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LITERARY NOOK
In celebration of National Watermelon Day today, Aug. 3
The first poem here is from a CD titled Four Seasons of Poetry I recorded in Las Vegas in 2012.There are 15 poems on it for each season. Some copies are still available. This watermelon poem is a favorite of mine in the summer poems. A short sweet summer treat.
When Ripe Watermelon
When ripe watermelon bursts its rind
and juicy red flesh can be seen
all the fruits of summer come to mind
and watermelon is the queen
the crowning glory of any picnic
just what every barbecue needs
thump for ripeness to get the right pick
have fun spitting out all the seeds.
The next poem was inspired by Bob Coldeen’s poem “Plop.” Plop is a comic tale about avocado activities that was in the Saipan Tribune Literary Nook on Wednesday, July 27, 2022.
Avocado Advocacy An Aging Alert
I once had an avocado with a large pit
it was big but its pit made up most of it
it was black outside avocado green within
the same kind and size of others in the bin
I stuck four toothpicks in it to watch it grow
suspended it over a cup so it touched water
I took it to the classroom so kids could know
record its changes and be a nature reporter
grow it did leaves came out and didn’t hide
we watched and cut the stalk back a few times
took it from the cup and planted it outside
in a sunny spot watered it near some limes
then ready for guacamole mouth open wide
our neighbor spoke words that hurt our ears
when grown from a pit – there is NO FRUIT
on the plant for the next six to twelve years.
Balutan Beach—Beer and Barbecue
Weekend clouds cleared a hot sun spoke
stayed outside too long got dehydrated
now hung over suffering from sun stroke
should have drunk more water and waited
some guzzled beer after beer all the time
others drank Irish whiskey or red wine
got drunk and drove home before nine
and the next day had to pay a DUI FINE
bula kelaguen yan ribs I balutan my plate
kumpaire barbecues next week can’t wait.
Joey ‘Pepe Batbon’ Connolly (Special to the Saipan Tribune)
Joey aka Pepe Batbon is a retired educator who taught in the CNMI, NOLA, and LVNV. He is a sonnet practitioner who enjoys stargazing.
