del-maximo - Hello Poetry

thought he was weird poor old guy constantly throwing off his sheets and blanket pulling the cases off his pillow would see him wiggling his feet and moving his arms as if reaching for something as he laid in bed because of my deafness we never spoke but I would see him talking to the caregiver and nurses he didn’t eat or drink much a little eerie at first an old bald man with pale skin and not much life in him one video call the caregiver smiled when she brought the phone to his bed it must have been a loved one but no one came for a visit a table between our beds prevented a full body view but this morning his feet weren’t wiggling his arms weren’t reaching out thought he might still be asleep at curiosity’s urging I sat up in my bed to take a peek his face was turned towards me couldn’t see the whites of his eyes like in the movies where the eyes turn all black his mouth was open as he lay there motionless a nurse came to check on him removed the velcroed cushioning from his feet and covered them with his sheet she didn’t bother to check his heart her stethoscope remained draped on her shoulders then quietly walked out of the room took another peek to see if she covered his face she hadn’t arms at his side face straight up looking at the ceiling he laid in state in the royal position with a viewing party of one awaiting the coroner death may seem sad but I was happy for him freed from the confines of a life where seemingly no one remembered him Del Maximo (c)11/27/2024

0

Dec 14, 2024

Dec 14, 2024 at 8:19 PM UTC

HIS EYES

thought he was weird poor old guy constantly throwing off his sheets and blanket pulling the cases off his pillow would see him wiggling his feet and moving his arms as if reaching for something as he laid in bed because of my deafness we never spoke but I would see him talking to the caregiver and nurses he didn’t eat or drink much a little eerie at first an old bald man with pale skin and not much life in him one video call the caregiver smiled when she brought the phone to his bed it must have been a loved one but no one came for a visit a table between our beds prevented a full body view but this morning his feet weren’t wiggling his arms weren’t reaching out thought he might still be asleep at curiosity’s urging I sat up in my bed to take a peek his face was turned towards me couldn’t see the whites of his eyes like in the movies where the eyes turn all black his mouth was open as he lay there motionless a nurse came to check on him removed the velcroed cushioning from his feet and covered them with his sheet she didn’t bother to check his heart her stethoscope remained draped on her shoulders then quietly walked out of the room took another peek to see if she covered his face she hadn’t arms at his side face straight up looking at the ceiling he laid in state in the royal position with a viewing party of one awaiting the coroner death may seem sad but I was happy for him freed from the confines of a life where seemingly no one remembered him Del Maximo (c)11/27/2024

62

I was quiet today all day life is peak and valley but even with all I’ve been through this day was low call me Chief Joseph I’m tired authorities say one thing practioners say the opposite embattled and entrapped in bureaucratic bull **** I will fight no more for now my voice is parched my limbs are weak my spirit is diminished today they burned down the fort I will lay low and rest among the ashes maybe tomorrow or the next day I will rise like a phoenix and fight again but tonight I’ll take some warm calming tea and close my eyes and rest Lord, give me sweet sleep and pleasant dreams Del Maximo (c)11/13/2024

0

Nov 14, 2024

Nov 14, 2024 at 10:20 PM UTC

BAD DAY

I was quiet today all day life is peak and valley but even with all I’ve been through this day was low call me Chief Joseph I’m tired authorities say one thing practioners say the opposite embattled and entrapped in bureaucratic bull **** I will fight no more for now my voice is parched my limbs are weak my spirit is diminished today they burned down the fort I will lay low and rest among the ashes maybe tomorrow or the next day I will rise like a phoenix and fight again but tonight I’ll take some warm calming tea and close my eyes and rest Lord, give me sweet sleep and pleasant dreams Del Maximo (c)11/13/2024

32

I can’t do justice to this day in a short poem, but I couldn’t sleep last night and had to get this out: 9/11 living on the west coast I didn’t see the first one but I do remember that second plane watching it on tv was like a dream is this real? explosions booming streaming out smoke, fire, and pulverized debris thought I saw the building shaking and people jumping or falling from way up high then I saw the collapse twin towers imploding crashing down to ground zero the stories in the media pinched me nightmare became reality life’s losses tolling first responders bravely and gravely giving their all reports of survivors scrambling out but still helping each other escape carrying a disabled lady down the steps wheelchair and all cell phones flash-lighting through corridors’ darkness I saw a lady emerge from the smoke a thick layer of gray dust covering her head to toe the whites of her eyes and her coughing as proof of life I saw tears in the eyes of reporters and heard their voices quivering was this all a dream? or a Hollywood-like fabrication? I only saw this on tv and can’t imagine the horror of actually being there the moment when they realized they were going to die the last thoughts on their minds first hand sights, sounds, and smells sensory details impossible for survivors to forget I saw stories on the news of a third plane crash a box cutter highjacking cellphones bidding good byes to loved ones as the plane descended onto the Pentagon I remember fearing a U.S. retaliation thoughts percolating of how the world had changed forever Del Maximo (c)09/11/2021

