Compilation of Poems from the Heart

It Should Never Have Been ©

Gary Shulman

December 2020

 

We have lived through the year that should never have been

Some sadly didn’t make it and we can’t just take that on the chin

For blame must be placed where blame must reside

On dictators and minions whose callousness and pride

Stood in the way of mercy and kindness

While screams of those suffering was met with cold blindness

But now there is hope, there is light there is sanity

Perhaps we will now return to humanity

Where those we’ve elected will lead by example

Where compassion and justice will be more than ample

Where diversity is lauded, applauded and embraced

And bigotry, intolerance and hatred are erased

Dreaming is good when dreaming brings hope

For we are all equal be you nurse, teacher, President or Pope

So 2021 please envelope us with joy

We need it, we yearn for it every man, woman, girl and boy

It remains to be seen if indeed joy will arrive

And hopefully we all will still be alive

To celebrate together a renaissance of sanity

And a destruction of evil, self-centered vanity

So let us raise a glass of good cheer

And never again give in to the fear

For we have the power to bring back the light

And rescue humanity and fight the good fight

Let’s hope we won’t have to, let’s hope we have won

Be vigilant forever let’s have a good run

And keep democracy alive, healthy and strong

And never again allow this nation to go so wrong

 

A Day of Infamy and Treason ©

Gary Shulman

January 6, 2021

 

There is no reason 

Why this isn’t treason

There is no excuse

For all this abuse

While Republicans cower

At Trump’s fascist power

The world watches in awe

At our next civil war

We all have the power

To throw Trump from his tower

So hold fast to what is right

And we will yet win this fight

 

Come Touch His Cheek ©

Gary Shulman, MS. Ed.

 

This child of mine you stare at so,

Please come closer so you will know

Just who my child is and what I see

when those sweet eyes stare back at me

I see no limits to my child’s life

Although I know

It will be filled with strife,

I’m hoping that doors will open each day

I’m praying that kindness

will come his way

You look frightened?

You tremble with fear?

Come, come closer

touch him my dear

Touch his cheek so soft

so sweet

Be one of those people

he needs to meet

Someone who will look

and hopefully see

The skill, the talent

The ability

Please come closer

You don’t have to speak

Come a little closer

Just touch his cheek

And when you do 

you will see

He is no different 

than you or me

 

This Too Shall Pass ©

Gary Shulman

April 2, 2020

 

As sure as the sun will rise once more

and Ella will always have class

as sure as the moon 

Will kiss the night

You know

This too shall pass

 

As sure as the joys of life persist

and continue to amass

and daily miracles 

bring tears and smiles

Be assured this too shall pass

 

To say any more 

would be too much

To dwell would be unkind

So go and grab that ring of brass

Be assured this too shall pass

 

 

What Goes Around ©

Gary Shulman, MS. Ed.

January 2021

 

What goes around comes around

Or so they say and so we pray

That those who choose to spread their evil

Will soon get theirs in one great upheaval

But is that really always true?

Will that happen in the red, white and blue?

Ideally yes, but sadly we see

Evil is powerful and filled with glee

For light can only shine so great

When heroes are willing to step up to the plate

And knock injustice right on its head

And crush the venom until it’s dead

What goes around comes around

Well maybe yes and maybe no

It’s up to us to make it so!

 

 

Just Do it! ©

Gary Shulman

January 2021

 

Not trying to be pushy, not trying to be mean,

But lord have mercy!

Please just get 

Your COVID vaccine!

Don’t want to hear you’re not sure,

Don’t want to hear, not me!

Save yourself, protect the world

And a hero you will be!

If we all do not participate 

If we all procrastinate

Then we all will necessarily 

Share one helluva bleak, sad fate,

So when your turn to get it comes

Please step up to the plate, 

You never ever want to hear

Have mercy!!!  

Now it’s just TOO LATE!!!

