here it is 2022

 

...and I just finished a book about WWI,

events and people leading up to 1914.

Television shows programs from the 1950’s

all the way up to the present season;

Time becomes more fluid every day.

One can go to video sites online,

find film clips from almost anytime,

from the first shorts of 1890’s up

to news clips that were made this morning.

With all this time travel are we any wiser?

One celebrity threatens war on the Jews,

another with multiple companies swoops in

and buys a social media biggie for 44 billion.

How much hatred or ownership is enough?

Interesting to watch them push the limits.

East and West are lined up hard,

cold steel and hot electronics poised

to destroy civilization all over again.

Blame is cast, and doubt, and fear too.

We never seem to learn the lesson

that war solves nothing, in the end.

Technology lurches forward,

surprising some, delighting others.

Human wetware tries to keep up

with all these clever tools excreted.

No replacements for compassion,

caring, loving peace – that we

desire for our loved ones.

In a world that shifts so chaotic,

the gift of caring for each other

is perhaps the most powerful thing

we can hold onto.

The Foliage Looks Skinny

 

But any lack of water could mislead someone

These woods are bulging, saturated, pregnant.

You would not think that to look at them,

spindly limbs swallowed by color and sunlight.

So many people hike through these woods,

on the main trail and the side ones that wind

through brush and around huge oaks and elms.

Most hike alone, lost in thoughts, trailing

fragments of emotion that radiate from them.

Their relationships mired in complexities,

the loneliness of so many searchers;

people not recognizing what a gift solitude is,

accompanied by trees and bushes that do not

condemn, nitpick, complain, gossip, or lie.

So many humans walking off their angst,

running down their frustrations to the paved trail,

shedding sweat and emotions that range the gamut.

Happiness, mirth, contentment, sadness, anger,

bitterness, hatred, determination, ambition, hope…

The trees ought to topple with all of that weight

of emotives from thousands of walkers,

runners, bikers and everyone else moving along.

The shrubbery ought to sag down to the ground,

would if human emotions weighed as much as snow!

So the heavily laden wooded areas struggle on,

sprouting new leaves and wildflowers with

every miraculous springtime –

Despite the constant littering, spitting, cursing,

sweating, grunting and yes, emoting human hordes

that trample through almost every day, regardless

of weather or any kind of ecological concern.

It is amazing that anything is left standing at all,

besides human-constructed edifices,

emotional or material.

Retire That Tire

 

So down the freeway I cruised at proper speed,

the other drivers were maintaining theirs as well;

afternoon sunlight in our eyes made us cautious,

and a good thing with what happened dead ahead!

Suddenly a delivery van in front swerved hard,

shuddered to a stop, missing the left front tire.

That tire bounded out into lanes including mine,

caused me to swerve to miss the rolling menace.

I missed it, or it missed me, and I sped on ahead,

glancing in the rearview at instant mayhem behind…

Cars swerving and slowing, dodging that rubber rascal.

How does a tire just keep going and going like that?

Was so relieved to exit the nervy freeway finally.

I hope no other driver got impacted negatively

by that absurd situation, more common than realized.

Tonight when chasing sleep I won’t count sheep,

rather bouncing tires hopping steel highway fences...

Somehow that will not make me sleep much easier.

The Day that the Earth Will Regret

 

Nuclear warfighting exercises occur,

drones rain down on Ukrainian cities.

Could this conflict be just the first stage?

The clouds of war continue to accrete,

even as drought hits around the world.

We stupid humans are at it again,

attacking and destroying each other

with maniacal abandon.

After so many bloody conflicts in the 20^th

century, we populate the 21^st with death.

It seems we really do need a

Klattu and his robot to

enforce a worldwide peace.

Like “The Day the Earth Stood Still,”

delivering an ultimatum:

‘Abandon your destructive ways,

or be destroyed by an even greater force.’

Might always makes right? No,

but in our case,

drastic measures may be needed.

No laughing matter,

nuclear war or its aftermath.

Getting to feel a lot like 1913 or 1938

 around here these days.

Enjoy life while you (we) can!

Autumn in Iowa

 

Some leaves will wave a bright ‘Yellow!’ in greeting;

others may cry ‘Red!’ to warn of winter coming.

Variety of tree reflections illuminated by slanting

sunlight makes walks pleasant, and drives hazardous!

That low sun can dazzle the eyes in unhappy ways.

Yet the crisp air and smell of leaves lifts excitements,

reminds one of homecoming, football, bonfires, parties.

Time to get out and enjoy life before the gloom creeps in!

November will have its own highlights and lowlights;

The Thanksgiving feast will make amends with darkness,

and kick off another holiday season – more parties!

Christmas shopping and eating excesses accompany

the bitter cold and blowing snow and ice crystals.

Another year turns on that big wheel of time,

but October sunshine can make a day feel fine.

Arise American Cities

 

Your central plazas have been all rebuilt,

sculpture gardens rest where factories once sat.

Spraying fountains refresh a weary populace,

Local festivals offer respite from busy work schedules.

Empty warehouses repurposed into lofts,

Railways renewing transportation in major centers.

Historic buildings refashioned into restaurants and museums,

a new vibrancy has replaced decaying prospects.

The new USA looks different from the old USA,

and not in such a bad way after all.

Commerce and entertainment continue unabated,

marketing carrying new intents, wearing a new skin.

Your grandparents downtown’s have been transformed,

your parents retail establishments reoriented.

Internet-integrated operations ping our smartphones

with special offers and coupon reminders.

Youthful nights out have been altered,

but they are no less exciting, or intoxicating.

Rides, food and gaming summoned by taps,

we live like the lesser gods of yesteryear

with none of their difficulties or dangers.

Arise American cities, and celebrate your victories;

you have overcome the past and light the way to the future!

Despite some annoyances that linger, like overseas conflict

or the din of continuous construction here at home.

Unceasing changes will not dim most future hopes,

our metropolises will continue to glow in transformation.