Sausage - v5

A short tale of whimsy, a trifle,

a bit of confection, of spice,

Forget the frank, the hot dog - 

Give me the Fenway sausage.

Lansdowne or Yawkey, just give me the street, 

the crowds, the carts, the smells.

Sausage you shrug, you, the reader,

of this trifle, this whimsy - 

What do I mean, me the storyteller?

Read on, won’t you please.

Sliced bell peppers and big chunks of onions

gathered, lathered on the fresh bun,

they tempt the palate, tease the tongue,

open wide the bun and spread hot mustard

set the stage, the moment, for the star,

the scorched and blackened piece of meat

reminds me of every sausage, each one, 

I have ever eaten before...

So much memory, in the tastes,

treasure beyond measure, of family and fun

of ballgames, tailgates, and the carnie;

a cacophony of moments

dripping with that t same grease.

Do you smell it too, sizzling,

on the smoky hot grill?

My lips curl with a smirk, a laugh,

as i write these lines for you,

as I laugh to myself, again,

of the pleasures of excess

and the lusty gluttony

of eating. . . another one.

============== 

Edited October 8, 2024

Sausage - v6

Edited August 21, 2023

Sausage – v4

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2023/08/sausage-v4.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. All of my poems are at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Your Usher – v2

Leading us to our seats,
Watching over the congregation,
caring for the flock, the sheep,
from the back of the sanctuary,
from the aisles, the servant,
sharing the joy of worship,
the community of believers,
one bulletin, one smile at a time,
one greeting, one handshake,
being Your usher…
 
------------
Edited March 27, 2024
Your Usher – v2
 
January 16, 2010
In Passing the Peace
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/01/in-passing-peace.html
on the passing of Al Leavitt,
http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100116/NOCOMMENTING/1160322/1006/COMMUNITY02
January 14, 2010,
member of Wesley United Methodist Church
Concord, NH
October 3, 2007
Your Usher
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2007/10/your-usher.html
About Al Leavitt, who stepped down
as one of the ushers of our church,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH,
on 9/30/07, after serving 62 years
 
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, 202 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, creator, sanctuary, hands, church, Faith, hope, sharing, Wesley United Methodist Church, joy, Concord NH, New Hampshire, Poetry Where You Live, congregation, Family, God, worship, usher, Methodist, UMC,
 
#poetry #sanctuary #church #Faith #hope #sharing #WesleyUnitedMethodistChurch #joy #ConcordNH #congregation #Family #God #worship #usher #Methodist #UMC

their #skeletons discarded – v3

Round the evergreen trees,
along the roadway
amber casings, transparent,
their skeletons discarded
shining in the afternoon sun.
 
Their soundings, silence
late Fall, almost Winter
where the cicadas’ voices
sang in the canopy,
the heat prodding them on
 
Already frozen, statuesque
the empty shells still clinging
blending in with the color
of the amber pitch, the bark,
almost hiding in plain sight
 
Above the dust of the needles
the pupae burst open,
their shells pointing
to their true homes
high in the treetops
 
‐----------

edited December 2, 2021

their skeletons discarded – v3

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2021/12/their-skeletons-discarded-v3.html

edited December 2, 2021

Cicada Shells

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2021/12/cicada-shells.html

edited February 22, 2020

their skeletons discarded - v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2020/02/round-giant-spruce-trees-at-back-of.html

February 12, 2010

Their Skeletons Discarded

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/02/their-skeletons-discarded.html

probably about 1972

57 Squawfield Road,

Westfield, MA

&

edited December 29, 2015

Cicada Feet – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/cicada-feet-v3.html

(merging edits to version 1 and version 2)

posted July 19, 2004

written 9/19/03 14:00, edits 9/19/03 18:40 – 19:50

Cicada Feet – v1

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/07/cicada-feet.html

An earlier version than the one posted on February 15.

Posted February 15, 2004

Further edits 9/22/03, on 3^rd stanza

Cicada Feet – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/02/cicada-feet.html

Edits a combination of mine and input from Roberta Woods,

particularly addition of second line about pupal stage

and line about body like a cigar butt

&

July 26, 2006 19:51

Cicada Shell

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2006/07/cicada-shell.html

&

edited December 28, 2015

Looking Closer – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/looking-closer-v2.html

posted February 14, 2004

written 6/18/2001 11:49am

Looking Closer

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/02/looking-closer.html

 

 

body, cicada, Concord NH, dust, earth, eyes, Faith, feet, hands, hope, life, Nature, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, Writing Poetry,

 

#poetry #body #cicada #dust #earth #eyes #feet #hands #hope #life #Nature #Writing #Poetry #pupa

 

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, and 2021. 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.