 

Canarsie Dreaming ©

Gary Shulman

December 2020

 

Seaview Park on a warm Summer’s day

A stroll down the “L” then with my buddies I’d play

Pensy Pinky would hit that penny with joy

Red Rover, Red Rover what fun! Oh Boy!!!

Canarsie Pier we’d explore with childish delight

Every fish we’d see, a miraculous sight!

If good we had been a toy for some pennies

We’d hurry right into magical Kenny’s

Late into Summer block parties would last

Celebrating our neighbors, lord what a blast!

When hunger attacked us, to Deli’s we’d run

Or maybe a pizza with soda, what fun!

Then Saturday morning a movie we’d see

Canarsie Theater on the L was my cup of tea

Then more modern and ritzy Seaview Theater was born

Making a decision between the two, I was often torn

The schools were supreme, with teachers the best

Then once it was 3, out the door to invest 

In our futures by sharing the love of each other

With memories of Canarsie a home like no other

The memories paint pictures of joy in my brain

Even today when life brings some pain

But connecting with those whose lives we all shared

Makes tomorrow worthwhile, knowing Canarsie folks cared

 

Canarsie On My Mind ©

Gary Shulman

October 2020

 

The joyous memories both precious and kind

Hit the Penny, smoky Mahjong games

That’s Canarsie on My Mind

The Christmas display on Flatland’s we’d find

Every crisp snowy December 

In Canarsie on my mind

Oh what a treat when at Grabstein’s we dined

French fries, Cream soda and pastrami 

That’s Canarsie on my mind

On all the important holidays, our shoes were highly shined

We’d love to show off our finest

In Canarsie on my mind

Our very hard working parents, each day was such a grind

But always making time for the children 

In Canarsie on my mind

And now so many cherished days, I have left behind

My life is in its Winter

Sweet thoughts are forever enshrined

But sweetest of all, most cherished and refined

Is my sweet sweet Canarsie

Forever on my mind

 

Revert to a Yurt!©

Gary Shulman, MS. Ed.

June 15, 2021

 

When times get tough 

and life gets absurd

Rethink your abode 

And take my word

Revert to a Yurt

and live like a King,

a Queen or a Prince

What a marvelous thing!

Carefree and healthy

Unencumbered you'll be

Just take my word

In that Yurt you shall see

That life can be sweet, 

and your brain can relax

set aside your cell phone

your laptop and FAX

So ponder my words

with care and delight

and revert to a Yurt

such a beautiful sight!

 

Ruby the Knishman ©

Gary Shulman, MS. Ed.

June 17, 2021

 

Oh how I do wish

For a Ruby’s knish

Be it Kasha or tater

No one did it any greater

Hot knishes he’d serve

With finesse, class and verve

Blackened fingernails added flavor 

We indulged and we did savor

The wonderful, sumptuous and elegant taste

Not a single crumb ever went to waste

That was indeed a wonderful time

When Ruby’s knishes were better than wine

Now we think back on those glorious days

Enjoyed by us all in so many ways

Days of knishes so fine and so grand

And how cherished Ruby’s knishes were

In dear sweet Canarsie-land

 

Sandlots of Grand Canarsie ©

Gary Shulman, MS. Ed.

June 20, 2021

 

Way back when as a chubby little boy 

On a sandy hill I sat

Canarsie was replete with snakes,

Lumpy toads, an occasional bat

Adventures grand we all would have

In those swamps and sandlots galore

Way back when Canarsie

Was the country of dreams and more

I’d sit on that mound of beach-like sand

Just pondering life away

Stuffed yellow toy duck close in hand

My brain would soar each day

I’d contemplate dear Grabsteins franks

Oh what a sumptuous joy!

Perhaps I’d take a walk to the pier

Great adventure for a chubby little boy!

I yearn again for a simpler time

A time of sandlots and joy

A sandlot where I loved to explore

With snakes and toads, oh boy!

