Out of Place

  I

The mulch was freshly laid a couple of weeks ago, young trees are 

already sprouting, though life will be short lived as they are out of place

Nips and discarded cans litter the road, discarded by those who wanted 

to spend some time, or more time avoiding, or trying to find a happy place

Middle schoolers get to choose one of 6 books to read this summer, 

to meet in the middle come September, and not feel out of place 

Pickups pulling trailers crammed with lawn equipment, mowers & blowers, 

They’re going to trim the growth and create the look of everything in its place 

Raised garden beds, nurturing vegetables, and greens within their wooden 

walls, carefully tended, the growth cultivated to not feel out of place

Pickleball courts are busy, follow the sounds of the racket, you’ll be able 

to understand about where the ball will land within its place

  II

“Ya know what I mean” potentially leaves the conversation just hanging 

there, until the other agrees, or clarifies, what might be out of place 

Does level service mean that what we were getting will continue,

or that paying for it, is something that for the majority, is out of place

Black shirt, black pants; subtle indication that my body is in morning, 

that the imagined world might not be able to hold us in its place

The demand for housing is growing, faster than the green that can 

be controlled, we need to face the reality that folks need to have a place

Two sided conversations rally around the topic, and many times insults fly back 

and forth, oh, please stop; we need to find a common place

Together we can do much more than any one alone, together we can create 

a world where our neighbors won't feel out of place

So Sherlock, how do we get neighbors from all sides to come 

together, to develop a solution that works for us in this, our place

As you wish

 I

I keep coming back to Wesley saying to Buttercup, “As you wish”, 

“you can't please everyone, So you got to please yourself”, “as you wish”

Some folks make claims without providing evidence, others 

Insist on diverting discussion from the main topic, “as you wish”

“How sweet the sound, I once was lost, but now am found,

Was blind, but now I see”, yet they proclaim errors “as you wish”

Some folks spend a few hours on a spreadsheet and come off

As ‘experts’ when they are likely far from the truth “as you wish”

“You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em”

Always remember the face of your father, “as you wish” 

Some folks claim lack of info, mismanagement, lack of transparency 

Yet hide behind ‘anonymous‘ identity shields “as you wish”

  II

“Just gotta thank my lucky stars tonight … gonna fake it 'til I make it right” 

Your “no” vote disables the 3rd ambulance, “as you wish”

“But now it's just another show, You leave 'em laughing when you go” 

And your “no” vote reduces our police force, “as you wish”

“You're so vain, You probably think this song is about you”

And your “no” vote cuts about 15 teachers, “as you wish”

“The shortest path between two points is still a crooked line”

And your “no” vote keeps bus and sports fees high, “as you wish”

"I am ... I said to no one there, and no one heard at all”

And your “no” vote jeopardizes library & senior center services, “as you wish”

“Don’t wait up – leave the light on, I’ll be home soon”

Horace needs to rise, restore some imagination to us all, “as you wish”

So Sherlock, as “a working man in your prime cleaning windows…”

How well are you getting by saying “as you wish”

Foundku trio: Gatsby Series #4

drowsiness

closed down upon 

some vivid scene 

with an oblivious 

embrace

a satisfactory 

hint of the 

unreality 

of reality

he had been 

very slowly 

bending toward her 

to attain 

this proximity

Foundku trio: Gatsby Series #3

And happy; 

I think I 

walked into 

a deep sleep 

as I entered 

my front door

But Daisy 

glanced up and 

held out her hand; 

Gatsby didn’t 

know me now at all.

If you want to 

kiss me any time 

during the 

evening

just let me know 

Foundku trio: Gatsby Series #2

With the 100th anniversary of the publication of "The Great Gatsby" exercising the synapses with a rereading, it was originally read in school many years ago, I am finding unintentional sherku in Fitzgerald's writing.  Unintentional simply because I was not anywhere near him at that time or era, nor had the sherku idea occurred to me so I could share it, and he could write accordingly.

