A dogwood grew over there - v2

The front of our old house so sterile,
siding where clapboards were,
not like I remember it, alive, part of us,
stout bushes rising up to the windows,
verdant grasses, flagstones in the walk,
where there is now cement only,
curved where it was straight...
blue paint where there was white,
remembering scraping and sanding,
To get the painting just right…

The pool she always wanted consumed,
filled the back yard, where we once played,
a maple stood in the margin, the verge,
between the sidewalk and the road,
a dogwood grew over there, to the left,
a treasure of our mother, the blossoms,
tending her hens and chickens, edging,
crushed marble stones around its base,
her one jack-in-the-pulpit hidden,
Under the bushes, around to the right…

------------------------
Edited March 29, 2024
A dogwood grew over there – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/a-dogwood-grew-over-there-v2.html
March 28, 2024
A dogwood grew over there
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/a-dogwood-grew-over-there.html
Edited March 28, 2024
The dormer of my room – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-dormer-of-my-room-v2.html
March 27, 2024
The dormer of my room
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-dormer-of-my-room.html
57 Squawfield Road,
Westfield, MA
1963 to 1976
30 X 24 cape
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/57-Squawfield-Rd_Westfield_MA_01085_M47891-49185
https://gis.vgsi.com/westfieldma/Parcel.aspx?pid=3274
&
Merged March 19, 2024
Builder – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/builder-v3.html
Me playing with blocks on our porch, 1964,
Building a tower in the living room, 1965,
Playing with Legos outside, 1966
March 19, 2024
I was an architect, a builder
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/i-was-architect-builder.html
&
edited November 17, 2018
Builder – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/11/builder-v2.html
&
edited March 19, 2024
Behind the broken barbed wire – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/behind-broken-barbed-wire-v2.html
drawing by me
falling out of the tree when the board kicked up
&
Edited March 19, 2024
On white butcher block paper – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/on-white-butcher-block-paper-v2.html
Cantell's Supermarket
11 Franklin Street
Westfield, MA
Owned by Richard L. Cantell
Matchbook cover - https://www.ebay.com/itm/364698495439
&
Edited February 22, 2024
Willing the ball Fair – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/willing-ball-fair-v2.html
Edited February 22, 2024
Learning to Swing – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/learning-to-swing-v2.html
&
Edited February 13, 2024
Roads in the dirt – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/roads-in-dirt-v3.html
&
Edited February 13, 2024
winged samaras – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/winged-samaras-v3.html
&
February 1, 2024
A metal slug
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/a-metal-slug-coin.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com  Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, family, imagination, childhood, imagination, creation, creator, God, joy, play, faith, home,
 
#Poetry #family #imagination #childhood #imagination #creator #God #joy #play #Faith #home

A dogwood grew over there

The front of the house so sterile,
not like I remember it, alive,
stout bushes rising up to the windows,
verdant grasses, flagstones in the walk,
where there is now cement only,
blue paint where there was white,
remembering scraping and sanding,
To get the painting just right…
 
A maple stood in the margin, the verge,
between the sidewalk and the road,
a dogwood grew over there, to the left,
a treasure of our mother, the blossoms,
tending her hens and chickens, edging,
crush marble stones around its base,
the one jack-in-the-pulpit hidden,
Under the bushes around to the right…

 
------------------------
March 28, 2024
A dogwood grew over there
 
Edited March 28, 2024
The dormer of my room – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-dormer-of-my-room-v2.html
March 27, 2024
The dormer of my room
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-dormer-of-my-room.html
57 Squawfield Road,
Westfield, MA
1963 to 1976
&
Merged March 19, 2024
Builder – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/builder-v3.html
Me playing with blocks on our porch, 1964,
Building a tower in the living room, 1965,
Playing with Legos outside, 1966
March 19, 2024
I was an architect, a builder
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/i-was-architect-builder.html
&
edited November 17, 2018
Builder – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/11/builder-v2.html
&
edited March 19, 2024
Behind the broken barbed wire – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/behind-broken-barbed-wire-v2.html
drawing by me
falling out of the tree when the board kicked up
&
Edited March 19, 2024
On white butcher block paper – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/on-white-butcher-block-paper-v2.html
Cantell's Supermarket
11 Franklin Street
Westfield, MA
Owned by Richard L. Cantell
Matchbook cover - https://www.ebay.com/itm/364698495439
&
Edited February 22, 2024
Willing the ball Fair – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/willing-ball-fair-v2.html
Edited February 22, 2024
Learning to Swing – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/learning-to-swing-v2.html
&
Edited February 13, 2024
Roads in the dirt – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/roads-in-dirt-v3.html
&
Edited February 13, 2024
winged samaras – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/winged-samaras-v3.html
&
February 1, 2024
A metal slug
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/a-metal-slug-coin.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com  Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, family, imagination, childhood, imagination, creation, creator, God, joy, play, faith, home,
 