I sit here now well seasoned in life

Nostalgia fills my brain

My body much older, each morning I ache

You just get used to the pain

But when it gets bad and muscles get stiff

I allow my brain cells to roam

Back to a time, a joyous time

When Canarsie sandlots were called my home

 

To Fathers, Just Because ©

Gary Shulman, MS. Ed.

June 19, 2021

 

To all the fathers who did their best

To do it right, to rise to the test

To all the dads be they one or two

Straight, Trans or Gay,

in the red, white and blue

To all the father figures 

All permutations galore

Mentor, role model, teacher 

One thing I know for sure

It you reached down deep

Into that scary place

Threw expectations out the window

Allowed your heart to race

While you loved your child

Unconditionally

Whatever he, she, them

Turned out to be

Then bravo to you

For you did it right

You did it pure

You fought the good fight

You saved your child from a terrible fate

For you chose to love 

and not berate

You loved your child 

just because

That is enough

APPLAUSE! APPLAUSE!

 

To Live in a Yurt ©

Gary Shulman, MS. Ed.

June 2021

 

Out loud I shall blurt, 

to live in a Yurt, 

with that idea I would flirt, 

while eating dessert, 

so don't be so curt 

at the idea of a yurt, 

as a home for your skirt, 

your pants and your shirt!

 

Naked and Hungry ©

Gary Shulman, MS. Ed.

June 20, 2021

 

Naked and hungry

I would be

If not for the spouse

Who married me! 

 

Feeling Guilty is a Waste! ©

Gary Shulman

June 24, 2021

 

Guilt is created

by minds in turmoil

by devices at play

that make your blood boil

but never healthy

and never beneficial

so let me tell you something

and make it official

Let go of that emotion

created by your brain

you deserve some kindness

and that isn't being vain

So let those who love you

Do something oh so nice

Open your heart to getting help

Or you’ll surely pay the price!

 

Nothing Is Quite As It Was ©

Gary Shulman, MS. Ed.

June 28, 2021

 

Nothing is quite as it was, 

Quality gone down the drain

Sit in a restaurant expecting the best

Expectations are all in vain

Buy a car brand new-great deal!

Get ready for the fall!

Three months go by and now guess what

It’s part of a huge recall!

That house you bought, that wonderful dream

It set you back a bunch

Well after those leaks and termites too

You can’t even afford a lunch!

Nope-nothing is quite as it was

Quality gone down the drain

But what can you do but live and laugh

It doesn’t pay to go insane

So just keep trying, take the plunge

Life’s gonna slap you in the face

But so goes life,  yep so it goes

Welcome to the human race!

 

Ode to A Vintage Soul ©

Gary Shulman, MS. Ed.

July 1, 2021

 

As his journey approaches 90 years

Of life on earth, it’s time,

To reflect on such a glorious life,

A life like vintage wine,

It has not always been easy

As the seasons came and went,

But one thing for sure

We can celebrate,

Is a life that was very well spent,

Spent loving a Catskills home so sweet

Replete with hummingbirds and bears,

Replete with loving friends and family

Who visited throughout the years,

This folk on the hill

This one of a kind

Would stand out in a crowd,

Yes sometimes not always appropriate

And maybe a bit too loud,

But lord knows always engaging

On topics of days gone by,

Like Hollywood celebrities

Or wars that made him cry,

His wife of more than 60 years

Always there like his Rock of Gibraltar,

Ready to catch him when he needs support

Making sure he doesn’t falter,

His children, his joy, his prodigy

His greatest gift to this earth,

Adore his quirks, his good, his bad,

His passion and his mirth,

And mirth he has in buckets full

As laughter flows like rain,

His view of life unique, divine

And sometimes a bit insane,

And now each day for this glorious man

Comes with just a tad more pain,

Those eyes may need a bit more time

To communicate with his brain,

But rest assured well loved is he

And loved he’ll always be,

For 90 years well spent and shared

Is quite a legacy

 

To My Mother In Law, With Love ©

Gary Shulman, MS. Ed.

