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Saturday, December 30, 2017

As the Year Ends

Three-hundred-sixty-five
times seventeen
equals
much to think about.

———————————————-

The New Thought movement 
challenges those with challenges
in daily life.

———————————————-

I’m grateful that my eyes
are in good shape.
I need only open them.

———————————————

I try to keep my
head on straight, because 
when I’m screwed up,
I screw up.

———————————————-

Even with great intelligence,
one can’t become wise
by accident.

———————————————

Preparing for what’s next,
I am beating against time.
Hope I’m ready.

———————————————
The way out is in.
I try to cleanse the messes 
in my cluttered  mind.

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Nearing Year’s End


Cleaning up my 
spiritual windows
allows me to see the Light.

————————————-

I’m told 
I’m in a twelve week
healing process.
Spirit arrived sooner.

————————————

I’ve been lighting 
one candle.
Maybe I should light two,
live more brightly.

————————————-

Something good is
getting ready to happen. 
Grab some as it passes

————————————————-

Both faith and fear 
depend upon pure trust
in invisibility.

————————————————-

When I want to really
prove my love,
I cook my friends
some tasty food.

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Winter Solstice

Can’t see what’s next,
but I’m eager to trade
history for mystery.

———————————

Ah, the winter solstice.
It’s time to start
bringing light 
to the darkness.

———————————————

When old age arrives,
every body’s in the same boat.
Not so our hearts.

———————————

Breathing in,
I see I’m living in Grace.
Breathing out,
I am grateful.

———————————

Every day, I am
invited to give and forgive.
I like this.

———————————

Adventure in your soul
is good,
rocks in your head,
perhaps not so much. 

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

2017 Anniversary

I am a man of many words, but none of them can describe how I feel, loving and being loved by my best friend, my darling, my angel, my nurse, my wife. I have said many times, completely and truthfully, that no one else would have stayed with me through some of who I was, but I am sooooo grateful that she did.

47 Years and Counting

Would you believe it?
Could you conceive it?
I have an earth angel
leading the way,
wake up more in love
with her every day.
My body’s been through hell,
here in year forty-seven,
but my heart, soul as well,
have spent more time in heaven.
It’s because of my angel,
with her doting, her care
that my mind has stayed focused
on the love that we share.
Without her I doubt
that I’d even be,
with no wish to find out,
I’m so glad there’s a we.
With a bit of a limp,
forty-seven we’ll celebrate,
but no love will we skimp,
entering year forty-eight.

Saturday, December 16, 2017

On Stacey’s Birthday

I’ve allowed the pain
to visit, teach me.
Now, it’s time for it to leave.

——————————

During this season,
before the light returns, 
what can I contribute?

———————

Each time I act
with kindness the universe 
changes for the better 

———————

Three-hundred-fifty
times seventeen 
equals
many things to ponder.

Thursday, December 14, 2017

Close to the Ides Now

I thought I’d used up
my luck in Vietnam.
Wrong.
Just look at Barbara.

——————————-

In most books,
the best part is 
between the lines.
So, I read.
And I dream.

————————————-

Sometimes it does appear 
to me that my mind has
a mind of its own.

————————————————-
My pain leads me 
to gentleness,
and gentleness is
a great power.

Saturday, December 9, 2017

No Pain No Gain...Baloney!

Anger and compassion
are not friends.
We choose
the one that works for us.

————————

Not one new goal will 
please me if I can’t 
appreciate where I am.

——————————-

The older I get,
the more I understand,
life can’t be lived pain free.

Thursday, December 7, 2017

Pearl Harbor Day

It seems,
more or less,
life seldom meets 
my expectations.
I adapt.

Couples should not
break up in December.
Santa can’t find
single folks.

Everything I do today
affects the future,
mine and everyone’s.

Today is the most
beautiful day. I choose to
see joy and beauty. 

My life’s purpose is
to care for her. 
Today, she is 
my caretaker.

Laid up with sciatica,
I am hoping
to soon get
back to life.

Thanksgiving:
Remembering to say thanks

for the little things each day

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Miscellaneous 17’s

If you can do it,
why bother to dream it?
Do be, do be, do be.

Please let me explain.
This concept, no pain no gain,
simply a fool’s bane.

Self-glossed,
as America’s Finest City.
Who’s to argue?
Beaches.

