In Which Tired Kate Is Tired

Good friends are those with whom one stays up late
And then one rises early to rejoin
(No wait, tis those one classifies as great,
As they repay one's love with their best coin:
More of the same!), but it do take a toll,
This sleeplessness in service of good talk
And food and good cigars. That's how we roll,
Though, when we're all together, when we walk

All over Saratoga, when we've got
A guest as well! We shake out and let spread
Our thickest, finest carpet, pour a lot
Of wine that's equally as deep a red...

And now my friend is back out on his way.

I can but yawn. "Good night" is all I'll say.

In Which I Gloat Over The Riches That Are Mine

Sunset, but which direction is true west?
It must be Saratoga, where you've stopped.
The sky aflame in all directions, best
Observed when slightly sloshed (or if you've dropped
Some ice cream down your cleavage and a lab
Awaits to lick it off -- or both; best not
To be too choosy). Even when it's drab
With just a dozen shades of fire, you've got
To let the awe take over. Such has passed
This day in my hometown, spent with a friend
From far away, who's seeing it new, a cast
Of good old pals alongside. Now I'll spend
A quiet ev'ning by the river. How
I wish you all could be with us right now.

In Which I Thank My Medicine Men

It takes strange tools to patch a torn-up heart,
Takes songs and tales and poetry and play.
Comes time for me to thank those who, in part
Have made or done the things which, I may say,
Have proven the best medicine for me.
Phil Rossi wrote a song that e'en before
The hardest blow came down did help me see
A light at tunnel's end. And there is more:
For Jeremy Shipp's novel did a lot,
As did a poem by Gregory Wright
He wrote just for me, to tell me I'm not
Alone, not even in the darkest night.
Thanks too, to my White Rabbit and John Ladd:
Chess therapy is good, too, when I'm sad.

In Which I Extend More Birthday Greetings

J. Gregory Wright, my dear birthday boy,
Though I've not met you, I am pretty sure
We're life-long friends. I do hope you enjoy
Your special day and do more than endure
Your moving ordeal. Once in your new place
I do expect more music and more tweets
About what fun it is to be you (pace
The sours that do come with all the sweets).
It seems a long time yet before we hoist
Our beers in celebration and I learn
The tale behind "Daecabhir" but my choice
Is waiting til then. It is good to yearn
Sometimes. So until Balticon next year
Just keep in touch and smile for me, my dear! \m/