The dawn of conception
of the ideas born to man
came as flickering lights
to minds that were aware
open to accepting change
awake to their surroundings
and realizing a need
thus came the knowledge of man

Young men dead and dismembered
for control of oil fields
the lie of Iraq

More youth dead and disabled
protecting the poppy fields
the lie of Afghanistan

We are sacrificing our soldiers
to ensure the freedom of their people
the lie of the nation

The tree takes it's time
for to reach maturity
then blesses with shade

Men imitate trees
once they reach maturity
they bless with wisdom

A tree with deep roots
withstands the winds at their worst
to bend and not break

A mans deep beliefs
hold fast throughout his days and
cannot be broken

The tree and the man
bless the world and together
can be seen as one

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

From on top of the mountain
you can see where you've been
and it's really no matter
the why or the when
for it's deep in the valleys
that your lessons are given
your pathways defined
for a life you'll be livin'
take this time to reflect
on all that you've learned
and savor moment
as the tide could be turned
rest here on the mountain
drink deep, quench your thirst
there's another valley aproaching
prepare for the worst

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

******'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

They came from the other side of the great water
they brought with them their customs
their religion
their guns
the only right way to live
was their way
and they had no tolerance for what they found
for here
at the end of their crossing
was a new people
people of a sort that they had never experienced

In the first days
it was these new found people
that helped them to survive
showing them the ways of this new land
but as these who had made this pilgrimage
learned to survive
they no longer found a use
for those who worshiped the earth
rather that their god

Did I mention
that they also brought with them
diseases

Today those diseases that they brought with them
are still rampant in our country
bigotry and hate are everywhere

they were no more than little green plastic soldiers
outfitted with rifles and ammo belt
as a child they were set up as to be in battle
the foe was unknown
it was just how we played
what fun it was to pretend army

the cold war was waging
the threat of missiles
Russian missiles so close to our own shores
being launched from Cuba brought fear
we were still young and didn't really understand the danger
we continued to play army
marching with sticks we pretended were rifles
ready to take cover in the shelters we made in the vacant field
we were still having our fun
playing army

now grown up
many of my generation sit in congress
they still have their toy soldiers
they're no longer green
the weapons no longer resemble the rifles of our youth
and the toys they play with
are no longer plastic
they continue to put them to battle in other lands
they are still having fun
playing army

The people heard
but they wouldn't listen
their eyes were open
but couldn't see
the killing fields
this war at home
was never something
that should ever be
our children gone
forever lost
the right to bear
it has cost
when a crazy man
can still get a gun
and in his mind
it's for his fun
death will follow
excuses spun
the NRA
again has won

The storm has passed to the east
there is thunder still rolling off in the distance
the rains have lightened now
and the birds once again grace us
with their songs
as I glance to the west
rays of sunlight break through the clouds
a great bow shows itself to the world
its magnificent colors hold me
as if in a spell

Here a reminder
I know so well

Though storms may come
they will also pass
and on the other side
a time of tranquility

There is a silver lining
all we need do is wait

Where is the road
the path they claim
leads to happiness

A hedge of despair
blocks it from view
as if trapped in a maze
with walls too tall
how am I to know
left, right or continue

I have come too far to return
to the safety of my old
and miserable ways

Oh how I want that to change
to leave depression behind

It has been my understanding
moving left or right
is lateral and gains no ground
I cannot simply move on
imprisoned by who I was
I must somehow move forward

The hedge still stands in my way

Is it really an epiphany
when the answer
is so plain to so many others

The only answer it to remove
that which stands in my way
and learn to laugh

They rode to war
outnumbered yet unconcerned
right was on their side
so they believed

no enemy could stand before them
their creator would ensure victory
should they die
he would welcome them home

the combatants met
the battlefield was as a sponge
soaking up the blood
of both armies

the soldiers spirits left their bodies
rose to the heavenly home they were promised
and enemies met once again
only to find they fought in the name of the same creator

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

They speak
never listen
their world
crumbling
understanding
nonexistant
their minds
closed
it must be
their way
without waver

They speak
never heard
their world
crumbling
their needs
ignored
their hearts
distressed
their way
no longer
represented

