Roll Over George Orwell

 Remember back, once upon a century...

When we were able to be who we wanted,

match outer appearance with inner identity.

Select any book out of a school library

to check out and read it with no oversight.

We were free to date whom we wanted,

read any publication we desired, free

to have medical procedures performed

on our own body with no input from the state;

We had freedom in the truest sense, to be

ourselves and manage our own destinies.

Those days seem gone forever,

now we must conform to the gender

and identity demanded by the State.

We can only read state-sanctioned books,

face prison time if we dare defy this.

That monolithic Communist entity we feared?

We have become that awful nightmare.

Now we must follow the mandate of the State;

in all matters large and small, no longer are free.

Every facet of our lives and fate run by the State –

especially if that state is Florida!

Just waiting for the flow of refugees streaming

back to Cuba, from the socialist nightmare of Florida.

Should start up here any day now…

Thors Day rambling

 

Last December the publisher of a national magazine

produced an edition with Santa on the front,

and many fantastical articles inside.

Copies were shipped from a printer,

to Midwestern distribution points.

Labeled, then they went out in the mail,

sent to a household in central Iowa.

I received a copy gratis, in early February.

The front cover was a bit worn,

articles and information inside still as

fresh, cogent, and impactful as on the day printed.

I read, contemplated and soaked in the

information, which effectively illumined pathways

just as good as it would have on the day it was written.

For funds up front I would have received it months ago.

But I had no need, and in any case

my mental landscape was already stuffed full:

holiday concerns,

Internet sensations,

smartphone silliness,

general media lunatic frenzies aplenty.

It is nevertheless nice to read about

many erudite and complex subjects,

whether right away or three months late.

(Quantum Computing still seems like a colossal waste of money.)

But knowledge is power,

no matter when you get it.

Thanks for reading this day’s musings,

now bring on Friday and the weekend.

Time for a beer.

Days Dragging and Years a Flying

 

All of a sudden a friend turns 80,

and it hits me once again how fast

we all went from youth to old age.

Sure, the days dragged by.

Whether waiting tables, cleaning offices,

taking phone calls or juggling books;

whether serving drinks at a bar,

writing software for a mainframe,

selling tickets to a Broadway play,

or playing a musical instrument;

Whether acting in a local production,

or shooting a TV commercial or series;

Whether writing a novel or screenplay,

essay, short story or even a poem;

The days do come to a close,

the years do fly by,

and priorities certainly change.

Cherish those friends and good memories,

hold close the things that last and matter.

One day it will all be done –

but let us hold that off as long as we can,

and celebrate another day together.

An Iowa Masterpiece

 

He wrought works in silver                 found objects and made collages

branching to other disciplines              woodworking and painting took hold

learned impressionist styles                  emulated European masters

taught middle and high schools              studied in Paris and Munich

painted murals on commission              put on his own exhibitions

he was always striving towards              another grand project in progress

the next beautiful creation                     something novel from his process

    only to be known and defined by a man, woman, pitchfork and window.

        I would be happy to have done half as much as Grant Wood.

                                            And who wouldn't.

Contrapuntal Playground

 

moving along down a trail               snow scrunching underfoot

minutes wending away                    mind numb to time passages

breath-cycling cool air                    eye scans passing scenes

bare trees and ice glaze                   hardly hear my heartbeat

flow of scenes and vibes                memories trickle past

weave in and out                           awareness shifts internal

watch out where I walk                 black ice can cause a spill

better be vigilant now                    keep an eye focused forward

glitter transforms to asphalt          back towards the transportation

Another walk completed              beauty soaked in one more time

    Open the car door to re-enter uncivilized environments.

The paystub said 12/30/1980            So long ago now

look at those tiny numbers                so much less for stress

but that young man was glad            pay bought a lot more

even in a time of inflation                and needs were simpler

provided the essentials                    cigarettes and chicken necks

some brew at times too                  bread and peanut butter

Oh the simple magic of                 a trip down memory lane

surging youth at 21                    everything was still possible

Gazing back on it all                 wonder where it went to like

just like my parents                  grand and great-grands wondered

now pushing up weeds             feeding the flowers I flatten

    as I wander over their graves, my tears watering them all.

