Me and My Kleenex Box

Me and My Kleenex Box

Well,
Now I’ve went and done it.
I caught myself a cold.
It seems a wad of tissues now
Is all I ever hold.

I cough.
I sneeze.
I blow my nose.
All day as well as night.
This war on mucus has become…
A never ending fight!

Its medicines,
And vials of goop,
Then off to see the doc.
A pain inside my throbbing head…
And a voice that does not talk.

I’m sick and tired of breathing not.
And feeling ‘Oh so Blah’.
Where grabbing Kleenex from the box…
Has turned my nosy raw!

I toss.
I turn.
I cough.
I gag.
I sneeze and then I gasp.
It seems a good night’s restful sleep…
Is something of the past.

I cough.
I hack.
I feel like crap.
It’s like some voodoo hex.
I guess I’ll sit and feel like heck…
Just me and my box of Kleenex.

Clint Gardner 2011

ETCH

The year was 1920.
December twenty four.
The little town of Holton…
Where Eva Mae was born.

That Kansas town was just the start
Of mother’s too short life.
‘Twas there she met a boy named Don…
She’d one day be his wife.

Her High School graduation came;
Topeka was the place.
Then off she went to tackle life…
A smile lit her face.

She married Don in 44
Then off he went to war.
When Jim was born they had no clue…
That there would be five more.

Carole, Lynn, and Donna Rae,
Then Clint and finally Beth.
The places and the years flew by…
There was little time for rest.

California, Idaho, and back to Colorado…
Their moving never done!
They even had a homestead cabin…
Up high on Douglas Mountain.

Now Eva Mae could cook and sew,
She loved her children always!
She struggled hard and never quit…
Till each of them was raised.

Eva loved her husband Don
He always called her ‘Etch’.
Something that she loved to do…
Was sit for hours and sketch.

And though my Dad left Mom behind.
Her love for him lived on.
She loved the man for all her life…
Long after he was gone.

I can’t begin to scratch the surface,
When praising Eva Mae.
A thousand poems or accolades…
Her love would not repay.

She never got to be retired,
She passed away too soon.
I think of all the times I missed…
Her sing, ‘O Mister Moon’.

And if she was alive today,
I know just what I’d do:
I wish I could walk up to her…
And whisper “I love you”!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Clint Gardner 2011