6 Odes, by Rob Sullivan

Ode To Odes

Let us sing a song of praise
for all the kind words
the many warm memories
observations of nobility
that have been written
before we sat
and took the time
this very hour
this very day


Ode To Coffee

Most legal of drugs
most essential of jump starts
you bring about speech
overflowing with rabid rapids
cascading down roaring rivers
of thoughts that ricochet and rebound


Ode To Playtime

Thank you for time and space
to be more than myself
thank you for allowing
for whimsy, heroics, and happy endings
Thank you for the eternal chance
to re-write and pre-write history
Thank you for laughter
Thank you for wonder
Thank you for imagination
Thank you for the fun of it all


Ode To Things That Go Bump in the Night

Dear daklings
stealth and silence
inform your travels
until the sound
that cries to be ignored
at last can not be denied
and our fears of mortality
of being vulnerable and powerless
have their night
and yet somehow
we endure to dread once more


Ode To Death

Greatest appointment
written in our life planner
though we may not know when
or how or where
we do know who and why

You invented planned obsolesence
expiration dates and dead lines
you are the omega
for even the most alpha
of dogs, cats, goldfish
grandmas and movie stars
can not delay their end times


Ode To Zee

You knew where it was at
before we knew where it wasn't
you found strength in words
wonder in phrases turned
beauty in an "ah-ha" moment
humor in the voice
and girl's-eye-view
of your younger self

Love was seen wherever
cruelty, fear, and bigotry
were unwelcome guests
honor was felt whenever
people stood up for others
and their right to a heart path
all their own

Great giver of gifts
cherished champion of the shy
welcome warrior of words
all those about to write
we salute you