Simple Things

I am twenty-eight years old. I live in the basement of my parents' house. I work at a video store where I make minimum wage. Things are not great. But on this January day in Nebraska it is seventy degrees. The sun is shining and the sky is blue. It is so nice outside that I went for a bikeride. I saw some kids shooting hoops at the park. In January. I listened to music with the windows down in the car. Now, I have made myself a nice sandwich. And because of these simple things, I am happy this warm, January day living in my parents' basement.

April Day

Spring has come early this year. Today is a beautiful example. Warm sunlight. Cool breeze that strums the leaves like wind chimes. It's the kind of day that people extol while standing in line at the grocery store. It's the kind of day in which people are out doing the things they love. Gardeners are tilling the soil. Bikers are cruising around on motorcycles. Cyclists are pedaling up hills. Equestrians are out with their horses and poets like me are ambling through parks where the daffodils are in bloom. No one seems to be thinking about their problems or worrying about the economy and that's a good thing. We need spring days like this one to wash our cars and renew our souls.

Grocery Store Bagger

As my groceries were being scanned,
the young bagger placed a bottle of cream soda
into a paper bag and said,
"Cream soda is good."
I concurred with his
astute opinion.
He then sheepishly
added, "You probably already
knew that."
I did indeed purchase
the drink because of its
refreshing taste but I appreciated
his comment nonetheless.
The bagger continued to mumble
about unrelated things.
He was dorky, but I liked him.
After all, he is a young man with
a refined taste in soft drinks.
And he bagged those groceries with
meticulous care.

Baxter State Park

After a long, arduous hike
I sit down
next to the stream and
ease my feet into the water.

Red leaves and blue
sky above.

The pure mountain water
rushes around my legs
and I am immersed
in this beautiful
moment.

Poem Composed On a Picnic Table

Between a crease
in the billowed clouds
some sunlight
streams forth upon
the earth.
Paths of light form
in the faded grass and
leaves glimmer
in the shine.

Pizza and Moonlight

After I finished

my

delicious slice of

pizza,

I went out

to look at

the full

moon.

A Clear, Sunny Morning

The air is clear and cool.

The morning is bright-
blue sky, fresh light.
The grass is wet with dew.

It is good to be outside
in this morning.