Consider the potato chip
new flavors all the time
fire roasted sweet corn
who-da thought

Oh how we search
for that new flavor of life

We search high and low
for something fresh

To tickle the taste buds
of our imagination

To set us on a path
we've not traveled before

To open our minds
toward a greater understanding of who we are

To enrich our lives
bringing greater joy to our hearts

I've tried that fire roasted sweet corn chip

You know something
it really was quite satisfying

Bigotry, hatred
the road to discord
bringing terrible deeds
with the ugliest words

People are people
we all share this earth
we all have a purpose
we all have a worth

We never know when
we'll have need for another
some day we must wake up
and see that all men are brothers

Red, yellow,
black, white and brown
no matter their race
should not be put down

Gay, straight,
believers or not
whether they're male or female
not confined to a spot

We've no right to treat people
who are different from us
with our ways and words
that throw them under the bus

It says “all men are equal”
but that's not how folks are treated
and it's this lack of respect
that's caused peace to be defeated

Wake up my friends
and seal a new fate
learn to love one another
before it's too late

If you're afraid
you'd not know how to start
it's really quite easy
just open your heart

The home of the brave
the land of the free
folks enslaved by the rat race
well except two or three

these folks live off the grid
yeah out there on their own
in ways they work harder
but then, nature's their home

their needs are quite basic
a roof, clothing and food
what they became is rustic
no, they're not crude

it's the simple life
and it can be a great thing
providing that is
you make it through winter to spring

The narrowness of understanding
it exists in all of us
a mind shut tight as if it were a rusty trap
with no desire for oil
denial that there is more to life
than their view
statements made carry consequence
many words
many meanings
often understood to fit an individual
then believed by another differently
each to fit their needs
neither is totally right
nor are they wrong
they are just different
how it can take so little of a difference to become
the seeds of conflict

The seven seas
the human race
their waters are one
we share the same life giving blood
they have different names
we come in many colors
they are separated by continents
we are separated by religion
these differences
do nothing to change that fact
that they remain one water
and we are one human race

There are no roads toward closure
when your family is taken
a piece of you dies
as your soul has been shakin'

The hole left behind
can never be filled
even when justice is served
you'll not really be thrilled

Your sadness will visit
throughout your years
but you'll find you can make it
through the shedding of tears

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

The sky now blue
the warmth returning
springtime has come
leaving the cold of winter behind
the trees bring forth new buds
giving life to new leaves
the leaves fill the trees
and my eyes and mind now drawn
to the wonder of natures ability
to turn the sky green

We think we know so much
yet we understand so little
the handful that do
seem to have the smallest voice
while the masses deny
the earth is being *****
there is little they will accept
warming comes
displayed in the strangest way
air thins
as carbon emissions thicken
fracking
depleting potable water
during days of drought
what will it take
a global flood
or a scorched earth
when will they listen
an awakening of the masses must come
before they are no more

The sky still blue and spacious
our fields grow golden grains
snow capped mountains
are still viewed in placid reflecting pools
fruits and nuts are upon our trees
but as for brotherhood between the seas
the good has become harder to find
our light has dimmed

They came seeking relief from religious oppression
only to convert and pervert what they found
their freedom meant
the abolishment of the ways of
the new world they had come to
with violence and death
taking more land
there was no self control
no liberty
no real law other than
might made right
for the new people did not honor their god
and were deserving of death

These were not heroes
they did not liberate the peoples of this new land
they showed no mercy
there was nothing noble or divine in their treatment
not of the peoples
nor of the lands that they found

They had a dream
of great alabaster cities
built them
but today
these are filled with empty dilapidated buildings
the homeless
and the violence that built them
tears run down the cheeks
of mothers and fathers losing their sons and daughters
tears are shed by the victims
of the religious extremism that was seeded in those early times

How can we continue to sing America The Beautiful?

