Thousands of pictures

iPhones make memories so easy

Some so sad though of those no longer with us

Others reminding us of the joy

Of a wistful summer day by a backyard pool

The frigid creation of a snowman from 3 inches of snow

Or the mesmerizing color splashes of fall leaves

Yet the most cherished are those of eyes

Tired eyes, searching

Young eyes exploring

Beautiful eyes, glancing, flitting, confident, coy,

Yet never met anyone who didn’t know or understand

I was seeking to capture their souls through their eyes

Some knew that would be the most beautiful picture of all

Today, this very day

Your eyes warm my world

FXC 1/30/2021 frankxcameron.com. Copyright

So may years camping in a tent with little ones then older ones

Thought about that again but cots just don’t quite do it now

Needed something that didn’t require a 2nd mortgage

Walla! The pop-up

2 burner stove, small refrigerator, heated bed

Assisted heating and air conditioning but most critical

Small potty area

Thank goodness we have been confined so long

The lockdown made us look for freedom

Fresh air, dark roast coffee, no dangerous crowds, campfire

No need for planes, trains, or busses

Traveling at our own pace

Away from Zoom

To see you, to hold you again

Tomorrow is not promised

Need you today

FXC frankxcameron.com 1/15/21 Copyright

Reflecting, remembering,reminiscing

Seem to be the predominant activity

In one’s latter years

Home movies, pictures help an addled memory

Yes, though reluctant to admit there is much which is gone now

Conversations, images, events sometimes can’t seem to be grasped

Often called, ‘Honey’ at the grocery while using my cane

Don’t know when the time came to understand and accept

There was no going back

Always knew, but disregarded the finality of this life

But now quite aware

What seemed would be eternity

Is now measured by Mother Nature

Who just plays by the numbers

The numbers on one’s clock

So that is what ‘your time ran out means’

Tempus Fugit

FXC frankxcameron.com 1/12/221 Copyright

Having children ‘in the day’

Seemed to be the norm

Today it is a possible option

Of course, ‘in the day’ premarital ‘____’ was not an option

Marriage was the option and then it was no longer ‘premarital ‘___’

Thought maybe that would be an exception

And that our children might emulate our good example

Presuming of course we could hide our ‘goofs’

However like a sledgehammer on a spike

Incidents have occurred to cause dissolution

In my confidence of my child rearing

Particularly as they become adults

Only going to pick one example and just for one child

Though the aforementioned individual is above the ‘age of reason’

Seems he has left some aspects of reason behind

Bathroom remodeling needed to be done

Thought I might be a source of ideas ,

However I was not the 1st, 2nd or even 3rd source

His Mother was consulted and then he downloaded

The almighty ‘app’

Enough said, thought he might be at least be

A fledging Dad, wannabe

But no, he decides to go it on his own

And become his own man

Guess that is good

Time go work on the grandchildren

FXC frankxcameron.com 01/03/2021 Copyright

1st principle of life

Some say a flip of the coin

Random chance

Who you are born to

Luck of the draw

Horoscope sign?

DNA

Man or woman

Religion or racial status

Rich or poor

Will dictate one’s success in life

Not quite

Don’t bet yet

As the 2nd principle is that life is not fair

Illness, loss of income, death, little family support

May shred any perceived advantages

Does seem like a rehash of the 1st principle

Probably right

So no matter who you are, where you are

Seems as if we are swimming in a primordial soup

Periodically even I become discouraged by this thought

Yet, yet, thank the Lord there is a third principle

Any chance there is a life jacket

A lifeline or life jacket

That will sustain us

Just one

You

All of us,are fighting to be on Page 1

Have the most money, the best children, the one true God, the right political party, ad infinitum

No real winner in this life, so just a thought

Bet on you

You are the only one

Peering within

To demand, secure in a fight to be you

Bet on you

FXC frankxcameron.com 1/3/2021 Copyright

Actually I owe you a lot eldest child

Your impending arrival spurred a matrimonial event

Though there were those who labeled you challenged

They hardly knew that was not an impediment to you

Finishing school, riding a bus, living on your own

Same job for over thirty years

Home on week ends

Raking leaves, vacuuming, eating meals

Cell phone, FaceTime, Zoom

Sharing your life with us

You have always been there for us, siblings, nieces and nephews

You have had boyfriends but none I needed to have a talk with

Yes, we used to worry but now just enjoy you

As your Grandfather used to sing to you

KaKa Katie!