 

 

Reach me a rose

honey, and pour me

a last drop

into that there

crystal glass

 

the first time

in its first wild 

promise of 

all the mystery 

and the beauty

 

A universe 

of ineffable 

gaudiness 

spun itself 

out in his brain 

 

Part 1 of this series can be found ->

https://www.quietpoet.com/2025/04/foundku-trio.html

Why would anyone

  I

It is pouring cats and dogs, why would anyone

The gutter is full of overflow, why would anyone

We voted it down last year, nothing has changed,

apartments are still being built, why would anyone 

Our Federal administration is ignoring the law, challenging 

Our rights, challenging our way of life, why would anyone

This room has an air filter cranking along, legacy from 

pandemic days, lessons learned likely forgotten, why would anyone

In the moves toward a perfect union, it used to be one man,

one vote, then it became pay to play, why would anyone

Citizens united, an oxymoron if there ever was one, created

a new personage which allowed dollars to flow, why would anyone

  II

“They're eating the cats and dogs” became a campaign meme

yes, the gullible voters lapped that up, why would anyone

Sitting, writing, in the quiet of the room reserved which

less took advantage of than could, so I did, why would anyone

Women were added to the one man one vote, other rights were established

along the way as “settled law”, now turned back, why would anyone

The sense of joint actions of the people, by the people, for the

people, created our commonwealth, why would anyone

The drive of social media to capture and maintain the eyeballs

attention a diversion from reality, is concerning, why would anyone

Even in a circle of friends, surprising how few knew of this or that,

or where to go, and get this, or that, why would anyone

So Sherlock, what are you going to do now? Strive for more attention 

to what matters, or call it a day? Why would anyone

Written while waiting for someone to participate in the Favorite Poem Reading at the Franklin Library. No one did, so this was successfully completed. Thank you!

Foundku trio: Gatsby Series #1

With the 100th anniversary of the publication of "The Great Gatsby" exercising the synapses with a rereading, it was originally read in school many years ago, and finding unintentional sherku in Fitzgerald's writing.  Unintentional simply because I was not anywhere near him at that time, nor had the sherku idea occurred to me so I could share it and he could write accordingly.

A baby act

in costume,

champagne served 

in glasses 

bigger than 

finger-bowls

One of those

rare smiles,

the whole world

for an instant,

at that point

it vanished

Slow-thinking 

and full of 

interior 

rules, that act 

as brakes on 

my desires

Thanks to CB for the idea to revisit Gatsby 

The wind howl

 I

Maybe the weather is trying to us something, listen to the wind howl

I chose this soft chair tonight so I can read and listen to the wind howl

If there are no ideas but in things, then what do we call how we govern 

ourselves? Must we adhere to rules listening to the wind howl

If the idea is not a universal one, we are all lost in our own way, and then no 

one pays attention listening to the wind howl

If your green is not my green, what is green? Is there even a green? How would 

we know if we can only listen to the wind howl

If my green is grass growing, bending in the breeze, and your green are 

dollars in a digital ledger, they won't be listening to the wind howl

If there are no ideas but in things, and we are all on our own, will there 

be a thing, or a time, for all of us to listen to the wind howl?

  II

What might the weather be trying to tell us? 2024 set so many records 

for extreme weather, and even now, we listen to the wind howl

The clown who would be king took us out of the Paris Accord, again, 

shouldn't we have learned that lesson, listen to the wind howl

The clown’s cronies are running amuck with the way things should be, 

will there be anything left? listen to the wind howl

The muzzle velocity of news, executive orders, coming from the clown and his 

cronies is staggering by design, listen to the wind howl

After the scorched earth, there is hope nature will return, it does takes time, 

it won't be easy, just listen to the wind howl

Water finds the low points to make its way, gravity isn't ruled by executive 

order, there can be goodness listening to the wind howl

So Sherlock, now what? Hunk down, keep the faith, mind the flywheel, 

spend time learning and listening to the wind howl

Time for listening sessions

  I

What does it matter? Nothing will change at the listening session.

You mean then that your mind is so set, you can't go to a listening session

The budget is what it is. But the structural deficit is very real, things can, and do change when folks ask questions, or make comments at a listening session

There is no “found money”, it does not grow magically on trees, it comes from taxes and local receipts, those sources and the cost drivers are outlined at the listening sessions

Did you know the library card is a magic tool to gain free access to newspapers, and other online resources, all available without a listening session

Did you know the DPW plow the snow, fill potholes, flow water to your faucet, care for the fields, and lights on the common, also available without a listening session

Did you know Police and Fire depts finally reached staffing levels authorized years ago, this staffing is now in jeopardy unless folks understand the details of these listening sessions

  II

There is economic hardship among our neighbors, the Master Plan document lays out these details, those are available without a listening session

