AFTERMATH

by LaRue Watts



The condo men in bonding mode
Are telling tales of how they rode
Relentless winds that came along
And sang a deadly Siren's song.
Their wives are more concerned with need,
Electric, water, mouths to feed.
The children celebrate their way.
No school for them, again today.

The fallen trees are all around
With roots torn out of soggy ground.
And flooded streets are not the norm
But have been ever since the storm.
All crossroads are a four-way stop.
At some of them, a friendly cop.
While gas is still a driver's dream,
The trucks are coming, it would seem.

When normal days return again,
Will tales expand from condo men?
Those lucky ones will often tell
About that night of living hell.
It was a time to not go through
And yet we did.  Because of you
I found the nerve to struggle on
Remembering a brighter dawn
In darkest times, I never planned,
I found a light within your hand.
And with that comfort all along
I  knew we'd come through, Naples strong!

SURVIVAL (IRMA VERSION)

by LaRue Watts

We placed a pallet on the floor
Within a safe room, just one door.
No windows that might break or shatter
And there we stayed throughout the clatter.

It soon became a place of prayer
With howling winds from everywhere.
Our cat would join in, now and then
A howl? Or was it an "Amen."

The cell phone was our only link
With what was Naples on the brink.
"The worst is over" said the voice
And so we made another choice.

We ventured out to see what was
While fearing for the worst because
Of all the noise and havoc wrought
But all our fears had been for naught.

No damage to our living space
What joy will now fill up the place!
The nightmare still had plans to share,
A day of unconditioned air.

It lasted a full twenty-four
With sweat exuding every pore.
At last, a break, electric on
The battle now was surely won.

And in reflection, friends who care
Gave Him the strength to answer prayer.

SURVIVAL

by LaRue Watts

We all have days when the sun won't shine
And storm clouds will assail us.
But I find rain is just a sign
Tomorrow will not fail us.

To get through life with ups and downs
No matter how one's pain grows
When smiling skies show only frowns,
You must remember rainbows.

FRAGILE

by LaRue Watts

Some say climate change is fake
I have quite a different take.
No, fragile.

An o-zone hole is just a ruse
To blame emissions. Lame excuse?
No, fragile.

A fact can be an awful thing.
Denying isn't smart.
So stand and let your voices sing
A love song from your heart.
This earth we love is what we leave
The future generations
And that's a fact you must believe
To save our dying nations.
.
So let us hope that some day we
Can face our world and  finally see
No fragile.

REGRETS

by LaRue Watts

I've no regrets for loves gone by
Or most mistakes I've made.
My unkind words (no reason why)
Contain the dues I've paid.

I don't regret the weight I've lost
Or any that I've gained.
My life goes on at any cost
Though parts of it are stained.

I've no regrets for fools I've snubbed
Or suffered not at all.
I do not rue those lamps unrubbed
Or heedless "beck and call."

I need no reason to regret
The fears I've overcome
For every sun will one day set.
And every joy grow numb.

If I must choose my one regret
And dare I be so bold?
I cannot walk a dog, a pet
Because, alas, I'm old.

LIKES

by LaRue Watts

What do I like?  If you insist,
I offer you this partial list.
I like Sal and Kit and Holly.
I like Midler doing "Dolly,"
Connie, Lori, Clair and Joe,
Leon, Denis, Mark and Mo, 
I Like Susie Rosabella.
Act two of "Most Happy Fella."
Jeannie, Alex, Bill and Zach,
Beth, the best of one Wulf pack,
Kansas Sumner County Fair,
Gina who takes care of hair,
I like Allison and Lynn,
Any kind of country inn,
Kurt, who's Erwin Giesemann (Third),
Any Striesand ever heard,
The Warning clan and those they wed,
Rock and Roll's The Grateful Dead,
Parker, Chuck and dear Diane,
Disney's classic "Peter Pan,"
Caren, Gaile from college days.
Baseball teams with Willy Mays.
John, Marlene, (she's my muse)
Cousin Judy, (my good news)
Richard, Laurie, Jeri, Matt,
And their offspring and my cat,
Cans that have a pull-tab top.
I like Sandy, she's a cop.
I like Rice, a family name.
Next up? Midler doing "Mame?"
Struble, Murff, Bobek, Jayroe.
How much further should I go?
Linda Meade and Susan Druss.
Gee, I am a lucky cuss.
All these "likes."  Did I miss you?
Wait till you read Chapter two.

REMEMBER?

by LaRue Watts

Popcorn balls at Halloween when candy wasn't wrapped.
Cooking in the oven when dinner wasn't zapped.
"Chivarees" for newly weds.
Castor oil, the worst of meds.
Is it me or do we both remember?

Telephones you had to crank to get your "party" line.
Grape juice at communion and they told you it was wine.
Radio on Sunday night
Windy days to fly a kite.
Is it me or do we both remember?

Double feature picture shows with news and a cartoon.
Serials like "Radar Men" arriving from the moon.
Garden picking when they're ripe.
Out at midnight, hunting Snipe.
Wash "rags," not a Handi-wipe.

Remember?

Catching fireflies, punching holes into lids of jars.
Chocolate candy cigarettes and bubble gum cigars.
That first crush that got you kissed.
Oh, the days that now are missed.
April reminiscences lie sweetly in December.
Is it me or do we both remember?