0

Sep 11, 2024

Sep 11, 2024 at 5:10 PM UTC

9/11

I can’t do justice to this day in a short poem, but I couldn’t sleep last night and had to get this out: 9/11 living on the west coast I didn’t see the first one but I do remember that second plane watching it on tv was like a dream is this real? explosions booming streaming out smoke, fire, and pulverized debris thought I saw the building shaking and people jumping or falling from way up high then I saw the collapse twin towers imploding crashing down to ground zero the stories in the media pinched me nightmare became reality life’s losses tolling first responders bravely and gravely giving their all reports of survivors scrambling out but still helping each other escape carrying a disabled lady down the steps wheelchair and all cell phones flash-lighting through corridors’ darkness I saw a lady emerge from the smoke a thick layer of gray dust covering her head to toe the whites of her eyes and her coughing as proof of life I saw tears in the eyes of reporters and heard their voices quivering was this all a dream? or a Hollywood-like fabrication? I only saw this on tv and can’t imagine the horror of actually being there the moment when they realized they were going to die the last thoughts on their minds first hand sights, sounds, and smells sensory details impossible for survivors to forget I saw stories on the news of a third plane crash a box cutter highjacking cellphones bidding good byes to loved ones as the plane descended onto the Pentagon I remember fearing a U.S. retaliation thoughts percolating of how the world had changed forever Del Maximo (c)09/11/2021

57

sometimes when I looked into your eyes I saw an entanglement of two souls reaching into another universe where impossible was possible sometimes when I looked into your eyes locking on without blinking I knew that moments like this were all that matter sometimes when I looked into your eyes I saw every hurt I ever felt and knew you understood sometimes I saw the speed of light speckled in your irises and thought we were on our way sometimes that last little peck added as an afterthought is more meaningful and joyful than all that came before it sometimes inevitable is wishful thinking pipe dreams left wanting sometimes things are better left unsaid and undone and regret is just another word Del Maximo (c)08/29/2023

0

Aug 29, 2024

Aug 29, 2024 at 7:05 PM UTC

SOMETIMES

sometimes when I looked into your eyes I saw an entanglement of two souls reaching into another universe where impossible was possible sometimes when I looked into your eyes locking on without blinking I knew that moments like this were all that matter sometimes when I looked into your eyes I saw every hurt I ever felt and knew you understood sometimes I saw the speed of light speckled in your irises and thought we were on our way sometimes that last little peck added as an afterthought is more meaningful and joyful than all that came before it sometimes inevitable is wishful thinking pipe dreams left wanting sometimes things are better left unsaid and undone and regret is just another word Del Maximo (c)08/29/2023

34

woke up to gray and white streaky Van Gogh clouds with patches of cerulean eyes peeking through the house is cold and I am old but it feels like spring calendar says we’re past equinox sunshine seems to be getting longer flowers bloom forecasters say Raiden’s not done but it feels like spring dreamt last night that I was outside running and easily leapt over an obstacle drove my car city sights and sounds whelmed me in pleasant memories of living life flashing by like a fast motion freeway it felt like spring been shuttered with infirmities and limitations but strength training and tai chi have become habit unassisted walking toddles forward but feels and looks good I’m getting there it feels like spring Del Maximo (c)03/27/2023

0

Mar 27, 2023

Mar 27, 2023 at 11:56 AM UTC

ALMOST SPRING

woke up to gray and white streaky Van Gogh clouds with patches of cerulean eyes peeking through the house is cold and I am old but it feels like spring calendar says we’re past equinox sunshine seems to be getting longer flowers bloom forecasters say Raiden’s not done but it feels like spring dreamt last night that I was outside running and easily leapt over an obstacle drove my car city sights and sounds whelmed me in pleasant memories of living life flashing by like a fast motion freeway it felt like spring been shuttered with infirmities and limitations but strength training and tai chi have become habit unassisted walking toddles forward but feels and looks good I’m getting there it feels like spring Del Maximo (c)03/27/2023

