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We were a traveling choir
1st Sopranos sang higher

Our harmony, so precise
Our sound could entice

Getting older Time to retire
Voices others respect admire

We had different goals In the end
We understood musical notes transcend

Romance Of Music in our soul
That feeling in a song will never let go

It’s an experience to remember
Especially the concerts in December

We all sang a cappella
18 voices looking for our fella

Inspired song;

The music in you
By John Denver

Footnote
This is John Denver’s
shortest song at 56 seconds.
This song has the most profound
effect over my entire life;

“ Music makes pictures,
and often tells stories
All of its magic, and all of its true
and all of the pictures and all of the stories all of the magic the music is you“

That’s it. The entire song
It’s song twice
It’s worth listening to and then
Perhaps you’ll understand what I mean.
BLT Webster’s Word of the Day
A cappella 11-6-24
Singing without instrumental, music

My stepsister was a coloratura
She took voice lessons to train her voice to be able to break a glass.  She had a gift and didn’t care. There’s not that many soprano Coloraturas in the world. it’s truly something to behold ..
I was told I had a beautiful voice,
but it pales into comparison to your sister.

I was in the elite group for six years. we travel to different places for competition competing against other a cappella choirs
But unless you had a voice like my stepsister, you’re not going to really got anywhere
with your music.
In high school, the school drama class did the play of West side story, and of course the actress could not sing. So I was off in the wings singing this songs, and she was mouthing the songs  as if she was singing... because she was in drama, and I was only in choir. I thought it was so silly because they were doing musicals. But I never wanted to be an actress then. later in college, I did star in a musical my first, and only time on stage .the bug did not bite me. I couldn’t wait to get off stage, but it was cool to have a standing ovation in a packed auditorium.
I also sang , The star spangle banner at graduation.I was an instructor. 5000 people three-story auditorium, quite amazing place. I was nervous.. I have had many adventures.
I could defined my life through Music Define moments in time. define moments in time. I could hear a song, and it will take me back to an epic Life eventsmarked by music.
CJ Sutherland Jul 27
The announcer ;
Hark, who goes there?

Physician;
It is I the village physician
“I have come to bring forth
the birth of the newborn KING”
Physician ; Pray your name kind sir

The announcer;
“I am tasked to
Harold in the birth
Of our blessed King”

Physician;
Time is it hand?

Announcer;
“Hark, the Herald Angels sing
Glory to our newborn King”


OK this is a little lame but it’s the best I could do for this word of the day lol

Inspired song
Hark, the Herald Angels sing, with lyrics
By   Christmas songs and carols
BLT Webster’s Word of the Day challenge
7–26-24 Herald
To give notice, announce publicize and foreshadow to greet, especially with enthusiasm
CJ Sutherland Dec 2017
We have lost
the reason
for the season

The pain of
over spending
Beyond our means

The pain of
giving
more time then
We have

The pain of
not
Giving at all

The pain of
Not giving
What we
Are willing  
to spare

The pain of
Frustrated Complaining
about the crowds
parking spaces
the hassles of it all

The pain of
the reason for the season
is  lost
to commercialized  
It’s only about  
Getting Stuff
More stuff

You have never
experienced a
Carmen
Christmas
Until you have been
To my house
My family remembers
And their child
Remember
Christmas

Now
Getting older and sick
my pain is
more physical
I need
A total knee replacement
I pack on ice to numb the pain
So many pain pills shots

I have a list to do
As long as Santa’s
I’m pulling all nighters
To get it all done
Cleaning cooking
baking baskets of treats
I don’t complain
It’s not my style

Pride perhaps

I do it out of pure love
The family will be here Christmas
For a few days
Waiting on them
Feeding them
Caring for their every need
I want them to remember
the love of giving

Think what Jesus gave us
His life our salvation
What are we giving
him on his Birthday

My knee COPD
all my other ailments
Are nothing

I pray Lord
Let me give them
One more year
As I fight back the pain
With tears
no one must see

My “teenage” Grandson
asked me
What I wanted for
Christmas
YOU
I told him
I DO NOT NEED ANYTHING
Yet
He earned money
Walk to the store
To buy me
a gift
He knows
I will love

I am planting seeds
Of
Generosity Goodness Kindness
Most importantly
LOVE
Merry Christmas
CJ Sutherland Jun 18
I live in a quaint little town
In a wink or a blink,
you’ll drive right through
There’s not much to see but lots to do

Take a good look around
we have two parks in town
One; the senior center park
Summer Friday night music til dark

Margaret Polk Park Community build
Baseball, diamonds, and a soccer field
A quarter of a mile path around
is where the dogs’s path can be found

Wildflowers as far as the eye can see
The edge of the forest a fallen tree
A river runs through the northern side
Nooks and crannies for Deer to live hide

Motocross bicycle course for all ages
competition in qualifying stages
A wonderful event on Fourth of July
Fireworks, food stations, watching the sky

Watermelon slices Practice your song
Center stage performances all day long
Face painting Dancers singers, bands
Our great experiment by God’s hands

The annual Damboree highlight of the year
Celebrate the Dam completion beers cheer
Mining for Gold, Rush to Northern Cali
  three encampments called Central Valley.

A Tourist Store find trinkets galore to take
Boating, camping playing on Shasta Lake
This tiny town now has a Dollar Store
Five marijuana dispensaries not much more

One and only Shasta Damboree
Cool April nights car show to see
Asphalt, cowboy’s Pancake breakfast
Veteran’s Parade the celebration blast


Saturday night music in the park
Starts at afternoon until dark
Monthly craft displays
Handmade goods amaze

We have a pet Mayer YES, I say smugly
A seven year old pug named Pugly
The pet mayor contest a fundraiser creates
A Children’s Christmas party Fashion plate

300 gifts to families of our community
Our tiny town no change in 30 yrs of unity
A moratorium on growth we cherished
Sadly, that philosophy has parish

Plans demand. Homeless integration
Tare down homes for new segregation
Build skyscrapers box dwelling
New Drug communities are swelling
There will be a sequel to this poem. Change is all around. You can hardly recognize her a little town.
CJ Sutherland Oct 27
Categorically

Constant Lies to usurp truth

We cannot allow




Senryu
A type of Haiku
Where as Haiku
focuses on nature

Sentry focuses on
Human nature
and it’s foibles

The layout
is the same
17 Syllables
3 lines
5-7-5 each line

Inspired song
Lying eyes 1975
The eagles
BLT Webster’s Word of the Day
Usurp 10-27-24
To usurp some thing, such as power is to take and keep it by force, and without the right to do so.
Bonus 10-26-24 word
Categorically
A synonym of absolute and definite describes some thing that is said to be very strong and very clear way a category of, or “respect to a specific category”
I wanted to Serve
I Volunteered to Serve.
I Knew what I was Doing.
I Would do it Again.
Marine Corp.

Thank God
For people like these
An American Patriot
Though and Though

A call to arms
Field loyalty
The Conditions for
coming to America

Millions of soldiers died
For  the price of freedom
Those who want
to come to America

Must serve in the military
There are many positions ,
Women want equal rights
a mandatory two years  

before they can become a
United States citizen.
They must go through
the nationalization process ;

Learn English
Choose to assimilate
Into the great melting ***
Called America

Criminals, breaking a law
have no place here
They will be returned to their country
Not allowed to return

after learning our laws
The bill of rights, constitution,
the ceremony swearing allegiance
to our country Welcome to America.

There are many ways to serve
I’m tired of people acting
like they deserve to be here
In Battle, war, or  reserve

We all have a price to pay
If they don’t want to comply
No need to ask why,
No Documents no enter

If they ditch their ID,
So they can’t be identified
And we find it on the ground,
Now we have their face in a database
.
Send them packing.
I’m sure they’ll
come up with an ID.
nothing is FREE
.
If they’re caught hiding
A Got Away found
They refused our terms
If they came within nefarious intent
An Attempted coup take over
GO HOME

That’s what’s happening now
Illegals are taking over our cities and towns
When you see 100,000 Palestinians protest
We need to learn  who is illegitimately here.
BLT Webster’s Word of the Day challenge
Patriot7-4-24
A person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies, detractors, foreign and domestic. A true patriot.

