On Hiatus

I have not been diligent in writing for this blog;

Used to do a lot of rhymes but it became a slog.

It's no fun to rhyme about what's going on out there.

America is in a crisis...  I am in despair.

I'd thought Donald Trump an aberration - just a fluke -

Now I see he isn't, and that makes we want to puke.

He attacks the very things that made this country great;

Demonizing every Democratic candidate.

His base loves him for it; they adore his Twitter rants...

Echoing his ugly sentiments in racist chants.

Maybe Trump's just cynical and it's his strategy

But the fact it's working for him is depressing me.

I feel like a dummy 'cause I never understood

How it is that people, even in my neighborhood,

Here, in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, are supporting Trump...

My faith in humanity has gone into a slump.

'though I've tried, repeatedly, to see the other side;

Put aside how often his Administration's lied,

Watched a lot of FOX and Friends for what they had to say,

I found myself overwhelmed...  I've had to step away.

Goodbye Adam

 (The McCarthy Middle School talent contest version, Adam in a kilt, was better.)

I spent this year's Mother's Day at Adam Gregoire's wake.

It felt like a nightmare and I thought my heart would break

At the pictures of the boy who used to hang around...

Ate and slept here.  Yet, today, they'll lay him in the ground.

He was such a lovely boy; so funny but so sweet.

Taught our son to play guitar and how to keep a beat.

I can still remember them - in triumph on the stage.

Such a talent gone from us at far too young an age.

Both my sons attended with me and they made me proud

As we stood in line and waited with the massive crowd

Come to say goodbye and offer useless sympathy

And, like all but Adam's mom, thank God she wasn't me.

Not So Happy All Hallows Eve

Happy Hallowe'en, my friends.  Enjoy your tricks and treats.

Watch out for the little kids in costume in the streets.

Trick or Treating's been postponed 'til Friday in my town

Due to winds which made some trees and power-lines come down.

Chelmsford's not the only town affected locally,

My sister in Dracut's yard has got a fallen tree.

Schools are cancelled...  Still, I'd bet most kids are feeling sad;

Now they've got no place to wear the costumes that they had.

'though I understand tonight's impossible to swing,

I'm afraid November 3rd still lacks a certain zing.

It is not All Hallows Eve - October 31st...

Just another night for eating candy 'til we burst.

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.

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.

Castle Rock in Chelmsford?

I had yet to hear the news and so it was a shock

When location scouting agents stumbled on my block.

They were looking here and in some other neighborhoods;

Said they were from Warner Brothers and they liked our woods.

They are shooting Castle Rock - a Hulu TV show -

Based on books by Stephen King.  But, now I wanna know

What is it the scouting agent saw that made her think

Our woods would be suitable?  Now I'm afraid to blink.

Did she see a rabid Saint Bernard or scary clown?

Are there monsters roaming through my quiet, little town?

It's a little disconcerting when somebody looks

At your house and thinks it's like something from Stephen's books.

Promenade on the Chelmsford Common

My beautiful niece on her way to prom. (Photo/Courtesy of Peter S. Corr III)

 Here in Chelmsford, seniors - who are on their way to prom -

Stop and pose for pictures on the Common with their mom.

It's become traditional and draws a massive crowd;

Couples dressed in finery, their parents looking proud.

I've been there the last few years for nieces and my son;

Love to see the gorgeous gowns and pick my favorite one.

'though the crowds of people make the Center's traffic slow,

Once my own have graduated I still plan to go.

I Miss Trick-or-Treaters

No one in our neighborhood comes here to Trick-or-Treat.

There are just 3 houses down our long and private street;

There are some coyotes and no streetlights where we live.

We aren't worth the walk, despite the full-sized bars we give.

I remember Hallowe'ens when we would take the boys;

Autumn winds would rustle leaves and make a spooky noise.

Flashlights weren't a lot of help 'cause there's a lot of woods

On the way back home from other people's neighborhoods.

Thus, I cannot blame the costumed children who decide

There's too many places for a ghost or 2 to hide.

If I didn't live here, I would take one look then leave...

Maximize my chances somewhere else All Hallows Eve.

