In the Grieving More

Handsome, lost his wife at 69, began 
his days sitting in his chair,
staring at the pair
of his slippers,
as if they were her on the first day he met,

dazed by her beauty. Dark spots appeared 
on his face, mushrooms of sorrow,
that would last unknown tomorrow;
deep wrinkles guided the invisible 
tears toward the corners of the mouth. When

the nephew called him, he'd lift his head, eyes 
gazing blankly toward him. Nephew offered,
"Let's go for a stroll." But he preferred 
dropping his head in silence. "Go fishing then."
His head remained as Thinking Man.

He was glued to the chair most of the days.
One day he freed himself from the chair
and asked, "Is my woman still at Computer Repair?"
Nephew sighed. "No. She's visiting her mom and dad."
"When she's coming home?"

"She's taking it forever, uncle."
"Tell her to hurry.
"don't scurry."
Every day the same conversation he would repeat,
eat, and sleep as he used to,

until one day: he lay on the dandelions in his lawn,
watched the clouds; he appeared to have no more pain.
The couple's urns have lain
side by side above the mantle, like they used to sit
on the deck, side by side. 

© Byung A. Fallgren 

Fall Song

boxelder bugs gathered
in the warmth of the tin roof
a treat for the birds

wild grape vine
burning red on the fence
birds are heading south

late fall orchard
sings no more but meditates
pumpkin vines still bloom

© Byung A. Fallgren

Presumption

We, oldies, look out the window quite often;
sometimes, our neighbors catch ourselves, and
we wave to each other. 

We heard the other couple arguing:
"So, you like the flatbellied old bee?"
"Like her flat belly is all."

"Let us divorce,
so you can marry the
flat-bellied woman."

The next day the arguing continued, and
the couple left home in seperate cars.
Are they going to get a divorce? 

After a while, he returnedalone and 
sat hunched on the porch. We thought 
she wouldn't be back soon--maybe, never.

"He needs some company,"
He was about to visit the man
when his wife returned.

Later that day, the couple showed up
at our door, all smily. In her arms are 
a couple of white puppies.

"Would you like one?" 
We both grabbed one of the puppies.
"Oh, isn't he cute?"  

© Byung A. Fallgren 

Leg massager
sooths nerve pain
you can walk again 

Text message, all-timer
Asked Daughter for FaceTime
her answer: Not now

They have no ears
Backyard corn stocks
September deafs

--Byung A. Fallgren

He was not my father, only then

His balmy eyes with a spring smile were
my father, whom i smiled at when i was a baby;
his sunny cheer on the first day of
my kindergarten was the seed of love, encouragement,
that empowered me throughout my life.

My father, the only father i've had, until one day,
my playful digging in the deep unearthed a piece
of shock that rattled my soul. my volcanic heart
could not bury in the dune of past.
i thought it was the end.
i listened to: whose love weighs more,
the one who saved you from the deep river
and nurtured you, or the one who discarded you
like a wad of flesh? The answer led me back to
the only father i knew.

© Byung A. Fallgren   

first appearance
of yellow leaves on the bough
autumn is in the air

a few crickets
chirp in the evening
Nature goes on

doves call
to each other from afar
soft summer heat  

© Byung A. Fallgren

At the Fair 

After browsing around with the beating August sun,
walking into the shady building with the cool air from
the fans is a sudden lift. The hot skin seemed to sigh of
relief, as the eyes dotting around the particular exhibitions:
homemade cookies and cakes, many flavored popcorns,
exotic clothes, and the coats made of fur and tails.
The little shop was full of fluffy garments, quiet as the
dead wild things. I touched the fur jacket, soft and silent.
Let my eyes linger on the tails hung on a rack. They seemed
wagging a little like they used to do as a fox, racoon, or other
tails would do with their friends. Only now, they cannot 
do more. Hope they had a good life before. Hope they were
all ready to return to the bosom of Mother Earth, before the
hunters intervene. My eyes linger on them, wishing to get one
as a keepsake. I turned to leave; for some reason, 
I want the fur to remain at the shop with the owner. 

© Byung A. Fallgren  

Fall 

To me, the word "Fall" wears good and not-so-pretty
Meanings. For example, the last time I had a fall,
I landed in an urgent care; also, it is a beautiful 
Season, Autumn, when the leaves are falling,
After their duties have been fulfilled, etc.
Our last name starts with Fall...
Our car's license plate is "2 Fall," which is him and me.
We fall only twice; each time, we bounce up.
O, such luck! I praise him for his choice of words.
Passing cloud jeers, "Fall only twice in a life time?"
The dove coos, "It is talisman."

Whatever they say, it doesn't change apple
into a pear. 

© Byung A. Fallgren

Even a Simple Bug Deserves Attention
(one of the health poems series)

Standing up with a sudden movement
Shouldn't cause an emergency,
Or maybe yes.

Severe dizziness and feeling weak,
Even after drinking water to hydrate,
That doesn't go away soon, should be resonable 
Enough to seek emergency care, especially,
If you are elderly, Medicare pays
Most of the bill. Why would you waste time,

Wondering if it is a simple bug,
While it broods to give a sly hug, by the seconds.
If it is a simple bug or bad hug,
The doc's diagnosis should clear 
Your possible anxiety attack. O, the savings. 

© Byung A. Fallgren  

In the Backyard

The grass is sunbasking;
As a bunny hops across the lawn;
The dragonfly, in the air, gloriously circling.

A sudden elegy of a cricket, singing
For the requem for the dead robin 
In the flower bed, in the evening.  

© Byung A. Fallgren