The moment missed
asleep at the wheel
the day now passed
I'm not sure how I feel

It's tomorrow already
yesterday's lost
keeping my eyes closed
came with a cost

Each day comes but once
when gone can't come back
traveling on the winds of time
leaving dust behind in its track

A dusty life
makes it hard to breathe
but to watch eyes wide open
lets you ride the breeze

Life is for living
celebrating each day
not for closing the eyes
and losing your way

Petrichor
I know you well
it has been far too long
since your last visit
we have suffered greatly in your absence
but have survived
our crops will now flourish
your visit needed more than one could tell
your aroma is wonderful
now that the drought is passed
and the rain has come

The beginning
this must be the root
The end
seems to be absolute
The philanthropist
does he help all he can find
The bigot
I know there's more than one kind
The sea
more than seven to see
The land
tell me which one would that be
The title
can enliven ones mind
The word the
often leaves options behind

This word often says
there is only one
definitive as hell
for the writer no fun
yet we use it because
it's better than none
and quite frankly it fits
like a dog in a bun

This world of ours in parallel
will only work its way to hell
their fond beliefs will never meet
and war their favorite meal to eat

The evil men they take their toll
always wanting more control
yet these words that they dismiss
will drive us to the great abyss

It's twisted people who find their gladness
by feeding off of another's sadness
how is it they don't know the score
when sending off their youths to war

And it's not only their politics
that seems to need to get in their licks
the religious crowd they want it too
control of the people, that means you

My hope is some day these folks will see
and maybe for a time they might agree
but I doubt the two sides will ever meet
when there are still two sides to every street

Within the confines of the eyelids
the entire cast of life is present
the show that has gone on for these 66 years
that's the show I have the privilege to watch

Privilege might seem a strange word to be used
there were
just as in any other life
the bad times
these were the times I learned the hard way
these were the lessons that had to be remembered
they're the ones that have brought me safely to where I am

You wonder about the good times
those memories are being played on the screen as well
they're the times that gave me a break from learning
everyone needs a break from time to time from the hard lessons

A person will never build the strength without the hard times
to survive in the real world you gotta understand real
and real doesn't come from playing and pretending

Ultimately, it takes all of ones life to make a person who they are
the bad times will always come along with the good
it's the balance of them that makes the difference

The good times
the play
the pretending
can build a body
the outside of a person
and make us physically able

But it is those hard lessons
the bad times as many see them
that builds the inside
the heart and mind
the intestinal fortitude if you wish
that teaches a person how to survive

Children will often play with fire
they are usually told of the danger
an easy lesson has been presented
but the danger never seems to be real
until they are burned by the flame

To learn the hard lessons of life is not often fun
but it is those lessons that protect us from future pain

Arms crossed
hands nestled just below the armpits
so comforting
my eyes close
shutting out the world around me
I rest safe and secure within this self hug
this escape from a world filled with unrest
at least for these few moments

From here I can watch the gentle surf
the waves send the sea up along the beach
the it recedes washing the place where the sea meets the coast

Sometimes I am privileged to the company of the birds
they sing the tales of nature
and I am actually able to understand the lyrics

They call it a babbling brook
I hear the stories of the lands they have passed through
of the people that have sat on its bank
the brook seems to tell me of their conversations
conversations of peace, brotherhood and love for their fellow men

What a wonderful time this can be
sitting back
arms folded across my chest
hands nestled just below my armpits
within this self hug
in the silence of my temporary solitude
watching and listening
to all that should be

The sun rises
it also sets sets
each day passes
with growing threats

A world at war
no peace is found
the people suffer
hope is drowned

The sound of weapons
no sleep at night
rockets and missiles
increase the fright

But this violence is not found
on the battlefield alone
we have these senseless killings
right here at home

Will we see tomorrow
or be dead by dawn
and you ask why
so faces are drawn

This present day violence
should make us mad
but my lack of hope for mankind
is what makes me sad

Can man ever change
can he curb his hate
or have we gone too far
and it's now too late

How many more sun rises
will we see it set one more time
will there be more days to pass
or has man reached the end of his line

