The NHL draft is over and my “Blackhawks” got their man

It was the first piece of “Kyle Davidson’s” plan

Luck was certainly with us when we ended up with the first selection

This should be the start of my team’s resurrection

In case you didn’t know, “Connor Bedard” was the cherished prize

He can’t do it all himself, we still need other guys

There is no more “Toews” and “Kane”, the last of their championship teams

Hopefully we will be adding more pennants to the “United Center” beams

They now have so many young players in their system eager to play

I am really looking forward to opening day

Last year was hard for me because I wanted them to tank the season

It was in the interest of the team, so you can’t charge me with treason

We now have a major cornerstone to build on to form a strong foundation

This will help to alleviate the past few years we suffered in frustration

They have to spend some money just to reach the cap floor

That is why we have the leeway to experiment some more

“Taylor Hall”, “Nick Foligno” and “Corey Perry” are all ready to take the ice

This year the funds are flexible and they can afford the extra price

If history repeats itself, things can only get better from here

They will have to prove it by getting better every year

I am not getting too excited, I know that it will take some time

Have some good team mates in place when “Bedard” reaches his prime

It reminds me when “Toews” and “Kane” first donned the “Blackhawks” sweater

From that time on, “Chicago” was destined to get better

It’s like a jigsaw puzzle where every piece has to fit in the right space

I will be satisfied enough if they manage to stay out of last place

There are a lot of teams in this league that this season is make or break

They have spent millions of dollars every year and their reputation is at stake

They have “tanked” in every opportunity they got

So much is dependent on your draft picks and the free agents you bought

So many franchises have tried for years to get to that final bout

Now they are at the point when they know their time is running out

I see a lot of them just giving in and going for broke

Teams have the chemistry but always seem to choke

This is their final year for them to win the crown

Next year my team will be rising while they will be falling down

It’s nice to see my “Blackhawks” finally sticking to a plan

They have stood behind this “General Manager” and “Davidson” is their man

Here’s hoping that “Bedard” lives up to all his fame

As for me I am planning on watching each and every game

Every morning I take my daily walk

Head up the same street on this old city block

Continue my course with the leash in hand

I felt there was something missing that I didn’t understand

I’ve lived at this house now twenty years or more

There was something lacking that I couldn’t seem to ignore

This routine seemed to have something that I seemed to lack

Then realization finally kicked in and it was “JACK”!!!

You see, no matter what time of morning when I walked by

If Jack was around, he would always yell hi!!

He actually wasn’t yelling, it was his normal tone

Sometimes he would startle me, and I wear headphones!

Spring was his favourite time of the year

That’s when he would put his gardening expertise into gear

He loved his flowers and he cared for his lawn

It’s so hard to believe that this man is gone

He was a friend to everyone who lives on this street

He was someone who was always a pleasure to meet

He had a sense of humour and would help you in any way

In summer you would find him outside for the entire day

He’d putter in his garden and gave free advice

Let’s just make it simple, this man was nice!

Jack was a  person that his whole neighbourhood knew

It’s so sad that his time on this earth is now through

The cancer finally took him, but he put up a fight

I figured he would defeat it once again and come out alright

He battled this demon right to the end

This man to so many, was a true friend

There is a “for sale” sign now on his lawn where he lived most of his life

Raised his six children with “Elsie” his wife

There will come someone who will eventually occupy this space

There is certainly no one who will be able to take his place!

