The truth of the matter is . . .: June 2022

Saturday, June 25, 2022

I’m not who I wanted to be? I haven’t accomplished what I wanted to?

I’ve stumbled down life’s path. And yes, I need to rethink . . .

Finding My Way

A Triolet

If I could do it all over again,

I’d choose a different road to follow.

I’d make the right decisions then,

If I could do it all over again.

In my heart, I would know when—

In self-pity I would not wallow.

If I could do it all over again,

I’d choose a different road to follow.

Sunday, June 19, 2022

What will our future look like with self-driving cars? Will they eliminate personal car ownership?

Will we be caused to travel by Uber-like ride hailing services? Will an autonomous vehicle tell us what to do? Therefore . . .

If You Listen To It, Do It Carfully

A Narrative Poem

I sat in the Nissan dealership waiting for my car to be serviced. I became bored and restless, so I perused the showroom area and saw a Nissan Kicks, a car I hadn’t seen before. I ambled over to it and grabbed the door handle on the driver’s side. Hey, don’t touch me, a low, harsh voice commanded.

I spun around to see who’d said that to me, but nobody was there. I decided to continue exploring the vehicle. Walking toward the rear of this small SUV, I reached down and began to open the hatch when I heard . . . How would you like it if I touched your butt, mister?

Startled, I looked behind me, but didn’t see anybody. I focused my attention back on the car. I decided to check under the hood. As I opened it, I was taken aback by . . . What gives you the right to poke around in my mouth? Are you an oral surgeon? Why aren’t you wearing gloves? Are your hands sterile?

Not believing any of this was real, and feeling the presence of someone lurking behind me, I turned around to look. What I saw was a little guy, no more than five-feet tall, standing there, staring at me. “Nice game you’re playing. Throwing your voice into that SUV, so I’d think it was speaking to me,” I said.

“What’re you talkin’ about? I didn’t throw nothin’ into nothin’,” he replied.

Bewildered, I stood motionless. Then bellowing laughter erupted behind me. Shocked, I pivoted to assess the situation. It was coming from the open hood of the Kicks. Confused and frightened, I headed toward the door. Maybe I’d better get out of here. Wait outside for my car to be finished.

As I made my way to the exit, someone called out to me, “Hey, fella, I think you dropped something.” I turned back to look and just stood there with my mouth wide open.

A sign I hadn’t seen before, in large, bold letters, read, “THIS CAR OF THE FUTURE WILL DRIVE YOU CRAZY, IF YOU LISTEN TO IT.”

Friday, June 3, 2022

I wanted to get to know her, but didn’t know how to do it. Instead I kept my distance.

Then an opportunity arose, but should I take the chance to engage . . .

The Strangest Girl I Ever Knew

She never gave me a chance.
She went to prom on her own.
But she turned every boy down, when asked to dance.
She just stared into space, as she stood in the corner alone.

I was there, came by myself, as prom was something I didn’t want to miss.

As weird as she was, I wanted to get to know her better.
I wondered if she’d ever gotten a kiss.
And did she reject me, because I didn’t wear a letterman sweater?

However, we never got to talk that night.
And I never saw her smile.
She walked back and forth, moving from her left to her right.
Was she lost, or was this just her style?

Then, as the music played, she began to sway in a mysterious way.
I wanted to approach her, but didn’t think I should.

She seemed to be in her own world, so far and away.
I didn’t know if anybody could.

I hoped she didn’t see me looking in her direction.
I wondered how she’d act if she had.
In a place of her own, there was no way to make a connection.

Her appearing to be in nowhere land made me sad.

I wanted to clutch her hand—
Save her from the craziness she exhibited.

But I knew, she wouldn't understand.
And I was far too inhibited.

Then without warning, she made her way to the center of the dance floor.
She began to move like a girl in a strip club, for all to see.
And to my amazement, I couldn’t believe what I saw.
She started to take off her clothing and shake recklessly.

A young woman, out of control, she swung to the musical beat.
She motioned to me to join her, but I didn’t know what to do.

I wanted this, however, instead of moving toward her, I began to retreat.

She was the strangest girl I ever knew.