I tried to read
my eyes so tired
the words
not much more than a blur on a sea of white

(did you know that having only one eye
you often cannot see past the floaters)

Occasionally they would clear but the story was all but lost

Do I back up and try again
or just quit
put the book down
give up
move on to mindless entertainment

The imagination is so far more desirable

The pictures the mind can paint
the completeness of the intent of the writer
the book so superior to the movie

(how often the transition of the story is missed
movies seldom do books proper justice)

How I yearn to be able to once again
sit and read for hours on end
allowing the art of the author to take me on a trip
trips that I have missed since that loss

The words have been shared
“never give up”
shouldn't they be remembered in all matters of our lives

I think maybe that it's time to go back and try again

I think, maybe I wrote this for me

Money, power
I gotta get some
if I ain't got the two
I just ain't the one

Week as a kitten
without any claws
what could I ever do
with two useless paws

Just give me the money
I'll buy me that power
I'll hit the ground running
and it won't take an hour

Don't get in my way
as I go on this run
I promise you now
you won't find it fun

I want what I want
I'll do whatever it takes
if it means burying you
it'll take less than two shakes

My lust is for power
you cannot deny me
how can you say that I'm evil
I'll have it, you'll see

The man used to care
his humanity meant all
but his lust for that power
had brought his great fall

There's more to life than power
success is not about money
those statements may seem strange
don't laugh, it ain't funny

Too much money and power
corrupt simple men
erasing their kindness
that they had back then

Often making them monsters
losing sight of who they were
and their pasts, they became
not much more than a blur

No love left in their heart
their humanity lost
not a show of any kindness
lust for power has a cost

Soaring high above the earth the eagle spotted it's dinner.
The rabbit, earthbound was minding to his own dinner
munching on grasses and leaves.
He was unaware of the danger that was far above him

The sharp eye of the eagle,
the silence of his lofty soar
gave the great bird an awesome advantage.
The great hunter dove toward the ground,
talons open,
ready to grasp onto his prey
and in an instant the rabbit was his.

The strong wings carried the eagle and his dinner high into the air.
Far from his nest, seeking the solace of his home to enjoy dinner
he climbed ever higher.
Spreading his wings to ride the thermals he lost altitude.
Again using his strong wings he ascended to the height needed
and again he found himself dropping back toward the ground.

This rabbit that he held onto in his talons
he found to be too much for him to hold onto and soar as he had hoped to.
He found himself struggling to fly.
The great bird began to wonder why he had chosen a meal so large.
The baggage of this rabbit had changed his life.
It was not for the good.

To fly with the eagles
carrying baggage in hand
limits our heights
we must understand

With our wings always flapping
there's no way we can soar
when our minds tells your hearts
we must hang on to a some more

We're held back by that baggage
it keeps us close to the ground
with cluttered up lives
there's no real freedom found

Letting go of that baggage
will rewrite our life's story
and we can then soar with those eagles
when our hearts have no worry

He told of his life
all that went before him was included
he claimed that it had all been passed down
from parents
from their parents
and ancestors from far back

Another man
told me of his life
he too included
all that went before him
the tale also had been relayed through the ages
passed down through the generations

Their lives
the lives of their ancestors
had crossed
time and time again
yet their truth of those times
came across as quite different

I have decided that
we will always have more than one tale
we will always have more than one viewpoint
and we will always refer to these tales as
History

Political correctness
is not for the masses
it's just always political
being used by the *****
to garner your vote
and get them elected
then they cast you aside
so sorry, rejected

Helping the homeless
how do you choose
so many have said
just look at their shoes

But what if their shoes
were just given to them
what's on their feet ain't a home
bedroom, kitchen or den

Just follow your heart
when you know it to be right
you won't have second thoughts
there will be no inner fight

Too lift someones spirit
a little kindness deploy
your reward will be swift
your heart filled up with joy

The great divide
religious fanatics
cause it to grow wide
in the name of their god
think they're saving your hide
when in all honest truth
all they do is misguide

The great divide
separates families
groom against bride
splitting up marriage
conversation gets snide
from their stubbornness
that's based on their pride