July 2, 2021

 

How do we remember a person?  

What legacy do you leave?

Do people care about the outfits you wore?

Your meatloaf, that chicken that beef?

Will those left behind deeply ponder 

About the lipstick that you wore?

Or how sparkly clean and sanitized 

Was your spotless kitchen floor?

 

Well here is exactly what I think

My brain’s been on overdrive

Thinking and contemplating

I’ll share while you’re 

Still very much alive

 

Friend to all, not a selfish cell

Always there to share your love

With neighbors, friends, and family alike

This gift you were given from above

 

Have a bagel you ask with love in your heart

Have a bagel…..More coffee too?

Not to worry, we all know very well

This is just part of you

 

You haven’t always had an easy ride

Life’s thrown you a curve or two

You’ve learned to take it all in stride

When you’re happy or when you’re blue

 

Mother, wife, neighbor and friend

Many hats you’ve had to wear

You’ve tackled life’s adversities

With very little fear

 

A warrior when you’ve had to be

A nurturer of course as well

A nurse, a banker the Calvary

The farmer in the dell!

 

Always there to love your children

Always there for your beloved spouse

Always there with an invitation

To enjoy your lovely house

 

So what will they all remember

What is your legacy true?

It’s all of this, and so much more

Your legacy is all of you!

 

The Steadfast Love in My Life ©

Gary Shulman, MS. Ed.

July 3, 2021

 

So many poems have been written

About that partner in life we choose

That lifelong hero who has your back

With whom each night you snooze 

 

So here I go, another attempt 

to sing the praises and sometimes the blues

Of my dear and steadfast partner

Should I fail in this quest, 

please excuse!

 

When early on in partner bliss

All goosebumps and limerence galore

With hugs and kisses in ample amounts

Then perhaps a roll on the floor!

 

Then passion comes in a moderate dose

As years traverse our lives

And friendship, grows while trust grows too

Together we both survive

 

Through joys and pain

Through sickness and good health

Together we challenge them all

Sometime with massive success indeed

Sometimes a tumultuous fall

 

Love deepens, transforms, like a caterpillar

Morphing into a butterfly

It burns much deeper and brighter

It can sometimes make you cry

 

For life brings joy and heartache

Sometimes it rains and rains

But there’s always hope for tomorrow

When your love in life remains

 

Together we’ve seen the ups and downs

Sometimes it’s been a very slow crawl

Together we’ll conquer whatever comes

As they say love conquers them all

 

Now living life together

In the Winter of our years

Still occasional sorrow

Still occasional tears

 

Together we shall always be

Sharing small pleasures and daily delights

A morning coffee with home baked muffins

Still sharing these simple sights

 

Each shared event more joyous

Each shared delight more immense

For each shared daily pleasure

With love is more intense

 

There remains many more pleasures to come

I well expect they’ll be more strife

But always shared with my steadfast partner 

The forever love in my life

 

The Ultimate Test ©

Gary Shulman, MS. Ed.

July 5, 2021

 

Those who purport to talk to God

And follow a life of devotion 

Then spew pure venom and hatred supreme

With scowling faces and indignant emotion

Quick to claim “Well Jesus said……..”

Then they follow their bigoted brain

His teachings of love and kindness

Seem to be all in vain

To claim to follow a peaceful soul

Whose life was about love we are told

Who wanted nothing more for us

Than kindness for young and for old

Then turn around with hateful hearts

and claim superiority

Is that was faith is all about?

Is that what it’s supposed to be?

I guess I will have to live my life

Just as I always have done

Just sharing kindness, love and peace

I know I’m not the only one

To realize life should never be 

About “I am better than you!”

Be you Muslim, Buddhist, Protestant.

Quaker, Mormon or Jew

Lordy I hope I’m not preaching

Or telling you how to live your life

Just speaking my peace to the bigots

Your hypocrisy causes way too much strife

My brain cells now have spoken

My heart and soul shall rest

Together we must counter the bigots

Make this your ultimate test!