#Poetry #family #imagination #childhood #imagination #creator #God #joy #play #Faith #home

The dormer of my room - v2

Where my desk sat,
in the light, under the roof,
my imagination, my thoughts,
my homework, my first draft,
of a new translation, a bible,
new Good News, speaking to me,
within the dormer of my room...

Writing my papers, my homework,
that mom would inevitably type,
on great grampa's desk (that I still have)
tucked in by the window, by the light,
dark stain on the oak wood, richly,
my drawing, my dreams there with me,
within the dormer of my room...

------------------------
Edited March 28, 2024
The dormer of my room – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-dormer-of-my-room-v2.html
March 27, 2024
The dormer of my room
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-dormer-of-my-room.html
57 Squawfield Road,
Westfield, MA
1963 to 1976
&
Merged March 19, 2024
Builder – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/builder-v3.html
Me playing with blocks on our porch, 1964,
Building a tower in the living room, 1965,
Playing with Legos outside, 1966
March 19, 2024
I was an architect, a builder
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/i-was-architect-builder.html
&
edited November 17, 2018
Builder – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/11/builder-v2.html
&
edited March 19, 2024
Behind the broken barbed wire – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/behind-broken-barbed-wire-v2.html
drawing by me
falling out of the tree when the board kicked up
&
Edited March 19, 2024
On white butcher block paper – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/on-white-butcher-block-paper-v2.html
Cantell's Supermarket
11 Franklin Street
Westfield, MA
Owned by Richard L. Cantell
Matchbook cover - https://www.ebay.com/itm/364698495439
&
Edited February 22, 2024
Willing the ball Fair – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/willing-ball-fair-v2.html
Edited February 22, 2024
Learning to Swing – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/learning-to-swing-v2.html
&
Edited February 13, 2024
Roads in the dirt – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/roads-in-dirt-v3.html
&
Edited February 13, 2024
winged samaras – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/winged-samaras-v3.html
&
February 1, 2024
A metal slug
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/a-metal-slug-coin.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com  Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, family, imagination, childhood, imagination, creation, creator, God, joy, play, faith, home,
 
#Poetry #family #imagination #childhood #imagination #creator #God #joy #play #Faith #home

The dormer of my room

Where my desk sat,
in the light, under the roof,
my imagination,  my thoughts,
my homework, my first draft,
of a new translation, a bible,
new Good News, speaking to me,
within the dormer of my room...

------------------------

March 27, 2024
The dormer of my room
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-dormer-of-my-room.html

57 Squawfield Road,

Westfield, MA

1963 to 1976
&
Merged March 19, 2024
Builder – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/builder-v3.html
Me playing with blocks on our porch, 1964,
Building a tower in the living room, 1965,
Playing with Legos outside, 1966
March 19, 2024
I was an architect, a builder
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/i-was-architect-builder.html
&
edited November 17, 2018
Builder – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/11/builder-v2.html
&
edited March 19, 2024
Behind the broken barbed wire – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/behind-broken-barbed-wire-v2.html
drawing by me
falling out of the tree when the board kicked up
&
Edited March 19, 2024
On white butcher block paper – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/on-white-butcher-block-paper-v2.html
Cantell's Supermarket
11 Franklin Street
Westfield, MA
Owned by Richard L. Cantell
Matchbook cover - https://www.ebay.com/itm/364698495439
&
Edited February 22, 2024
Willing the ball Fair – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/willing-ball-fair-v2.html
Edited February 22, 2024
Learning to Swing – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/learning-to-swing-v2.html
&
Edited February 13, 2024
Roads in the dirt – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/roads-in-dirt-v3.html
&
Edited February 13, 2024
winged samaras – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/winged-samaras-v3.html
&
February 1, 2024
A metal slug
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/a-metal-slug-coin.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com  Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, family, imagination, childhood, imagination, creation, creator, God, joy, play, faith, home,
 
#Poetry #family #imagination #childhood #imagination #creator #God #joy #play #Faith #home

Builder – v3

I was a builder,
creating in the playroom,
blocks rising, balanced,
one upon another,
creating structures, towers,
in bright living colors…
 
I could have been an architect
easel and pad, sketching,
compass and straight edge,
vision and design,
at least that’s what my
childhood photos indicate…
 
Pride of the builder, the artisan
for the precision, the challenge
whether wooden blocks, Lincoln Logs,
my tools, an Erector Set, or my Legos,
building from my imagination,
creating world that don’t exist…
 
Laughing now at the smile reflected back
form without knowledge of function
but part of the joy of this child
when I could get lost in the simple pleasures
of play, on my schedule, focused,
when time had less meaning and
you just did it when you wanted to do...

