Suzanne's Meditation
Thank You, Father
The Reunion Abridged
The Reunion Original
To Wear or Not to Wear
Toby
Vision
Workplace Love
Workplace Love for All
Poem to Rita Tragemann, Our Friend
Tribute to Mrs. Velma Clements
Tribute to Susan Gaspovovich
Tribute to Sully Cochrane
Was it a mere 31 years ago
I wrapped you in a soft blanket
and laid you in a crib?
The pains of motherhood forgotten,
as I held you, my newborn son.
Was it years ago
when you and I lost
a part of our family,
a part of our soul,
a husband for me,
a father for you?
On that day
when he stepped through that door
into his next life –
how I needed you, my son.
How I wanted to hold you,
my son, my family.
Was it just a few years ago
you started to college –
leaving my protection
and stepping out on your own
to encounter
the attitudes and influences of others,
both kind and unkind people,
some who might help you,
some who might hurt you
physically, mentally, emotionally.
As you left home that first day,
how I wanted to hold you one last time,
my son, my only child.
When did I realize
that all these years
you’ve been holding me?
You have wrapped me in your concern,
caring, kindness, prayers,
admiration, respect, and true love –
your love and God’s great love –
my dear son, my only child.
My son, Carl, as your mother, I am greatly blessed.
I love you, my dear son.
Thank You, Father
Thank you for sharing with us
God’s vision for MCC
And what it can become
And the blessing it can be.
And what a beautiful vision
You have for Susan Lowe.
To share God’s love with others
So His forgiveness they will know.
To share God’s peace and joy,
His forgiveness and great love.
What better way to serve mankind
Sharing news of God above.
The Bible says how beautiful
Are the feet of those who serve the Lord.
And bring forgiveness, comfort and healing
By sharing God’s holy word.
Thanks for sharing the vision
And helping us to see
The blessing we all can be
To the West Alabama community.
May God grant us wisdom
And vision so we see.
We’re really brothers and sisters
Members of one family.
If they could speak
And smile and laugh and such
Our Christmas Bears would say
“Susan Lowe,
We love you beary, beary much!”
Ditto for your sisters and brothers
Here at MCC.
We each join with the Bears to say
“You mean so much to me!”
Don Bell, 2000?
The Reunion Abridged
It’s reunion time!
Tell all the dirt.
Who’s been a success
And who’s lost his shirt.
High school reunion,
A gathering of friends.
Pull out old yearbooks.
Will tall tales never end?
Come, come . . .
Share memories un-penned.
Here come the guys.
Have they led such great lives
That I, instead, should only talk
About my hobby-- bee hives?
Most guys’ accomplishments
Are about the same:
Marriage, kids, job
And playing the game.
There’s old Joe
And Mr. So-and-So
With an overweight wife
And kids in tow.
Hi Joe! How are you?
Is your acne all right?
And how are your eyes,
Are you losing your sight?
Good, acne’s gone.
I knew you’d outgrow it
Receding hair line?
You really don’t show it.
Hello Marie!
Yes, I can see
You’ve colored your hair
A fine burgundy.
What have I to tell,
What can I share?
I once took a photo
Of a Yellowstone bear.
My success in life?
Sure, it’s there.
I still have
A nice head of hair.
My secret to youth,
My only sin –
The reason I look great
Is Just for Men.
I am a great cook
I’m state-of-the-art.
My secret sauce comes
From a jar at Wal-Mart.
I play a keyboard
Like an energetic pup!
I press on the notes
When the keys light up.
Here are the guys
Discussing guy things –
Weight, thinning hair
And barbeque wings.
Here are the women
Who just seem to know
Who’s slept with whom
And who married Joe.
And how many kids
Do you have just now?
And YOU got married
And found a wife somehow?
More talk about weight.
Does anyone care
Who’s gained some pounds
Or has thinning hair?
It’s reunion time!
Tell all the dirt.
Who’s been a success
And who’s lost his shirt.
The folks have been talking
And gossiping sore
About who’s been a saint
And who’s living no more.
(And whom “we” adore,
(And whom “we” deplore.)