I am in a rut of late which I can’t seem to shake

I’ve gotten into a habit that has been very hard to break

You know I walk my dog when I first arise

To those who have read my poems before, this isn’t a surprise

Weather permitting I get our jaunt finished well before nine

When I arrive at home, I try to exercise this brain of mine

I am a sucker for the word games, I certainly like them a lot

I take my tablet in my hand and head out to my favourite spot

There is quite a variety of them when you peruse the app store

Some of them are very challenging which means I like them more

Of course, like everyone else, “Wordle” is one I like to play

I make a point of trying to solve it each and every day

There are so many out there, I certainly play more than one

It’s no telling how many of these games are played before my day is done

I don’t care so much about the points, it’s the streak I want to maintain

I don’t worry about how many guesses, it’s another link on the chain

Then there are some variants which number two, four, eight and sixteen

I am surprised that my fingers haven’t worn down the glass on my screen

These games are one and done whether I get them right or not

There is another game that is occupying most of the time I got

It’s just a kind of crossword puzzle that has blocks for you to fill in

You are given only six or seven letters when it begins

Just a few vowels and consonants are all that you possess

I am playing this game so much, I feel that I am beginning to obsess

The trick is to get them and try to stay on a run

The maximum is five points a word, but miss and you are back to one

You stay on five as long as you keep on the streak

Since I got hooked on this, it takes up most of my week

It’s the competition that has me hooked on this game

As a result of this I only have myself to blame

There are tournaments you can participate if you wish

For some reason, I can’t tear myself away from this

I am not very happy if I don’t finish first

This is just the tip of the iceberg, things just get worse

They rank you on your daily points that you get each week

The upper echelon is the position that I sorely seek

They also keep a running total of every player that has played

So with every single point I get, it’s a position that I gained

Right now I am only two hundred thousand points out of the top spot

You can rest assured that I am giving it all I got

Every chance I get I am playing this stupid game

It’s occupying all my free time, it is a total shame

It has taken over my life, and I play it to the max

Isn’t it ironic that this game is called “Word Relax”

We all long for summer each and every year

Our excitement heightens the more the snow disappears

The long months that we are bundled up through winter and most of the fall

It’s the most highly anticipated season that is cherished by one and all

It was once again a long spring for us here in the north

At long last, the summer has finally burst forth

The winter boots are now in storage with the mittens and gloves

Time to break out the t-shirts and shorts and enjoy this time we all love

We have just passed the equinox which is our longest day

So no need to panic because these temperatures are here to stay

We now can get out and enjoy the outdoors

Walk through the parks and along our lake shores

Probably the first summer in a while we can safely meet and greet

Instead of having to avoid all the crowds and crossing the street

I have been out as usual enjoying my daily walk

It’s so nice to be able to just stop and talk

Nothing really has prevented me from heading out

I have still been able to get out and about

I’m glad to continue and I still can’t complain

This year I have even been out in the pouring rain

So I just figured I am finally safe and able to roam wherever I please

Nothing to impair me, not even that dreaded Covid disease

I have kept up this attitude without even a care

Rising up early in the morning to take in the fresh air

This however came to a stop this past Sunday when I awoke

The room that I was sleeping in somehow smelled like smoke

I got up and walked around our space

The smell of burnt wood was all over the place

It could have been a whole lot worse in our humble hut

Thank goodness for air conditioning because all our windows were shut

Smelling isn’t exactly my greatest sense

When I put the dog out, the air was very dense

My whole neighbourhood was enveloped with this thick smoke

When it came time to let him in, it made me choke

We have been getting air quality warnings every single day

Somehow the winds just didn’t seem to blow our way

So I guess our luck finally ran out because we got hit hard

I didn’t dare venture into our back yard

It’s now early evening and this stench persists

We continue to be surrounded by this suffocating mist

They are calling for rain tonight and throughout next week

This could be the relief that these firefighters sorely seek

It’s just the first day that I have had to suffer through

If I was in their boots, I don’t know what I would do

With every drop, these firefighters will gain

Here’s hoping “Mother Nature” will let it rain

Give these heroes a reprieve from their fiery hell

This way they can enjoy their summer as well

I have to admit that I have written a lot about former president “Donald Trump”

Now I can relate to him every time I decide to take a dump

His diatribes about water pressure never resonated with me

Now though I hate to admit it, I think I have to agree

He wasn’t happy on how little the water flowed

The paper he was flushing, remained in the bottom of his commode

We play Russian roulette with ours now, every single day

This contraption decides whether are daily samples can go or stay

We go week to week with our daily wipe

Then comes the time when you eventually plug the pipe

We all know it happens when someone drops a deuce

Then we proceed down the basement and put our toilet snake to use

We have become pretty adept at doing this weekly chore

Then came the day we decided we don’t want to do this anymore

We decided to put an end to this continuing aggravation

That’s when we called a plumber to assess our situation

He couldn’t find any problems with any of the pipes

He suggested a new toilet and showed us different types

The model was installed later on that day

We thanked him for his work and he went on his way

It didn’t take long and this new toilet also would not drain

We called the plumber and they listened to us complain

They said they had a high flowing toilet that they could install

Should be here this Thursday and there will be no charge at all

This toilet’s flush is powerful enough to make a bag full of golf balls disappear

I can hardly wait for this new product to make its way to here

Can I retire that snake for good and be worry free?

