Category Archives: Ethics

Star Trek Into Darkness

Posted on June 14, 2013 | 1 Comment

I often forget to go see movies when they are released. I see them get advertised, catch the various trailers that build anticipation and then somehow miss the actual theatre run! Perhaps that is because most movies never really meet the hype.

So today I remembered to go see the Star Trek film in the rebooted Star Trek universe. Ahead into the past as it were. It seems that is the current movie making experience: a whole lot of reliving the past with a slight twist for added spice.

Now overall I am liking the relaunch of the Star Trek universe. Close enough to the original, and still capturing some of the quirky tongue in cheek humour and over-acting that made the original series so delightful.

At this point I should do the standard: SPOILERS warning! I may accidentally spill some plot points as I ramble here. First off who didn’t know that it was Khan? The entire movie works because of  the fine work of Benedict Cumberbatch in portraying the madness and genius of Khan. The Star Trek regulars are simply supporting actors for his story.

Where things fail for me is the real evil dude in Admiral Marcus. He just lacks any strength of any kind. Blah. In the end he is unbelievable in his motivation and his execution.

I also found it interesting that Khan and his frozen crew are a bunch of genetically modified super-beings. Khan in in many ways a scientifically created superman – and my watching Star Trek happens to coincide with the end of its own theatre run and the start of Superman Man of Steel. Khan is the better superman in my humble opinion.

Still overall it was an enjoyable movie and plays well on the big screen. I was expecting a little fire and spark between Kirk and Carol Marcus. Perhaps that will get played up later as the story unfolds.

Well that was my evening! Hope you had a lovely Friday night – thanks for visiting my blog. If you saw Star Trek into Darkness what did you think of the film? What worked for you? And what would you like to see happen next as the relaunched universe gets re-explored?

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Posted in Energy, Ethics, Health, Movie, Psychology, Writing, |Ramble

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Pssst….Let Me Tell You a Secret

Posted on June 12, 2013 | 9 Comments

Okay this just stays between me and you. Is that okay? You won’t tell this to anyone else right? Or re-tweet it? You promise right?

Is there such  thing anymore? It seems that every thing is now out there all the time right out in plain social networking sight. Is this why nobody cares that the United States government via its various security and intelligence services is copying and storing every bit of digital and voice data we produce?

So then does privacy even matter any more?

The part that puzzles me is if our governments can know everything about the citizens – shouldn’t the other way also hold true? Shouldn’t we know everything about the government? If everything is open and available for viewing by Big Brother – shouldn’t Little Brother and Little Sister also get to see what secrets Big Brothers is trying to hide?

In case anyone from government is reading that is called accountability and transparency…I wonder if our leaders know what that even means?

Oh yeah and my secret – is this: I think I have forgotten how to have fun…the world is such  a serious place! I think I need some suggestions on how to have fun – how to kick back, relax and have a blast!

Tell me your sure fire path to fun and jolly times – and I may give it a whirl!

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Posted in Depression, Energy, Ethics, Health, Psychology, Writing, |Ramble

What Do you Do with a Problem like Gonorrhea?

Posted on June 9, 2013 | 8 Comments

Hah – made ya look! Now don’t go away – keep me company for a bit and read some more! Oh come on don’t look so miffed that I am not writing some sexual dark secret on these pages.

So, obviously, that title has nothing to do with what I am mulling musing overdoing and mentally chewing. Just being bored and silly and poking at the keyboard. There is zero chance of any STD stories from this end of the internet. Well unless I get one from the toilet seat – and that just ain’t much of a story is it?

For some reason Sound of Music songs began playing in my head this morning. “The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Music!”

Quite an enjoyable movie – and well the song “How do you Solve a Problem like Maria?” that we liked to make fun as teenage boys by singing “What Do you Do with a Problem like Gonorrhea?”

(In case you want the proper answer to that it is see a doctor, and get treated! NOW.)

Well that is all I got today – my brain is elsewhere and real poetry and word-play elude me this late spring morning in June. A quiet Sunday with nothing to do but write random thoughts and sip cold coffee.

There – that is something I can go do! Take a walk to the coffee-shop and get a hot cup of coffee and watch people going about their own Sunday freedom. Perhaps I will be inspired by something I overhear as I wander.

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Posted in Debt, Ethics, Fiction, Health, Joke, Schadenfreude, Writing, |Ramble

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Never a Priority…

Posted on June 8, 2013 | 2 Comments

Priority. I keep seeing that word lately. It pops up when I least expect it. There seems to be a whole lot of “priority” going around – at least in some individual minds! So what exactly does that word mean?

pri•or•i•ty (praɪˈɔr ɪ ti, -ˈɒr-)  n., pl. -ties.

