ADIEU to DECEMBER 2018 By Polly Guerin

In the bleak mid-winter, December came
Frosty weather and biting wind did claim

Day after day's mild weather brought rain
Old fashioned December never to be the same

The snow stayed away but left a frigid front
Time flew by and swallowed the last month

Yet, Celestial music and carols were sung
Even before Christmas tidings had begun

I heard the city sparrows serenade the air
A magical rendition, far beyond compare

A full sun overhead high in the chilly sky
The Winter Solstice did conveniently comply

At latitude called  the Tropic of Capricorn 
Riding into the last days, Christmas was born

With customs and traditions, feasting and fun
Dreams of Hanukkah and Kwanzaa had begun

Dreaming of Christmas past so very long ago 
Sweet voiced caroling filled the hearth below

And trees bedecked in old sentimental ornament
Told forgotten stories that were sincerely meant

To remind us to not forget the Christmas past
Time is fleeting and this year's end will not last

For Auld Lang Syne, let's not forget, my dearest, dear
To wish us all Glad Tidings and a Happy New Year!!! 

Adieu to November 2018: By Polly Guerin

Those golden days i well remember
Autumn is the heart of November

Just yesterday the trees were ablaze

Came Indian summer another phase

Leaves galore cast off every brilliant shade

The lovely weather sent us on an escapade

Now toasty yellows carpet my garden path

Must the chill of winter come so fast?

A one-day snowstorm in frenzy came

Some say climate warming is to blame

Alas sparkling sun lit days arrived

Glorious evergreens the last to survive

Emeralds and dark green, needles 'n pine

The arrival of Thanksgiving was divine

Even though winter reared her chilly head

We were off to the parade, so jolly instead

With all the happiness and love to bring

Friends and Family together they sing

Days brimming with good fortune and cheer

The very best of everything, at hand this year!

So much to be thankful for, time to renew

Sing a song of gratitude, dance a little too

Feel the Autumn magic caress your heart

Give some love away, do it now and start

With so much everyday to be thankful for

Cherish memories of November once more!

Adieu to October 2018 By Polly Guerin

October'a crisp breeze announced fall 
Life began anew with no time to stall

The frost was surely on the pumpkin
Those frigid days were really somethin'

October gave a splendid scenic party
Leaves by hundreds soon departing

Wine, red and golden bronze on the vine
The spectacular autumn show was divine

Leaves carpeting the woodland's open door
Led to fun adventures in the great outdoors   

Apple picking in the orchard on a farm
Made apple cider libations mild and calm

Fireside chats wearing warm chunky sweaters
Hot chocolate, cozy socks what could be better? 

The hardy sparrows took a backward glance
Stayed on and on through the chilly dance

All Hallows Eve was a magical velvet night
Scary costumes made us flinch with fright

But it was fun all through the party light
When make believe brought wonder flight

Then a whipping wind furled October away
Quite frankly, I'm rather sad she did not stay

But left abruptly, didn't linger, I wonder why
I can't hold onto October, no matter how I try.

The World is Full of Weeping By Polly Guerin

The World is full of weeping
Yet the people, still are sleeping

Fire swept winds claim the earth
While tsunamis plunder give birth

For untold end for many souls
Yes, the warnings were foretold

Ancient trees cut down sacrificed
To developer homes, oh, so nice

Mud slides crashed down the hill
Homes vanished it was very still

Months limped by with torrential rain
The weather will never ever be the same

Plant and animal ranges now shifted
Ice caps melting on a global scale 

Intense heat waves more now predicted
The parched earth groans none restricted

Own up to climate change and remember
We're all in this now, bind each member

Put knowledge to work and make change
To respect the earth, time to rearrange

There's no time better, activate now
To save the planet and then avow

For the chance grows shorter each day
Do it now, before we are all blown away!

ADIEU to SEPTEMBER 2018 By Polly Guerin

September Rain by Dimitry Spiros

I can't bear to see sweet summer go
Summertime slipped away we know

Summer cast off her welcome mat
And September arrived with a spat

With relentless rain we puddled 
Through weeks of limpid muddle

We listened to the thunderous sky
Wondering, why did September die? 

We limped along against the wet
Never such a season, let's forget

Everyone did their best to survive
Waiting for lusty Autumn to arrive

With yearning, city tress sang a song
Urging autumn leaves to come along

The autumn Equinox, September 21
Brought long days and nights at first

New celebrations, a bright, New Year
We venture forward optimistic to revere

The golden promise of September's story
To bring the orange glow in all its glory

New books, erasers back to school
Back to business, was the golden rule

Yes, September flew by, an angry wind
Screeching and sighing, a bitter fiend

And all good things could vanish in a day
Let's move onto to Autumn without delay!

