Silence

The dog nibbles, I hear the crunch of his food...

Dinner was left over for us tonight, sufficient.

Background music, piano sets the mood,

We sit in silence, tired bodies of the day.

Fake fire logs flaming, darkened corner of the room,

Blue, yellow and orange are comfort colors for me.

He talks to the animal, snuggles her softly,

What about me? Am I invisable? Yearn for his touch.

Just twelve steps upward to Peace for the night is long,

Asleep upstairs soon, sweet dreams, at last...I think.

by Diny

(Living in 2429 Tyndell Tri-level while building an in-law unit home next door for Rich's folks and I took a poetry class for 2 credits..assignment poem ...free verse ...not suppose to rhyme.)

PERFECT I'M NOT

My Wife thinks My Dad...

Acts perfect most the time-

She would be mighty Glad,

more like him I would be,




Although Perfect I'm Not...

I make up for it you See-

'Cause the Reason I'm so Hot,

I have Half of Mom in Me!




By: Diny



(Amber telling Dave he needs to be more like Rich!!!)

October 8th, 2005

Fourteen

Lucky fourteen, my birth and marriage-

Death and Eternal Life, yet unknown...

Grandchild Number Fourteen Born.

Carrying my Name before Her Last,

Still Waiting to See Her Face-Beautiful...

Her Mom Says Perfect-of Course.

What Joy and Love She will Give Us-

Abby Diny-What a Nickname for Our

Daughter of Perfection-God's Angel!

Abigail Diana

Grandma Diny

Loves You

Written: At the birth of Abby Larson - She was our Fourteenth Grandchild.

Violated

VIOLATED

Privacy destroyed-
As the neighbor cut
down his Hedge.

We gloated over
The twenty year growth -
Our Hedge we claimed.

Oh how we mourned-
The loss of that
Which was not ours.

Dream of what...
Use to be-
Sick feeling in our gut.

Plan to Restore...
Our privacy, but how?
We feel Violated.

Twenty Four hours
Time passes, healed-
New Beauty revealed.

by Diny


Author comments:

After the hedge came down, sitting at our dining room the next morning we realized seeing the trees, hills, sky in the distance was enjoyable also and our backyard did not seem so closed in.
Accept and find beauty in tomorrow, whatever life brings!

PRUNING BACK

PRUNING BACK

There is a right way

to Prune...

My Large Leaf Hedge!

Slow, one branch

at a time.

I took the weed wacker

to my hedge...

Whirling, Whirling-

Death Defying...

Hedge Survived.

Every leaf sent out alerts,

brown encircled each edge...

Protection to the inner self-

The whole plant cried,

Hurt said Hedge.

Once left alone to heal,

the hedge could shed-

the dead brown circle

of protection and live...

Recover from destruction.

Green again and healthy,

Sun shines down

from Heaven...

Scarred, but strong-

Each leaf Smiles.

by Diny

Above Pic: Side yard lst year Hibiscus grew out of control, beautiful but took over, planted in back of property and never saw the beauty again, large pink flowers were beautiful. Not the hedge talked about...this head was 20 year growth in our backyard that the neighbor eventually bulldozed.

Sunday 7/10/05 notes: As I sat on my patio looking at the Hedge beyond the white fence that had grown so tall over the last 20 years, my thoughts wandered. I had earlier damaged the hedge as I trimmed it back. The outer edges were now dropping off the damaged leaves and soon the plant would be green and healthy again. You would never notice that the portion I had injured nearly died. I pondered my own life, I felt that I had been weed wacked over many years and had a protection shell around my soul... of course it had died (like the ridge of the leaf) ...as I retire and remove stress (heavey stress) from my life... I feel like the leaf...shedding the dead outer edge and now I can be healthy again, but changed. Like the leaf...I'm not perfectly round anymore, but have battle scars to show the wear and tear. I will not recover to be totally whole again, but have irregular edges, to remind me of the past, a permanent reminder to protect myself from those that might take a weed wacker to my soul and weakened now... I may not recover the next time. Time to slow my pace forever and prune properly.

Slow Down-Now and Forever

Life is not a Race...

Matters not how fast You

RUN.

Balance and Slow your Pace...

Let go of Self-Imposed Deadlines-

DONE.

by DINY

If Heaven is Not There

Faith says there is Hope-

Hope for a Brighter Day...

