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Wednesday, November 20, 2024

    NOVEMBER EXTRA-
ORDINAIRE

The best November asset
just may
be the ride one gets
when Advent’s cusp is passed
and it’s a downhill thrill
to Christmas day.

A young man,
three years in public service
    . . . promoting service . . .
stirred us up
with indiscriminate love affairs,
attracting followers everywhere
and cascading consequences
down to us today.

Never mind the fears that had him treed.
We cling to the news
that he was raised and we were freed
to continue his love story.

And as our November now wears on,
growing its darkness and creepy cold
I question my love affairs.
Are they warm enough?  Consequent free?
Do they light up too few?
And whom do I excuse
as too . . . too?

Come in . . . bring some wood for the fire.
We’ll use candles for atmosphere.
And while we’re here
let’s pause.
Honor the mother
who grew that babe
and cradled his desire
to learn to serve.

Y’all come, y’hear.

DRK
3/30/11

     NOVEMBER BETWEEN REVISITED

Went out to the pool to see,
but the grandchildren hadn’t come today
Instead the sun directed me
to warmed breezes
doing hands free massage

In the background, children’s summer noises
Could I use this stolen time?
Maybe compose a rhyme?
But Mother Nature silenced me
It was her turn
Oh, Mama, do your thing
and continue slowly, please

Was it really that good?
Or do I somehow misremember?

This is, after all, November.

Time to hunker down
build a fire and await
the first snowfall

Gatherings for the holidays

Is it too early to decorate?

Will it be that great
or do I misanticipate?

This is, after all, still just November.


DRK
6/11/11

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

     NOVEMBER REVISITED

Today’s array
of browns and grays
rouses memories
of teenage hunting days -- 
a few pheasants in the weeds,
but mostly cottontails
darting through the brush.
And all the while my buddies and I
harbored dreams of
something WILD.

Above in V’s
ducks and geese took their November leaves --
to exchange icing ponds and chilling air
for exotic who-knows-wheres.
They traveled fast
they traveled high,
like hell-bent SSTs.
We could but stare --
their reach, so far beyond our ken
or youthful hunting expertise.

But any day that we were there,
eager for what came our way,
trophies were bagged,
dragged home and magnified
in the stories we shaped
and would recall.

November, the perfect loom
to weave warp against woof,

imagination and a zest for living,
against autumns coarser fibers.


DRK
6/11/10

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

 NOVEMBER BETWEEN


                                                          
Spring drama and summer booty, now cached,
once again Mother Nature changes hats
and Gaudy October yields
to muted November’s aging fields.
Their many shades of browns and grays
underscore our shortening days.

At the fence, long rows
of brown corn stubble lead
to a spray of empty trees.
         Fans framing space
with limbs,
once lost in summer’s earnest greenery,                  
now, chilled,
reveal the interstitial beauty
of their gray twigged filigree.

Come inside.
Let’s toast nature’s annual evening time;
         Let fall your leaves,
         and sag your sap.
Enjoy Mother Nature’s windy music in the cracks.
We’ll light her logs and pour her wine.
Anticipate.
         She’ll soon unpack
         her stunning winter wardrobe wrap.                        

Dennis R. Keefe
November, 2008

Monday, November 11, 2024

 

LIGHTING VETERANS’ DAY

Our oldest light,
long in dim,
leaped,
recharged,

         Our star shooting through the night,

on veterans’ day

         to a site
         unknowable
         but boldly measured.

“Woke up this mornin’ with my Lord
Hang on, Jesus”

– her Lord of the living and now living with  the Lord –

“Woke up this mornin’ with my Lord . . . “

. . . in that lovely dwelling place

where the Son,
withholding no favors
bestows honor
on mothers
among others.

Another light to magnify the Lord.
Another light illuminating ancient words
that bookmark our lives.                                                                     

Inside, we greet,
view what’s left
and ponder the rest.

Outside, in the night,
Christmas parade lights form,
and stretch the street
back up the hill –
glowing lights
blinking, milling,
building
momentum –

some running mini laps
around girl scouts’ caps                                                                                             

then,
illuminating our holiday choices,

move away

         trailing
                  their
                           effects
                                             through
                                                               town.

Christmas will have its due.

Dennis R. Keefe

Oct. 29, 2019
November 17, 2007

Monday, November 4, 2024

 

ON TRACK        

I meet her occasionally;
we touch, talk,
remain briefly side by side.        
Then, unique in stride,
we separate,
a step at a time –
she, jogging, doing,             
not pressing me;                      
I, walking, composing,
not slowing her.  
          
Amazing grace and gravity
maintain the orbit                                                     
circling our commonality.

                                                     
Dennis R. Keefe,                          
2/11/09


        

 PLANET CWK

Not yet a star
But orbiting

Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg

A celebrity overload
Milling at the Broad
Zaha Hadid’s art museum

    Contemporary    
        Dramatic

Now hosting Lex Luthor's party  

A benefit for the library
    It's Metropolis, of course

Carole’s Cocktail dress
    Urban chic

Whoa!  Get this pic!
In one room
Batman!  Superman!  Lois Lane!


Did you see the invitation?   Did you RSVP?
An open call in the paper
Applications, head shots,
Notices for fitting and two nights of shooting

300 extras at check-in . . . waiting
Paperwork, wardrobe, makeup, hair
Shuttle buses, security

Standing, lots of standing, . . . , behind the magic

Cameras trailing multiple techs
Makeup crews circling, refreshing that special look

Catered food — Movie scene? 
Or are we being served?

A senator’s cameo for Debbie Stabenow
Carole stands in to prep the show

“Ladder!  Adjust that light!”

Good position by the door
Party guests arriving in style
Maserati, Rolls, Alfa Romeo
    All made the cut

Two guys hose the street

Bruce Wayne rushes through
Wonder Woman, his quest
The paparazzi press
And point
    Cameras, microphones

The whole bit

Hollywood in East Lansing

And on our movie extra
Shining stars

Happy birthday

From one of your many moons

DRK
11/4
/14