1. the state or quality of being earlier in time or occurrence.
2. the right to take precedence in obtaining supplies, services, etc., as during a shortage.
3. the right to precede others in order, rank, privilege, etc.; precedence.
4. something given special or prior attention.[1350–1400; Middle English < Middle French < Medieval Latin]

So basically to “come before.” That of course leads to a whole double entendre to explore. I’ll leave that to your fertile imaginations to fill in the meanings and appropriate sniggering. Take 30-seconds and indulge. There now – all done? Okay to continue…

The word priority seems to have be derived from Latin via French so let us wander the prior roots of the word. Priority arrives fairly directly via the Latin word prior which itself comes from old Latin “pri” meaning “before” and still lurking with as at the prefix “pre”. Which might be why the word prefix means – well what it means! A rather straight forward word evolution it would seem until you step back from “pri/pre” to an older root of “per”…

Interesting that older step back is actually not speaking of “before” but rather “with” or “through” or “by the means of”. The per/pre muddle is a common spelling issue with many English words leading to changes of meaning by the small transposition of two characters. Percept and Precept being an example of the subtle spelling and vast meaning differences! A Percept is a “thing perceived” and a Precept is a “rule of conduct.”

At the heart of priority is a concept of ranking and entitlement. A judgement passed on the perceived value of something or someone in comparison to another something or someone. A priority is more valued and prized and so receives an elevated privilege. A privilege being an “advantage granted” to an individual.

Given that relationship of “per” and “pre” how did we step from “by means of” to “in advance of”. It turns out that pri or prae has another meaning of “beyond”. To arrive at something “by means of” implies that there is a place “beyond” where we are now. Per/pre/prae/pro/pri all maintain this meaning, and in middle English those forms were often interchanged – making for a lack of clarity of some middle English texts/documents when modern English scholars read them. Words mean what we want them to mean – until language evolves and leaves the written word behind!

In some older texts words like percept/precept/procept may have simply been the same word to the writer/reader of the time and is not conveying any variation in meaning.

Back then to the concept of “priority.” Note the “pri” prefix. An interesting history of this little prefix is its Ancient Greek roots tied up with male privilege. Priapos or Priapus is the Greek God of virility. The male reproductive power. While the pri/pre/per roots all inherit their roots from the Latin “pri” – the Greek “pri” also gets muddled in there! Now remember our earlier snigger at the double entendre. Well apparently there is a multi-lingual plethora of meaning at play (is this where I would make reference to a cunning linguist?)

Interesting that we can see many “pri” words are related to male privilege and power in English from our “Prime” numbers into “Priority”. Early scholars creating the roots of the European languages would have been aware of this relationship of the Greek and Roman “pri” and like all humans keenly aware of the symbolic interplay of words and status. A pun being the lowest form of wit – so a Prior would be the head male in rank and also by privilege of penis.

Yes I am playing here with fanciful word relationships and I realize that no direct etymological derivations have ever been proven. It does amuse me however to think that the largest priority is generally bestowed on the biggest prick.

A little ramble to amuse my day! What do you think? Should I perhaps undertake a linguist thesis on the implications of “pri” words?

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Fiat Lux: Bring Light into your Life

Posted on May 27, 2013 | 3 Comments
Light

Light (Photo credit: Road Fun)

Here is something we don’t think about enough: We are solar powered.

In fact all life on earth is dependent on the sun, and the solar radiation that it provides to the earth. The radiation from the sun is filtered by the atmosphere into very specific wavelengths of light and heat – and these wavelengths directly and indirectly power all life on earth.

We know that plants requires sunlight – or at least an artificial light that mimics sunlight. Try growing a light-loving plant in a windowless room and see how long it lasts. Plants also have the same other basic needs that we humans have – fresh air, a food source, water and a reasonable temperature. Growing a house-plant sounds simple enough in theory: adequate water, adequate light, adequate temperature, and adequate soil (or food). And I can bet that any one who has ever tried to care for houseplants has had at least one plant not thrive.

Animals are also dependent on sunlight, and the cycle of light and dark, to maintain their health and to thrive. Animals get their nourishment from plants, or from other animals that eat plants. Animals also go through cycles depending on the daily light, or the seasonal light. The amount of daylight, and the temperature of the air, activates involuntary physiological and hormonal changes in animals such as growing fur for winter,  hibernation,  and reproductive cycles.

Humans may be clever animals that can bend the rules – but we also have a lot in common with the plants and animals that share our world. We know we need clean fresh air for oxygen, and we know that we should drink water, and eat a variety of foods to help us stay healthy and active. We know we should listen to the messages and cycle of our bodies especially when it comes to sleeping.

What about light? Not just any light – but sunlight. If all plants and animals are solar powered are we somehow exempt from that basic need? Can we go for days without sunlight? While our artificially lit workplaces and homes may seem “bright” enough for what we are doing – most artificial light  lacks the full spectrum of light and energy that sunlight provides. A typical 16-hr day spent only in artificial light  provides less total light than 1-hr in full sunlight.

We also know that many people in the winter months may be impacted by Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. Partially this is because the closer to the pole (north or south) that is winter the fewer daylight hours we get. And because we may stay indoors to avoid the cold. It seems that we need sunlight to power our bodies and our minds.

Studies have indicated that even a few hours of sunlight every day increases our metabolism, promotes increased Vitamin D production, and stimulates biological rhythms that impact everything from appetite, digestion, mood, sexual desire, emotional state and our mental clarity.

Yes there are risks with excessive exposure to sunlight, so like all good things it is important to enjoy sunlight in moderation. Wear a hat when it is hot, sunglasses to protect you eyes, and limit direct exposure to your skin.