I am still not convinced and will have to wait and see

A more powerful crapper!! Donald might have something there

This is a major complaint that both of us now share

Have I acquired some respect for this man? Not one single bit

Like the waste in my toilet, he is still a piece of shit

The second round of the playoffs is almost over and the “Oilers” are still in the run

However if they lose tonight to “Seattle” our last Canadian team is also done

“Leafs” were unable to eliminate the “Panthers” only managing to get one win

Now there are major rumours mounting of a major cleanup to begin

There are so many articles that are aimed at their four man core

“John Tavares” managed to get one assist while “Auston Matthews” didn’t score

This team scored only two goals in each  of their last seven games of the playoff season

News of a major blowup is circulating because of these very reasons

“Nylander” led this four player core with two goals and “Marner” managed one

Three goals in total from these major stars, no wonder they never won

Over forty million dollars is the payout for this talented quartet

Add five assists to their three goals and eight points is all that they would get

This is all that they could muster in a series that was over after five

No wonder that these “Toronto Maple Leafs” were unable to survive

They however passed a major hurdle by eliminating “Tampa Bay”

One fan screamed so loud that he lost his voice that day

It had been nineteen years since this team achieved this much success

Now that they are eliminated there are a lot of issues that need to be addressed

This team once again has fallen short and were unable to produce

With all the talent on this roster, there really is no excuse

There are already rumblings of “Shanahan” and “Dubas” being fired from the top

“Sheldon Keefe” losing his coaching job, the rumours just won’t stop

“Matthews” and “Nylander’s” existence in now coming into play

Both have one year left on their contracts, are they here to stay?

Some fine tuning in the off season will ensure that they will be back to contend

The dreams of a “Stanley Cup” have not come to an end

They have to get their ducks in a row a learn from their mistakes

Time to go full throttle, it’s no time to apply the brakes

The window is closing but they are still in this fight

With some tinkering, next year could turn out alright

Next season may be the last chance to get out of a fifty seven year rut

If “Matthews” and “Nylander” don’t extend their contracts, this window could be nailed shut

It has been quite a spell since I had a poem to write

The fact is that I have been watching the NHL playoffs each and every night

Last evening the “Oilers” and the “Leafs” advanced to the next round

If one of them wins twelve more games they will be crowned

It has taken “Toronto” nineteen years to accomplish what they just done

So nice to see two “Canadian” teams still in this playoff run

Three series are still undecided and all have that seventh game to play

There may be a couple of major upsets happening along the way

Last year’s champion, “Colorado” and “Boston” which was the best team this year

If “Seattle” and “Florida” defeat them tonight, these two teams just disappear

A lot of overtime in this first round and most games have been great

It is bound to get even more exciting when these teams are reduced to eight

It is just amazing watching what these athletes are able to do

Even more exciting that the stands are packed to watch them too

During the “Covid” crisis, the game just didn’t have that appeal

Now with their fans in attendance, they play with more zeal

I can relax and watch each game because I have no horse in this race

This season was tough for me because I wanted my “Hawks” to finish in last place

Things didn’t of course work out quite my way

The draft lottery is scheduled on the eighth of May

My team finished one point out of last place and thirtieth overall

The fate of my teams future is dependent on a plastic ball

To think that they beat “Boston” in one of their last games of the season

We lost our bottom position for that very reason

It would be nice to see them get that first selection

This certainly could help them with their resurrection

They will get a pick in the top three

Will they get the first selection? We will have to wait and see

I am hours from the next match and must be on my way

I am intending on watching ever playoff game they play

As far as my poetry goes, is there another one coming soon?

If I continue with this hockey addiction, perhaps the middle of June?

We are constantly being bombarded by “American News”

Everyone out there all sharing their points of view

The country that claims that they are the most  powerful on earth

Yet continues to show how little a human life is worth

Gun violence has surpassed car accidents for people aged one to nineteen

Mass shootings for this nation has become a common scene

The “Second Amendment” is what some have sworn to protect

The murders of so many young children, they continue to neglect

Downplaying these shootings is the “Republican’s” role

They have no interest in implementing any gun control

Republican led States are making it easier to carry a gun

Arming the school teacher is what they think should be done

So every day before they prepare to teach their class a lesson

They will have to make sure they are packing a “Smith and Wesson”

Some automatic rifles in the school yard when they go out and play

I guess this could be the future if some Americans have their way

“Donald Trump” has another first that he can enter on his resume

He is the first ex-President to face criminal charges after much delay

Over thirty counts of business fraud dating back to two thousand and sixteen

He is scheduled to report this Tuesday, which should be quite the scene

It was announced on Thursday by the “New York Grand Jury”

