A Quiet Walk published in YCN Aug. '21

 A Quiet Walk 

by Janet Sobczyk, 2021

 Step outdoors into an early small-town summer morn
 Old concrete sidewalk merges to brick street
 Patchy yards grow next to well-manicured lawns
 Renovated Victorians stand stately among ranch homes
 Whimsical outdoor art dots the lush landscaping.

 Squirrels plant walnuts and rabbits enjoy garden greens
 Robins snatch worms and bees examine zinnias
 A bicyclist speeds by, slowing at the red sign to look both ways and glide past
 A gray-haired gent putters around yard as wife reads on the porch 
 No breeze disturbs the moment, birdsong fills the air.

 Rounding the block my temporary “home” comes into view 
 Up four steps, upon welcoming porch 
 The smell of bacon wafts through screened door 
 Made not by me, but for me… a rare role-reversal 
 Hospitality and quiet, the perfect combo for renewal. 

Dedicated to Karen and Mark Baker who make the Bakers B&B in Blair, NE, a wonderful retreat.

"Summer Reading" poem published in YCN

 

The table on my deck is a perfect reading spot
sun filters softly through familiar trees
birds twitter, chirp, coo
I settle in and sigh
allow the words to transport my mind. 

A temperate breeze drops a thin vine onto open book
helps the potted plant take a peek
at what’s holding my intent gaze on this page
startled I gently finger the tender young growth, move it aside
then pause to enjoy the sweet mint fragrance clinging onto fingertips. 

The familiar scent takes me back to Grandma’s house
to the mint patch along the side of her paint-peeling old house
it stretched out, growing along the gravel driveway
I’d inhale the scent, then pick through rocks to find white ones
use ‘em like chalk on the concrete walk.

The image elicits a smile
and a twinge of pain at childhood days long gone
then the vine returns
quivers with the slightest movement of air
creeps onto my page again… comforting.

"School Year Flashbacks" published in June YCN

                                   

It’s done 
the relief is real 
summer beckons… but 
before leaving the school year behind 
flashbacks scroll across my mind, a photo gallery: 

Glowing smiles of grads as they remove masks to pose 

Proud families gathered and hugs all around 

Prom held outside, beneath a cloudy sky, twinkle lights and magic holding back rain 

Green shirts on St. Pat’s with snacks and Zoom bingo 

Pink and red valentines, the giggles and blushes of young crushes 

A snowball throwing contest, lined up, arms ready, powdery ammo flies far

Trimming classroom trees with handmade décor, wearing gaudy sweaters 

A turkey feast done differently, classrooms apart, but still delicious 

Halloween costumes with Covid masks 

Walking in autumn air, circling the parking lot for much-needed mask breaks

Labor Day weekend, the first respite for exhausted (already!) teachers and students 

Practicing new rules, cleaning, taking temps, learning how far apart 6 feet should be 

First day jitters amplified by pandemic fears 

It’s done 
this challenging school year is over at last 
looking back, so proud of everyone 
reaching across miles to remote learners, sharing smiles 
facing fears, changing plans, tackling new technology 
being there for each other through sadness and joy 
doing more than we knew we could and looking back… 
it was all for the good! 

This poem is dedicated to the students, teachers, and staff of Madonna School in Omaha, who made it through the whole 2020-21 school year in-person with a remote learning option. The photo above was taken by Janet at the Madonna School prom, of her daughter with date.

Click here to view this month's issue of Your Country Neighbor.

Penny poem published in May 2021 YCN

The Lucky Penny

“Find a penny

 pick it up 

 all day long 

 you’ll have good luck!” 

Back when penny candy 

was a thing 

it was simply grand 

made him sing 

a copper in hand! 

Grasped in chubby fist 

he’d rush to the store 

peer inside, make a wish 

and hope there’s more 

peppermint twists. 

Those days are long gone 

now spot a penny 

laying on the lawn 

it ain’t worth any 

folks just walk on. 

He’s old but a boy at heart 

when he spies one 

still plays his part 

it’s great fun 

almost an art. 

