Rolling Walnuts

The Last Walnuts

I roll up the last walnuts

As the days dwindle.

We watch our shows on the new large screen.

You beat me at the word games most days.

We laugh at the strange letter combinations.

There is music live and recorded.

There are stories told and heard.

We Facetime with tiny grandkids on tiny scrreens.

We pursue our causes on social media --  

Some days in the streets or at the polls.

Charlie and Gary and Cleve are gone. 

Beth and Mama.

Elaine and Janet and Sharon. 

Bo and Quillian.

All the givens are now uncertain.

I guess they always were.

Friends and lovers.

God, the Republic, liberty itself.

The earth at our feet.

The next Spring.

I plant bulbs, 400 daffodils and 150 tulips.

Who will see them bloom? 

by Terrell Shaw 2025