(And who we know snores.)
Yes, some of the guys’
Wives say they snore.
Does anyone use Breathe Rite
To open the pore?
And guess what I heard?
Yes, what about this?
To do “you-know-what”
John uses Cialis.
And what about Rosie
With that facial bouquet.
Francine says she uses
Night of Olay.
And so goes the talk
Wrinkle creams and E.D pills.
And weight loss schemes,
And fads and frills.
When the night is over
All are mentally tired.
Friendships are renewed,
New insights acquired.
And as we leave
Someone says
I wonder who’ll be here next time
And who’ll be dead.
Enough said.
© Don Bell 2004
The Reunion original version
by Jacob
Jacob:
It’s reunion time!
Tell all the dirt.
Who’s been a success
And who’s lost his shirt.
High school reunion,
A gathering of friends.
Pull out old yearbooks.
Will tall tales never end?
Come, come . . .
Share memories un-penned.
Here come the guys.
Have they led such great lives
That I, instead, should only talk
About my hobby, bee hives?
Most guys accomplishments
Are about the same
Marriage, kids, job
And playing the game.
There’s old Joe
And Mr. So-and-So
With an overweight wife
And kids in tow.
Hi Joe! How are you?
Is your acne all right?
And how are your eyes,
Are you losing your sight?
Good, acne’s gone.
I knew you’d outgrow it
Receding hair line?
You really don’t show it.
Hello Marie!
Yes, I can see
You’ve colored your hair
A fine burgundy.
What have I to tell,
What can I share?
I once took a photo
Of a Yellowstone bear.
My success in life?
Sure, it’s there.
I still have
A nice head of hair.
My secret to youth,
My only sin –
The reason I look great
Is Just for Men.
Here are the guys
Discussing guy things –
Weight, thinning hair
And barbeque wings.
Here are the women
Who just seem to know
Who’s slept with whom
And who married Joe.
And how many kids
Do you have just now?
And YOU got married
And found a wife somehow?
More talk about weight.
Does anyone care
Who’s gained some pounds
Or has thinning hair?
I am a great cook
I’m state-of-the-art.
My secret sauce comes
From a jar at Wal-Mart.
I know how to prepare
Home cooking from the heart.
My secret brownies come
From a box at Wal-Mart.
I paint pictures (small)
And frame them for my wall.
My work really looks great
When I keep the numbers straight.
I play a keyboard
Like an energetic pup!
I press on the notes
When the keys light up.
Cooking School? Yes,
I fully agree.
If you study there
You’ll cook just like me.
Still single? That’s right,
I haven’t proposed.
Though I have my eyes
On a guy in sport clothes.
A guy? Yes, a man.
A wonderful guy.
With me, kids and such
Really don’t fly.
So why am I not
Like John, Dick or Sam?
I am as God made me.
I am whom I am.
Hello there, Fred!
Good to see you again.
I thought that was you
With that big handsome grin.
So, tell me about you.
What do you do?
Fred:
Hello again, Jacob, yes it’s me.
I’m Fred Cantrell
In all sincerity.
Am I married?
No, not me.
I’m in a relationship
That’s satisfactory.
Jacob, I heard what you said
And I’m here to say
I know how you feel
For I, too, am gay.
I’m proud as can be
Of my Tom and me.
He’s the sun in my life,
The ship on my sea.
Fred: Congratulations!
To both Tom and you.
I wish for much success
In all that you do.
May God be with you.
Jacob:
And also with you.
Further:
It’s reunion time!
Tell all the dirt.
Who’s been a success
And who’s lost his shirt.
The folks have been talking
And gossiping sore
About who’s been a saint
And who’s living no more.
(And who’s been a whore.)
(And who’s been a bore.)
(And whom “we” adore,
(And whom “we” deplore.)
(And who we know snores.)
Yes, some of the guys’
Wives say they snore.
Does anyone use Breathe Rite
To open the pore?
And guess what I heard?
Yes, what about this?
To do “you-know-what”
John uses Cialis.
And what about Rosie
With that facial bouquet.
Francine says she uses
Night of Olay.