A family member made a statement today
Many of his friends died for the cause .
This is my response draft written4-11-24
I know this is a horrible mess now, but children and women and boys are sold into Slavery. Our soldiers bite and died for our country. Not for this to happen. We need to start to think about how to restore control before it’s too late and we’re on the brink now. Happy Fourth of July. Read the constitution today and remember what we fought for to be free. Remember, all of those soldiers who died for our great nation. Sure we have problems. Nothing is perfect but we strive to be better.
Media mogul critics
Die hard, cynics

Are all capricious by designs
Don’t step on their land minds

Factitious information
Bait and switch tactics creation

If they say it’s not
It’s what you’re got

Rhetoric and hyperbole
Don’t believe what lying eyes see

Regurgitate Same talking stance
News determine in advance

They want useful idiots. It’s a shame.
While choosing someone else to blame

All the while with a smile
The song remains the same



Song inspired
1) Signs by The five electrical band
2) these times are a Changan’ by Bob Dylan
3) The song remains the same Led Zeppelin
( Robert Plant believe Music is universal 1973, every time I sing this song, I just picture, I’ve been around the world, and at the root of it all, there’s one common denominator.)

FYI song remains the same has a very long intro but there are lyrics it’s worth the wait
BLT Webster’s Word of the Day challenge
Capricious8-5-24
Lacking firmness, or steadiness, as in purpose or devotion. Suggest motivation by sudden whim, fancy and unpredictability. Fickle, and constant, volatile.
CJ Sutherland Dec 2017
I love the smell of a new book
leather bound, gold leaf, off the shelf, I took
To see the print in my minds eye
Happy laughter, scary or a good cry

To settle down for a good read
Turning the pages at record speed
A books can teach you anything
Knowledge you gain only a book can bring

If the story is true
The feelings grow within you
as writers we are hard to impress
We notice plots twist we can quickly guess

The scariest day I remember well, in my head
Year 2000 a paperless system, BOOKS are dead
I never believed it, not for a second you see
Because books are a part of story telling for you and me

Although  ebooks are gaining popularity today
Paper books will never truly go away
I have been a book worm as long as I can remember
The excitement of college reading in September

So the next time your children or grandchildren say
“I’m board” ask them if they want an adventurous  day
Take them to the library and let them pick a stack
They will be hooked for life no turning back
I read a Poem on books and it gave me an idea books are wonderful
CJ Sutherland Dec 2017
A candy maker in Indiana around the 1900s
wanted to make a candy
That expressed the meaning of Christmas
So he came up with the candy cane

He used hard candy because
Jesus is the “rock of the ages”
he shape it into a J which
is the first letter of Jesus’ name
And if turned upside down is
the staff of the good shepherd

His candy cane is white to represent
the perfection and sinlessness of Jesus

And he added a thick red stripe as a symbol
Of the blood Christ shed for us
He also had thinner red stripes for
The stripes Christ received when he was scourged

So the next time you give or receive a candy cane
Perhaps you will look at it differently
Merry Christmas
This story was in my advent book from church
CJ Sutherland Jan 2018
We are the voice of our generation
From all walks of life
Sharing our joy and pain

We are representatives of a society that struggles
We feel the passion to voice our views
We are stirred to write  out of necessary
A yearning to voice our thoughts

Well after we are gone our words are forever in print
For future generations to study and learn
Who we were and what we were thinking And WHY
Our struggles, our points of view matter more the we will ever know

Our voice matters
While we need to respect other points of views
We must also stand strong  for what be truly believe
Defending our hope, pride, and the American way

In other countries people right to freely say what they think
Is not permitted
Stifled by a leadership serpressing their freedom and voice
Their opinions

As long as we are free and proud our voice must be heard
In retrospect this is a tremendous honor and burden
To be the voice of reason for our Generation
The state of the union has be thnking honorably
CJ Sutherland Sep 17
Sweater, weather
Pillows with feathers

He’s enamored she’s a beaut
Stun by her beauty, temporary mute

Falling in love
Fits like a glove

Soft down comforter covers
Perfect for young lovers

Pumpkin spice
Snuggling is nice

Flannel sheets
Cozy socks on cold feet

Warmth of a crackling fire
Family stories, while I retire

Fall asleep dreams feel my head
Wake up in the morning middle of my bed

Comfort, food ; *** roast, and beef stew
These are the winters I knew

Inspired song;

1) California Dreamin’
By The Mamas and The Papas
BLT Websters word of the day Challenge
Beaut 9-17-24
Some thing, outstanding one of a kind
A beautiful person
CJ Sutherland Oct 2023
the will
of the
student

is predicated.

By the
will
of our
Nation
CJ Sutherland Sep 2017
They say (whoever they are )
We are the sum of
All events in our past

Exsperiences
Are what facilitate us
With who we are today

They say
We spend our whole adult life
getting over our childhood

I say
do not let your past dictate
who you are
rather
let it assist you
with
who you want
to become
Food for thought  this was written ( in my 20s ) a long time ago when I thought I knew everything
Freedom from silence
Solis our reliance
Question conscience
they can’t steal

Our secret thoughts
Subvert their power
Mind control
breakthrough

Echoes of the past
the die has been cast
beyond our control
We sold our soul

Dystopian Society
Stripping our propriety
ravaged by disease
Our existence under siege

struggle to survive
Hunger starving barely alive
Written September 13, 2024
God’s
Pride
And
Joy

God took back his Rainbow glimpses found
A light breeze disturbed wet ground.  
Water glistened in the garden yard
The hose nozzle set on light mist not hard

As I held the hose tip precariously near
Spraying in the air a Rainbow did appear
I followed the Rainbow to it’s other side,
A strong beautiful message God’s Pride

Red yellow purple blue and green
Every color imagined in between
Vivacious vibrant bright and clear
In the mist a Rainbow fully appeared

further back into the yard I persevered
In the mist a second Rainbow appeared
Starting ending in a different spot.
A third time I moved to the back of the lot

Spouting from the end of the nozzle hose
A glorious mist touched my nose
The Rainbow had never appeared before
However why three not four or more

The vibrant colors blessed my eyes  
Joyfully an angel’s whimsical Surprise
Three Rainbows blessed the pathway
Heavenly host a miracle per se  

Third times a charm I extend my arm
Gracefully swirling mist everywhere
The spray gently moving into the air
I could follow all three Rainbows there.

