Susan Vidd

Your image faded through the years
I trace each line and furrow
Among your family there you stand
Unaware of tomorrow, tomorrow.

For your days are short and soon to end
Though youth is on your side,
The dragon's heat from steelyards
Will life and death divide.

I've seen this photo in the past
But paid it no attention.
I find it strange that nothing was said
And how little they failed to mention

Exactly who this man had been
So handsome and so strong;
A husband and a father of seven
And one more infant, long gone.

But now I am a grandmother
And with curiosity that grew
I wish I had asked more questions
About this man I never knew.

They did say you were a kind man
Your name was Valentine.
I am so sorry we never met
Dearest Grandfather of mine.

With dimming light and hours passed
They are awakened and quickly amassed
From within deep corners and underground
In multitudes of numbers they are found.

Moving stealthily with grace and speed
A Major General in the lead,
Headed for nutrients hidden away
Leftovers from meals enjoyed that day.

Running in shadows up and down
Gaining in numbers from 'round the town,
I lay in my bed awakened from sleep
Their army of movement with steps that run deep.

One flip of the light and a moment of scurry
So fast they move to safety they hurry
With disbelief at their size and number
So large they wake me from deep in slumber.

My eyes grow wide even though blurry
But seeing me now THEY no longer worry.
I have encountered roaches that live in Florida
But this lively group was quite different, sorta;

For the Iowa roaches so huge in the dark
Footprints were left as they made their mark.
I swear they had teeth that were wide and white
Seen from afar they required no light.

So different were they from the Florida bug
Who wore bikinis, smiled and welcomed a hug.
They were spared the reference of roach
But rather a Palmetto with a lovely falsetto.

This is the story of our first night rental
In an old Iowa house which would drive me mental
For the lady who owned the house had smoked so much
The giant roaches were yellow and such.

To say the least we left shortly after
As we closed the door the roaches would gather
On the floor on walls and even the rafter
From behind that door, I swear we heard laughter!

Across the vastness of open sea
Traveling onward incessantly
Beginning with a breath of air
From skies above with clouds or bare;

The graceful pattern of blue and green
And other colors not clearly seen
Hold fast their strong and steady pace
As if to lead the looming race.

From where they begin
To where they end
The adventures are carried
From down within.

Closer now to distant shore
With beauty and power and stories of lore
We watch and wait with patient mind
In anticipation of a wondrous kind.

For the miniscule ripple
From across the sea
Is now a grand wave
For all of thee.

The sound so soothing it drowns the noise
eager to envelope the coast with poise
And comfort all who come to observe
And relish in waters of sculpture and curve.

The sight, the sound, the smell, the glory
Of a tiny ripple that tells a story.
We bare our feet and in the sand
Feel the majestic ripple from wave to land!