Many weekends, we like to drive to places we’ve not explored. Florida is home to diverse species, and in addition, people keep some really unusual animals. Several years ago, we were wandering the back roads up around Micanopy; we happened upon an accident and were forced to reroute.

Suddenly, we were in Africa! Waterbuck , gemsbok, and zebras grazed behind a high fence mostly hidden by vegetation. We didn’t have the camera, and by the time we found our way home we weren‘t sure exactly where we‘d been.. We couldn’t figure out why they were there. Was it some wealthy person just keeping exotic pets? Could they be rehabilitating, or breeding, attraction or zoo animals? Hopefully, it was not one of those pay-to-hunt properties. People we told were incredulous and a bit skeptical; they wondered if we were sure of what we’d seen.

Recently, we found our way back. In a town near Gainesville, called Flemington, we were again treated to the exotic presence of animals that left me breathless. Although huge, it did look like a private property-- and there was a house or barn. I braved chigger bites (and imagined snakes) to wiggle through underbrush and Spanish moss to get a better look (the neighbors-across-the-street’s very large dogs didn’t appreciate my ninja tactics) but it was worth it--and I had my camera.

very real waterbuck

                                          gemsbok

house--or barn?                                     

For a Friend Taken Too Soon

Kaleidoscoping memories
a look, a word
a phrase
like bits of broken glass
crazed
rolling, churning
swirling when I close my eyes.
Sleep eludes, so
I choose to indulge the patterns
tumble the shards
to smoother bits of us--
rainbow patterns
cartwheeling into eternity.

10/10/09 Cheri Neuman Herald

A former troubled student once gave me a rose.  To my surprise it rooted in the vase, and I still have the plant.

Jessie’s Rose

The single stem you gave me
rooted--grew to bush and bloomed.
Then, in return
I gifted back the first cream blossom
pale as you--
pink heart peeking from within.
To this day, each fragile flower
brings your face to mind.
I wonder how you are
and what’s become.

Actions live beyond their time
for good or ill;
some lessons come with thorns;
I pray you’ve rooted well.


　9/27/2009 Cheri Neuman Herald

I happened across an old episode of the children's show, Mr. Roger's Neighborhood, on television this morning; one thought led to another:

Lady Aberlin Denied

When I grew up
I wanted to be Lady Aberlin
from the land of make-believe
soft-spoken, reserved, ever-so-nice
always-so-kind

But ladies need backing
Strength is required to slay dragons
dig moats--protect the castle

In my world
of not-so-make-believe
knights were too busy
polishing their armor, admiring
their reflections

I learned a bit
of the dragon’s fire
how to wield my own sword
draw a quick bow

Lady Aberlin calloused
behind armor forged of necessity
but chafed at the steel

I kept waiting
for that white horse
whose rider would arrive
Lady Aberlin would don proper silk
and soften her stride

But crusades are long
the best knights
always seemed to be absent
imprisoned, or otherwise occupied

I no longer wait
at the tower window
for one good knight to set Aberlin free
I’ve learned to ride--securely astride--
bought my own horse

But, ah, there are nights
when the wine is sweet and the moon is full
that I sit by my weathered window
and a wish still rises
to a distant star

9/12/2009 Cheri Neuman Herald

Let the games begin!

I enjoyed meeting with the club one last time before school starts on Monday (for me-- kids a week later.) When I couldn't think what to write, I went to my box of "starts"-- ideas I jot down thinking, there's a poem in there somewhere-- and finished this one.

Billy Asked For Prayer

I met him, new
at the nursing home
on a night too foggy to fly;
The weather’s bad, it’s true,
but I’ve got to go--
an important mission
you know.

Still, one clear thought
as his eyes locked mine,
Please, pray for me.

I will.

Clouds rolled in then
and covered Bill;
we never spoke again.

Across her cup,
his tearful wife
said he’d never flown a day;
he wrote the pamphlets
that come with pills
till the Alzheimer’s
took him away.

A brief few months
and he was gone,
quicker than many there--
an early flight,
perhaps booked the night
that Billy asked
for prayer.

7-27-09 Cheri Neuman Herald

 I love Florida; it is where I was born and raised, and it will always be "home" to me.  Visitors enjoy our sandy beaches, crystal springs, tourist spots, wildlife, and sun.  So do I, but for vacationing, I prefer to see something totally different. 

Our youngest daughter had been stationed in Spokane, Washington, during her four years in the Air Force.  She married, bought a home, and liked it well enough to stay there after her discharge.  This year, we got a good enough deal on flying rates to pay her a visit.

Talk about different!  Florida changes a little-- from flat land down south, to small hills farther north; east coast beaches have waves; west coast water is clearer and flat.  But, basically, Florida looks like Florida.  Washington state was a whole other world. 

Spokane, in the eastern part of the state, has hills, tall evergreens, beautiful flowers, and a great park featuring the Spokane River. June temperatures were in the 50-60's at night and the 80's daytime.

Son-in-law, Mike, showing hubby Richard the river.

We drove west to Seattle.  Amazing!  Flat land ringed with hills...

suddenly switched to a rocky gorge overlook.

Next came mountains--complete with snow.

Then farmland..

..and back to rocky hills.

Back to flat.

Finally the rolling hills of the port city of Seattle.

All within about 270 miles!  I hear they even have a rainforest, but we didn't have time to see it. As it was, I felt like we saw three planets in nine days.

I love summer break.  Among the pleasures of time off is the fact that I can attend the monthly meetings of our local poetry group.  We meet, greet, critique and eat.  For any of you in a club, you understand the joy in fellowshipping with like-minded people who share your passion.  This month's homework was a weird little Persian form: the Ghazal (pronounced guzzle) This was my attempt.

My early morning trips to our local beach seemed like a great idea...

until I got too engrossed in beachcombing and dipped my digital camera into the Gulf.  Not good...

To the men and women
who fought for me
on every conceivable land and sea,
from this nation’s inception
to this very day:

For your sacrifice
to keep me free,
thank you seems lacking--too little to say;
may God bless and keep you
in His perfect way.

5/25/2009 Cheri Neuman Herald