978. New Take

Be blunt and direct.
Ask for what
You expect.
A fresh new take
On dating.
Whoever
Doesn't like it
Won't participate.
This reduces
The amount
Of riffraff
You have
To plow through
To find
Mr. Right for You.


Dating, San Francisco

974. Dropped Objections

Alright,
It's time
To start
Working
Again
On my
Future life
Starting
Today
No more
Excuses
Will be
Accepted


Asking for Directions, San Francisco

943. Thrill Seeker

His profile
Tells us
He's a
Self-described
Thrill seeker
That means
You
Are one
Of many
Loves
And your
Time together
Will be
The short
Sort


Dating, San Francisco

931. Raising Your Value

Your esteem
For your time
Raises its value
In my eyes


Dating, San Francisco

956. Watch Out

A man spurned
Is sometimes
A man injured
Angered
Embittered and
In worst case
Dangerous

(See “Run Quickly” for one experience)


Dating, San Francisco

944. Void

I offered
Sunshine and silk
To a man
Rich in passions
And in business
My heartfelt gifts
He could not
Accept
Due to darkness
In his own heart


Dating, San Francisco

942. Be Exciting ... Or Else

What are
You doing?
He asks
Sweetly.
And it'd
Better
Be good,
He means
Secretly.
Otherwise
He'll lose
Interest
In you,
You'll see.


Dating, San Francisco

940. Offering

A man
With everything
Wants a woman
With passions
Of her own


Dating, San Francisco

935. Boldly Going

Relationships
With people
Are where
I've always
Been weakest
Humanity
Is my
New frontier


Asking for Directions, San Francisco

612. Life's Architecture

Multiple beams
In your life
Interlaced
Provide strength
As foundations shift
One beam for profession
Another for love
A third for personal
Pleasure
Others for friends
Family and career
If one or two falter
The others hold
A framework
That sustains you
For life


Long Relationships, San Francisco

751. No Contact Key

One piece of advice
Sticks out in my head.
One advisor said:
Men respond
To no contact.
That's been
My mistake
All along.
I thought people
Would be polite
And at least
Return calls.


Dating, San Francisco

749. Broken Laws of Attraction

Where have I
Gone wrong
If this is
Supposed to be
Fool-proof?
Become who
You want
To attract.
I did that.
Scaled the ranks
Of management,
Worked out daily
To stay and be
Trim and fit,
Bought my home
In the world's
Most beautiful city.
Maybe I should
Have slacked
Instead.


Dating, San Francisco

925. Courage or Negligence

It takes courage
To put so much
Of yourself
Out there
In your poetry
That...or
Forgetfulness
That a few people
Know who I am


On Writing, San Francisco

922. Helloo Out There

If I felt alone
It's because I am
INTJ's represent
Just 1/2 of 1 percent
Of Earth's
Female population
And less than
5 percent
Of all humans extant


Asking for Directions, San Francisco

924. Mixed Messages

Last night
You said
Maybe
Today
You said
Nothing
Which am I
To believe
Nothing
Seems
Most likely
To be
What
You feel


Dating, San Francisco

926. Murphy's Weather

It looked
Like rain
All day today
When none
Came
I finally set
The sprinklers
Going
Wondering
How much
Rain tomorrow
Will fall
As part
Of Murphy's law


Life in San Francisco

927. Not Promising

If finding
Synergy
For an
INTJ
Woman
At work
Is hard
How much
Harder
Can I
Expect
It to be
To find
True love
For me


Asking for Directions, San Francisco

923. Good News

Now for the good news
INTJ's form
Much of the large
Business world's
Who's who
As the personality type
Second most likely
To be in leadership
Positions


Asking for Directions, San Francisco

675. Retired from Google

My friend, Celia,
Six years at Google
Now retired
A gillionaire
She's going
Into woodworking
With all that money
Her sphere
Of influence
May become
As large as
Her prominent
Forebear
Also a carpenter
By trade


Life in San Francisco

673. Unfortunate Response

Why do I put
So much
Into a man
Who doesn't
Seem to care
And skimp
On one who does
Is it the challenge
I relish
And not the man?


Dating, San Francisco

786. Between Two Generations

Part boomer
Part gen X
An odd mix
Oil and water
With the
Millennial
Generation
Older mother
Mixed up
Daughter
On a dividing
Line
Between
Cultures


Asking for Directions, San Francisco

704. Baby 16 - Not

Babysitting
A 16-year-old
Is way too much
Supervision
When she gets
To college
Your worst fears
Will be her vision
Of an average
Friday night


Long Relationships, San Francisco

738. What Do I Want to Be

When I was younger
I never took the time
To figure
Out what I wanted
To do with my life
Now I'm paying the price
At 35 I still don't
Know who I want to be


Asking for Directions, San Francisco

628. Starting Work Early

A quarter a call
Answered and
Recorded
At age seven?
I guess you
Weren't spoiled
Working in the
Family business
Then college
And graduate school
To successive jobs
Now 35
That's near
A 30-year career
No wonder
You're ready
To retire


Asking for Directions, San Francisco

763. Olive Branch Extended

Meeting an
Ex-boyfriend
To hear
A performance
I hope
I'm not
Stretching
My luck
Too far

Dating, San Francisco

818. Dating a Friend

Feeling less
Inclined
To kiss
A man
As he becomes
More of a friend
It's too bad
As I said
I'd like
Both in one
Person
Now I wonder
Really, do I?


Dating, San Francisco

828. Self-Preservation

A bad work
Situation
Or stressful
Relationship
Can make
You sick
You may
Have
To get
Out of it
To save
Yourself


Life in San Francisco

856. Optimism Test

I'm very optimistic
About good events
Continuing
And thinking
Bad events
Are temporary
But good events
Are caused
By specific actions
On my part
I may be
Helpless
In one or two
Areas
But will continue
Marching
In the others


About Women, San Francisco

877. I Confess

Okay
I miss you
And want
To kiss you
Very much


Dating, San Francisco

611. Work and Pleasure Balance

Keep what you love
In spare time
To keep enjoyment alive
Work can be pleasure
If home life is hard
And pass-times
Become work
If pressure piles on
The real world
Matters, too
Work allows you
To keep loving
What you do
For fun


Life in San Francisco

598. Partial Projection

In the mirror
I see less
Than half
Of myself
That's about
What you'll see
When you think
You know me
It's unlikely
I'll see
More of you
We show little
Of ourselves
Too afraid
Of the truth


About Women, San Francisco

753. Yoohoo

All the wrong
Types of agent
Real estate
Retired special
Allstate
Also wrong
Other descriptions
Attorney at law
Campaign contributor
How many versions
Of one man
Can there be?
Where is the one
Who is literary?
Trying to find
This guy
Who was
Recommended
Is harder
Than I thought
It would be


On Writing, San Francisco

874. Argentine Dancer

An exotic stranger
A man with long hair
Pulled back
In a ponytail
He's too confident
To be American
He must be
Argentine
You can tell
By the wild
In his eyes


Tango, Admiring Men, San Francisco

872. Stolen Partner

A man seated
Watching dancers
Gives the eye
To a women
As she passes
On the dance floor
With another man
Her partner
Didn't see
They've made
An arrangement
For future
Trespass


Tango, San Francisco

870. Ecstasy

Filling me
With ecstasy
All it takes
Is one dance
Tango
With the right
Music and man
A smile
I can't hide
Betrays
How I feel
Inside


Tango, San Francisco

873. Double Entendre

He inquires shyly
Another dance?
She smiles slyly
And wonders
If he also wants
Romance


Tango, San Francisco

871. Mismatched Partners

Two tango dancers
In a close embrace
Each looking
Opposite directions
A smile creeps
Across his face
He looks
Excited and aroused
Her face
Shows boredom
And confinement
He doesn't know
Neither does she
Their stark contrast
Only the crowd
Sitting and watching
Can see


Tango, San Francisco

875. Carefree

She looks wild
With joy
As she dances
A huge childlike
Smile
On her lips.
She must be new,
A more experienced
Woman coos.
She doesn't know
How she's being
Observed
And criticized.
Good for her.
If she doesn't know
She cannot care,
Another woman says.


