February 2019

dearest mom
I’ve yelled too much at you
it’s not good for you at all
I love you for your smiles
your laughter like sweet water
a babbling brook
I love you for the tears that find
your cheeks
eyes cornflower hue of blue
gentle in your face
I love that face
that face me in the day
I cherish the moments
that you are still okay
I haven’t heard silence
as much as
when you say goodnight
you know me as a mountain
my Mohammud
walking daylight sunning your pudim
holding it together by the hour
as the daughter comes marching in
and believe it or not
I wish you peace have a whole lot
I wish you better days restful nights
good appetites
the courage in you flies the flag
of hopes you’ve had a few
my demons make you restless
revive refresh renew!!!
and you are just as smooth as silk
when you are feeling free
I take away your freedom
in moments of despair
you may not like it
but be damned you are always there
my mother the scholar
experience has made you wise
and I am just a wise guy
who asks of you to try
too much too much
to have and to hold.

she bless in purple dress her tresses darken bright
to be among poets notice in her phrase
revel in her praise she bring
a contemporary set a memory to linger
her passages carry bliss convey a rite
that kept her writing
inviting in the night
in step and in her stride
a purpose and a pride
resurgent as the sea is wide
to be there by her side
the care in taking on
her gift writ a bond
finding words
she speak as if in lyrics to a song
has us all enthralled
before the night is gone
dear lady we are charmed
an ocean smooth and calm
mellow with her fellow they are one
lit by the light of their love
forever be as young.

a penny for your thoughts
shiny and new
knew what to do
as housewife and mother
to her children
she give of herself
a gift that keeps on giving
as daddy made a living
Queen in the kitchen
chicken liver and schmaltz
her fried chicken
made dad a happy man
mom would cook
from the gourmet cook book
our Thursday nights
maids day off
mom and dad danced
a living room romance
those porterhouse steaks
on the outdoor grill
three inches thick well marbled
tomatoes were sliced in half
barbecued that’s a fact Ohara
seared charcoal black
caesar salad suited the palette
prime rib medium rare
with little pearl onions carrots potatoes
the bill of fare
roasted beyond compare
hot cherry tomatoes for rani and dad
I didn’t eat them but it made me glad
capon was a neutered male
mashed potatoes and gravy
every nite our appetites satisfied
every meal was tasty
Queens apple pie
lemon meringue a many splendor thing
the joy Queen would bring
there wasn’t a day gone by without
she could bake broil fry anything
those days our mom kept thinner
yet always had room for dinner
so good I’d lick my fingers

liquor is quicker
got out the punch bowl
eggnog Louie sherry vanilla ice cream whisky
we drank it like it was going out of style
and it has

grandma Frances’ chopped chicken liver
chicken fricassee
orange sections in their skins
we belonged to her and she belonged to us
grandpa joe would show us his badge
called himself the defective detective
we believed him.

a diamond lives forever in my heart
her laughter exceeds her tears
that light of day is near
she has no shred of fear
as when she shed a tear
because of love so dear
forever and a day
her voice like music play
not a wrinkle in time
the woman is kind
intrinsic gem
the best of friends
generous to a fault
to the children taught
to dream of baby Noa Aviva
Elyssa and Michelle
living happily ever after on Sky View in New Rochelle
living happily ever after with Richie
the love of her life
mother grandmother wife
bake a chicken cook the rice
a garden salad from the garden

caring sharing nurturing
she takes her own advice
nobodies fool the lady is cool
you cannot fool her twice
belief in the golden rule
an anchor in a stormy sea
she bestows all she see
she gives us back our dignity
the cousin that I long to see
her loving heart will set her free
a sweeter woman none can be
she loves for all eternity.

to my dearest cousin Denise,
yr birthday poem early this year.
much love,
cousin june

think of crocus bloom
the wind he must assume
renew an August moon
June about to burst
upon the scene in thirst
tho April maybe first
the sky sigh unrehearsed

upon the open shells immersed
immeasurable feelings feel the worst
worry tied to tides unworthy
languid labyrinth of your love
understanding band pursue
expectant hesitant humble blue
grasses in the morning dew
manifold memory
winter too cold
ocean roar.