The Thirty Sixth, Feb. 5, 2011

Blind by choice
intentionally deaf
deliberate ignorance
avoiding truth

common sense is rare
follow the herd
no individual thought
believe the hype

Gods forbid you think
critical evaluations
or question others
simply accept

sheep get sheared
lambs are slaughtered
blindly following
no freedom found

my eyes are opened
my ears hear
my mind still functions
I am not the masses

The Thirty Fifth, Feb. 4, 2011

Sunshine finally outside my window
dazzling my eyes as is dances
glittering off the snow piled about
millions of diamonds for the senses

the true bright spots of the day
dazzling rainbows shining
bright colors shimmer and race
bouncing over my walls

it is a feel good, happy change
sitting in a nice warm room
looking out at the frigid cold
while sipping hot coffee with a sigh

winter is not so bad this way
but soon will be time to walk
heading out into the biting cold
with the brightness in my eyes

how sad the way opinions change
as the same situation can reverse
from happy giggles and smiles
to muttered growls and frowns

everything remains the same
only perspective has changed
as by going out into the cold
the comfort zone is left behind

The Thirty Fourth, Feb. 3, 2011

division and dissension
calm turns to violent
change can't be stopped
for it has already come

no matter tomorrow
today holds the key
one day at a time
letting the change grow

hard to let go of power
clinging to domination
resorting to agression
to prove competency

twisting truth to fit
creating illusions
false situations fail
reality shows the motives

save the peace for all
spare the whips and stones
let all voices be raised
ring forth the change

The Thirty Third, Feb. 2, 2011

2fat little ball of fur
crawls from his hole
looks around for a bit
sees no shadow

hope he is right
want spring soon
tired of winter's cold
ready for baseball NOW!

The Thirty Second, Feb. 1, 2011

let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

blizzard on the way
snow and high winds
temperatures dropping
winter's iron fist

prepare to be surprised
as the storm rages
surprised and unprepared
with 2 days warning

winter comes each year
yet so soon we forget
that includes snow
sometime a lot of it

make it through today
getting safely home
then prepare for tomorrow
letting the storm come

sigh and snuggle deep
wrap up for warmth
watch the storm rage
through windows thick

hot tea beside me
book opened before me
dog pressing my side
ready to enjoy the show

food in plenty waits
for man and beast alike
just let me make it home
then let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

The Thirty First, Jan. 31, 2011

Economic reform
a timely discussion
unable to have with
without repercussion

it certainly seems
a lively debate
with the advertised goal
of saving our state

where people are leaving
in their countless scores
reversing the pattern
that flows through our doors

let's cut education
so we can save a buck
then tell our brightest
"So long, good luck!"

increase the taxes
on poor working class
while bending on over
to kiss business' ....

we cut out the services
that the best workers seek
to help them relax
at the end of their week

keep helping big business
court them to bed
completely forgetting
the things that you said

no, better one big business
hires 1000 more
than 500 small ones
each hiring four

a game of numbers
where real can't play
as illusions are twisted
to change what they say

priorities are skewed
and reason has fled
and those making choices
are being misled

the state is of people
for them it should care
too many are jobless
with the cupboards bare

even if some business
should decide to come call
it would help one city
and not help us all

this state, filled with beauty
such a joy to behold
and the people that live here
all bought and sold

so for economic reform
let's get it right
we know it won't happen
for all over night

but remember the reason
it is you exist
and care for the people
you were made to assist

The Thirtieth, Jan. 30, 2011

Let The Pre Game Begin All 7 Days Of  It!

Blessings come in many ways
among my favorite are sunny days
with the dogs curled up and sleeping
the gentle relaxation takes hold

sun shining through the window
warming my feet, soothing me
a nap may be on the menu
as a Sunday slips slowly past

the tensions of the week fade
thoughts of tomorrow not allowed
some event today coming later
oh yes! FOOTBALL!