He wore his pants below his buttocks
I guess he musta had an itch
you wonder if he realizes
it's the sign of a prison *****

My back
it hurts
the pain
it comes in spurts

The task
at hand
is to simply
try to stand

From hot packs
unto cold
I don't like this
getting old

It's become so hard to walk
I don't even want to talk
all I want is some relief
from this nagging pain and grief

It's even hard now just to think
seeing I've hurt my weakest link
and although I'm sharing ink
it's times like these that really stink

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

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 *****

They close their minds
to that which they do not choose to understand
cover their eyes
to that which they do not want to see
shut their ears
to that which they do not wish to hear
they refuse to accept
there are other cultures holding different beliefs
they deny that there are other schools of thought
with other closed minded people who also believe
their own ways are the only way to live

peace will not be found
until all eyes are open
all ears are willing
and the minds of men are opened
to the fact that they are not alone

They come into our lives
then sometime later they go
just what brought us together
there's no way to know

We were molded and shaped
as we walked side by side
strangers became friends
during the times our lives coincide

There is one thing that I'm certain of
for the time they've been here
every moment spent together
should be the times we hold dear

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

The war machine
Always fed first
The budget for weapons
Never suffers from thirst

While children lay hungered
And vets become hopeless
These priorities in America
Leave the populous hopeless

It seems they're so filled up with hate
for those who are a little different
that they'll stand right there in the way
of rights and equal treatment

It's not just here at home
concerning minorities and the homeless
and to try and open their hearts
seems like something almost hopeless

They claim the moral high ground
while they practice all this hate
their goal is a theocracy
I hope it's not too late

Right now we're seeing congress
undermine affairs of state
they're posture calling for more war
for this I fear our fate

Yet they claim they're Christian
and these ways of theirs must cease
change their direction from this hatred
and for once, work toward real world peace

Thou shalt not fee the gays
for thine is the kingdom of bigotry

They deserve no pizza
nor wedding cake
what you must offer
your disgust and your hate

Just don't call yourselves christian
as that you are not
remember the mount
he fed all on the spot

With fishes and loaves
he never questioned a one
never leaving a man out
oh no that wasn't done

He then commanded to love all
he didn't leave out the gays
I believe he'd be appalled
at today's christian ways

Blinded by their hatred of others
taught them by those with an equally vile past

If you're not like me, some day you'll be
or perish for your denial of my god

Is this how the extremists share the love of their god
would not a god desire converts to choose him
yet those who would proselytize
offer fear and punishment as their incentive

If you're not like me, some day you'll be
or perish for your denial of my god

You think I speak of Islam
no, it is all of the Abrahamic peoples
you say, no not us
but it continues within all three branches
today we see the focus on Islam
while we ignore the Zionist movement
we complain, what has this to do with Christianity
while hiding our eyes from Bangui
in the Central African Republic it is Christians killing Muslims
because they are Muslims

There is no need to travel to see the evidence of this hate
the bombings of abortion clinics
the ****** of doctors who perform abortions
proves the hate is right here at home
and there are those who celebrate the deaths
of people who do not believe exactly as they do

If you're not like me, some day you'll be
or perish for your denial of my god

We hear the voices of the extremists
calling for the deaths of the non believers
so many seek that eye for an eye
choosing to remain blind in their hate

Why is it that even within each leg
those known as Sunni cannot get along with the Shiite
Protestants and Catholics war with each other
the Semites of Israel and Palestine continue to battle
when their roots are all found
in the same servant of their god

Ideology ***** when it drives people to **** each other
all their books condemn killing
while at the same time justify killing the non believer
in the name of their god

There is no glory in this

How their god must weep
how he must wish them to rid themselves of their books
and live in peace with each other

If you're not like me, some day you'll be
or perish for your denial of my god

Sitting, waiting
writing once more
it was a blessing of time
that had opened a door

Behind it were words
that begged to be heard
but needed assembling
so I brandished my sword

Putting pen unto paper
arranging them with great care
those words became poetry
a breath of fresh air

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

This write is a lesson
intended for me
a reminder of sorts
of the way I should be

No target intended
it's not about you
unless that you find
this is something you do

My time being wasted
I  return to spend more
with this one little wish
to even the score

To force you
into wasting your time
in a childish argument
by crossing the line

One with no last word
no truce to be found
repeating the same comments
till they're run into the ground