 

Fighting the Good Fight ©

(Dedicated to those fighting Cancer)

Gary Shulman, MS. Ed.

July 6, 2021

 

With grace and power that only passion can create

She commands our attention

To love her is our fate

A teacher, a mentor, a mother, a friend

A life-force so strong, it never can bend

Bend to the powers that try to hold her down

Love keeps her moving forward 

With rarely a frown

This temporary detour in the road of life

May cause our dear hero some temporary strife

But this we know and this we shall declare

That victory will be hers

And in that certain victory

The glory we’ll all share

 

Is It Time for The Dinosaurs To Rule Once More? ©

Gary Shulman, MS. Ed.

July 10, 2021

 

Is it time for the dinosaurs to make their return?

For the human race never seems to learn

The basic lessons of kindness, love and compassion

Seem to fall by the wayside and go out of fashion

 

Triceratops might be a better resident on earth

Just munching on plant life would bring it such mirth

Never killing for sport nor destroying the land

Just enjoying sweet nature in a peaceful Dino band

 

Yes there’ll be carnivores, T-Rex and Raptors indeed

Scurrying across the terrain at blinding speed

Only killing for food, never revenge nor fun

Never wielding a semi-automatic 

mass murdering gun

 

Flying high above, Pterodactyls will soar!

Just enjoying life’s wonders on earth to explore

Now perhaps it’s not to late to evolve to a state

Where humans on earth can change their fate

Evolve to kindness, compassion and love

Prioritize equality, give hatred the shove

 

Can it still happen?

Are we really too late?

To stop despising our neighbors

Never more to berate?

Just because we are different, each one unique

Doesn’t mean you are better, 

Doesn’t mean I am weak

 

Oh dear Stegosaurus, T-Rex and Pterosaur

Do you think we have a chance on earth?

Can we try it just once more?

We haven’t seemed to get it right 

All these many years

We’ve seemed more dedicated 

to hatred, war and fears

 

How about you give us 

Just one more hopeful try?

Let the human race dig down deep

Give one huge collective sigh

 

And try once more to get it right

So we can change our fate

Or have we screwed it up so bad

It really is too late?

 

Then Dinosaurs shall rule again

The earth will surely rejoice

What will you do humanity?

It’s your monumental choice.

 

Legacy ©

Gary Shulman, MS. Ed.

July 21, 2021

 

So let’s just suppose today was the day

You looked in the mirror and to yourself you did say

Looks like the journey has wound down to an end

My social card now devoid of extravaganzas to attend

 

The termination date on this relic

Has way since expired

This old wizened soul 

Has grown oh so very tired

 

What legacies of life did you truly embrace 

That you could leave behind for the human race?

What gifts did you bequeath to this fragile tenuous world?

What treasures did you leave still yet to be unfurled?

 

Profundity alas is not a jewel I would leave

To those left on earth for my soul yet to grieve

Trinkets of gold, silver, diamonds and such

Legacies of wealth….not really worth very much

 

So let’s get to the crux, let’s get to the heart

Of legacies pure and pristine

So where shall I start?

 

How handsome he was!

What an artist was she!

Did you see how they bowled?

Such a lawyer was he!

 

Legacies all……..or perhaps legacies none

Even for those who had one helluva run!

Not to belabor the point nor pretend to be a sage

Just a simple thought to place on this page

 

The choices in life you have made will be

Your lasting, resplendent legacy

So choose to be kind in all that you do

No greater legacy could be left by you

 

The Monarch Butterfly ©

Gary Shulman, MS. Ed.

July 23, 2021

 

Orange brilliance flying high above

Your majesty of color for all to love

Yet hidden behind those wings of lace

A poison so virulent no creature to taste

Your childhood spent relishing 

On milkweed all day

Gave you protection in such a marvelous way

Now any who venture on your body to munch 

Will find a most noxious and distasteful lunch

So fly for us all just once more 

Sweet Monarch above

Please continue to soar!

