They were a powerhouse back in the day

“Scotiabank Arena” is packed every time they play

Still the most popular “Canadian” franchise and “hockey” is their game

So many of their former members are enshrined in the “Hall Of Fame”

Last week their fans showed their true despair

Throwing sweaters on the ice, they just didn’t seem to care

They went back to “Florida” and won by a two to zero score

Only to lose the seventh game and the fans rebelled even more

Now the “Leafs” are at a crossroads and so many rumours are flying

“Shanahan” and “Marner” are their scapegoats, there is no denying

They can’t fire a first year coach that got them to the second round

The latest gossip is that “Shanahan” is “New York Islanders” bound

Are they going to mend fences with “Marner” who vetoed a trade?

Some fans think if they had gotten “Rantanen” they would have had it made

They also were not happy with the performance of their “core”

Perhaps there were injuries, that’s why they couldn’t score?

There are so many stories coming out every day

Even seen one that says they are going to trade “Auston Matthews” away

Fact or fiction they are online for anyone who cares

Talk to a fan they are always eager to share

They don’t seem to like the silence that their new “Captain” has displayed

Said he should have elaborated on his injury and are totally dismayed

All looking for answers that they sorely seek

Not happy at all that he decided not to speak

I don’t know who’ll replace “Shanahan” but they have big shoes to fill

They have to make some big decisions and there’s no time to kill

A lot of the pieces are already set in place

They are  pretty well guaranteed to be in the playoff race

The draft is coming up and someone has to fill this role

Once again the “Stanley Cup” is their ultimate goal

With each passing day the pressure will be mounting

The drought is now fifty eight years and counting

The weather has been unpredictable the last few days

I guess that is to be expected in these early weeks of May

Took advantage of the heat and spent lots of time outside

Even managed to get out and take the bicycle out for some long rides

The neighbours are busy trying to get their lawns in shape

This is another dilemma that I can’t seem to escape

I bought a dethatcher in an attempt to do some repairs

Now I have some areas that are coming up a little bare

I also purchased some grass seed and put my spreader into action

Thanks to all that work, it’s now all the bird’s favourite attraction

I also applied some grass feed to help it on its way

Then I took out the garden hose and gave it a little spray

I am hoping for the best to see some good results

So does this qualify me as being a responsible adult?

Most of my neighbours have cut their lawns in the past few days

Meanwhile I intend to stick to my guns with the “no mow May”

Not being much of a mechanic, my mower is in need of repair

Hopefully in the next two weeks I can bring it somewhere

I’ve had it over ten years and it hasn’t let me down

There must be someone reasonable who can fix it in this town

I also cleaned out the garden in front of all the dead debris

Will I see some benefits? I guess we can only wait and see

Been going to some garden centers and buying some stock

Just trying to keep up with the rest  of the neighbours on our block

I can’t plant anything until I get the green light

So here I am having to bring the plants in every night

Is it the first full moon in June that we have to wait?

This is another discussion that is up for debate

If you have annuals, I guess it can be concerning

Especially since I just received another frost warning

I guess the weather will change from day to day

Just looking forward to when the warm temperatures are here to stay

There has been so much music that has been released over the years

Some are so passionate that they could bring you to tears

A lot of them are inspirational and strike you to your core

Many become “ear worms” because you want to hear them more

We discover new songs almost every day

I listen to these tunes as I continue on my way

No matter what genre you like to listen to

You have a favourite whether they are old or new

Here are some hits, not giving you any suggestions

All these titles came out and are asking you a question

Here are a few examples, I certainly can’t list them all

Some you may remember while others you can’t recall

“Peter Frampton” – “Do You Feel Like We Do?”

“Diana Ross” – “Do You Know Where You’re Going To?”

“Marvin Gaye” – “What’s Goin’ On?” was a big hit of his

“Chicago” – “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?”

These are just a few examples, there are so many more

I’m pretty sure you must have heard these songs before

You may even know the words and can sing along

I have a “pet peeve” and perhaps I am wrong

You listen to these queries that they put out on the air

Do we ever get the answers? Does anybody care?

These melodies are decades old and still the solutions haven’t been resolved!