RIP David Crosby

 

He seemed to be a freak’s freak,

an icon of the 60's rock world;

A man who did not compromise anything.

David Crosby was certainly a unique performer.

Forming two very popular bands in the

heart of the 1960’s counterculture movement,

he was in the center of upheaval and revolution.

He gave us a beautiful voice and strident lyrics, 

an unyielding personality with sweet demeanor.

So we lose another great singer-songwriter,

leader of the “Baby Boomer” exultations

to rock and roll, turn on, tune in, drop everything…

and change the world in ways still being felt.

The creativity unleashed truly did change humanity.

We can debate the good or evil of outcomes,

but few can deny the impact of David Crosby on

the music and the consciousness of the times.

I sincerely hope that he is in a better place now;

perhaps entertaining a different audience,

but with his same incredibly beautiful soul.

Rest Well David – your gig here on Earth has ended.

Ice in several shades of blue

 

Not a peep from the birds today,

they are well-nested or flown south.

No sign of squirrels or rabbits,

even though the temps are warmer.

Any creature with a spot of sense

has found a deep, lined burrow.

Mid-January thaws don’t fool us!

We know a blizzard is coming,

sooner or later – probably sooner.

But it is good to get out when one can,

take a stroll in balmy temperature respite;

Enjoy nature’s ‘pause button,’ before

she comes back at us with a bomb cyclone.

Still we know that March’s warmer sunshine

gets closer and closer every day – so we

hang on and throw some ice-melt and deploy

shovels and snowblowers for fast access.

Another cycle comes and goes like usual.

Stay warm everyone.

Where do they think they are going

 

You see images on the daily news,

long lines of refugees waiting to

cross the border into the US.

Impatient, seething, writhing.

Someone sure told them a big lie.

Up here in the USA, we are

constantly pummeled by severe weather,

tornadoes, hurricanes, floods snowstorms.

We are constantly in some state of emergency,

recovery or rescue from fires and droughts, etc.

Our economy is not the best anymore,

our farmlands are being depleted fast,

oil reserves burned up, water resources iffy.

Inequalities are rampant, many poor in the cities

struggle to keep pace with inflation let alone advance.

Just where do these refugees think they are going?

It must really be horrific in their home countries,

to send them fleeing on foot or riding rail cars,

packing into the back of a van or truck illegally.

They might get fed a meal or two from Border Patrol

or some churches stepping in to help – and then end up in

legal limb here while waiting to see a judge.

Flooding into a country that has more than its share of problems already.

There has to be a better solution than to

weigh us down with all their problems,

when we are already staggering under 34 Trillion dollars of debt!

This might be a time for the U.N. to intervene in

their home countries and try to improve conditions there.

There has to be a better way to help.

Peace and out,

(from an overwhelmed US buried in debt and problems.)

Once Despised Now Idolized

 

E.A. Poe the poet helps solve a murder,

in the flowering of his youth at academy.

(Or so says a recent movie.)

The wonder of a young man that can drink and

carouse and still make stunning mental leaps.

E.A. Poe the poet writes a long poem about

a raven, a big crow really, and achieves

immortality in the literary world. A

mental leap of centuries gained by one published work.

E.A. Poe becomes a drunk and opiate user,

offends the polite society that helped make him,

ends up a stumbling vagabond and then dies young.

His is not just the sad tale of another alcohol addict!

E.A. Poe managed to write successful short stories

and longer works at times, firmly etching his name

in the annals of literary fame – forevermore.

E.A. Poe – a tragic figure in life, but not in death.

If his ghost lives it surely marvels at the legions of

readers, and middle school students reading about

his silly raven, taps on the door, and lost love Lenore.

E.A. Poe, literary giant now, long gone,

I’m grateful for using your name in vain,

to write yet another honorarium about you.

Thank you, good sir, for inventing rap,

and leaving us with intricacies still unfolding,

creativity inspiring humble hacks like me,

forevermore.

R.I.P. E.A. Poe.

Bye 2022

 

Well there goes another one almost done.

Nights of grinding work gave way to

some retirement bliss and happiness.