Tango, San Francisco

896. Tango Feeling

How does
Tango feel
It's indescribable
He replied
His eyes
For the first
Time
Brave enough
To meet mine


Tango, San Francisco

916. Tease

That blueberry
Tasted especially
Good to me
You would
Have liked it
My friend
Teases me
Mercilessly
Dangling my
Favorite food
Across 3000 miles
Of distance
Tempting me
With old and happy
Sensations
Tickling my memory


Long Relationships, San Francisco

890. Unexpected Pleasure

Receiving a rose
From a man
I don't know
Makes my
Evening
Brighter
And prompts
Other men
To inquire
And wonder
How they
Can get closer
To me


Singles Events, San Francisco

905. Fuss and Commotion

A woman
Standing smiling
With a rose
In her hand
From a man
She did
Or did not know
Soon attracts
10 others
Who all wonder
What it is
About her
That made
Another man
Want her


Singles Events, San Francisco

901. Spiritual

Are you a
Spiritual person?
Someone asked
Looking confused
She doesn't
Answer
Her books
Have betrayed
A soul and belief
She would not
Have recognized
Or relayed


About Women, San Francisco

895. Improvisational Tango

When a man
Feels free
With his partner
As his instrument
To create
A new symphony
Of movement
And inspiration

Tango, San Francisco

894. A Tango Set

A conversation
Between two
Strangers
In which
Your whole body
And mind
Form your voice
And path
To communication
Before
You know
Each others'
Names


Tango, San Francisco

892. Selecting a Coach

Picking one
From seven
Leadership coaches
How to proceed?
Reviewing accomplishments
Looking for a good fit
Of style and direction
So she'll be
Most likely
To succeed
With her next project:
Me


Asking for Directions, San Francisco

891. Encouraging

Supporting
A friend’s effort
To start a
New business
A mix
Of feelings
Mostly wanting
The venture
To succeed
And happy
To provide
Needed
Encouragement
And information


Long Relationships, San Francisco

888. Taking More Interest

A man reads
Conscientiously
But takes
More interest
Upon learning
A poem
Is about him
He grins
To find
The interpretation
Unexpected and
Complementary


Dating, San Francisco

885. Half Full

Pulling myself
Together
Gathering
With friends
Realizing
My cup
Is overflowing


About Women, San Francisco

899. Ask

If you can't tell
What's current
Or what applies
To you
The best way
To learn the truth
Is to ask
You may not get
An honest answer
Or the one
You want
But even that
May be enough


Dating, San Francisco

900. Pursuing Dreams

A man or woman
Decides
To throw away
A humdrum life
To become
A professional dancer
What can you say
Except to pray
You'll be lucky enough
To have that much
Courage
Someday
When you have a choice
Between boring
And extraordinary


Asking for Directions, San Francisco

904. Compulsion

The night
Brings
New energy
To me
And all
Those called
To dance
Tango
Like those
Who must
Howl
At the moon


Tango, San Francisco

917. Princeton University Publication

917. Princeton University Publication
Published
Unbeknownst
To me
By Princeton
University
My senior thesis
Is available
For sale
Online
You truly
Never know
What you'll
Find
By Googling
Your own name
From time
To time


On Writing, San Francisco

915. Woman Friend Savior

My woman friend
Accurately predicted
All a womanizer
Would say
She gave me
The advance
Warning I needed
To keep
My armor
Up and strong
That day
Saving me
From almost
Certain
Heartache


Dating, San Francisco

910. Dirty Ballet

Ballet is dirty,
Really dirty,
A teacher says.
Then the gentle
Music starts
To play.
I grin and
Ask a dancer,
How can he say that
Something so
Beautiful is dirty?
He smiled and answered,
You see smiles and beauty.
What you don't see
Is the arguments
Backstage,
The fierce competition,
And the pain.


Art, San Francisco

903. Evening Breeze

Sunset comes
The air cools
The breeze soothes
A stale and musty
Outlook
On the day
Is swept away
And new life
Breathes
Into me


Life in San Francisco

906. Reasons

I'm sure you have
Your reasons
For keeping
Your distance
But I wish
You'd come
Closer
So I could see
You
More clearly
...Inside


Dating, San Francisco

909. Appearances

How are you?
Good! I respond
Too quickly.
Great! That's how
It should be,
The great man
Answered.
Seconds later
I whisper,
I'm so discouraged.
See
What we do
To keep up
Appearances.


About Women, San Francisco

911. Lines

Lines Ballet
A place
Where inspired
Spirits
Create beauty
Unique
To each dancer
Every day


Art

912. Aspiration's Joy

A young dancer
Filled to the brim
With inspired
Joy and aspiration
Beside herself
With anticipation
That she'll study
For a summer
With Lines Ballet


Art

922. Alonzo King

Monarch of artistic
Creation
Master of beauty
And inspiration


Life in San Francisco

907. Forlorn

A womanizer
Sent home
Early and alone
By a woman
With standards
Of friendship
And trust
Built
Over time


Dating, San Francisco

908. Pieces

I got tired
Of being resilient
And having to be
So I let myself
Fall apart
Am am still
In pieces


About Women, San Francisco

919. Free

My dancing
And my posture
Have improved
Markedly
Since I'm
No longer
Chained
To a computer
All day
Perhaps
A part
Of my spirit
Feels
Freed
From cubicle
Bondage


Asking for Directions, San Francisco

914. Guy Friend Not Warning

You knew
and didn't
Tell me
That man's
Scurrilous
Reputation.
You say
You didn't
Wish
To hurt
My feelings.
A worse
Hurt
Might
Have come
To me
If I had
Succumbed
To his
Intentions.
Now, I'm
Wondering why.
Were you
Curious,
My handsome
Friend,
To see
What I'd do
And whether
I'm worthy
Of your
Affection?


Dating, San Francisco

897. Confirmation

I'm glad you called
My friend said
Perhaps afraid
After what he read
That I'd never call
Or didn't like him
I do like him
Very much
In case he needed
Evidence
To confirm his hunch

Dating, San Francisco

876. Ambiguous

We saw each other
And chatted
As if nothing
Had happened
As if we were
Just casual friends
I wrote
Just to verify
There's more
On my mind
You responded
In kind
But not as much
As I would have
Liked


Dating, San Francisco

902. Clandestine Investigation

Someone looking
At books
On your shelf
Is trying
To determine
More about you
Than you would
Tell them
About yourself


Dating, San Francisco

886. Appreciated

A warm voice
On the phone
Telling me
It's ok
To take time
To clarify
My wants
And dreams
Is appreciated
Much more
Than openly
Told


Asking for Directions, San Francisco

898. Reader Advisory

Careful not to read
Too much
Into what you see
My poems are
In random order

881. Universal Truth

Dancing
With a tango superstar
From Buenos Aires
I remembered
Something important
He is a man
And I a woman


Tango, San Francisco

884. Argentine Men

Spending time
With Argentine men:
The best way
For an American
Woman
In San Francisco
To realize or
Just remember
That she's sensual,
Sexy, desired, valued,
Beautiful,
And appreciated


About Women

883. Universal Attraction

A woman
Who appeals
To a broad range
Of men
Young bachelors
Older divorces
Widowers
All cultures
Social
Economics
Ages and races
What quality
Does she have?
Kind eyes
A beautiful smile
Genuine warmth
In her appreciation
Of their attention


About Women, San Francisco

880. Struggle

I wish
I could
Be free
Either have
Zero wants
Or have
Everything
One or
The other
Is equal
In the middle
Is only
Struggle


Asking for Directions, San Francisco

882. Picking Up Stakes

Going out in San Francisco
To a charity auction
Dates with bachelors
For sale
Benefiting at risk youth
It showed the truth
5 beautiful women
To just 1 straight man
I resolved
To move elsewhere


Singles Events, San Francisco

878. Macho Amour

Your bravado
Makes me
Want you
Even more


Dating, Admiring Men, San Francisco

869. Tango on Tuesday

Going dancing tonight
Well after twilight
Where the milongueros
Play
I have to say
Tuesday
Is the best night
In the San Francisco Bay
Area


Tango, San Francisco

865. Guys: Tell Us What Works for You

Guy readers,
Tell me
If this is true
For you.
Do you
Or don't you
Feel more
Interest in a
Woman,
Who never
Calls or writes
To you
Because she
Is more of
A challenge.
What’s true?
What should we
Do or not do
To attract you?


