Wednesday, November 22, 2006

IN THE GARDEN OF SHILO P. Himmelman

I get the call about this time every year. Its the Ex Mrs Bulletholes calling to find out what I want for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. Of course she already knows.
It was my Mothers recipe’; Asparagus Casserole.
I have never made it but it calls for canned Asparagus, Cream of Mushroom Soup. Grated Cheese and Hard boiled Eggs. The Eggs and Cheese are “where its at”.

The Ex Mrs Bulletholes, Shila, makes it for me every year.
In the early years of our marriage I used to tell her I was the "luckiest guy in the world".
But life gets complicated, and we took on a mortgage, and had a couple kids and got into debt, and lost jobs and thingsd got tough.
During this time, when things didn't seem to be going so well for us, I told her that I must be the "most unlucky person in the World".
She pointed out to me that I had her, and a couple good kids, and a car that ran, and lots of friends and lots of thing to feel 'lucky" about.
But I still had trouble finding my gratitude.

The next week was my Birthday. She handed me a small box, tied with a little ribbon, and in such a kind gvoice, and a loving look said 'This is for you".
I opened Shila’s present to me.
It was a Rabbits Foot.
Thats how Shila is.
She is the most magnificent person I have ever known.

I have never made that Asparagus Casserole;
Even through the years that she and I did not get along well, I never went without it.
And it pains me to know I lost Shila.
I am lucky to know her.

Thank you, Shila, I can’t imagine Thanksgiving without you.
Happy Thanksgiving ,Everyone!

10 comments:

Mother of Invention said...

That is about the coolest thing I've heard about a couple that has broken up....the fact that you both continue to be truly caring of each other and are still very good friends. That's the way I'd want it if that happened to me. You have been blessed.

Mystic Rose said...

hey..happy thanksgiving Steve.

bulletholes said...

"mystic" has a story going that makes me think of this..if only for one part.


"My New Book"
Lipstick on a thermos cup,
lust and whiskey fill it up
and smoke blows from the chimney to the moon.
It's much too cold in the Midwest -
chilly hands cup chilly breasts.
Things not said fill up every room.
As he stands there in the door,
there's no room for him anymore.
She lies there saying,
"Honey take one last look."
I'll tell it all in my new book.

Above the city 300 feet,
a derelict in a penthouse suite
packs his suitcase for the midnight train.
The rich girl could not face her dream.
He's bitter coffee, she's sweet cream.
She pulls on her shirt, outside it rains.
And later in the rambling dark,
he'll unwrap her broken heart
and smile the weary smile of the crook.
I'll tell it all in my new book.

Coyote sleeps with everyone,
but in the morning he's long gone
and it turns out that he was a she.
Tales grow tall around the fire.
Where there's no truth, no one's a liar.
Whatever mask you wear is who you'll be.
There is a hole in the day
through which we make our gateway -
I make mine every time I'm shook.
I'll tell it all in my new book.

We sift through culture run amok
but our rhythm is still boom-boom-chuck.
The whole world to us is now a theme park.
The tourist takes the traveler's place,
buys a new body, a new face.
A hymn is not a hymn sung with no heart.
And I turn to the Man of Woe
and ask him where there's left to go -
he points down with his shepherd's crook.
I'll tell it all in my new book.

When they lead you to the wood,
remember that you always should
leave a trail of black-eyed peas behind
so I can find my way to you,
whatever you may get into -
you are the one I always long to find,
and when this crazy time is gone,
we'll build a home down by a pond.
I'd make you a good mate - I love to cook.
I'll tell it all in my new book.

On old Cape Cod, it blows a gale.
I'll be Jonah. You be the whale.
I want to dive as deep as we can go.
Your ship is sailing for the dark,
leave your suitcase, take my heart -
hold me, stow me, love me very slow.
Why must this hour come to pass?
I look at you and raise my glass.
Our kisses cannot stop the scythe, the hook.
I'll tell it all in my new book.

I heard a young man sing a song,
just that one, and he was gone
off on the journey we all used to make.
It was a song like rain and wind,
reminded me of where I'd been,
and that wild feeling I can't seem to shake.
I'd like to go into some shack
and wait for that kid to come back
and sing until the walls and windows shook
and tell it all in my new book.

The soldiers meet between the fights
to drink and gamble half the night
while waiting for the fresh troops to arrive.
The battlements will always stand,
according to the ancient plan,
not a one of us gets out alive.
And as we huddled in the smoke,
I began to get the joke.
I laughed and kissed you
while the whole world shook.
I'll tell it all in my new book.

Old Lady said...

Aw, don't be gettin all schmaltzy now! That is a very beautiful poem.

Kilroy_60 said...

Great story, Steve. You have been blessed. I hope this will be a Thanksgiving you remember fondly.

So, tell me, when are we going to start filling in those "Edit Me" spots in your link list? {hint}It looks like you're building a following.



















Kilroy Was Here! 8-)

Barbara said...

I've seldom heard anyone so positive about his/her ex partner. It sounds to me like you really miss her.

Barbara said...

I've seldom heard anyone so positive about his/her ex partner. It sounds to me like you really miss her.

bulletholes said...

As much as I miss Shila and as much as I love her, we could not spend another day strapped to each other. Shila and I were married for 7 years before we had a 'fight". We never learned how to fight with each other and that is very important, I think. i have noticed the last few years that we fight better, but the stakes are not asd high and that makes it easier.b I'll do more posts about Shila and I.
I am very lucky.

Anonymous said...

It's nice to know a man who can act civilized around his ex........that is sooo rare....a great quality you have there, Steve. Hope your thanksgiving was fantastic........mine was extremely peaceful and spent with dearest friends......

Anonymous said...

чтобы добавлять свои статьи, обязательно ли регистрироватся?