Going out for a walk ever day after lunch is good for us not just because of the exercise – but also because we are recharging our solar cells. Even on cold cloudy days the sunlight filtering through is activating our bodies light sensitive processes.

So get out there and feel the power of the sun – I guarantee you will feel better for the sunshine!

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Thinking Small Change

Posted on May 6, 2013 | Leave a comment

Size matters. At least some people would like you to believe that size matters in the sense that “bigger is better.” We see that played out in all sorts of ways from the height of buildings to the bulk of athletes. Even in matters of money we think of big numbers, big banks, big economics, big budgets. We get so caught up the the big dollars forget about the power of the thousand small transactions that power the local economy. Sometimes size matters not because something is “big” but rather because it is small and used effectively.

Imagine if you had an instant $2000 to spend and how you might use that money. For some reason we think of a big purchase (or two) as a way to spend that money. Maybe a new electronic gadget. Or a repair or an upgrade to something else we already own. Yet if we spend the entire $2000 in one shot at one place – it simply goes to the bottom line of that one shop. And that money in turn is probably just kept within the economic ecosystem of that one shop (pay suppliers, employees, rent etc). The overall impact of the that $2000 in that sense is fairly small.

What about $200,000? If we spent that all in one go – for example to buy a house? Unless it is a new home the money simply flows from you to the seller with some going to professionals (lawyers, real-estate agent etc) and the government (taxes, land-transfer etc). Overall a big ticket item with very little economic stimulus of the local economy.

Now think of that same $200,000 as 10,000 people spending $20 each in the local economy. 10, 000 transactions for 10,000 small items or small services. Bobby pays Suzy $20 to cut his lawn. Suzy pays Betty $20 for a birthday cake. Betty pays Jim $20 to wash her car. Jim pays…

And on and on it goes. The interesting thing is those series of micro-payments can involve the same $20 bill moving from hand to hand. There might not have been $200,000 in the local economy – yet that same $20 can move 10,000 times from person to person generating $20 of value for each person. And if that $20 is declared as income, or becomes part of a formal sales transaction that generates sales tax it creates wealth for the government with each transaction.

My trip into pondering micro-economics is because I have been pondering demographics and an aging population, and the drive to move seniors from their homes into institutionalized care. Most of the seniors I know are  living in their own homes, and doing so on fairly small budgets. Often in homes that no longer have a mortgage. They spend little on food and entertainment, and slightly more on taxes and utilities. Yet these seniors have an interesting and significant impact on the neighbourhood economy.

These seniors often require help maintaining their homes from cutting lawns to shoveling snow to washing windows. They recruit neighbours to take on these tasks and pay then $10, $20 maybe even $30 to do a few hours work, share a cup of coffee or tea, and maybe even provide some lunch as a thank you. These are small dollar transactions often involving the youth of the neighbourhood, and providing an opportunity for economic gain and for building community.

Yet somehow our government thinks it is good policy to encourage seniors to move into institutional care. In doing so the government increases costs to the seniors (and their families), and adds stress to the lives of the seniors by moving them from the comforting familiarity of their home to the sterile space of 24-hour care.  The move from home to institution impoverishes the community, the senior, and ultimately the entire nation. The dollars flow to a single provider who often has no connection to the local community. Yes some of the dollars flow back in the form of wages and taxes – but far less than when the seniors spent directly those dollars with a hundred others.

Beyond the economic loss is also the loss of community and social cohesiveness. Seniors, in having unmet needs,  turn to those nearest to them and foster community connections, and offer others an opportunity for developing caring and empathy for those that need a hand.

Long-term care facilities for some seniors are a necessity, and have a place in caring for some seniors. As well, some seniors prefer a setting that has more services and has fewer things to worry about.  Government policy that encourages the general movement of seniors from community to institutionalized care is simply applying a one-size fits all solution to caring for the elderly population. A balanced approach that encourages seniors to keep living in their own homes is needed.

The biggest concern of community and government in addressing seniors needs is ensuring that each senior’s well-being is maintained. While a collective care setting seems to be economical it is often a false economy. Setting up programs that ensure home visits to monitor the physical, mental and social health of individuals living in their own homes is often less expensive for the individual and for government. It provides for greater flexibility in meeting individual needs, reduces exposure to communicable diseases, provides greater feelings of self-worth and independence, and makes the local community a better place to live.

Often the best solution is to offer help and then simply step back and let people manage their own lives. I figure if someone has been able to get to a ripe old age without relying on me, quite likely they will know when they need to ask someone for help.

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Candle

Posted on April 3, 2013 | 6 Comments

April rains chill me
cold deep into my darkness
warmed by your flicker.

Inspired by the  APRIL A2Z CHALLENGE word prompt “CANDLE” at

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Butterfly

Posted on April 2, 2013 | 6 Comments

you’re hidden away
inside your dull chrysalis
waiting to burst free

and flutter away
leaving me ordinary
beneath your freedom.

Inspired by the  APRIL A2Z CHALLENGE word prompt “BUTTERFLY”” at

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Ascent

Posted on April 2, 2013 | 2 Comments

uplifted
soaring into clouds
feet on ground

Inspired by the  APRIL A2Z CHALLENGE word prompt “ASCENT” at

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No Inspiration

Posted on March 30, 2013 | 1 Comment

Waking Haiku

spring knocks on the glass
gently she swirls past my door
luring me outside.