'Round Friends and Family,

Long since Gone Away.

Alongside a Loving FATHER,

Free from Strain and Sadness-

Solitude from Earthly Care...

Colorful Flowers always Fresh.

Our Elder BROTHER came one Day-

With Showing us HIS Love,

If We but Follow his Righteousness,

Happiness Here, Not Just Above.

To Love, To Share, To Serve-

Especially Treat Your Special Spouse

With Kindness, No Contention,

Finding Joy each Day inside Your House.

Feel the Peace of Earth life Daily...

Breathe the Breath of Fresh Crisp Air,

Live each Day Contented-

As if Heaven is Not There!

by Diny

Future Worry

"What if..." never happens

Why it would rob our thoughts

Thoughts of tomorrows misery

What may never be!

"What if" makes conversation dull

Why not enjoy the moment

Share the Joy of Today

"What is..." happiness Now!

by Diny

Rest

Retreat

When all else fails and stress

REMAINS

Find a place to go and be all

ALONE

Then make it happy and

PEACEFUL

A place of retreat to call your

OWN

by Diny

Dec. 5th, 2005 * Cruise with Heather and Brooke (13th Birthday for Brooke)

Forgetful Grandma

Yes, there comes a time...

When no you need not rhyme,

A poem can be free verse-

But Grandma's should not curse.

Now should you happen by,

And see her by the pool...

Probably you might well sigh-

As you stare and think the Fool!

To our surprise and shock-

Yes, Mom and I do giggle...

'Cause Grandma is forgetful,

In the wind, her underarms wiggle!

by Diny

(Grandma forgot to shave under her arms, slept by the pool with her arms above her head, Heather and Brooke snickered and had a good laugh...told me later about it and asked me if I gave up shaving!)

**Line from Rumi poem used in my poem, Poetry Assignment * 2004

(Who indeed would be so fortunate?)

JUST JOURNEY ON

All caves in around you,

Ground becoming quicksand...

Threatening to engulf...

Never sleep in..never say done...

Awaken anew, kick pricks...

Dig out, Dig out..Dig out,

Recover from doom,

Get up, Get up..Stay awake,

Be alert, do your part!

Everyday, every hour...

Possible for Humans,

Persistence, Passion..Don't Quit,

Get up, Get up..Start I say,

Start your day, bathe away dirt,

All things will pass..tomorrow...

Strange but familiar forces say brain,

Help..It's time, You will find a way,

Who indeed would be so fortunate? **

Only you, when you climb the mountain,

Get out of Bed!

by Diny

I wrote this poem for my first born Son while he was still in High School (now 38 yrs old):
(He turned it in without my knowledge for his English assignment....typical Mikie)

SON

One Duck alone upon the lake,

Defiant from the flock...

A tough road you'll take-

Stubborn and unchanging as the rock.

What future is there to behold,

As you weather all the storms alone...

You could have help-while growing old-

If only self-discipline and obedience you'd shown,

TO THE LEADER OF THE FLOCK!

Then prior to Mike going on his Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I revised the poem and gave him this:

SON

Now an eagle, proud and free,

Soaring high to a greater height...

Strong and wise for all to see-

Having chosen to follow Christ's Light.

A Positive future you will behold,

When storms arise, You'll not be alone...

The Lord on your side as you grow old-

Because Self Discipline and Obedience You've shown.

Thanks for choosing the Right...

Now you're a Leader in God's Sight!

Water Wait

Budd Bay, Water glistens,
Sunset at Burfoot Park,
Blanket on the beach, Naked us...
Sexual fantasy...Not Reality.

West Bay Marina, Boat moored,
Dreams sail away passionately,
Privacy in cabin, Why Wait...
Naked Reality...Water will wait.

by DINY

NOT YET DEAD

His eyes heavy, droop like prunes,
Age around face, wrinkled lips sing tunes.

Natural gray, but little hair, overweight you say...
Tired and spent, now not much play.

Rocks in his chair, content, no more goal,
Time to reflect, years take their tole.


by DINY

SHIT

Humor shit...
Pain shit...
Rhyme shit...


Grandma dying of cancer,
Thinks she funny...says shit,
Laughs...Ha..Ha...