We move on to insulting
and give it our best
when the revenge of choice
should have been to give it a rest

I should be spending my time
going on with my life
than to fill every moment
riddled with strife

This not about you
it's all about me
not looking for payback
it's the way I should be

As I travel the road
I think of the places it has taken me
the people I have met
it was long ago and it was yesterday
now it continues before me
where it leads
who I'll meet
these are the mysteries
that will be revealed tomorrow

The music
soft, relaxing
I drift off
a dream world opens

I find myself on a train

the observation car
all mine
me, my music
and the rhythmic sound of the tracks

a journey of all seasons

tulips of spring in Holland
the tranquil lakes in mid summer
the colors of fall in New England
the snow capped mountains of the Alps

all seem to be at peace

the lion and the lamb
the fox and the chicken
the killer whale and baby seal
all men of the earth

I have but one hope

that this music continues

To dream as a child
brings him to life
motivates his spirit
and fills his soul with hope

When those dreams are big
and seen as his destiny
they set his feet upon a path
that can lead to greatness

But the dream does not deliver itself
and the path cannot be traveled
without taking the first step

The second and third steps
must then follow
as the realization of a dream
requires dedication and work

This path is not for the faint of heart

To dream of tomorrow is not childish

The time that it takes
in order to judge
is time really wasted
when you could have shown love

As it is love that is needed
just someone to care
to lift up another
from their life of despair

A new man will emerge
yes from out of the blue
no, not the down trodden
that new man will be you

Your heart can be healed
simply by ending your judging
and channeling that time
to the practice of loving

Oh to laugh
to have a day of joy
but the world will not allow it

When will I learn to leave the news behind
all trace of it

A better question

How can I leave it behind

There has been so much of the bad
my spirit has been beaten with

Each item ingrained within me

An attempt to shelter myself
leaves me with the memories

My task must be to go forward
without depressing over that which is behind

It was written
that nothing from without
that enters into a man
can defile him

Yet I cannot move past
the inhumanity of today's world

There is no escape
from what I have seen and heard

Will we ever together find joy
and laugh as an innocent child

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

To love
is not small
in fact
it's giving your all

Dying to self
when another has need
that's how it is seen
through that very deed

Oh yes, it can hurt
at times mortal pain
and sometimes frustration
can drive you insane

Yet you continue to give
and you'd have it no other way
not just for the moment
but until your dying day

Yes, this is true love
it's not infatuation
yet it's so seldom found
outside of imagination

If you've got it you're lucky
one of the few
and the blessings you have
are as droplets of dew

The dew is so fresh
these droplets so many, so fine
are a picture of love
brought forth from a mine

A mine that's been emptied
producing a treasure to give
to one truly special
for as long as they live

This just needs to be said, and it seems that the job seems to have been handed to me.  You see, i believe that words and ideas are given to people in order for them to be shared.  So, here goes!

It seems that today there has been an influx of wannabe English teachers. The misuse of  quite a few words brings them out of the woodwork giving them the opportunity to show the rest of the world just how smart they are. Me personally, I could care less. I read for understanding rather than to pick apart another persons misuse of grammatical correctness. Yes, I like trying to use the proper forms of the words to/too/two, there/their/they're and you're/your/yore. Hang on though folks, it's not/knot the end of the world if the wrong form of the word bare/bear or wear/where gets used if you can still understand the point of what is being said. Punctuation is another sore point. If you can understand what is being said in that two hundred and fifteen word run-on sentence, just move on to the next statement. Capitalization, c'mon, if it's missing does it really change the meaning of the word at the beginning of a sentence?  Does it make dover, delaware a different city for the lack of capital letters?

It's time to grow up folks. This is the internet, not a job application for a teaching position.  If you can understand it, quit trying to prove yourselves superior in the belittlement of others.

I stood within a cloud
the heavy mist swirling about me
so alone
so quiet
so peaceful
the silence finally broken
a train whistle off in the distance
the nearest tracks 10 miles away
the quiet returns
I am encompassed once more by the mist
I become part of the cloud
I’ve never felt so tranquil
how I wish this peace could spread over the entire earth.