Dating, San Francisco

850. Single

S - Suffering or Sassy
I - Isolated or Independent
N - Nothing or Nimble
G - Gutted or Giddy
L - Lonely or Laughing
E - Enervated or Excited
Which am I, really,
And which would
I rather be?
I'll take option two
Please

About Women, San Francisco

866. Forgiven

If you didn't
Call
Because
You really
Got hit
On the head
By the boom
Of a sailboat
You are forgiven
And your
Non-response
Is forgotten


Dating, San Francisco

868. Bump on Forehead

I did see
The evidence
You still
Have a bruise
And bump
On your forehead
I guess it's ok
If you didn't call
Because
Of a fall
Or, needless to say,
A head injury


Dating, San Francisco

861. Myers Briggs

INTJ
Introverted
Intuitive
Thinking
Judgmental
The same
With no change
After 10 years
Only more introverted
And slightly
Less thinking
Now what
Does that
Mean?


Asking for Directions, San Francisco

857. Gratitude

I'm a lot
More grateful
Than most
People
Especially
Among
Those in my
Zip code
(Now what
Does that
Say
About
San Francisco)


Life in San Francisco

834. Not Getting It

What have you
Been doing
For the past
Two months?
Writing poetry.
What???
He asked
Incredulously,
Not able
To imagine
A way to live
More frivolously


On Writing, San Francisco

778. Goodbye, Your Highness

I will not wait
My whole life
For you to decide
Whether to deign
To spend more time
With me
Goodbye already
And stop contacting me


Dating, Dumping, San Francisco

819. Not Going As Planned

As he feels me
Want him less
He's less willing
To pay the check
With little hope
Of payoff later
He'd rather
Go dutch
And neglect
Setting up a
Next occasion
For dinner


Dating, San Francisco

846. Stone Kiss

I should
Have known
First kiss
Like Stone
He'd never
Warm or
Open himself
To me


Dating, San Francisco

862. Not Dating

Alone time
To get myself
Together
Probably
Necessary
Before even
Trying
To deal
With anyone
Else


Dating, San Francisco

860. True Grit Test

On a test
Of grit
I scored 4
Out of 5
I hope
That doesn't
Mean
I'll have
To work hard
The rest
Of my life


About Women, San Francisco

854. Weaknesses

My weakest points:
Modesty and humility
Social intelligence
Faith, sense of purpose,
And spirituality
Leadership
Humor and playfulness
The last three parts
Are likely symptomatic
Of having
To take this darn test


About Women, San Francisco

851. Un-authentically Happy

Authentic happiness
Is measured by
Feeling
A sense of meaning
In your life
I scored 1.33
Out of 5
In this category


Asking for Directions, San Francisco

837. Homebody

I was going
To go out dancing
And discovered
I forgot
To want
To leave
My house
Tonight


About Women, San Francisco

791. Put Off

Business meeting
Or casual conversation
How about next Thursday?
Words that remind me
My life is on hold
Temporarily


Life in San Francisco

766. One Month Memory

If he hasn’t called,
Leave him alone
For a month
Dating advisors say
Canny advisors
That's the same
Amount of time
It takes to forget
A man
To the day


Dating, San Francisco

807. Unfortunately True

Two 37-ish
Married ladies
At the gym
Around 2 o'clock
I couldn't help but
Eavesdrop
They talked
Of husbands
And babies
While reading
People magazine
And exercising
I couldn't stop myself
From laughing
Because it’s what
I expected


About Women, San Francisco

767. Pair and a Spare

Date a pair and a spare
One advisor said
That way
You don't care
If he never calls
Or drops dead
(Thank you, Myreah)


Dating, San Francisco

748. PhD in Amphibian Studies

I could have a PhD
In Amphibian Studies
By now
What with all the frogs
I've kissed


Dating, San Francisco

745. Last Call

No more booty
Calls for you
We're through
For good


Dating, San Francisco

760. Looking Busy Is Attractive

The dating books
Encourage women
To act busy
And say
A better solution
Is to actually be
That way
Having too much
To do
Fools a man
Into thinking
He's unimportant
To you
Which is a
Challenge
He'll enjoy


Dating, San Francisco

847. Poof

I dated Houdini
Or The Illusionist
A man, who
Could disappear
Faster than
You could
Even realize
He's no longer
Here


Dating, San Francisco

859. Transgression Motivation

A survey says
I'm abnormally
Unlikely
To seek revenge.
Don't take
That as an invitation
To transgress
Against me.
Just because
I avoid you
Doesn't mean
The universe
Won't send
Some bad karma
Back at you.


About Women, San Francisco

853. How to Apply My Strengths

My top strengths
According to a
Values assessment test
Are these:
Appreciation of beauty and excellence,
Self-control and self-regulation,
Industry, diligence, perseverance,
Gratitude,
Curiosity and interest in the world.
It turns out I'd be a top flight
Wagnerian opera enthusiast.
Anybody want to pay me
For that?


Asking for Directions, San Francisco

848. Translation

I'm so busy
Means
I know longer
Want to see
You
It's been
So crazy
Means
I don't want
To make time
For you
The faster you
Realize
The true
Meaning
Of his words
The faster you can
Move on
To someone new
Who will
Care more
For you


Dating, San Francisco

456. Worst Case Scenario

He may never come
You may have to find
A way to live
Without love
And make a way
To be happy
On your own


Dating, San Francisco

465. The Bright Side

You are unencumbered
You don't have
Children or a husband
You can drop
Everything
And start over
New place, new career
New life
Like you're 18 again
Only with more
Experience


Long Relationships, San Francisco

493. False Premise

I'm tired
Of friends and family
Telling me
To lower my
Expectations
Saying they
Want me
To be happy.


Long Relationships, San Francisco

522. "A Bitter Film"

"A Bitter Film"
Is a cartoon movie
A man's perspective
On dating women
He thinks
It boils
Down to money


Dating, San Francisco

544. Hero

Guardian Hero:
What I expect
My man to be
If a man cannot
Or will not
Protect me
He's not a man
I esteem
And will get
No further
Time with me


Dating, San Francisco

747. Another List

Making my 17th list
Of wants and needs
Negotiables versus
Must haves
I feel this
List making process
Has failed


Dating, San Francisco

832. Anything for a Friend

You saved my life,
He said blearily.
I sang silly songs
To him
For the last 15 minutes
Of a sleepy drive
15 miles too long.
I knew he wouldn't
Agree
To pull off the road
To a safe parking lot
For a life-preserving nap
To recover his energy.
So I sang to him
Cross-country
On a long distance call
Till he parked safely
And turned the car off
In his parking spot
At home.