And so goes the talk
Wrinkle creams and ED pills.
And weight loss schemes,
And fads and frills.
And who is that
Interracial couple?
Why, yes I believe it is
A beauty with Duck Supple!
When the night is over
All are mentally tired.
Friendships are renewed,
New insights acquired.
And as we leave
Someone says
I wonder who’ll be here next time
And who’ll be dead.
Enough said.
© Don Bell, 2004.
To Wear or Not to Wear
To wear, to wear
or not to wear
underwear?
That is the question.
Why do you wear
underwear
in every season?
Is there a reason?
Folklore and myths
are really the reason
men sometimes wear it
in every season.
In the summer
it's sweaty.
In the summer
it's hot.
So then should I wear it?
I really think not.
For comfort
and coolness
and cleanliness
throughout,
you really can't beat
going without.
Males are healthier,
more virile without.
It's fertility
and sperm count
I'm talking about.
It really is better
to have things suspended,
and let them move freely
as nature intended.
Your pants will cover
your body quite well.
You don't need two layers
of heat to dispel.
So, now, go without.
Yes, give it a try.
You really will be
a happier guy.
Don Bell, May 2005
Toby
Maine Coon cat, much admired
Gentle personality, family pet
Much sought after, highly desired
We loved you from the day we met
All the marks of a fine Maine Coon
Long, fine fur, incredibly soft
Intelligent, loving, a little raccoon
Rugged, strong, a little roughhewn
Maine Coon color, a brown tabby coat
A fine bushy tail at the end of the boat
Friendly outgoing, and talkative, too
There’s so much I admire about you
Toby is a cat you like to touch
You like to feel and rub and such
You’ll be amazed at his soft fur
As you rub him, he’ll likely purr
Toby looks up as if to say
How are you and how is your day
I’ve been sitting right here just waiting for you
Washed my face and front paws, too
He extends a paw as if to say,
Tag, you’re it, let’s run and play.
Chase me and catch me, if you can
Stay and play with me today
There is another, his favorite friend
Her name is Toona, a solid white cat
Hours together, they like to spend
Napping and chasing and things like that
Hide and seek seems to be their game
And chasing and wrestling is fun
Tired from play, they sleep together
When the day is done
Toby and Toona are often seen
Snuggled together, as they keep
His paw on her or her paw on him
Sound asleep and counting sheep
Toby and Toona are both quite clean
Lying together, they are often seen
She washing him and he washing her
Licking and bathing their nice clean fur
Toby B., remarkable cat
Gentle, loving, sociable, true
Good with children and visitors, too
Gulfport cat, we all love you
©Don Bell. January 19-20, 2011.
Vision
I just found my cat
As I have oft before
Staring at the ceiling
Or at the wall or door
Mostly it’s the ceiling
Her eyes are looking at
Just an empty blank ceiling
Entrances my white cat
I glance up at the ceiling
To see what might be there
A spider building a web
A bit of lint floating in air
Yet I see nothing, zero, zilch
There is no spider there
There is no bit of lint or dust
Or gnat that’s flying through air
But still my cat stares
As if she’s in a trance
I know my cat doesn’t care
If I am near by chance
I look and see nothing
But my cat may see more
A ghost or an angel there
Really what, I’m not sure
God gives to animals
Abilities we know not of
They may be able to see
Angels from above
Yes, my cat may be able to see
My guardian angel hovering there
Watching over both of us
Moving through the air
Smiling at my cat
A smile I cannot see
But my cat can see him there
Watching quietly
Yes, God gives my cat a vision
To see what I can’t see
She cannot tell me what is there
She stares admiringly
But I know there is something
That she is seeing there
I dare not stop this moment
My cat and angel share
©Don Bell. January 17, 2011
Workplace Love
If I decorate my library perfectly with framed art and plants, but do not show love to my customers, I am just another decorator.
If I slave away in the office cataloging dozens of books, then arrange the books beautifully on library shelves, but do not give any of my time to those who come to my library to read the books, I am just another tired, overworked cataloger.
