With Praise for My Patron Saint

Why St. Valentine must make way for St. Arbucks

St. Arbucks is my patron saint.
I call on him each day
to help me stay alert to life
as I go on my way.

Unlike St. Jude or Christopher,
St. Arbucks slakes my thirst.
His cup of warm is Heaven-like
when I feel at my worst.

St. Arbucks watches over me
with tender loving care.
And whether near or far from home,
I find he’s always there.

His omnipresence comforts me
when I am feeling faint.
That’s why St. Arbucks owns my praise.
He is my favorite saint.

Valentine Lessons from Forrest Gump

Commitment is the key to keeping love alive;
Astronomical Obsession

According to a guy named Gump,
no matter if you’re thin or plump,
your life is like boxed choc-o-late.
It’s a mystery.

You never know just what you’ll get
until you sink your teeth in it.
And if you like what you bit off,
it is ecstasy.

But if you get the kind you hate
and never chalk it up to fate,
you spit it out and choose one more.
“It’s my box!” you say.

But lasting love is not so picky
when what seemed sweet becomes quite icky.
You chew your choice and swallow pride.
It’s what you vowed you’d do.

It’s what commitment’s all about
so those in love need never doubt
the words once whispered long ago
with a heart in hand.
 

Astronomical Obsession

The gravity of reason
she defied at record speed
as she shuttled to Orlando in a car.
Wearing diapers (but no space suit),
Lisa Nowak sped from west to east.
Once a hero, she is now a fallen star.

Scrubbed by conscience, she persisted
on a mission fueled by rage
boosted with a rocket of pure jealousy.
With her pepper spray and bee-bees
she was armed to kill her threat.
Astronomical obsession, don’t you see?

Seems to me, lust is a current
that short-circuits how we think.
It can cause a brilliant mind to go berserk.
When you give your passions freedom
and just fixate on your wants,
you could likely lose your job and friends at work.

Da Bears from Halas Town

A slightly biased prediction of Super Bowl XLI

It’s not a myth
that Lovie Smith
knows how to wake da Bears.
Once hibernating carnivores
smell victory in the air.

Their lengthy sleep
made Bears fans weep.
But those days are now past.
Our victory dance is bowing down.
We’ve tears of joy at last.

While some thought Rex
had brought a hex,
he proved his critics wrong.
And come the fourth in Florida,
he’ll mesmerize the throng.

Miami isn’t Peyton Place.
His Colts are sure to be disgraced.
Those Indy horses are no match
for bears from Halas Town.

Although the poet now has the privilege of being the pastor of the church where the Seattle Seahawks head coach is a member, he and his family lived in the shadow of Chicago’s Soldier Field for more than a decade.

Getting Smart About Wisdom Teeth

A conversation about Bluetooth Technology

What’s that odd thing? IT’S A BLUE TOOTH.
But it’s on that person’s ear.
YES, I KNOW. So, what’s that fang for?
IT IS THERE SO HE CAN HEAR.

So he’s deaf-ish? NO, NOT REALLY.
Then it’s not a hearing aid?
WELL, YOU USE IT WITH A CELL PHONE.
Are you kidding? Holy jade!

IT’S DESIGNED FOR WHEN YOU’RE DRIVING.
YOU CAN HEAR WHO’S ON THE LINE.
That’s amazing. How creative.
DON’T YOU LIKE ITS TRIM DESIGN?

Yes, I do. But why a Bluetooth?
Who decided on the name?
Mr. Blue and Mr. Toothy?
CUT IT OUT. THAT’S REALLY LAME.

HEY! YOU ASK TOO MANY QUESTIONS.
SIMPLY BUY ONE. SAKES ALIVE!
IF YOU DON’T, YOU’RE DOWNRIGHT RECKLESS.
YOU NEED BOTH HANDS WHEN YOU DRIVE.

Mother Knows Best

A tribute to the poet’s mom who turned 80 this week

Robert Young
starred on TV
before my mom was old.
He played a father who knew best.
At least that’s what I’m told.

Those were the days
when dads were king.
Like Beaver Cleaver’s dad
or Ozzie Nelson…
or Ben Cartwright…
Their sons were lucky lads.

But what about
The Beaver’s mom?
Or Ricky’s?
Hoss’s too?
While dads are great,
there are some things
that only moms can do.

Like wipe your tears
when you fall down
and scrape your chubby knees
or say “God bless you” meaning it
each time you had to sneeze.

My mother
nursed me back to health
whenever I was sick.
She brought me juice
and comic books
and popsicles to lick.

She told me
that I was the best
when I was just okay.
But in her mind I really was
Her praises made my day.

She taught me
all about the Lord
and helped me understand
the pressures I would feel at school.
She helped me take a stand.

My mom has heart,
but also brains.
She helped me cram for tests.
And when I needed love advice,
it’s true, my mom knew best.

When I left home
and took a wife
She felt somehow replaced.
I know that it was hard for her.
I saw it in her face.

But bless her heart,
in time she saw
she had no need to fear.
I needed both. A wife and mom.
She smiled from ear to ear.

She’s one
creative grandmother.
My brother’s kids
and mine
love spending time
at Nana’s house
They think she’s quite divine.

When Dad got sick
and nearly died,
my mother made me proud.
She mustered courage,
modeled faith
and prayed for him out loud.

As time went by
and she slowed down,
my mom refused to stop.
This fashion plate
can still turn heads
and loves to thrift store shop.

At eighty,
this one who gave me birth
embraces each new day.
She journals what she did
each night
before she hits the hay.

Her name is Star.
Uncommon, yes?
That’s fine.
My mom’s unique.
She sparkles like
the jewels she wears
while cuddled with her Greek.

And so this tribute
to the Star
I proudly
call my mom.
Keep twinkling
and light my night
until God brings
your dawn.

*This poem is dedicated to my mother, Star Asimakoupoulos, who celebrated both her 80th birthday and 56th wedding anniversary this week.