Long Relationships, San Francisco

838. Hiding

You don't
Know me
Very well
When upset
I retract
Into my shell
In fact,
I'm only
Imagining
Telling you
How I
Really am


About Women, San Francisco

831. High Powered Executive

Off to India again,
She said.
Half the company
Is there, and
As the CEO
I have to go
Monthly.
No, I
Haven't
Seen any
Of the country
Or done
Any shopping.
Who has
The time?


About Women, San Francisco

835. A Father's Love

I'm proud
To be your Dad
The best words
A Dad can say
On Father's Day


Long Relationships, San Francisco

822. Budding Friendship

A new friendship
Starting to bud:
With a little
Nourishing,
Tending and
Conversation
On the phone,
Perhaps can grow
And flower
Into something
More


Dating, San Francisco

779. Do People Change

Can people
Really change?
Only if it's urgent
To the person
The need
Must be concrete
And enforced


Asking for Directions, San Francisco

823. Father's Day

Father's Day
Phone Call
Two hours long
I'd spend
Another four
So glad I am
To have my Dad
In my life


Long Relationships, San Francisco

829. Jump Start

If your battery
Is too low
But you sit
And do nothing
No one else
Will care or know
To provide
A working
Motor for you
If you help yourself,
Though,
By making a
Low-cost request
Others may gradually
Becoming willing
To give you a jump
To help you continue


Long Relationships, San Francisco

824. Volunteering

A good way
To get
Worked
To death


Life in San Francisco

821. Hulk Movie: Yuck

Incredible Hulk
The bulk
Of the movie
Is testosterone
And anger
Uncontrolled
I didn't want
That big a dose
It upset
My stomach
To watch
The whole
Movie
It's makes a
Highly stressful
Evening
Despite the
Human touch


About Women, San Francisco

825. On Blogging

Casting a
Fishing line
Into the
Online
World


On Writing, San Francisco

830. Derailed

A part of my life
Derailed
And a friend
I thought
Was dear
Stopped all
Communication
And completely
Dropped
Support for
Our friendship
He didn't want
To conduct
Or, perhaps,
Be seen near
A train on its side
That's the last time
I confide in him
Any details
Of my life
He’s a person
(Perhaps like many
With too much already
On their mind)
Who wants
Others in his life
To sort out their own
Personal hells
In quiet and
On their own time
And only returns
When you're back
On your rails


Dating, San Francisco

815. A Wager

Me: Wailea is southwest
He: No, it's southeast
Me: Well, let's see
He: Actually,
Me: The map shows it
a little west of center
in the south
He: That's southeast,
he chattered
Me: No matter;
we can say you're right
if it makes you feel better


Dating, San Francisco

784. Not a Date

A man
Asking me
To attend
A group event
I would have
Attended
Anyway
Not together
But to bump into
One another
Is not a date
And I won't accept
…Except
To meet someone
Else


Dating, San Francisco

781. Personality Test

Organized, driven
Conscientious
Goal-directed
Competitive
Argumentative and
Occasionally angered
Social, energetic
Talkative, outgoing
Even extroverted
(Though I think
That one’s not due)
Interested in new
Ideas and experiences
Change and travel
Distinguished by
Imagination
Moderately
Emotionally stable
Even under stress
The results
Of a free
Somewhat true
Personality test


About Women, San Francisco

783. Blessed Forgiveness

Immaculee
Signed her book
For me
She could see
I was upset
By her story
Or something else
And she reached
Out to me
And gave me
A little extra
A bit more
Encouragement
Some of her own
Strength


Life in San Francisco

812. Movie Options

Let's see:
Violence, sex, both
Or a children's show
Not much variety,
I know


Dating, San Francisco

795. Not What You Think

Men playing
With their balls
In public
Big ones, little ones
All colors, shapes,
And sizes
...At the gym
As part of their
Fitness routine
(Caught your
Attention, didn't I?)


Admiring Men, San Francisco

811. Believe It to See It

Self delusion
Is the key
To happiness
Whatever you
Believe
Does come true
At least, for you


Asking for Directions, San Francisco

794. Not Worth It

Ex-beau,
If you, yourself,
Can't be bothered
To return my calls
I won't trouble myself
To say hello
When you feel
You want to be
Social in public


Dumping, San Francisco

800. Oldest Friend

My oldest friend
Met me in 3rd grade
And two years later
She came back again
After her father's military
Tour in Europe
A military brat
She became
A Coast Guard attorney
Now she's writing
Maritime policy
While her ex-Navy
Captain husband
Minds their babies
And makes their home


Long Relationships, San Francisco

808. Forgetting What Wasn't

I saw you
You saw me
We said
Nothing
That's
Probably
Best
For both
Of us


Dumping, San Francisco

809. Love of Cars

I read your blog
My friend's eyes
Went wide
She looked at me
Searchingly
Holding back words
Till she thought
She'd pop
I love cars, too,
She whispered.
I understand you


About Women, San Francisco

810. Woman Driver

My ballet classmate
Takes car racing lessons
And finds herself
The center of attention
When she first walks
Into the training room
And then remains
The only woman there


About Women, San Francisco

797. Toothpick Artist

I know someone
Who does toothpick art
For a living
Couldn't be more
Off the beaten track
Than that
Who would have thought
That such art
Could enable a man
To make ends meet
I have to respect
His pure originality
http://www.toothpickart.com/


Life in San Francisco

761. Thanks a Lot

Thank you
You've been
A real
Inspiration
If you
Hadn't been
Such a jerk
Where would
I have found
So much
Great material?


Dumping, San Francisco

765. See Ya

A number one jerk
Said, "Hi how ARE you,"
To me today
I said, "Good,"
And skeedaddled
Walking
Quickly away
Not even
Looking back


Dumping, San Francisco

642. Yawn

Bored
At a restaurant
Not sure
What to say
Yawning
Would be
Embarrassing
Will have
To try
Another date
Another day


Dating, San Francisco

793. Oddball of Noe Valley

This notary of note
Is out of place
An anachronism
In Noe Valley
For those
Who know him
He calls it
Loony Valley
Indicating his
Feelings
On the new
Residents'
Predilections
He's a staunch
Conservative
Surrounded
By liberals
In what
Used to be
His town


Life in San Francisco

796. Believe Him

If a man tells you
Living with him
Isn't much of a life
For his cat
Trust me
On this one
It won't be all that
For you, either


Dating, San Francisco

785. Questioning the Source

Never call a man,
One author says.
If he wants
To talk with you,
He'll call again.
This from an
Advisor,
Who was still
Single
At time
Of publication.


