2 light-hearted nature poems in Feb. issue of YCN

 

Dancing Trees

By Janet Sobczyk, 2021

All 
lined up 
like chorus girls 
not high-kicking 
but swaying in time 
to the winds of the storm 
snow swirling ’round them 
dusting, clumping on branches 
in unison they bend to the right 
forced to bow by a gust 
straighten up 
shimmy 
nod to their audience 
watching from the window.

Stinkbug in the House

By Janet Sobczyk, 2021

Slow and deliberate 

might buzz off quickly 

but crawls for now 

balancing angular body 

on delicate legs 

wanders close for a look at me 

then turns and creeps away 

the dog ignores it 

tried eating one once 

expected it to be 

as delicious as cicadas 

spit it out 

shook head in disgust 

took one more sniff 

then backed away 

still remembers that scent 

no longer is alarmed 

knows I’ll take it outside 

only to find another, later 

or is it the same one? 

keeps getting thrown out in the cold 

finds its way back inside 

feasts on houseplants 

blends in with woodwork 

ventures near the human 

oops! too close 

captured in a tissue 

back outside again. 

Note: 2020 was a bountiful year for stinkbugs because, due to the weather, 

they had two growth seasons instead of the typical one.

Click here to view Your Country Neighbor Feb. 2021 issue

Poem about Monica published in Jan. 2021 YCN.

If You Believe, You Can!

By Janet Sobczyk, 2020

She believed she could tie her shoes 

didn’t know she was “handicapped” 

fine-motor-skills challenged 

didn’t know that many children 

with Down syndrome 

wear slip-ons or shoes with Velcro 

their whole lives 

she was determined 

would twirl and twist laces 

worn thin, we’d replace ‘em 

she kept trying 

we kept encouraging 

she’d master the first loop 

then get stuck 

master the second loop 

get stuck again 

year after year 

she practiced, focused 

and one day… she did it! 

not once but over and over 

double-knotted 

triple-knotted 

she’d bring the shoes to us 

show her success 

want them unknotted 

to begin again 

time after time 

‘til muscle memory stuck 

proud and happy 

she knew she could do it!

Note: The photo wasn't submitted to Your Country Neighbor, but I wanted to post this pic here of my daughter when she was in the early years of struggling with her laces. She was so tiny and trying hard to mimic the skills of others. I wasn't sure if she'd ever be able to do it. But she believed she could!

Click here to see the January issue of Your Country Neighbor

A bit of prose published in Dec. issue of YCN

 Without a Phone

By Janet Sobczyk, 2020

As I backed my car out of the driveway, I realized my cell phone was left charging on the kitchen counter. I stopped, preparing to dash in for it. Then paused, thinking “Why? I can go shopping without it.” 

Confidently, I continued to back up. Then, braked. 

The “what-if’s” took over my mind. What if I get in an accident? What if I see an item that I want to ask my friend’s opinion about? (It’s fun and helpful to take her shopping via photo texts.) What if I’m running late to pick up my daughter from school? What if, what if, what if!! 

Impetuously, I brushed aside the doubts and left without my phone. Some would call that foolish. I call it a flashback to the 80’s. 

On the drive to the store my mind wandered back in time. Before cells, I’d head out the door with less expectation that something would go wrong. I had less fear of distracted drivers. I noticed acquaintances at the store that I now miss while checking my screen for texts. I spent more time in face-to-face interaction with actual conversation, not just cute tweets. 

Back then my watch informed the time, and didn’t make noises to grab attention. I could lose track of time and be more fully in the moment. I took in more of the world around me. 

I smiled thinking back to those “good old days” when we had it made with modern conveniences and a little bit of technology. It was cool to have electric curling irons that enabled those big hairstyles, and we weren’t yet obsessed with selfies. Capturing events on film or Polaroids seemed good enough. 

I parked near the shopping carts and grabbed one on my way into the store, thinking about how the way we pay has changed so much. Writing checks and carrying cash used to be common. Now all we need is a card to shop in person or online. Good thing I had my wallet in my purse and didn’t need my phone to pay. Some people now have phone apps to pay, but I don’t. That’s where I draw the line (for now). 

Walking into the store I reached for the sale flyer, flipped through it quickly and realized there wasn’t even one coupon to clip. And this store has discontinued their “rewards card” program which gave the sale prices. A mini rewards card dangled uselessly on my keyring. I looked up thinking, “The sales probably ring up automatically at the register.” Then I spied the kiosk near the entrance. Scan these specials with your phone to get our great deals today! 

I turned on a dime and headed home for my phone.

The pic above was taken long before cell phones. Check out my 1980 hair which defied gravity. That took time, a good curling iron, and lots of hairspray!