 

#Cicada Shells

Down near the dirt

above the base of the pines

clutched close, holding

the gnarled, wrinkled elephant skin

a terracotta army, a squadron

cicada chrysalides

empty shells, many,

still clinging to the trees

after the birthing, metamorphosis

clear, amber, ripped open

by the living adults, climbing,

high up in the canopy where they sang

to live out their short lives

up in the sun

 

‐----------

edited December 2, 2021

Cicada Shells

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2021/12/cicada-shells.html

edited February 22, 2020

their skeletons discarded - v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2020/02/round-giant-spruce-trees-at-back-of.html

February 12, 2010

Their Skeletons Discarded

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/02/their-skeletons-discarded.html

probably about 1972

57 Squawfield Road,

Westfield, MA

&

edited December 29, 2015

Cicada Feet – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/cicada-feet-v3.html

(merging edits to version 1 and version 2)

posted July 19, 2004

written 9/19/03 14:00, edits 9/19/03 18:40 – 19:50

Cicada Feet – v1

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/07/cicada-feet.html

An earlier version than the one posted on February 15.

Posted February 15, 2004

Further edits 9/22/03, on 3^rd stanza

Cicada Feet – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/02/cicada-feet.html

Edits a combination of mine and input from Roberta Woods,

particularly addition of second line about pupal stage

and line about body like a cigar butt

&

July 26, 2006 19:51

Cicada Shell

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2006/07/cicada-shell.html

&

edited December 28, 2015

Looking Closer – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/looking-closer-v2.html

posted February 14, 2004

written 6/18/2001 11:49am

Looking Closer

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/02/looking-closer.html

 

 

poetry, body, cicada, Concord NH, dust, earth, eyes, Faith, feet, hands, hope, life, Nature, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, summer, touch, Writing Poetry,

 

#poetry #body #cicada #dust #earth #eyes #feet #hands #hope #life #Nature #summer #touch #Writing #Poetry #pupa

 

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, and 2021. 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.

 

Future #Curmudgeons – v5

I can see them, so specific,

Now standing by the water,

Fifty years from now

Two old friends, by then

Friendly banter, tall tales,

Fish stories between them.

 

There they were, together,

On the bank of the pond,

In their element, confident,

Seven or nine years old,

No more than that, surely,

Best friends, fishermen on the hunt.

 

Fishing poles, tackle box,

Knotted line, worms,

All organic, simple

A net between them -

Thick with the muck and wet,

As they try to catch the big one

 

Hornpout and koi, and goldfish

As big as their arms

Just out of reach

In the murk, deeper,

Or surfacing, the shallows,

Too near to forget.

 

Seasoned veterans,

Watching their casts,

Already, or so they seem,

On their own, children,

In the park, the heat,

Under the July sunlight.

 

No knee or hip waders yet,

No hidden fishing holes in secret,;

But they will come, of that I am certain,

Along with more practiced yarns

Recited with echoes of memory,

When they are older fishermen.

 

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

edited July 3, 2021

Future Curmudgeons – v5

 

edited November 15, 2018

Future Curmudgeons – v4

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/11/future-curmudgeons-v4.html

edited November 15, 2018

Future Curmudgeons – v3

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/11/future-curmudgeons-v3.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/1063070489642446848

(to be able to post to Twitter)

November 15, 2018

Posted as sections

1 – https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/1063059422052782081

2 – https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/1063059377916178432

3 – https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/1063059343682220033

edited November 15, 2018

Future Curmudgeons – v2

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

July 10, 2004

Future Curmudgeons

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/07/future-curmudgeons.html

 

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. 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

 

autumn, Concord NH, creator, friends, God, gold, July, memories, New Hampshire, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, seasons, spring, summer, sun, winter, friends, fishermen, boys, men,

 

#autumn #ConcordNH #creator #friends #God #gold #July #memories #NewHampshire #poetry #seasons #spring #summer #sun #winter #friends #fishermen #boys #men

Sealed by the Lord ' v2

The Lord was the one,
who saved him and his family
the animals, the birds, all creation
from wrath. from the flood, 
from the cleansing
the cleaning of the earth
They went according to His will
into the unknown, into the Ark
and were sealed in by the Lord.


