Author: Patty Richardson

No hard feelings
Let’s start anew
Bury the hatchet
Best thing to do.

Wipe away anger
Forgive and forget
Those harmful words
The things that we said.

Anger and turmoil
Things got too hot
Let’s start all over
Let’s give it a shot.

Take down the volume
Slow down the pace
No need to be hateful
No need to save face.

Let’s calm the waters
Take a deep breath
Think before speaking
See “white” and not “red”.

Learn to be patient
No need to judge
No reason to hold
Or carry a grudge.

Life is too short
We could run out of time
Before it’s too late
Let’s try to be kind.

____________________

Image: Google Images. Red Letter Christians.

Sparrows gather round the bowl
Filled with apple and birdseed
At times even a fresh orange slice
A feast some say, indeed.

A kind and gentle merchant
Sets the bowl outside his store
When the bowl is empty
Fills it up and gives them more.

A puddle supplies water
For a drink or a bird’s bath.
Their playful, simple antics
Make you smile, can make you laugh.

Such tiny beaks and tiny eyes
So timid, so afraid
Nervously they move about
In sunshine or in shade.

The merchant watches when he can
A few minutes everyday
The tiny, fragile creatures
With their feathers….brown and gray.

Until the day is done.

_____________________

Image: Google Images. Sparrows.

She got up her courage
Tried to meet someone “online”
Looking for a decent guy
So hard for her to find.

Nothing like his photos
Said he was six feet four
Maybe five foot ten at best
A liar, that’s for sure.

What else was on his profile?
Was he telling her the truth?
Had he gone to college?
Should she ask him for some proof?

He never bought her dinner
Said they should split the check
Not sure if he was cheap or poor
What else was coming next?

Was living with his parents
In the basement down the stairs
Never brought her home to meet them
No he didn’t, he wouldn’t dare.

Took her to the movies
Insisted they go dutch
They went to see a matinee
The tickets weren’t that much.

He wasn’t very handsome
And was somewhat overweight
She wasn’t into judging
But, this guy was not that great.

The next time that he called her
She said, she met someone else”!
He said he really liked her
She told him how she really felt.

Your profile is deceiving
And, you’re really awfully cheap
You’re not what I am looking for
You’re just not right for me.

_____________________

Image: Google Images. Psychology Today.

Got up this morning
Walked to the park
Stopped first for coffee
Like it strong, like it dark. 

That’s when I saw her
Looking sleek , looking lean
Her shirt could be linen
Her eyes …. maybe green

She orders her coffee
I wait across the street
I watch from a distance
Our eyes never meet.

Crocs , socks and jeans
Always alone
Cold and aloof
Maybe high, maybe stoned.

Up kind of early
Always there half passed eight
While she’s in the cafe
I watch and I wait.

She’s got to be local
Close by, not too far
Always on foot
Never driving a car.

I quietly fixate
From the park cross the street
I try to be cool
Lying low, indiscreet.

Think that she knows?
Is she even aware?
Am I making her nervous?
Doesn’t look like she’s scared.

Waits for a moment
Puts her sunglasses on
Takes a sip of her coffee
in a heartbeat she’s gone.

________________________

Image: Google Images. East Village- 787- Simply Coffee

Collecting bottles on the street
Beer and soda cans
Picking up recyclables
That’s my mission, that’s my plan.

Five cents for returnables
I take them to the store
I got as much as fifty cents
Sometimes I get much more.

Folks will save their cans for me
Knowing I’ll buy cigarettes
Still they give me what they can
No guilt and no regrets.

I’m considered homeless
But, I live in a group home
I spend my days out on the street
I prefer to be alone.

I take a shower daily
I’m not dirty, I don’t smell
They say that I’m bipolar
If you see me, you can’t tell.

I don’t bother anybody
I keep my business to myself
I don’t look for trouble
I don’t ask “no one” for help.

Sometimes I get some coffee
From the merchant down the street
Once in awhile …. a breakfast bun
He never charges me.

I sweep his stoop for just a dollar
Make sure his car is safe
He parks it in the alley
It’s there most everyday.

I head back home by nightfall
They lock the doors by ten
They show a movie every night
And, serve ice cream now and then.