And a discovery that a retiree is also

a marketing commodity, to be

relentlessly targeted with ads and scams.

Bombarded with garbage, occasionally

useful, often interrupting, irritating and

annoying. No wonder old people are grumpy.

“One in five US residents are on Social Security”

said one newscaster: A lot of grumps and growls!

Plenty of time now to surf the web and see

so many ways to spend scarce saved-up money.

(New employment is starting to look more appealing.)

As much as I would like to be of service,

It would frankly be nice just to survive.

New days bring sunny respite from horrible weather,

Balming up temps and renewing hopes alike.

New Years bring promise of new experiences,

fun with friends and family in the future.

Time to put gloomy old 2022 to bed permanently.

Was it Bad? Sometimes, but nowhere near as bad as 2020!

Happy New Year to everyone.

Thanks to the People of Service

 

Thanks go out to the people of all service,

willing and smiling, efficient and helpful.

A surprise encounter with fresh efficiency,

Informs me of my condition going forward.

The noise of worker shortages and problems

resounds from many media outlets. So one

goes out to shop or get seen by someone,

expecting the worst, god knows what.

Sometimes it can be difficult…

Then other days there is a pleasant surprise:

A smiling, efficient young worker who satisfies.

Bright store clerk who scans grocery items

with a “did you find everything?” then a

“Have a nice day.”

I will now, thanks to you!

A healthcare assistant all bright and efficient,

“Where did you come from, some miracle human mold?”

Takes my temperature, blood pressure and pulse.

(At my advanced age they should all be repulsed.)

never believe all the bad news you hear,

There is still good out there, do not fear.

Prime Time for Friends

 

So many familiar faces, and some new ones too:

we mingled and talked, sat down and chatted.

The month went by fast, weren’t we just here?

We shared ups and downs and compared memories.

Everyone in the room is exceptional here:

we are all survivors of decades of turmoil.

diseases, epidemics and pandemics alike;

discrimination, bigotry and harassment too!

It is so nice that we can sit down to dinner together,

despite any lingering, differing political beliefs.

We share a common orientation and similar history.

can trade anecdotes and forget any medical misfortunes.

Another year draws to a close, the holidays are on us,

some have no families, others may still be estranged.

Does not mean that we can’t still laugh and reminisce,

feel renewed hopes rise and birth a fresh happiness.

Happy Holidays to all however you celebrate,

raise a toast to a better year ahead for everyone.

Que Sera Sera

 

It is what it is,

and it is all that it is,

will never be any more than it is,

nor any less than it is.

Someone else will always tell you what it is,

their version will differ from yours what it is.

In the past it has been what it was,

No more nor less than exactly what it was.

Never certain of what it was because

of, but it was always just what it was.

What will be will be,

nothing we can do about it,

neither you nor me.

Things will be what they will be,

Whether we are chained or free.

How or why or where they will be

doesn’t much matter, they will just be.

The program will run on,

until the end of the universe.

We will not see that happen,

but can still be certain that

what will be will be.

And what is, just is.

And that is the way it is.

A Dagger Poised

 

A small country of five million souls,

perched near the huge Russian bear;

They used to proclaim neutrality,

pragmatic and perhaps a bit scared.

In the twentieth century they have been invaded,

prodded and bullied for strategic territories;

Finns fought a short war with Russia in 1939.

They share an 800 mile border of miseries.

Recently things have changed again,

and Finland has joined in with NATO.

Those five million are willing to fight,

and their military is first-rate – Russia,

take note and beware. Checkmate, Putin.

Although there are caveats, such as

not wanting to provoke Moscow too much;

limits to stationing NATO troops in their country,

it still can act as a foil if Russians decide to march.

The desperately tough and resilient Finns led

the way to a stalemate in the north, and the

Western Alliance can breathe a sigh of relief,

for a time perhaps – until the next war!

Life Within Burning Coals

 

Gazing into a fire’s red-hot coals,

watching them oscillate and throb,

almost like they are living things.

I can just stare into a fire for hours.

How can a flaming, burning thing be

so attractive?  A strange (but true) attractor.

The Big Bang the biggest fire of all,

smaller conflagrations built galaxies,

spun up solar systems and planets,

colliding ash and debris brought

us all into being to evolve forward in time.