If I work at the circulation desk, displaying the proper smiling face to all who enter my library, but do not show love to my staff, it profits me nothing.
If I order new books, magazines, and online databases, but do not focus on service to others, I have missed the point.
Love stops long enough to hug a staff member.
Love takes time from cataloging to compliment those who shelve the books.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn’t envy another library that has a new set of encyclopedias.
Love doesn’t frown to see kids enter with their moms, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.
Love doesn’t only help those who are able to help themselves, but rejoices in helping those who can’t.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails.
Computers will break, books will become out-of-date, magazines will become tattered and worn, but giving the gift of love to your customers will endure forever.
Workplace Love for All
If I decorate my library perfectly with framed art and plants, but do not show love to my customers, I am just another decorator.
If I slave away in the office selecting and ordering ‘politically correct’ books, but purchase no fiction for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons within my community, I am just another intimidated victim of right-wing political propaganda.
If I work at the circulation desk, displaying an outward, proper smiling face to all who enter my library, but do not show friendship and respect to a gay library staff member, it profits me nothing.
If I order new books, magazines, and online databases that reflect “family values”, but do not include the family values of all persons in the community, I have missed the point.
Love stops long enough to hug a lesbian staff member.
Love takes time from cataloging to compliment those who shelve the books.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn’t envy another library that has subscriptions to Advocate and Curves magazines.
Love doesn’t frown when a teen asks where the gay books are, but is thankful the guy is there and wants to read them.
Love doesn’t only help those who are computer literate, but rejoices in helping those who aren’t.
Love bears all things, believes in the goodness of mankind, hopes for a future of acceptance, respect, and equality, and endures the ignorance of others.
Love never fails.
Computers will break, books will become out-of-date, magazines will become tattered and worn, but giving the gift of love and respect to your staff and customers will endure forever.
Tribute to Rita, Our Friend
Who welcomes me with a cheerful, “YOU’RE HERE!”
And gives me a smile
That’s friendly, sincere.
This makes me feel
I’m here among friends.
This is often how
My workday begins.
I am so glad you are here
With your knowledge and skills,
Hovering over the ledgers,
Checking the bills.
Head in the computer
Checking to see
If all is right
With great accuracy.
Using the software
That I don’t know.
Putting the line items
Where they should go.
I’m not sure what we will do
When you’re not here.
I don’t have a clue.
Account number? Requisition?
Order? Invoice?
How to keep accounts
Is there a choice?
Substitutions? Replacements?
Delivery delay?
What records to keep
And what do we pay?
And what shall we do
When they say there is credit?
Make a note in the margin
Or just sigh and forget it?
We come with questions
And you do not complain.
When did we order that?
And what was that vendor’s name?
And when do we have
To close out the books?
Do we have enough paper?
Let’s take a look
And who knows about
Shipping costs or total amount?
Did we get the right price?
Did we get our discount?
And should’t the discount
Be more than just that?
And this title arrived
In the wrong format.
And Rita, our subscription’s
Not coming any more.
This isn’t the first time,
They did this before.
Please check with the jobber
And clear up the mess.
We need our subscription,
We need this access.
Rita, where is my order?
It should be here by now.
How long must I wait,
How much time allow?
What will we do after September 1?
Who’ll send the orders?
Who’ll get things done?
Do it all with a warm heart and smile
Looking like June Cleaver
With a perfect hairstyle.
Who will buy books
And keep things straight?
And figure costs
For shipping and freight?
Publish the ads
Send out the news.
We need a bookkeeper
To fill some big shoes.
To serve with a smile,
Never short nor snappy.
Have all the right answers,
Keep the Business folks happy.
And on that last day
As you leave your office
I know what you’ll say
As you walk away.
As you walk out of sight
You’ll give your final advice:
Merry Christmas to all,
And to all a goodnight.
©By Don Bell for Rita Tragemann upon her retirement, August 31, 2010.
Tribute to Mrs. Velma Clements
Thank you Velma for all you have done.
Unselfish service to everyone.
For eleven years you’ve exemplified
Library service in which we all take pride.
