WHO IS AMERICA'S DOCTOR IN 2021?

Decades ago when babies went amok,

Their parents turned for help to Dr. Spock!

Now that these babes are grown, and scared and grouchy,  

For COVID help they turn to Dr. Fauci!

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EAT YOUR HEART OUT EMILY DICKINSON

 As I deal with my Prolia-fractured bones (see www.JoansBackboneDisaster.com) and macular degeneration of the eyes, my thoughts turn to the poet Emily Dickinson, who, while dealing with disabilities of her own, nevertheless turned out hundreds of brief poems, each an insightful gem!

To learn more about the life and work of Emily Dickinson, see: 

https://poets.org/poet/emily-dickinson

Here is my brief homage -- admittedly inadequate -- to this exquisite poet!

                          ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

      An Unexpected Source of Inspiration?

Roosevelt struggled with crutches, 

John Milton’s eyes couldn’t see,

Fate caught them both in its clutches, 

And now it has seized upon me!

I’ve studied the lives of these masters,  

Especially the blind and the lame, 

Who triumphed o’er body’s disasters, 

But I’ll pass on them all just the same! 

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ANOTHER POEM FOR DIRECT TV

Yet more problems with Direct TV!

Ode to a Frozen Screen

The President is on the screen, I want to hear his speech!

Pro or Con, I’m glad TV puts this within my reach!

But as he takes the podium at the venue he has chosen,

His steps come to a sudden stop, because my screen is FROZEN!

The bottom of the ninth is here, the crowd is on its feet,

And as this game is televised, my view is hard to beat!

The pitcher spits into his glove and climbs that tiny hill — 

But as he does so, once again, the picture stands STOCK STILL!

A great romance, and lovers are enmeshed in fond embrace,

“Please marry me!” he says, and now you’re right up in his face!  

But as the camera turns to her and she begins to speak — 

The picture FREEZES, and you’ll have to learn the rest next week!

A famous trial is taking place, we’re waiting for the jury, 

The verdict will be coming soon, there isn’t any hurry.

The pundits are discussing pros and cons about this case;

But FROZEN SCREEN jumps in to keep them locked in just one place.

Somewhere someone turns on TV, and watches for an hour, 

Without the picture standing still as if it’s lost its power!

Somewhere for a day (or hour!) it’s as it’s supposed to be;

But that’s not at 1300, Apartment Twenty D!   

(Written for Direct TV, April 20, 2021)

A POEM FOR OUR DIRECT TV, OUR SATELLITE TV SERVICE

 I had trouble with our satellite TV (Direct TV managed in our building by USA Wireless).  I kept getting the error message 771 on my screen!  Keith at USA Wireless (847-831-4561) was helpful so this is for him! April 2, 2021                               

Ode to 771 

Our Condo Board had voted; we got Direct TV!

We all got brand new clickers, and lots more shows to see.

But no one ever told us that to get in on the fun,

We’d have to live with Error Number Seven-Seven-One!

Here comes a big announcement: Prepare for Breaking News!

The weather will be storming!  Get out your rubber shoes!

Stay tuned here for more details!  But before this can be done,

The broadcast stops and all I see is Seven-Seven-One!

Or maybe there’s a movie, Joan Fontaine and Cary Grant, 

Or maybe an adventure or a politician’s rant!

Or maybe a big baseball game, or thrilling mystery!

It matters not, with Seven-Seven-One there is no more to see!

Day in, day out, most every hour, this message hits my screen!

For seconds, minutes or an hour, there’s nothing to be seen!

Time just stands still, it simply freezes! Here’s a thought for you: 

Could Seven-Seven-One just make the clock stop for us too?

APRIL 2, 2021