 

Hummingbird in My Garden ©

Gary Shulman, MS. Ed.

July 23, 2021

 

While sweltering in the inferno 

Of lovely Palm Springs

Thinking of old Brooklyn 

And much cooler things

My senses awake 

And my heart swells with love

For there in my garden 

A flying rainbow from above

Sweet, sweet Hummingbird 

Reflecting green, purple and red

Come soar above my sweltering frying pan head

Make me forget it’s 120 degrees

As you dart and flit among my Ficus trees

Flicking that tongue with unfathomable speed

Slurping up insects that my bushes truly don’t need!

Relish the nectar such a refreshing treat

Please keep blessing my garden

How lovely and sweet!

Dear Magnificent Hummingbird

Keep flying on high

Get me through this Summer

Help my soul to fly!

 

Poetry for Poetry’s Sake ©

Gary Shulman, MS. Ed.

July 27, 2021

 

Poetry for poetry’s sake

Is all well and good you might say

I have another take on it though

So hear me out today

When words you spew all lofty and grand

Are splayed along a page

They’re nothing more than brain games

Regurgitated by some self-deluded sage

Unless those words do serve to heal 

The grieving hurting heart

And comfort those in dire pain

Souls pierced by some tragic dart

Or when those words uplift the spirit 

Of those fighting an uphill cause

And bolster hope and courage

While giving their pain some pause

If words do serve to make one think

To laugh, enrage or sob

And help a soul find solace and grace 

Then poetry has done its job

 

Modern Day Raptors ©

Gary Shulman, MS. Ed.

July 27, 2021

 

Way back when the world was new

And Dinosaurs roamed the terrain

Raptors were all in their glory

Inflicting terror and pain

But only to eat, to exist and survive

The logical thing to do

Only to keep on keeping on

To stay alive…….wouldn’t you?

Today indeed we have raptors galore

Who slink and rip at your throat

And as you lie there suffering

In your face they proudly gloat

These raptors of new don’t kill to survive

Nor do they eat for nutrition 

They tear at your soul, they rip your heart

Until you’re beaten down by attrition

Just so we are all on the very same page

Just so you comprehend fully

These raptors of new of whom I allude

Are your run of the mill local bully

They wait to pounce on the vulnerable and weak

They spew words of venom until you can’t speak

Your will to go on may very well break

By the bully’s assault until no more you can take

Too many have perished, too many deceased

Too many more will be victims 

Of their relentless evil feast

So what can we do?  

Can we help and defend,

To prevent one more needless suicidal end?

I have no magical answers, no miracles to share

I just implore and want you all 

To take care and beware

For raptors today are often 

Right under your very nose

Neighbors, family and friends….politicians I suppose

Religious pundits who smile right in your face

While hiding their hatred

For much of the human race

So how do we fight evil raptors today?

How do we protect their innocent prey?

Let’s start with what’s obvious, with what we all know

Love always fights hatred

Please make that healing love always grow!

 

Before it’s Too Late ©

Gary Shulman, MS. Ed.

July 28, 2021

 

Sometimes the life that brings you joy

Like being who you were born to be

Kills the love of those who think

You’re the root rot of the family tree

Bigotry is powerful

It makes a parent say

You’re still my son

but it disgusts me

Now please…….just stay away

Life is short, but not so sweet

When a parent refuses to see

That which allows a child to shine

Will bless that family tree

 

We Only Have Today ©

Gary Shulman, MS. Ed.

August 1, 2021

 

I’ll wait until I retire

That’s when the fun will begin

Well sadly crystal balls don’t work

Just look at what has been

To those who choose deferring

Life’s joy’s and revelry

Tomorrow’s never promised 

Not to you or even me

So gather those rosebuds while you can

Dance from night to day

Tomorrow is never promised

We only have today

 

 

Gary Shulman, MS. Ed.

[email protected]

https://garyshulman.jimdofree.com