The great divide
the different beliefs
relationship fried
run aground on the reefs
partners have cried
days together are ending
as this trauma takes them broadside

The great divide
organized religion
cause folks to take sides
rather than bond
total lives are shanghaied
and still they aren't seeing
that the great divide as always has lied

The simple life
of burgers and fries
maybe not the best for your health
but they're a feast for the eyes

The very thought of 'em
just makes ya feel good
whether you're on the road
or at home in the hood

Yep burgers and fries
your waist might despise
but who the hell cares
when you're out with the guys

Go get you some Wendy's
or Micky-D's down the road
Sonic or Five-Guys
let some fat now get stowed

Once you start eatin' some burgers and fries
you're doin' it right
when you let out your belt
and your pants are too tight

You just may find this quite curious
that my writing is often real serious
well I guess it's to tell
a few stories of hell
of some people I find so mysterious

It's hidden
what must it be
they don't want me to see
beneath those sheets of bigotry

Eyes that hold  flames of hatred
faces twisted in bitterness
hearts that thrive on darkness
why do they worry concerning their faces being seen
if what they do they believe to be right and pure
why are they not proud enough to be known

As a child
there were things my parents said
NO!
you cannot do that
so I did “that”
whatever it was that was forbidden
became the target of my curiosity
the most powerful motivators a young one could have
is to forbid something from them

As a child I hid those things
(just as my children did and and all will)
that I did not want my parents to know about
concerning whatever it was I was up to
that I knew they wouldn't approve of

They were forbidden
thus hidden

Today we hide
words of belligerence and of a demeaning nature
flags that inspire the hatred of the past
faces of the bigotry of the so called better than thou crowd
and the truth
of what they do to harm our world

Hidden to deny they exist

These things forbidden
grow in power
taunting us to be part of them
causing more hatred to grow
directed at individuals
who have never caused us any harm

To hide that which is evil
will only cause the evil to grow

******'s a word
that can be used as a sword
and once the pots stirred
our vision is blurred

They say it's so filthy it should never be said
and when it comes out folks go out of their head
said in hate by a white man he could end up dead
but if never discussed we'll not move ahead

Hiding it only gives it more power
a strength that keeps growing with each passing hour
but today our society shrinks back and cowers
with a political correctness that they view as a flower

Hid behind its first letter an N
some cannot even write it not even in pen
but the insult of ****** will ne'er see an end
if it's never discussed by mature adult men

See the racist gets taught when he's really small
by childish men who think they stand tall
harboring prejudice and hate that is always on call
and they practice that bigotry without ever a stall

When will we grow up
will we ever learn
if we keep hiding the issue
we will inevitably burn

Vietnam

A terrible time for our country
The fear of what was called
the domino effect
Communism would be at our doorstep
if we did not stop the North Vietnamese

It was our own freedom
we were told that hung in the balance

We sent our young men
they fought
many died
others crippled and those who were fortunate enough
to simply make home
became the victims of a nation
that showed no support for the soldier

But the war was not about our freedom

It was about fear

Fear that traveled throughout our government
that we could be next

Of course history now shows
that was not the intent of the North
all they wanted was their country reunified

Our boys came home
the nation turned its back on them
many today still live in the streets
as do present day returnees from the middle east wars

It was the Vietnam veteran
who vowed
never to let another vet go unappreciated

The people have learned
but sadly
the government hasn't

The fear they have now
is the loss of profits
they continue to send
other peoples children
off to war that for these youg men
and now women
holds death and dismemberment
without giving those fortunate enough to return home
proper care and support

Today is so different from yesterday

Yesterday
the people spat upon the returning soldier

Today
it is the spittle of the government that they wear

He came
we said our hellos
and the hugs
they were real

Then we talked over a homemade pizza
the crust could have been thinner
the tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil from the garden
they made up for it that crust

Catching up over lunch
just being together again
it's was a wonderful way to pass the moments we had

Seventeen years is a long time
he was so much younger then
no longer the same little fellow we knew
of course Gramma and I
well, we might have changed a little in his eyes as well

