Categories
Uncategorized

Detour

Hello, all.

What you get with this BLOG is only a poem that I’ve written for a workshop that I’m taking.  We are expected to write thirty poems by the end of October.  It is a great workshop.  I’m having fun.

However, this workshop is unlike any that I’ve been in before.  When I was in college (remember, that was back in 1956-1959), our classes were scheduled thus:  Monday-Wednesday-Friday or Tuesday-Thursday.  One hour per session.

That is the way this workshop works.  There are ≈100 participants, and their locations are all over the world.  I know that one of them is a man living in Spain.  So, here’s the poem.

 +++++++++++++++++++++++++

Detour

The sign said – DETOUR.
Arrows point the way.
So, the car turned
To follow the detour.

I’ve never driven
Down this street
Before.  Some
Interesting houses.

What a surprise.
Other detours
Took my life
In different directions.

Maybe, the first was
Getting married.
College trajectory changed.
Husband.  Baby.

Got fired from a job.
My fault.  Called a
Bookmobile patron a bitch.
Thought she didn’t hear.  She did.

Talk about a detour!
Worked two more
Bookmobiles.
Then, back to teaching.

Three years at the school.
Did the principal have it in
For me?  Wouldn’t give me
Tenure after three years.

Detour!  To teach at the
Nationally-known hospital
For patients with respiratory
Diseases.  Kids who had asthma.

Masters’ college program led
To the degree in educational
administration.  Off to the
State Hospital as Education Director.

Detour coming – supervisor was a bastard.
I figured a way to get a gun, kill him,
And hide the gun.  It was time to leave.
Yes.  A detour was needed.

Manville Corp. up the canyon.  Beautiful
Place to work.  Call from college professor.
He had money for school.  Did I want it?  Yes!
Next detour.  Doctoral work.  Driving to Greeley.

Dissertation topic chosen.  Started research.
My advisor retired.  Got a new one.
He wanted a change of topic.  No!  Angry!
Dropped my program.  Another detour ahead.

Finally realized that dropping was a good idea.
Life offered many activities.
When not tied to a school district’s calendar.
Ghost Ranch volunteer.  Assistant to Chair

Of Department of Pharmacology – UCHSC.
Many new acquaintances who became friends.
Painting with watercolor.  I learned to look on
Detours as good if you can work with them.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Be Safe and Be Well
The Cranky Crone
Thoughtful comments are appreciated.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *