The 2017 Dodgers – RIP No team near where I was raised So you could choose to be loyal To the White Sox, Cubs or Braves Twins or the KC Royals I was somewhat out of fashion (easy for a farm boy to do) These players did not have the passion Of those who … Read More
November 4 – On This Day Allende elected free and fair Marx makes a mark in Latin America The CIA gets him out of there Democracy can embarrass us The start of the hostage crisis The logical conclusion We back the Shah and the price is Radical retribution One year later, Reagan’s … Read More
I received an email yesterday from a woman who is in the Peace Corps. She had recently lost a dear colleague: Hanna Huntley from North Carolina who was volunteering in Armenia. I began reading the short obituaries posted of those who have died while serving and was deeply moved and inspired by these amazing lives. … Read More
Cinnamon Rolls and Butter I am here to extol my sinful lover: Cinnamon rolls with a little bit of butter I know “a little bit” is a relative term But I just can’t quit because I’ve learned That if you had a mother somewhat withholding And you wished for another a little less scolding Accept … Read More
October 2017 – RIP October ends with treats and tricks With a day of managed fear But Halloween has lost its kick We are scared throughout the year And while much today is abhorrent There’s a beacon in the distance It’s time to look to what’s important: What to buy for Christmas But worry does … Read More
Fats Domino 1928-2017 I was hitch-hiking to New Orleans I was thinking about his song Mississippi was so foreign The road went on and on I sauntered down the highway Time was on my side Everythin’ goin’ my way I’d always get a ride (In Iowa, no one saunters not that I ever saw No … Read More
Connie Hawkins 1942-2017 John Thompson 1962-2017 How can it be that well-known thieves never pay for a life of crime but walk free while victims grieve the loss of invaluable time Connie Hawkins forever denied the years he would have soared John Thompson locked inside The only exit: death’s door Hawkins could … Read More
Tom Petty 1950-2017 If home is hell and so is school It can easily define who you are To build a life you need a tool For Tom Petty it was a guitar (with apologies to Woody Guthrie Slaying tyrants takes a knife And who wants a guitar all bloody When it can resurrect a … Read More