Dating, San Francisco

595. Sex in Text

Bi... means bisous
xoxo hugs and kisses
:-) smiles
;-) flirtation
??? consternation
... invites imagination
3 or 4 words
Even symbols
Make a whole
Relationship sizzle


Dating, San Francisco

772. Dainty

I like little dainty
Things, he said
Little soaps
Wrapped in bows
Small-hand painted
Lacquered boxes
All things delicate
Present company
Included


Dating, San Francisco

776. Visionary Friend

Visionary,
Paint a picture for me
From your mind's eye
You love to recount
Where you have been
And imagine
Love by your side


Dating, San Francisco

773. Thank you, BMW

Thank G-d
I'm a BMW driver
High speed wreck
On the interstate
Including a
Spun-out jalopy
200 feet
In front of me
My car stopped
In zero time
Flat
Any other car
Would have hit
That guy
Broadside
Thank you,
BMW,
For saving my life


Life in San Francisco

774. A Young Flock

A gaggle
Of little girls
Honking, clucking
With each other
Enjoying padding
Down the street
Together and
With their parents
Sunflowered skirts
Mimicking a
River bank


Life in San Francisco

775. A Portrait of You

Emotionally unavailable
Business instincts
Unassailable
Sometimes sullen,
More often
Driven, playful,
A dreamer
Unwilling former lover
You are
Through your choices
Far separated
From me


Dating, San Francisco

756. Sparring Prohibited

If you want
To spar
Verbally
Or otherwise
With me
Take it
Outside
And find
Yourself
A cab


Dating, San Francisco

764. Poet's Joy

Short poetry
Big return
On investment


On Writing, San Francisco

762. Parking Karma

Parking karma
Refers to an
Innate
Ability
To find
Parking
Conveniently
Anytime
Anywhere


Life in San Francisco

712. Thanks But No Thanks

To pick up your RV?
With duct tape
On your car's engine
Road trip with you?
No bleeping way


Dating, San Francisco

755. Not Funny

You call it wit
I call it curtains
On our relationship


Dating, San Francisco

754. Laughter Despite Price Hikes

My local gas station
Has an advantage
Over all the others
On machines 3 and 4
They have printed
Just one word: Ouch
Machines 1 and 2
Sport this word: Yikes
An unexpected
And welcome bit
Of humor
About gas price hikes
If they can
Make me laugh
They can make you
Laugh, too
I'll keep shopping there
No matter the price


Life in San Francisco

684. Not Built for Leisure

Less than one
Month gone
Thought I'd like
The leisure life
But I've already
Loafed my fill


About Women, San Francisco

746. New Standards

I have a new set
Of high standards
That I bet
You’ll regret
And I’ll enjoy


Dating, San Francisco

744. Super Jerk

Don't talk to me
I have a high
Jerk threshold
And somehow
And you managed
To exceed it


Dating, San Francisco

750. Treat Your Mom Right

I stopped dating you
All that time ago
Because of the horrible way
You speak to and about your Mom
All the books and my friends say
That eventually
You'll treat me
Just like you treat her
Today
So, no thank you


Dating, San Francisco

737. Play Date

My imagination
Said:
I'd love to spend
Half days in bed
Playing with you
If you would
With me, too
How can we
Make arrangements?


Dating, San Francisco

735. Long Distance

I'd like to date you
But I'm long distance, too
___ is a long way to commute
For the first date or two
Granted, I can write anywhere
But I wouldn't make a big move
Without knowing something secure
Is waiting for me there


Dating, San Francisco

723. Exhibitionist

My living room windows
Still have no curtains
Much to my surprise
Each of the guys
I have seriously dated
In the past few years
Has stripped in front
Of those windows
At least one time
Despite my protests
They were all
Exhibitionists
So if you're curious,
My address is......
Just kidding, folks
You'll have to find
Your own
Exhibitionist


Dating, San Francisco

740. Falling Out

Yes, I haven't
Heard from you
I guess
You've been busy
I've been busy, too
Busy falling
Out of love
With you


Dating, San Francisco

739. Mañana

Doctor of Philosophy
Can you help me
Find a purpose
For my life
My neighbor said
The purpose is
Tomorrow
I replied,
Mañana,
That's exactly
What I was thinking


Asking for Directions, San Francisco

718. Making Sure

Inspect what you expect
The business books say
I remember this
As I peer
Under shampoo bottles
After the maid
Has done her job
At my house today


Life in San Francisco

741. Not a Yard Person

I went outside
To figure out
How to work
My rudimentary
Circular sprinkler
System
And immediately
Accidentally
Doused myself
Head to tow
The mark of a true
City person


Life in San Francisco

743. Publication

My article will be published
Hoorah! Hooray!
I wasn't sure I'd see the day
So doubting was I
That I didn't check
For the email confirmation
Meanwhile,
It has been sitting in my inbox
Since last Monday


On Writing, San Francisco

722. Too Picky

You're single at 35.
I don't understand it.
How many marriage
Proposals
Did you turn down?
Four.
You needn't say more.


Dumping, San Francisco

724. Number One: No

The first one
Who proposed
Was a young man
From rural France
He asked
Just because
We....
I didn't think
That was enough
Reason
To get married


Dumping, San Francisco

725. Number Two: No

The second
Who proposed
Still flirted
With other
Women
And asked
To postpone
Our ceremony
I preferred
To break up
Rather than
Later live
On alimony


Dumping, San Francisco

726. Number Three: No

The third
Who proposed
Waited till I
Was seeing
Someone else
And living
3000 miles away
I understood
That day
That he preferred
Us with that much
Distance between us


Dumping, San Francisco

727. Number Four: No

The fourth
Who proposed
Was planning
To move
Across the country
For the last year
We dated
Trouble is
He hadn't told me
He made the
Decision unilaterally


Dumping, San Francisco

728. Sex and the City Movie II

I went with a friend
To see Sex and the City
The movie
He thought it was too long
They should have cut it
By 45 minutes he added
For me, it was too much skin
And I thought it was sad
Four women getting less
Than they should have had


Life in San Francisco

731. Repelled

A person deeply attracted
Is like a repelling magnet
Causing the object of their affection
To run as fast as they can
In the other direction
To escape a fate of being loved
Perhaps that's because
Most people don't think they deserve
That much love

Dating, San Francisco

729. Esalen

My friend lived at Esalen
The meditation institute
For six full years
It's a place most people go
For a day or a week
He dropped out of the world
Nearly completely
Until a demon called Ambition
Lured him back
From his private Eden


Long Relationships, San Francisco

730. Vacuum

Nature abhors a vacuum
That's why when a woman has
No feelings for a man
He'll run to fill her
With his love
Pouring his heart
Into a vessel that
Doesn't want it
This is double true
In my experience
As far as women
Loving men
Are concerned


Dating, San Francisco

733. Nature's Game

I was just planning
To delete him
From my address book
When he surprised me
With a call
It's when we have
Lost hope
That nature steps in
Because nature loves
To string us along


Dating, San Francisco

736. Online Dating

I stopped dating online after
I started running
Into matches on the street
I remember you
From where, from when
Oh yeah...
I had never responded
To his message.


Dating, San Francisco

732. Men Loving Bitches

Why Men Love Bitches:
A new book I am reading
It makes perfect sense
Everyone knows people
Want more of what's
Difficult to achieve


Dating, San Francisco

721. Jerk

I didn't hear
From you today.
Is everything ok?
All is OK.
Don't worry.
I'm not worried.
You won't get
Another
Opportunity.


Dating, San Francisco

688. Harried Friend

Ramble, ramble
Scattered thoughts
A reproach
Some unsolicited
Advice
A harried friend
With little time
Who still wants
To keep in touch
With you


Long Relationships, San Francisco

734. Rwandan Holocaust Survivor

Immaculee Ilibagiza
Is a survivor
Of the Rwandan Holocaust
She was hidden by a Hutu pastor
While her whole Tutsi family
Was brutally murdered
91 days with 7 other women
Hidden in a bathroom
3-foot by 4-foot
Totally silent until they could be
Smuggled out of the country
Upon arrival with other refugees
She weighed 65 pounds only
I am going to hear her speak
Here in San Francisco
I must go
To pay respects to her family
And 800,000 other innocents dead
I feel connected with her
And she will help me connect
With my own roots
As I am a Jew


Life in San Francisco

716. Rude

If you're on your
Blackberry
While out with me
You can forget
Ever seeing me again


Dating, San Francisco

706. Sex and The City Movie

Asking a man
To go with you
To see
Sex and the City
Is it cruel
And unusual
Punishment?
He might have
Watched the show
But doesn't want
His friends to know


Dating, San Francisco

697. Ivy League Singles Event

A friend,
The organizer
Of an Ivy League
Singles soiree,
Wrote to all
The women
Registrants to say:
Invite more men;
The ratio's 3 to 1.
Do you think
It's because
Men prefer to date
Women who are
Less smart
Than they are.
Or did these
Exemplary men
Marry young?