It became time to rummage through so many old items
left overs that we had saved from the past
his past

We all have a past
his was a little tougher than most
mom and dad both taken from him
the one in her death
the other imprisoned

He was only five at the time

He never had a chance
this past was ****** upon him
much too early in his life
actual memories may have been few
but the few that made their way to the present
brought with them emotional moments

When he left
he took with him the things that meant the most to him
much too soon for my liking
but I was his age once, I guess I understand

It's hard to part again so quickly
there were so many lost years
but there will be another time
our hearts will forever beat as one
and the hugs will always be real

The time that was lost
delivered its cost
the pain it brought
covered my heart with a frost

This life never fair
others they stare
it's sack cloth and ashes
this garment I wear

They watch as I cry
not one caring why
they all think that I'm crazy
why must children die

So now while I mourn
and sit here forlorn
I have one giant question
why the hell were we born

Birds bring me news of an approaching storm
thunder has announced its arrival
the refreshing droplets of liquid life grace the land
an orchestra begins a symphony of life
raindrops upon the roof offer comfort
the sound I hear as nature delivers its song
is like the plucking of the strings of a sanshin
the traditional music of Okinawa now remembered
I am taken back to the time I spent in Naha
I was young then
I had no appreciation for the cherry blossoms
their beauty meant little to me
I had no real understanding of life
nor of the importance of peace of mind
body
and spirit
now older
my heart is ready to accept the natural order of life
I revel in all that it has to offer
if it is true that we came from dirt
and unto dirt we shall return
then it is not news that I and the Earth are one
it is that we are no longer estranged

I'm worried, oh dear
now what will I do
my neighbor lost his house
next week it might be mine too

But I've paid all my bills
while he never paid his
but they could still come
my mind's all a friz

They could take it for taxes
but I know I paid those
yet here I sit and still worry
did my house properly close

Could it be that the realtor
had no right to sell
does it make my house stolen
am I going to hell

Why does this happen
I know I've done this before
worrying myself sick
of problems not at my door

I've got my own problems
and now they're ten fold
as I needlessly worry
over things I have no control

Mourning has arrived
the sun has yet to burn through the clouds of sorrow
fond memories of the departed have brought the occasional smile
as days move on
the memories will bring more smiles
his smile
his joyful demeanor
will live on in the hearts of those who knew him
the sun will find its way through that cloud that holds our hearts
bringing with it the joy of knowing him
renewing to our spirits
he will live on in our hearts forever
rest in peace Ura

A new war had begun
against the war monger
finally sentenced to death
he couldn't hide any longer

His fear now a crippler
sent the man to his knees
begging for mercy
spare my life please

I'm not ready for death
I want to live longer
how could I have been so wrong
to be a war monger

All of those lives
all these dead boys
I promise I'll change
no longer treat them as toys

The collateral damage
I thought not my fault
the women and children
so many dead in the vault

Again I do beg you
spare my life please
what more do you want
I'm here on my knees

Yet the truth of the matter
except for his fear
his begging for mercy
is something we'd never hear

He'd go on making money
by sending others to war
showing all who he is
a war mongering *****

There is an unwarranted fear of the unknown
that resides deep within men
who are afraid to live in the moment

They cower at the thought
of what tomorrow may bring
they look not to a bright future
of a positive nature

Weak of mind and spirit
they have no control of their emotions
their worry becomes an interest paid
to an event that has not happened yet
and could possibly never happen at all

They waste their days
without peace of mind, heart and soul
every moment given away
waiting on the worst to present itself

The negative heart
delivers illness and death
to more than a mans spirit

How can he be lifted
from down in the gutter      
his spirit so quiet
barely a mutter

Within him he's crying
ever depressed
his needs if you meet them
he might be impressed

But you can't meet those needs
when words are your tool
as he'll simply ignore them
believing you're quite the fool

To provide for his body
restoring his health
he may once again feel human
and in itself, that is wealth

In saving his body
making that whole
you can renew his spirit
a quite worthy goal

In our minds we find questions
they're good for the learning
but to live life to it's fullest
our hearts should be burning.