For all these years we were able
With encouragement you supplied
To do our work well
To do our work better
Knowing you were by our side.
We don’t know how it might have been
If you had not been with us.
No, that we can’t proclaim.
The library would have been here
Yet its character would not have been the same
Without your presence, your friendliness,
Your smile, freely given
Your helpfulness, your cheerfulness
Your gift to everyone.
When you were in charge
We never were uptight
That work would get done
That things would be right
During your years with us
You have so often shown
Life is what you make of it.
Seize the moment
And make it your own.
And Velma you have shown us
Kindness isn't tendered on demand:
You gave with love, not merely out of duty.
Our days have been blessed by your
Warm caring spirit
And example of love—absolutely.
And so on this day
We’re all here to say
We hate to see you go
It is true
But Tuscaloosa Girl Scouts
All need a smile, too.
Don Bell Jun 23 2010
Tribute to Susan Gaspavovich May 19 2011
Thank you Susan for all you have done
Unselfish service to everyone
For many years you’ve labored here
Guiding the kids we hold so dear
Rock Quarry School’s the learning place
Where you have worked from your office space
Plying your thoughtful wisdom here
Meeting kids’ needs, case by case
Giving guidance with insight and grace
Parents and children
Needing counsel, advice
From someone who cares
And someone who’s nice
Someone who listens
And good advice shares
Rock Quarry’s Ann Landers
Never despairs
In need of guidance?
Come talk with a friend
Who understands
The world you live in
Who understands
Your pressures each day
And patiently helps
You find your way
For all these years we were able
With counseling services you supplied
To do our work well
To do our work better
Knowing you were here to guide
To staff members’ children you’ve always been
Kind and friendly and thoughtfully sweet
Remembering their important days
With a hug, a smile, or often a treat
Inventor of those witty poems
Showing your creative side
Mentor to aspiring minds
Taking every day in stride
Yes, there’s another way you excel
Your professional appearance
Represents us well
With jewelry that matches
You outdo us all
Yes, the beautiful jewelry
We fondly recall
Perhaps there is much we all can learn
The importance of appearance
And a good impression
The real true worth
Of good manicures
And beautiful hands
They, too, can be yours
Meeting needs
Throughout the day
That’s Mrs. G the kids would say
Doing all with warmth and smile
Just like June Cleaver
With perfect hairstyle
We don’t know how it might have been
If you had not been here to provide
Patient guidance with insight true
Meeting needs with kindness, too
Before we go
There’s one more word
Mrs. Bell doesn’t need more cats
To feed and shepherd
But now’s the ideal time for you
To enjoy a precious dog or two
A cold wet nose that’s full of love
Knows just what you’re thinking of
And so on this
Your final day
We, your friends
Are here to say
We hate to see you go,
It’s true
Life’s best always
Is our wish for you
Contributors: Barbara Allen, Meredith Ball, Linda Bell, Chandra Brewer, Brian Clayton, Wanda Hamm, Elizabeth Hancock, Miranda Little, Blake Wilson. Written by Don Bell with input from others. May 19 2011.
Tribute to Sully Cochrane
The lights are out
the place is bare.
The pictures are gone
bare hooks left there.
A generic desk
an empty chair
a silent computer
are left in there.
You left a phone
With a distinctive ring
Yes, it still rings
but you don’t answer
It just rings
and dings and pings.
I wonder if you still
have phone messages
If no one checks them
they’ll be there for ages!
Sully’s office?
There’s no such place
Friends look through the window
but don’t see your face.
Does everyone know
that you are gone?
I don’t know.
The phone rings go on.
When students arrive
with scholarship questions
do I send them to Debbie
for financial suggestions?
When students need info
on the continental shelf
do I tell them “You’ll have to
find it yourself”?
When new media arrive
they’ll be sent to me.
The cataloging instructions
you gave really are the key.
You will be missed.
You already are.
We notice the absence
of a library star.
The Library’s advanced
and you’ve been a part
of the Shelton State miracle
right from the start.
Best wishes for fun
and joy in your retirement.
Your work at Shelton State
has been time well spent.
Don Bell Aug 10 2005