My daily prayers, in a state of grace
There was a ethereal glow on my face
It happened on the Lord’s day of rest
Observance a Constant struggle my test

God gave me a three Rainbows
Why?  only God knows
Perhaps the Holy Spirit wanted me to smile
For a while I marveled like a little child


Inspired songs
1) Somewhere over the rainbow
by Judy Garland 1939 The Wizard of Oz
Under the aegis of loving grandparents
children raised of the heavenly host
In the father, his son, and the Holy Ghost
grandchildren here tales of their parents
As children generations taught Bible stories they learn of their lessons and glories

Everyone Sang The Jesus loves me song
“Little ones to him belong
They are weak but he is strong  
Yes, Jesus loves me for the Bible tells me so” 
 Their four year old Granddaughter
Gets down on her knees each night to pray
This precocious child has a lot to say

The era back in the day when everyone
Dressed their best for Sunday Service
Easter perfect parents were nervous
Moms made matching outfit for her girls.  
They did their hair in ringlet curls

Shiny white Mary Jane shoes with either
Tights or triple layer lace ruffled socks
A frilly dress, and purse that locks
Wore forget me, Nots
Easter bonnet with flowers upon it
The girls made themselves.
White gloves, just like mother top shelves
Coordinated Easter basket to keep them occupied money for the offering plate, tied

The family took an innocent four year old to see a reenactment of passion of Christ
The play opens
The Olive Grove scene at Gethsemane
Jesus comes on stage then his enemies

The little girl Jumped up, stood on the chair
Her mother asks what are you doing there
“I want to show Jesus my new Easter Hat”
She beamed as a matter of fact

The grandmother wrapped her loving
Arms around the child
Whispering softly in her ear
“It’s not real they are actors”

The soldiers started pushing, shoving
Yelling at Jesus grabbing him not loving
The little girl’s eyes opened wide
Her hands over her face to hide
Peeking through her fingers
Her terror lingers

The grandmother wraps, your loving
arms around the child
whispering softly in her ear
“It’s not real they are acting”

But the little girl persisted
Unable to look away she insisted
She shook her head She didn’t understand
She took  her grandmother by her hand
She started to sob “please help Jesus”

The grandmother wraps, your loving
Arms Around the child
Whispering softly in her ear
“ it’s not real they are actors”
But the child can’t be consoled
The child wouldn’t hear what she was told

Final act
Jesus was being nailed to The Cross
His life, Paid the cost Satan’s loss
A large spike in the soldier’s hand
Then there was a loud BANG
The hammer hit The cross of wood
The little girl tried to get to him but no good
The audience jumps and screams
Some laughs nervously at this scene

The grandmother wraps, her loving
Arms around the child
Whispering Softly in her ear
“ it’s not real they’re actors”

The little girl lets out a shout
a blood cuddling Scream
” Nooo STOP DONT HURT JESUS”
Standing on her chair
For someone to care
She searched strangers, eyes
Her face ask the question why

The grandmother wrapped her loving
Arms around the child
Whispered softly in her ear
“ it’s not real they are actors”

The innocent child shaken to her core
A new raw emotion to explore
By the grace of God, the powers that be
For the first time the grandmother
Can except the Child’s plea
to SEE through the innocent child’s eyes
And Now understand why she cries

The audience becomes transfixed on this innocent little girl and her ringlet curls
For the first time the people in the room
Understood what it meant, An empty tomb
They no longer saw just a play,
they witnessed The totality The reality
through The eyes of a trusting child.

On TV today we watch acts of violence, ****** deviance, gratuitous actions killing Breaking every commandment
All in the name of entertainment.
People tell themselves  
“it’s not real they’re just acting”.

What is our culture feeding us
An evil we don’t see oblivious,
until
We looked through the eyes of a Child
This was based on actual events
Perhaps it was heaven sent
BLT Websters word of the Day Challenge
Aegis 7-9-24
under the  power to protect
control, or support someone or some thing
CJ Sutherland Jan 17
Thunder Thunderstorm in the sky
My scarred doggie Asking why

Thunder Thunderstorm  in the sky
My frightened doggie
Wants the noice to go away
whimpering he has to say

Thunder thunderstorms shake the house
My fragile dogie quiet as a mouse
As the lightening fills the room
Doggie can feel my scared gloom
As the sheets of rain beat the ceiling
My doggie behavior is revealing
With questioning eyes he knows
This is not how a storm usually goes

Thunder thunderstorms in the sky
My doggie shivers that is his fear cry


Thunder Thunderstorm in the sky
Speaks to lightning not sure why
As suddenly as it started then all day long

Lightning Thunderstorms  are now gone
My doggie snores a peaceful song
We had 34 hours of heavy rain followed by lightning that light the entire sky then thunder
That shook the house. Pretty terrifying for my dog.
CJ Sutherland Dec 2017
Time has a way of slipping by
I have heard people say
in the blink of an eye
People are drained at the end of each day

So what is it that has us so busy?
chasing money ,homelife in a tizzy
100% all day The riggers of stress,strain ,strife
But we’re too busy for living life ?

Work Day ended nothing more to give
that’s no way to live
Your wife ,children,dog, missed you all day
They have so much to say, they want to interact, play

So how do you balance your life
You know the saying happy life happy wife
Children refuse to be ignored
They want to your attention, to be adored

my advice to you
to help you get though ,
  take a minute or two
Do whatever you need to do
relax unwind be kind
Today is the present
it’s a gift
tomorrow is promised to nobody
CJ Sutherland Aug 2021
I Died
And was sent back
My soul cried
I slipped into a coma
for four days.
My essence
amazed
In the corner
of my room
An Angel
was present
No longer a tomb
I knew
I was not alone
Much to repent
Atone
No words spoke
Yet much said
PURE LOVE
it’s all in the contents
of my head
We all have a purpose;

WHY ARE YOU HERE?

Perhaps the most important
question to ponder
my dear
There is not one thing God has made that does not have a purpose. We’re just not here to buy stuff to go through the motions. There’s a purpose for each of us to the Holy Spirit all will be revealed. The time is at hand
CJ Sutherland Jan 2018
Woman Celebrities are taking a stand
young and old join the band

Is there a statue of limitations on crime
Let’s go back to the beginning of time

There witch hunt has begin
The bell can not be unrung

The memory is a funny thing
Versions of Truth unraveled by a string

Time distorts and changes reality
What was once accepted can no long be

Ponder this
Let’s be realistic

We can not change the world in a single day
There are many layers at play

The world is full of sin
Judging others is no way to win

Forgive yesterday, change today,  
Jesus teaches
As you Judge others so you shall be judged
He who is without sin cast the first stone
I have listed to some of these women talking of 30 to 40 years ago they felt wronged but we’re never forced yet make claims today: did they ever  talk to the person don’t  no so why persecute them in public  now Society is getting out of hand
CJ Sutherland Feb 13
To market to market to buy a fat pig
home again ,home again Jiggitty jig

Everything Skyrocketing
Taxation, government pocketing

Food cost on the rise
the price of steak and fries
$26 for steak, an outrage
Who sets the price? what is the gage?
That’s not even organic, free range
It’s mysterious , very strange

Gasoline $5.89 a gallon
Which doesn’t last
Longing for the prices of the past

Now Everything 3 Times more expensive.
What use to cost $100  now cost $300..

In the market, I heard families talking. “How much money do we have left “and oh my gosh the meat is $30.
“How much do we have in our budget?”. These  quotes from a family of five and the woman looked panicked,
plus. She was pregnant, one on the way
Her face frantic, she had nothing to say

A list in hand carefully selecting
only what’s on sale.
Frustration, realization, A life tale
Baby crying in the cart
Changing their budget
now they start
Watching broke my heart

These are real observations
at the market today.
It took my breath away

Many Products have gone away.
I asked the butcher
” I don’t see any petite sirloin roasts
had I made a mistake?”
“no” he reply “
nobody buys those anymore. “
I ask “well I’d like to buy one and
cut it up into individual steaks
It’s cheaper” The situation getting Bleeker
His reply” that’s what we do with them.
Ma’am , If you want a whole one,
I’ll be glad to see if we have any left”

Winco is employee stock ownership plan
The employees have a share, so they care
I bought three bags of food; milk, eggs just a few things, no meat, the cost was $96.

Even the cost of a bags
Increased, from $.10 to 12 cents
I know that doesn’t seem like a lot  
but everything adds up. With the limited income, most Americans have got

Now we’re learning there’s poison in everything ;  in bottled water, toilet paper,
in our fruit, in our grain,
pesticides, GMO, GM, Chemical poisons
All these factors can drive one insane

How  do we know what to buy
people just want to cry
Research, research, research.
The CDC tells you
it’s all in the open,
they no longer need to lie

We were told to move away from tap water,
Poisonous chemicals Chlorine and fluoride
The beginning of a long and arduous ride

My friend took a shower
and broke out into a rash
What do you do for itch medicine  
without any cash?

