Keeping the windshield clean

By Susan Adams

LOVELAND, OH (May 2, 2023) – Today Loveland Beacon features another poetic motorcycle ride with our featured poet Susan Adams.

Susan F. Adams is a Loveland resident and, practices her faith at St. Columban Catholic Church. Her husband of 64 years, Don Adams passed away in July of 2022. They were married in 1958. Beside 86 years of life experience, her education included earning a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from the College of Mt. Saint Joseph. Retired now, she served as a nurse at the Cincinnati Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital working part-time there for 30 years. Susan is also a “well-trained” soprano voice. She performed in local outdoor shows and as first female cantor at St. Columban.

Here’s the story about today’s featured poem:

“What thief took my @#$%” is what Dad would say when something of his was messy. When parked, the Gold Wing (in the photo) always had a ghost sitting on the Co-rider’s seat.  When on our Gold Wing Motorcycle Touring Bike, I was the Co-rider. I call my husband “My Rider” because he said: “Don’t put my name in those poems.” It was my job to keep the windshield clean. I would save lint-free rags until I had enough to wash them, but they would disappear. My Rider denied being the culprit. I found them in our garbage can full of grease etc. etc… In exasperation, I wrote this poem.

“What Thief Took my Rags”

Keeping clean our windshield is a job that’s always mine.

My rags are soft and lint-free to make the windshield shine.

I always like to wash them when I’ve gathered quite a few.

But all of a sudden my pile of rags disappeared from view.

That garbage can was where I searched; there among the bags

Was a crumpled pile of, none other than, my coveted rags.

Thick grease was upon them along with polish and black dirt,

Especially on the new rags made from my favorite shirt.

I was sure it was My Rider who was guilty this time,

But he adamantly denied that he committed this crime.

Since Rider vows he is innocent, a sign I’ll have to post

Warning! – This house is haunted by a cotton-pickin’ Ghost

 By: Susan F. Adams

April 13, 1998

Please note, we will be featuring the poetry of Susan Adams on a regular basis in Poet’s Corner with Susan Adams. We will also be publishing poetry submitted by “you” our readers. Please send your poem as a word document for consideration to Poet’s Corner on LB via email chuck@lovelandbeacon.com