------------------------
Merged March 19, 2024
Builder – v3
 
Me playing with blocks on our porch, 1964,
Building a tower in the living room, 1965,
Playing with Legos outside, 1966
March 19, 2024
I was an architect, a builder
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/i-was-architect-builder.html
&
edited November 17, 2018
Builder – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/11/builder-v2.html
&
edited March 19, 2024
Behind the broken barbed wire – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/behind-broken-barbed-wire-v2.html
drawing by me
falling out of the tree when the board kicked up
under me when I spilled water out of
my cousins’ canteen…
Steve, Jeff and Eric…
at Aunt Chris and Uncle Larry’s house
Laurence F. Ring, Jr. and Christine H. Ring
20 Pratts Junction Road
Sterling, MA
Probably about 1970 or 1971
&
Edited March 19, 2024
On white butcher block paper – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/on-white-butcher-block-paper-v2.html
Cantell's Supermarket
11 Franklin Street
Westfield, MA
Owned by Richard L. Cantell
Matchbook cover - https://www.ebay.com/itm/364698495439
&
Edited February 22, 2024
Willing the ball Fair – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/willing-ball-fair-v2.html
Edited February 22, 2024
Learning to Swing – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/learning-to-swing-v2.html
&
Edited February 13, 2024
Roads in the dirt – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/roads-in-dirt-v3.html
&
Edited February 13, 2024
winged samaras – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/winged-samaras-v3.html
&
February 1, 2024
A metal slug
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/a-metal-slug-coin.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com  Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, family, blocks, toybox, toys, imagination, architect, builder, childhood, imagination, creation, creator, God, joy, play, Legos, Erector Set, Lincoln Logs,
 
#Poetry #family #blocks #toybox #toys #imagination #architect #builder #childhood #imagination #creator #God #joy #play #Legos #ErectorSet #LincolnLogs

I was an architect, a builder

I was an architect, a builder,
creating in the playroom,
blocks rising, balanced,
one upon another,
creating structures,
in bright colors…

------------------------
March 19, 2024
I was an architect, a builder
 
Me playing with blocks on our porch
1964, 1965, and 1966

&

edited November 17, 2018

Builder – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/11/builder-v2.html

&

edited March 19, 2024
Behind the broken barbed wire – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/behind-broken-barbed-wire-v2.html
falling out of the tree when the board kicked up
under me when I spilled water out of
my cousins’ canteen…
Steve, Jeff and Eric…
at Aunt Chris and Uncle Larry’s house
20 Pratts Junction Road
Sterling, MA
Probably about 1970 or 1971
&
Edited March 19, 2024
On white butcher block paper – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/on-white-butcher-block-paper-v2.html
Cantell's Supermarket
11 Franklin Street
Westfield, MA
Owned by Richard L. Cantell
Matchbook cover - https://www.ebay.com/itm/364698495439
&
Edited February 22, 2024
Willing the ball Fair – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/willing-ball-fair-v2.html
Edited February 22, 2024
Learning to Swing – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/learning-to-swing-v2.html
&
Edited February 13, 2024
Roads in the dirt – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/roads-in-dirt-v3.html
&
Edited February 13, 2024
winged samaras – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/winged-samaras-v3.html
&
February 1, 2024
A metal slug
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/a-metal-slug-coin.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com  Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, family, childhood, play, blocks, toybox, toys, imagination, architect, builder,
 
#Poetry #family #childhood #play #blocks, toybox #toys #imagination #architect #builder

On white butcher block paper – v2

I remember how I felt,
marveling at the look of it,
the way mom interacted,
the banter, the repartee,
being known in the gate,
a friend, not just a customer,
returning again and again…
 
Coming to the meat counter
to take our order, moving,
diving into conversation,
the local butcher at Cantell's market,
remembering his working hands,
brusquely, wiping them on a towel,
the nub of his thick pencil at the ready…
 
His scrawl on white butcher block paper,
writing the details of mom’s order,
his white apron tied in the front,
starched but covered,
with blood, all the juices,
working quickly, a line behind us
meats wrapped in white butcher block paper ...
 