They say all work and no play
makes Jack a dull boy
as he's never chased his hearts dream
and that's robbed him of joy.

Yes to think is important
but to love so much more
discover the dreams of your heart
there's so much to explore.

When their smiling eyes
have too soon left
it's oft of real love
that they've been bereft.

For the eyes they say
will show you their soul
and if that smile is missing
they are no longer whole.

Give to them your heart
show that you truly care
then maybe, just maybe
a new smile they might wear.

With their spirit now lifted
they may gain renewed hope
and at least for today
be able to cope.

It's a day by day struggle
that can be eased for a while
you can help them feel human
when you give them a smile.

Yes you can make a difference
and there will be a great prize
it's that smile of their own
that will be in their eyes.

The individual
not the sheep
thinks for himself
with no lost sleep

Secure in himself
approval not needed
what an advantage
of a life that's well seeded

To be raised as a person
with a mind of their own
rather than sat in a pile
as just one more stone

for none are the same
all have different needs
and to be the best us
we must have individual seeds

The speaker had said
“success is not money”
and for some strange reason
the hearers thought this was funny

Then his words went unheard
future sadness he could have rid
and they were missing this message
as ignore him they did

You'll find success in your joy
which money can't buy
it's found deep in your heart
like you were a boy

The days filled with fun
the games played with your friends
I know, I know
that's not a means to an end

Yes I know we must work
to provide for our needs
but there's no happiness in it
when it's to further our greed

When there's never enough
and we always want more
we're not satisfied
and behind in lifes score

Thing is life is for living
enjoying our days
however they come
in so many strange ways

Whether with family or friends
or at the job site
it's happiness that's important
you must know this to be right

Though the statements I made
may seem kind of funny
the truth is success is much more
than accumulated money

From above
they held strong
their mineral drip
fed those beneath
their strength was shared
building both
they came together
a bond was made
they became one
now a pillar
that would withstand
the ages

Capitalism only works
when the rich
mimic the stalactite

They come upon me
with all their hate
believing that
their words are great

Did they not understand
what they would find
was an argument
with words in kind

It's for the pain they cause
I will return
choice words of my own
in hopes they'll burn

But after the fight
I sit and reflect
I've made things worse
with my neglect

Through my retort
how did I not know
I was reducing myself
to their level so low

Yes he was a fool
but now there are two
by my decision to argue
I stepped in his shoes

When a heart
is filled with fire
fueled by bitterness
there's no peace to be found
no music to dance to
no joy to bring laughter
only darkness

Flowers of the field
turn toward the light
for they recognize
that in the presence
of this darkness
spirits whither
and die

Embassy deaths
Benghazi claimed four
but when W. had charge
there were fifty-six more

It was the fault of that woman
was the chant of the congress
when cutting her budget
was their version of progress

Investigations ensued
they called for her head
it proved it their own fault
and the scandal was dead

But they tried once again
to prove it her fault
wasting taxpayer money
drawn from the vault

It became too late to quit
giving it many more tries
misleading the public
with congressional lies

When will they quit about Clinton
and investigate Bush
I know it's just politics
another ambush

Vietnam war
the U.S. *****
the CIA
they had to play
too many lost lives
and widowed wives

Protests at home
they weren't alone
they were in the streets
at rallies and meets
the lies we were fed
now at home more dead

Seventy-eight the fourth of May
students lay dead on that dark day
their minds were spoken
the lines then broken
the result of this protest
too hard to digest

The national guard
they came down hard
a simple mistake
put lives at stake
Kent State spoke out
then shots rang out
and there were four dead in Ohio

It's morning
the night grew late
exhaustion
seemed was my fate

These open eyes
I so despise
I turn from the mirror
it tells no lies

They're oh so red
inside I'm dead
why did I ever
leave the bed

But it matters not
I must start the day
put on that face
that says I'm OK

Show the world
there is a way
in this game of life
I'm still in play

there's more to be done
I just can't give up
I know I'll feel great
after my second cup

What they declare
is that life is unfair
so let me clear the air
it's their lack of care
in the attitude they wear
as they're going nowhere
making life a nightmare

