memory is the gift of a friend.
For every hour of trial
we may be called to face
I'll have a happy hour to match
Which you unselfishly
have given me to keep
Forever as mine own.
I'll race the river till I die
No man can stay its course.
My very life protects the flower
Whose fragrance I adored.
No day goes by and never shall
But what this prayer I say:
Thou hast been gracious unto me,
O Lord,
Bless my dear ones this day.
1937
Memory is a river
Standing still we see the present
in reflection.
To catch a glimmer of the past
We must outrun the stream, until,
In its downward course, we stop,
Breathlessly,
To see what went before.
Memory is a flower
Whose fragrance lingers
Long after it has faded.
We press it in a book
And know it is there
But dare not often look
Lest it crumble
Taking away even the little we have.
Memory is the gift of a friend.
For every hour of trial
we may be called to face
I'll have a happy hour to match
Which you unselfishly
have given me to keep
Forever as mine own.
I'll race the river till I die
No man can stay its course.
My very life protects the flower
Whose fragrance I adored.
No day goes by and never shall
But what this prayer I say:
Thou hast been gracious unto me,
O Lord,
Bless my dear ones this day.
1937
Inscriptions
And bless the goodly household where
We friendship's joys with one another share.
1980
* * * * * *
She stands a lovely flower
in the garden of our hearts.
1982
* * * * * *
Weep not where love was known
For there eternity was shown.
1984
* * * * * *
When words are used as flowers
To make up a bouquet
The ones that never seem to fade
Are "I love you today."
* * * * * *
She walks in grace and beautifies the land
Where those are blessed who reach and
touch her hand.
1985
* * * * * *
Anxious hours he works for others
Surgeon's skills relieving pain
May the years of service bring him
Well done's satisfying gain.
1977
* * * * * *
They with their rhythmic music brought to us
The gift of grace notes from our student days.
1984
* * * * * *
Down fairways green we spend the calming hours
With comrades forging friendships truly ours.
1985
* * * * * *
Then let brave men in iron ships at sea
For all keep ocean lanes forever free.
1985
* * * * * *
Harsh winds of war held loved ones far apart
Who shared with pen the pain of aching heart.
1985
* * * * * *
And bless the goodly household where
We friendship's joys with one another share.
1980
* * * * * *
She stands a lovely flower
in the garden of our hearts.
1982
* * * * * *
Weep not where love was known
For there eternity was shown.
1984
* * * * * *
When words are used as flowers
To make up a bouquet
The ones that never seem to fade
Are "I love you today."
* * * * * *
She walks in grace and beautifies the land
Where those are blessed who reach and
touch her hand.
1985
* * * * * *
Anxious hours he works for others
Surgeon's skills relieving pain
May the years of service bring him
Well done's satisfying gain.
1977
* * * * * *
They with their rhythmic music brought to us
The gift of grace notes from our student days.
1984
* * * * * *
Down fairways green we spend the calming hours
With comrades forging friendships truly ours.
1985
* * * * * *
Then let brave men in iron ships at sea
For all keep ocean lanes forever free.
1985
* * * * * *
Harsh winds of war held loved ones far apart
Who shared with pen the pain of aching heart.
1985
* * * * * *
Reunion Dilemma
You failed to recognize me
Am I very changed my friend?
Remember now the promise we
Would love until the end?
I grasped at my dear Mary
Who eluded my embrace
She did not even tarry
Simply told me she was Grace.
What shook me up was Dottie
Who'd been operated on
I found this one more knotty
As her name had once been Don.
Not wanting to upset her
I turned to some old pals
My luck was there no better
Than it had been with the gals.
What's his name is just the same
He looked old even then
But called me by another's name
And then looked blank again.
Yes time may take its measure
But with name tags written bold
We can say "hello" with pleasure
Sharing moments oft retold.
1984
You failed to recognize me
Am I very changed my friend?
Remember now the promise we
Would love until the end?
I grasped at my dear Mary
Who eluded my embrace
She did not even tarry
Simply told me she was Grace.
What shook me up was Dottie
Who'd been operated on
I found this one more knotty
As her name had once been Don.
Not wanting to upset her
I turned to some old pals
My luck was there no better
Than it had been with the gals.
What's his name is just the same
He looked old even then
But called me by another's name
And then looked blank again.
Yes time may take its measure
But with name tags written bold
We can say "hello" with pleasure
Sharing moments oft retold.
1984
Alyeskan August
In snow white ship we plied the glacial sea
In search of wonders in the north's Great State
And wonders found so great they could not be
So silently were mount and sky to wait
While coral streaked the captive clouds of gleam
That spruce held up their reverent arms to pray.
We saw King salmon gain the upper stream
Once panned for gold where grizzlies learn to play.
Saw miracle of oil-flow from North Slope
In harmony with tundra's caribou
And far from glaciers calving floes of taupe
Contesting rams where golden eagles flew.
