Reason for November

Grey clouds that crowd the sky

hurry on by.

Gusty winds push brown leaves that

jump and prance

in a fanciful dance.

November brings the end of

the warm summer breezes

and eases

us into

the Winter Season,

and that’s

enough reason

for November.

            --Lucretia

Sonnet for November

Shovels on high

Rakes face the wall

Seeds in their files

Tulips asleep in their beds.

Beds heaped with mulch

Gloves packed away

Hoses wrapped and stowed

Tulips asleep in their beds.

Trees wrapped up tight

Planters stowed away

Sno-Melt at the ready

Tulips asleep in their beds.

The shed locked up tight

Dreams of peat pots

Gone frm my head

Tulips asleep in their beds.

          --Scheherazade

Three Temptations I Can't Resist

When I see a comma out of place,

a chocolate bar, a young man’s face,

I must take action, have no doubt.

These things I cannot live without.

Not essential?  Fie!  You say,

without them I won’t waste away,

but joy will fade, and so I’ll shout,

These things I will not live without!

My red pen aches to mark and scratch

each spelling error, with a hatch.

Circle run-ons, cap that noun.

Rearrange syntax with a frown.

My tastebuds, in anticipation

await the milky, dark sensation.

Godiva, Hershey, M&Ms--

I gobble down these luscious gems.

It has not waned, as I grow older.

In fact, my age has made me bolder.

When viewing beauty, male and strong,

I salute testosterone with a song!

Of course, life brings me other treasures:

friends and family, pets, and pleasures.

But with grammar, chocolate, and young men,

My cup is full; I’ll drink up then! 

Until I’m told to cease, desist,

the error, the chocolate, the young man’s wrist,

will be corrected and eaten and kissed.

These three temptations I can’t resist.

            --Agatha

Ode on an American Cheeseburger

Thou still uneaten mound of deliciousness!

There you lie in all your wondrous layers.

What fringed lettuce leaves

peek from beneath your rounded bun.

The slice of red onion ignites passion.

What pickles are present to drive men mad!

The golden cheddar drips in rivulets

over that medium-rare

aggregation of ground beef.

I chomp, my pursuit ended.

         --Zazu

Words of Wisdom from a Bird

You need to move often.

You must travel light.

If you sense danger

be quick to take flight.

Eat what you find.

Drink when you can,

and when the winds change,

just make a new plan.

Sing every day.

Sing your own song.

Make your voice heard.

It will help make you strong.

Keep your nest simple.

Make your life plain.

Fly toward the good things.

Fly away from the pain.

Take care of your children.

Just do your best,

and when the time comes,

push them out of your nest.

The world is a good place.

Your friends hold you dear,

so stretch out your wings

and soar without fear.

         --Sappho