ADIEU TO AUGUST

It was the most unforgettable summer

Some folks say, “Nay. it was a bummer”

Sweltering, humidity caught us in a grip

With never ebbing desire to give a slip

To shed our city skins for just few days

To join the exodus, come out and play

With liquid laughter and limpid fashion

Cool summer days were mostly rationed

Relentless heat drove us to distraction

In the golden ochre light's hot reaction

Sunflowers greeted the burning sun

While most people were quite undone

All that was needed be calm and listen

And view the remarkable sunset prism

Patiently wait, hear the song of slumber

Chanting praise the last days of summer

Yes, I feel summer's heated, parting kiss

Adieu to sultry August, I will not miss.

ADIEU JULY 2018 By Polly Guerin

Must I say adieu to sweet July?
But before I do here's my reply

With hot days and cooling showers
Peaches, plums and gillyflowers

Beach sand in between our toes
We're on holiday, everyone goes

Ferry rides across the East River
Chilly winds make us all shiver

Mother's house in sun and rain
Gone now, will  never be the same

Yet memories of sweet July pie
Tasty blueberry I did not deny

The cat curls up in the hot sun
While we plan our day for fun

Gathering basil and sunny thyme
Herbs to please us all the time

We fill our baskets with cool libations
Pack luscious lunch, nothing rationed

Lazy travelers we care not to leave July
Though the days pass too swiftly, they fly

And down by the sea the waves of time
Remind us, hasten our pleasure not to pine

A tiny hummingbird flutters its wings
Darting from Flower to Flower it sings

While all the flowers in the meadow awoke
In millefleur multi-colors for us to poke

About and clasp some Fleur to our heart
As every flower and leaf sets us apart

With wide eye wonder only July can bring
A month of fairy fruits and love is bling

How does the little busy honey bee
Fly about, so gaily flutter, so free

Roses fill the air in aromatic July
Petal by Petal we count and rely

On such wonder and beauty each day
Must we say goodbye to July today?  

ADIEU TO THE MONTH OF JUNE By Polly Guerin

The cacophony of city heard the birds on wing
The sweet sound welcomed June and its bling

Traditions of old dissolved in a rainbow hue
And Gay Pride marched forward on review

June is the month when cupid's dart
Joined couples together heart to heart

Flag Day brought patriotic celebration
Proud citizens remembered the nation

Fathers were honored given their due
For their steadfast support we knew

The Solstice, first day of summer ablaze
A fiery sky show and sun ever displayed

School let out with gleeful expectation
Yearning for beach days and celebration

And in some gardeners path the honey bee
Gathered honey all day to sweeten our tea

Robert Burns remembered June and said:

Oh, my luve is like a red, red rose
That's newly sprung in June,

Oh my luve is like the melodie
That's sweetly played in tune

Petal by Petal and year after year
June is the loveliest time, my dear.

The Pipes, The Pipes Have Burst!!! (15 Park Avenue) By Polly Guerin

The Pipes, The Pipes have burst!!! 

By Polly Guerin

The Pipes, The Pipes have burst

More than anything this is the worst

How shall we squelch our thirst

The plumber's back this is the first

Washing dishes in the bathroom sink 

When will the pipes restore in a wink?

Another day delay and still no water

The pipes have seen the better sorter

Their old and tired what more can I say

'Cept, the plumbers back again today

Yes, the same one who came here

To my own apartment in yesteryear

Said he: "I kept the poem you wrote of me"

Really!!! I exclaimed with a note of glee

Alas, an urgent knocking at the door

Let me know the status what was in store

Frank,announced with supervisional pride

The pipes were restored, I need not hide

Then the water began to flow as it did before

Oh, this whole pipe episode was such a bore!

ADIEU to the Month of May: By Polly Guerin

The morning sun kissed the yearning trees
Eager to bloom they stuck there in freeze

The cold grip would not release the blooms
And towering skyscrapers shadowed room

But May is the blossom time 'o the year
And lovely tulips in full color did appear

Mothers Day and Memorial Day in kind
Reminded us to remember, those so fine 

Romantic love knocked at our door in May
Meghan and Harry stole our hearts away

This Royal Wedding was not a fairy tale,                                                
It tugged at our lives, this time it was real

The Royal couple inspired the congregation
Gave hope to hope from nation to nation

The Bishop declared that love was in the air
Everyone should listen and really, really care

To make a difference in the world with love
And find inspiration from the one above

Embrace the world with unconditional love
There's no greater mantra from the peace dove.

