2006

Courting Letters

We read old courting letters
and laughed at love in its infancy.
written to text,
sketched in pencil,
titled “Couple of Texans”.

She there, I here, separately
seeking summer employ.

Hoed Mom’s taters,
trimmed the terrace ash trees,
washed and waxed Dad’s Olds.
I did those things, I didn’t,
did I?

palmer haynes

march 31, 2006

Read books


Can we read books? Hyunji
checked another Mr. Putter and Tabby book,
South Madison branch.

Fourteen other titles,
Putter, his fine cat Tabby
Mrs. Teaberry and her good dog Zeke.

Yes Hyunji, we can always read books,
you and I will always read books,
But, we’ll never read them all.

Palmer

July 19, 2006

New Labor

US Open players laboring racquets smashing yellow balls,
service aces in Arthur Ashe Stadium, Billie Jean King Tennis Center.
Forehands from the baseline, backhands, dink shots,
moon high lob shots, some called in, called OUT!

Am sometime fan remembering the old star names,
struggling to remember those of the future.
Happily celebrating Billie Jean’s recognition,
Sadly retiring memories of Martina and Andre.

They that labor in tennis, my new labor in writing.
Daily musings since February. Beginning again,
our new learning season
granddaughter Hyunji’s and mine.

palmer haynes
September 4, 2006