whenelephantsmuse: October 2009

Monday, October 12, 2009

How it is to be a First-Grader

Tonight Lyric drew this on the computer and asked me to help her save it in her folder of drawings. When I asked her what title to give it, she said without hesitation, "How it is to be a first-grader." She also drew the following picture, titled "The Sprinkle Explosion."

Earlier in the day she asked, "You know what I want for Christmas?" "What?" I replied. "My very own blog!" she said excitedly. "ok, we'll see."

Monday, October 5, 2009

My Little Robot (and other poems)

I Have a Little Robot

I have a little robot

made 'specially for me

it follows me around the house

and keeps observing me

it watches all my actions

and everything I do

but instead of copy-catting

the reverse is always true

the things i try to put away

the robot takes them out

the toys I take within the hosue

the robot takes without

I put things in their rightful place

and then without a doubt

the robot turns the drawers on end

turns cupboards inside out

the food I place within the dish

is dropped upon the floor

the socks I slide upon the feet

end up beside the door

the water I put in the bath

goes seldom down the drain

the laundry that I neatly stack

is taken out and stained

I've thought to take my model back

for something less deficient

a robot that could actually help

my time be more efficient

but then she smiles up at me

her hair all curled and bright

and waddles round the house to some

unbearable delight

I guess I'll keep her on a while

and see how things will go

she's only one year old and so

there's probably room to grow

The Well-Wisher Dragons in Flagons

dragons in flagons

and whispery beasts

all shut in their shells for the night

-there is peace

but wait, oh just wait

with a crack and a groan

out from their hiding

they rustle and moan

they're moving and slinking

and shifting about

they're yawning and stretching

they're all getting out

but I'm done for the day

i don't want them here

I don't want them ever

but now they are near

I'll wrestle and scream

I'll figure them out!

I'll lay every which way

and flopping about-

I'll kick them aside

and batten them down

I'll empty the trash can

on top of their town!

until I am done

my muscle all spent

my brain all in tatters

and torn like a tent

about to collapse

exhausted and lame

but still they all whistle

and chant out my name

I listen, cu-ckooing

and bickering go

back to my sleep

for I know that they know

they have me, have won

have snickled my gizzard

they've walloped me sore

and snookered my wizard

so back to their flagons

and back to their shells

these dragons and snivels

and well-wisher-wells

bid me goodnight

with a flick of their tails

but its morning and daybreak

it just never fails

To Those Who Mourn

I would not that

ye slip into the grave

the watery rain-slipped

sorrow - muddy

think not forever

about tomorrow

nor yesterday

be transfixed upon

this day

climb up, climb out

climb as you might

take in this wretched

mournful ball

of earth and stone

and its airy

drapes, moist cloaks

and wraps

its grisly hair and

its knotted brow

feel heavy upon it

walk upon feet

which you possess

claim it as

your own and

forget not

the heights

and depths you

have known

sorrow yet another day

and yet one more

but forget not

your footfalls

your breath

your gentle,

empty rest

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Try This at Home

It was the day I ran the farthest ever in my life. In order not to rush to an early death, I started out my first marathon " conservatively" with the 3:30 pacer who was supposed to be running 8 minute miles. When he ran the second mile in 8:20, I started to lose confidence in the man. Besides, this felt like jogging to me. At mile 3 I bid the 3:30 pack adieu, tucked in my tail and began to tempt fate with 7:30 and even 7:00 minute miles. I met my family at mile 10, which ended up being the 2nd best feel good part of the race. Last year in the half marathon, I had such a hard time finding my family and just ended up catching a glimpse of Dawn, so this year I was bound and determined to search them out. Lyric was on the top of the list because she periodically likes to ask me why I didn't see them or hear them or see the sign that they made. I was going to stop and sort through the crowd by hand if need be in order to make sure I found Lyric. Well - there they were so I waved and gave Lyric a hug before tearing off and then suddenly remembering I wasn't half done yet. It was metaphorically uphill from there. Miles 13 through 17 were pretty mundane and mental energy began to lag. For a few miles I even lapsed back to the horrifying 8 minute pace! After 20 miles I could begin to envision actually finishing this thing. There were runners who had stopped to walk at this point and I don't remember if that was discouraging or encouraging at the time. But -

Glory! Glory! There it is! I'm downtown and the ramp into the stadium! There's a guy running just in front of me as I turn into the stadium - I blow by him and I can see the finish! Some primal beast tries to leap out of my skin and I clutch at his hair just in order to hang on. I hear my family yelling and I'm sprinting like a maniac, trying to stay abreast of the hairy beast. What exultation is birthed here? I must have ran right by the guy who was supposed to shake my hand after the finish because no one shook my hand. I got my medal and a water bottle then walked over to lean on the fence. I cried for five minutes, laying Shannon to rest and exulting in the freedom I found in running. I walked off the field, threw up my water and was met with congratulations from my family.

When can I do this again?

Official Results: time 3:20:27

split average 7:39
place in age group 16/151

place in overall men 75/976