Golden Voices (July 17, 2018)

Rose tinted memories

Of those days

So long ago.

Father and child

Bonding together

Over a game

The child loved.

Grand old game*

Unfolding before us

Over the car radio

As we visit family

Or the cottage.

Where everyone is equal

Regardless

Of players’ skin colour

To the listeners’ imagination

As they ran out

Onto the field.

“Hello friends”

Marked Blue Jays broadcasts

For 27 years

By hall of fame announcer

Tom Cheeks (1977-2004).

With first partner

Early Wynn (1977-81)

Then Jerry Howarth (1982-2017).

Together

Called both Toronto Blue Jays

World Series championship

In 1992 and 1993.

Unknowingly

Kept a young child alive

With their voice of hope

As bullying and abuse

Became too much.

Offering the chance

To saviour

Life’s rich bouquet

And to dream

The impossible.

Therisa © 2018

Author's note:

*Nickname for baseball.

A poem for Poets United’s midweek motif writing prompt: Greatness / in honor of Nelson Mandela International day). How two men saved my life.

The Ugliest American (July 13, 2018)

Yes

President Trump.

At long last

You've achieved greatness

Of epic proportions

Unseen by history.

Since humanity took

It's first step

Walking upright

Permanently.

Don't be so bashful

Mister President

About your historical milestone

Hiding in Scotland

For two days.

Your adoring public

Wants to celebrate

In fun filled ways.

Besides

What's a few words

Between bosom buddies

At the G7 and NATO meetings

A few drinks won't cure.

Although

Might want to hide

All sharp pointed objects

From British Prime Minister May

German Chancellor Merkel

And the rest of the EU leadership

At future gatherings.

Just to be

On the safe side.

Don't want

Any diplomatic incidents

Do we.

Sigh.

Some people

Just can't take

Constructive criticism

In any form.

Never mind

Your generous offer

Of free room and board

For those unexpected guests

At your Mexican border

From Central America.

Some overzealous minions

May have gotten carried away

Following orders

In offering hospitality.

We all know

It's hard to find

Properly trained minions

These days.

So raise a glass

In saluting you

President Trump

On your accomplishment.

Therisa © 2018

Author’s note: A satirical poem for Poets United’s midweek motif writing prompt: Greatness / in honor of Nelson Mandela International day).

Bridge Builders (July 11, 2018)

We talk about greatness

A person doing

Extraordinary things

Beyond normal ability

Like they're super human.

Overlooking people

In our rush

Moving through life

Doing everyday things

Taken for granted.

Only stepping back

Upon reflection

Do we see

The extraordinary ordinary

Come forth.

In offering

An understanding ear

That's non-judgemental

To people

In mental crisis.

Rebuilding bridges

Towards stability

Until they're accessing

Professional help.

Simple sounding task

Many don't have

Necessary patience

For this.

Navigating a system

Often leaves one

Feeling frustrated

With various barriers

To overcome.

And yet

There they are

On the frontline

Fighting the war.

Where no one sees

The emotional mental

And physical cost

Behind closed doors

To them.

Please don't wait

For days like

Nelson Mandela

International Day

To honour them.

Therisa © 2018

Author's note: This poem is dedicated to those people, who are the real heroes, in the mental health war, friends and family. Even strangers, who open their hearts to those, in need.

Part of the Poets United’s midweek motif writing prompt: Greatness / in honor of Nelson Mandela International day)