Black Saturday

yesterday was death -
tomorrow resurrection.
So what is today?

Forgotten

It tickles my brain
demanding I remember
then dances away.

Inspired by the  word prompt “no prompt today” at

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Fortitude

Posted on March 23, 2013 | 9 Comments

having nothing left
makes her irresistible
and unbearable.

Inspired by the  word prompt “FORTITUDE” at

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Cacophony

Posted on March 16, 2013 | 27 Comments

Many crows in a dark tree at New Orleans Squar...

black swirling crow cloud
discordant screaming murder
cawing for darkness

Inspired by the  word prompt “CACOPHONY” at

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Stark

Posted on March 14, 2013 | 2 Comments

harsh reality
barebones etched against bright sky
brings it all to heart.

 

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Posted in Debt, Ethics, Family, Haiku, Happiness, Memory, Poem, Psychology, Writing

Origami

Posted on March 9, 2013 | 27 Comments

after you left me
i folded your love letters
into tiny swans

for months they watched me
whispering your written words
from inside their wings

in the spring sunshine
i took them to the river
and gave them freedom.

***************************

How to Make my Heart

Fold in half
corner to corner
then again

fold inside
top to the middle
bottoms up

now from right
alongside the crease
next the left

over it goes
smoothing down the points
into shape

flip gently
you now hold my heart
in your hands

Inspired by the  word prompt “ORIGAMI” at

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Torn Asunder

Posted on March 8, 2013 | 12 Comments

What God has joined together let no man put asunder
traditional Christian marriage ceremony

Nothing lasts forever – yet there I was nearly 13 years ago promising eternity to the woman beside me.  In all fairness I do need to clearly and openly state she is a lovely human being. And at the moment in time and space I had no reason not to pledge myself to be forever united with her – or at least until death did us part. Who knew that we would part before death even hinted closure on either of us?

We had already been living together for 5 years when we decided to make it official and seal it with wedding vows. A small ceremony of joy and on to happy ever after.

It is over now. Torn asunder. We are now divorced after a long tedious legal journey that by official records began October 4th, 2009. At least we made some lawyers happy and financially better off. Really it all started unravelling before that date – but the legal system does like precise facts and figures. October 4th is just the date where I grew tired of the “if you don’t like it divorce me!” challenge whenever we had a difference of opinion. On that date I finally said, “you know what you are correct and here is how we do it…”

Sadly, it wasn’t as simple as I imagined it might be – at least in my version of logical reality. In my simple view of the world we just agreed to split things, agreed to shared custody, and ongoing shared costs. I worked out the math and presented the final numbers. How silly of me. I should have realized that my being a complete idiot would prevent that from happening.

You see, over the many years of us living together, it had become clear to my partner that I was stupid, inept, socially moronic, child-like, incompetent, financially irresponsible, verbally abusive, mentally abusive, lazy, fat, unhygienic, tasteless, unfashionable, and subhuman. If she had not saved me from my pathetic lonely single existence there is no doubt I would have been living as a homeless street bum begging for coins from every passerby. At least that is the story I got to hear over and over again. Parts of that assessment of me may even be true. In my own head, and in my own version, I am better than all of that – but then again we are all the hero of our own biography.

And now that is all done. Completed. Battle-over. Victory declared and the spoils of war divided and allocated. It is an incredible relief. My blood pressure readings have dropped over 20 points since everything has been signed, and transacted. My heart has stopped racing at odd times for no reason.

Now what? I actually feel empty right now. The years of battling and constant bickering preoccupied and consumed an obsessively ridiculous amount of energy and life force. After being in a heightened state of adrenaline and worry for so long I now feel deflated. I am nullified. I think I am depressed.

Perhaps I should look for another relationship? Or should I? It isn’t like I haven’t been open to the possibility of the last few years. I have even had some dates with women who have read my blog and thought I was some wild passionate artistic type. We go out and they realize I am just a boring, fat, old man who has a rich inner fantasy life, and a mundane real world. Reality sucks that way.

The problem is simply that I have no charm. Charisma is an innate quality that cannot be cultivated or faked. Or at least not successfully faked for long. I am cautious and quiet by nature. I am thoughtful and observant and steadfast. I see and hear the world around me and create patterns of reflection. And that is just rather bland in the overall exciting “live for the moment” world in which North Americans think they live.

I have been going to social events for singles. One would think my odds would be fairly good since the groups consist mostly of women. At many of the events there are four women for every male in attendance. I have struck up many conversations – and even thought I had sensed a connection with a few of the women – yet over 3 years I have zero dates. That is simply pathetic.

Now I cannot say that I have had no offers – a couple of women have boldly asked me out and even offered potential naked intimacy. Yet, I have absolutely no romantic interest in those wonderful ladies.  It seems I have mismatched chemistry at play! It is like some farcical Shakespearean romantic comedy – one where I play the role of Falstaff. The common man as buffoon.  I desire what I desire – and in turn I do not desire what is offered. Well actually there was one offer I did want to enjoy and accept – only it was a “one time only never to be repeated” offer. A nibble that would have left me longing.