They no longer scream conspiracy theory
Check the Internet, do a query
You will find what I say is true
All the things we are learning,
We never knew
Now, what course changes can we do?

“What now deer”?
As more things are starting to disappear, empty shelves, are what Americans fear
but nobody wants to believe
it’s happening here!

Humanity on the decline
Staying quiet is no longer fine

To market to market to buy a fat pig
Home again home again Jiggitty jig
The phrase if it took a quarter to go around the world, I couldn’t leave the porch is prevalent now
CJ Sutherland Aug 15
A fly lives three days
Complete full in every way
A long life measured



Inspired song
1) The fly  by Foster & Allen

2) there was an old lady
who swallowed the fly
by the learning center
Time is an interesting thing. The average person lives 80 to 100 years period yet in three days. A fly will live a complete life. Who’s to say three days is not enough time. Time is relative
CJ Sutherland Feb 2022
It has been brought to my attention
that two people from
Hello poetry
are trying to track me
for purposes unknown.
My iPhone alerts
me daily of such
dangerous.
It could be quite possible
there is more than one
name of these particular individuals
but it’s something to be made aware of. Kim Johanna Baker and Pamela Ray
come up with daily tracking on my phone.
I have not posted in quite a while
so imagine my surprise
I wonder if anyone else
has come across something similar?
I have notified hello poetry.
I wanted to bring it
out in the open to other poets.
It’s quite possible  
there are more than one
of these people   on this site
with the same names.
so PLEASE
do not attack these people.
because we don’t even know
if it’s them or somebody
posing to be them.
I never thought
evil intentions  
would come to this site.
stay safe and write on!
Daily phone alerts let me know when somebody is trying to hack my phone and get personal information these people come up every day on my phone trying to get in and my phone stops them
CJ Sutherland Jul 11
Sprinklers Watering the garden yard
a turtle slid down a hill landing hard. Walking on a path of cobble stone
is a Precarious way to say hello alone

Super dog noticed him first
Very curious searching for a water burst 
 Big as a football came from good seed.
The first order of business, food weeds,

A box water greenery survival what to eat.
Definitely keep them off of the street.
Identified as A Red Eyed Slider Turtle
common for these parts their fertile  

Yellow and Red stripes on his face and feet.
His shell looks like he took some heat.
Sticking his head out of his Shell
To look at his new space safe and well

Standing on his hind feet tall
Trying to get over the box wall
This turtle’s habitat is in water a float
Filled water in the base of the boat

Was this a pet, asked neighbors to no avail
He needed a forever home too early to tell
Turtle bay will not take a stray
Haven humane had a lot to say

Wild turtles are common in these parts
Will travel miles to water he’s smart
Take him to a lake river or stream
One that doesn’t dry up from heat steam

A water source fountainhead to call home
A place with other turtles, so he’s not alone
Twin pines Mobile home has a large pond
Two streams run in and out far beyond

The pond is home to ducks turtles frogs
Elderly spy deer while they walk dogs
A protected sanctuary Critters of all kinds
Look closely count how many you can find

The turtle was put on the bank of the pond
His examined the water beyond
He slid down the bank a torpedo tank
One smooth swoop, and he was gone

in the middle of the pond an island bar
His head popped up his swim wasn’t far
The Pond leads to rivers streams as far as San Francisco Bay many places to play

I imagine he came for help that fateful day
Escaping heat no water red dirt of clay
Little fertile turtle our two day turtle
We visit. He has a home to roam and play
BLT Webster’s Word of the Day challenge
Fountainhead7-11-24
A word usually encountered in literary content that refers to the origin or source of some thing

Little fertile turtle, is that the same pond with Mrs. Fiddle, and Mr. Faddle, and little paddle
While do you sound like a little stories and nursery rhymes they’re based on real events
CJ Sutherland Jun 24
Hate the other side
Polemic left, right divide
Yet they claim with pride

Hate the other side
Together common causes
Survival tactics

Hate the other side
There is safety in numbers
Evil flow riptide

Hare the other side
Destroy enemy all costs
Unity is lost

Hate the other side
Deception rules the day
Each issue two sides

BLT Webster’s Word of the Day
Polemic 6-23-24 strong, written, or spoken attack against somebody else’s opinion, belief or practice.
RENKU A collaborative form by multiple poets, working together to create a single poem with a 5–7–5 syllables Haiku
Each haiku is ment to be in response to the previous haiku
This poem purposely does not take a side. Whatever side you’re on, they’ll be another side.
There are two sides to a coin.
For me to understand the entire problem, I must be able to equally see both sides.
As an instructor of ethnics ;students had to pick a side and defend their opinion. After they perfected that opinion,
I pulled the rug
each student had to  switch sides and defend the other side. Equally with the same enthusiasm. Only then can we see the fallacies in both sides. I don’t believe in all or nothing statements, the far right. The far left;
People live in the shades of gray between the two polar extremes. The only time there is no solution is when people stop talking
I don’t think I’m always right
By the same token . I’m not always wrong.
But i sure learned a lot along the way.
I worked with Medical Dr’s (Bill collector)
They Call me the money protector
Many doctors are big on cronyism
Also equally unsettling nepotism

These are extreme situations
Degradation of employees separations
It creates division among the ranks
Inevitably staff implode, explodes, tanks

When the doctor’s manager is his wife
Happy wife, happy life, hide the knife
If the office Manager is the Dr’s best friend
Incompetence is something to comprehend

The wives make life a living hell
Dr’s Friend it’s too tricky to tell
Pretty young ignorant girls
Blonde silhouette Substantial curls

Perhaps too happy or had too much to say
rubbed the wife or friend the wrong way
Dr caught in the middle of the rift
Favoritism with a twist cynicisms mist

Money is always the bottom line crime
Hand in the cookie jar overtime
Then an attempt to shift the blame
The stories differ yet remains the same

It’s hard to see what’s in front of our face
Lack of honor,  Truth without a trace
Emerging out the other side
Gossip lies backstabbing pride

Beware avoid this hellish nightmare
Self serving money hungry without a Care
Office politics traps and devilish mishaps
Avoid at all cost else your soul will be lost

When interviewed look for the signs
Ask questions have a backbone spine
You’re looking for the best work fit
Time spent in anguish, agony not worth it

Hindsight word to wise else your demise
Evil eyes no surprise when workplace dies
No amount of money is worth this abyss
Find the right fit workplace,  peace Bliss

Inspired songs
1) Bad case of loving you( Doctor, doctor)
By Robert Palmer
2) money by Pink Floyd
BLT Webster’s Word of the Day challenge
Cronyism unfair, favoritism to one)
I worked in toxic situations before. Family friends, taking money, blaming others why jealous jealous pretty staff accusing The girls are turning the doctors head or worse falling into the doctors bed. Walking on eggshells no amount of money it’s worth it. The second Pitfall, If they’re doing a Computer conversion transition will be a cluster mess up, walk away no run away. Not much else to say.

Bonus word
Nepotism unfair favoritism to kinships
CJ Sutherland Feb 11
If you took the time
To contemplate a Rhythm
Pondering the story to share
Then why such little care
Untitled

Many ask the preverbal question today
Dose one make the title first than the poem?
Or The poem, than the title
What does it matter anyway!

