Twice-Told Sunset Lesson Told Twice: Revolutionary ConTEXTing Haiku

Today my daughter texted me at about 4 p.m. to ask: “What does Grandpa always say about sunsets?”
(Answer: If you’re too busy to watch a sunset, you’re too busy!)
Ironically, later in the evening, I was outside working on finishing installing/repairing our new (to us) chicken coop. Suddenly, shortly after 8 p.m., I stood up and looked westward … and realized I’d missed most of the sunset. Weird that my daughter and I had JUST DISCUSSED that point … and I’d missed the lesson!
So I wrote this haiku:

Dont get too busy/
and forget to turn around
and watch the sunset.

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Mothers Day, 2017, Tribute: Revolutionary ConTEXTing Prose

I texted this to a friend early this morning. As I wrote this, deep in my thoughts were the way my own birth Mother raised me until 10, and how she has been my roommate for the last 6 years; my Mom, who took over raising me through the tough tween and teen years, and who was such a great friend and companion to my father for more than 55 years (and still counting! ); and the mother of my children, who was my friend and companion for decades, and who has continued to love, support and sustain our children.
I think it applies to almost every mother I know, and so, even though I’m not mentioning you by name, I hope you will feel honored this Mother’s Day. And thank you!

Motherhood may start at the birth of children. Some may think it ends when those children leave the nest, but true compassionate mothers continue to provide spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental support and stability and stay connected to their children throughout their life.
You are doing that with your children, and so, on this Mother’s Day, I honor you and respect you and uplift you and wish you a happy and joyful Mother’s Day.

Surprise And Joy At A Fireside: Revolutionary ConTEXTing Free Verse

How oft/
have we gathered,/
’tis eventide,/
to listen to calm,/
soothing/
music,/
followed by/
pulpit thunder.

What a great surprise/
and fun joy/
to expect deeply spiritual
teaching,
but first
get Broadway show tunes
and ragtime
from the pulpit instead.

Some wouldn’t applaud.
(It’s the chapel, you know!)
But those
in the know
held up Fosse Fingers
and waved Jazz Hands.

To Be. To Try. To Fail. — Romantic ConTEXTing Haiku

To be a poet!/
To try so hard with phrases/
and words. To then fail.

Being Both Muse And Oracle: Romantic ConTEXTing Haiku

He wondered how she/
felt, deep, about being both/
muse and oracle.

Rejoice Oshkosh: Revolutionary ConTEXTing Haiku

Who needs Piano/
Guys? In a church in Oshkosh,/
talents brought tears.

Rotten Apples Sitting: Romantic ImproVerse Haiku

Don’t sit under the/
apple tree… Because you’ll get /
covered with brown goop.

Hurt Instead Of Help: Romantic Blogging Free Verse Lament

Don’t you hate it when
you try to help,
but hurt instead?
And leave her
standing on the curb,
or staring at her phone,
or leaning, hands limp, on the keyboard,
or slouched in her chair,
or sitting in her car,
or slumped against the doorway,
crying,
suffering,
heart breaking,
and wondering:
“What the hell
just happened?”

What I Learned Today — Navajo Mesa Teaching: Revolutionary ConTEXTing Haiku

If you listen to/
plants, rocks, birds, and animals,/
they’re all praising God.

Dancing Red Shoes: Romantic ConTEXTing Haiku

If she’d have answered/
me, I would have taken her/
red shoes out dancing.