Saturday, April 20, 2024

 Retrospective



There, within a shrub, song sparrows built their bower
well-hidden chest high framed with good twig bones
lined with pine needles to weave a soft cup
in what seemed half a dryad’s discarded bra
upturned when the shrub was cut to its roots
between two fine maples from sapling shoots.
Strewn seeds sprout and if not stepped on flower
Wood hyacinths prosper in wild succession
then columbines campanulas poppies acanthus
sedums and salvia oregano and thyme.
Hummingbirds disputed montbretia and fuchsia
bees bumbled among alliums
strawberries were picked daily now they are gone
raspberries and blueberries have come on


Dick Russell © Richard M. Russell
                   2024


Tuesday, April 16, 2024

New York 1969


There were those among us that shone with light
illuminated landscapes never seen so bright
awakened knowledge we knew not we had
remembering those people makes us glad.
yes, they were scientists, stars in their field
lantern bearers leading us forward
lighting stepping-stones of understanding
in the dangerous darkness that surrounds us.
yes, they were scholars of ancient tongues
lighting mental pictures all we can see
of our past path curving convexly
amongst a limitless universe 
where time can travel fast and far
with news of us to some distant star

now unembargoed after eighty years
memories awaken set free causing sighs and smiles.
I was born in London during an air raid
bigger bombs and missiles now daunt Ukraine
Gaza has rubble heaps bigger than Lambeth
Our brains cannot comprehend so much pain.
Jews, Palestinians, troubles in Ireland
Just some cans to kick down the road
always cause for concern always an issue
religion or rather irreligion rules
prayers go unanswered, politics flails
young children dying are just sad details

I was twenty-five at Columbia in New York.
Palestinians shared grievances I heard firsthand.
Blacks discussed racism openly with me.
I went to a Mets game and sat in the grandstand.
Revolution was in the humid Hudson air.
Mao said power comes from the barrel of a gun.
People read Sartre, Marcuse, Franz Fanon. 
Beckett got a Nobel.  I met Virginia.
We went to a party at Inderjit Badhwar’s
with Virginia’s friend her hair in an afro
where a black man punched a white man 
and Yvonne was uncomfortable wanted to go. 
It wasn’t racist, more jealously than portend
Don’t ask a girl to dance ignoring her boyfriend.



Dick Russell © copyright 2024
        Richard M Russell




Sunday, April 14, 2024

 In Anticipation


we've prepared the garden 
dug up weeded transplanted pruned
filled yard waste wheely bins
started fountains flowing
waiting for the trial

first crops are coming in 
green sorrel leaves for salmon sauces
stalks for rhubarb pies
peas germinated in one raised bed
did less well in another
shaded from low morning sun

we must hurry now
like birds and bees
the sun's ascending
there's no time now
no more delay
no more waiting for the trial
crops must go in
gardens must be tended 
then work from nine to five

each day of the trial
our garden will grow
we'll discern what's true 
discard what lies
soon we'll harvest hope.



Dick Russell (C) copyright 2024
             Richard M Russell

Friday, April 5, 2024

 Pollen



wind shakes pollen 
from cedars which
settles on surfaces
rain will sweep 
into pollen filled puddles
we'll see 
when day comes 

pollen tinges the pavement
matches yellow stripes on bumble bee's 
black mohair suits in our bee garden yard
where bulbs have flowered 
trees unfurl leaves
blossoms fall
the sun's shadow creeps
eastwards
as the sun sets 

so all things grow
will continue to grow 
when the sun reverses

I pay close attention now
to living things
birds that sing
bees that wing
for all things that grow
grow old

before we can die
we must live.




Dick Russell © copyright 2024
         Richard M Russell













Monday, April 1, 2024

 Driving The Freeway


you'll see them 
on the freeway
driving pickups 
festooned with flags
and if you ask them 
they will say 
they're patriots
as are we 
compatriots
who hold them
in disdain

hooligans at heart
they intimidate
driving line ahead
like battleships
or three abreast if they can
making it hard to enjoy
a peaceful drive
and being an American
a yes we can American
living free
who'll vote for liberty



Dick Russell (c) copyright 2024
        Richard M Russell






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