September 29, 2026, Alaska Trip

 

Skagway Train

 

We stood in line, waiting for train

An hour plus right in the rain

We hoped that it would soon be fine

Waiting for train, we stood in line

 

At last, all wet, we took a seat

With windows fogged, and our cold feet

Then saw some sights we’d not forget

We took a seat, at last, all wet

 

We heard about the days of old

When many men came there for gold

They suffered much, without a doubt

The days of old, we heard about.

 

I stood outside between the cars

And held on tight to rail and bars

Was such a pretty mountain ride

Between the cars, I stood outside.

 

It’s worth the wait, we must admit

We took great pics of all of it

The trees, the cliffs, the falls were great

We must admit, it’s worth the wait

 

September 29, 2026, Alaska Trip

 

 

Treasure

 

T oday I

R each up to You,

E xpressing my love and

A ppreciation for the

S ecurity I have in You.

U ltimately, when my mind is troubled, I

R ely on Your grace, love and mercy

E ach and every day. Remind me to do that more.

September 28, 2026, Alaska Trip

 Junea Excursion

 

With some trepidation,

I joined my excursion group.

I met kind Melissa;

She’d keep me in the loop.

 

It was raining that day.

We had to dress right,

Rain proof coat and pants,
Warm hairband and gloves (white),

 

I hadn’t been on a bike

For nearly fifteen years.

I practiced in the parking lot

And set aside my fears.

 

So, we were off, the twelve of us

In line, like a train.

The scenery was beautiful,

Even in the rain.

 

We rode along the highway

And trails in the woods.

The wet and cold weather

Made us glad for hats and hoods.

 

We parked bikes by a pretty lake,

Took pictures of a glacier,

A waterfall and golden trees,

A place that one could savor.

 

I had a few problems

With my hair falling loose,

And my glasses steaming up

Which made me the caboose.

 

I enjoyed the ride all in all

And I had such fun.

But after eight miles of it

I was glad when we were done!

September 28, 2026, Alaska Trip

 

Up Early

 

Usually the internet keeps me busy on my

PC. Here I don’t have it, or reading material.

 

Early to bed, early to rise

And I’m not sure what to do.

Realizing how much time I spend online.

Lord, open my eyes and ears to

Your hand and voice. I’m completely Yours.

September 28, 2026, Alaska Trip, Poetic Bloomings, A Barren Tree

 In Juneau

 

It seemed like every other

light pole,

phone pole,

or barren tree

served as a perch

for a bald eagle.

They used to be endangered.

Not so much since 2007.

And definitely not in Juneau.

It’s still a thrill

to see the six to eight feet wing span

glide through the blue sky.

 

 

 

September 27, 2026, Alaska Trip

 Queasy

 

Quietly rocking back and forth

Unsteady on my feet

Away we go!

Swells growing

Yucky feeling in my tummy

September 27, Alaska Trip

 Happy Place

Relaxing on ship room couch

Peering through large window

Cliffs, forests, houses go by

Blessed and happy

I seldom feel really happy,

But I’m happiest

When I travel.

September 27, 2026, Alaska trip

 

Sailing Day

 

Gray ocean stretches out to gray sky

Cold, salty breeze

Smell of fish and sea weed

Hum of the motor

Wind whistles

Rain drops

Indentions in water on balcony

Ship rocks back and forth

September 26, 2026, Alaska Trip

 Memory Lane 

Riding in the plane

Riding in the shuttle

Riding on the ship.

 

Sitting in the theater

Waiting for the Beatles knock off

I felt like I was riding on the plane.

 

And they came on

And we were riding on Penny Lane

And Memory Lane.

 

Those dating days.

Lord, thanks for putting up with me

through all of that.

September 26, 2026, Alaska Trip

 First Day of Alaska Cruise

 

From the hotel in Seattle

We shuttled to the port

The driver spoke of home in Greece

She made the ride seem short

 

We stood in line for a long while

We inched ahead and then

At last, embarked upon the ship,

It’s nice to cruise again.

 

We settled in our little room

Which has a balcony

We ate some lunch, explored the ship

And felt so glad and free

 

We watched the water gliding past

On observation deck

Had dinner at a grand buffet

Then took some time to rest

 

 

 

September 26, 2026, Alaska Trip

 Hotel in Seattle

 

A simple room, bare blind

Three strips with Seattle scene

Round mirror

 

Sliding of pages

Snap of phone

Rustle of papers

 

Dry, stale

Wake up

Morning breath

 

Soft bed, achy back

Wet hair

Tight striped socks

 

Light smell of shampoo

Flowery perfume

Bacon down the hallway

 

September 25, 2026, Alaska Trip

 

In Seattle, Day Before Cruise

 

Uneventful flight

Not much to write a poem about

But that’s the kind we pray for

 

Sis had a surprise for me.

