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Ode to the Dandelion

They pop up unannounced, Unwanted, Dreaded by some. Tiny green sprigs brighten the dull brown of the winter lawn. They are the first to herald the spring scene, And they are the last to whisper “farewell” in the autumn. Soon bright yellow blossoms add color to spring’s welcome mat. “Dent de lion,” “Lion’s teeth” they are called, Ready to devour that lush, green lawn. Pull one out and, like Hydra, two will replace it. Quickly the yellow blossoms fade, Churning out small, cottony puff balls. Children delight in running with them Blowing the gossamer wisps in the air Launching their wishes on the wind. They rise like miniature hot air balloons Riding high wherever the wind takes them, Only to descend

Memorial Day

Marines in dress uniform lead the parade Senior citizens seek shelter in the shade Scouts march in step along with high school bands City officials greet the public in the reviewing stands. Just across the way among the flag-waving public stage Stands an old veteran, stooped and bearing the burden of age Suddenly he stands erect, his right hand raised in salute As Old Glory passes, he offers his valiant tribute. His left hand whisks away a tear from his eye as he recalls those to whom he never said “Goodbye.” From Flanders Field where the poppies grow To Arlington, its pristine white crosses row upon row From the flag

It’s Springtime!

This little avian family Chose to live at the best address In the best small town in all the South! Now, how smart can that be? The welcome sign was clearly in view And Mrs. Wren knew exactly what to do. A welcoming door, a basket of dogwood A habitat so natural, it looked so good No matter the flowers were artificial The location was perfect, so beneficial. A place protected from wind, sun, and rain Maternal instinct her place to claim The nest, a masterpiece of architecture A perfect place her brood to nurture. Eggs — three, perfect and sky blue When they would hatch only mother knew A

A New Year – A New Beginning

There is a new day dawning Not just a new day — a whole new year! Masks an accessory of the coronavirus, Symbolic of the 2020 annus horribilis This new year 2021 stands before us like a storybook waiting to be rewritten. Let us plan to approach this new year with 20-21 vision. Ready to see clearly, to meet this creative challenge. Let us not only plan to do things differently but “to make a difference.” This experiment has no expiration date. If you falter in your dedication, You have the option of endless renewal. One is easily defeated when you give up trying. Strive to be more observant of

Pocket Poetry

Changing the World – One Poem at a Time Having been graciously selected by the members of The Aiken Poets to serve as Poet Laureate, I wondered what I could do to make people more excited about poetry and to make poetry better appreciated, noticed, read, memorized, written, and shared. Then I came up with this idea I call Pocket Poetry — a few lines in rhyme or free verse, written in calligraphy on white or colored cards, and distributed at random to people I meet. They go to people I know, people who provide a service, like the cashiers at the supermarket, the teller at the bank, the postal

Our Flag | June 14, 2020

I’m known by many names: Old Glory The Stars and Stripes The Star Spangled Banner The Red White and Blue That Grand Old Flag I demand care, respect and honor. I stand for all that we citizens hold dear: Freedom and Democracy Our government — OF, BY, and FOR the People. That’s Us! I represent a living country. Citizen soldiers follow the flag into battle “Some carry the flag in peaceful protest And sometimes not so peaceful.” From that huge banner That flies over the Capitol Dome and in all 50 states, To the flag posted at the door of the most modest home, To the flag draped over a

Motherhood

A mother gazes at the face of her newborn There is so much love in that look, And so much love bundled up in so small a being. This gift of God sent from above Nothing more precious than a mother’s love! The mother ponders and wonders, What will this child be? Perhaps he or she will be a whiz at chemistry and solve some long lost mystery. Or an expert at math and solve some puzzling equation, Or a scientist who will find the answer and thereby discover a cure for cancer. Or he may become a professional ball player as he has the perfect frame for leadership in

Earth Day

A “Big Bang” may have started it all And into their respective places did everything fall. A beautiful world of earth and sea and sky Ours not to reason how, when, or why. This production was directed by a divine hand As peace settled over the entire land. He hung the moon and the stars in place And made the sun to shine, the world to grace. Precious gifts for the entire human race. Out of the chaos came a certain order Mountains and rivers determined the borders. A world clean, green, pristine and pure Ensuring that this idyllic scene would long endure. Verdant valleys, mountains, hills, and trees sprouting

Peace in Our Time — A Poetic Essay

Celebrating V-E Day and V-J Day Plus 75 Years (1945-2020) May 8, 1945 • August 15, 1945 It was the beginning of the end — the end of World War II, the War to end all wars and the beginning of a time for peace. A time for all wars to cease! But with the passage of time, Peace was short lived, Today there are little fires everywhere — with the potential of becoming larger conflagrations and involving all nations. On those two days, we were celebrating PEACE. There was dancing in the streets, sirens were blaring, car horns honking, Parades were quickly assembled, people gathered in front of veterans’

The Story of the Other Wise Man

from the original narrative by Henry van Dyke First © 1887 Rewritten in poetic format for a new generation of readers. A story too precious to be lost or forgotten. Appropriate for Christmas and Easter Well known are the three wise men, the Magi, Sages of the Far East, Caspar, Balthazar, and Melchior So named in biblical lore. Little is known of this fourth prince of the East A wise and holy man named Artaban. Eastern princes from afar followed the Luminous Star Studying and acknowledging this celestial sign To announce the birth of a king benign. Artaban’s gifts—a sapphire as blue as the night skies A ruby as red

Joan M. Lacombe

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