Perhaps I should just accept that any love is good love and take what I can get. Enjoy what is now – and let tomorrow look after its own needs. Yet somehow that doesn’t feel right. I guess I am not enough of a hedonist to pursue flesh for the sake of flesh. My reluctance to compromise when I am of limited appeal means I will remain a celibate hermit in the wilderness.

I guess that would be all just fine and dandy if I did not have a crush. Yes I know pathetic. She clearly has no interest in me by any stretch of the imagination – and believe me my imagination is very stretchable! I have asked her out for coffee at work – and she has always declined. It is clear I do nothing for her – and yet I find her walking across me thoughts in the oddest moments. Ahhh – what a sad complex world we humans weave!

So there we are – the sad pathos of my imaginary romance! I guess I will just have to set myself up as a sugar-daddy to a struggling visual artist who needs studio space and someone to pay her bills. In return she can paint me vibrant paintings and escort me to art-show openings where we can discuss the merits of post-modernism.

At least I can dream.

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Gem Stones

Posted on March 7, 2013 | 2 Comments

cold crystals rest
on my window sill
bending sunlight
showering brilliant
sparks of spring light
into dazzling prismatic
splatter across my white walls
marching rainbow patterns
flickering across my ceiling
untouchable sparkles
driving my cat mad

holding me mesmerized
beyond the dark reality
of what is here and now

 

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Really I Don’t

Posted on March 5, 2013 | 7 Comments

You think you’re required
to keep my world afloat
well I got news for you
cause I really don’t

I really don’t need you
telling me what to do
I surely don’t need you
playing me for the fool

You should just get going
heading on outta my life
nothing left to say now
other than its been nice

I really don’t need you
telling me what to do
I truly don’t need you
making me feel so blue

You really don’t belong
in this space here with me
always running me down
telling me how to be

I really don’t need you
telling me what to do
I surely don’t need you
playing me for the fool

You just can’t believe it
no matter how I say it
so let me make it clear
fuck off and I’ve just quit

I really don’t need you
telling me what to do
and I never ever will
so darling here’s adieu!

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Breeze

Posted on March 2, 2013 | 12 Comments

spring’s warm breath
sends winter away -
let’s go play!

summer breeze
cool breath on hot skin -
no worries!

autumn gust
strips golden trees bare -
easily

winter blast
hides the to-do list -
smoothly done.

Inspired by the  word prompt “BREEZE” at

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Stranded

Posted on February 26, 2013 | Leave a comment

stuck here in the middle
far from shore
blue sky
blue water
blue thoughts
wind-tossed
sand-strewn
in solitude

how did I get so far
from where I wanted to be?

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Shimmer

Posted on February 23, 2013 | 13 Comments

spring shimmer
heats to slow simmer
boils over

bursts into
dazzling bright colours
all aglow.

Inspired by the  word prompt “SHIMMER” at

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Count Down: 26 Days Left

Posted on February 20, 2013 | 3 Comments

March 18, 2012 is when I began my “Post-a-Day” commitment – and it feels like it was more than 339 days  ago! 

Here we are in the final stretch of daily thinking and writing. The daily obsession with looking for topics to add to my collection of stewing ideas. I have no idea how daily newspaper columns writers keep up the pace! At least here I could kick back and write a haiku when I felt really under pressure to post! I can’t imagine having to write 500 words each day on some relevant topic of the moment. And make it interesting!

At least a columnist has an editor and a publisher behind him/her to review the topic and the writing. That has been the hardest part for me – writing is easy! Editing is hard – or rather self-editing is hard. I know the old adage “don’t worry about cutting words – they don’t bleed”. Still they are my words and sometimes I write excellent non sequiturs that deserve to be shared and read by others. Sure it is off topic and irrelevant to my current posting – but oh the excellence of prose!

I do save those snippets to an on going desktop clippings file for later re-use. And sometimes they become the keystone of another post – or even the basis for a poem.

I get my best ideas not while in front of a computer typing – or even just quietly sitting and thinking with notepad in hand. In fact blank white space actually seems to shutdown my brain. Perhaps it is the zen-like vast whiteness that lulls me into being one with nothing. But put me in a situation where I cannot write down my words and the poetry and prose just starts to flow like the amazon. Vast gushes of creative prose and delightful rhymes that the world has never imagined. 

Sometimes I manage to quickly jot down the bare-bones of the flowing creativity before I am pulled back to the task at hand. Sometimes I remember my phone can record my voice and capture barely audible streams of gibberish to remind me of the delightful turn of phrase I had imagined while otherwise occupied. 

Writing when it flows is like someone  else inhabits my mind and body. I am not writing – rather the words flow through me from my heart and soul straight out my fingertips. I wonder if I had a marker taped to my hands at night if I would write poetry across my bed and body in my sleep? What wonders – or darkness – might slip by the censors of my rational brain? 

What inspires me in much of my writing is public radio and random internet browsing. Being Canadian I often have CBC Radio One droning away while I do other things. The words and thoughts of the various CBC radio personalities as they interview their guests sparks little connections in my own brain. Random phrases that may mean one thing in a given context get turned over in mine creating whole lightning chains of sparks – so that the original words are twisted and lost and something new appears.