It's an awful affair
as they're not even aware
they've stepped into a snare
and they're wishing to share
their life of despair
naming you as their heir
to reside in their lair

So please if you dare
sit down, take a chair
and rather than glare
let me take you elsewhere
so that you might forebear
and not run off somewhere
because of this scare

Eat you some chocolate eclair

Lost
confused
I know not my own mind
the day plods on
I cannot keep up
as soon as I see where I am
I am gone
it seems as if to some other dimension
a whole different world
one where I find so little in common
that my understanding is as I said
lost
confused

Alone
I feel no-one is there
for guidance
for consolation
to lead me back to the familiar places
that seem to have been left behind
to that safe place of in my mind
that holds on to my sanity

To return
even for a moment
then I would not feel
so lost
nor confused
as to who I am
and where I belong in this life

Held captive
in the emptiness of this place
my days without meaning
have led to places of darkness
ones that I wish to forget
yet they linger

How to move on

Which turn is to be taken

Is there any path that leads home
to the world I once was a portion of
tiny though I was
I was part of what made up the whole

There was purpose

There was reason

There was a feeling of sanity
of understanding
a closeness
with no confusion
during those times
and in that place
I never felt lost

An eye for an eye
leaves everyone blind
vengeance is always
best left behind

To repay evil with evil
cannot balance a scale
it's just amplified evil
doling out one more fail

Things are only made worse
when you follow that course
why do men still believe
they're immune to this curse

Will man ever learn
or let his soul burn
while anger within him
continues to churn

It's time to wake up
repay evil with kind
your reward is within
as it brings peace of mind

Breaking the circle
preserving our sight
it may not be easy
but well worth the fight

People ranting
raving
poisonous anger and frustration
surfacing
on the very edge of violence

Bitterness
bringing it forth

Sorrow enters my heart
for their lack of peace

The longer these poisons
are allowed to reside within
to imprison us
the longer we suffer

Joy and happiness
remain locked away from us

Anger must be let go of
bitterness released
frustration can be quelled

Forgetting is not always necessary
but forgiveness a must
many don't realize
forgiveness benefits no one
more than themselves

Letting anger, frustration and bitterness go
frees the heart and soul
from our self made prisons
that deprives us
of the joy and love
that is intended for our lives

Forgiveness is a reprieve for the heart
a tonic for the very soul
it renews a mans spirit

It gives us a place to rest

There's poetry here in my heart
the trouble is gracing the paper
no words do flow unto my pen
my mind contains nothing but vapor

Thoughts so jumbled
I cannot think
from this emptiness
my heart doth shrink

To be reborn
to come alive
those lovely words
I must revive

To write again
to share this heart
it's what I must do
how do I start

Words on paper
not making sense
they're not fulfilling
they make me tense

There's a dam within
holding back the flood
yet I plod on
as if through mud

I know they'll come
this drought will end
the words will flow
once again be penned

Rejoicing now
as the words return
from heart to paper
they begin to churn

They're like a taste of honey
blessing the soul
for now as they flow
I again feel whole

His eyes ached
his vision now blurred
it was like when steam
created by scalding hot water
coats a mirror

Life was a drag
was this how it was to end
would he simply fade away
as the sunlight at dusk
slide below the surface
as the sun itself sets

There was a time
that he was well
felt strong
and had a feeling of purpose
he had a dream

Those days were gone
his dream was beyond reach
it vanished in a haze

The warm air
escaping the dryer vents
it was all he had to keep him warm
it smelled of softener sheets
his eyes ached

Memories of those passed
not confined to the few
hearts broken through loss

Taken by wars
on the battle fields
and on our the streets
by both malicious
and accidental means

In any way that they leave
the pain of their absence
is not all that is left behind
for they have given us
the good times of their childhood
the awkward moments
of adolescence
and the pride we find
in calling them
friends and family

This memorial day
our minds are brought to both
the hard times and the good

Our tears
a mixture of
sadness and joy

I've written of forgiveness
so many times
sometimes more prose
other times more in rhymes
but one things for certain
it's what you must do
and it's not really for them
it's mostly for you

