Bull-Hearted

like this worn-out dog
i have nearly given up…
yet, i’m a Taurus.

and so i garden
though it, too, is a failure
stolen by flowers

this year’s loss, in pics:
weeds and grass and tearing out 
for one little heart

Road Trip 2021, Day Fourteen (ROAD Island)

this “bike path” presents:
sea-level cycling; beach
(rode on Rhode Island)

there’s seafood here, too.
and family filled with smiles
and gardening goals

flowing stream, sun bath
is my picture-perfect beach
(dogs and drinks allowed)

more importantly:
teens jumping off the big rock
back to childhood

cycle to the wine
a trail along Keuka Lake
and these sweet smiles

my pup, lake, camp, board:
seemingly perfect weekend
(calm before the storm)

the weather plagues me
sending wind when there was none
and stealing these views

if i could lift wings,
glide pelican-like, headfirst,
it wouldn’t matter

alas, i must walk
through all the humanoid storms
that we’ve created

"bikes for everyone"
is our summer camp motto
(if not, it should be)

what did we just learn?
first, bike vocabulary:
then, real practice

the best from today?
my daughter's helpful patience
(a prospective teacher)

at sixteen years old
learning to ride can be hard
(a kind heart can help)

childhood bullies
prevented her from riding
till my girl taught her

no award for this
no graduation medal
yet, better than gold

cycle summer camp--
real-life language lessons
(fix, pump, pedal, grin)

the most perfect park
the most perfect afternoon
marred by words, actions

my innocent girl
who only wanted this day
not a broken mom

but it's just a blur
one day bleeds into the next
watered with defeat

a midnight rainstorm
brought early this raging creek
and stole seed-planting

yet, cycle views burst
with blossoms of spring color
saving the lost day

perfect skyline view
from this lonely bleacher seat
(as cold as your words)