------------------------
Edited March 19, 2024
On white butcher block paper – v2
 
Edited March 17, 2024
On white butcher block paper
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/on-white-butcher-block-paper.html
March 17, 2024
On butcher block paper
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/on-butcher-block-paper.html
Cantell's Supermarket
11 Franklin Street
Westfield, MA
Owned by Richard L. Cantell
Matchbook cover - https://www.ebay.com/itm/364698495439
&
Edited February 22, 2024
Willing the ball Fair – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/willing-ball-fair-v2.html
Edited February 22, 2024
Learning to Swing – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/learning-to-swing-v2.html
&
Edited February 13, 2024
Roads in the dirt – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/roads-in-dirt-v3.html
&
Edited February 13, 2024
winged samaras – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/winged-samaras-v3.html
&
February 1, 2024
A metal slug
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/a-metal-slug-coin.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com  Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, family, childhood, play, Westfield, MA, Cantells, butcher,
 
#Poetry #family #childhood #play #Westfield #MA #Cantells #butcher

On white butcher block paper

Coming to the meat counter
to take our order, moving,
diving into conversation,
the local butcher at Cantell's Market,
remembering his working hands,
wiping them on a towel,
the nub of his thick pencil…
 
His scrawl on white butcher block paper,
the details of mom’s order,
his white apron tied in the front,
starched but covered,
with blood, all of the juices,
working quickly, a line behind us
meats wrapped in white butcher block paper ...
 
------------------------
Edited March 17, 2024
On white butcher block paper
 
March 17, 2024
On butcher block paper
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/on-butcher-block-paper.html
Cantell's Super Market
11 Franklin Street
Westfield, MA
Matchbook cover - https://www.ebay.com/itm/364698495439
&
Edited February 22, 2024
Willing the ball Fair – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/willing-ball-fair-v2.html
Edited February 22, 2024
Learning to Swing – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/learning-to-swing-v2.html
&
Edited February 13, 2024
Roads in the dirt – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/roads-in-dirt-v3.html
&
Edited February 13, 2024
winged samaras – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/winged-samaras-v3.html
&
February 1, 2024
A metal slug
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/a-metal-slug-coin.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com  Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, family, childhood, play, Westfield, MA, Cantells, butcher,
 
#Poetry #family #childhood #play #WestfieldMA #Cantells #butcher

On butcher block paper

Coming to the counter

To take our order, moving,

The local butcher at Cantell's Market,

Remembering his hands,

The nub of his pencil, 

His scrawl on the butcher block paper,

His white apron covered,

With blood, all of the juices,

Working quickly, a line behind us ...

------------------------
March 17, 2024
On butcher block paper
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/on-butcher-block-paper.html
Cantell's Super Market
11 Franklin Street
Westfield, MA
Matchbook cover - https://www.ebay.com/itm/364698495439
&
Edited February 22, 2024
Willing the ball Fair – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/willing-ball-fair-v2.html
Edited February 22, 2024
Learning to Swing – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/learning-to-swing-v2.html
&
Edited February 13, 2024
Roads in the dirt – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/roads-in-dirt-v3.html
&
Edited February 13, 2024
winged samaras – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/winged-samaras-v3.html
&
February 1, 2024
A metal slug
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/a-metal-slug-coin.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com  Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, family, childhood, play, Westfield, MA, Cantells, butcher,
 
#Poetry #family #childhood #play #WestfieldMA #Cantells #butcher

Roads in the dirt – v3

I was the city planner, the construction manager,
long before computer city-planning games,
I was the steam shovel, the excavator,
the water works contractor,
I was a creator in the dirt.
 
Roads in the dirt, thanks to Tonka, imagination,
to my own shovel, pushing, moving,
grading the ground to my will
a city growing before me,
With roads, aqueducts.
 
Sticks for foundations, rocks to make them level,
houses and buildings added to my city.
bridges and tunnels created, a pond,
matchbox cars and trucks driving,
On the roads that I had built.
 
Creating commerce, freight, cargo,
seeds of maples opened, a harvest,
gathered for the transport, readied,
loaded into the trucks, for market,
Driving on these roads.
 
