Trusty Box Call

Tom Turkey

On a cool spring morning, the first day of turkey season,

A hunter sits patiently at the base of a tree, with a purposeful reason.

An avid sportsman who got up early to make the trek to his spot,

He was in dressed in full camo and ready to take his first shot,

He would use his box call to tease the tom turkey to an open space,

Otherwise, quiet as a mouse, with a determined look on his face,

It was a time of reflection, sitting there all alone,

Nothing but thoughts, no computer or phone,

He settled in for a long morning with patience to spare,

When at first light he saw a turkey fly from his roost through the air,

Strategically he waited for the big bird to land,

Patiently, but excitedly, he gripped his shotgun in hand,

Again, he imitated the call of a hen,

The gobbler responded, strutted and then…

With the pull of a trigger a great noise arose,

The hunter fired his gun from an uncomfortable pose,

He was a good aim, and the turkey was doomed,

When the smoke settled, his ears still ringing from the explosion that boomed,

He looked out in the distance and to his surprise,

He had killed his first turkey; his ultimate prize!

He walked thirty-three paces to retrieve the old bird,

It was silent and still, not a sound could be heard,

He took the bird home and dressed it for a feast in the fall,

And gave thanks to good luck and his trusty box call.

Tammy Harvey

Written: 4/20/2020

The Pandemic of 2020

It is not by accident that embedded in this poem are lines from two different songs:

"People" by Barbara Streisand, 1964

"Love the One You're With" by Stephen Stills, 1970

People Who Need People

Inspiration and innovation go hand-in-hand and so do people,

People who have the skill and initiative to help other people,

People who need people, finding the comfort they crave,

From front-line warriors who are tirelessly brave,

Inspiration is drawn from others who are giving their all,

People who get up and try harder when duty is their call,

Healthcare workers and other essential personnel come to mind,

Researchers too are relentlessly innovative in their pursuit to find:

A test, a therapy, a vaccine; and thus, giving us hope,

Especially as we near the end of our proverbial rope,

Hope that rises from the ashes like the phoenix always does,

Hope for a brighter future where the eagle flies with the dove,

May the Pandemic of 2020 be known as a coming together,

A testament to our ability to push through any kind of weather,

A revival of our nation’s soul and purpose; putting aside pettiness,

Exchanging it for strength in crisis; accelerated readiness,

A divided, partisan nation, was forced to stand as one,

To fight a common enemy, every daughter and every son,

Our “new normal” has forever changed our lives,

Thank you for being resilient Americans-willing and wise,

Staying home, wearing masks, social distancing and washing hands,

It has all been worth it to stop the spread across our lands,

Though many have already lost their lives to virus COVID 19,

To those we pay tribute and grieve the many losses still unforeseen,

Unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures,

Yet in our nation of family and friends, we have found hidden treasures.

Tammy Harvey

Written:  4/20/2020

Collect Taxes or Bust!

Tax Day USA

Gotta file!  Gotta file NOW!  File an extension if you must,

Uncle Sam screams and yells: “Collect taxes or Bust”!

Tax season is upon us, like every other year,

Churning up dread to most, but cheer to some,

Contingent on the bottom-line outcome,

Receiving a check or writing a check? Which will be your fate?

Either way, the time draws near:  April 15 is the date!

Gather together your papers, documents and receipts,

Plunder through your unkept files; for all must be complete,

Doing okay? Or are you already feeling defeat?

Find last year’s tax returns, you will need those too,

Is there anything else you need to do?

Wish you had kept better records?  File drawers are overflowing?

Are the numbers in your head growing and growing?

Calm down.  Take a breath.  It’s all gonna be okay,

It’s a deadline, yes, but like any other day,

You will survive the tax season once again,

And if you are lucky, get a refund in the end!

Tammy Harvey

3/4/2020

Juno's Playbook

Aristocratic Brat

Lest she lose her porcelain-like complexion, once more Juno is adorned in her floppy hat,

Her springtime attire is befitting a debutante or Southern Belle, an aristocratic brat,

She dares not feel the effects of UV light, as she sashays into spring,

A freckle or two never hurt anyone; but to her, it’s a horrible thing,

She is conspicuously conspicuous; a statement is on her head,

Her nose is in the air; but her face will not turn red,

She is confident and carefree as she struts into a fresh season,

Her expression, however, never changes, for obviously obvious reason,

Don’t be offended by her demeanor; just let her have her fun,

She is merely “saving face” by hiding from the sun,

Her “better than you” attitude is really not becoming,

But her new look is fashion-forward and really is quite stunning,

Take a note from the Juno’s playbook; it truly is quite short,

If you want functionality AND fashion, the sun you mustn’t consort,

Sunscreen will work just as nicely as a glorious floppy hat,

But an outstanding hat may incite complimentary chitchat,

How divine, darling, to have a” head” for style,

Juno has all others beat, by a country mile,

It certainly is not a contest, but her humility is lacking,

Most importantly to her:  To save her “skin” from cracking!

Tammy Harvey

3/4/2020