Troubles And Truths

By Mary Lou Jaeger

Finally! Poetry that makes sense! Laugh. Snicker. Smile. Smirk? A tear, a gulp, a fight? ...or debate if you want to tone it down. Troubles: Individual and global, big and small. Truths: Freeing, invigorating, or pit-of-the-stomach true.

Troubles and Truths Book 1 Chapter Topics: Everyday Life, Eldercare, Love and Nature, Other Worldly/Metaphysical, Thoughts-Random and Philosophical, and The Art of Writing.

1. Everyday Life: or not so everyday. An overly discerning, slightly askew look at a variety of people in situations of all types – from the snorer to the cleaning lady to the vet. You'll laugh. You'll raise an eyebrow. You'll wonder.
2. and 3. The almost universal question of Eldercare: Sometimes you just have to laugh, there is nothing else you can do! Here's where your heart will... Well, I'll let you decide. Just know that for far too many people, eldercare responsibility is now the new stage of life after you retire, but before you are free to enjoy retirement.
4. Love And Nature: No "Roses are red, violets..." at all! There's more than one kind of love, even ex's, and nature can include a hurricane!
5. Other Worldly/Metaphysical: brings wonder and awe. You won't ever find horror or trecky sci-fi fantasy in my poetry. Remember? This is a series of Troubles and Truths.
6. Thoughts – Random and Philosophical: investigates people's thinking processes, delves into kinds of thinking. What about the people who don't think at all? (We all know some.)
7. The Art of Writing: Poetry about poetry? Oh, yeah.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mary Lou Jaeger
• Release date: Sep 18, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005859367

Mary Lou Jaeger

MARY LOU JAEGERAuthor Eclectic GenresProfessor EmeritusAlternative CounselorCurrently living in Florida

Book preview

It surprises even me

that I am dedicating this book

to the memory of my mother,

who left this world

angry and confused.

Perhaps this gesture

of love and forgiveness

will in some small way

bring her the peace

she never knew

when she was here.

Preface

The entirety of this book was written while I was sandwiched between retirement and eldercare responsibilities. Everywhere I go, people are talking about, complaining about, and empathizing with this new, different and unexpected stage of life that is suddenly becoming all too common. Except for the occasional few who don't have a clue.

The Eldercare section is the largest section of this poetry book, and you may notice that it is the only section in which my poems are not listed alphabetically. It felt important to keep this section in as close to chronological order as possible, so the progression could be more easily comprehended. My eldercare poems highlight elder topics that are often silenced, and may provoke reactive emotions that you didn't know you were capable of. Most families suffer silently, afraid of being accused of being insensitive, or worse. Perhaps this poetic approach will prepare you, help you deal with a current situation, or spur you on to make preventative preparations. My eldercare poems, however, are just the beginning of what needs to be said on this topic – just wait until my saga/series on eldercare comes out!

In the meantime,

happily float through the variety

of poetry sections and topics in this book.

Let Beams Of Light uplift you,

as you discover and ponder all the

Troubles and Truths.

Everyday Life

Coffee Break

She didn't want to look at him

This was no whim

his eyes of blue

always so cool

He didn't want to look at her

she was a blur

too cute too fast

would never last

All eyes were surely on them now

all knew, but how?

just one mistake

damn coffee break

— — — —

I Took The Cat To The Vet

I simply took the cat to the vet

At the appointed time that was previously set

We sat in the soft amber waiting room

Assured we'd be called in very soon.

T'was fine 'til the big dog started to bark,

Alas, no gun, or I'd 've made my mark.

The horse-sized mutt weighed as much as me,

His bark was a bass drum heavy as a tree.

An hour in, earplugs in place,

Reading restaurant reviews, such confined space.

Now an hour and a half, we're all still here,

The dogs are called, I'm ready to cheer.

No one but us, so it seems to me

That I can stand and stretch and be

Moving about contentedly to keep me fit

While sweet, sweet kitty sleeps a bit.

You'd think by now his travel carrier

Would have become his ardent barrier

But instead, it's his sleepy-time comfort zone

He quite enjoys just being alone.

Two hours now have passed

Perhaps it's our turn at last.

Ah yes, we move to the soft green room,

Quickly now, please, can we zoom?

My phone confirms it beyond a doubt,

Yet all is calm, there's not one