Just Can’t Remember

 

 

I went back inside

For what, I can’t remember

And this happens daily

From January to December.

 

It has to be important

Though what, I cannot say

And believe me when I tell you

It happens every day.

 

Those two appliances

I mix up all the time:

The microwave and refrigerator

Always come to mind.

 

One is near the other

And that could be why

But I check myself at the very last

And I’m still getting by.

 

If you lose something

First check your hand,

Friend, it’s not a laughing matter,

Not even nearly, fam.

 

If you miss your phone

Why not check your ear?

That’s where it could well be;

I just hope you hear.

 

 

What is your name?

I can’t recall it now,

I know we’ve been friends a while

But I’ve forgotten somehow.

 

It happened recently

But I can’t remember who,

You can laugh at me all you want

But it happens to you too.

 

I am still driving

And I still do so at nights

And I do not have any problem

With oncoming lights.

 

I fight fire with fire

And I have bright lights too,

Keep your bright lights in my eyes

And mine will affect your view. 

 

 

 

The lights are no bother

But often I don’t recall

And the land marks I see in the day

At night aren’t there at all.

 

They simply disappear

Or go into hiding

And don’t come out to direct me

At night when I’m driving.

 

And those roundabouts!

At night they confuse me

Especially those far-out ones

Not negotiated recently.

 

Even the Internet

Where I spend much time,

Sometimes I just can’t remember

Something I want to find.

 

But I remember my name

And my address too

And if I forget either of these,

I can ask you.

 

 

And I remember family

At least for the most part,

And I still remember the one

That’s closest to my heart.

 

I can still write a poem

With relative ease

Whether it is an important topic

Or just to tease.

 

And most of all,

I still trust in God

And I do remember and declare,

He is my all in all.

 

Stewart Russell © November 30, 2024

 

 

Best of Friends Worst of Enemies

 

 

Water, wind and fire:

Excellent helpers indeed,

Ah! But they can turn in a flash

And on life and lively-hood feed.

 

Sources of energy, all three:

Driving turbines and mills,

But at times seem bent on destruction

As though on a mission to kill.

 

Essentially life supporting

But also, robbers of life

As they rant and rave in their fury

Creating all manner of strife.

 

 

Water, a source of life

Which, without we can’t survive

Yet, when on its path of destruction,

There is scarcely a place to hide.

 

Floods on land and perils at sea

Testing the human endurance

And oft leaving man on the losing end

Showing its abject intolerance.

 

As though in possession of life

And having a mind of its own

It sets out to trample a sworn enemy

And take him off his throne.

 

 

Wind, no less devastating

And able to move most in its path,

When in its most destructive mood

Marks wherever it has passed.

 

Unmistakable evidence

That suggests, “I have been here

And I can return whenever I want

So, man, you had better beware!”

 

 

This wind blowing on my bare shoulders

As I compose this poem

Can become a raving lunatic

And cause me a colossal problem.

 

 

Fire that cooks our meals

And provides heat in the wintry cold

Cuts a swathe through acres of forest

And causes losses untold.

 

Loss of vegetation and of life

Leaving the area an unlivable zone,

Trees undressed and the earth parched

And nowhere for animals to roam.

 

 

Hard earned earthly possessions

All are gone in a flash

When for some unknown reason

Through the forest fire makes a dash.

 

Water, wind and fire:

Best of friends and worst of enemies,

At one time, tranquil and calm

Next, destroying this serenity.

 

Best of friends and worst of enemies

Depending on the event,

Very reliable and dependable

Until they are ready to vent.

 

 

Life is dependent on all three:

Water, wind and fire

But whenever they get insanely mad

Life becomes particularly dire.

 

Harness them wherever you can

And make them work for you

But be aware, that the time will come,

When the other side will come true.

 

Stewart Russell © September 28, 2022