Holidazeeedoodle-doo!

1989

Should old acquaintance be forgot

Another year has gone to pot

Not in the way you think it would

In some ways bad while most were good

The quake of ’89 it shocked us

For those in town it rolled and rocked us

The cabin trip we took up north

As whale watchers we ventured forth

John and Sarah are now engaged

As Mrs. Caine she’ll soon be paged

This Christmas time is newly past

We’re back to work and warmth at last

Already we look forward to

The Forty-Niners champs anew

That party on the twenty-second

Into the streets our stomachs beckoned

Ascrawl with magic markers black

We "shuffled" up the block and back

Peter flew plane trips: so often, so many

Holly cabbed it didn’t cost here a penny

Our gal Marinaro moved to Italy to look

For a man who wants babies, a maid, and a cook

Cindy Gordon down south, still giving it a whirl

She’s living with, sleeping with, loving a girl

From Steve we learned the facts of life

That Sunday brunch was filled with strife

With quantum leaps the concepts dazed us

His strength and courage soon amazed us

He’s gone, he’s loved, forgotten not

Kuleto’s still his favorite spot

The place where Carrie spilled her guts

For liking her she thinks we’re nuts

Lori’s party on baker beach

At thirty-one she’s still a peach

Ms. Pearls, Postrio, Kokomo at Bix

Take Karen Mae’s picture she screams and kicks

Gospel in the grove we sang

Peace on Earth the message rang

Love thy neighbor!  Save the whale!

Elephant ivory can land you in jail

If the Amazon it reigned supreme

The 90’s now will make that seem

One single leaf on the worldly tree

As man strives to mend earth pure and free

Johnnie cakes, jerked food, Jamaican stew

The year ahead is fresh and new

Some are silver the others gold

We sit as friends and eat green mold

1990

should old acquaintance be forgot

it seems pete’s writing poems a lot

you see some take a year to pen

no most a week and then again

Maybe not.

so let’s look back on days gone by

remember all try not to cry

cast back to big sur days rejoice

at night the chainsaw’s evil voice

Is nigh.

all up and down the coast a far

three big white kids in a bright white car

inside the trunk holly locked the keys

we headed south oh svengaard please

Where’s the bar?

san diego heard burps 31 more or less

with lori and danny oh god what a mess

our canoe across morrow bay rippled with critters

the del’s golden sand combat boy gives me jitters

More coastal excess.

back at home our karen mae

a job a cat at home will stay

to love it pet it teach it right

if the building sells stay out of sight

Whisher OK?

to hayes street brian moved

his house by himmelberg’s improved

the maps and blackboard seem just right

as long as jim don’t spend the night

They grooved.

still friend for life it’s fate great scott

good fun good food we fight a lot

for ’91 let’s true remain

like family though at times a pain

It’s not.

1993

‘Twas the evening on Christmas and all round the table,

Pete has gotten their attention with another poem slash fable.

A fine dinner’s been served.  My how grandly it was styled.

Perhaps Holly could be the next Julia Child?

She commutes north to Oakville, a cup of coffee on her lap,

Filled with visions of huckleberries in that Italian death trap.

Her mama Jo and the camera we all missed at Thanksgiving,

But she flew in last Sunday.  Down in Florida she’s living.

A long year of changes this one’s been for us all.

Raise you glass way up high and shout, “1993: Last Call!”

Yet with just one more week ‘fore the New Year arrives,

Fate could deal one last hand; really shake up our lives.

Perhaps Brian and Pete could squeeze in one last job,

As long as it isn’t with Joseph: that snob.

Maybe Michael could drive one more boss set of wheels.

He’s now part of the gang; adds more salt to our meals.

I’m sure Red on the Head would just love a vacation,

But she’s gotta make sure that they clean the bread station.

“Maybe if Hell freezes over,” says Pete,

"Will she get that Bitch Ms. Michael Bauer a seat!"

Mark…Where is Mark?  He’s arrived by now, surely?

In bed!  I wish he didn’t have to get up so damn early.

And could it be that our friend Karen Mae and her pet,

Will, I don’t know, do something.  She could surprise us yet.

With some luck John and Sarah (now with Sam, he’s so cute),

Could show up and tell us their pregnant to boot!

Only six more days left to do something else new.

Perhaps from Christine and Danny we could all catch the flu.

But mostly I know that before this year ends,

I still have some time to thank God for my friends.

So now let me exclaim, as I take one last bite:

“Merry Christmas to all.  I gotta go catch a flight.”

Season's Greetings

Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas
and all the best in 2012!

Peter J. Palmer