The truth of the matter is . . .: January 2026

Thursday, January 29, 2026

Welcome To My Blog

To help you select the stories and poetry you might want to read, below is the list of all posts made to my blog since its inception. Posts are listed in chronological order from the first post made on April 18, 2019, until the most recent post (The most recent post appears first on the blog). Please browse the list of posts to find the titles that most intrigue you. Then do one of the following:

1. Place the title of the post in the space beneath the header, “Search This Blog.” With regard to poetry, a post may contain more than one poem. You may have to insert the first two poems listed to find what you want. Then click on search. The posting should appear at the top of the screen for you to read. Or . . .

2. Using the date a particular posting was made, go to the “Blog Archive” to the right of the posts and click on the particular month in which the poem or short story was posted and scroll down until you find what you would like to read. Please note that if you scroll through all the posts on the screen and don’t find what you are looking for, below the last post on the screen, on the right, are the words, “Older Posts.” Click on this and you will find the additional posts made during the particular month you have selected. Scroll through these until you find the story or poem you wish to read.

Enjoy the journey, as you read the creations of my heart and my mind.

Thank you.

Alan

Alan Lowe
Poet and Writer

slolowe@icloud.com

https://slolowe44.blogspot.com/

You live a long life. However, you wonder if there is more to come.

You search within for an answer, and . . .

The Window Opens

I sat staring out the window into a sea of emptiness.

Seeing nothing, I heard a voice from within.

Then a light shined, and I knew I would find the answers I was seeking.

The joy and information I sought emerged from the depths of my inner being.

With words of hope, I envisioned a future beyond belief.

At ninety, I didn’t feel this was possible, but the timing seemed right.

All of this would have been a fantasy in my earlier years.

But now, I was able to embrace a new reality,

One I’d only dreamt of being a part of.

I had a chance to do something I’d never done before.

I knew in my heart, the risk was worth taking.

This was an opportunity I couldn’t resist.

A breeze blew through a now open window, beckoning me to take the next step.

Refreshed, and with clearness of mind, I stood and smiled.

The Lord smiled back and motioned to me to come.

Entering his chamber, words flowed from above letting me know what I needed to do.

My mission would open the eyes of those lost on the path to forever.

Through my leadership, I would help them find their way, as I’d found mine.

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Strangers meet on the street. Do they have a future together? Time will tell.

They seem as different as night and day. However, two hearts blend and they ask . . .

“Were We Meant To Be?”

I’m unsure how to tell you this.

It’s something important you can’t dismiss.

I’m having a hard time getting it out.

I’ve got to do it; you need to know what it’s all about.

Please give me a chance to say my piece.

No, don’t reach for the phone to call the police.

He didn’t listen and tried to grab the phone off the table stand.

I didn’t know what to do to make him understand.

The look on his face frightened me.

But I knew I had to try my best to make him see.

My body shook in a way it had never done before.

I began to remove my clothing and each piece dropped to the floor.

I understood what he saw was hard to believe,

But it was the only way, my life I could retrieve.

He appeared to be shocked and full of grief.

However, now knowing the real me should be a great relief.

Coming from outer space many years ago,

I transformed myself in a way no one would know.

Then a beautiful creature, an earthling who blended in,

I met him on the street one day and made his head spin.

But as the years passed, I tired of playing the game,

And began to live in a reality of shame.

I loved him with all my heart,

But knew becoming his forever mate wouldn’t be smart.

Staring at me, his eyes bulged out and his jaw dropped down.

My hair became bright blue, my skin turned red, and my lips were brown.

My ears grew to two feet long and my nose became a black dot on a small ball.

With arms, now more like butterfly wings, I stood over seven feet tall.

I knew it was the right time to go and travel back to my home in space.

I’d accomplished all I’d set out to do and needed to return to my birthplace.

As I thought about the journey I’d take, my mind drifted away.

But then the unbelievable happened and I didn’t know what to say.

The earth creature of my dreams began to look more and more like me.

He winked and said, “My darling, I am you and you are me, together we were meant to be.”

Saturday, January 17, 2026

Living a long life is something we all hope for. We do the best we can to make it happen.

However, it is not always easy, because . . .

The Odds May Not Be In Our Favor

Four women sat alone in the Golden Garden Retirement Village Clubhouse staring out the window onto the golf course. Four minds wandering and wondering what the future might bring. Then one leaned over and . . .

“You want to go to the Singles Club dance in two weeks, Karen?” Debbie asked.

“I don’t know, Debbie. There’s always so many more women than men there—a seven to one ratio, I heard.”

“Well, we danced with each other at the last open dance night.”

“Yeah, that’s what I’m saying. I was married to Sam for fifty-five years. And he’s been gone five. It’s time to move on, but not with you, Karen.” And then . . .

“Hey, I know you girls aren’t speaking to me, but I can hear every word.”

“Okay, Sarah, so you can hear every word. You want to be part of our conversation?”

“Sure. Let’s make it a threesome.”

“No, it’s a foursome,” Isobel, shouted.

“All right, ladies. It’s a foursome,” Debbie responded. So let’s put our heads together and figure out how to make this work so we’re not stuck dancing with each other.”

“Maybe the Singles Club dance isn’t the way to go,” Isobel stated.

“What are you saying?” Debbie asked. “If not the Singles dance, then what?”

“Aren’t there other clubs that hold dances?” Isobel queried.

“Yes, but all their members are married,” Karen said, with certainty.

“Hell, we’d probably end up in divorce court,” Sarah yelled.

“So, does that mean we have to barhop?” Debbie asked.

“But I don’t drink,” Isobel moaned. “My vote for barhopping is definitely, ‘no way!’”

“What are you doing, Sarah?” Karen inquired.

“A bit of research?”

“Huh, what kind of research?” Debbie asked.

Sarah smiled. “I’m looking through the ‘Golden Garden Retirement News.’”

“What for? There’s never anything interesting in it,” Debbie stated emphatically.

“Until now, I would have agreed with you,” Sarah replied.

“What’s changed now?” Debbie queried.

“A brand new club, with over one hundred members, is having a one-month celebration. It’s inviting anybody who wants to come to a ballroom dance to just show up. No charge. This is our opportunity to find the one,” Sarah chanted. “And I’m going.”

“Me, too!” Isobel yelled.

“I’m on board!” Karen stated strongly.

“I guess it’s unanimous then,” Debbie said. “What’s the date?”

“This Saturday, 7 pm, in the Golden Garden main ballroom. Dress like you’re going to a prom,” Sarah announced, enthusiastically. “I’ll drive my plush Subaru SUV. Just be outside your homes by 6:30 pm, and I’ll whisk you away to paradise.”

Saturday arrived and Sarah made the rounds, picking up her three cohorts. They chattered about how wonderful the evening would be. Arriving at the clubhouse, Sarah parked the car and the quartet made their way into the building’s main ballroom.

When they entered, all they saw were many women mingling and enjoying the hors d’oeuvres. Where were the men? And then one appeared in the center of the room, dressed in a tuxedo, and wearing a badge that said, “Marcus Goodman, Host.”

With Sarah in the lead, they walked up to him. She stared him in the eyes and blurted, “This is a ball, isn’t it?”

“Why, yes,” Marcus replied.

“Then where are the men?” Debbie asked.

“There are four standing by the bar,” Marcus answered.

“Only four? Where are the others?” Karen queried.

Marcus looked at us with an eerie expression on his face and muttered, “Dead.”

“You can’t be serious. How did they die?” we asked in unison.

“You women killed them.”