Tuesday Poem

I Have No Doubt That

I have no doubt that it is global warming that is contributing to the strength of recent hurricanes.
I have no doubt that there is global warming.
I have no doubt that our wasteful way of living has contributed to the speeding up of the situation.
I have no doubt that ignoring the plight of the poorest of those in our world
(just ONE world no more)
to pander to the business of the few is evil.
I have no doubt that the rape of our lands will eventually destroy the very world in which we live.
I have no doubt that our world can be a good place to live – for the rich, the few.
I have no doubt that the religions of Jesus has been hijacked by self-righteous prigs who DO NOT understand what he meant when he said, “I have come that they might have life more abundantly.”

I have no doubt that there is no place to move. Our fragile planet is all we have.

I also have no doubt that if mankind wants to they can come together and use their collective knowledge to solve the problems we have caused.

When we take self-interest out of our reasoning
And put in sincere compassion and self sacrifice into the mix
When we look to the interest of all mankind and not just a few
And tolerate no exploitation of anyone ANYWHERE!

When we sit down together with our fellows and realize that everyone has the right to a good life, and then work toward solutions to our problems, not worrying about religious beliefs and how to please God-in-the sky and worry instead about how to bring the best life for everyone within the limited resources which we have.

I have no doubt that we can become the solution instead of the problem.

Sometime I just get frustrated with the politicians and their pat answers and ignoring the problems which need solving and could  be solved that I need to write a "therapy" poem.  This is one of them.

I do not remember when I wrote this poem.  I think it was probably in the 1980's.  No matter it still seems to be still worth a read.  I guess we haven't gone as we should.

"Desiderata" "desired things"

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. 

As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. 

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. 

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. 

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. 

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. 

Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. 

Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. 

But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism. 

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. 

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. 

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. 

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. 

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. 

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. 

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. 

Be cheerful. 

Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann (1872–1945)

I had this in my classroom for many years. It has been a favorite of mine for years.

Daffy-Down-Dillies

Daffy Down Dilly

Has come to town

In a yellow petticoat

And a green gown

Edward Lear

I love daffodils. A friend brought me these and put them in my mailbox and then called me up to let me know they were here.

I have rows of them that come up in the front of my house and I always like to see them there.  I don't cut them because I like to share with my neighbors and they last longer out there.

My grandmother always said that you should have some yellow in your bouquet.

Speaking of my grandmother.  She had this quilt in a drawer and when my grandfather died I claimed it.  My sister has it at her place and she took a picture of it.  It is signed Elvira Rossmann 1887.  Elvira was my grandmother's grandmother.

She also took pictures of each of the squares so maybe someday she will share them with us.

Speaking of quilts.  My friend Su who has been so great and taken me to the grocery store during my hiatus from driving posted this quilt on her Facebook page

She posted this comment: "The opagi quilt ... of Hogan Itoyan Tanka 

(The Whale), along with elk teeth and chanupa were accepted by 

Chief Golden Light Eagle in ceremony on Thursday evening this 

week. It's official, the Iowa All Nations Sun Dance is a GO!

You can read her story of the opaqi gift on her Web site.  It is awesome."

Just one more thing.  Found this picture of the Popes on-line

Pope Francis rocks! A humble man who does not put up with the ostentation of his predecessor. I am beginning to admire him.  Now we shall see if he humanizes the church.

Coming Soon

We have to "Spring Forward" this week-end and it can't come soon enough for me.  I can't wait for my favorite time of year.
I wrote this about Spring one time.  Not quite yet but if enough of us think it - it will happen.

The Green Has Returned

Listen,
can you hear it?

The Green has returned
accompanied by daffodils -
dogtooth violets, Dutchman’s britches, and baby lambs.

The Green has returned
and brought with it
blue skies, clouds, gentle rain and thunderstorms!

The Green has returned
resurrected from Winter’s cold sleep
leaping up to celebrate life.

It slipped around the corner -- sneaking up on us -quietly whistling a little tune to say ”I’m baaack!”

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Have a Happy Thursday, everyone.  ARTYAL.  Hugs, j

“Are you a Christian?”

“Are you a Christian?”

That was the first thing he said to me,

"Are you a Christian?"

Well, I was raised a Methodist.

Isn’t that a Christian?

I had just moved off Campus and he lived in the rooming house

He came into my room and asked

"Are you a Christian?"

It was the first time I had ever had a stranger ask me that.

And he was a stranger ... and strange.

Evidently not enough of a Christian for him.

"Are you a Christian?"

I told him yes, but I did not fit HIS definition of

a REAL Christian.

You see I did not go to

his Church.  My beliefs did not fit his

mold for being a Christian.

Never mind that I accepted

the teaching of the Christ..

Never mind that the Golden Rule was my guide stone

or that I believed in giving to the poor.

I had to be “saved” and “going to heaven”

Wherever that is?

"Are you a Christian?"

I’ve been thinking about that question for

a long time -  50 years off and on now.

