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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOZEZeeLM50
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOZEZeeLM50
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Coming Home at Twilight in Late Summer
We turned into the drive,
and gravel flew up from the tires
like sparks from a fire. So much
to be done—the unpacking, the mail
and papers ... the grass needed mowing ....
We climbed stiffly out of the car.
The shut-off engine ticked as it cooled.
And then we noticed the pear tree,
the limbs so heavy with fruit
they nearly touched the ground.
We went out to the meadow; our steps
made black holes in the grass;
and we each took a pear,
and ate, and were grateful.
and gravel flew up from the tires
like sparks from a fire. So much
to be done—the unpacking, the mail
and papers ... the grass needed mowing ....
We climbed stiffly out of the car.
The shut-off engine ticked as it cooled.
And then we noticed the pear tree,
the limbs so heavy with fruit
they nearly touched the ground.
We went out to the meadow; our steps
made black holes in the grass;
and we each took a pear,
and ate, and were grateful.
.......
Be Kind
Not merely because Henry James said
there were but four rules of life—
be kind be kind be kind be kind— but
because it's good for the soul, and,
what's more, for others; it may be
that kindness is our best audition
for a worthier world, and, despite
the vagueness and uncertainty of
its recompense, a bird may yet wander
into a bush before our very houses,
gratitude may not manifest itself in deeds
entirely equal to our own, still there's
weather arriving from every direction,
the feasts of famine and feasts of plenty
may yet prove to be one, so why not
allow the little sacrificial squinches and
squigulas to prevail? Why not inundate
the particular world with minute particulars?
Dust's certainly all our fate, so why not
make it the happiest possible dust,
a detritus of blessedness? Surely
the hedgehog, furling and unfurling
into its spiked little ball, knows something
that, with gentle touch and unthreatening
tone, can inure to our benefit, surely the wicked
witches of our childhood have died and,
from where they are buried, a great kindness
has eclipsed their misdeeds. Yes, of course,
in the end so much comes down to privilege
and its various penumbras, but too much
of our unruly animus has already been
wasted on reprisals, too much of the
unblessed air is filled with smoke from
undignified fires. Oh friends, take
whatever kindness you can find
and be profligate in its expenditure:
It will not drain your limited resources,
I assure you, it will not leave you vulnerable
and unfurled, with only your sweet little claws
to defend yourselves, and your wet little noses,
and your eyes to the ground, and your little feet.
The 60th Reunion
1954 class of Waukesha High School
Aug. 22 and 23, 2014
IT WAS
a time of remembrance,
rekindling friendships...
Since we took our HS diplomas in Horeb Spring amphitheater
there have been twelve such reunion events
over the flying years.
This reporter had not been to a single one
so figured at this stage of the game
it was time.
Gathering at the former Wauksha High
now named Les Paul/Central Campus Middle School
we prepared for a nicely-led tour by appointment.
They seemed glad to see us.
School District PR man Norder does a good job.
Of particular interest to us was the remodeled gym
where the once rickety balcony we crowded onto at game events,
is no longer there.
'Before' picture from an old photo
'After'.
Game attenders sit on bleachers opposite side.
Ball players not as prone to flying into kids' laps
with this arrangement.
Saddle-shoed Jack Hill points to Henry Ford quote recently painted on wall.
The school was standing tall, readly for incoming students as the next term approaches.
A gift of labor and materials from employees of GE has helped put a bright face
on the old renamed school.
The Ford quote: "Failure is only the opportunity to begin again
more intelligently."
The much-trod main entrance...and exit
more reunion pix next attachment
go to
http://raccoonnews.blogspot.com/2014/08/high-school-reunion-pix-contd.html
there were but four rules of life—
be kind be kind be kind be kind— but
because it's good for the soul, and,
what's more, for others; it may be
that kindness is our best audition
for a worthier world, and, despite
the vagueness and uncertainty of
its recompense, a bird may yet wander
into a bush before our very houses,
gratitude may not manifest itself in deeds
entirely equal to our own, still there's
weather arriving from every direction,
the feasts of famine and feasts of plenty
may yet prove to be one, so why not
allow the little sacrificial squinches and
squigulas to prevail? Why not inundate
the particular world with minute particulars?
Dust's certainly all our fate, so why not
make it the happiest possible dust,
a detritus of blessedness? Surely
the hedgehog, furling and unfurling
into its spiked little ball, knows something
that, with gentle touch and unthreatening
tone, can inure to our benefit, surely the wicked
witches of our childhood have died and,
from where they are buried, a great kindness
has eclipsed their misdeeds. Yes, of course,
in the end so much comes down to privilege
and its various penumbras, but too much
of our unruly animus has already been
wasted on reprisals, too much of the
unblessed air is filled with smoke from
undignified fires. Oh friends, take
whatever kindness you can find
and be profligate in its expenditure:
It will not drain your limited resources,
I assure you, it will not leave you vulnerable
and unfurled, with only your sweet little claws
to defend yourselves, and your wet little noses,
and your eyes to the ground, and your little feet.
The 60th Reunion
1954 class of Waukesha High School
Aug. 22 and 23, 2014
IT WAS
a time of remembrance,
rekindling friendships...
Since we took our HS diplomas in Horeb Spring amphitheater
there have been twelve such reunion events
over the flying years.
This reporter had not been to a single one
so figured at this stage of the game
it was time.
Gathering at the former Wauksha High
now named Les Paul/Central Campus Middle School
we prepared for a nicely-led tour by appointment.
They seemed glad to see us.
School District PR man Norder does a good job.
Of particular interest to us was the remodeled gym
where the once rickety balcony we crowded onto at game events,
is no longer there.
'After'.
Game attenders sit on bleachers opposite side.
Ball players not as prone to flying into kids' laps
with this arrangement.
Saddle-shoed Jack Hill points to Henry Ford quote recently painted on wall.
The school was standing tall, readly for incoming students as the next term approaches.
A gift of labor and materials from employees of GE has helped put a bright face
on the old renamed school.
The Ford quote: "Failure is only the opportunity to begin again
more intelligently."
The much-trod main entrance...and exit
more reunion pix next attachment
go to
http://raccoonnews.blogspot.com/2014/08/high-school-reunion-pix-contd.html