30

if I could I would soar up high surfing the clouds embracing blue breezes chasing and catching golden reddish colors of sunsets I would look down with fondness upon earth green trees swaying in conversation with one another majestic mountains wrinkled with age dunes riddled with the language of winds the scintillating sparkle of oceans’ movement I would dive down only to feed avoiding the negativity of human kind blessing some with my droppings admiring the perseverance of others absorbing the good and hope that give rise to my wings if I could I would never come down to witness the sadness not just man’s inhumanity to mankind and to the earth but the natural sadness people and places lost and forgotten with the passage of time but soaring above doesn’t undo pain and hurt and by avoiding the negative in duality, you pass over joy it seems we are hardwired to form relationships that both break and heal us make us lonely and fill our hearts but on this day I would rather fly up high and forget about everything Del Maximo (c)08/01/2022

0

Aug 5, 2022

Aug 5, 2022 at 8:57 PM UTC

IF I HAD WINGS

if I could I would soar up high surfing the clouds embracing blue breezes chasing and catching golden reddish colors of sunsets I would look down with fondness upon earth green trees swaying in conversation with one another majestic mountains wrinkled with age dunes riddled with the language of winds the scintillating sparkle of oceans’ movement I would dive down only to feed avoiding the negativity of human kind blessing some with my droppings admiring the perseverance of others absorbing the good and hope that give rise to my wings if I could I would never come down to witness the sadness not just man’s inhumanity to mankind and to the earth but the natural sadness people and places lost and forgotten with the passage of time but soaring above doesn’t undo pain and hurt and by avoiding the negative in duality, you pass over joy it seems we are hardwired to form relationships that both break and heal us make us lonely and fill our hearts but on this day I would rather fly up high and forget about everything Del Maximo (c)08/01/2022

42

everyone knows they have a million eyes we saw it in that movie what was it called? they go buzzing around like bees without purpose infiltrating my airspace snooping around like cats so curious or like thieves on recon scoping out a heist are they magicians disappearing when you return with a swatter? are they dumb or arrogant flying in your face knowing they can get away? do they seek out food with their milligogles? or do they have noses? do they smell doo doo from a distance? I wish they spoke English so I could tell them “shoo, don’t bother me it was just a **** Del Maximo (c)07/26/2021

0

Sep 25, 2021

Sep 25, 2021 at 6:12 PM UTC

ON THE FLY

everyone knows they have a million eyes we saw it in that movie what was it called? they go buzzing around like bees without purpose infiltrating my airspace snooping around like cats so curious or like thieves on recon scoping out a heist are they magicians disappearing when you return with a swatter? are they dumb or arrogant flying in your face knowing they can get away? do they seek out food with their milligogles? or do they have noses? do they smell doo doo from a distance? I wish they spoke English so I could tell them “shoo, don’t bother me it was just a **** Del Maximo (c)07/26/2021

27

it makes perfect sense now but I didn’t quite understand that health and fitness is proactive that health and fitness is a present tense action all these years just going to work was my main exercise walk to the car walk from car to office walk around the office walk to the car walk to the house repeat found some good programs wasted money on gym memberships bought lots of equipment but my main exercise remained walk to the car walk from car to office walk around the office walk to the car walk to the house repeat my daily regimen ended when I stopped working and sat around most days diabetes kidney failure internal bleeding cardiac arrest have proved to be good teachers covid was a good scare nursing facility meal portions have shown me the light physical therapy provides incredible, professional knowledge King Kong make me strong formal daily exercise keys up strength and mobility but the mind is a terrible thing to fight attempting to lock me up with doubt and second guessing “the spirit is willing but the body is weak” is an effable excuse ‘F’ that my body and brain know but my mind gets in the way my mind tells me it’s hard my mind tells me I have to figure it out my mind holds me back my mind tells me, “later” or “tomorrow” you’d think my mind would know better Del Maximo (c)09/24/2021