The Boston Marathon Bombings' One Year Anniversary

Marathon survivor and Chelmsford native, Jeff Bauman, just released a new book.

 

Just a year since Boston was attacked - but it feels longer.

Terrorism didn't win...  It only made us stronger.

'though we saw the worst of man we, mostly, saw the best.

Cowardice of 2 young men made heroes of the rest.

Strangers rushed to render aid to victims of the blast;

I have never seen so many people move that fast.

We will always mourn the three who died that April day;

That's a sense of loss and grief that hasn't gone away.

Yet, how many more were saved by strangers from the crowd

Rushing in to help the wounded?  They made Boston proud.

Didn't hurt that local hospitals are world renowned;

Better care for trauma victims couldn't have been found.

On this anniversary I dedicate my rhyme

To those brave survivors; praying that they'll heal with time...

Knowing that - for them - a single year is not that long;

Hoping they will lean on us, 'cause we are Boston Strong.

Chelmsford High PRIDE

It is very disconcerting to have helicopters taking aerial shots of your local high school and satellite trucks with reporters waiting at the entrance.  I think I saw my car on the morning news. (Photo/WHDH)

Local football players are accused of being cruel.

My son missed the bus today; I drove him in to school.

It has been surrounded by reporters, camera crews;

Not the way that residents want Chelmsford in the news.

As the  mom of teenage boys, I've met the kids accused.

Never met the child who they, allegedly, abused.

Dr. Frank Tiano swears that action's underway.

What exactly happened, he is not prepared to say.

Rumors have been flying; I've heard wedgies, I've heard rape.

I've been told they meant it as a mean, but harmless, jape.

I have met their coaches, though.  I've always been impressed.

I can guarantee you that the staff there is distressed.

Don't know what will happen now, nor what the charges are.

Only know, this morning, when arriving in my car,

Students there looked somber, somewhat shaken, and subdued,

As they tried to process how their school is being viewed.

Backyard Wildlife

 

We get lots of wildlife in the backyard of our house

And, no...  I'm not talking just your average, country mouse.

We get deer.  I've seen a fox.  We've even had a bear.

Right now it's a turkey with her 7 chicks out there.

Yard is always full of rabbits; I've seen 10 or more.

There's a good sized snake who's living under my front door.

My mom won't come in that way because she's scared of snakes.

She would rather take the stairs, despite arthritic aches.

We have got coyotes, too.  I see them now and then.

There's a lot of woods out back where they can make their den.

Our dog won't stop barking when they get too close and howl.

When it comes to predators, I much prefer our owl.

Thank You Chelmsford Schools

Eldest son is graduating, soon, from Chelmsford High.

This week he'll be telling staff and teachers there good-bye.

He's at Seniors' breakfast now; the prom's tomorrow night.

(Have to go and make sure his tuxedo fits him right.)

Friday's Seniors' banquet; graduation is the 1st.

I am so proud of him I'm afraid I'm gonna burst.

But, as this week rushes by and high school slips away,

There are just a few things that I'd really like to say;

My son's been in Chelmsford schools since he was only 5.

They have taught him everything (excepting how to drive.)

It is thanks to them and all the lessons that he's learned

He will be receiving this diploma that he's earned.

Teachers, Dean, and coaches shaped the boy into a man;

Taught him how to stop and think - then execute a plan.

Gave him all the tools he'll need next year at Plymouth State.

Thank you Chelmsford High School.  Lions aren't just good...  They're great!

Race for the White House - Please Vote

I just came from voting (and it didn't hurt a bit)

Where, if you are wondering, I didn't vote for Mitt.

Hope you'll vote Obama, too and keep him on the job.

Fill a little circle in and then your uncle's Bob.

Voters in New Jersey and New York have got it rough...

Right now they're more worried about where to live and stuff.

Polling places washed away in Sandy's aftermath.

Residents would rather find a place to get a bath.

Sometimes people wait to vote for hours in the sun;

Sons and daughters guarding freedoms their fore-fathers won.

It's a sacred obligation...  Please go out and vote.

And, if you're in Massachusetts, don't forget your coat.