Frank X Cameron frankxcameron.com 12/25/2020 Copyright

In this very room were creations made for

Children yet to be born, holidays to be celebrated

With fingers once smooth and nimble

Now gnarled and bent

So hard to grasp the depth of one’s feelings

Dreaming, creating proper attire

For cherished loved ones

The spigot of imagination never slowed by time

Only age would tamper production

Dare say fifty years ago, twenty year from now

This room will look the same

As the artist never ceases to imagine

Her models in their newest attire

Around all of us

Are gifts like the seamstress

Christmas year round

Frank X Cameron 12/25/2020 frankxcameron.com Copyright

Now

When this stay at home period began

There seemed to be an element of surprise lurking

Fear became exponential as the unknown stalked

Change of routine was mandatory

New safety precautions instituted

Yet pockets of blessings resided in the corners

Of our new sequestered lives

Time seemed to be the new creation

One in which we could learn languages, games,

Renovate our house, explore, ‘Zoom’ etc.

Develop culinary skills,

Even reinvent our bodies

Exercise equipment to augment our muscles

Was a prerequisite

Forget raking leaves as a muscle builder

Sitting high on a recumbent bike

Or striding confidently on a treadmill

Would produce a well tuned ‘fighting machine’

And the smart apps that would lead us were limitless

Tried a number of them

Found one that was almost

A guarantee to turn the biological clock around

Religiously chased this dream three times a week,

Five times a week then seven

When on the dash of my bike the app flashed

‘You can achieve more health benefits if you ramp up you exercise to 300 minutes a week’

300 minutes a week?

The current pace tempted an early eternal entrance

Maybe this was a ‘transition’ app

Not to be opened before Christmas

Should probably leave well enough alone

And fix dinner

FXC frankxcameron.com Copyright 11/30/20

Hear tell mostly from girls even women

Of the joys, fun, pure delight

Playing with dolls growing up

Sexist though it may be, I understand

Not exactly sure why one would play with inanimate objects

But I suppose boys dressing up as cowboys seems the same

Thought ‘Barbie’ had retired

Seemed my offspring dabbled but then abandoned

Dolls particularly ‘Barbie’

But then she was resurrected by the pandemic

So much time to use

Even iPads and game consoles did not

Satisfy the urge for pseudo interaction

And with two day or even next day delivery guarantees

Facebook, Etsy, Amazon, eBay, etc., etc., could deliver

Copious amounts of dolls, clothes, houses, furniture

Filling up rooms, whole rooms

Yet, this is America lest we forget

The America with horses

‘Barbie’ needed a horse

The horse needed a barn

‘Barbie’s World was now festooned with gates, farm animals

And ‘Barbie’s Barn’

FXC frankxcameron.com Copyright 11/29/20

Wax and wane

Such an apt description of life

But never more so

Than in one’s latter years

Wait a minute?

Later years has a definite number

But that begs the first introspective question

Seemingly there is no rhyme or reason

To longevity

Known those who smoked until 81 before leaving

Others’ lives shortened in vehicle accidents

You read the same headlines

So how does one sense they are in their later years

A few indicators

You are now the eldest in a large extended family

Doctors visits now occur as frequently as a spring rain

Close friends slip away unexpectedly

Difficulty facing the mirror each morning

Even more resistance to accept the image

Grandchildren run circles around you

But now you cheer rather than chase

Alas there comes that quiet reflective moment

That moment your body sets you down

To rest and think

Forever is not really forever

And that’s okay

Love you

Frank X Cameron 11/24/2020 Copyright

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