Mother's Day, 2015

It's a Doggone Mystery

Yes, It's a doggone mystery to me,

Why those four best plants are now just three.

It's a doggone mystery how the canary got out

When the doors were shut and no one was about.

It's a doggone mystery why that sheet isn't there

When it was only this morning that I hung it out to air.

It's a doggone mystery why the company tripped

And how the big front curtain just happened to be ripped.

It's a doggone mystery about that rubber mat

But strange things are happening just like that.

It's a doggone mystery how my slipper disappeared,

The way things are going is getting very weird.

It's a doggone mystery 'bout that piece of birthday cake

And just what happened to the family Sunday steak.

It's a doggone mystery why the beds are all mussed up,

But we've a faint suspicion it's that doggone pup.

Lorel Lu Daus
Early Poems

Spring Time

The trouble with Winter

Is equivalence.

Each day is equal to every other.

The heavy clouds are all the same.

The rain is equal signs tipped

And slanting downward,

Falling this hour the same as the last.

Dull, boring sameness...

But, Oh!, Spring!

Each second now bears change with it.

There are so many things to watch.

Every plant has its zipping timeline

Rushing at break-neck speed.

From the first cracked, damp earth

That is rent apart by the escaping daffodil

To the triumphant bloom

To the hard green seedpod forming,

There is always something new.

The rhodi buds have been there all winter

But now they swell

With life, with red and pink,

Zinging along like a kid on a skateboard.

The clouds puff and then disappear,

Exercising your neck and eyes to follow them.

The thick, dappled shade beneath

The redwoods

Has pinpoints of light that dart

In and out like small mice dancing.

Spring is unequal.

It is Greater Than.

 April 23, 1999

Alive is so full....

Dear Diary

This weekend has been
A star-bursting, laser-beam, razzle-daz weekend.
Life is so good!
Dianne, MaryAnn and Me,
Huff-puffing up the curves, the hill curves, the loop curves,
Chat-chatting the kids news, the chill news, the scandal news:
While Eric timbered, 
I limbered.
Shards, slabs, and slivers
Patterned, placed and positioned.
Glass play.
Word play.
Moonlight and coals bright
Just right
On a sleepless night:
Because Friday I dined with Lockheed
But will breakfast
In the New Year
With new cheer.
One half of a Jolly Jugger
Is jolly.
Cost designs on phone lines.
There are so many people
I love.
Even T.V. loves a little tonight.
Matzoball soup for the pacified tiger lady
And warm toast and honey 
For the Honey Puss.
There are no problems,
The December sun sees no problems.
Alive is so full.
Such a big surprise package.
I feel
So alive.
                               December 5, 1981
                                                           Job offer from IBM