THE LITTLE SPARROW BIRDS: By Polly Guerin

I love the tiny budding birds
They are so dear to me
I hear their chitter chatter 
                 in a nearby tree

What does their music tell
I wonder what they say
Perhaps it's simply they've 
          had a wonderful day

These funny little sparrows
Are staunch city critters
Through rain and snow
       they are not quitters

They stay around all year
Bringing sweet cacophony
Just listen and rejoice to
     the sparrow symphony. 

ADVICE from A WISE SAGE By Polly Guerin

Spread your wings and soar

Press on to do more and more

Endowed with seeds of love

Receive the gift from above

Everything about you is so unique

No other person compares in sync

Tap into your unlimited supply

So much creativity don't deny

Recognize success at the gate

Step up, begin anew recreate

Your choicest dreams awake

Success avow, now is your fate

Opportunities lurking everywhere

Step up to the plate show you care

Generosity and never ending joy

Live large, be fearless and ploy

Go the extra mile with a smile

Stand together once in a while

Keep moving forward to the end

Treasure those we all call friend

Prepare the way, YES, even now

Late in life, become a new WOW!!!

APRIL: ODE TO THE PUSSY WILLOW By Polly Guerin

Oh, DEAREST PUSSY WILLOW--

Cedar Waxwing in the Pussy Willow

Budding forth the first harbinger of spring
Alas you bloom and birds begin to sing

Found along ponds and wooded paths
Your beauty is fragile, does not last

Willow buds encased in an angelic fur
In winter, you cocooned, did not stir

Then emerged as soft as a kitten paw
You wait, at the end of winter's thaw

Counted among Springs first blooms
You may be ignored, but never gloom

Those soft fuzzy angelic buds awake
And with showy bright flowers create

A welcome feast for hungry birds
Bumblebees, butterflies, insects, too

The first sweet drink of the season
Willow's welcome feast, good reason

Rich throated,  sweet its spring nectar
Bright yellow flowers, the connector

Watch for the willow's bloom as it brings
The first sweet reminder that it is Spring

MARCH, A COLD EMBRACE By Polly Guerin

Photo By Stephen Braun 

March held us in the grip of her cold embrace
One snowstorm after another with fierce pace

March brought breezes, wind loud and shrill
Its power was devastating, enough to kill

Knocked down giant trees like pick-up-sticks
Shocked the suburbs, power lines nicked

Flowers were confused and dormant lay
Birds on the wing took off, could not stay

Fickle to the core Spring appeared one day
Alas, twas but a teaser, March came to stay

And plunged the suburbs with deep snow
While New York City cleared up below

Daylight Savings time tricked us early
But March continued to remain surly

St. Patrick's Day had a sunny reprieve
Green pride gave us cause to relieve

Then March 20th the First Day of Spring
The snow returned with a dusting bring

Our patience challenged. time was retreating
The sweet, sweet Spring was eagerly greeting

Palm Sunday fared better with a  sunny smile
Gave pause to enjoy fair weather for awhile

Passover brought with it the promise of Spring
While other celebrants knew Easter would sing

And alas, March was ushered right out of the door
We all gathered hope that true Spring was in store!

NOW IS THE MOMENT: Poem by Polly Guerin

The past is forever gone
The future's in a song

Sing it loud and clear
Start a brand new year

Moment by Moment now
Be thankful and avow

Hour by hour is a gift
Rise up, forget the rift

Why put off to tomorrow
Joy is yours to borrow

Right now freeze frame
There's no one to blame

Imagination renewed 
Forget time that flew

Claim now to be your best
Creativity yours, re-invest

Don't delay another minute 
Time to be in the present

Hour by hour be a new You
NOW is the moment, renew

Claim talent from the past
Do it Now,  it will not last.

NO LULLABYS for Polly

My mother never sang me a sweet lullaby
Even when I sank  deep and began to cry

Vocalizing sentiment was not her thing
And that is why I never heard her sing

No mellifluous notes put me to sleep
But snug in bed, she did take a peak

And said, it couldn't be all that bad
But I still felt awful, very, very sad

Why ruin your good looks with a frown
Come dear, betters days are to be found

She didn't understand my tantrum fuss
Light's out she ordered, sleep, you must

The next day I forget what was in my head
Sunbeams through the window to my bed

The room flooded with with joyful beams
For life is never, ever, ever what it seems

My sunny disposition had been restored
My sadness was imagined I was bored

Mother knew it was a passing phase
And lauded me with warmth and praise

No baby lullaby's for me if you please
My imaginary sadness had disappeared

I remember now, Mother's positive view
Was at the core, of everything we do

And to this day,  everyday, I still recall
How really silly I was when I was small.