That is how I have made it through the Post-a-Day journey. Random sparks from brilliant voices on the radio. How do you get inspired to write? What do you do to get yourself blogging? 

 

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How to Tell if You Live in Poverty.

Posted on February 17, 2013 | 9 Comments

I have been hearing the economic whinging of others in the last few months. Maybe even a few years. Mostly the complaints are the tragedy of ‘un-met wants’ and not having the latest greatest iWhatEver device that has just been released to replace iWhatEver PG (where PG=Previous Generation).

Yes poverty is real. It is horrible. To be truly poor is to have nothing – not even self-respect or dignity. The people I hear whinging about “I am so poor…” or “I have no money…” are not even close to being economically in poverty. They may, however, be suffering from mental and spiritual poverty.  Really I probably am not the one to give advice on that aspect of personal poverty!

Here are some things to help you decide if you are truly among the economically disadvantaged:

1) Shelter. You have a roof over your head and it keeps you warm, healthy and dry. Shelter is one of the first basics. If you have a home, and you are not in daily danger of losing your home, you likely are not living in poverty. Home is your space and your air to breath.

2) Fire. Well we call that heat and electricity now. If your home has basic utilities and you can afford at least enough to keep your house warm enough to live, and have some means to cook a meal without endangering your life and health you are not living in poverty. Candles do not count as a heat or cooking source.

3) Water. Your plumbing works – or at least you have clean fresh water to drink and cook And enough to even wash. And a place to deposit your waste. Water is the key to life and without a reliable clean source you are living in poverty.

4) Food. Access to basic foods. Apples, bread, beans and green leafy vegetables for a start. If can buy seasonings, condiments, you likely are not poor. If you can afford meat for every meal you are not poor. Unhealthy perhaps – from all that high-level factory-raised protein in your diet – but not poor!

5) Toilet paper. If you can afford toilet paper and not have to steal it from public washrooms you are likely not living in poverty. If you can also afford commercial bathroom and household cleaners you are likely not living in poverty. Pssst vinegar and salt make excellent cleaners.

6) Soap. If you don’t have to use dish soap as your shampoo and body-wash then you are not living in poverty. Mmmm Palmolive – you know you are soaking in it.

7) Boxes of things. If you have to pack boxes to move you are not living in poverty. Think about it: If you own that many things can you claim to be in poverty? The more boxes you have to pack and move the less in poverty you are. If you have to sell it all just to buy a package of Mr. Noodles to have dinner – then you can tell me you are poor.

8) You can’t afford to wall mount your 50 inch HDTV on the wall. Wait – if you have a TV of any kind you are not poor.

**************************

Now I know some people are going to read my list of eight test items and say “BUT BUT”. Yeah I know – you can still be living marginally if you have all of the above. However, if you have a choice in how you allocate your spending then you are not poor. To be in poverty means every penny (when we had pennies in Canada) is allocated to keeping you and your dependents alive. To have choice in spending is not a matter of poverty – that is an issue of affordability. IF someone has to spend all their money on shelter – and there is no less affordable shelter – that is poverty.

A true test of poverty is this: If you can choose to wait for something to go and sale and then buy extra you are not poor. The best test of poverty is having the economic freedom to make choices not out of necessity but out of preference. If I need to buy a jar of peanut butter to feed my kids I will pay whatever price is required to get the least amount of peanut butter I can afford. BUT if I can choose to wait for the best price for the largest amount then I am not poor at all. Not by a long shot. That doesn’t mean I am rich – just that I am not poor.

Poverty takes away freedom, takes away choice, and most of all takes away the dignity of those that live in real poverty. Poverty makes people into economic slaves forced to do whatever is available and accept whatever is given simply to survive into tomorrow.

Poverty is the greatest obstacle to democracy, and the most effective tool of oppression. What are you going to do about it?

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Sugar

Posted on February 16, 2013 | 20 Comments

powdered sugar dusting

winter morning brings
lingering sweet dusting traced
from your lips on mine.

Inspired by the  word prompt “SUGAR” at

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Wrung Dry

Posted on February 15, 2013 | 5 Comments

there are days of golden mornings
and tomorrows of darker shades
that wrap themselves tight around me
and pull me screaming all the way

there is only so much blood insides
for sharing with their evening hunger
yet they circle me a thousand flies
feeding feasting always bleeding me

until I am no more than desiccated husk
dry brittle cracklings lying on a bed
nothing left to ever move me or entice me
for even my dreams have turned to sand

I can hear them still circling near me
ravenous whispering scratching at my ears
they’re praying for rainstorms to revive me
so they can begin to feast again..

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Wednesday’s Ashes

Posted on February 13, 2013 | Leave a comment

Dust thou art, and unto dust thou shalt return
~~Book of Genesis 3:19

these mournful days laid before me
after yesterday’s carnival
I wear sackcloth for all to see
burnt smudges dark across my brow

beating out my slow penitence
sins accumulated and saved
my pious insignificance
lost against failing masses

ashes to ashes is our fate
marked in ragged spurts and moments
consuming time – we cannot wait
rushing towards oblivion

I repent of so many things
but never any thoughts of you
would ever count among those sins
could I truly be damned for that?

for you I would do anything
sell my salvation for your kiss
bath in balefire to touch your skin
feel you warm against my body

if mortals must strive for heaven
how can I repent of angels
enticing me to ascension
of my carnal flesh and longing?