Now the stardust children of creation

build fires of their own to warm selves,

cook food and ward off predators,

eventually wield Prometheus’ gift

against each other with every rift.

Gravity is in control of our fate,

spun us all up out of nothingness,

will bring us down on a future date,

make our present lives meaningless.

From the original explosion

to sophistication and power,

expansion far and wide,

then back down to a point.

Just makes me wonder sometimes,

is it all on automatic repeat?

In Memory of Dear Mother

 

My mother was so dear in so many ways.

Her gentle and loving manner the

background music of my growing life.

She gave comfort and dried my tears,

suggested activities and calmed fears.

She was the light of her church too,

helping in many and various ways.

Lifted spirits with her gentle presence,

left a vast hole with her absence.

Her pleasant and loving manner lifted

me out of many a morose moment.

Sweet composure shattered by a crack,

moved to tears and asking why humility.

When I was sick she mopped my brow,

felt for a fever and decreased my ill feelings.

Got out a vaporizer and soothed the lungs,

brought me an aspirin and water and love.

Gone 41 years now, always remembered.

I was pleased to be around her,

privileged to live with her,

Fortunate to come from her,

still think of and miss her,

my dearest and loving mother.

Invisible God

 

The only supreme power proven by science?

it guides our every movement,

controls our forward motion,

makes inevitable our slips and falls.

Controls our movement,

influences our sleep,

growth, exertions and ambitions.

Gravity holds control over every situation,

exerts pull on every swing, shot, tackle,

kick, hit, lunge or leap.

Pray to that which you cannot see,

but controls every facet of destiny?

Pray to the almighty Gravity,

whose particles we cannot find

but mathematically surmise.

Does Gravity have an anti counterpart?

They think so, in dark matter.

But no one is 100 % sure...

We have never seen the devil particle.

Around these parts the god-king gravity holds sway,

defy it and you may hit the ground with little delay!

nevertheless enjoy your weekend, endure your weekday.

Modern Zoological Mythology

 

This time of year the animal kingdoms go to war.

Armies human (and otherwise) face off on gridirons;

Wild Cowboys shoot it out with crazed idigenous Chiefs,

Angry Vikings storm the field, attack Patriots with pigskins.

Wild Dolphins attack befuddled Bears, out of their depth…

The Ravens peck at the Titans, blinding them at the passes.

Those Seahawks flap all around and disorient the Lions,

while the Buccaneers threaten to deep-six the Buffalo Bills.

The Bengals pounce and bite the 49’ers!

The Commanders just can’t tame those Broncos,

while the Cardinals swarm around the Jets.

The Saints charge the Chargers, while

The Panthers sink fangs into the Rams,

and those Jaguars jump all over the Steelers.

They all try to send the Packers packing...

Which wild horde will win the Super Bowl?

Just keep watching and you will find out,

if the commercials don’t drive you crazy.

If all those creatures were real live stock,

the bloodstains on the field would be a

biologist’s dream, or naturalist’s nightmare.

Alas, only human blood will be spilled,

and hopefully in very small quantities!

So pick your animal or inanimate object to cheer,

and hope they win the top spot in this upcoming year.

The advertisers will have the last hurrahs,

we may be hung over and feel the blahs.

Seven months until we get to do it all over again!

Weather Finally Turned

 

The warm sunny days stretched taut into November,

Enjoyable but in suspense waiting for the inevitable

snap back into cold, wet weather that should be here.

Today was the break, rain and cold rushed into the void!

Time to stay inside and line the nest with insulation,

make sure the cupboards and fridge are well-stocked.

Eat a hot dish of something and snuggle up to Netflix,

but keep a tenuous link to the outside via text messages.

We know what awaits us as dark thirty settles over the city,

Not just gloom but bright cheerful holiday celebrations.

And we feel, or at least hope, to win through to eventual spring;

Glad in our minds for good meals and cherished friendships.

We cruise up to and through another autumn season,

summer could not obliterate the cold weather pleasures.

Forget hot sweaty hikes around crowded pedestrian trails,

Leap into glittering powder, and enjoy some winter thrills!

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.