It’s the time now
To remember and reflect
All of the good
So set aside bad
Like tucking away seldom
Used spices behind those
Fondly often reached for
Time to turn pages
Of their scrapbook and
Entertain all the joy
That they brought and
Left behind like toys
Once played with but
Now suddenly gone silent
Some just can’t stay
It’s a lesson learned
Likely as a child
For me it was
Spike a roughhousing cat
Why he had to
Go I’ll never know
And throughout my life
Others followed him to
Where I’ll never know
But as I age
I do know this
That wherever they have
Gone that I will
Too one day follow
I write to understand
Thoughts have no form
They swirl and spin
Dodge coalesce and dissolve
Words are my landfall
Where sirens and storms
Come to a stop
When after I read
Now it makes sense
I can breathe again
Oh that Zelensky
We see you
A lion’s heart
A dove’s soul
And eagle’s vision
Protective and strong
Peaceful and calm
Cunning and determined
Oh Mr. Zelensky
The world sees
What Putin cannot
One single man
Followed by others
We are proud
Of you Ukraine
What’s on the menu
Is never ever served
Heaven is better hoped
Than it is realized
Promises are always made
But seldom ever kept
Laughter doesn’t always mean
That things were funny
I do get tired
Pointing out the obvious
Why can’t people learn
That nothing is guaranteed
HARLAN DIDRICKSON 