-----------
edited February 23, 2020


December 30, 2006 8:10

Genesis 7:16
“And those who entered [the Ark], male and female of all flesh,
went is as God had commanded him [Noah]; and the Lord shut him in.”


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 54,050+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Pocahontas-ed – v2

I can hear them now,

ages four and six,

squabbling a bit, not settling

wrapped in Pocahontas

downstairs on the pull-out couch

Gramma and the two girls

sheets, comforter, pillow cases too

Indian princess covering ours

a sleepover in the living room

fitfully quieting for the night

past her bedtime, approaching theirs

on the weekend, Saturday,

pushing for more time

before slumber wins out

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

edited September 26, 2019

Pocahontas-ed – v2

&

edited September 26, 2019

Focused on My Family – v3

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2019/09/focused-on-my-family-v3.html

&

Edited January 7, 2014

Focused on My Family - v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/01/focused-on-my-family-v2.html

&

edited September 26, 2019

Closer to the Fire – v4

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2019/09/closer-to-fire-v4.html

editing original and version 3

edited April 7, 2015

Closer to the Fire – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/04/closer-to-fire-v3.html

(editing version 2)

Camp Shepard

https://www.facebook.com/groups/42387562562/

https://www.facebook.com/CampShepard

edited July 22, 2012

“Closer to the Fire – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/closer-to-fire-v2.html

&

part of a series of poems written the same night

&

September 23, 2006 21:07

Focused on My Family

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2006/09/focused-on-my-family.html

note 9/26/19 –

not sure the basis of the change in plans,

Erica was 10, Shyanne 6, Shanequa 4;

but I wrote the poem Pocahontas-ed

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2006/09/pocahontas-ed.html

at September 23, 2006 21:12, about 5 minutes later

about the girls sleeping downstairs with gramma

and about 15 minutes later I wrote the poem

Closer to the Fire at September 23, 2006 21:22

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2006/09/closer-to-fire.html

about YMCA summer camp years before

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, and 2019. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 52,080+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

christian poems, christian poetry, Concord NH, creator, daughter, faith poetry, Family, God, New Hampshire, poem, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, Shanequa, Shyanne, Pocahontas,

#christianpoems #christianpoetry #ConcordNH #creator #daughter #faithpoetry #Family #God #NewHampshire #poem #poetry #Shanequa #Shyanne

Focused on My Family – v3

A night out, Saturday, cut short

needing to go back home

to put them to bed,

to give her rest

a time to mend and heal

no regrets of the change

the redirection homeward

where we needed to be

resting when we needed to

no regrets at all

-----------------------  

edited September 26, 2019

Pocahontas-ed – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2019/09/pocahontas-ed-v2.html

&

edited September 26, 2019

Focused on My Family – v3

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2019/09/focused-on-my-family-v3.html

&

Edited January 7, 2014

Focused on My Family - v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/01/focused-on-my-family-v2.html

&

edited September 26, 2019

Closer to the Fire – v4

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2019/09/closer-to-fire-v4.html

editing original and version 3

edited April 7, 2015

Closer to the Fire – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/04/closer-to-fire-v3.html

(editing version 2)

Camp Shepard

https://www.facebook.com/groups/42387562562/

https://www.facebook.com/CampShepard

edited July 22, 2012

“Closer to the Fire – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/closer-to-fire-v2.html

&

part of a series of poems written the same night

&

September 23, 2006 21:07

Focused on My Family

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2006/09/focused-on-my-family.html

note 9/26/19 –

not sure the basis of the change in plans,

Erica was 10, Shyanne 6, Shanequa 4;

but I wrote the poem Pocahontas-ed

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2006/09/pocahontas-ed.html

at September 23, 2006 21:12, about 5 minutes later

about the girls sleeping downstairs with gramma

and about 15 minutes later I wrote the poem

Closer to the Fire at September 23, 2006 21:22

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2006/09/closer-to-fire.html

about YMCA summer camp years before

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, and 2019. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 52,080+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

christian poems, christian poetry, Concord NH, creator, faith poetry, Family, giving, God, home, New Hampshire, poem, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, praise poems, praise poetry, Raymond A. Foss, September, sharing,