Singles Events, San Francisco

711. Turfed Out

I didn't invite him to stay
I could see the
Disappointment in his face
I didn't want to go there
Or share that part of me
With him
He could tell, and
I doubted I'd ever
See him again
Amazingly enough,
We're still friends to this day


Dating, San Francisco

715. Manners

My first love
A young man
From Wisconsin
Well bred
Opened the door
For me
Brought a rose
Helped me on
With my coat
And seated me
In my chair
Always respectful
And proud
Of his love
There are but
Few men left
Like him
Today


Dating, San Francisco

699. Just Missed

I'm late today
Getting
To the gym
Maybe
I missed him
Maybe that's
What's best
For me


Dating, San Francisco

717. This American Life

A friend read my blog
And said you should be
On This American Life
The radio program
I wrote a few words
Of prose
(Not the natural way
I compose)
And we'll see
What happens


On Writing, San Francisco

713. Favorite Book Titles

The 4-Hour Work Week
And How to Succeed
In Business
Without Working
So Damn Hard
(These books are real)


Life in San Francisco

705. Unsatisfactory Services

My experience
With executive
Coaching
Was less than
Satisfactory
Three full days
My voicemail waited
Unanswered
So I called again
And then I received
An email
Addressed to Roberta
(That's not my name)
With some questions
For me to answer
I replied thoughtfully
On appointment day
It was immediately clear
My answers went unread
The woman then went
Through some rote
New questions
And then asked me
Don't you find this useful?
Dumbfounded,
I looked at the phone
As if she had three heads


Life in San Francisco

720. I'm to Blame

I'll call you
Tomorrow
Xoxo
He texted
When no call came
I was to blame
For believing him
In the first place


Dating, San Francisco

700. Oops

My Safeway card
And my gym card
Are the same color
Red
One day I meant
To flash one
And accidentally
Showed the other
Instead
The gym attendant
Grinned
And waved me
In...smiling widely


Life in San Francisco

693. Diminishing Returns

I sent a suggestion
And am waiting
For a response
What if none comes?
My habit
Is to send another
Maybe I should stop


Dating, San Francisco

698. Ignominious

Ignominy
How do you know
When you've
Achieved it
A public petition
Wants to name it
The George W. Bush
Sewage Plant
And a theatrical play
In San Fran and LA
Lampoons daily
Keanu Reeves
Poor performance
In the movie
Point Break
That about does it
Don't you think?


Life in San Francisco

690. Flirtation Dilemma

Flirtation leads
To questions
About what might
Come next
If one wants more
And the other less
It's best
To find out fast


Dating, San Francisco

710. Soloist Recovery

A soloist
From San Francisco Ballet
Showed up in my
Saturday class today
Why was she there?
Recovery from a knee injury
I hope she makes it back
But I will regret
To see her leave
It's not often you get to see
A show for free


Life in San Francisco

685. What's Important

I want a full-time
Lover and friend
All in one man
You work hard
And lots of hours
But you make time
For what's important
That should
Include me


Dating, San Francisco

686. Dating Entrepreneurs

Dating a startup
Entrepreneur
Is like dating
A monarch
Butterfly
You see him
Once in a while
If you are lucky


Dating, San Francisco

691. Simple Things

Making dinner
With each other
We discover
Whether
We want
To spend
More time
Together


Dating, San Francisco

692. Finding Time

He closed a big deal
And feels jubilant
I can catch him
On SMS
A happy time online
I hope we can
Celebrate in person


Life in San Francisco

689. What To Do When Late

When you're late
Or moving slowly
The best thing
You can do
Is reproach
Your friends
And family
And tell them
You're waiting
For them
It will catch
Them off guard
And generate
Smiles, laughter
And disbelief
...Much better
Than anger
I learned this
From a true
Master
Of being late


Long Relationships, San Francisco

687. Delayed Process

Imagination
In an absent lover
Results in fantasy
And prolongation
Of decisions and
Even of discovery
Of basic compatibility


Dating, San Francisco

678. Working While Driving

Carrying around notes
About my traffic citation
I wonder if I'll get
Another ticket
For glancing at papers
While driving
Today


Life in San Francisco

658. What's the Job Again?

I respect her
She's a fantastic
Executive
Impressive woman
Knows how
To manage
Her career
This from
A businessman
I've been dating
Does he want
A girlfriend?
Or an employee?


Dating, San Francisco

84. Life by Numbers

Numbers plague me
Ever since I heard 4 means death
And 3 and 8 and 9 are lucky
And 5's ok but not 1 or 2
A Chinese friend
Knew not what havoc he wrought
On my mind ever since that day


Long Relationships, San Francisco

2. Too Big for Britches

Children's faces
In adult places
Museum Cafe
Sipping coffee
Grown up
But not
Baby faces
Mature clothes
Unmatched
Inappropriate


Life in San Francisco

617. Peekaboo

I am not the first
Woman I know
Who bought a place
And then
Couldn't or wouldn't
Afford curtains
For a couple years
Instead we dodge
From room to room
Hoping nobody sees
While we are changing
Or stepping to and fro
Between bedroom
And shower


About Women, San Francisco

616. You Read My Blog??

My friend calls
A big smile in his voice
I read your blog,
He says.
"You did?" I squeal
Instantly turning red.
I forget people
Actually see
What I write
And read my thoughts.
I'm very transparent
Online.


Dating, San Francisco

621. Fabulous Flirtation

You're still thinking
Of me
So I'm doing good
A man I have
A crush on said
That to me
And made my day
I can still feel
The happy sparks
Speeding
Through my veins


Dating, San Francisco

591. New Path to Communicate

"Beautiful poem"
His response
To a message
I sent him in verse
It's tough to converse
With a man
Unable to bare
His feelings


Dating, San Francisco

586. Sense of Purpose

At home sitting
Not wanting
To do much
Not thrilled
To be idle either
My retired friend
Was right
You always
Have to have
More in your inbox
To feel alright


Long Relationships, San Francisco

588. Writing Confessional

Personal history
In verse
Am I sharing
Too much
Of myself?
Surely I'd never
Tell
Any of this
To anyone


On Writing, San Francisco

623. Gym Encounter

You're the flexi-girl
Yes, that's me, I smile
Remembering a man
Who has commented
On my flexibility
How was your workout
Just fine, I smiled
As he looked
Into my eyes


Life in San Francisco

625. Flexibility

Men look at me
And groan inwardly
As I pull my leg
Up over my head
Barely able to feel
My own stretch
Years of ballet
Left me this way
I have to go
To extremes
To feel
Anything


About Women, San Francisco

637. Eye of the Beholder

Women who look
Like men
Square jaws
Bulging muscles
Hefting barbells
Grunting in sports
That's not pretty
No matter what
You tell me
But that's just
My opinion
I look more
Like Tinkerbell


About Women, San Francisco

635. Content Is King

Someone with writing skill
Takes a bitter pill
When told their writing
Is smooth but empty
A young life has no
Experience
You have to know
Love and suffering
To write
Anything interesting


On Writing, San Francisco

624. Over Air Conditioned

A man wearing two jackets
Inside the air-conditioned gym
Comments how it's cold outside.
He's uncomfortable with his admission.
I smile and remind him
I'm wearing two coats, too.


Life in San Francisco

636. Two Timer

What do you think?
My friend asked me
After introducing me
To her new beau.
I think he's married.
What?? she said
Breathing in sharply.
Didn't you see the ring
On his right hand?
But wedding rings
Go on the left.
A simple switch
To make before dinner
With a girl
Who doesn't know
She's in a tryst.