But brightest wonder found at search's end
Found without search in the heart of a friend.
1985
In snow white ship we plied the glacial sea
In search of wonders in the north's Great State
And wonders found so great they could not be
So silently were mount and sky to wait
While coral streaked the captive clouds of gleam
That spruce held up their reverent arms to pray.
We saw King salmon gain the upper stream
Once panned for gold where grizzlies learn to play.
Saw miracle of oil-flow from North Slope
In harmony with tundra's caribou
And far from glaciers calving floes of taupe
Contesting rams where golden eagles flew.
But brightest wonder found at search's end
Found without search in the heart of a friend.
1985
Yuletide
Keeping links of friendship burnished
Memories wend across the way
Wishing you whose lives enrich us
All a blessed Christmas Day.
1977
* * * * * *
Let hands be joined as Yule bells ring
And wish each other well
May each in turn the other bring
Much joy on this Noel.
1977
* * * * * *
Thinking now of times long past
Thankful for the ties that bind
We another Yulelog cast
On the fires of the mind.
1978
Keeping links of friendship burnished
Memories wend across the way
Wishing you whose lives enrich us
All a blessed Christmas Day.
1977
* * * * * *
Let hands be joined as Yule bells ring
And wish each other well
May each in turn the other bring
Much joy on this Noel.
1977
* * * * * *
Thinking now of times long past
Thankful for the ties that bind
We another Yulelog cast
On the fires of the mind.
1978
Nightfall
Night,
The moon,
The stars above.
They stir me all
As a melody which
In my memory is put away
And cannot readily be found.
Why is this so?
All I can
Ask is
Why?
1934
Night,
The moon,
The stars above.
They stir me all
As a melody which
In my memory is put away
And cannot readily be found.
Why is this so?
All I can
Ask is
Why?
1934
Salvation Army Retirement
Hand joined hand as you together
Heard the distant trumpet call
Summoned to a service ever
Beneficial to us all.
Ever heeding wants of others
So that they like you might live,
Following Christ as Christian brothers
And our errant ways forgive.
Freely walking with the wind you
Marched across life's rustic bridge.
May you now as then continue
Adding to our heritage.
Let our heartfelt wish be thus:
That good health may long endure,
That the joy you've brought to us
Be for you as well secure.
Blessings rain on your new station
As you leave your post this day;
Bright stars in life's constellation
Always in our hearts to stay.
1976
Hand joined hand as you together
Heard the distant trumpet call
Summoned to a service ever
Beneficial to us all.
Ever heeding wants of others
So that they like you might live,
Following Christ as Christian brothers
And our errant ways forgive.
Freely walking with the wind you
Marched across life's rustic bridge.
May you now as then continue
Adding to our heritage.
Let our heartfelt wish be thus:
That good health may long endure,
That the joy you've brought to us
Be for you as well secure.
Blessings rain on your new station
As you leave your post this day;
Bright stars in life's constellation
Always in our hearts to stay.
1976
Pastoral Farewell
Strangers were we when we met
Hands of welcome briefly touched
'Neath the cross's silhouette
Changed to heart ties firmly clutched
Thank you for the things you brought:
Youth and talent, Christian love
Thank you for the things you taught:
Others put, not self, above.
When from here we find you gone
And too quickly time does fly
We for shining moments on
Links of friendship will rely.
1978
Strangers were we when we met
Hands of welcome briefly touched
'Neath the cross's silhouette
Changed to heart ties firmly clutched
Thank you for the things you brought:
Youth and talent, Christian love
Thank you for the things you taught:
Others put, not self, above.
When from here we find you gone
And too quickly time does fly
We for shining moments on
Links of friendship will rely.
1978
Class Reunion
Come climb again the Hill where once we shared
In golden days of youth the shining dreams
Of victory of self to gain and dared
To test if truth be other than it seems.
Imperfect earth leads us to paths unseen
And battles fought yield scars we cannot hide;
Yet echoes sound in halls of years between
Bid courage take till faith and hope abide.
The gathering swell of Rock Chalk's old refrain
Mid ringing peals of Crimson and the Blue
Stirs heart and hand to reach and touch again
Remembered friends we knew before time flew.
Road's end brings now a parting of the way;
Beyond, the glow of what we shared shall stay.
1984
Come climb again the Hill where once we shared
In golden days of youth the shining dreams
Of victory of self to gain and dared
To test if truth be other than it seems.
Imperfect earth leads us to paths unseen
And battles fought yield scars we cannot hide;
Yet echoes sound in halls of years between
Bid courage take till faith and hope abide.
The gathering swell of Rock Chalk's old refrain
Mid ringing peals of Crimson and the Blue
Stirs heart and hand to reach and touch again
Remembered friends we knew before time flew.
