On looks of covers of books

Behold that fresh youthful look:
Youth’s upbeat breathless grin
crisp cover of unread book
sculptured, jutting out chin

Behold the wizened old look:
aging’s out-of-breath grin
thumbed cover of well read book
sagging skin, drooping chin

At which point cannot count on audacity
but hope for tenacity, veracity

Straight A:s

On the occasion when granddaughter Sarah, a high school junior, earned straight A:s

 

There was this sharp determined student named Sarah
who ushered in a new academic era

Earned straight A:s by her own volition
wouldn’t follow family tradition

that until now of scholars dry as Sahara

Now grownups who gallop standing in their stirrups

Erstwhile kids, now grownups
galloping wildly
standing in own stirrups
Long now since childly

Ought not be arcane
let them be who they are
So give them free rein
and the chance to go far

Do free them, or would you rather
that they turn out like their father?

Ellie elicits elation

We’re told that granddaughter Ellie, on a NYC field trip, craved tasting a ‘real’ bagel. While waiting in line (snaking half-around-the-block) to Katz’s Deli she ‘elliequently’ burst out: “Is this place any good?”

“Did she sweetly get nervous
fearing that the long wait
was just due to slow service
not bagels being great?”

The other year Ellie visited the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, and is said to have made this ‘ellitist’ remark:

“Well, it’s wholly holy
but of modest scale
in height rising lowly
but go ahead: wail!

So that’s all:
an old wall?”

On the same NYC trip as when Ellie snaked around Katz’s she also visited Wall Street, and perhaps congruently she reflected:

“Be it where they scam & cheat
where displaying grim gall:
Just another city street
lacking parking. That’s all!”

She’s the Katz’s meow!
O Bella, ciao!

 

On my grand daughters high school graduations 2018

Movements lithely flowing
cheerful their sincerity
Complexion, hope glowing
infused by hilarity

They bring about deep affection
finding foothold on their path
in youth’s but fleeting perfection
shielded so far from Life’s wrath

Viewed from the perch of aging
found so deeply engaging