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Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
by Mary Brunori
In trailing gown and heeled-shoes too big
And in a picture hat over a Halloween wig,
Carrying a pocketbook of nigh her size,
My daughter swaggers today in fashion guise.
As I watch, I am reminded of when I did play
At being a lady in this same sort of way;
It was such a short time ago, that yesterday,
I fear tomorrow I’ll be a granny, old and grey.
Too Much At Steak
by John Gillick
In India, the cow’s taboo,
It never winds up in the stew.
I’m glad I’m not a Hindu.
I’d suffer doubly from that ban,
Since steak sustains my inner man;
For shoes, I make the skin do.
Confession
by Eva Joy Heitmeyer
Trembling on the brink
Of vital information,
Breath is suspended.
For Bob White Jr.
by Cynthia Sobsey
We come
To wear your warmth
Like beads –
To speak small talk
With large concern
Pulsing the neck.
We bring you wine
Pressed in the years of
Your own breath
In the green rhyme
Of the grass root
We bear your crown
On a silver lute
Old abandoned car
Weed-circled and unsightly….
Beautiful birdport.
– Ray E. Buckingham
Silence
by Veda Burnaugh Collins
I’ve loved to write to friends of friendship
For am I not the richest one of all?
Where we have walked, and listened and been kindly
The roses have kept well and all grown tall.
I hope I’ve learned the precious art of listening;
I hope I’ve learned that kindest art of all,
The while I’ve learned from walking in the shadows
That roses need our love to grow so tall.
My friends may never know they’ve given;
They may be unaware of leaving gifts,
But I who have a love of golden roses
Walk always where their petals lie in drifts.
First Things First
by Dorothy MacAulay
Dishes, I don’t care
About your cold and glassy stare.
You can stay in the sink!
A poem’s coming on… I think.
Verse this issue from the extremely cooperative NAPA Manuscript Manager, Lea Palmer, who lives in Victoria, B. C., Canada.
Springtime
by Laurence E. Estes
I felt the warmth of Spring today
When I saw a golden crocus on my way
And a robin tripped across a lawn
Just as proud as though winter had gone.
I heard the voice of a close-by crow
And my heart rejoiced for this I know
These are the signs of winter’s end,
And Spring is just around the bend!
Sudden Spring snowstorm
Bends golden-eyed narcissus
Sunshine will revive.
– Ray E. Buckingham
Quote
“My heart goes out to people who send in their dues without having to be notified.” – Louise Lincoln, Sec’y.-Treas., in letter of 9-7-72.
“Permission granted Ray A. Albert to use this quote in any way he chooses.” – Louise Lincoln 10-14-72.
napa-rays is published by Ray Allen Albert, Blacksburg, Va. 24060.