Road's end brings now a parting of the way;
Beyond, the glow of what we shared shall stay.
1984
Helvetica
Flowers for Madame and others: The enchanting European custom of seemingly growing flowers everywhere is still much alive in Switzerland. One is left to wonder who takes care of them all. No Japanese gardener (California style) can be seen. Yet houses and business offices are not only surrounded by beautiful ground cover, but floral offerings are elevated to eye level and beyond by the use of window flower boxes. They are so numerous their absence on any building seems exceptional. As has been said, happy is he who hath the power to gather wisdom from a flower.
Looking back: Rene and I made our way leisurely into the courtyard of No. 40 Gasometer Strasse. We had been neighbors nearly 70 years ago in this city-owned apartment complex (built specifically for families with children). The neighborhood is still well maintained, but tenants are now predominantly families of the foreign work force (20% of the population). The inner court, which once had been my universe and huge, now seemed small, the more so because of the extensive framework of the jungle gym. It was in this place I learned not to give in exchange for my friend's much admired pocketknife my father's fine watch. From there too I had run at the sound of the military band to follow recruits to the Caserne, there to exchange cake for Army black bread. Years later, when then in my teens, Rene and I had tackled a few of the minor peaks. References to Rigi, Pilatus, Uri Rostock and Engelberg evoked warm memories of climbs, of resting places, of the glow of hillside signal fires celebrating the creation of a confederacy dating from 1291. And when the rains came, it was Jass we played in the shepherd's hut where the scent of hot chocolate permeated the air.
Church bells: The Sunday before our return home we woke to the peal of church bells, a lovely sound, calling parishioners to worship. Relatively few respond. Attendance is poor by American standards (one friend explaining that the Swiss take their religion seriously, but not their church). By and large the clergy is still paid by a special levy collected by the state. A positive action is required by the citizen to avoid payment. We made our way to Zurich's French Reformed Church, where attendance is better than average, for this church serves also as a social center for those Swiss from the French-speaking part of the country who now inhabit Zurich. Thus it was in 1910, when my parents were married in this church, and where, two years later, I survived the rite of baptism.
Sidewalk Chess in Bern: In an island of quiet, midst busy streets, they make their plays, within a stone's throw of where Allen Dulles, during WW II, planned OSS next move; and where, during WW I, he, as third secretary of the American Legation, signed the passport authorizing the family of which I was a part to settle in the U.S.
1982
Flowers for Madame and others: The enchanting European custom of seemingly growing flowers everywhere is still much alive in Switzerland. One is left to wonder who takes care of them all. No Japanese gardener (California style) can be seen. Yet houses and business offices are not only surrounded by beautiful ground cover, but floral offerings are elevated to eye level and beyond by the use of window flower boxes. They are so numerous their absence on any building seems exceptional. As has been said, happy is he who hath the power to gather wisdom from a flower.
Looking back: Rene and I made our way leisurely into the courtyard of No. 40 Gasometer Strasse. We had been neighbors nearly 70 years ago in this city-owned apartment complex (built specifically for families with children). The neighborhood is still well maintained, but tenants are now predominantly families of the foreign work force (20% of the population). The inner court, which once had been my universe and huge, now seemed small, the more so because of the extensive framework of the jungle gym. It was in this place I learned not to give in exchange for my friend's much admired pocketknife my father's fine watch. From there too I had run at the sound of the military band to follow recruits to the Caserne, there to exchange cake for Army black bread. Years later, when then in my teens, Rene and I had tackled a few of the minor peaks. References to Rigi, Pilatus, Uri Rostock and Engelberg evoked warm memories of climbs, of resting places, of the glow of hillside signal fires celebrating the creation of a confederacy dating from 1291. And when the rains came, it was Jass we played in the shepherd's hut where the scent of hot chocolate permeated the air.
Church bells: The Sunday before our return home we woke to the peal of church bells, a lovely sound, calling parishioners to worship. Relatively few respond. Attendance is poor by American standards (one friend explaining that the Swiss take their religion seriously, but not their church). By and large the clergy is still paid by a special levy collected by the state. A positive action is required by the citizen to avoid payment. We made our way to Zurich's French Reformed Church, where attendance is better than average, for this church serves also as a social center for those Swiss from the French-speaking part of the country who now inhabit Zurich. Thus it was in 1910, when my parents were married in this church, and where, two years later, I survived the rite of baptism.
Sidewalk Chess in Bern: In an island of quiet, midst busy streets, they make their plays, within a stone's throw of where Allen Dulles, during WW II, planned OSS next move; and where, during WW I, he, as third secretary of the American Legation, signed the passport authorizing the family of which I was a part to settle in the U.S.
1982
To Fragments of Rhyme and Reason Part 1: Family Affairs
To Fragments of Rhyme and Reason Part 3: Lifelines
To Fragments of Rhyme and Reason Part 3: Lifelines
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