I will endure this Lenten game
abjure renounce my inner lust
yet dream of you and feel no shame
dancing as my Eve in Eden

some truths can’t ever be denied
some sins I will never repent
instead I declare it with pride
I have been seduced by angels

I have enjoyed heavenly flesh
consumed sweet perfumes and nectars
exchanged soul kisses breath for breath
indulged in sweet fornication

There is no sin to be found here
in the memory of your bed
nothing that I would dare conceal
our bodies were meant to mingle

This then will be my sacrifice
I will forsake all other vice
to lay here in your paradise
until the day of my demise.

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Sullen Lips

Posted on February 11, 2013 | 4 Comments

Permafrown

she stands in silence
winter playing in her hair
like I don’t matter

her sullen lips show
the depth of the disquiet
cutting through her soul

she should be screaming
instead she holds it all in
danger in her eyes

long ago I learned
it’s better to walk away
then to wait for hell.

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Red

Posted on February 9, 2013 | 13 Comments

******

there is poetry
embedded within colour
red sets me on fire

******

when the world is white
under cold winter blankets
red evokes spring hopes.

Inspired by the  word prompt “RED” at

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Rick Mercer: Snow Day Rant

Posted on February 8, 2013 | 4 Comments

Cause a snow day is a part of growing up Canadian:

It should be on a stamp!
 

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Hardly Anymore Anyway

Posted on February 5, 2013 | 1 Comment

We pass by in the street
and in hallways indiscreet
looking quickly off to the side
avoiding those truths we have lied
each to each in the darkness
as we exchanged sweet caresses
feeling desires transmutation
suppressing logic’s lamentation
yielding to the imperative
of biology’s firm initiative
overwhelmed overcome
over-and-out and then some

Yes we did once long ago
and now it is no more
I would you know
if you offered
or even exposed
but then again
now we are older
no longer bolder
still in all the memory
stirs me into revelry
Oh I would – I could – I should
yet no…

not anymore.

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Monday Again

Posted on February 4, 2013 | 7 Comments

Wow. Monday here once more in my living room. Happens to me every week yet it still surprises me when it arrives. Monday morning all dark and gloomy beeping at me from the shadows.

Whumph.

Way to knock the wind out of me. Deflate me. Knock me a down and walk all over me. Do I actually have to get out of bed and think? The getting out of bed I can do as there is coffee making pleasant gurgling and sighing noises at me as it drips from the coffee maker.

The floor is cold. The air is cold. The room is dark. My bed is warm and cozy and hugging me. Can I call work and say that I cannot come in for any of those reasons? Likely not. Unless I want to never go to work. Oh. OH. That is so tempting but hard on the bank balance. Sigh. Up and at ‘em!

Next week I think I am skipping Monday and going straight from Sunday to Tuesday. I am sure that will make things much much better. And then only four more days to the weekend. Oh I do like that four days of work and two days of play. That sounds much more balanced than the current five and two. And a six-day week would work so much better with a 365 day year. We could have 12 months each having five six-day weeks for an even 60 weeks in the year plus a five-day end of year party week. That is my big selling point – end-of-year party week!

This seven-day week thing is so old school and unwieldy. Time for a change! Now if I could only convince the rest of the world!

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Bitter Almond

Posted on February 3, 2013 | 2 Comments

I should really have know better
from that sweet scent of bitter
almonds wafting from your skin
yet you’re irresistible
totally wholly undeniable
tantalizing on the tongue
a single tiny nibble
not enough at all
calling me back yet again
and again for another go
another mouthful
taken inside
savored slowly
killing slowly
with the essence
from your soul
bitter almonds
bitter throughout

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Pride

Posted on February 2, 2013 | 9 Comments

English: a warning sign warning of a lack of w...

regal stride
nose towards the sky
strutting by

ignoring
all the warning signs
straight ahead

sure showed me
how gravity works
all the time.

Inspired by the  word prompt “PRIDE” at

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Midden Heap of Thoughts

Posted on February 1, 2013 | 7 Comments

These words languish
alone on the page
unread
unvoiced
unrhymed
hollowed out
devoid of meaning

if a poem is posted
and there is no one
near by to read it
does it can it mean
anything at all?

Listen to the wind
it whispers poems
no-one will ever read.

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Deep Quotes for the Blues

Posted on January 31, 2013 | 5 Comments

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.

Steve Jobs

Talent is nothing but a prolonged period of attention and shortened period of mental assimilation.

Konstantin Stanislavsky 

The time is now, the place is here. Stay in the present. You can do nothing to change the past, and the future will never come exactly as you plan or hope for.

Dan Millman

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No Point at All

Posted on January 31, 2013 | 9 Comments

There is no point to this at all.
It is dull, blunt, fully and completely pointless.