Reports are that “Donny” became enraged with fury

“Lindsey Graham” went on “Fox News” to raise money for Trump’s trip to court

Over four million raised within twenty four hours shows he still has lots of support

This is just the first trial that this man will have to face

He continues to drain the pockets of his “MAGA” base

This is just the start of what could be quite an uphill climb

With all his pending allegations, they will be fleeced for every dime

He may be able to raise enough cash to get him through every trial

His supporters are in a continuous state of denial

This is just the first of what could be many

This man will take these “Stooges” for every penny

They will continue to give to his cause and back him to the end

The “Republican Party” will also continue to defend

However he has abused so many lawyers during his lifetime journey

He might have all the money, but no one wants to be his attorney

We will all be on the lookout for some signs of spring

The one that I look forward to the most is hearing a robin sing

Having sunny hours that are warm and bright

More hours in the day and less hours through the night

We are now into March and there are hints right there

Snow is melting and the puddles are appearing everywhere

Though the temperatures haven’t come close to their peak

It’s the warm days ahead that we so sorely seek

There are the footprints in the snow from animals that have passed our way

There are more of them appearing each and every day

Squirrels running back and forth, you can see them on their course

I figured with all their maneuvering, that they must be the source

When I put the dog out, he immediately goes on patrol

Trying to corral one of these bushy tailed rodents is his goal

We never worried about it at all when we put him out the door

The squirrels would just chatter at him and aggravate him even more

He has carved out his own worn out route walking through this snow

This is the path he follows whenever he decides to go

Friday night I let him out and went back to watch more tv

Soon we heard his yelp that is usually associated with glee

We were expecting company and figured they were in his sight

It turns out that I would have to watch this episode on another night

I proceeded to the back door to let him in

That is when our evening  would take a tail spin

Looks like there were more than squirrels invading our space

There is another scoundrel that is living on our place

This animal doesn’t hibernate but becomes very lethargic over winter instead

I guess on this particular evening he got up on the wrong side of our shed

I quickly realized that our new resident is a skunk

He encountered our dog and now the whole neighborhood stunk

We brought our canine in and luckily we had the right shampoo

Threw him in the tub and washed him thoroughly was all that we could do

We are forced to suffer more just by the timing of this event

Using every method we know to get rid of this nasty scent

The past two days we have opened every window and turned off all the heat

Put on some extra sweaters and warm slippers for our feet

The temperatures inside plummeted even though we had some nice spring days

How long before we are rid of this smell is hard for us to say

We are using diffusers to assist with this quest

Peppermint is the essential oil the experts suggest

The dog is alright and seems to be okay

He still has the whole yard to romp and play

As for his nocturnal activities we have come to a decision

He is not allowed out at night unless he has some supervision

It has now been over a year since “Russia” invaded “Ukraine”

“Putin”, despite all his setbacks has continued with this campaign

So many soldiers and civilians on both sides being killed

The goal of reclaiming this land may never be fulfilled

What was supposed to be a simple takeover has reached an epic scale

Not sure if “Zelenskyy” and his allies will be able to prevail

The longer this drags out, the tide will eventually go Russia’s way

Interest in this battle is waning more everyday

The allies led by the “Americans” are aiding in this crusade

Yet having this country join “NATO” hasn’t officially been made

This siege has gone back and forth and there is no end in sight

Both sides of this battle claiming they are winning the fight

Countries helping “Ukraine” are assisting with their plan

They are sending them supplies whenever they can

“Putin” is determined to continue this assault to the bitter end

“Zelenskyy” and his countrymen are stubborn and continue to defend

The only way they can win is if sanctions against “Russia” cripple the nation

“Vladimir” who is in charge is not open to any negotiations

Countries helping “Ukraine” can only go so far

The last thing that they want to do is declare war

So if “Putin” feels he can continue, knowing these nations aren’t all in

He can play the waiting game and eventually he should win

“Biden” may get some opposition to continue with this aid

There’s a real calamity between the “Democrats” and the “Republicans” being played

“Republicans” want “Europeans” to fund more in this situation

They are more concerned with their own borders and the “Chinese” nation

They feel that they should focus on “China” and put “America” first

I guess they are more concerned with those floating balloons that they burst

I don’t understand “Russia” continuing to bombard a country they wish to occupy

How many more soldiers and civilians will be injured or die?

People of these nations are once again casualties of this event

Brought on by this “Russian” President

Once again they will all struggle because of his ego being bruised

More innocent people will be killed and abused

I can’t see this conflict finishing any time soon

“Vladimir” will eventually bring “Russia” to its ruin