Your title pulls the reader in
The hock, the draw, the spin

To Captures the reader,
Achievement even sweeter

Reader Stops and gives their full attention
Followed by comments, honorable mention

With successful title achieved
Many reviews will be received

Correction question requests
Is the proper use THEN or THAN for the comparison to poem and title
I list it one way and verbal speaking list it the other way, which is correct?
your thoughts, please
I believed THEN was time and THAN was comparison I am second-guessing, because when I speak into the audio, it give me a different response for that spelling. I am in a cast, with one hand,
so everything is speak and spellcheck.
Honestly I pass on untitled poems. When scrolling down a list of poems to read
it’s what grabs my eye ,my heart, my imagination
CJ Sutherland Oct 31
Our office
Certifiable
Careful

Here
what I say,
Can’t be
Proven
My way
I’ve lived
The results
So I know
It’s true

It’s what
happened
before
we knew

Women’s
monthly cycle
started slowly
alining
at the same
time
of every
month

The Syncretism of
Ten women
at work
Emotional
crabbiness
Times
Ten

Don’t be a ****
Do so at
your own risk!
Don’t pawn
off work

Listening
is a must

Somebody
actually
put up a sign

“Tread lightly
Office
Women
on their
Monthly cycle
Follow
on your
Moped”

It was the
strangest
Thing
I’ve ever
experienced
seen
Chocolate
Flowed,
Free

Women’s.
Bathroom,
Sanctuary
The Place
To Be

Inspired song

I Am Women
By Helen Reddy
BLT Webster’s Word of the Day
Syncretism 10-30-24
Refers to the combination of different forms of belief or practice coming together

Footnote
I was one of the 10 women. Emotions would be hot for seven days. We couldn’t figure out why until one by one the staff admitted they were on their monthly cycle. But how the dates seem to change within a year time everybody in the office had their monthly cycle that same week
Hormone correction? I don’t know
If I wasn’t there, I wouldn’t have believed it
CJ Sutherland Feb 13
Webster’s Word of the Day, Cupid

If you are Married
Or In Love
Valentine’s Day
Comes from Cupid,
Angels up Above

Deliveries to work are Gifts;
Of Candy and Flowers
Evening plans, A romantic
Candlelit Dinner for hours
Followed By
Hugs and endless Kisses,
Many sweet untold Wishes

However, if you Are
Alone or Single
This Day is an empty Heart
That sadly Tingles

One by One
Your Co-Workers
Receives their Deliveries
Their glances of Pity
Only added to my Miseries

Their words of Sympathies
Only deepened my Pain
Hoping the day will End
Before I Go Insane

Now
Hurtful Memories of
Old versus New
Dinner for One
Instead of Two

No, I do not Like
Valentine’s Day.
I wish it Would
Go Away

There was a time When
I to Receive  my Deliveries
Before the Days of Now
And my Miseries

The Man I Love
Did not come Home
I spent Valentine’s Day,
Staring out the Windows Alone
Waiting by the Phone

I cried myself too Sleep.
I thought Life
Couldn’t be more Bleak
For a New Young Wife

He came Home
After a night at the Bar
He had bought me Flowers
Yet left them in the Car

The next Day
When I Awoke
Not a word between Us
We Spoke

He had Retrieved the
Flowers from the Car
And placed them in a Vase.
You should’ve Seen
The Look upon my Face

The Dozen, once Beautifully
Long Stemmed Roses
Had Wilted
Like our Love
Empty and Jilted

I silently Took
A pair of Scissor
From the Drawer  
By the Bed

Cutting the Roses
One by One
At the Base
Of the Bulb Head

My Husband said Nothing
Only shook his Head
in Shame

I set the Scissors Down
Without Placing Blame

I made it Clear
I NEVER Want
Roses on this Day
We never Spoke of it.
What was the Point Anyway?

Valentine ‘s Day
is a Memory
Rubbed in my Face
Bitter Sadness
Take their place

No, I don’t Like
Valentine’s Day.
I wish it Would
Go Away
2-14-2024 This is a revision from 2018
CJ Sutherland Feb 2021
Valentine’s Day is upon hooray
I’m offering a little adventure
we can play
there are many heart felt poems
written in a poets book
If a poet is willing to show their work
then let’s join together and take a second look.
I have no plans to compile your poems
I just thought it would be nice to read
There are so many styles of poetry indeed
Here is my plan
Post the name of your poem  
down below
We can Sample from poets far and wide
The love poets have experienced should not hide
At our leisure one by one
we can feel a poet’s spirit of
love under the sun
And the fun begins
This is not about who wins
I’ll go first my poem

Valentine’s Day ( revised1986)
CJ Sutherland Feb 2018
If you are married or in love
Valentine’s Day comes from Cupid, angles up above
Deliveries to work are gifts of candy and flowers
Evening plans, a romantic candlelit dinner for hours
Followed by hugs and endless kisses
And Many sweet untold wishes

However if you are alone or single
This day is an empty heart that sadly tingles
One by One the coworkers receive their deliveries
Their glances of pity added to my miseries
Their words of sympathy only deepened the pain  
Hoping for the day to end before I go insane

A day rubbed in my face
Now lonely bitterness and sadness are my grace
Hurtful memories of Old verse New
Dinner for One instead of Two
No, I do not like Valentine’s Day
I wish it would Please, just go away

There was a time when I too received deliveries
Before the days of now and my miseries
The man I loved did not come home
I spent Valentine’s Day starring out the window alone
I cried myself to sleep and thought,Life
could not be more bleak, for a new young wife

He came home after a night at the bar
He had bought flowers yet left them in the car
The next day when I awoke
Not a word between us, we spoke

The dozen once beautiful long stemmed roses had wilted
Like our love empty and jilted
I silently took a pair of scissors from the drawer by the bed
Cutting the roses One by One at the base of the bulb head
My husband said nothing only shook his head in shame
Silently, I set down the scissors without placing blame

I made it clear I never want roses on this day
We never spoke of it, what is the point anyway
Valentine’s Day is a memory rubbed in my face
Now lonely bitterness and sadness are my grace
No, I do not like Valentine’s Day
I wish it would Please, just go away
However 36 years today
We are still together to my mismay
Going to the bar with the guys for just one drink are famous last words when you are a newly married man of course I didn’t know were he was the was his story
CJ Sutherland Sep 2017
If you are married or in love Valentine's Day
Comes from Heaven angels up above
Deliveries to work; are gifts of candy and flowers
evening plans, a romantic candlelight dinner for hours
followed by hugs and endless kisses
many sweet untold wishes

However; if you are alone or single
this day is an empty heart that sadly tingles
Valentine's Day is filled with regret and used-to-be's
one by one your coworker receive their deliveries
thier glances of pity and sympathy deepen your pain
hoping for the Day to end before you go insane

A commercialized day every place, in your face
now lonely bitterness are your grace
hurtful memories of an old world versus new
dinner for one instead of two
No I do not like Valentine's Day
I wish it would please just go away

There was a time when I too received deliveries
before the day of now and my miseries
the man I love did not come home
I spent Valentine's Day staring out the window alone
I cried myself to sleep
I thought life could not be more skin deep

He came home after a night at the bar
he had brought me flowers yet left them in the car
The next day as I awoke
not a word between us we spoke
he put the wilted flowers in a vase
you had to have seen the look on my face

The once beautiful long stem red roses had wilted
like our love empty and jilted
I silently took a pair of scissors without dread
Snipped the Roses one by one at the base of the bulb head
My husband said nothing only shook his head in shame
silently I set the scissors down without placing blame

I have never received flowers to this day
  we never speak  of it, what is the point anyway
Valentine's Day is a day to rub in your face  
now lonely bitterness are my grace
No I do not like Valentine's Day
I wish it would  please just go away
I wrote this 1986 one year after we married the first year was rocky
CJ Sutherland Feb 2019
No
I do not Like
Valentine’s Day
I WISH
It would Please
Just go AWAY

If you are
Married or in Love
Valentine’s Day
Comes from Cupid
Angels up Above

Deliveries to Work
The Gifts
Of Candy and Flowers
Evening Plans
Romantic Candlelight Dinner
Lasting for Hours
Followed by
Hugs and Kisses
And many
Sweet untold Wishes

However if you Are
Alone or Single
This Day is
An empty Heart
That sadly Tingles

One by One each Co-worker
Receives their Deliveries  
Their glances of Pity
Adds to my Miseries
Their words of Sympathy
Only deepen my Pain
Hoping for
This day to END
Before I go INSANE

A Day
RUBBED
IN MY FACE
Now Bitter Lonely Sadness
Are my
Only Grace

Hurtful memories of
Old verse New
Dinner for ONE
Instead of for TWO

No,
I do not Like
Valentine’s Day
I WISH
It would Please
Just Go AWAY

There was a Time
When I too Received
Many Deliveries
Before the days of Now
And my Miseries  

My Heart my Love
Did no come Home
Nor did HE
Call on the Telephone
No Hash Words
No Fight

I spent Valentine’s Night
Staring out the window
ALONE
His behavior
I don’t
Won’t  
Condone

I Cried
Myself to Sleep
I Thought
Life
Couldn’t be
More Bleak
Wondering is 
THIS my LIFE?
That of
A New young Wife!

