Poetry Sunday

As I approach retirement for the second time (about 311 working days from now, not that I'm counting), I have to decide what it is I want to do when I grow up. Maybe Mike can give me some advice. Or maybe I ought to think more carefully about my options, as in this poem by Ron Koertge ...

Bad News About My Vocation 

by Ron Koertge 

I remember how the upper crust in my hometown
pronounced it-care-a-mel. Which is correct, I guess,
but to everybody else it was carmel.

Which led to the misconception about the order
of Carmelites.

I imagined they served God by heating sugar
to about 170 C, then adding milk and butter
and vanilla essence while they listened
to the radio.

I thought I could do that. I could wear the white
shirt and pants. I knew I couldn’t be good
but I might be a good candy maker.

So imagine my chagrin when I learned about
the vows of poverty and toil enjoined
by these particular friars.

I also crossed off my list the Marshmellowites
and the Applepieites, two other orders I
was thinking of joining.


Well, I guess there's always the Ginandtonicites.

Have a good day, and enjoy the rest of your weekend. More thoughts tomorrow.

Bilbo