The Twenty Ninth, Jan. 29, 2011

Times, They Are a Changing

Insanity running rampant
inside my head again
another fun filled day
as I try to understand

consistency has changed
as status quo fades
that which was is not
the future is unclear

we never understood
things the way they were
yet many seem to think
they can predict tomorrow

changes, whispers to shouts
crying out to be heard
in suffering and despair
and slowly there is change

the cries spread rapidly
the voice seeking freedom
the fires of revolution burn
and the pace quickens

will it be religious regimes?
or secular democracies?
or a new face to old ways?
or will force win out?

only tomorrow knows
and all the world waits
watching the events
breath held in anticipation

status quo has shifted
the old set pattern changed
I will watch and wait
and hope to understand

The Twenty Eighth, Jan. 28, 2011

Happiness,

the illusive dream
the great desire
the eternal wish
that undefinable IT

money can't buy it
you can't sell it
you can give it away
truly a priceless gift

it comes in many forms
and different sources
from puppies and cookies
rain storms and hugs

what ever it is for you
I wish it finds you
and stays with you
every day of your life

The Twenty Seventh, Jan. 27, 2011

Ode to feeling blech

Arms too heavy to lift
head three times too big
even the aches are stiff
with aches of their own

nothing really hurting
just everything is blech
as the body fights infection
today the infection is winning

keep the smile and persevere
moving forward in the day
not feeling any enthusiasm
but looking ahead with hope

some simple condition
that for me will soon fade
is the  daily life for many
and hope is a distant dream

I count myself as blessed
that this is all I have
and offer prayers for others
that wish to feel this good

Oh God of all these people
by whatever names you are called
I have a wish to ask of you
a simple gift really

for every day I feel like this
let one of them feel relief
let my suffering grant peace
even if only for one day

The Twenty Sixth, Jan. 26, 2011

I sit and I wonder again
at the duplicity of America
we call for equality for all
then divide on party lines

it is wrong to hate you for color
to despise you for your creed
to persecute you for gender
or ridicule you for orientation

but acceptable to name call
and obstruct you at every turn
when done in the name of the party
for the sake of political gain

we need to return once more
to the place of commonality
a place where sanity prevails
middle ground, middle ground!

has reason really departed?
is compromise finally dead?
must it always be one or the other?
isn't there something between?

extremes represent a minority
but minorities are not always extremes
there is a mixture clustered together
making us the true majority

STAND UP, you silent observers
fight to have your voice heard
we may not agree on everything
but our voices must be raised

the screaming frantic ravers
who rant at the poles of extreme
have had their time in the spotlight
their fifteen minutes are up

let's put an end to discrimination
send bigotry off to its grave
its time to stop all this hatred
democrats and republicans

We the People, not we the party
only then will healing begin
back to the middle ground
standing together on Main Street

The Twenty Fifth, Jan. 25, 2011

A limerick for the day.... just to try something new.

When standing outside in the cold,
You really should not try to be bold.
Despite what you think to be true,
you really don't look good all blue.
Though you are quite a sight to behold!

The Twenty Fourth, Jan. 24, 2011

Something special for a little friend's birthday
Happy birthday, Kid!!!

With a mighty roar and great flapping of wings
she climbs into the sky as if pulled by strings
sunlight glitters off her scales making a rainbow
that dances in the eyes of the watchers below

Her wings spread so wide they cover the sky
and with strong flaps, the dragon will fly!
Soaring higher and higher fly up toward the sun
then dive toward the ground to watch people run

then swooping back up at the last possible moment
the wind of her wings knocking down a large tent
as she slows down her flight she roars out a "Sorry!"
Everyone is laughing and tells her "Don't worry!"

She is a powerful dragon, majestic and proud
often daydreaming as she floats on a cloud
but when she is needed she answers the call
this dragon named Lilly, a friend to us all

The Twenty Third, Jan. 23, 2011

TIME

Precious
fleeting
savored
lost
needed
wasted
spent
saved
enjoyed
squandered
used
passing

Time
quiet
study
party
over
last
next
in

lots of words to describe it
no real understanding of it
we only have so much of it
time, gift and curse in one

thank you for sharing yours

The Twenty Second, Jan. 22, 2011

Saturday again and what to do?
Work all week for this day
just hoping to sit around and relax
read a little as I sip my coffee

now I sit instead with dilated eyes
making things to blurry to read
thoughts drifting along nicely
no chance reading getting done

writing not much better for now
but a poem needs to be done
obligation and commitment
even if only to my own self

drive and motivation are hard
difficult to find on days like this
still I must do my best
the show must go on after all

The Twenty first, Jan. 21, 2011

A hint of yesterday dances in my mind
of days past and deeds long done
but I know better than to look behind
for it is forward that we find the sun

there is no time to lament or regret
life is too precious to waste that way
we should spend wisely all we get
investing in at least one smile every day

I guess I must be feeling my age
as these thoughts tumble in my head
finding their way slowly to the page
rather happy I made it out of bed

life is meant to be lived, enjoyed
not filled with worry and stress
time to experience and feel buoyed
we would cheat ourselves to do less

so time to stop this writing for now
and get on with being one with the day
before I get caught up and forget how
then after work it wil be time to PLAY!!!

