Category Archives: Poetry

A Long Road

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Yes, Race Street went from north to south
in front of my high school. I’d drive
each day from home and risk the wrath
of Mr. Rice when I’d arrive
five minutes late because I’d wait
for both the Larson twins who lived
with three more brothers down the street.

No, that was fifty years ago
and now I live a half mile east
of Race Street, but each day still go
that way to town. I drive right past
the football field where we would cheer
and hold the hands of those we loved.
How did we get from there to here?

– Steve Shoemaker, Urbana, IL, December 28, 2013

No coach ever

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There is no “U” in TEAM,
so I’ll not pass to you.
Winning isn’t everything,
it’s the lonely thing.
All for none,
and none for all!
When the going gets tough,
the tough say “Enough!”

– Steve Shoemaker, Urbana, IL, Dec. 22, 2013

COMPLETE “No Christians were there”

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Steve’s complete verse has three stanzas. Yesterday’s post was only the first. Here’s the full piece.

“No Christians were there”

No Christians were there at the birth
of Jesus. (For “…disciples were
first called Christians in Antioch”
years later.) But were those who were
there believers? the shepherds, the wise
astrologers, the non-father,
the Blessed mother? Did they see
with eyes of faith, or more like we
do: wonder, ponder, doubt and stare
at the small baby stabled there…?

That three were Jews, we know for sure.
The genealogies we read
in Matthew, Luke, go back as far
as Abraham. Eight days, we read,
then circumcision for the babe.
The Arab wise guys may be from
the land we call Iran. The sheep
herders may have been aliens
in the land illegally: cheap
pay for smelly foreigners.

The barn contained no royalty–
the stock had better pedigree…
and yet some say a King was born
to poor folks that the rich would scorn…

– Steve Shoemaker, Urbana, IL, Dec. 21, 2013

No Christians were there

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No Christians were there at the birth
of Jesus. (For “…disciples were
first called Christians in Antioch”
years later.) But were those who were
there believers? the shepherds, the wise
astrologers, the non-father,
the Blessed mother? Did they see
with eyes of faith, or more like we
do: wonder, ponder, doubt and stare
at the small baby stabled there…?

– Verse “No Christians were there” by Steve Shoemaker, Urbana, IL, December 20, 2013

    Editor’s Comment

Sitting at the computer in the second floor study, I watched a van pull up and empty out. Five people with pamphlets. The doorbell rang. Two men, one older, one very young, wanted to talk about the gospel. Impressed by their earnestness and their willingness to go door-to-door in the sweltering heat, I listened for a long time. I finally asked them who Jesus Christ was. “He was the Son of God.” “Okay, but who was Jesus of Nazareth.” Again they answered, “He was the Son of God.” “Let me ask a different question. What was Jesus’ religion?” “He was a Christian,” they answered. “No he wasn’t,” said I, “he was the Christ. You can’t follow yourself! He was a faithful Jew.” They were aghast at the thought. We continued to talk for 45 minutes. There were no Christians at the birth.

Verse – Caregiver

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as teacher minded others children
and cared for her own
her spouse of forty years was sick ten
then left her alone
by dying way too young
…………………………….his special
brother needed aid
with meds and moving thinking mental
health have his bills paid
her mother needed visits daily
she was ninety-eight
all thought god treated her unfairly
she just smiled at fate

– Steve Shoemaker, Urbana, IL, December 19, 2013

Limerick on Heinlein’s Razor

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My first thought was that he was horrid.
The language he used was quite florid.
Perhaps he was mean
or not very keen–
is it wrong just to say he was stupid?

Steve Shoemaker’s limerickized version of Heinlein’s razor (sometimes called Hanlon’s razor): “Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.”

The Countertenor’s Magnificat

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Christopher Holman, Countertenor

strong>” A Blessing for Both”

He sings with flutes about the homeless poor
invited to the table of the rich
by God, by God! They eat their fill and more,
and not like dogs that lift their jaws and catch
the scraps, but guests with vintage wine
to match each course made by the Chef.
He sings
about the rich evicted from their fine
designer homes by God, by God! With rings
that flash and fancy shirts, they leave
their table before food is served! Instead
of feasting, they are empty and will have
no need for trainers, purging, before bed…

(Tonight, Sunday, December 15, 2013 A. D.,
at Holy Cross Catholic Church
In Champaign, Illinois, this ironic aria
will be sung as part of J. S. Bach’s
” Magnificat”– Mary’s song. Directed
by Chester Alwes.)

– Steve Shoemaker, Urbana, IL, December 14, 2013

Christopher Holman, Countertenor

Christopher Holman, Countertenor

Editor’s Note: Christopher Holman is an American organist, countertenor, and choral conductor, currently residing and studying in Urbana-Champaign at the University of Illinois, whose primary interests lie in the realm of historically-informed performance.

Verse – “Blessed Mary”

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The CHOIR magnificently sang
Bach’s LOUD complex “Magnificat!”
The orchestra was small, but rang
Out BRASS and DRUMS and ORGEL that
Reverberated through the Hall.

That GOD was GREAT there was no doubt,
The fugue repeated that till all
Could not help but join in the SHOUT!

(but then the oboe d’amore stood
and quietly began with D
a tune of slave and poverty…
the cello cello cello droned

and high above soprano mild
sang about the coming child.)

– Steven R. Shoemaker & Margaret R. Grossman, December 13, 2013

Verses – Peter Michalove

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Two Acrostics

Peter, like many Arts Ph. D.s,
Entered the work-force, but could not find
The right music composition place.
Earning money for his brand new bride
Required taking a job at the school.

Music would be heard for 30 years
Instead of written. But then a real
Creative time in retirement days.
He wrote music, heard it played, but when
Aggressive cancer hit him he had
Little strength left to compose. The pain
Overcame the music in his head.
Valiantly he taught others to hear,
Even laughing, having music near.

— — — —

Perhaps it was hallucination,
Even a vision, but a guy named
Tom showed up the last hours the patient
Endured the cancer. Ghostly Tom claimed
Right after death we all will get a preview

Making clear what the afterlife will be.
If people wish, they enter in–but few do
Choose that life, “Been there, done that!” they say.
How can more years, even if pain-free
Atone for dying young and leaving
Loved ones, music, teaching, history
Of stamps… The time would be spent grieving.
Very plain spoken always, he said:
Everlasting sleep I choose instead.

– Steve Shoemaker, Urbana, IL, December 12, 2013

Dr. Peter Michalove, who died last week, was a career Business Manager for several academic departments at the University of Illinois, where he had received his Doctorate of Musical Arts in composition.

In retirement, music he wrote was played and appreciated (see “Peter Michalove” on YouTube).

Chemotherapy fatigue eventually made writing music impossible, but Peter taught music classes to other retirees at the University, to enthusiastic applause. He has written about music and cancer: http://petermichalovecomposer.com

Two plus four

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…… 2 + 4 =

Laughter and giggling,
Crying, hair-pulling,
Yelling, “That’s not fair!”
Snuggles and duets.

Two runny noses
Wobbly first steps
Sibling jealousy
Sibling loyalty

Car seats and strollers,
Diapers and powder,
Cribs and big-girl-beds,
Two shoes but lost socks,

Exhausted parents,
Yelling in restaurants,
Rich baby-sitters,
No baby this year.

-Steve Shoemaker, Urbana, IL, December 11, 2013