Category Archives: Steve Shoemaker

Verse – Jackie was the most kind

Posted on by
Reply

In 1969 I started Duke
to get a Ph.D. They gave me ten
long years to finish, but for me it took
a bit more time… I had a job, and then
two kids, and boy, could I procrastinate.
A great new novel to be read, a cause
to join, a film to see, a verse to write…

I hired two friends, good Joe, who failed because
he was too kind believing every lie.
But Jackie, who seemed sweet, looked in my eye
and gave me hell. And so I worked and wrote.
The Duke degree I finally earned, I note
four decades later, came because of two:
one nice, one mean–and finally I was through.

  • Steve Shoemaker, Urbana, IL, Dec. 7, 2015

Verse – Septet Cursing Illness

Posted on by
Reply
Waking up to the smell of bacon

Waking up to the smell of bacon

I’ve never really liked the bathroom–
Smelly, necessary pathroom.

Kitchens! Can you smell the bacon?
Kneading, rolling, roastin’, bakin’

Frying, broiling, Bar-B-Queing
Even chickens, we are stewing–

Well? In pot, but sick, on pot…

  • Steve Shoemaker, Urbana, IL, Dec. 4, 2015. Photo of Spanky added by Spanky’s partner in crime on Views from the Edge.

NOTE: Steve has been writing this week from the Mayo Clinic where he’s being treated for pancreatic cancer.  Hour by hour is a roller coaster ride from yesterday’s “Celebrating Illness” to today’s “Cursing Illness.” He can still smell the bacon, but he can’t eat it. But  his good humor is in tact. Steve’s friends and family are celebrating him and cursing the illness while following updates on CaringBridge and cheering on his spirit.

 

Standing Up for Others

Posted on by
2

The front page of today’s Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette carries a feature article on Steve Shoemaker, as in Views from the Edge with Gordon and Steve. This photo of “Welcome the Stranger” includes a note from Steve’s daughter, one in which Steve’s friends heartily concur.

Steve Shoemaker: "Welcome the Stranger"

Steve Shoemaker: “Welcome the Stranger”

 

Verse – Thanksgiving (acrostic)

Posted on by
Reply

Thanksgiving Pilgrims and Wampanoag all

Huddled together to eat by the fire.

After the Palefaces learned to trap fowl,

Native Americans also taught fair

Knowledge of maize farming. They heard of God’s

Son who had died for them, teaching of love.

Gathering to offer thanks for the goods

Ingathered at harvest, both of them have

Very much happiness to celebrate.

In years to come would be broken treaties,

Native folks killed, forced to flee or to fight.

Give thanks at least for a few meals in peace…

  • Steve Shoemaker, Urbana,  IL

Church ready to house Syrian refugees

Posted on by
1
News on Philo Presbyterian Church and Muslim Syrian refugees

News on Philo Presbyterian Church and Muslim Syrian refugees

Syrian Refugees Welcome Here

Posted on by
3

Suggested letter to come from the Board of the small Presbyterian Church of Philo, Illinois:

Dear Syrian refugee family,

Yes, we know you are Muslims, fleeing for your lives from a violent cult that claims they have all the truth & can harm anyone they want.

We are a small Presbyterian Christian Church in a small town, Philo, in Illinois.

Yes, our State’s Governor in Springfield says no Syrian refugees can come to our State. Fortunately, our Country separates Church from State, so we will welcome you here. Tell us where you are & we will send a car…

Members, Philo, Illinois, Presbyterian Church

  • Steve Shoemaker, Urbana, IL, Nov. 16, 2015
Philo Presbyterian Church, Philo, Illinois

Philo Presbyterian Church, Philo, Illinois

 

 

Verse – the Decline of Western Civilization

Posted on by
3

What we called “Jewels”
are now called “Junk.”

And what we straight guys called “Heaven”
is now called a “Hoohaw.”

[Nota bene: if one clicks “like” on this post, it does NOT mean one approves of this degradation of nomenclature. Rather, a “like” indicates gratitude to the author for pointing out yet another sign of impending disaster. 😇]

  • Steve Shoemaker, Urbana, IL, October 23, 2015

Verse – Saints in Saint Louis

Posted on by
Reply


The Gateway Arch is higher than
a building sixty stories tall.
Foundations underground, unseen,
go down for sixty feet. In all,
concrete and steel above, below,
weigh almost 40,000 tons.

But we see air, for Eero
Saarinen drew the leaping lines
into the sky, and stainless steel
reflects the clouds, and frames the sun.
The brave will ride a tram and feel
at apex angel-like, heaven-
residing happy holy beings,
although with very nervous bellies…

  • Steve Shoemaker, Urbana, IL, Oct. 21, 2015

Golden Arch

A Limerick for World’s Greatest Cubs Fan

Posted on by
Reply
Map to Wrigley Field from Urbana, IL

Map to Wrigley Field from Urbana, IL

For the Cubs 1-0-7 long years
Crying No-Series-Winner sad tears.
Yes, I live far away,
But soon on that great day
Baby Bruins will sure hear my cheers!

– Steve Shoemaker, Cubs fan writing 154 miles from Wrigley Field in honor of Harry Lee Strong, world’s greatest Cubs fan.

Steve and Harry are lifelong, long-suffering “Baby Bruins” fans hoping the sports heavens are about to open after the 107 year drought since the Cubs last won the World Series. Harry, pictured below in his tux, and his dog with the Cubs tie, have been “dressing for success” in Harry’s “Cubs cave” farther away in AZ.

Harry Strong holding picture with Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks and Cubs memorabilia.

Harry Strong holding picture with Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks and Cubs memorabilia.

 

 

 

 

Verse – Why do you fly a kite?

Posted on by
4
Steve's kite

Steve’s kite

Why Do You Fly Kites?

You kid of 72,
Reliving your childhood?
Child-like, or childish?

Prairie winds are strong,
Annoying to some.
I choose to revel in them,
Let the wind lift my spirits,
Carry kite and me skyward.

But you can no longer run,
Cannot pull the kite aloft,
Cannot even trot…

A delta kite lifts itself
In even a mild breeze.
When high above,
I tie the line to a stake,
And sit with beer in hand,
And look up.

  • Steve Shoemaker, Urbana, IL, Oct. 26, 2015