Photo by Alex Preusser on Unsplash

These two poems were given to me by my mom several years ago. I believe she wrote them when I was fairly young — but I don’t know exactly when, and when I asked her about it recently, she couldn’t recall either. I’ve had them stowed safely away in my Treasure Box, waiting for a good time to share them here. Mom, thank you for giving me permission to print these poems; now you can brag about being a published poet! The first poem is untitled but was originally called Sunset.

Near the end of day I stand and gaze
Upon nature’s sunset pageantry.
I love to see the western sky ablaze
Silhouetting every lovely tree.

Whispering so slightly comes a breeze.
Pirouetting leaves now stand apart.
Such loveliness and calm could I but seize
Locking it awayt within my heart.

As I watch, the brightness pales, and then
Creeping shadows gather ’round too soon.
Sadness cloaks my soul, but lifts again
As I behold magnificence: the moon.

Photo by Pramod Tiwari on Unsplash

The second poem, also untitled, is my favorite, as it seems to speak eloquently for every one of us who has ever lived with a persnickety roommate; read on to see if you agree with me.

He stalked into the house, looked around in disgust
Indignation was there to be seen.
I chided myself for neglecting to dust
Though the house was otherwise clean.

I couldn’t hope now his approval to gain
But I asked myself why do I care?
There always is something he eyes with disdain
And scorns with a critical stare.

My housekeeping isn’t the only sore spot —
Regardless how well he may dine
Do you think he is satisfied? Certainly not!
He also would like to have mine.

How selfish, self centered, and utterly rude!
I boil ‘neath my surface so sweet.
If I could live without him, I’d sure end the feud
And he’d find himself out in the street.

But where would I be if I blew up like that
And refused to forgive him his vice?
Conceited or not, I’ll still baby that cat
‘Cause I’m frightened to tears by those mice!

Photo by Francesco Ungaro on Unsplash