A Chelmsford Autumn

(Photos by Jeanne Malouin)

I don't mean to brag about it, but it would be hard

To find better Autumn colors than what's in my yard

Here in Massachusetts, in my quaint New England town.

Hopefully, the rain and wind won't blow all these leaves down.

Pines have shed their needles while the oaks are - mostly - green,

Adding depth and contrast to the view through my porch screen.

Red and orange sugar maples, almost at their peak...

Layers of colors that I'll be enjoying for a week.

Since October's been so warm the colors came on late.

We're about two weeks behind what's normal for the state.

Not that I'm complaining, mind you... Any time at all

Is the perfect time to see this glorious a Fall.

#Me3

I have yet to meet another woman who has not

Had unwanted comments made on "attributes" she's got:

Eyes or lips or legs or hips or thighs or "tits and ass..."

Some just clumsy "compliments" but, most - completely crass.

Women hear "The Law of the Hereafter" on a date;

"If you're not here after what I'm after," he will state

"You will be here after I have left... Without a ride."

(It's why I stopped wearing heels and gained a rapid stride.)

6 to 60, crippled, crazy... Any given night

Women have to block advances they did not invite.

So, the Me Too hashtag didn't come as a surprise,

Not to women but, apparently, to many guys.

I suppose it's possible that men were unaware...

I guess that I'd always just assumed they didn't care,

Not unless the woman was their daughter or their wife.

I thought some misogyny was just a fact of life. 

Happy 23rd Beloved

 

Sunday we will celebrate our anniversary,

'though it's not a major milestone year at 23.

Didn't know back then, when I became my best friend's wife,

It was the beginning of the best years of my life.

Thanks to him, I haven't had to worry.  Life is good.

Raised two sons together in our lovely neighborhood.

Nowadays, I love him more than on the day we wed...

I don't even mind he hogs the blankets in our bed.

If I started counting blessings rather than the years

It would take forever and I'd bore you all to tears.

But, if he is half as happy as the man's made me,

He is also hoping for another 23.

Common Ground?

Trump continues proving that he hasn't got a clue

What it is the country wants its President to do.

Most of us do not want chaos - don't want World War III.

Don't like governance by tweet or - worse - Sean Hannity.

But, a large minority of voters think it's fine...

Don't see any reason for the Donald to resign.

Do not care that he's disruptive... Feel that it's a plus.

They applaud whenever Trump starts kicking up a fuss.

Maybe they are entertained by him but I am not.

I am in a state of deep despair.  My nerves are shot.

I can't understand why Trump's supporters aren't afraid...

Unless they do not believe the statements that he's made.

That is something we agree on... Maybe there is hope?

Could it be that they're aware the President's a dope?

If they do not trust him either, that could be a start.

It would mean Americans are not that far apart.

Shocked At The Gamble

Tennessee Republican Bob Corker said that he

Fears that Donald Trump will get us into World War III.

Claims his colleagues know it, too...  Well, isn't that just great.

Nice of them to realize it now that it's too late.

With their trumped up culture war the heartland chose to back

Someone who was only qualified at "talkin' smack."

Like Claude Rains in Casablanca, now they're shocked to find

That they gambled on a man who isn't sound of mind.

Now we get to wait and see which way the dice will fall;

If we're in "the calm before the storm" that kills us all.

I sure wish the usual suspects would grow a pair;

Take a stand against the "chaos..." Get Trump out of there.

Happy 20th Birthday

Happy birthday darlin'...  May you have a hundred more.

Hope you smile so much it makes your facial muscles sore.

That still wouldn't make us even...  These last 20 years

You have made me grin and laugh until I was in tears.

You have brought such joy to us, my love, that we'll forgive

Those few times I wasn't sure if we would let you live.

But, I'm really glad we did...  Especially today.

Who wants peace and quiet from their children anyway?

Dear Congress... Spare Us

 

Spare me the condolences and useless thoughts and prayers,

Lowered flags and silent moments...  No one really cares.

I'm so sick and tired of the empty gestures when

Nothing ever changes...  And it's happening again.

"Now is not the time to talk about it," Sanders said.

We should "come together" for the wounded and the dead.

Background checks and gun control would not have stopped this crime,

Therefore, we should just do nothing, like we did last time...

And the time before that and the all too many more

When they've offered thoughts and prayers in speeches from the floor.

Lowered flags?  I'm sure that - this time - that'll do the trick.

I think I might go and vomit now...  I'm feeling sick.