0

Sep 25, 2021

Sep 25, 2021 at 6:07 PM UTC

BRAIN, BODY vs MIND

it makes perfect sense now but I didn’t quite understand that health and fitness is proactive that health and fitness is a present tense action all these years just going to work was my main exercise walk to the car walk from car to office walk around the office walk to the car walk to the house repeat found some good programs wasted money on gym memberships bought lots of equipment but my main exercise remained walk to the car walk from car to office walk around the office walk to the car walk to the house repeat my daily regimen ended when I stopped working and sat around most days diabetes kidney failure internal bleeding cardiac arrest have proved to be good teachers covid was a good scare nursing facility meal portions have shown me the light physical therapy provides incredible, professional knowledge King Kong make me strong formal daily exercise keys up strength and mobility but the mind is a terrible thing to fight attempting to lock me up with doubt and second guessing “the spirit is willing but the body is weak” is an effable excuse ‘F’ that my body and brain know but my mind gets in the way my mind tells me it’s hard my mind tells me I have to figure it out my mind holds me back my mind tells me, “later” or “tomorrow” you’d think my mind would know better Del Maximo (c)09/24/2021

56

another day another active shooter our hatred has loosed the hell hounds foreign and domestic terrorism abounds when will we learn that it’s us there’s a madman behind the curtain who doesn’t understand theatre with the whole world watching he normalizes hatred and apathy unable to see beyond the foot lights unwilling to look beyond his own nose or his wallet’s bottom line wearing narcissisms blinders this **** stirrer has emboldened the **** stirrers with everyone eager and willing to jump into the cesspool but I don’t blame him it’s on us social media has bloomed an anarchy of tongues wagging through clacking keyboards it’s safer to speak up when you can’t get hit in the mouth judgement day is now the threads are teeming with name calling immaturity arguments for arguments’ sake hatred vehemence the traits we hold back in real life are somehow acceptable online but I don’t blame social media it’s on us tomorrow's skies will be blue or gray regardless of what weathermen have to say the futility of a random universe with each advancement both a blessing and a curse license plates used to ask “will we **** the last whale?” the bigger question today: will we **** the last human? ecology’s breakdown GMOs and pesticides social injustices racial divides domestic violence and teen suicides new ‘worst ever’ shootings WMD in little boys’ hands will we do it? will we **** the last human? it’s on us

0

Oct 28, 2020

Oct 28, 2020 at 7:19 PM UTC

WHEN WILL WE LEARN?

another day another active shooter our hatred has loosed the hell hounds foreign and domestic terrorism abounds when will we learn that it’s us there’s a madman behind the curtain who doesn’t understand theatre with the whole world watching he normalizes hatred and apathy unable to see beyond the foot lights unwilling to look beyond his own nose or his wallet’s bottom line wearing narcissisms blinders this **** stirrer has emboldened the **** stirrers with everyone eager and willing to jump into the cesspool but I don’t blame him it’s on us social media has bloomed an anarchy of tongues wagging through clacking keyboards it’s safer to speak up when you can’t get hit in the mouth judgement day is now the threads are teeming with name calling immaturity arguments for arguments’ sake hatred vehemence the traits we hold back in real life are somehow acceptable online but I don’t blame social media it’s on us tomorrow's skies will be blue or gray regardless of what weathermen have to say the futility of a random universe with each advancement both a blessing and a curse license plates used to ask “will we **** the last whale?” the bigger question today: will we **** the last human? ecology’s breakdown GMOs and pesticides social injustices racial divides domestic violence and teen suicides new ‘worst ever’ shootings WMD in little boys’ hands will we do it? will we **** the last human? it’s on us

52

for many Christmas is a time of traditions tree decorating lights gift exchanges caroling candles family dinners where planning all the above is half the fun and caring for one another is proof of the pudding (razzleberry dressing) for some traditions go on skewed and miscued existence shattered heartbeats shuttered life just holding on but the world keeps spinning albeit upside down inconsequential, random memories trigger teardrops bird sightings and dragonflies stir yearnings both measures of comfort and reminders of unbearable loss proverbial double edged swords time doesn't heal but it moves on doors close windows open and dreams show the way for new beginnings every year lights a new candle of hope so Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! and Happy New Year! 'Tis the season of change Del Maximo ©12/22/2019

0

Dec 24, 2019

Dec 24, 2019 at 6:56 PM UTC

'TIS THE SEASON

for many Christmas is a time of traditions tree decorating lights gift exchanges caroling candles family dinners where planning all the above is half the fun and caring for one another is proof of the pudding (razzleberry dressing) for some traditions go on skewed and miscued existence shattered heartbeats shuttered life just holding on but the world keeps spinning albeit upside down inconsequential, random memories trigger teardrops bird sightings and dragonflies stir yearnings both measures of comfort and reminders of unbearable loss proverbial double edged swords time doesn't heal but it moves on doors close windows open and dreams show the way for new beginnings every year lights a new candle of hope so Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! and Happy New Year! 'Tis the season of change Del Maximo ©12/22/2019

43