I have, in the past,
put myself in harm’s way.
I won’t do so again.

My heart knows 
a lot of things,
but I still need
my brain 
for some matters.

This is a good day
for some random acts
of joyful beneficence

I don’t try hard to
do big things. Many little 
acts of good will do.

When I wish to find
reasons for gratitude
in life,
it’s not too hard.

When somewhere new,
it’s not the place that is foreign.
I’m the foreigner.

Come in. 
The table is brimming,
catered by Spirit.
Savor each bite.

Waiting for perfection:
That is a good way 
to not enjoy my life.

Thanksgiving:
Remembering to say thanks
for the little things each day.

Rethinking everything
about my life, so far...
...Yup, it’s pretty good.

If it were possible 
for Brussels sprouts to smell 
as good as bacon...

Long ago,
and far away,
I started home,
full of shrapnel and guilt.

It is hard to believe
in the good when
life events point otherwise.

What a difference:
discussing Spirit
and experiencing It.

Everything I do today
affects the future,
mine and everyone’s.

What the heck.
I woke up.
I am breathing.
I might as well
choose to love.

Foreign objects
enter oysters
and make pearls.
How it is with my scars.

I don’t always know
what happens when I act.
I know, though, when I don’t.

Whosoever would
be named a poet must be
a reader as well.

We all fall sometimes.
We all fail sometimes.
When you do,

give me your hand.

Generosity

When I’m in the
joy of generous giving,
scarcity disappears.

———————————————-


I know we have 
an infinite supply 
of Good.
So, give a little.

———————————

I am always working
on loving more than needing.
What a concept.



—————————————


A fine life
of simplicity:
Grace, Gratitude,
Generosity.

———————————

When I am grateful
and generous, life is just

easier to live.

————————————-


On this first day of
the rest of your life, 
be kind, please. 

Be generous.



Thursday, November 2, 2017

Camouflage

On day 2 of national writing month, we are asked to write a "disguise" poem...my effort:

Camouflage

In his daily search
for calm, peace, ease,
even happiness,
(though he knows that to be a false goal),
he disguises himself as a poet,
a spinner of yarns,
a writer of maybe’s,
a frail human with hopes.
He’s been called charming,
yet he knows anyone
can seem like that
for short public stretches.
Some people think he’s witty,
but he knows
that just comes from good reading.
A few friends know him as kind,
and that one he accepts as true,
failing sometimes in the attempt,
but always trying.
Forgetting the frequent façade,
he simply does his daily work,
lives his life,
tries to give good to the world.
Oh, and he keeps in touch.
People know that he’s keeping it a hundred.
His friends like that.

Friday, October 27, 2017

My 50-year Anniversary Date

I believe
I don't believe you
when you end your thoughts
with believe me.

---------------------------------------

Being happy is a choice.
Being unhappy is a choice.
So choose.

---------------------------------------

Sometimes
a walk is just a walk.
I don't have to
be going somewhere.

---------------------------------------

Even when I am enthused,
my legs don't always
allow me movement.

--------------------------------------

Most of us crave
a certain peace,
filled with
benevolent forgiveness.

--------------------------------------

Be still and know.
You are wonderful.
Be still and know.
You are just fine.

--------------------------------------

I'm weary, but
today I'll think love,
today I'll think joy.
Because peace.

--------------------------------------

Revealing
my doubts and fears
allows a scab to form,
begins healing.

---------------------------------------

Those who ignore the past
have a date soon
with the la Brea tar pits.

---------------------------------------

Taking care of myself.
It's the best thing I can do
to help others.

---------------------------------------

I am guilty
of not doing enough,
but I've forgiven myself.




Wednesday, October 18, 2017

It's the Parks' Anniversary

I believe
I don't believe you
when you end your thoughts
with believe me.

-------------------------------------

Be still and know
you are wonderful.
Be still and know
you are just fine.

-------------------------------------

I'm weary, but
today I'll think love,
today I'll think joy.
Because peace.


Tuesday, October 17, 2017

And More October

If it happens anywhere,
it happens everywhere.
Stay mindful.

---------------------------------

Between who I was
and who I am becoming,
ah, there the work lies.

---------------------------------

What good is there
for me to do?
Those words a nice start
to each morning.

---------------------------------

Having become
an old man,
I do hope I am
living my purpose.

