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High Fliers on Demand

by Marshall Jamison

“Write something about ospreys and eagles,”
My Maine Sister-in-Law says to me.
Never before has she shown that much interest in my poetry
and it gave me pause because she’s extremely
pretty – has a brain to match her looks – so I considered her words carefully.

Then thought back to my boyhood days,
In Summer when I prowled the rocky shore,
Fished for flounders in the bay, dreamed of
Outer islands I’d discover and explore,
So when a lobsterman I knew said he was
setting traps out there,
At four in the morning I got up to go
With him any and everywhere.

Out there on the isles we found the ospreys, nests high
in stunted island pines, buffeted by
Sea winds, apart,
Secure in attitude.

We watched them from afar, understanding
They weren’t being rude
But that they’d learned from their friends,
The Eagles,
The joy, the peace in quiet solitude.

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Ugly Ass Shoes that Fit Like a Glove

I’ve been able to restrain myself until this moment from writing about the O. J. Simpson matter, but now, with the return of the liable verdict against The Juice from The Jury — the time is ripe for picking a response. For over 2.7 years, the Goldmans and the Browns have suffered the loss of their beloved children while a dismayed nation looked upon their plight with pity and terror. While many of you are familiar with much of the case, allow me a moment to address some of the hotter issues as I see them.

Continue reading → Ugly Ass Shoes that Fit Like a Glove

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What a Difference a Day Makes

by Greg Schaffer

How do you turn from the Goat of the NBA to a Star in a matter of 24 hours? How can 1,440 minutes alter sports talk radio conversations from a stab at your very core to praises in your behalf? Ask the Utah Jazz!

Blowout Win?
On Tuesday night, February 3rd, the 30-14 Utah Jazz went to The Pond in Anaheim, California to face the 10-37 LA Clippers. Many people saw this as another blowout win for the surging Jazz. How wrong they were! Reserve guard James Robinson lit-up the Jazz with a season-high 25 points, which included 5-9 from “3 point land,” to lead the Clippers to a 111-102 victory. This win helped stop the Clippers 8 game losing streak. The Jazz were able to hold the lead once, early in the first quarter, 20-19. It only lasted for 39 seconds. From that point on the Clippers never looked back. In the third quarter they lead by as many as 21 points. The Jazz were able to cut the lead to 4 points early in the fourth but never threatened again.

Continue reading → What a Difference a Day Makes

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A Memory of Emily

by Marshall Jamison

On the windswept lake a wild duck sets down quietly,
Folds and refolds his wings carefully
As if to put them away for a while.
A female mallard, that we like to think of as his mate,
Hovers along the shore over tiny ducklings, that in the dark,
we count at eight.

In the early partial sunshine of the next day’s morning light,
Our six year old granddaughter happily corrects my count
to ten.

Tiny, brown, lively, constantly chirping newcomers to the
experience of life,
Often fraught with danger but with their new found joy,
Exploration.

A discovery of earth, water, sky and shore, of maternal care,
And on her part, what may surely be described as love.

For the new mother’s constant supervision and concern
Is a revelation to all of us who watch the family’s growth
And sad to say, some of its members’ death.

For the joy of new found life was shortened for almost
Half the brood by occurrences their watchful guardian
Could not control:
The wake of a speedboat’s churning propeller
A hawk’s lightning bolt descent and attack and
An off shore gall that blew two of them away from
Her sheltering wings.

Now the remaining mallard family has responded
To the allure of the horizon and may no longer
be seen along our shore.

They share a wider vision of sky, earth and sea
With all living creatures wild and free.

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The Second Mates Watch

by Marshall Jamison

John Masefield, master poet of the sea,
and of sailors lives when far off shore,
Knew how it felt to stalk the bridge
on long night hours, twelve to four,
While your shipmates rest below,
secure in well earned sleep
Because they know the midnight watch
is surely yours to keep.
When the moon is shining bright on
the rolling white capped sea
Or when curling, curtaining grey fog
hangs there heavily
Cutting off the view of much you strain to see.

Any panic that is present disappears in
silent prayer
To the Watcher who protects and comforts
sailors everywhere.

To meet the late night’s challenge is
the mates’ proud regimen
And night after night he gladly greets
his duty to his fellow men.

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Nevertheless

by Joyce Kohl

Attending college, age forty-three
T’ain’t so easy, believe you me.
Over the hill, sliding down fast,
Up on my feet, up, off to class.

Continue reading → Nevertheless

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Hail to the Chief

by Marshall Jamison

Editor’s Note: Bill Ramsay served as Head of Engineering for many years at the Nebraska ETV Network.

Bill Ramsay is known as quiet, gentle man
who lets his actions speak for him, after careful plan.
Warm friend, good neighbor, leader by example
rather than command.
The Sort of man you want beside you
when you need a helpful, thoughtful hand,
or leading the way when vision and courage,
knowledge and truth are in demand.

A high flier, whose goals transcend the call
of duty
whose interest highlights great music and
fine art in a search for beauty.

His years of service to our Network reflect
real advances in knowledge and technique
and mark his contributions to Broadcast
Engineering, outstanding and unique!

So this poor Rhymester leaves this happy thought
with you ~
Bill’s a man to build a dream on
if you want it to come true!