He came Home
After a Night
At the BAR
He bought me Flowers
But
Left them in the Car

The next Day
When I AWOKE
Not a Word
between  Us
We SPOKE

Retrieved From
The Car FLOOR
I was SHOCKED
When he Strolled
Through the Door

He brought IN
The Flowers
Putting them
In a Vase
You should Have
SEEN
The look on My
FACE

Two Dozen Beautiful
Long stemmed ROSES
had WILTED
Like OUR Love
Empty and  Jilted

I  Took
A pair of Scissors
From the Drawer  
By the Bed
Cutting the Roses
ONE by ONE
At the Base
of the Bulb
HEAD

Silently
I set Down
The Scissors
Without
Placing Blame
My husband
Said Nothing
Only Hung
His Head
In SHAME

I made it Clear
I never want ROSES
On Valentine’s Day
We NEVER
Spoke of IT
What is the
POINT
Anyway

No
I don't Like
Valentine’s Day
I WISH
It would Please
Just go AWAY
Disputes all this
we have been married since 1985
(2019)  34 years married 36 years together
CJ Sutherland Nov 2023
Contemplating
Anticipating
Determination

Tools of the trade;

Rhyming,
Timing
meter, flow
Not as easy
To get the
poem to Glow

Every word
Can be
A Segway
With a hook
Either
A mystery
Love story
Or an
Open book

Inspiration
Dangling                   participles
A poem’s journey
Can be
A long way
To go
Without
Structure
And flow

A single word
Phrase
Puzzle
Maze
Writer style
Must
Beguile

Haiku, limerick
Free verse, Ballard
Word Salad

Will
Present
Itself

To
Light.       The
Flame
   To
  Fuel
  The
Imagination
Emancipation

Organic
The mechanic
Segway
             Where
                    Words
                          Flow
       ­         FREE
Celebration
Exhilaration
Finalization

Waiting
Waiting
  Still
Waiting
Writers block I actually fell asleep waiting lol
CJ Sutherland Sep 11
Think
About.              it
If                             every  
body                            Helped
Just.                                       one
Person.                     ­            What.            
      a                                   wonderful
world.                            it
would        be





Post grip
I’ve been pondering this concept for a couple of weeks now. A man behind me at the grocery store had one item. I let him go in front of me, and he was very grateful. I had quite a few things, and I wasn’t in a hurry. He grabbed a few things at the register like most of us do. We got to talking how most people say negative things, and they don’t bother the time to say thank you or a simple kindness. Then when his change came, he told the checker to give it to me one good turn deserves another. He sad smiling. This was a man late 60s early 70s.. He was wearing a Taco Bell apron, ( probably on a break or lunch ) and he gave me his change!
one person. whatever you can,
I don’t know I am pretty confident that was the Lord telling me I’m on the right track. Now I’m excited to pay it forward.
It’s just a couple of bucks, but it was enough for lunch.



Inspired song

We are the world. We are the children.
Multiple artist 1-28-1985
I was trying to make the poem
in the shape of the world.
But like the world
things don’t always fit
the way you want them to.
Help, just one person

Peace and love in profound ways

We can change the world

Modern Haiku
3 lines 5-7-5 syllables



Inspired Songs;
1 ) We Are The World -January 28, 1985
( We Are the Children)
Song By
46 at the most famous musicians of the time came together to sing this song.
9-6-24
Pay it
Forward !
Think about it
if everybody
just helped
one person
on earth
What a
wonderful place
it would be
Saharan
                  Dust
                                         Slowly.         
                                      Heading  
                for
   Florida.  
                        Then
      The
   Rest              
Of  
         the
                       World
  The
Air        
           is
                                      Thick.          
         ­          Don’t
Breathe
?


Inspired song
1)Dust in the wind by Kansas

2) they call the wind Maria
from the movie, paint your wagon red
A little harder to find 1960s)
7-30-24 weatherman actually said, don’t breathe. Nobody corrected him..🤔
CJ Sutherland Aug 16
For a young couple,
Wedding rings a simple gold band plain
The more money the couples makes
The ring the price becomes insane

The three C’s; Cut, clarity, Carat weight
Global standards diamond quality great

These Diamond standards Dictate price,
pretentious perceived prestige nice ice

A pompous show a Garish display
Family, friends envy gush nothing to say

Succumb to the Trappings of wealth
Too Pretentious for their health

With all the crime that I have seen
I stopped Wearing my wedding ring

A Symbol of Fidelity and love
The ring means nothing to God above  

Love yes, and so much more
Marriage is not a revolving door

Marriage is a covenant between
God woman and man convene

It’s Not taken lightly a Vegas drunken binge
It’s not for insurance or prenup fringe

It’s the most sacred Vow a couple takes
A lifelong commitment they will made.


Inspired songs
1) The Ring, a perfect wedding song
By T Carter music2019

2) We’ve  only just begun
by Carole King sept 12 1970

3) Two old wedding rings
(official lyric video) by Kolt Barker
(FYI this one MIGHT make you cry)
I have my original wedding rings
10 year anniversary
his mothers wedding rings
renewing the vowels 30 years
a substantial Ring.
It’s A ring someone would want to steal.
CJ Sutherland Jul 26
Don’t be cynical
              Dial down The rhetoric
           The world is watching
       Better class politician
          America still best Hope


Song inspired
another break in the wall part 2
by Pink Floyd

commentary
We don’t need to be at each other’s throats, fighting race, creed, color, woke politics
With all the threats coming to America, we need to hold fast stand strong together
more than ever we need unity.
And prayers
Tanka is a haiku consisting of five lines
31 syllables 5-7-5-7-7
7-20-24
CJ Sutherland May 2018
Our nights are seldom
sound
More restless  and
unsettled
Our Mind begins to ask
The bigger questions
of life

As a child
carefree
A day lasted
forever

As a youth
so anxious
To grow up

As a young adult
Restless
To be free of
Our parents
Control
to taste life
Through our own
eyes

Middle age
a bit of
fear
Enters our mind
Of what lies
ahead

Reminiscent Of dreams
Unrealized

We ponder
How old age Will
unfold

As our sprit grows
Meek and mild

Restless and wild
Looking through the eyes
Of a child
Walking slower now
Life means more

We prepare for
The next chapter
Of life old age
Life lessons as our gage
How will that play out

Will we live in pain
Lose our mind
Dementia,
slightly off our rocker
insane

How will our life end
In the arms of a loved ,a friend
Will we be ready
Or will we fear

Did we learn  our lessons
To grown in spirit
I know they say
the journey is
As important
as the destination

However will we ever truly
know our purpose
There are no random accidents
Every action has a reaction
And life’s movements
Ever changing
Emotions rearranging

We are not messured
by our good deeds
But by those who remember us
Relationships cultivated with
God greatest gift of
Love
The older I get the deeper my questions of life evolve
CJ Sutherland Dec 2017
Anger consumes the heart
Blinds the eyes
Two in pain soon part
Frustration sobbing cry’s

Living in the past
Unable to enjoy today
Judgements never last
There has to be a better way