Did you know the national wealth gap lives here too, it should not be a surprise, all our neighbors need to understand the impact of these listening sessions

Did you know economic hardship is like a hidden disability, including stigma, it is not very visible at first glance, with or without a listening session

One point of view says we are “One Franklin.” I wish that were the case; if we have to say it, are we really? It is time for another listening session

Another point of view says “We need to save Franklin.” Actually, we do. However, this group goes on to disparage certain individuals, such attacks only divert us, from paying attention to the listening session

We are a commonwealth, we need to care of all our neighbors, some of them may be the most in need of the services that would be cut without understanding the listening session

So Sherlock, now what? We need to face that we are in this together. We need to make a decision.  There are more sessions scheduled, we all need to absorb what is said, and not said, in the listening sessions

 

White socks

   I

There is a story why in my youth I was always wearing white socks

Many photos of me, pants leg too short, revealing white socks

I lived on a hill above the river, took many walks down, and across the bridge, to the boys club wearing white socks

So many times walking across the bridge, the wooden sidewalk boards sometimes missing, wearing white socks

Still dream about walking that bridge stepping among the broken boards, usually a nightmare, especially with white socks

Got rubbed inside the elbow to see if we were clean, before allowed into the free swim, at the boys club without white socks

Free on multiple points; free to club members, shower first, no bathing suit required, and of course, no white socks

  II

A foot infection was picked up freely walking on the wet pool deck, and tiled showers, at the boys club without white socks

Not just one foot but both, needed to be soaked, cleaned, medicine applied, and then wear the white socks

Couldn't take a chance with colors running, to worsen the condition, it was weeks without swimming, wearing white socks

Walking at times was painful, the feet were so bad, isolated in the house, no exercise, medical attention, and white socks 

As my healthy feet returned, I left the pool for the ball games, baseball and basketball, where it was okay to wear white socks

Athletic again, stylish almost, when my dress pants were long enough to fit better, to cover the ever present white socks

So Sherlock, free swim seemed to change your life, any regrets about dealing with the stigma of white socks?

One at a time

 I

The nut and screw collection grew over the years, 

now it needs to be sorted one at a time

The task is not really impossible, if you focus 

on starting, and doing, one at a time

So many threaded types of screws; machine, wood, 

drywall, and other specialties one at a time

Bubble sorting, making the initial pass, picking 

those screws with nuts attached, mated one at a time

Next bubble; by size, the larger ones stand out 

so pick them for their own pile, one at a time

Next bubble; picking out the nuts, square or hex, 

are the most prevalent, one at a time

  II

So many screws, where did they come from, what project 

were they left over from one at a time

Some carry paint, a possible clue to the work once done, 

somewhere, and saved one at a time

Many are left over from a “some assembly required” 

project, I did projects like that, one at a time

Intermixed with the screws, nuts, and bolts are 

the special connections for those one at a time

The backing of bookcases or bureaus were 

cardboard and fastened with brads one at a time

Flat head or finish nail, drywall or flooring, 

roofing nail or tack, also mixed in one at a time

So Sherlock, now that they are all sorted, easier to 

find the right size, or type, to finish one at a time

A "putter day" project

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/12/franklin-tv-putter-day-2025.html

what's next

 I

The funny thing about hate is who you hate doesn't 

feel it, when you finally realize that, what's next

What do you do with that wasted hate, it is 

wasted on them, but consuming you, so what's next 

She looked at me as if I had two heads, one of which 

she knew, the other had no place in her world, what's next

The story told that won the day will likely play 

out in ways perhaps that they didn't want, so what's next 

Instead of using the gas powered blower, just rake the 

leaves into a corner, where the wind will take over, what's next 

We were about to change bedside places, watching 

over Dad, when he stopped breathing, so what's next

 II

Such beauty in these past prime black-eyed Susans, 

they are very ready to give all for what's next

The joy of running carried me many years, I am forced 

to walk now, I find joy in slowly moving to what's next

The sounds of life can jar us from what we are busy about, 

a wailing siren breaks through, pausing us, from what's next

A touch can be so subtle, intimate, stirring, life giving; 

moving through time without touch avoids what's next

Busy beavers chewed a double tree bringing it down

near the glistening shoreline where it rests for what's next

A better story needs to get developed to win 

back the day before there is nothing left for what's next

So Sherlock, are you working on the story that will touch 

those who need to take action to prepare for what's next 

"The funny thing about hate" comes from a line by In-Q, in his poem "Father Time"

