Squirrel Tails and Robin Tales

My squirrels' tails are outlined in white, and their underbellies are white also. Some time ago, Pat had an albino squirrel at her house. What I wouldn't give to see one of those!

This morning, waiting for the coffee water to boil, I glanced out the kitchen window and saw movement in the puddles under the trees. As I watched, the "movement" came close enough for me to see that it was a robin having a really good time, splashing in the puddle.
*
Our theme for the poetry meeting Monday night is "Re-". Re- anything. Thinking about it, I was reminded of an old (pre-1978) poem of mine, which I re-named "Rekindle."

Fire in the veins I had, a glow
of youth and poetry, and yearning
for adventure; far to go
I had, on dancing feet that knew no roots,
but I had seven-league boots,
I thought, to make the journey.

In glittering caverns, fingertip-
deep in rhyme,
I walked north, south
and upside down
where verses dripped,
honeyed verb and noun,
into my mouth
like water and lime.

Talents glinting like new gold
here, there and anywhere
I flung, largesse
strewn with a careless air
as if the mine were bottomless,
when I was young and bold.

Art in the hands I had,
lacked only time, that fled
and vanished faster
than hands could write of pain or laughter.

Then, gold and fire and water meeting
years back there or hours ago,
I learned what any fool should know--
that art as well as time was fleeting.
*
I have submitted/entered this poem all over the United States, and nobody has ever appreciated it. I personally think it's one of my best efforts. Somebody did publish it in a "chapbook." The original title was "Over My Shoulder."
*
(Mar. 30) I added this final stanza before the Monday night meeting:

But underneath the ashy coals
of time remains a spark--
O gleam, light up the dark!
Reshine the tarnished gold;
rekindle those young fires of old,
before the journey's close!