Grandpa Neuralgia pain,
Pain sever, Hurts...Shit.
Says he's sorry...shit.


Teacher...Poetry rhyme shit,
Free verse...College level,
Should I join them? NO!


JUST A BOWEL MOVEMENT!



by Diny

What about the Giraffe?

About nonsense animals acting
Baboons swinging and singing
Caterpillars creeping carefully
Dinosaurs dining on Dogs
Elephants stomping grapes
Fish flying frequently
Goats gabbing gaily
Hippos hurry home
Illogical animal poem
Jaguar jolts jazzily
Kangaroo keeping calm
Lark listens lazily
Monkeys making mud pies
Naked animal nesting
Otter opening oranges
Panther prowling positively
Quintuplets queer animals
Rhinoceros rambling recklessly
Salamanders swimming swiftly
Tiger telling tales
Uptight unanimous animals
Various animals sick of poems
Wort Hogs worry
X-ray all these animals
Yaks yellow yelling
Zebra zooming...ZONED!

by DINY

GREEK MUSIC MAN

Sensitivity, Mortal Being aspires,
Amiable Friend, Melody always there...
God's lowliest creatures, Compassion-
Nurtures, heals; Enjoys natures simplicity!

And Music Molds HIs Soul.

Constrained at times, then---
All at once, Burst of Humor Calls,
Captivates You with Shocking Song...
Treasure his Gentility, Yearn for more!

The Music Molds His Soul.

Shares all his Passion,
Artistic Lyrics Flow...
Pop, Punk, Rock- Blues and Jazz-
Stimulation, then climax zeal!

All Music Molds his Soul.

His Roots, True Greek,
Panagiotakis-Proud Name Share...
Apollo's music charmed Artemis-
I, also...Aplaud my Brother!

Music is His Soul.

by Diny

* (Performed with my brother present at a Poetry Slam at Evergreen College for my final grade)

IRAQ

My son turned out,
He's now at war...
Why War I shout-
Freedom, Give me more.

He makes me Proud-
Life is hard, he did not quit...
Many Protest very loud
and turn away to just sit.

With all the wordly strife,
What matters most in the end...
How we live our Life-
and WHO we call our Friend.

by Diny

January 2005 -While Mike Starkey served in the Army -Iraq Apache Helicoptor Pilot
One Proud Mother

ZEN SAYING: VS DINY SAYING

Sitting quietly, doing nothing
Spring Comes,
and the grass grows by itself.

HEALING

Staying home meditating-
Children Come...
Love is Effortless.

by Diny

IN THE EYES OF EVERY CHILD


I may not see
my loved ones
as often as
I like...

But in the
sparkle of a
child's eye and
the glimmer of his smile...

I smile and see-
the love in the
heart of every child, God's children...
I'm never alone.

In the Eyes of every child-
I See and Smile........
At the image of my own family
and all the love they've shown.


by Diny

LIKE A CHILD

Whistlin in Church
During Sacrament, yet...
No not 6 , not 8 years old-
86 for Heaven Sakes.

Dad's whistlin, we chuckled,
Nudge Dad, scold.."not now!"
Forgets or never learned?
We often wonder why?

Was it Old Farmer Ways?
Uneducated or Unfocused?
We never knew what next!
Sense of Humor needed.

When to our surprise,
Out Pops the Dentures...
He licks them clean-
Alzheimers, no longer shy!



by Diny

A WRINKLE IN TIME

Not Yet, No I'm not...
Just the same-
No change for years.

Just by accident...
A beautiful sunny day-
Early morning I see.

Oh, a change...
Sunshine over my shoulder-
My Reflection in the car window,

WRINKLES!
CAN'T BE ME!!
by Diny
2/09/05

*Guess I'm getting older, too ** Rich looks in the mirror and says:
"Who is that Old Man!"

DOCKSIDE BOATING

Leftovers never tasted so good,
with shore power heated on board...
cold night hot cocoa we sipped-
moments to cherish, oh Lord...

City lights dancing on the water,
looks like a mirror of reflection-
We ponder -just us alone tonight...
"Joy Us" brings such satisfaction.

