We're born, we live, we die.
That's called life. What is life
about? For so many, it's just
about survival. For a tiny number,
it is about acquisition of things.
For the blessed, it is about love--
love of self, love of another,
love of all. I wrote once that
the greatest thing you can ever
be is your real self. To be true to
your real self is to be true to all
others, true to the Cosmos.
Fame is a social cosmetic.
Wealth is unconscious com-
pensation for lack of self-love
and thus for lack of love for
others;  political power much
the same. Leadership is an
amalgam of real power, self-
love and love of others, and
the courage to do the right
thing. It is uncommon and
precious. To live your life
fully, you must be fully
your real self.

TOD HOWARD HAWKS

~
Two minutes of perseverance
two minutes of curiosity

Seeking out life
returning with ingenuity

It's all about surfaces and thresholds
and winter hemisphere

Each of us wants so badly
to be that next satellite

Or at least be allowed
to dream we're a small dark spot
moving across the Sun's face
~

Thoughts of Old Age

To think about getting old?
Ay that is the question.
Tomorrow rapes the day
of sentiment, the curling
onion skin that never

unrolls.

And my mind cannot comprehend
old age.  The loose tooth
of retirement falls out.

Hope falls from yesterday
when,  albeit time allows,
the young scalawag crosses off

future’s possibilities as the
insensible droppings of
the cat who remains in the
corner.  The shedding of

youth’s romances.

Old age ponders through
rheumy tears the last
kisses , the shoulders
on which shawls

Droop


Caroline Shank
10.8.2024

You brought a smile
Back in my heart
I thought I’d never see
You again
The rain has stopped
Fallen in my face
So much I want you
To have your own place
You came back
It’s been awhile
I now can smile
Spaces apart
Time back together
Past is long

Life starts again
You brought a smile
To my heart
I know now you loved
Fun and happiness
No time to cry