---------------------------------

Be still and know
you are wonderful.
Be still and know
you are just fine.

The Ides of October

At our reunion,
I saw myself as a child.
I am still that child.

--------------------------------

Is it possible
that we chose our parents?
Sometimes I think so.

-------------------------------

I don't always
cross bridges
with joy and ease;
still a work in progress.

-------------------------------

It takes guts
to reveal your hopes
and fears
to those you know
(and don't).

-------------------------------

I am thrilled by
my friends' good fortune.
I enjoy seeing their success.

-------------------------------

There is a time
to do something,
and then
there is a time
to move on.

-------------------------------

I am, of course,
now interested
in how we live
our later years.



Friday, October 6, 2017

A few More...

Outside change is nice,
but inside change might be a 
better starting place.


Ninety seven days
remain, and then we will gain
a new syllable.



I can't!
It's impossible!
It'll never happen!
Oh, look, I'm done

And so forth...

When I’m stressed,
I wake to “oh God, another day.”
When at ease, same thought


The way out is in.
I try to cleanse the messes 
in my cluttered mind.


When I’m angry,
I think,
it’s only a thought,
and a thought can be changed.


The dying are still living. 
Dying is not dead.
Stay steadfast and true.


Not the reason I do so,
yet the more that I give,
the more I get.



Outside change is nice,
but inside change might be a 
better starting place.



Lightworkers are sacred.
They offered, before birth,
to save the planet.

Still On It

A day without mistakes,
in my sweet life,
is a day without mirrors.


Tyrants always fail,
eventually.
Truth and love
are eternal.


The way out is in.
I try to cleanse the messes 
in my cluttered  mind.


Don't fear.
Drink a bottle of 
Not me, not today,
and get after it.

Friday, September 29, 2017

Oconomowoc Veterans Park. 9/28/2017

I’ve been thinking
a lot
about war lately,
especially the most important one,
you know what I mean,
the one that happened to us.
I’ve been thinking
about bravery,
and fear,
how the absence of one
does not define the other.
I’ve been thinking
about how
no one hates war
more than the warrior.
I need not think
too long on this.
It is a given.
It is for sure.
No one hates war
more than the warrior.

When we were kids,
we were oh so serious
about playing war.
We had the leftover helmets
from somebody else’s
most important war.
A few of us had B.B. guns,
most of us used sticks,
pretending to rat-a-tat-tat.

When we were still only teens,
some of us in our twenties,
we were still kids,
even though we thought
we were grown men and women,
just because we were stationed
so far from home.
Some of us,
a very few,
thought we were
still playing war,
though most of us knew,
it was a deadly serious game.

Now that we are older,  
even old,
we know
how foolish we were.
How silly of us to think
any of it was ever a game.

So yes, my brothers and sisters,
the only war that seems to matter
is the one we fought in.
All warriors have this understanding.
All veterans have this agreement.
There have been so many wars,
yet only one was the worst.
Because it happened to us.
So many battles,
so many dead and wounded,
even when there was nothing to win.

My brothers and sisters
did not then,
do not now,
fight for territory,
nor for some higher authority,
maybe not even for the nation,
nearly never.

My brothers and sisters,
my comrades,
fought and still fight for each other,
keeping their pledge,
abiding by their oath,
Operating with ruthless honor.
They fought and still fight together,
protecting the living
and attending to their higher duty,
remembering the dead.

I love them,
I appreciate them,
I honor them.
Even when
I have not met them,
I know them,
my brothers and sisters,
the veterans.

Sunday, September 24, 2017

I don't believe 
everything I think. 
Sometimes,
I'm just out
of focus.


A leap of faith is
not a jump from A to B.
It's a jump from A.


When I tell people
what I want,
someone always
helps me
get to it.


I try to be kind,
a loving husband,
even when 
I'm not easy.


Don't fear.
Drink a bottle of 
"not me, not today",
and get after it.


The truth
versus that which
we want to be true. 
Both require courage.


I am centered
in the joy
of being alive. 
Peace of mind
is mine.


It's hard to have
a happy month.
A happy moment
is doable.


I am now at peace
with my past.
Present moment, 
wonderful moment.


Although I saw the play,
I will probably watch 
Ken Burns' depiction.


It's the
Autumnal equinox.
Day and night,
in perfect harmony