His arm around me and silence,
Love not needing to make mention...
Sitting alone Dockside Boating-
Peaceful feelings of mutual adoration.

by Diny

(Our boat was called Joy Us)
(Our anniversary, too windy to venture out, stay at the Tacoma docks)

Ocean Spray in My Own Backyard

Quiet Self, Stillness...
Find Beauty
in Nature,

See-what has always
Been available
provides Joy-Peace,

Smile-when you want
and realize you've
always Had...

Wildflowers in
your own
Backyard!

by Diny
7/10/05

Like Romeo and Juliet

Do you want to just
look at each other for awhile?
I do, I adore you, I love US...

Love blossoms each day-colors us bright,
adoration lights my eyes, my heart
swells with thoughts of you...

You, my best friend, my hero...
Teamwork always,
my heart sings thank you soul mate...

My eyes shed tears of joy for US-
Wordless communication,
Sexual satisfaction, Passionate US.
by Diny

AT FIRST SIGHT

Instant attraction, becoming fast friends-
Constant communication and spontaneity...

Raindrops from my eyes caress my face-
Pure ecstacy our ardent love flames...


Eros like devotion is everlasting-silly cupid,
Friendship more forever and eternal.

Inner peace my rainbow of gratitude-
You are my passion...

My reason for being-
but for now, turn off the vibration.

by Diny

Ridin with the Top Down


Ridin with the top down,
every day a date...

Enjoyin every minute-
before it is too late...

Workin with a smile,
talkin and together...

Holdin hands while walkin,
never mind the weather...

Eternity could not be better-
just now and forever...

Our love today and tomorrow-
apart-no never...

I love you..You love me-
it's plain to see...

When we are
Ridin with the Top down!

by Diny 6/16/04

Bayshore

Foul scent of salty sewer,
smells I grew to love.
Peas gravel nipping at my feet...

Destination black squishy tide flats.
High tide called home,
Moon sounding her retreat.

Alas, my playground now appearing,
inviting pea green slime beckons.
Yeah, Slip...Slide...Sink...Scary,

And me, the master of disquise,
Rich Black-green mud covering body...
Tiny creatures crawling, saying "Hi" skin!

Magical Childhood wonderland...
Silly, so silly and carefree fun,
Wishing I were eight again.

by Diny

ALZHEIMER ALWAYS

Saying I Love You often...

Enjoying the Opportunity...

Reminding them always...

Visiting with their Families...

Inviting them to Join You...

Caring Genuinely...

Ending with Dignity.

SERVICE

by Diny

PANTOUM * RICH MAN

Pantoum is a poem of any length, composed of four-line stanzas in which the second and fourth lines of each stanza serve as the first and third lines of the next stanza.


RICH MAN

He stands tall on the land of life,

States not what he does...

Passionately, this is who I am!

As the river swells, he is all avulsion.

States not what he does...

A creative force to be reckoned with.

As the river swells, he is all avulsion.

Powerful and positive, never ending energy.

A creative force to be reckoned with,

Taming the waters, thus riches of accretion.

Powerful and positive, never ending energy,

Future steadfastly accomplished, enough alluvium.

Taming the waters, thus riches of accretion.

The world is His, ecstasy in acquiring,

Future steadfastly accomplished, enough alluvium,

Mind continues active, body grows old...

The world is his, ecstasy in acquiring,

Passionately, this is who I am!

Mind continues active, body grows old...

He stands tall on the land of life.

by Diny

Haiku Poetry

HAIKU OF SISTERHOOD

Springtime of our Youth...
Soon Womanhood Blossoms,
Open our Arms.

Summer Sparks God's Light...
From Womanhood to Sisterhood,
Embrace Godhood.

Fall soon Beckons All...
Color of our Soul must Change,
Service to One Another

Winter White Death of Love...
From Womanhood to Sisterhood,
Eternal Bliss


MISC. HAIKU POETRY

Tulips open,
Springtime sunshine enters in...
Inspiration from above.

Barren branches,
Winter light withdraws,
Despair.

Fish Frolic Upstream,
Reproduce and Return Home,
Grandma's Joy!

Spirit Speaking,
Snow covers all...
Must be pure.

Black Clouds hovering,
Dripping water wets my emotions...
I cried today.

Barefoot Winter,
Run along the ocean beach...
Give up your clams.


Color me Beautiful,
Red is powerful and alive...
Dead are the leaves.

by Diny