Marriage is easily destroid
When both are quickly annoyed
With so much to lose at loves core
What are we fighting for

In the end you could not take back what you said
When your heart is broken and love is dead
You cannot unring the bell
Your arguments now quiet, replaced with a new lonely living hell

Be careful what you wish for,
Is it what you wanted
That final slam of the door
Left a lonely soul lost love haunted
People are so quick to end relationships but when is enough enough time to stay time to go
CJ Sutherland Oct 19
Most Colleges Lack of truth and knowledge
Have developed an ambivalent ethos why
Bull horns, disruption chants, battle cry
Burning our flag Americans must die

A breeding ground for distention
Studies lack focus On subject retention
College has become a platform
For protests by illegals to transform

America ‘s cold civil war from within
We’re on the brink, of fighting to begin
Most Americans live in a bubble
They sense it, but don’t realize the trouble

Will America be taken to her knees
Capitulate what extremist believes
We fight for the freedom as before
Standing at a precipice watchers once more

Not my WILL but God’s will
Prophecies will fulfill
Our destiny and plan
What God has in store for His land

Most will not be ready
Disillusion, thirsty, starvation ,not steady
Trouble is on the Horizon heed the call
Judgments will affect One at all

A plethora of prophecies come to fruition
Education appreciable increases in tuition
Government funding is needed
Hidden true superseded

BLT webster’s Word of the Day challenge
Appreciable
California has a couple of measures on the ballot. One of them is for additional education funding they say it’s for making better buildings. However prop 98 was put into law that required California to use 40% of their budget on education and repairs. Now they’re asking for another 10 billion in bond, bonds are paid back with interest over 35 years so the return is 18 billion. We already owe 98 billion debt to big banks and investors. California doesn’t know how to manage your money. I’ve also observed a decline in enrollment from all grades. people leaving California.. what’s  alarming is there’s three bills that the Republicans say it’s a good thing we should vote for them.However, if you look a little further, those three are back by the Democrats auspicious and they’re the worst thing you would ever read let alone want to vote for. a”I don’t care who is promoting it. People should not take the quick version or sound bites and read between the lines. because this election really matters. we are electing three board members for the Board of Education. This hasgot  to be the lowest bottom barrel dwellers I’ve ever seen. One has a photo and next to her school desk it’s a mother for freedom. Crossed out .I had to look up that group  are for people who don’t want their children to learn *** in kindergarten inappropriate teachings . Meaning she’s against the parents. Moving. moving onto the next candidate, who has two felonies and has pending court issues. The next person brought a gun to work to show the other people( on the board of education( there’s a legal suit for that. Embezzlement it’s Cray crazy. I was hard-pressed to find one person out of the list with any Recognition of normality. No wonder our schools are messed up. it doesn’t matter what the position is it matters no more funding for schools. They Don’t teach our children reading, writing, and arithmetic, especially when they already have appropriate funding to do so and they’re not doing it. No more bills imposed laws that is supposed to make the government not spend inappropriately. Give them more money because they didn’t do it the first time. Color me frustrated. Vote early your vote counts
CJ Sutherland Dec 2017
Did you ever notice
what we do
when we hold
a small child ?

We all do it

Our Eyes

we look straight into
the child’s face and
silently speak
the wonder, awe, love,
that can’t be
put into words.

Our Lips

we use our lips a lot
when holding a baby
we purse them,
makes sounds
that aren’t words,
and we kiss
the child
from a distance.

Our Arms

if ever arms
expressed
holding something
precious
they do it
when we cradle
a tiny baby.
Few could describe
such grace,

But everyone
can picture it.

Our Whole Body

Did you ever
notice
we never
stand still
when holding
a tiny baby?

we slowly sway
from side to side
turn in half circles
lean
forward and back

Did you ever
stop
to think
that you were once
held that way?

Anyone
Who ever held you
as a tiny baby
held you that way

Did you ever
stop
to think
that God holds
you that way?
NOT
just when you
were a tiny child
but now
even if things
aren’t going well
ESPECIALLY  
if things aren’t going well

what child is this?

it’s ME
In God’s arms

Merry Christmas
Advent teaching at my church
CJ Sutherland Mar 2018
Is a birthday a birthday without
A celebration
A child of God on his creation

Is a birthday a birthday without
A cake
The sweet smell plus the time it took to make

Is a birthday a birthday without
Blowing out candles hot dripping wax
57 candles fire to the max

is a birthday a birthday without
Singing the song
A sadness lingered all day long

it a birthday a birthday without
A friend to share it with
Or are all these reasons just a myth

Pouring Rain   fierce winds   rocked my car
I walked the mall
Beauty Salon straighten my hair
No one to notice or care
shopped
Victoria Secrets, things I did not need but made me smile
The happness only lasted a short while
Sees candy, picked out my favorite kind
Still sad loneliness on my mind
Bed bath and beyond; rosewater candles
Surely the scent would cheer my mood
Perhaps
Chinese’s food
wonton soup and *** stickers To take home
Painful knee ended my time to roam
Reading comments,well wishers who
remembered my Birthday
I’m done celebrating now
ready for it to go away

Text messages Facebook too
I wish I understood I wish I knew
Why I feel this way
Tomorrow
will be
a bright
new day
Not sure why I feel this wat I spent my birthday alone
CJ Sutherland Sep 2017
If
I get to close
If
I get to near
If
I give you love
Your heart will fear
If
I make you cry
If you shed a tear
If
I surrender
My dear
Will you disappear
A classic poet  e.e. Cummings wrote
If poems
this is mine
It’s such a strange question
It should be self evident
Anatomy physiology
but apparently it’s not?

My generation
cherished a dapper swole man
Arnold Schwarzenegger
7 time Mr.Olympia took it a tad too far

But you get the picture
A strong man who can provide for his wife
The Bible says a man’s body is not his own.
It belongs to his wife.

A woman’s body is not her own.
It belongs to her husband.
In this way, each person is
Looking out for the other’s needs.

Love, honor, cherish till death us do part
Each other own’s their heart
A novel concept, but who Actually practices The words, Jesus preached

When a man and a woman are
Walking on the sidewalk
The woman walks on the inside.
The reasoning is as follows;

The woman is shielded by her man.
From sewage splashing bedpan dumping
Crashing cars dangers from the street.
This is been the case since medieval times.

The strong virile man protects his lady
first and foremost, even to his own peril.
As there is a left and a right hand, so too A man and a woman a complete pair
BLT Webster’s Word of the Day challenge
7-7-24  Swole
A muscular man physical physique
I’m sure they’re going to be some who don’t agree with this and that’s fine. But I’ve been with my husband for over 40 years. And we live this way.
CJ Sutherland Dec 2023
The loaded questions
We so cautiously avoid
I don’t want people annoyed

Hot button topics questioned
Should not be mentioned

This has nothing to do with morality.
This is duality and plurality
This is ethics pure and simple

Well, perhaps It’s both
It’s different for each human being
Questions /Answers
A personal thing

The Final ACT of Purging

Trans
Gender
Surgery
Forever
In between
No longer a man
Yet never will or can
Be A biological woman
Caught
In the middle
Forever, Trans

Set aside for
The Moment
Moral Differences
Think empirical

Aren’t WE
ALL transitioning?
In some form
or another?

In the name of
Health and Healing
A heart transplant
Or any major *****

Body augmentation
Prosthetics Apparatus
Knee/hip/pacemaker
Better Faster Stronger
We can LIVE longer
Forever

The question
I am struggling with

What is a human?

Where in the body is the soul?

Are Humans playing god?
Just because we can
Doesn’t mean we should!

As I grow older
My View of life changes
The philosophical approach
is how we justify who we are,
and how we live our life.