Dating, San Francisco

640. Padded Bras

I don't
Like padded bras
As they are
False advertising
If you like
Each other all
That much
Your man is
Going to find
Out what part
Is you anyway


About Women, San Francisco

619. Go, Go, Go

Always on the go
Some people can't let go
Moving, moving, moving
Constantly
Never a dull moment
Rarely more than an hour
For any special time


Life in San Francisco

626. Lost List

I had a list
Of things
To do today
But where did
I put it?
No matter
I'll go write
Another poem
And make a day
Of that


On Writing, San Francisco

629. Housework

I thought about retiring
To a life as housewife
But I need a husband
For that
A few weeks at home
Helped me know
That handling housework
Is not that great
It's work
Like any other
Just less respected
And underpaid


About Women, San Francisco

630. Delusion of Time Off

Curtains installed
Bluetooth enabled
Termites and beetles
Eliminated
House sealed
Lawn mowed and watered
Comforters dry cleaned
Not working...
Who am I kidding?


About Women, San Francisco

631. Wanting Baby

A little boy
With his Mom
In the elevator
Smiled at me
And made me
Wonder
What would
It be like
to be
A mother


About Women, San Francisco

639. Be Thankful

You were ticked
Because your daughter
Made you leave work early
To pick her up where she
Was rehearsing for a show
At school.
You're crazy, honey.
With all your money
She could have been doing
Cocaine.
Thank your lucky stars
She was doing something
Cute and safe.


Long Relationships, San Francisco

632. Teamwork

Teamwork, he said
I pumped gas
And he washed
The windows
It was nice
To be there
With a man
Who wanted
Even to do
Chores
With me


Dating, San Francisco

622. Pulled Back

A noticeable chill
In your text message
Any text that
Starts with "Hi"
Raises a red flag
To a woman in like
With a man
He's retracted
Pulled back
His O's and X's
Reserving them...
For when?


Dating, San Francisco

618. Seesaw

You sounded chipper
Now you're down again
Well, I thought about it
And here I am
A moment's distraction
Gives the appearance
Of being alright
But if attention wavers
I'm back where
I started

610. Argentine Suit

You described you
In your suit
Tailored in Argentina
People on the street
Stopping you
To ask
From where it came
And if you are a model
I want to see you
In that suit
...Just to stare


Admiring Men, San Francisco

613. Perfect Balance

You fear you'll
Have to take
Unwanted
Commissions
If you marry
And have a family.
A new life
Of responsibility.
But if your wife
Also has work
She loves
That earns money
Both of you
Can live fully
Love fully
Together.


Dating, San Francisco

609. Hoping

Scrolling through
Old messages
Looking for one
That's new
The first thing
I do
When the sun
Opens my eyes


About Women, San Francisco

596. Three Minutes

Waited three full months
For new bedroom curtains
Installed in just
About three minutes
Talk about
A let down


Life in San Francisco

600. Older Man's Appeal

You're an old man
And I want you
As much
As a woman
Filled with desire
Wants any young stud
It's your command
Of the world
Around you
That puts me
In the palm
Of your hand


Admiring Men, San Francisco

599. In Public

You walk back
And forth
Behind me
I see you
I stand smiling
Wishing you'll
Kiss me
On the next pass


Dating, San Francisco

602. No Time

On the clock
Tick tock
Every movement
Tracked
Time scarce
Too much
On the docket
Not a second
To spare


Life in San Francisco

603. Eye Candy

Handsome men
Surround me
Pushing, bending
Pumping iron
I can't think
Of any place
I'd rather be
Than the gym
At 5:30


Admiring Men, San Francisco

606. I'm OK

Maybe I'm healing
I saw him
And didn't feel
Like screaming
Whatever happened
Was OK
Never thought
I'd see the day


Dating, San Francisco

605. Clandestine

Stretching
Is a way
To look like
I'm exercising
So I can
Continue watching
My favorite
Scenery
Men pumping iron


Admiring Men, San Francisco

607. It's OK

Waiting by the elevator
Forgot to press the button
And so am still standing here
Not so bad when you're glad
To be writing, pen in hand


On Writing, San Francisco

604. Voyeuse

I am such
A voyeur
(Voyeuse)
Never would
Have guessed
As much
But here I am
Admiring men
At the gym
Again


Admiring Men, San Francisco

597. Can't Go Back

I can't go back
To that kind of job
It kills a part of me
It breaks something
Inside
I can feel
My heart tearing
I hate what I become
It makes me someone
I don't want to be
A woman I don't know
Someone I don't want
In my life


Life in San Francisco

601. Odd Appeal

A girl with too many
Things in her hands
Uncool as ever
An awkward stranger
Never changing
It's an odd sex appeal
For some men
That I have


About Women, San Francisco

608. Stop Pushing

Do a little more
Push a littler harder
Get to the next level
What a bore
I want someone
Who makes
My life softer
Not more difficult
To manage


Dating, San Francisco

594. SMS World

On a conf call
Call u l8r :-)
Text message
Of my heart
Any letters
Or symbols
That come to me
Light up my
Blackberry screen
And happy cells
In my mind


Dating, San Francisco

590. New Window

I started reading
And couldn't stop
These are words
From men,
Brothers, friends,
Who read
My blog
A very
Personal view
Into a woman
They thought
They knew


About Women, San Francisco

582. 20 in France

He spoke no English
I spoke little French
A perfect match
Almost true love
Until it was
Time to go home


Dating, San Francisco

572. My Life Tumbling

Newspaper tumbling
Crumpled torn
Buffeted down the street
Undignified, falling
Destination unknown


Asking for Directions, San Francisco

577. Making Up

I looked at him
He looked at me
Hard feelings
Still under the skin
I must be a masochist
Me too
Our only words
Before we …


Dating, San Francisco

575. Tall Plum Tree

I like this tree,
He said
Its branches nearly
Touching the window
There's something
Luxurious
About being able
To pick plums
Without getting
Out of bed


Dating, San Francisco

579. Music Medicine

It looked like you were
On your own
Last night
Listening to jazz
Yes, he said,
Am inhaling it today
Music as medicine
To clear the heart
And mind


Admiring Men, San Francisco

571. Sentence Finishing

I apologize
For finishing
Your sentences
For you.
It's rude
And annoying.
I'd rather hear
What you have
To say.
I know myself
Already
Anyway.


Dating, San Francisco

556. True Love's Approach

Is true love
Something that
Hits you
All of a sudden
Like a ton of bricks
Or is it more subtle
A creeper vine
That sneaks inside
Takes root
And grows strong
Over time


Dating, San Francisco

558. Wish List

I want passion,
Desire, lust
And also
Intellectual
Stimulation
Friendship,
Warmth and comfort
All with one person
Do I ask too much?


