Frieda A. Fanslau

Phoenix, Arizona, USA

On April 4, 1997, at the age of 74 years, I married again and became Frieda Fanslau. We live in a mobile home. I have great faith in the Lord, and attend a Missouri Synod Lutheran Church.Reading, crossword puzzles, and music are my hobbies. When finances allow, golf is on the schedule but 102 is about my average score. I'm also tyring my hand at oil painting.I've flown in a hot air balloon and ridden a mule into the Grand Canyon, but feel I've done nothing really "interesting." Perhaps poetry will bring excitement to my life.

Movement

The hands of a clock never go backward;
Time unerringly moves forward.
A baby's first steps bring joy
To parents, whether girl or boy.
The hummingbird's wings frantically beating
Do not interfere with its eating.
The sensuous sway of dancing couples gives pleasure to the eye
While birds swirl at leisure in the deep blue sky.
At a moving-van's destinations we wonder
As it passes, its engine pounding like thunder.
And all the other transports as they speed,
At their size we take great heed.
Ripples on the water flow
As the breezes waft them to and fro.
Watch as the symphony conductor's hand
Swings the baton above the band.
The flag that waves in the breeze
Is a sight that always should please.
These are some things we see every day
Whether at work or at play.
No conscious thoughts are given to movement or sway
Until they are taken away.

Where Am I?

As I lie here taking it easy,
At times a bit woozy and quesy,
Hope the doctor's wrong in his diagnosis
And it's nothing worse than halitosis.
Fifty-six pills I've had today,
For which they made me pay.
Then they had the gall to say,
"We've come to take some blood away."
You've got to look pretty for your picture
So here they come with a tube and pitcher.
I'm so weak from all that primin'
Ain't got strength to do any smilin'.
Though there are many people, I feel all alone.
It's noisier here than it is at home.
The food is nutritious, even delicious.
I'm glad I don't have to do dishes.
I say no matter what the pain
They'll never get me in here again.
Though I hate it, and it makes me look lazy,
Guess it's better than pushin up a daisy.