I would have never guessed.

An unusual can opener

 

No computer

Writing by hand

Fingers start to cramp

 

Sis and I

New adventure

Alaska, here we come.

 

Fourth time in Seattle

Once on road trip with daughter

Once to go to Alaska with oldest sister

Once for family reunion.

Once to go to Alaska with second oldest sister

Maybe I’ll take two more to Alaska

Since I have two more sisters.

 

September 24, 2026, Alaska Trip

 

Two More Days Till Alaska Cruise

 

With Lori it was Zumba time

And dancing to the tunes

Went home and played Canasta some

Like most afternoons

 

I checked in for tomorrow’s flight

Excitement starts to mount

And Lori helped repack my bags

She’s good without a doubt

October 3, 2026, Alaska Trip

Transporting to Another World

 

From being fed a bountiful supply

To cooking three meals a day.

From having someone clean for me,

To doing housework every day.

From handwriting in my journal

To working on my computer.

From a gentle rocking ship

to a sleepy small town.

From fun with Sis

To life with Hubby.

From new spaces, faces, and activities

To same places, people and tasks.

From adventure

To routine.

From no pressure to do anything,

To a long to-do list.

Thankful for both worlds.

September 23, 2026, Alaska Trip, Autumn, Poetic asides

 

Variegated Autumn

 

Autumn begins a bit jumbled this year,

In Arizona’s 100 degrees.

I may miss Colorado gold, I fear,

Here in the desert, not too many trees.

 

Down here with silver-haired snowbirds, they say,

When license plates change colors, it is fall.

But this traveling bird’s not here to stay.

I’ll fly to Seattle, but that’s not all.

 

Seattle might still be rainy and green,

Then Sis and I will board a massive ship.

Then great Alaska comes scene after scene.

I’ll bring a winter jacket for this trip.

 

I’ll see all types of autumns when I roam,

Then I’ll go to my Colorado home.

 

 

 

September 23, 2026, Alaska Trip

 

Three More Days Till Alaska Cruise 

 

The second day in Mesa, now.

YMCA again

We made rounds of exercises

A wonder we’re not thin

 

We played Canasta yet again

I wrote my Wednesday poem

Redid my backpack and my bag

Did dishes just like home

September 22, 2026, Alaska trip

 Four More Days Till Cruise

First day in Mesa with the kids

Swam at YMCA

It was Lori’s aerobics class

Got groceries that day

 

Was feeling tired from the long drive

And so I took a nap

Then went and got some groceries

Canasta fills the gap

September 21, 2026, Alaska trip

 

The Drive to Mesa

 

At 9:30, were on our way.

We drove for eight hours.

It is a drive we often take,

With no thunder showers.

 

At a rest stop, I parked too close.

Hubby scratched a car door.

The man was none too delighted,

But he didn’t ask for more.

 

At another stop, a woman

Spotted a stolen car.

We didn’t stick around to watch.

We had yet to go far.

 

We got into Mesa at five.

Had dinner with tofu.

Lori and I played Canasta.

That’s always fun to do.

Wandering, Poetic Asides

 

Wanderings

 

Wandering here and there

Aimless without a care

Nomadic, lacking roots

Drifting around in worn-out boots

Erratic, unplanned, ambling

Roaming, roving, rambling

Imaginative meandering about

Not settled without a doubt

Going everywhere, but ending up nowhere

Still having fun here and there

September 20, 2026, Alaska trip

 

One More Day

 

Just one more day before we leave,

It was a busy day.

I went to church and wrote a poem

And packed for my vacay.

 

I watered plants and cleaned the pots

And muffins, I did bake.

I had a flight change for New York

On the next trip I’ll take.

 

I talked with my dear friend, Lorraine.

Her son did pass away.

I’d like to be around for her,

But, now, I cannot stay

 

I also called Kathie, my friend,

To say prayers and good byes.

I took a nap that afternoon.

I felt that it was wise.

 

Before midnight, I went to bed,

And for some sleep, I prayed.

We’ll get up bright and early,

And then, be on our way.