______________________

Image: Google Images. Best Can Beer. Thrillist.

We’re going to need six potatoes
An artichoke and four tomatoes
Arugula, some celery
Onions, dill and parsley

Shallots, scallions, garlic too
Basil, peppers, two will do
To the market, one more time
They’ve got lemons, they’ll have wine.

The prep and plating will take time
Let’s slice and dice, open the wine
Start the glaze, grate and bake
Boil and simmer, slice the cake.

Stir and mix, shred and whip
Prepare the garnish, add the dip.
Knives and spoons, forks and salad
We hope to stimulate your palate.

Should be home by half past two
Hurry now, so much to do
Start the dinner, chop and peel
Set the table, serve the meal.

Salt and pepper rarely needed
All requests though will be heeded
Come right in, please take a seat
Get comfortable, Bon Appetit!

_______________________

Image: Google Images. Homestratosphere.

Saw you from across the room
So sure that you were stoned

Watched you walking back and forth
Busy talking on your phone.

You had a certain freaky flair
Wearing clogs with bright, pink socks
That orange and purple scarf you wore
With a shirt that says, “I ROCK”.

Your hair was long, all one length
Pulled back into a bun
You never cared what people said
Your goal was to have fun.

Never knew just what you did
Did you even have a job?
You drove a blue convertible
Everyone said, “He’s a snob!”

Spent weekends at the gallery
Drinking wine just before noon
Conversing with the patrons
Making rounds about the room.

You talked to all the artists
Always acting so impressed
Needing to immerse yourself
In whatever trend came next.

Circles upon canvas
A collage of silhouettes
A portrait made with teabags
Of a cat lying in bed.

Are you getting a percentage?
Do you own the gallery?
You must have an agenda
Nothing in life is free.

_____________________

Image: Google Images. Laguana Art Gallery. Viejo Mission, CA.

Met her at a party
All I could do was stare
She was playing the piano
Loved her tats and curly hair.

Was talking to a friend of hers
It was clear I had a crush
He said he’d introduce us
Hoped… she wasn’t in a rush.

She hung around, we got to talk
She loves to sing the blues
Her music smooth and soulful
Her lyrics sad, but true.

I followed her, went to her gigs
She played three times a week
We got to know each other
So glad we got to meet.

Loved everything about her
Her style was so unique
So talented, yet humble
Hoped she’d fall in love with me.

_____________________

Image: Google Images. Adobe Stock.

I’m not a stable table
Or a comfy cushioned chair
I’m really kind of rigid
But, assure you that I care.

I’m simply your reflection
In the mirror… up the stairs
I’m here to captivate you
When you brush or comb your hair.

I move about on hinges
You can close or open me
I keep your medications
There right here, right next to me.

I can help to shape your eyebrows
Find a pimple, one to squeeze
I can help you with your make-up
You can always count on me.

You can wipe me with some Windex
Use a clean, white, cotton cloth
Sometimes you leave your fingerprints
So hard to wipe them off.

If you’re looking for your toothpaste
It’s here…. up on the shelf
Try some mouthwash…. in the bottle
You can use it, help yourself.

Deodorant, a ritual
In a “roll on” or a ” spray”
Don’t think so much about it
Just apply it everyday.

Now hurry up, get going
Don’t want you to be late
No second thoughts, no self doubts
Don’t worry, you look great!

______________________

Image: Google Images. Artstation.

“Let’s go to Cafe Cheri
The new french restaurant”
“Do you think, you’ll find something
Something you might want?”

They’ve got snails and offer turtle legs
Fig salad with pig tails
Doubt you’ll want to order there
You don’t like dark, fresh, green kale.”

Octopus on friday nights
One of their specialties
You can order eel with jasmine rice
And, share them both with me.

You might like to try their soup dugout
Often made with an oyster broth
Served with a dab of caviar
Their fish eggs are quite soft.

The menu, interesting, diverse
Requires a discerning palate
Since you don’t eat fish or vegetables
You may not want their salad.

I’m betting…. you have changed your mind
Don’t think this is for you
How about we go to BOB’S next door
And, have some barbecue?

_______________________

Image: Google Images.Cafe Mogadar.