Measuring Success

We played baseball in our front yard
almost every day this summer.

The neighborhood kids blasted shots
down the sidewalk and became heroes.

It was my job to pitch only strikes and chase
hits 2, 3, sometimes 4 driveways down.

We measured our success in bases run, and
our exhaustion in melting popsicles.

Now the summer is nearly gone.
Assessment will become more complex.

Skyline

There is a giant shell of a factory
being constructed near downtown.

At first it was skeletal
with steel beams reaching skyward,

and now it appears they've begun
to bolt on a skin of aluminum sheets.

The factory is several stories tall
and passersby stare and point

as if they cannot recall what
purpose a factory serves.

I watched a man and woman do just that
Saturday at 10:30 am before walking

hand in hand into the bar for a drink.
They too celebrate the coming jobs.

Some People Pray

I saw a group of Americans cheer
the decline in the US credit rating.
I wonder if they bake cakes

for an increase in unemployment.
To hell with the hungry kids (pause for bite of cake)
as long as the President looks bad.

Some people are praying for work.
Others pray for rain.  Still others
pray, and then preach hatred.

There are politicians
in Iowa today
doing all of the above.

I don't go to church anymore.
Forgive me father, at least
I'm not a hate-monger.

Forgive me father, I believe
in the greatest happiness
for the greatest number.

Forgive me father,
I have become
unelectable.

drinks

The northwest corner
of the driveway holds water
after a rainstorm.

Our cats drink there.

They are also known
for delicately drinking
dew drops from our lawn.

I prefer a glass of water.

This summer has been warm
and still, I do not know
what I am missing.