Letting loose of your anger
will comfort your soul
free up your heart
and in the end makes you whole
but if you hold tight
on to your bitterness
you'll be cheated of joy
and won't find happiness

They are in the alleys of our cities
in the parks of our small towns
and under bridges
even in many tiny villages

Their cries for help go unheard
as if they have no voice

More often than not
they are ignored
as if they are invisible

Yet they are there
and in need

Is there a point to life
when all that exists in the heart is despair
when basic human needs
are only delivered for a very short
and temporary moment
when any relief and happiness
is shallow enough
to be washed away in the next

What point is there when
depression
is all you have

Life should be full
real and honest
delivering joy to the heart
encouragement to the spirit
peace to the soul
and a satisfaction to the stomach

The streets seldom provide for these needs

Governments attempt to criminalize people
for a homelessness
that is beyond the control
of these people who have lost all hope
and have been reduced to life in the streets
for the greed of the super rich
and an ever growing lack of care
for those we should be treating
as brothers and sisters

When did we cease as a nation
to be “for the people”

How did our government
get to the point of turning away from the people
to serve the rich above all others

Churches
regardless of their denominations
or religions
claim they are there to do Gods work

Since when has it been Gods work
to leave children hungry
cold, lonely and in the streets

Since when has it been Gods work
to treat other humans as vermin
because they have been dirtied on the surface
because of a life of hardship
have different beliefs, customs or life styles

So many do so little
they are the sayers

There are a few that do all they can
they are the doers

The doers
some are believers
others are not
the doers
have hearts
broken for those in need

Where governments and religions
now stand in the way
of help for these people
made of the same clay
giving a voice to the homeless
so they might have their say
the doers step in
and help as they may

There is a stream
that carries the music of life through the forest.
Ever calming the soul and spirit
of the creatures beneath the canopy above.

As I sit by waters side,
my toes being kissed by its current
I find an unexpected blessing
that was ever there for me.
All that was needed
was for me to accept it

To get here I  left a world ravaged by
a rushed and impatient society.
Its greed  and lack of kindness
has taken its sad toll of men.

It would have owned me
had I not come to this place I now sit.
Far away from that world
free of stress, in true comfort.
A place more tranquil
than one could ever imagine.

The thoughts of the world I have left
have been washed from my mind.
My soul, my very spirit
has grown new ears.
My heart has opened
peace and joy have entered.

I am one with the forest.
The stream flows through me.
I am filled with its music.

He lay helpless in the gutter
so many people walking by
he was treated me as if  invisible
he could see them avert their eyes
was it his tattered clothing
the gaunt face of hunger he wore
they ignored his plea for help
what has made them immune
to their hearts
you would swear
they were born without one
how is it that they have so little care
for those who have needs
that they can no longer provide for themselves
so many who's only crime
was that they were the working poor
sentenced to life on the streets
the homeless
who have fallen through the cracks
here in this land of plenty
this country that spends so much
in support of other countries
while criminalizing the results
of their own greed
here in the richest nation on Earth

Violence begets violence, hate begets hate
this issue must end before it's too late

it's one thing to spank, quite another to beat
whether its done at home or out in the street

public embarrassment just angers your kid
resentment will grow of which you'll never be rid

families then broken bonds forever lost
public beatings have a terrible cost

this circle exists and there is no denying
in the end what you'll find is a parent who's crying

wondering why their kids have lost all respect
when their beatings have been a form of neglect

sparing the rod is not spoiling the child
when it's most often the rod that makes the youth wild

parents wake up, if it's fear that you want
what you will gain are regrets that forever will haunt

your child needs you to be their greatest hero
don't treat them in a way that you appear as a zero

the mother in Baltimore in that brief little session
has taught to her son a truly terrible lesson

there's a form of discipline, one that's way over the line
that when their child misbehaves, they've learned that beatings are fine

you see beatings get passed down to the next generation
when the kids beat their own kids, it's a regeneration

nobody's been listening, the problem's not gone
the circle continues and the beating goes on