“A penny saved 

is a penny earned” 

this maxim he’ll rave 

this lesson he’s learned 

‘cause hard times he’s braved. 

He served in a war 

then lived on the street

the poorest of poor 

but fate brought a treat 

he’s poor no more. 

His childish ways 

all that penny collecting 

saved the day 

again made him sing 

boy, did it pay! 

As if it was planned 

spied a 1944 steel wheat penny 

held in his hand 

didn’t look worth any

but sold for $100 grand!

This fictional poem was inspired by National Lucky Penny Day, which is May 23rd. The value of the penny is not fictional.

By Janet Sobczyk, 2021

Click here to see the May issue of Your Country Neighbor.

An April showers poem published in YCN

Fair Weather Friend

by Janet Sobczyk, 2021 

At daybreak she yawns,

stretches, checks the weather

rain dissuades her

no use going out today.

Others awake, arise

make breakfast

encourage her to go out

it won't be so bad.

She shivers at the open door

feels the wind

backs away

not today.

Stays by the window

gazing at the storm

listening, waiting

resolved to stay inside.

Patter of raindrops slows

wind dies down

she's still reluctant

not wanting to get wet.

Owner scoops her up

declares she must

opens the door

plops her on soggy ground.

She looks up disgruntled

tiptoes away

does business quickly

scampers back.

Tolerates the toweling

grabs squeaky toy

runs in circles

relieved it's time to play!

Millie choosing to stay inside.

Click here to see the April 2021 issue of Your Country Neighbor

First Grandchild's First Easter

 

Ruth the rabbit

In 2014 I posted on this blog "A Happy Easter" with two Easter family photos... from 1998 and 2014. Such a big difference from small children to grown children.

1998

2014

In that post I wrote about memories of Easter in church with small ones and was reminded of that today watching a family with 2 children a few pews ahead of us. Times are certainly different now as parents in masks struggle to corral toddlers... who still shriek and cry. That much is the same.  

But in that 2014 post I wrote,  "I look forward someday to having grandchildren, but not just yet, because I am happy in this precious moment. A moment that I know will speed forward just as quickly as all the other precious years did."

Well, 6 years definitely flew quickly and first grandchild Ruth arrived to light up our lives! Whether in person, in photos, or in video calls she never ceases to entertain us. And still, I am happy in this precious Easter moment.  

Happy Easter to all!

Click here to read the 2014 post "A Happy Easter" 

2 poems published in March YCN

 

🎜🎝𝅘𝅥🎜🎝𝅘𝅥

Music in my School

It lifts my spirits

 that lilt of piano

 wafting down the hall

 whether by a skilled hand

 with smooth confidence

 or a beginner’s hand

 plinking with hesitance

 doesn’t matter

 it’s music the same

 tugs the corners of my mouth

 upwards

 pause to listen

 just for the moment

 it calms stress

 inspires gratitude

 lifts thoughts

 above mundane concerns

 soak it in

 then…

 praise the player

 and thank the teacher.

March is “Music in Our Schools Month.” 
 This poem is dedicated to music therapists, teachers, and band directors everywhere, 
but especially those at Madonna School in Omaha. 

By Janet Sobczyk, 2021

A Popcorn Lover

She pretends to settle into bed but ears point to the door
 at the slightest kitchen rustle she’ll dash to beg some more.

 Plink, plink, plink, kernels hit the pan
 oil’s heated, salt’s ready, a midnight snack’s the plan.

 She waits, impatient, white popcorn overflows again
 bounces off counter, hits the floor. Win!

 She skitters and dives, nabs her prey
 triumphantly carries it away.

 Spits it out, bats it around
 picks it up and flops on the ground.

 Nibbles it carefully, not in a hurry
 then trots after the maker to dance in a flurry.

 He relents, tosses one high
 she biffs the catch, it bounces wide.

 She sniffs and tracks it down
 scarfs it, acts like a clown.

 The game resumes, simple and fun
 she leaps and catches the very next one.

 With popcorn she delights, it lifts the mood
 she loves to perform and play with her food.

 Did you know that March 11th is National Popcorn Lovers Day?

By Janet Sobczyk, 2021