Kinda Linda

By John I. Blair

In Spanish linda’s “pretty.”
In German “soft and tender.”
Estonian Linda’s Kalevipoeg’s mother.
(Just who is Kalevipoeg anyway?)
Lindas have been hurricanes and typhoons,
Songs, and towns in California,
A river out near Nizhny Novgorod.

But the Linda I love dwells in Minnesota
On the banks of Luna Lake
Where she tills her grassy garden,
Walks her dogs at 4:00 a.m.,
Cans pickled green tomatoes,
Writes pomes on purple paper
And e-mails friends in Texas.

Though I’ve known her 50 years,
I’ll likely never touch her hand again
Or see her smile outside a photo;
But I think she still is soft and tender,
Wild as storms and Russian rivers,
And could well have mothered Kalevipoeg
(Whoever Kalevipoeg is).

©2007 John I. Blair