The Twentieth, Jan. 20, 2011

Metaphorically speaking
hiding true agendas in clever word groups
saying what they want to hear
while meaning something completely different

appease the masses
while selling them out to the highest bidder
painting a lovely picture
knowing it will only be an illusion at best

see the pretty flowers
but be very careful if you stop to smell them
the fertilizer helps them grow
but don't step in it or you wil smell something else

symbolism lends comfort
false illusion of familiar and welcome scene
laying like a carpet covers dirt
the truth hidden by the tapestry of woven lies

politics as usual
status quo creating false impressions of duty
argue the points at hand
never seeking to find resolution, only profit

cry "Hail the Constitution!"
as you sell our rights for your own greed
show us the flag waving
as you give away our dreams in a lust for power

you forget the words
Of the People, By the People and For the People
and seek only your gain
selling your own children's futures as well

greed and lust drive you
for the elusive power that you will never hold
domination of the people
elected tyrants holding democracy hostage

shout loudly of the people
tell how you are only trying to do their will
as you turn deaf ears
on over half the population you claim as yours

we are not owned
we have thoughts and ideas and needs
ignore us at your peril
for soon your pretty images will fade to dust

soon you will hear us
as we speak with voices loud and clear
you cannot avoid us
do your job for us, or lose it because of us

save the pretty words
cut the fat and tell the plain truth
unless you are afraid
which is all you have been trying to sell

we are getting tired
tired of not seeing much of a change
you promised us that
but the song you sing is the same tune

enough sugar coating
enough looking down your noses at us
enough patronizing us
stop bickering already and run the country

The Nineteenth, Jan. 19, 2011

Cold nose brushing against blanket warmed skin
heavy breathing, bed shaking slightly, morning
excitement from the start, a day of promise
enthusiasm and happiness I need to learn

From that first good morning he is happy
he dances with joy to see me wake up too
not only because he needs to go outside
but because he truly loves to be with me

sleeping on my feet as I sit up in a chair
curling up beside me when I recline
laying there supervising me when I cook
he is always watching out for me

sleeping all day to save up his energy
so he can run around like mad later on
showing how happy he is to see me
and how glad he is that I came home

The closest friend any could hope for
sharing all secrets and never telling
there to comfort us when we need it
and give company so we are not alone

I rescued my close buddy Maxxie
saved his life and brought him home
just like he wanted when he chose me
and he has enriched my life in return

proof that love given is not wasted
but finds its way back to you tenfold
I now find myself grumbling each morning
as I wake up smiling to his cold nose

The Eighteenth, Jan. 18, 2011

Life, sweet life! How I adore thee this day!
To wake and see the ..... who am I kidding?
Waking up to cold, drizzling rain again
clamping sinuses in the vice of torment

Chill damp seeping into the joints
dark skies leeching away my energy
head ache throbbing to the beat beat beat
like the bass thumping from a rap song

popping the daily vitamins and aspirin
chasing with coffee and a prayer
look toward the afternoon with hope
pressures ease and burdens lift

optimists say to look on the bright side
try that with a nasty headache one time
perhaps though, that is the point
that life requires discomfort for growth

The Seventeenth, Jan. 07, 2011

Today we remember a man
some will remember the dream
some will remember Memphis
we all should remember the cause

equality for all, regardless
removing prejudice bias
eliminating all forms of racism
things are more than black and white

we must remove color and creed
gender and age as reasons for hate
it is still wrong for white to hate black
and as wrong for black to hate white

The dream calls out still today
seeking an end to all discrimination
a noble cause for every one
a goal worth the effort to attain

to bring about the world he saw
as he spoke about his dream
requires everyone to look inside
seeing past their own color first

ending the cycle by starting within
removing it from our own hearts
I try to live that dream every day
and hope that soon everyone will