Vera
FOR THE DURATION
Mama says Ida needs care.
We’re her closest relations.
We can’t get enough gasoline
to check on her often enough,
so she’ll have to move here
for the duration.
Don’t get me wrong,
I love Aunt Ida,
but what thirteen-year-old
wants to share a room
with an old lady
for the duration?
I’ll have to check the dictionary
and make sure "duration"
doesn’t mean forever.
© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved. Photo courtesy Library of Congress.
5 comments:
Yes, I can see how "duration" can be a very scary word under these circumstances! Thanks for sharing.
nice one Diane
much love
gillena
Nowadays time seems to go by in a split second, but imagine how long the WW II years were for the average teen! The duration was a plastic concept--it could have stretched on forever--nobody could guarantee its end.
Diane - I just love the vintage photos you've been posting lately! And you know, in terms of your thoughts about our country, I heard someone talking recently about how we need to reclaim the idea of the Good Citizen, one who makes decisions based on the common good, instead of idolizing the idea of the Lone Cowboy who needs no one. I do believe our country can do better and - fingers crossed - will do better about putting "the common good" at the top of our priorities, instead of indulging in all the grandstanding and bickering. Thinking of the common good instead of thinking "What's good for me?" is going to be what makes this country secure and strong.
My two cents! Thanks for posting your poem.
Amen, Julie. There's been a little too much, "I've got mine and I'm going to keep it--the hell with everyone else."
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