Slippery sausages sizzle
Pop crackle drizzle
Hot greasy whistle
Officially nutritiously beneficial
Chomp chomp nibble
Gristle in middle
Healthy diet dismissal
Sexy sausage swivel
sexy sausage swivel
Month: June 2023
Failed construction
we are fortunate to live on a bay teeming with wild birds
herons stealthily strut the marsh edges looking for food
spending hours motionless before striking at their prey
swallowing fish whole is their speciality cabaret show
ducks are the little soldiers on the bay parade ground
swimmingly along in formation to the quack of their drill sergeant
geese fly by our home in a perfect V formation
an avian airshow with silent motors and pooping exhausts
bald eagles nest somewhere nearby
majestically perched in high trees surveying the water
this king of the raptors is a hells angel on wings
nobody messes with this flying Harley Davidson
ospreys build nests on structures in the water
every channel marker adorned with masses of twigs
platforms have been built specially for them
but the one nearest our home is in very bad shape
wrecked in a storm the pole is precariously leaning
only a single plank remains of the nesting platform
every year a pair of ospreys tries to build here
no pre-purchase surveys in the nesting bird real estate market
a finished osprey nest is probably too heavy for this leaning tower
it would be a tragedy if their completed nest collapsed with young inside
we watch the homebuilding ospreys spending days gathering twigs
gliding back for assembly on that narrow single plank
frequently their building material rolls into the water
they keep coming back and somehow start to weave them together
but then it all slides off the sloping plank when the wind blows strong
they sit on their now bare perch wings folded and dejected
the female saying to her mate “I told you it would not work here”
as he flies off in search of more twigs to prove her wrong
they usually give up after three or four weeks
I wonder where they go after their failed construction
maybe they give up altogether on homebuilding
perhaps falling into the clutches of slum nest rental landlords
I did think about adding some more planks to the damaged platform
I took a kayak right up close because its very shallow around that pole
but once I saw how badly damaged that pole was
I decided not to intervene
leave it all to nature
The being seen scene
I cycle on Key Biscayne mainly because it has safe bike lanes and areas with virtually no traffic. The views of downtown Miami are spectacular. The natural beauty of the calm waters, pristine beaches and unspoiled mangroves are complimented by some great residential architecture. It’s always a pleasure on the eyes to cycle there. Early morning brings out all the cyclists and joggers. I am no slouch on the bike but a good proportion of the two wheeled community there must be olympic athletes. They fly by me on their super light machines wearing a one piece second skin suit and lying prone over the handlebars like batman but without the cape. The sidewalk is where all the fashion conscious joggers parade. They are exclusively young, slim and gorgeous. They are not jogging to lose weight or get in shape so why are they pounding the pavement? Perhaps they are all influencers getting paid to show off the latest exercise clothing. I wonder if the unfit and overweight folks get stopped on the causeway toll booths by the ‘jogging fashion police’. “ I am sorry sir but you are too bulky to jog here, try again after you lose twenty pounds and madam you must go home and change into leggings that match your sports bra, oh and please stop by makeup before crossing the bridge to get more eye shadow.”
There are no cycling fashion police at the toll booths, thankfully that allows folks like me to wear my cheap non-matching shorts and cycling jersey. I could buy expensive designer logo cycling clothes but that would not make me go any faster or make me look thirty years younger. I enjoy the exercise and the scenery far more than being part of the being seen scene.
Assateague worshippers
she walks the Assateague beach before sunrise
feeling the sand between her toes
pausing to listen to the gentle crashing waves
watching the birds run in and out of the waters edge
too early for the daily onslaught summer tourists
only locals venture out at dark o’thirty
some come to ride the surf
others stroll with morning coffee in hand
she stands still as the first jewel of sunshine appears
the sky painter had chosen mostly orange today
tinting the high clouds pale pink in honor of the approaching sun
the birds line up to watch the sunrise
the sun climbs up out of the ocean
like an awakening giant
only ever seen with the naked eye near the horizon
all other times his power must be worshiped through sunglasses
with eyes closed she pays homage to the morning sun
willing her mind to absorb the energy falling on her face
whispering thank you to the universe for another beautiful day
it only takes a few minutes to fully recharge her soul
the birds return to feeding in the surf
she heads back to the parking lot
exchanging smiles with the the wet suited surfers heading to the water
on the drive home she passes the first waves of tourists
while the screaming crowds devour their sand encrusted lunch on the Assateague beach
she is home alone reading meditating and enjoying her inner peace
as the sun sets she feels the last of his energy leaving her body
she sleeps soundly dreaming of tomorrows Assateague sunrise
Too young to die
David travelled extensively with his job
flying both domestic and International
sleeping through the pre-fight safety briefings
feeling sorry for those afraid of flying
it was a long haul flight this day
everything was routine and normal
having a glass of wine with dinner
settling down for a long nap
he was thinking of his family
three small children playing in the yard
his wife smiling and watching over them
he would not see them for a week
woken by a loud noise and vibration
he opened the window blind
an engine was on fire
the pilot was fighting to regain control
passengers were screaming
debris falling from overhead compartments
we are going to die screamed his neighbor
David was not ready to die
he had not finished living his life yet
a young family to raise
grandchildren to be enjoyed
retirement after a long successful career
the plane was losing height fast
writing text messages to his wife
I love you- tell the kids I love them- goodbye
emergency landing announced the captain
the plane skidded along the runway
chased by emergency vehicles
he slid down the emergency chute
vowing to treasure every remaining moment in his life
Lessons from zoo life
