It is a secret no longer-yes, now it has to be told :
good old California this winter has gotten ever so cold.
Living in the East one expected year's end with snow:
but ,out in the West to need heat is rare, I want you to know.
When the US Army once sent me out here to enjoy many a warm day,
all year around the the good old sun an important role it did play.
My memory does not chronicle many days of it being wet,
our summer Khaki uniforms a good work-out they daily did get !
Finally the good Lord sent me here for a permanent stay-
he found the best place weather wise, rarely the skies were gray.
Open sandals were what we sold in our store the year around
the need to carry overshoes so very seldom was truly found.
Yet, this year I must truly file a complaint when paying my heating bill,
of sweaters and overcoats lately I had more than my fill.
The nose keeps running-it hates this weather-but, if you please:
now, this very weekend the weather report predicts 90 degrees !
OTTO ROSS
Thursday, April 21, 2011
A - SHOPPING AT 98
The most important event of my old age routine- it is shopping !
A task that will include much well-known names -a- dropping.
Since most local stores are no longer in pleasant, close proximity-
trips by car are required and feature a drive to a less close vicinity.
While not a daily occurrence, it is necessary if I want to have a meal,
preparation of shopping lists, once ignored, are now a big deal.
Bread and milk are often featured, yet most nourishment comes in a tin-
it is just so amazing what varieties of food are contained therein.
No chef is required to come in person-but some have made a name
by putting their faces on these concoctions, they did achieve some fame.
There now is a variety of prepared food, it covers the whole world-
specialties of far away countries, ready to eat, are now unfurled.
These trips also include a quest for needs that are just a must-
such as toilet paper, napkins or vacuum bags to collect much dust.
We have come a long way from the old time variety store or market,-
one place is now able to fill all your needs: just go to Target !
OTTO ROSS
MARCH 2011
A task that will include much well-known names -a- dropping.
Since most local stores are no longer in pleasant, close proximity-
trips by car are required and feature a drive to a less close vicinity.
While not a daily occurrence, it is necessary if I want to have a meal,
preparation of shopping lists, once ignored, are now a big deal.
Bread and milk are often featured, yet most nourishment comes in a tin-
it is just so amazing what varieties of food are contained therein.
No chef is required to come in person-but some have made a name
by putting their faces on these concoctions, they did achieve some fame.
There now is a variety of prepared food, it covers the whole world-
specialties of far away countries, ready to eat, are now unfurled.
These trips also include a quest for needs that are just a must-
such as toilet paper, napkins or vacuum bags to collect much dust.
We have come a long way from the old time variety store or market,-
one place is now able to fill all your needs: just go to Target !
OTTO ROSS
MARCH 2011
T A L K I N G T O M Y S E L F !
Let me be honest : a poet of note surely I am not !
But to keep alive in my dotage-that's all I've got.
The old noddle needs nourishment to keep it up to par,
without these brain teasers I would not now get very far.
It is amazing what haphazard procedure I do follow,
with pen and paper at hand, the thoughts are never hollow.
Knowing that I touch subjects featured by no one else,
surely I can be proud of ringing many quiet bells.
Let it be known that my efforts do take very little time,
somehow or another any one line is followed by a rhyme.
Many times my admirers tell me to publish those verses-
but, I am not out for glory, just a chuckle satisfaction disperses.
Thus the books containing my work are growing in girth,
proudly I deem it a labor of love, time spent of some worth.
My feeling is that I can leave behind a token of my existence,
Yes, the literary juices still flow and do not meet with resistance.
OTTO ROSS
MARCH 28,2011
But to keep alive in my dotage-that's all I've got.
The old noddle needs nourishment to keep it up to par,
without these brain teasers I would not now get very far.
It is amazing what haphazard procedure I do follow,
with pen and paper at hand, the thoughts are never hollow.
Knowing that I touch subjects featured by no one else,
surely I can be proud of ringing many quiet bells.
Let it be known that my efforts do take very little time,
somehow or another any one line is followed by a rhyme.
Many times my admirers tell me to publish those verses-
but, I am not out for glory, just a chuckle satisfaction disperses.
Thus the books containing my work are growing in girth,
proudly I deem it a labor of love, time spent of some worth.
My feeling is that I can leave behind a token of my existence,
Yes, the literary juices still flow and do not meet with resistance.
OTTO ROSS
MARCH 28,2011
S L E E P W E L L
How much is that doggie as a pillow ? Priceless, I would say !
Not often does one find such comfort- be it night or day.
As a companion for a good slumber-it is not often to be found,
such soft support for your head should make you rest so very sound.
Not many pets are allowed to share one's slumber most any night,
but this companion Chihuahua evidently earned that very right.
When this soft fur touches your silky skin it must be a welcome treat,
to be able to have your head so cushioned, surely it is very neat.
Of course when you let your pet share your dreams much is expected-
it is just hoped that the other two do not feel very neglected !
In my long life, Sophie La Douce was not allowed to share my bed,
I cannot remember using her as a cushion- enough said.
Thus I envy you this very joy which enhanced your good slumber,
surely it led to happy dreams for you to gladly encumber.
Just don't squeeze that little head, it is just so very tender:
it is truly amazing what such soft support may engender
Otto Ross
April 2, 2011
Not often does one find such comfort- be it night or day.
As a companion for a good slumber-it is not often to be found,
such soft support for your head should make you rest so very sound.
Not many pets are allowed to share one's slumber most any night,
but this companion Chihuahua evidently earned that very right.
When this soft fur touches your silky skin it must be a welcome treat,
to be able to have your head so cushioned, surely it is very neat.
Of course when you let your pet share your dreams much is expected-
it is just hoped that the other two do not feel very neglected !