#Christ #Christian #poems #creator #faith #poetry #Family #giving #God #home #NewHampshire #praise #sharing #love #grace #joy

Pool or Chess – v4

I could almost see it

standing outside of myself

He prowled the room

Around the table

So intent, focused,

In the moment

Body bent, contorted

To make this shot

and the next, already planned

from angle and motion,

just enough to sink it -

Be ready

A miscue, a learned pause,

to reflect, to think

lick the new butt from the pack

light the spark, feel the heat

Laugh for effect

Through affable eyes

Work the table

Ball on ball

Smoke and music

Lean into the glass

Slide down the throat

Sly smile

Laugh at the banter

A Game, not so important

but for him, a challenge. a test

of will, control where he can

Easy on his feet

and in a crowd

Working the room

as he does, as he is

everyman and friend

comfortable confidante

Eight ball in corner pocket

… Sweet

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

edited March 21, 2019

Pool or Chess – v4

(editing original

edited July 23, 2015

Pool or Chess – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/07/pool-or-chess-v3.html

(editing version 2)

edited February 1, 2014

Pool or Chess – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/02/pool-or-chess-v2.html

March 26, 2004

Pool or Chess

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/03/pool-or-chess.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, and 2019. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 49,220 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

body, Concord NH, control, creator, eyes, feet, friends, God, in the crowd, king, light, New Hampshire, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, smoke, work,

#body #ConcordNH #control #creator #eyes #feet #friends #inthecrowd #king #light #NewHampshire #poetry #smoke #work #MiljanKunijevich #bar #beer #game #challenge #quest #secrets #intrigue #precision #cigarette

Typist – v2

Early morning (or very late night,

Depending on your perspective)

Caron and ink eraser, with the bristles

Before Whiteout, before computers,

The Corona clacked away

Her fingers forcing the old keys

Through the ribbon onto the bond paper

My latest masterpiece, assignment

For Junior or High school

No doubt a winner…

My 1^st champion and typist

Encouraging and cajoling

Railing against the procrastination

But accepting the edits, my changes

That might lead to the A

And a good college

For her first-born.

================

edited November 17, 2018

Typist – v2

8/8/04 17:50

Typist

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/08/typist.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, and 2018. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 48,100 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Concord NH, creator, fingers, God, master, New Hampshire, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, schools, mother, son, homework, love,

#ConcordNH #creator #fingers #God #master #NewHampshire #poetry #schools #mother #son #homework #love

Treasure Trove – v2

These words that I find,

hear inside me, or see in my mind’s eye,

that I write and share

are my treasure trove

a discovery, an awakening

a coming to life

that which was hidden

buried till now

a finder in fact

with original owner unknown

(unless God will take the curtain call)

of gems buried and ready to be found

as precious as the gold, silver,

found in processed form.

from fertile ground.

The mind of man.

================

edited November 17, 2018

Treasure Trove – v2

July 2004

Treasure Trove

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/07/treasure-trove.html

edited November 17, 2018

Peter – v2

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

8/7/04 18:16

Peter

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/08/peter.html

Peter Husak

Franklin Pierce Law Center

Concord, NH

&

edited November 17, 2018

Blank Indorsement – v2

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

8/7/04 17:56

Blank Indorsement

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/08/blank-indorsement.html

&

edited November 17, 2018

Pur Autre Vie

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/11/pur-autre-vie-v2.html

Started 6/27/2004, 16:01 – 1^st 3 lines

Appended July 3, 2004 16:47

Pur Autre Vie

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/07/pur-autre-vie.html

&

Edited November 16, 2018

Not Done – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/11/not-done.html

7/11/04 14:36

Not Done

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/07/not-done.html

to preemptively answer the question of Shoshanna and Elizabeth, who keep asking me every time I go to church if I have taken my Bar Exam yet…

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, and 2018. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 48,100 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Concord NH, creator, giving, God, life, New Hampshire, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, sharing, Peter Husak,

#ConcordNH #creator #giving #God #life #NewHampshire #poetry #sharing #law #lawschool #barexam #UNHLaw #friend #friendship #life #confidante #PeterHusak,

=================

Concord NH, creator, giving, God, life, New Hampshire, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, sharing, awakening, discovery,

#ConcordNH #creator #giving #God #life #NewHampshire #poetry #sharing #law #lawschool #barexam #UNHLaw #life #awakening #discovery #joy