"Are you a Christian?"

What did I look like?  A Hindu, a Moslem, a Sikh

Wiccan, Episcopalian;

Quaker, Mormon, Jew?

What does a Christian look like?

There are so many different kinds -- (33,000+)

sort of like all the different apples that grow on trees,

or  the various peas in a pod; alike but so different.

Over the years I have attended, Methodist, Catholic, Episcopal,

Congregational, Episcopal, Lutheran (who don’t like to pray with me because my idea of God might be different from theirs) Christian Science, Unity, Unitarian and I am sure there are some others.

I used to pray out loud but decided that the

“divine auditory nerve” didn’t need to hear from me

since He/She probably already knew what I wanted.

And besides the Master told me to “pray in secret” so I do.

Silently in the silence of my heart.

I used to go to church 

but didn’t find many people there following in His footsteps. 

Besides the smell of flowers is much better that that of incense

and the song of birds in the forest is grander than any choir.

               and so all the world is my church.

There are many paths to the top of the mountain but

“the view is always the same.” 

All the various religions will get me there

or for that matter if I don’t want to believe in one

I will still get there because God made us all and

keeps us all, in His Mind.

Each person is like a snowflake, unique, individual one-of-a-kind.

(If a snowflake can be unlike any other snowflake so can a person) 

One in all of time.

"Are you a Christian?"…

Well, more of a Christian than you, I think.

The guy who used to come home from the bars

Singing “Nearer my God to Thee,” at 2:30 in the morning

Was probably more of a Christian than any of us..

Because he celebrated the JOY of being and that is

What Christianity is all about.

       

Something for Saturday

An e-conversation on Friday reminded me of a poem I wrote in 2005.  I hope you enjoy it.

Most People

Most people sing just one song
give just one speech,
have just one conversation –
usually with themselves.

Most people dance
just one dance,
walk just one walk
Go to just one place - many times.

Most Rock Stars give the same concert
over and over.
Most comedians tell the same joke -
although sometimes with different punch lines.

Most Authors who write just one book
can do it many times.

Most politicians have just one idea –
usually some else’s.
If you change your audience no one knows you are boring!

Some people however
Sing several songs,
Dance many dances,
Walk in different worlds.

Some people have endless conversations with many people.

Some people never listen
but others always do.

Some people stand out and stand up.

They are original, diverse, endlessly fascinating shining stars.

Jon Continues to Amaze Me.

My nephew just astounded my by reciting this poem to me from memory. I sometimes have no idea the depth of his thought.  By the way he rewrote it to make it more contemporary.  This is the original.




            A PSALM OF LIFE
      WHAT THE HEART OF THE YOUNG MAN
                    SAID TO THE PSALMIST


    TELL me not, in mournful numbers,
        Life is but an empty dream ! —
    For the soul is dead that slumbers,
        And things are not what they seem.


    Life is real !   Life is earnest!
        And the grave is not its goal ;
    Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
        Was not spoken of the soul.


    Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
        Is our destined end or way ;
    But to act, that each to-morrow
        Find us farther than to-day.


    Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
        And our hearts, though stout and brave,
    Still, like muffled drums, are beating
        Funeral marches to the grave.


    In the world's broad field of battle,
        In the bivouac of Life,
    Be not like dumb, driven cattle !
        Be a hero in the strife !


    Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant !
        Let the dead Past bury its dead !
    Act,— act in the living Present !
        Heart within, and God o'erhead !


    Lives of great men all remind us
        We can make our lives sublime,
    And, departing, leave behind us
        Footprints on the sands of time ;


    Footprints, that perhaps another,
        Sailing o'er life's solemn main,
    A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
        Seeing, shall take heart again.


    Let us, then, be up and doing,
        With a heart for any fate ;
    Still achieving, still pursuing,
        Learn to labor and to wait.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882)

A Valentine - Repost

A Valentine (1860)

I found and old, old, valentine

of my mother’s yesterday;

An age-stained, lacy, lovely thing

That she had put away

Between the covers of a book,

And as I touched it there,

I saw her young and beautiful

The sunlight on her hair,

The love-light in her dark, young eyes

That years could not destroy,

And through the paper lace there walked

My father as a boy.

Somewhere along the heavenly lanes

Today, their eyes ashine,

I think he asks her once again

To be his Valentine.

Grace Noll Crowel

It is a tradition to post this poem.  It always made my mother cry to have me read it.  It really describes what we both think is the love her parents had for one another.  Happy Valentine's Day!

I am a Mason

I am a Mason
I look towards perfection


The working tools help me
to improve
to break off the rough edges
to divide my time
to learn how to serve


to grow as a man
and a citizen
and a friend.


I am not perfect,
but I try to keep perfection
as my goal


Masonry guides me there
my working tool - the trowel
spreads brotherly love and affection
between my Brothers and me
We are building together
God's Temple


A shining place for all mankind to see
We are Masons 
BUILDERS
that says it all.

Jay Cole Simser

January 26, 2011