Op/Ed Poetry
Poetry: Without retiring
For Peter Lebenbaum and his long service with the Counseling Service of Addison County.
Perhaps Peter has crossed your path, too.
Living here, for so many years, it’s likely
you and your family have called him,
when you needed a bee to listen, a lamb.
Two of the creatures he’s raised,
with his wife Marg, in their backyard.
Although you may not know Peter
earned his doctorate in listening
and sweeping out a barn. Tall,
as the tallest leprechaun, endearing
him to children and neighbors
at their wits’ end. When a friend
was needed to come over, walk-in
a front door. Sit down in his office
of their living room. When it could take
more than a professional, to hear
what could be heard, say what Peter
could say. Through the wool
of his beard. Like any psychologist,
he could run his hand through.
Like a wise man. Like a sheep shearer
shearing a ewe. A beekeeper
knowing when to leave enough
honey for the queen to make it
through the winter. A story
he could tell you of the times,
in the middle of the night, he needed
to bring a struggling lamb
into the house, nurse and name it.
For the days to come. For the time,
before you knew it, you would feel better.
Without really knowing how it happened.
And Peter was there. Sitting with you.
Gary Margolis
Cornwall.
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