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(true anecdote circa late 1960's early 1970's) prithee
which cold wintry temperatures re:
wheely jogged unpleasant event in axle all let tea

aye rem member inxs of cold playing air
froze natural on gull din pond,
   where over head Canadian geese did blare
honking the latest goose sip
   loud and crystal clear,

when from behind a bush
   (color of smashed pumpkin)
   did peek a deer
alert to any rod nee danger field
   by parking upright
   either one or both ear

instinct flashed warning to doe eyed creature
   lest predator doth lurk and induce fear
while Harris Family and friends
   oblivious attired in wintry gear,

which padded material cladding
   adequately protected me from cold
caused clouded difficulty to see
   (thru fog coated glasses),

   and muffled keen hear
ring any forewarning
   as chief identifier icier
   this then gawky child nerd
precariously maintaining balance
   on his skates

  gliding, than extemoraneous
  ill prepareed head over blades swan dive
   shutterflying like  a bird soon tubby goosed
such attempts made this boy
   appear quite absurd
ah, if only this mind of mine shut oral trapdoor,
   and force haw debacle with preturnatural wink

   did two step quick think,
but woe misfortune awaited
  across the bumpy natural rink
blithely jettisoning myself,

   to and fro, hither and yon
   like a rolling stone
   (that gathered no hearty moss) going plink
unaware while in camouflage pose
   disguised as one sneaky, slippery icy fink
that snuck up in a blink

found me squarely face down
   shattering left front tooth
immediately discovered
   via tongue as private sleuth
found me in an extremely agitated state forsooth
as if on fire from red hot chili peppers
   wrought jagged dentin chewable booth

a scant mere
seconds to late, when with a crash, which near
concussion smacked noggin
   hard against blocky chunk hove ice
   informing gap toothed email

   (actually, that incident
   found me quite traumatized,
   especially without any solution to milk),
   i.e. unpreparedly tasting solid rock hard material -
   with ugly reflection that didst stare
from a looking glass re: mirror,
   which aye avoided at all possible costs where
to cast and fit mouth
   with a provisional crown entailed maybe a year.

necessitating cupped gloved hands
   to punctuate every muffled word
to be but barely heard
akin to talking with mouth full of custard
above the quiet riotous mirth
   analogous to twittering bird

winning sympathy from parents,
   who did level best to tend distraught son
who ushered playback of events
   with less disastrous rerun
praying for a high lee angel

   to grant reverse outcome brought none
gut wrenching grief
   immediately terminated former fun
damage irreversible
   and perfect smile of pearly white
   forever broke
   NOT the least itty bitty funny, comical,
   nor countenanced devastation done.
Sans Priceless Paternal Experiences
Bequeathed To This Papa From Precious Progeny

The greatest gift cherished, garnered, lamented...,
yet simultaneously recognized as utmost prized
constitutes mine declaration, that both benevolent
daughters (now metaphorically inflight) took wing
to embark upon autonomous paths from shortfall

of figurative feathers, that barely fluffed this
Harris nest, and pridefulness (without prejudice),
(nor sense and sensibility if the Missus intimated),
nonetheless the exponentially lightspeed of time,
(no doubt there exists some algebraic formula)

delineating, how each subsequent year elapses
with mind bend ding rapidity tens, hundreds,
thousands...bajillion of immeasurable powers
greater compared to the buzzfeeding, nodding
off to sleep, plodding ennui during naive boyhood

(mine) lacking foresight to conjecture emotional
state (wreck) walled din within the unsown cerebral
territory now housing a papa poised on the brink
of agonizing awareness catapulting enlightenment
gripping intractably kickstarting mortality. Over

the spate of fatherhood, thy deux delightful
grown girls unwittingly, unstintingly, unpreparedly...
foisted upon the very shaky psychological fountainhead
an absolute birthright (asper begetting said offspring),
whose needs and wants transcended those of this

formerly self oriented dada, who reviews the
trials and tribulations recognizing his niggardly
retention of allowing, enabling, and proffering
the best environment conducive to the mental,
physical, and spiritual well-being concerning

those vulnerable young and restlessness lives.
He writhes with agony, asper the domestic chaos
wrought indelible emotions, some roiling anger
(more so pertaining to the eldest (Eden Liat "star
student") emotionally estranged toward this

parent, whose company she enjoyed playing
at the park, or reveling idling leisure hours oft
times winning at Uno, Sorry, Mancala...(keep
on the queue tee, that such happen to be my intent).
Thank you so much sweet darlings, (which out

pouring of sentiments) initially spurred to
acknowledge the twentieth orbit around the sun
regarding the tender loving caring Shana
Aubrey blessedly teaching unknowingly
your truly ill suited “sir” spending her previous

few birthdays expanding delicate comfort zones
living (by choice and mutual parental consent,
when she hapt to be a minor - and now...owns a heart
of gold), this poor excuse for a father loves
both YOU more than these pitiful words can
broadcast into the ethereal net.
Bonnie 1d
How many instances have I passed through, completely unaware that the simple act of choice, any choice, or even no choice at all, will set a precedent for chaotic movement forward into a future that I could not even have guessed at. How unpreparedly have I been given this power, the ultimate freedom to control and shape my own destiny. More than that though, the absolute freedom to at any and every moment change course and alter my own future forever. Wouldn't it have been easier to move trustingly into a life where fate has stretched out a rail that we ride on to a destination planned and known.



These are the existential thoughts that wake me at times. My mind worries at feelings that seem to be very much ignored or unnoticed by everyone around me. Today it is Possibility. In fact the proposition of infinite possibility.



This compelling facet of human consciousness winds all of my life up into a tangle of both hope and also anxiety, both absolute freedom and yet crushing responsibility.



I just like everyone else I was born new and empty, unchartered and alone in my emerging awareness and howling my confusion at a complex and indifferent universe. The crux of it is, if dwelt on there is no conclusion but to become aware that all of humanity is first censured then condemned to the breath catching realization that we are free to decide our own path and with every choice whether conscious of it or not shape all future existence. The sheer number of paths to choose can halt us to freeze at the cliff’s edge paralyzed by indecision.



The infinite nature of all possibility implies that there is no singular way to set a course, no correct way to live. I feel dizzy at this and have a headache.



So is there any meaning at all to be found. Clearly humans have always searched for this as both individuals and as a collective solace this has has been constructed carefully by means of cultural behaviours and ancient beliefs. Meaning and order and purpose is formed for us and around us. Perhaps meaning is not a thing that is given but must be actively searched for or constructed. Can I craft any meaning in a world that seems devoid of any inherent purpose.



I have the capacity to review past time to reflect upon my past. Perhaps choices made and courses altered. Memories and experiences undoubtedly shape our perception of all possibilities before us. Perhaps that means for us a choice we may have made remains unexplored. Because we have clear sight of what is past but only a limited grasp of our future, it’s like a confusing mess of shadow and light, half understood implications and inference, We are doomed to be pulled into the unknown.



As I move to the kitchen do begin my day these thoughts and more, much more beset me, trouble me and wear me down. Maybe coffee will help or not, I just don’t know anymore.
a narrative that delves deep into the existential theme of infinite possibility. Capturing the angst and awe that comes with understanding freedom and the limitless potential of choice.
© BonnieBayGallery 2025

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