the Williams family took a trip to the zoo
Mike and his wife Sue had three kids
Jenny Lucy and Rob were all excited
heading straight for the chimpanzee enclosure
they laughed at the chimps through the glass
Jenny made a funny face
a chimp approached the glass
he made a face back at her
Lucy held up a banana
another chimp ran to the glass and pointed
he wants the banana laughed Rob
the chimp gestured to his mouth
the chimp then pointed to the sky
he wants us to throw it over said Mike
they all laughed more
time to go said Sue as they headed to the penguins
chimps have their own non-verbal language
Bonzo said why to these people come here
just to make stupid faces at us
they cannot even speak our language
dumb humans show us a banana said Bubbles
but ignore our hunger cries
we even tell them how to throw it to us
but they cannot figure out how to do it
I feel sorry for them said Pankun
they are so unsophisticated
totally lacking any intelligence
its very sad that they can’t understand us
Aldo said I have a plan
we should climb out of here and follow them home
then patiently teach each one how to communicate with us
I dream that one day they will evolve into intelligent life forms said Kiki
Short adventure of Oliver the egg
An egg called Oliver was laughing in the egg production plant
What is so funny asked Nancy next to him
I just got laid said Oliver
Nancy just groaned at such a practical yolker
Oliver was the eternal optimist
He he told Nancy he would be hatched into a chick
Nancy kept telling him they were all doomed
She told Oliver to stop being such an Eggistentialist
You will soon be Oliver the omelette said Nancy
Perhaps mixed with ham and cheese
Or just boiled alive for three minutes
You are just eggsagerating said Oliver
In no time at all the eggs were washed and packed
Nancy wept next to Oliver in the carton
It will all be over soon she cried
Oliver remained calm but could not contain his eggcitement
I am going on an adventure said Oliver
I was born to be a eggsplorer
Nancy told him technically you are only born after hatching
Eggsactly true so I get to be born twice said Oliver
Soon the eggs were in a supermarket on a shelf
The carton was briefly opened to check for cracked eggs
Then it was a short ride to their new home
All the eggs cried except Oliver who remained eggstatic
Put the eggs in the fridge carefully said the mother
The young girl picked them out one at a time
When she picked up Oliver he seized the moment
Please do not put me in the fridge little girl
She took him back to her bedroom
Oliver told her he was going to hatch into her pet chick
The little girl made a nest for him on her pillow
That night Oliver rolled off her pillow and smashed on the tiled floor
Please forgive me Mr. Woodpecker
the large pine tree at the side of our house died a while ago
it was very old and died a natural death
I watched the leaves falling
then the smaller branches started to snap off in the wind
the birds liked to perch in that tree
a tall vantage point overlooking the marsh
woodpeckers hammered away at the trunk looking for food
ospreys plucked off small branches for their nest building
eventually it was going to weaken and topple in a high wind
it was leaning towards the house
to prevent property damage it had to be cut down
a short buzz of a chainsaw and it crashed away from the house
it was so sad to see it fall
cut up and fed into a wood chipper
today its just a big empty space
I miss seeing the birds
I miss looking at that tree
the side of our house looks naked now
all those years of growing skyward
giving shelter and food to animals
providing welcome shade to our home on hot summer afternoons
suddenly ending in a ceremonial pile of mulch
please forgive me Mr. Woodpecker
time to plant a new tree
Water molecules like to party
the air cooled rapidly when the sun set
overcrowded water molecules huddled together for warmth
enjoying the invisibility of living in a vapor
floating around with the other gasses in the air
basking in the warmth of the sun
having all day parties and texting selfies up to friends in the clouds
as the cooling air became super saturated fights broke out
the nitrogen gang turned nasty and demanded the water molecules leave now
the oxygen and carbon dioxide molecules soon joined in
water molecules were rounded up and evicted
vigilantes hunted them down and kicked them out of the vapor phase
bleary eyed beaten up water molecules woke up as a liquid
not a mighty river or a huge lake gathering
just tiny clumps of liquid hanging in the still night air
they clung together and formed a new gang
we are now a menacing fog declared their leader
our mission is to blanket everywhere and create mayhem
they flowed over fields and rivers seeking mischief
pausing over roadways to steal any residual heat from the ground
seeking out vehicle headlights and banding together to reflect back the light
they partied all night in their suspended liquid phase
heavy drinking and substance abuse was rife
they were all hung over and sleeping when the sun came up
the warming air created empty spaces
the nitrogen molecules started yelling first
hey water molecules we miss you guys come back and join us
one by one the damp drunken water molecules jumped back into their vapor space
soon the fog gang was all gone
the other gasses in the air let them sleep it off
those crazy water molecules said the oxygen
they party here all day then get drunk in the fog
they never learn and they will probably will do it all over again
King wizard
Cheers to the wizard staff bearer named mighty king Cole
He proudly carries his tall beer can pole
A memorial to a day of fun and absolute frolic
Pacing drinking so not to be labelled a total alcoholic
A day on the water watching the Ocean City airshow
Boating and floating and letting the fun just flow
Then a trip to the Iona Blue resort for a poolside party
With more drinks flowing and tasty food so hearty
The music is blasting over the heated pool
We all ate jello shots and acted like we were ever so cool
Somebody ordered pizzas that were delivered in a flash
How did we ever manage to serve party food before door dash
The pizza was inhaled as daylight was falling
Soon it was dark enough for fireworks to be us calling
Sparks and explosions filled up the skies
All safely deployed by the nicest of young guys
Another fun summer day came to a peaceful end
We all embraced and agreed to meet again as family or friend
Summertime is a real joy to behold
We collect memories for our grandchildren to be told
Fast forward to many decades from today
Will there be descendants of Cole creating beer can wizard staffs out on the bay
Cheeky Monkey Poetry 