A to Z Blogging Challenge · family

W is for Washington

SallyLeave a comment

There once was a trip to Dee Cee
With an unplanned meet-up with fam-lee
We toured all the sites
’bout freedom and rights
[can you finish my limerick for me?]

I would be guessing at the dates. 1970? 1971? 1972?

In any event, I remember the trip my family took to Washington DC during which we ran into my cousins. We were visting, I think, the Air & Space Museum. It doesn’t really matter — we spent the rest of the day together.

I look at these photos and find it remarkable how unchanged how much Washington is.

And yet — that skyline will be changed by one man.

One man who is so insecure about his sense of self that he feels that he needs to leave his mark on everything.

Everything. Literally everything.

Without approval of any governing bodies.

e.g. Let’s build an arch that overshadows the Lincoln Memorial.

e.g. Let’s redo the reflecting pool and paint it blue.

e.g. Let’s tear down a wing of the White House and build a ballroom.

Life · poetry

Rhyming Recipe for Ikigai

Sally8 Comments

Think of what you love to do
Jot those things down, one or two

Think of skills where you excel
Not half-bad, but really well

Think of things for which you’re paid
Perhaps in money or in trade

Now think of what the world needs most —
Is something there of which you boast?

Where those things meet is ikigai*
Find that thing; your soul will fly

*ee-kee-guy

This is my response to this week’s W3 prompt, which is to:

Write a poem in rhyming couplets (two lines that rhyme) that gives instructions for making something.

Requirements:

  • Use rhyming couplets throughout
  • Give clear steps or instructions
  • Be creative with what the“recipe” is for

Think of it as turning instructions into something memorable and playful through rhyme.

I’ve been thinking a lot about Ikigai this week. I have a version of that graphic posted in my office.

Too often, I feel that we, as a society, shove people into a job that meets only one or two of those criteria. Find something that meets all four and you’ll find fulfillment and happiness.

A to Z Blogging Challenge · family

V is for Vest

Sally6 Comments

There once was a man in a vest
Matching tie, matching son — it’s the best!
Or is it? he thought
Matchy-matchy, or not?
[can you finish my limerick for me?]

I went through a matchy-matchy phase with my kids. Here’s proof:

They’re pretty cute, I’ll admit.

But in the end, I think I value individuality more.

A to Z Blogging Challenge

U is for Uncluttered

Sally5 Comments

There once was a young mom and son
For whom life had barely begun
Uncluttered shelf
Just books, photos — no elf!
[can you finish my limerick for me?]

Ah — if only you could see where I live now!

People have asked if my parents were hoarders. I would say, NO!

I don’t believe that I come from a family of hoarders. I think more that I come from a family who recognizes that when things are thrown away, they are gone forever.

We throw away history on a regular basis. I don’t like that.

I looked at this photo, from when my oldest brother was a baby, and I see that my parents held onto what was important to them. Books, photos, some journals, etc.

Now I am faced with throwing away history.

I found a box in the attic the other day that was files from my father’s desk. Some of it is, literally, medical history. I can’t throw it away. I am now on a quest for the person who keeps this part of medical history.

Oh, to be uncluttered. It looks like a dream.

A to Z Blogging Challenge

T is for Tire

Sally7 Comments

There once was a poor humble tire
Who longed to go bigger and higher
until one day he spied
this gigantic ride
[can you finish my limerick for me?]

These photographs are from the New York World’s Fair 1964-65. The US Royal Tires ride looks amazing, doesn’t it?

You may not be able to read the sign at the bottom of the second photograph, but it says “Carcupine.” I googled that word, and after wanting to autocorrect to porcupine, I got this AI response:

A “carcupine” is a colloquial term for a car covered in ice spikes, or a humorous nickname for a car improperly loaded with lumber that protrudes from the vehicle like quills. It is also used as a comedic metaphor for a car that looks like it needs a shave.“

Go figure.

A to Z Blogging Challenge · family

S is for SS Atlantic

Sally5 Comments
S. S. Atlantic
Onboard the S. S. Atlantic

There was a ship: S. S. Atlantic
Young mom on-board, little bit frantic
Active toddler son
Always on the run
[can you finish my limerick for me?]

When my family left Ethiopia, we returned to the States via a ship called the S. S. Atlantic. Interestingly, the ship started off as a freighter called the S. S. Badger Marina, but was rebuilt in 1958 as a passenger liner.

My youngest brother was under two years old when we made that trip and I was only five. I don’t remember it from the voyage but my mother much later told me about how she had a leash for my brother so he wouldn’t get away from her on the ship. She said other people were very critical of that. As a mother of five sons, I totally understand why she did it.

A to Z Blogging Challenge · family

R is for Rollfast

Sally4 Comments

There once was a boy named Pete
Whose Rollfast bike was real neat
And roll FAST it did
He was one happy kid!
[can you finish my limerick for me?]

I showed this photo to a friend whose first comment was something like “I bet that bike would be worth a lot today!” I looked it up. Yes, the bike is classified as vintage.

Ah, vintage.

Does that mean the person with the bike is also vintage?

Does that mean that I’m vintage?

poetry

i sing of Alex

Sally10 Comments

i sing of Alex slender and brave
interjected self to save
a woman pushed
pepper-sprayed
oh, if Alex had only stayed
home (and watched the news)
but instead
armed with phone
(and holstered legal gun)
he reached out to help
(as any nurse would
caring
for the
SUFFE-
Ring)
BAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAM
agents counted bullet holes
as Alex lay dying
(minneapolis crying)

This week’s W3 challenge is to write a poem that is inspired by another poet.

My favorite poet has long been e. e. cummings. His poem, i sing of Olaf glad and big, is a powerful story that leaves me with a knot in my stomach every time I read it.

Do I love that poem? I love its power. I love its grittiness. I love that poetry can produce a knot in my stomach, and still make me want to read it again.

A to Z Blogging Challenge

P is for Pram

Sally7 Comments

There once was this thing called a pram
In which were placed sweet little lambs
Babies galore
In their perambula-tor
[how would you finish this limerick?]

Ocean Grove, 8-24-30
1957?

The top photo is my dad. The photo was dated and labeled.

The bottom photo is my sister. It was not (labeled). I just know my sister.