Yes, too much in one poem
I’m looking for intellectual Conversation
Let’s Here your reviews;
I desire reason
Food for thought, stimulation
Not fluff or frills
This is not a war of wills
We are all learning to grow
Pick a topic
let us begin
What do YOU THINK
What do you Know

Questioning , probes An Idea,
to thought, consider reason,
foresight, ponder, wisdom,
gain understanding,
enlightenment
I encourage you to pick one of these topics and write a poem about it. Let me know and I will post it on my site. in the notes reference my poem, so all of these different poems can  be linked together the never ending group.
what is that saying
“Great minds think alike.”
CJ Sutherland Mar 28
I’d like to get to know, A fellow poet’s writing style
Especially After reading their poetry
for a while.
I am sure it would be interesting to know
How a fellow poet establishes
their; meter, form, and flow.

I realize all poems are unique
and use a different method, formula, tact
Finding that sweet spot is writing
for full impact
Since poetry can send us on a wild ride
It can be interesting to see the process from inside
At least it’s an interesting concept to ponder
As we let our minds wander

There are some poems this happens organically
While others are built mechanically.
I start my poem in draft mode
I capture the original essence and let
The poem gradually unfold

I leave it sit for a day
Then revisit the word play
Checking for spelling errors and flaws
Looking for that hook, vivid imagery,
Our personal flair that create affects in the land of Oz

When I think I’m almost there
I check the title to make sure it matches the Content with flare
The title is what brings the readers in
too want more?
Effectively it opens the door.
I look to see, I’f it’s aesthetically pleasing
Perhaps word art?, Tempting, teasing
I look at alignment: left  center, or right
Then I’m ready to put the poem to bed for the night.

When I feel It’s completed and ready to
share
I’m amazed ,I pulled it out of thin air.
A smile explodes with a resounding Holy Cow
Then I’m left with a yearning.
What do I do now?
I click on Draft Poems, and I begin
A silent smile and a big grin

All the steps of MĔGILLĀH are often preceded by the objective whole
While some might find this rigor can take its toll
It’s the steps that keep words under control

Byline;
Currently I have over 30 poems in draft mode. It stays there until I feel they’re ready to move and grow into what they’re meant to be. I’m great at concepts, but building a poem takes longer,
It can only go as fast as inspiration.
I’d rather have quality than quantity.
I have to write down my poem ideas
for future development.
Have you ever thought oh, that would be a great poem… but you don’t write it down, and the thoughts gone forever
Lost in obscurity
That’s my process for developing creativity
What is your writing process??
BET word of ;the day challenge 3-24-24
Websters word
Megillah
Means basically, the whole ball of wax
CJ Sutherland Oct 30
Was it the 60s maybe not, hard to find
Every decade marked with decline.,
Further still. I recollect, through crime
The ever changing new, tragedies of time
I begin to realize societies realign
 
Dates back to Genesis, Adam, and Eve, when men first practice to deceive.
Humanity lived in a bubble,
seemingly without much trouble

Slowly society grew steadily worse.   
No moral values, paychecks in the purse.
Society drove God from government,
From schools paradigm shift permanent

Society took away all of God‘s rules.
Government marketplace the schools
God doesn’t stay where he is not wanted
God allowed Satan to begin the haunted

The hedge of protection, God pulled away. Man no longer heard what God had to say
***** and Gomorrah deception grew
  ****** Deviance all day, they knew

2023 marked a year of unveiling.
Starving people depravity wailing
Pulling back the curtain of government lies
God No longer hears the people’s cries

Plan death destruction One World Order
People who own property called hoarders
Elderly disabled are called useless eaters
Deadweight wife beaters ignorant cheaters

They no longer contribute to society
They should consider Dr. Kevorkian suicide
Two million people have to go, **** die
They drain society a sacrifice is necessary
The final count is arbitrary

No longer a contributor worker secondary
Disabled children, and mentally unsound
next on the list. Life support Shut down. Mental hospitals, out of business close
patients tossed on the ground in town

Our cities are turning into one large psychiatric crockpot. Church must go gone
80% of the churches today get it wrong
We’ll know them by their works Rev2,3

Evil will come from the pulpit
The devil appears as an angel of light
Preachers  arrested for keeping their church open. looters and shooters roam

the streets while the rest of society are mandated to their homes the open borders are destroying our country. They want to change the fabric of America. Turn the tides

to create a communist socialist country.
No free speech, you will own nothing and love it. Everything will be taxed and you must rent. Any ownership is against law

Books are banned. They don’t want people to think they want them weak.
We are on the brink of a civil revolution,
the start of the tribulation throughout the
nation around the world.

Keep your eye on Israel the middle east that’s where you will see the rise of the beast. Then tribulation begins against man’s sins Rise of One world order
One world religion many indecision.

The Holy Roman Empire will rise again
They will be the super power of the world. America will be taken down from within, perhaps by Russia or Chinese. Too many enemy Influences to know for sure who

The Bible tells us America. Will be overrun by a country who does not speak our language.know the signs. we will  not know the day or time Tribulation begins

we will know the season. By what happened before, so shall it happen again yet worse. We know what plagues will come. Revelation, chapter 8 through 13

True Christians have a place through all of this we should not be afraid, spiritual bliss. So remember this if you are a Christian or Jew Who’ll be martyred murdered, one day,

pray for intercession, the Holy Spirit will know what to say. Remember, you are blessed. In the end God owns your soul Jesus died for your sins,

The Bible Is our roadmap everything we need to know commandments prophecy.
Two thousand years ago, will happen again it’s for told.From beginning to the end.

The Abrahamic faiths conceived God as an omniscient creator. The angels ready to pour out judgment, were stopped for 30 minutes while the heads of the elect were sealed. God’s, 144,000. The Holy Spirit will speak God’s word through their mouths.
BLT Webster word of the day challenge
Omniscience describes someone or something with unlimited knowledge or understanding

I watched this documentary called God and country on Tubi. it’s about Christian nationalism and the separation between church and state. It’s a very interesting dichotomy to polarization both ways. It’s tearing our nation apart. It’s alarming. it’s eye-opening I will vote the lesser of two evils, separate church and government. Religion for political gain, conservative, talk versus Christian teaching .Christian nationalism. Polarization of our country in the den of iniquity. I’m beginning to really see both sides. We are definitely at a precipice The breaking point of our country i’ve never been a joiner, one group or the other I just blew look to God individually and seek wisdom. this experiences has taught me to evaluate what exactly I believe, and where my values lie. I am an optimist. I don’t believe in secular religion. I used to until I saw the corruption. I am a child of God.. May God have mercy on our souls
There used to be
a plethora of students
who had to post poems
for school.  

Some felt the teacher’s
assignment was cool,
While others felt
the experience was cruel
.
The tweens, and the in between
Know what I mean
Trying to awaken creativity
Unlocked awareness activity

Some rose to the challenge,
it was wonderful, great
Others refused
to seriously participate .

The kids quickly learned
There are no wrong way
To share what they
want/need to say

Content first meter and style
Will develop after awhile.
The content quickly grew dark
As they open the recess of their heart.

To speak of wanting to DIE
You can feel their battered cry
Grasping with a world of fear
Afraid to say what is imagined or real

Each day worse the the one before
Shooters coming to the classroom door
Panic hide, under your desk, upon the floor
The shooter the only one keeping score

Friends dead before their eyes
Afraid to make a sound; a muffled cry
We all want to know WHY
Responsibility SCHOOLS denies

A million Questions all the same
This was no a drill nor a game
People going insane
Broken people remain

Time to pick up the pieces and move one
Life empty with loved ones gone
There are so little Outlets for creativity is in school today. Without becoming indoctrinated
School shootings there is no acceptable loss. Why don’t they build better schools to protect the youth. There are blue prints . Other schools have implemented to create a safe space. Yet, many schools are unprotected for the life of me. I can’t understand why. Guns don’t **** people
people **** people using guns. they need to get better about seeing the warning signs before the crimes lockdown bullying intimidation what are they turning the youth into when they graduate?
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