------------------------
Edited February 13, 2024
Roads in the dirt – v3
 
&
Edited February 13, 2024
winged samaras – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/winged-samaras-v3.html
&
Edited February 9, 2024
Roads in the dirt – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/roads-in-dirt-v2.html
February 9, 2024
Roads in the dirt
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/roads-in-dirt.html
Mid-1960s
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com  Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, family, play, childhood, building, city, imagination, roads, houses,
 
#Poetry #family #play #childhood #building #city #imagination #roads #houses

winged samaras – v3

helicopters
seeds of maples,
many colors, sizes,
wing samaras twirling,
spinning, falling, blowing,
raining down from their branches,
 
a season of sharing, an early harvest,
 
offering themselves to the winds,
to be blown asunder, guided,
to fertile ground, to sprout,
to bear fruit, to thrive,
somewhere else
to grow…
 

 

 

 

---------

Edited February 13, 2024

winged samaras – v3

 

Edited February 9, 2024

winged samaras – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/winged-samaras-v2.html

February 9, 2024

winged samaras

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/winged-samaras.html

Edited February 9, 2024

Roads in the dirt – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/roads-in-dirt-v2.html

 

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com  Poetry Where You Live.

 

Poetry, family, play, childhood, imagination, nature, fruit, maple, sugar maple, silver maple, red maple, swamp maple, Norway maple, seeds, samara, wind, breeze, helicopters, aerodynamics, wings,

 

#Poetry #family #play #childhood #imagination #nature #fruit #maple #sugarmaple #silvermaple #redmaple #swampmaple #Norwaymaple #seeds #samara #wind #breeze #helicopters #aerodynamicss #wings

winged samaras – v2

seeds of maples,
many sizes, colors,
wing samaras twirling,
spinning, falling, blowing,
raining down from the branches,
 
a season of sharing, the early harvest,
 
offering themselves to the winds,
to be blown asunder, guided,
to fertile ground, to grow,
to bear fruit, to thrive,
somewhere else…
 

 

 

---------

February 9, 2024

winged samaras – v2

 

February 9, 2024

winged samaras

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/winged-samaras.html

Edited February 9, 2024

Roads in the dirt – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/roads-in-dirt-v2.html

 

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com  Poetry Where You Live.

 

Poetry, family, play, childhood, imagination, nature, fruit, maple, sugar maple, silver maple, red maple, swamp maple, Norway maple, seeds, samara, wind, breeze, helicopters, aerodynamics, wings,

 

#Poetry #family #play #childhood #imagination #nature #fruit #maple #sugarmaple #silvermaple #redmaple #swampmaple #Norwaymaple #seeds #samara #wind #breeze #helicopters #aerodynamicss #wings

winged samaras

seeds of the maples,
many sizes, colors,
wing samaras twirling,
spinning, falling, blowing,
raining down from the branches,
a season of sharing, not yet the harvest,
offering themselves to the winds,
to be blown asunder, guided,
to fertile ground, to grown,
to bear fruit, to thrive,
somewhere else…
 

---------

February 9, 2024

winged samaras

 

Edited February 9, 2024

Roads in the dirt – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/roads-in-dirt-v2.html

 

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com  Poetry Where You Live.

 

Poetry, family, play, childhood, imagination, nature, fruit, maple, sugar maple, silver maple, red maple, swamp maple, Norway maple, seeds, samara, wind, breeze, helicopters,

 

#Poetry #family #play #childhood #imagination #nature #fruit #maple #sugarmaple #silvermaple #redmaple #swampmaple #Norwaymaple #seeds #samara #wind #breeze #helicopters

Roads in the dirt – v2

I was the city planner, the construction manager,
Long before computer planning games,
I was the steam shovel, the excavator,
The water works contractor,
The creator in the dirt.
 
Roads in the dirt, thanks to Tonka,
To my own shovel, pushing,
Grading the ground to my will
A city growing before me,
With roads, aqueducts.
 
Sticks for foundations, rocks to make them level,
Houses and buildings added to my city.
Bridges and tunnels created,
Matchbox cars and trucks driving,
On the roads that I had built.
 
Creating commerce, freight, cargo,
The seeds of maples opened,
Gathered for the markets,
Loaded into the trucks, for market,
Driving on these roads.
 
------------------------
Edited February 9, 2024
Roads in the dirt – v2
 
February 9, 2024
Roads in the dirt
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/roads-in-dirt.html
Mid-1960s
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com  Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, family, play, childhood, building, city, imagination, roads, houses,
 
#Poetry #family #play #childhood #building #city #imagination #roads #houses