Perhaps I should try to just sit back and not get further involved!

I think there should have been follow ups to these big hits

Maybe I’m the only one who really gives a shit!

Okay I’m going overboard and have gone too far

I have to apologize for that profanity, that was truly bizarre

So many loose ends to songs that ask something of us

Maybe this is a topic that no one else wants to discuss

“This is something that I really want to know”

“Should I stay or should I go?”

The sun is rising earlier with each passing day

This means my daily routine can start without delay

No need to wait for the sun to finally appear

Now when I wake up I have to get myself into gear

It’s still a little chilly but not too hard to bear

No need for me to put on long underwear

I now can put on sneakers, no need for any boots

The path is now so much drier along my well travelled route

I saw my first robin earlier last week

This is the one bird that I  sorely seek

When I get a glimpse of one I know that spring is here

Two days later I was fortunate to see our Canada geese appear

I heard their honking before I saw them in the air

There wasn’t a flock of them, just a single pair

Then yesterday I saw something that I thought I never would

This was witnessed a few streets away in my own neighbourhood

I give my dog all the credit, I would have missed it all

There were eight wild turkeys just to my left, all standing tall

Good thing he was on his leash because he might have chased them down

Perhaps, being a collie he might have even herded them closer into town

I’ve been taking my walks downtown over the entire winter season

I know the sidewalks are always clear and I take it for that very reason

This is the passageway I take on my daily beat

When the temperature rises you may run into strangers on the streets

I have already witnessed these poor people sleeping here and there

If you venture into this area, please be well aware

I’ve seen our local police force out there on patrol

Taking care of these homeless people is a vital role

I wish there was a magic cure or remedy to help this unfortunate group

It seems so many of them are destined to continue on this endless loop

This is a sample of what I experience every day on my walk

Joy and tragedy separated by just a few city blocks

I watched my “Blackhawks” play the “Capitals” on Friday night

The game was in “Washington” and the fans were packed in tight

They were all there to watch “Alex Ovechkin” play

Knowing he was now only three goals away

So if he scored a hat trick he would move to number one

He would end up tying “Gretzky” before the night was done

“Chicago” had to pull their goalie and an opportunity was set

“Alex” didn’t want to beat the record scoring into an open net!

The “Caps” came out with a five to three win

He had a few more opportunities once the goalie was put back in

He fired some great shots on net but just ran out of luck

The hometown booed the goalie every time he stopped the puck

So Sunday Afternoon would turn out to be his day

He scored his 895th goal on the power play

The crowd went ballistic even though they were playing out of town

This meant that he now held the “NHL career goal scoring crown”

The game came to a halt right then and there

There was a presentation at “Center Ice” for everyone to share

Some words of praise from “Bettman” and “Gretzky” were told

Presentations to “Ovechkin” and his family while this game was put “on hold”

It took about a half hour for this ceremony to be done

The “Islanders” defeated the “Capitals” by a score of four to one

I was glad that I was able to witness this whole show

Here are some weird facts that I thought you should know

As far as stats go “Gretzky” has only played one game more

It’s hard to believe that they are only separated by one score!

“Gretzky” held this record for thirty one years in all

This seems to be a pattern when this record will fall

“Howe” passed “Richard” in “63”, “Gretzky” passed him in “94”, now it’s 2025

The next one should come around in “2056” if you’re still alive

As for total career points “Gretzky” will always top the list

After counting all his goals you can add another 1963 assists!

My “Blackhawks” have nine games left and their season is done

Second last in the league and well out of a possible playoff run

“San Jose” occupies the basement but has two games in hand

Just two points behind “Chicago”, can you understand?

Once again we are in contention for pick number one

Of course we won’t know until the season is done

We will end up with more points than our previous year

Not really much of an improvement if I want to be sincere

This team could still end up in last place when this year is completed

Depending on how many more times they are defeated

They will be showcasing a lot of their young talent in the games remaining

It will be a chance to see them in action, so I’m not complaining

It will be interesting to see how many more they will win

Personally I am getting tired of being on the outside, looking in

I see a pattern that this team has used before

They need another “young gun” to help “Connor Bedard” score

It took just three years to win it all after “Kane” and “Toews” were united

So if we draft a great linemate we may have every reason to be excited!

