Anniversary Poem

She’s forgotten how great I am,

although I do my best to remind her

after all these years of marriage.

She knew how great I was on

our wedding day and honeymoon

and for some months thereafter.

But just the other day we were

stationed in our recliners

and I was trying to help her see

life as it is and not as she 

has always wished it to be.

And the woman yawned.

She’s different now but it’s better

than being married to a groupie.

Tomorrow I’ll try reason again.

Donal Mahoney

 

Keeping His Dignity

A poor man comes to the door

after the storm last winter and

asks if he can have something 

to eat if he shovels the walk.

You say forget about the snow.

How about ham sandwiches

on rye bread and he says fine.

You ask if he wants mustard.

He says yes if it’s Grey Poupon,

the only mustard he eats.

Donal Mahoney

Angels or the Fat Lady

It’s pretty simple, really. 

The world will end 

whether we believe 

the Bible is a myth or truth.

If the Bible is the truth,  

the world will end,

a monk told me, 

when the angels come

to sort the good folk 

from the bad and

toss the bad folk into 

fire that never ends 

with weeping and 

gnashing of teeth. 

But if the Bible is a myth, 

an atheist told me,

the world will end

with a final aria

atop Mt. Everest 

when the fat lady sings.

Donal Mahoney

Looking for a Piece

 

Even though

we’re getting older

even rickety in some respects

my wife and I remain

involved in the joys of life.

We love each other more 

than we did decades ago,

which is why I tell her

on this hot summer day 

she looks fetching 

in those shorts and   

I’m sure tonight 

when the temperature drops 

I’ll be looking for a piece 

of onion on my burger.

Donal Mahoney

Marbles

When you get old

it’s nice to have all your marbles

even if you can’t count them

even if they look the same color

even if you can no longer hear them 

bounce off each other when your son

brings your grandson over

and he shoots marbles all over 

the house and they careen

like your thoughts this morning

as you try to recall where you put 

the marbles after the boy went home 

and you get down on your hands 

and knees and feel around and find them 

so when the boy comes over again

you can hand him the marble bag 

because your son just called 

and the boy will be here in an hour

laughing and shouting and wanting 

to shoot marbles all over the house

like heads rolling in Syria and Iraq.

Donal Mahoney