In my long life, Sophie La Douce was not allowed to share my bed,
I cannot remember using her as a cushion- enough said.
Thus I envy you this very joy which enhanced your good slumber,
surely it led to happy dreams for you to gladly encumber.
Just don't squeeze that little head, it is just so very tender:
it is truly amazing what such soft support may engender
Otto Ross
April 2, 2011
FIRST OCEAN VOYAGE
Yes, we had a river in the town of my birth and a small lake.
What we had was a big puddle and rowboats a trip to take.
Mother was afraid, but Father liked to take me for a row,
and I could not wait for him to ask me if I wanted to go.
Growing up I had to learn to go to the bath, learn how to swim-
with a belt around the middle, the teacher held me on a heavy string.
Never afraid of the water, I soon got to enjoy this healthy exercise,
and, with my school friends, to swim, I thought, was ever so nice.
Then came the time when the big ocean beckoned and I wanted to go,
took a long train trip to a harbor city where strong winds did blow.
A huge steamer was tied to the wharf, big stairs I had to ascend-
I was ever so lucky a young group of travelers to befriend.
This first voyage was calm, meeting these people was much fun
in no time at all we heard interesting stories from most everyone.
With my knowledge of English I got along with much ease,
with some of them I was able to keep in touch, it did so please !
Otto Ross
April 2011
What we had was a big puddle and rowboats a trip to take.
Mother was afraid, but Father liked to take me for a row,
and I could not wait for him to ask me if I wanted to go.
Growing up I had to learn to go to the bath, learn how to swim-
with a belt around the middle, the teacher held me on a heavy string.
Never afraid of the water, I soon got to enjoy this healthy exercise,
and, with my school friends, to swim, I thought, was ever so nice.
Then came the time when the big ocean beckoned and I wanted to go,
took a long train trip to a harbor city where strong winds did blow.
A huge steamer was tied to the wharf, big stairs I had to ascend-
I was ever so lucky a young group of travelers to befriend.
This first voyage was calm, meeting these people was much fun
in no time at all we heard interesting stories from most everyone.
With my knowledge of English I got along with much ease,
with some of them I was able to keep in touch, it did so please !
Otto Ross
April 2011
C I G A R E T T E S
Believe it-or not-I smoked my first one on board of a ship !
My age was twenty, and I left home for my first ocean trip.
Away from parental supervision, it proved that I was now a man:
no better way to express this fact than one of these cylinders can.
It made me proud that now I belonged to this intrepid band,
who so clearly stated that it could light up on demand .
Yes, it was all for show, let me clearly state that I did not inhale-
if questioned about the habit I could point to nicotine on my fingernail.
Held between two fingers, nonchalantly blowing out steam,
these fire-tipped sticks made any sinister darkness gleam.
Nonchalantly pull one from the box or an initialed silver case
and held expressively in your hand,proved that anything you could face.
The came the time when their use to your health was called detrimental,
nicotine-free ones popped up- they were only experimental.
So, proud I am that overnight I had the guts this nasty habit to quit :
Yes, I am able to state that any tobacco to this day stays unlit !
Otto Ross
April 2011
My age was twenty, and I left home for my first ocean trip.
Away from parental supervision, it proved that I was now a man:
no better way to express this fact than one of these cylinders can.
It made me proud that now I belonged to this intrepid band,
who so clearly stated that it could light up on demand .
Yes, it was all for show, let me clearly state that I did not inhale-
if questioned about the habit I could point to nicotine on my fingernail.
Held between two fingers, nonchalantly blowing out steam,
these fire-tipped sticks made any sinister darkness gleam.
Nonchalantly pull one from the box or an initialed silver case
and held expressively in your hand,proved that anything you could face.
The came the time when their use to your health was called detrimental,
nicotine-free ones popped up- they were only experimental.
So, proud I am that overnight I had the guts this nasty habit to quit :
Yes, I am able to state that any tobacco to this day stays unlit !
Otto Ross
April 2011
T S U N A M I
A strange word, coined by the Japanese-now on everyone's mind !
It is an occurrence where wind and water for destruction are combined.
Huge tidal waves resulting from volcanic eruptions, out at a hostile sea,
they are now on every one's mind, it is so scary-believe you me.
People swept away, homes inundated, to the elements exposed-
this is nature at the worst where there is an ocean where once was a coast.
Although far away, every one on this Earth is affected by this disaster-
it just goes to prove that we are so helpless and who is our Master.
Therefore it behooves us to do what we can to ease this pain,
money does help,but we should be allowed to send food to sustain.
The world is getting smaller, we are all affected day by every day,
it behoove us to be of aid, to show support, come whatever may.
Only if we help each each other will there be a future to sustain
because it is unwise to ignore disaster and aloof to remain.
We are all subject to a power, sending punishment from above
now, more than ever, what we most need is brotherly love !
Otto Ross
April 2011
It is an occurrence where wind and water for destruction are combined.
Huge tidal waves resulting from volcanic eruptions, out at a hostile sea,
they are now on every one's mind, it is so scary-believe you me.
People swept away, homes inundated, to the elements exposed-
this is nature at the worst where there is an ocean where once was a coast.
Although far away, every one on this Earth is affected by this disaster-
it just goes to prove that we are so helpless and who is our Master.
Therefore it behooves us to do what we can to ease this pain,
money does help,but we should be allowed to send food to sustain.
The world is getting smaller, we are all affected day by every day,
it behoove us to be of aid, to show support, come whatever may.
Only if we help each each other will there be a future to sustain
because it is unwise to ignore disaster and aloof to remain.
We are all subject to a power, sending punishment from above
now, more than ever, what we most need is brotherly love !
Otto Ross
April 2011
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