They have so many young stars ready to shine

I think the future is looking fine

This year they have been more competitive but seem to just fall short

They need to bring in some great free agents to give them support

I think it’s time to give their youngsters free rein

It shouldn’t be too long before we are in the playoffs once again

This team is in the top ten in “penalty killing” and the “power play”

Get the right line combinations and we could be well on our way

So if they get the right pieces and put them in place

Perhaps next spring they could be in a playoff race

It’s now been a decade if you can recall

That this storied franchise last won it all

It would be so fitting for another reason

Next year the “Blackhawks” will be in their “Centennial” season

“You are who your friends are” is a phrase you’ve heard before

This brings me to hockey legends “Wayne Gretzky” and “Bobby Orr”

“Gretzky” is the greatest forward anyone has ever seen

“Bobby Orr” is the best defenceman that has ever been

These are legends and “Canadian” household names

Now their reputations are going down in flames

You see they are pals with “Donald Trump” and have his back

That’s why these hockey heroes are coming under attack

Back in “2020” “Orr” wrote a testimony of “Trump” in a full page ad

Him and his wife “Peggy” backed him, which made his hometown mad

His name has been tarnished but now he has been relegated to second place

In the hearts of “Canadians”, “Wayne Gretzky” is the biggest disgrace

His thumbs up for the “American” team in the “Four Nations Cup” caught everyone’s eye

Now all of us are wondering what’s the matter with this guy?

“Trump” made him “Governor” of his 51st state

“Wayne” hasn’t said anything, we just sit and wait

His wife has defended him and says his heart is broken

So if he is so troubled, why hasn’t he spoken?

“Trump” said he was a “free agent” on his “Truth Social” site

Words from “Donald Trump” aren’t going to make things right

“Mar-a-Lago is a golf course where “Gretzky” and “Orr” choose to play

Pictures taken with their “MAGA” caps on, proudly on display

Both of these athletes are held in high esteem

It’s looking like they aren’t the men that they seem

“Actions speak louder than words” is another saying that comes to mind

It’s looking like some “Oilers” fans are being unkind

There is a statue of “Gretzky” in “Edmonton” in front of “Rogers Place”

Someone took the time to rub crap all over its face!

“Canadians” were hoping “Ovechkin” wouldn’t take the career goal scoring lead

I’m sure a lot of them are hoping that he is able to succeed

Now they are behind him in this scoring quest

This will be a category were “Gretzky” will be “second best”

So the tariff war is continuing and I see no end in sight

Things have gone so wrong, will we ever get it right?

Looks like our next store neighbours are demanding some respect

Are we supposed to kiss “Trump’s” ass before or after we genuflect?

So rather go on a rant about this subject for another week

I decided to find some good news items that we sorely seek

Funny headlines that could only happen in “Canada” is the article I read

Here’s hoping I can bring you something comical instead

I surfed the net to find some cheerful news

In fact there was so many, it was hard for me to choose

I looked for stories that originated in “Canada” so we may relate

Not sure when these events occurred because they didn’t supply the date

RCMP officers in “Saskatchewan” got wind of an underage frosh party going down

It was happening north of “Regina” and “Lumsden” was the name of the town

They left a message on the party’s “Facebook” page instead

“Will bring chips and salsa and possible charges” is what they said

They kept their promise and setup a check and stop outside the party’s location

Making sure there was no drinking and driving after the celebration

In “Nova Scotia” a woman’s car was stolen from a parking lot

It turns out it wasn’t a carjacking like she originally thought

There was an identical car parked in the spot next to her

People are baffled on how this incident did occur

Seems like his key fob was able to start her car

He was riding around, I really don’t know how far

When he realized that this wasn’t his vehicle after all

He then proceeded to head back to that shopping mall

He stopped and filled her gas tank along the way

He tracked her down a little later in the day

I guess things went smooth, there was no major clash

The woman reimbursed him for the fuel and paid it in cash

“The Most Canadian Car Thief” is what the headline read

It was nice to write something amusing instead