About Women, San Francisco

557. How Does Love Feel

If I want you
Will you love me
Will I love you
Or is love
More subtle
More comfortable
Less of a need
Than a soft
Daily pleasure


Dating, San Francisco

559. First Things First

Time to close the book
Just for a moment
On Imagination
To make time
For real world
Stimulation


About Women, San Francisco

555. Pushing Myself

You are too hard
On yourself
If I am not
Who will be
I need
To be pushed
To achieve
My full potential


About Women, San Francisco

543. Winding Highway Deaths

Fog on winding roads
In Santa Cruz mountains
Deaths unumbered, untold
But sure to have happened
At night
When blindness
Strikes all drivers
And some fail
To slow down
Instead, hurtling down
With their helpless
Passengers
Onto rocky shores
Far below
Gone forever
To their maker


Life in San Francisco

542. New Currency

A day's worth
Counted
In poems written
An unusual
Unit of measure
Such pleasure
It brings to me


On Writing, San Francisco

552. Tuppence a Word

Why not be a writer?
If money were
No object
I could
Writers earn
One-fifth of what
I need to make
Just to break
Even


On Writing, San Francisco

554. Poetry Affliction

If poetry is
A disease
I don't want
The cure
I'd rather live
My life
In malaise
Than stop doing
Something important


On Writing, San Francisco

553. Achoo

When I get a poem
It's like a sneeze
It comes out unexpected
Suddenly


On Writing, San Francisco

564. Curious

Your pretensions
Have got me curious
About the dimensions
Of your interest in me


Dating, San Francisco

528. Maybe

Maybe said too often
Always means no
Unless someone shows
You otherwise


Dating, San Francisco

529. Silent Call Service

I said goodbye to him
In a poem
And then he appears
At my door
Poem as subliminal call
Who would have known


Dating, San Francisco

534.Hopeful Message

I called to hear
Your voice
Was the message
He left for me
I'm hoping
It's true; can it be?
Someone
So interesting
Hopes to be
With me


Dating, San Francisco

526. High Tech Entrepreneurs

I know two men like that
More money than
They know how to spend
And impossible
To deal with as friends
Running late
Canceling dates
Spreading themselves
Too thin


Dating, San Francisco

523. Gift of Yourself

Money
Isn't everything
Giving me your time
Is more important
To me


Dating, San Francisco

517. No Transfers

A man realizing
A woman
He didn't want
Loves him
Is a sad sight
To behold
He wishes
He could
Transfer a love
He does feel
Onto a woman
Who would
Accept his heart


Dating, San Francisco

514. Hurtlet

You hurt me a little.
It was a hurtlet,
he said.
Little did
She know
She should have
Grabbed the chance
To hurt him
A lot.


Dating, San Francisco

513. His Wish Come True

A man
With too many women
Said
Just once
I wish I could sleep
In my own bed
His new girl
Immediately
Wished she had
Already
Sent him home


Dating, San Francisco

512. Crossed Out

If I haven't
Heard from you
In a week
You are crossed
Off my list
Of possibilities


Dumping, San Francisco

334. A Different Kind of Tourist

My brother's Japanese friend
Collects and keeps good Americans
He nurtures relationships
Over decades
And goes to live for weeks
In their houses
Participating in their normal lives
This is no usual Japanese tourist
Rather, he is a person,
Who seeks to relish and understand
He'll watch our favorite TV shows
And go with us to the grocery stores
Watch the kids' baseball game
And run errands or just
Hang out indoors
He likes to know how we
Really live
So far, his favorites are Texans


Long Relationships, San Francisco

325. Job Advice

You need to find something
That's a good fit for you
Employment's not for everybody
Loafers can have fun, too
Create your own business
Work seven months of the year
And play for five
You'll be happier
You're alive


Life in San Francisco

259. Fog

The fog rolls in
A sky full of foreboding
The cold chills my skin
All the way to my spine
This must be what
Death feels like


Life in San Francisco

149. Heart Attack Waiting

Busy, busy, busy
Running to another meeting
Conference call at 12:00am
Up at 3:00, out till 10:00
Business is booming
When will the heart's pounding
Stop... forever


Life in San Francisco

524. Returned to Sender

I wrapped myself
In ribbons and bows
To surprise him
Three days later
He surprised me
Letting me know
He didn't want
A long-term
Relationship


Dating, San Francisco

495. Encouraging Low Standards

My brother believes
A man cannot be
Good looking and single
And of good character
Impossible, he cries
Hoping I could
Learn to prize
Someone less


Dating, San Francisco

491. Impressing the Jones's

What the neighbors think
Does matter to me
Don't drive up in a jelopy
Dropping parts and spewing fumes
Don't wear torn, stained clothes
I like to think
My life is more aesthetic
And you are leaving a ring
In the tub


Dating, San Francisco

488. Country Girl in SF

My mind
Has a country song
As the soundtrack
For my life
All the range
Of emotions amplified
With the twang
Of country
Violins and guitars
Down home sound


Life in San Francisco

525. Passover Leftovers

Box of matzos
A few months old
Macaroons
Aged two years
Gefilte fish
No one knows
Passover leftovers
How long will
They keep
Perhaps till
Kingdom come


Life in San Francisco

536. Vacationing with Parents

Yeeak,
He said, plaintive
Nearly late
Running
Harried
To meet his folks
This is the fate
Of all adults
Under the yoke
Of vacationing
With parents


Long Relationships, San Francisco

537. Life versus Writing

I don't feel like writing
Today, I feel like living
I want to explore
Driving
To Santa Cruz mountains
Flirting with a handsome man
There must be more
To life
Than just paper and pen


On Writing, San Francisco

538. TV Nanny

In teenage years
I grew up
Without supervision
My company:
The television
Overcome
With boredom
I did homework
Made straight A's
And eventually
Was graduated
From Georgetown
And Princeton


Asking for Directions, San Francisco

566. Steamer Lane

Windblown, sunworn
An hour
At Steamer Lane
Watching surfers cruise
Hearing the soft roar
Of waves in Santa Cruz


Life in San Francisco

568. Surfer

Listening to your stories
Of surfing the big waves
Lets me see
Into your days
As a younger man
Who felt invincible
Watching the tides
Hearing the surf
Smelling the ocean air
Tasting its grit and salt
Divining the next surge
Grabbing life
With all your senses


Admiring Men

551. Career Options

I've been telling you
You should do something else
With your life
I'm 35 with 12 years
In my career
Why don't you become
A veterinarian
My mother says
Not to be contrarian
But doesn't it take
Some education or preparation
To do that?


Asking for Directions, San Francisco

561. Personal Power

Of course
You have a voice
Your own body too
And freedom of choice


On Writing, San Francisco

539. Remembering Grace

My childhood nanny was a saint
Ultimate love and patience
Her name was Grace
Her goodness as pure
As Snow
I loved her but didn't tell her
That is the greatest regret
I'll ever know


Long Relationships, San Francisco

527. Que Sera Sera

If it happens it does
If not, it doesn't
Make no firm plans
In matters of the heart


Dating, San Francisco

521. Too Busy

Hi Mom, I rang to say...
Not now, 24's on TV today
Another night, another call...
Now it's Lost, a favorite show
I wonder what I've missed
As a daughter put on hold


Long Relationships, San Francisco

518. Cross Purposes

A woman
Hating single life
Writing a blog
About being single
Wonders if she
Perpetuates
An unhappy state
By her
Online admissions


Asking for Directions, San Francisco

515. Wasted Tears

Crying into my pillow
Because a man
Hasn't called
I don't yet know
I'm completely
Off his radar
He has no clue
I've been true
And doesn't care
A bit for me


Dating, San Francisco

569. Charmed Life

How many times
Have strangers
Saved your life
Sharks in India
Snakes there, too
Undertow
In Rio
What else did you do?
Your life is charmed
G-d must have
Big plans for you


Admiring Men

570. On Religion

Reading my writing
You'd think
I have religion
But knowing
Me better
You'd say
It's not true
I have fear
Sometimes respect
Often gratitude
But no
Organized system


Asking for Directions, San Francisco

565. Not Your Courtesan

You keep me
At arm's length
Far away from whom
And what you love
You've never let me see
Your home
Or meet your
Friends and family
How can you expect
Me to believe
You have any respect
For me?
It's time
For you to find
Another woman
To treat
As your courtesan
I will love a man
Who treats me
Like his queen


Dumping, San Francisco

563. Time versus Money

He doesn't have
As much money
As you do
But he gives
Me himself
He makes time
For just us two
And that holds
More value
For me


Dating, San Francisco

535. Listening

So you think your hair
Should be brown.
I've been reading,
He told me.
It feels good
And a little surprising
To be heard
And understood.


Dating, San Francisco