This much I know

 I

Answers may not be a big deal, this much I know

Better to ask the proper question, this much I know

Peeling and cutting the wax coated turnip is a holiday 

prep activity for me, she'd rather I do it, this much I know

The ceiling skylight can let the rain sound hard, otherwise

The downspouts sing as the rain flows, this much I know

Making walking routes, centered from our new house,

They are longer or shorter than before, this much I know

We only moved a single mile, not very far, yet the loops

Are changing, bringing different views, this much I know

How long is long, what is new, when will it all be better

The answers will change upon point of view, this much I know

 II

You can calculate the circle by knowing the diameter and pi

Even better when full of your favorite pie, this much I know

The tax rate is a talking point and not really a worthy one

The tax bill is a more important comparison, this much I know 

What services are included, and what are not, is worth finding

So you can compare like for like, this much I know

There ain't no such thing as a free lunch, some one

Always pays for something, this much I know

Comparing oil vs gas heating is not easy, the companies

Don't want you to know the truth, this much I know

If you don't have to pay, be careful, then you become the product

How much are you really giving away, this much I know

So Sherlock, answers can come and go, most don't matter, 

The questions are key to understanding, this much I know

Content in context

  I

One of my guiding lights, understanding the content in context

Is another way of saying getting the big picture is content in context

So sunshine on a country road, cornrows reaching for the blue sky

Handcrafted sign for a roadside stand fits content in context

Further along that rolling road, another handcrafted sign, this time for free 

Flying lessons, is not quite the same fit for content in context

It could be that the farmer, an excellent craftsman, also gets money

Flying tourists to enable living his life fully content, content in context

The craftsman in raising corn and tending to flying machines

Can be valid for an ex-military pilot, living a dream, content in context

Staying on the surface, staying with first impressions, can leave out those

Sometimes wonderful sideroads, by roads, content in context

  II

The first hour of the market is a quiet time for those challenged 

with sensory issues, respectfully to enable them to enjoy the content in context

The singer made it completely thru a song on the third try, had to switch battery, 

swap plugs, to get the best power for his content in context

Give me the beat folks, want to get lost in your rock & roll

Rhythm and rhyme and harmony, heck with the content in context

Markets naturally occur at a crossroads, they are easy to get to,

Enabling the exchange of goods or services, content in context

Puppy on a lease pulls a young girl, another girl trails along carefully 

munching a candy apple on a stick, fun content in context

Great to be a little one, young legs exploring every nook and 

cranny of the Town Common, it's their fun content in context

So Sherlock, your legs don't move like theirs these days, 

get used to it, learn to live with your content in context

credit initially to Tom Asacker who introduced me to the concept

Answer is 42

  I

Deep Thought took 7.5 million years to calculate the answer is 42

We said “I do” in 1982, and this year 2024, gets us to the anniversary is 42

Frustrating to see things develop, where the outcome 

should be good, and yet turns bad, don't folks know the answer is 42

Garden harvest has been good for my greens, cherry tomatoes, 

less so for the garlic, despite planting when the answer is 42

Voracious reader, turning pages among various book types, 

trying to escape from a world where the answer is 42

Weather varies in summer, not a surprise, much appreciated 

when the humidity is way down, closer to the answer is 42

Walking streak not as good as my reading streak, also need 

to work on the strength exercises, get back to where I was at 42

  II

Choosing your partner, do you throw caution to the winds, or 

calculate the pros & cons, going when the answer is 42

The bent brown leaf scuttles across the roadway, scratching 

the surface, almost crablike, looking for the answer is 42

He looked for other college presidents to join in writing letters 

to students, sharing advice on whether the answer is 42

Translation matters when working with a derivation of the 

original, or working within the language, where the answer is 42

Household chores have long been divided to share the work, 

and specializations that come naturally, when the answer is 42

“Take the cotton of the mind’s doom-ridden chatter out of your 

ears, hear the booming voice of the heavens” the answer is 42

So Sherlock, listen to “the roar of fate, the ruckus the muse 

makes” when you finally realize the answer is not 42

Credit for the quote to Haleh Liza Gafori’s translation of Rumi in her book “Gold”

For DS