See unfetteredbs for the real point

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ephemeral thing

Posted on January 27, 2013 | 3 Comments

Inspired by the brilliant poetry of Susan Daniels. My words are but a reflection from her inspiration. The original is here: Temporary Things at http://susandanielspoetry.com

a snow angel
is soft snow
firmly tenderly
compressed
into being

a shaping
hollowed
and hallowed
with angelic laughter

excavated from droplets
frozen feathered in heaven
drifted into irresistible piles
for small warm bodies
to embed with sparkling zeal

freed by gust of wind
as dancing whirlwinds of snow
trickled into the earth
by spring thaws
to be reborn
as snowdrops

Their shape holds magic.

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Rescue Haiku

Posted on January 26, 2013 | 14 Comments

S-O-S
you feel my distress
beating time

take my hand
guide me to safety
i am lost

going down
water rushing in
please save me.

Inspired by the  word prompt “RESCUE” at

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Friday in the Snow: Robert Burns

Posted on January 25, 2013 | 5 Comments

January swirls around me in puffs and gusts of white powder. Clouds low and deep with shadows swoop down dumping cold snow down my neck, slowing my long walk home from work.

It is cold. That is expected in this part of the world. I should know better by now and wear a hat to keep my ears warm and my head free of snow. The flakes land on my head and melt leaving my scalp chilly and bristling with goosebumps.

I think ahead to the bottle of scotch waiting for me in my apartment. The gas fireplace waiting to be fired up and re-heat my blood. My cat waiting for my arrival so he can do the hunger dance of greeting.

The scotch isn’t always part of the routine – but todays is Robbie Burns day today. Time to raise a dram and toast his memory and wit and fine poetry. This blustery snowy night reminds me of his poem “Tam o’Shanter”

But pleasures are like poppies spread,
You sieze the flower, its bloom is shed;
Or like the snow falls in the river,
A moment white–then melts for ever;
Or like the borealis race,
That flit ere you can point their place;
Or like the rainbow’s lovely form
Evanishing amid the storm.–
Nae man can tether time or tide;
The hour approaches Tam maun ride;
That hour, o’ night’s black arch the key-stane,
That dreary hour he mounts his beast in;
And sic a night he taks the road in
As ne’er poor sinner was abroad in.

The wind blew as ‘twad blawn its last;
The rattling showers rose on the blast;
The speedy gleams the darkness swallow’d
Loud, deep, and lang, the thunder bellow’d:
That night, a child might understand,
The Deil had business on his hand.

Ah to write like Robbie!

Here is to you good sir! May your words flow forever in our hearts and minds.

 

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Camera Obscura

Posted on January 22, 2013 | 8 Comments

 

Camera obscura

I only see what you want me to see
locked in darkness of these walls
you poke holes in random places
allowing pricks of bright light
to leak into my sealed world
showing me an inverted outside
where buildings point downward
into the flowing blue sky below
or is it my world that is reversed?

And when I think I understand
you seal over the holes again
taking away my light and visions
leaving me to scrabble in obscurity
meaningless words on the dusty floor
as I listen for your next jab
thrusting deep past my walls
creating a new glimmering illusion
dancing shadows and revelations
beyond my understanding and hope.

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Dusk

Posted on January 19, 2013 | 15 Comments

light slips from the sky
inviting stars to hear prayers
sent from hearts below

on this winter night
smokefall robbing our eye light
sweet touch remains us

twilight’s last gleaming
twitches and fades from above
leaving us to dream

 

Inspired by the  word prompt “DUSK” at

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Garden Salad

Posted on January 18, 2013 | 11 Comments

All day I have been hungry
craving these fresh delights
now spread out before me
such delightful goodness
where to even begin?

these delicate leaves
freshly chosen plucked
dripping with moisture
ripe plump tomatoes
firm, sweet, exploding
with warm tart juices
waiting to meld with
long carrots fresh
firm fleshy root
little garlic bud
popping with flavour
combined with spices
marinating all day
in homemade dressing
full of expectation
hungry anticipation

With all this to enjoy
I think I’d rather
linger here with you
and just nibble slowly
until we are satiated
which may take all night…

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The Rules of Touching

Posted on January 17, 2013 | 4 Comments

Let us be clear to start
it is forbidden between
strangers just like us
to even consider this
as possible reality
yet the gentle curve
of your graceful neck
makes me think about
reaching across space
letting my fingers glide
slide down scented skin
feel your pulse beating
so near the warm surface

Let us be clear to start
I wouldn’t even dare
unless you dared first
to look in my direction
where our smiles would
break down these barriers
shout out our secret names
breaking down all rules
between strangers as we
moved to acquaintances
fast-forward into friendship
tumbling into shy lovers
discovering the next set
in the rules of touching
each other in unexpected ways
cascading shivers down
into unexpected places.

Let us be clear to start
and go from there into
wherever we are destined…

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Cocoa Cookies

Posted on January 16, 2013 | 6 Comments

The delight behind the previous post – and please feel free to copy this one! Recipes are never copyrighted as far as I am concerned!

Ingredients
1-cup all-purpose flour
1/2-cup cocoa powder
1/2-teaspoon baking soda
1/2-cup packed brown sugar
1/2-cup white sugar (I use all brown sugar cause I like the brown sugar flavour)
1-cup salted butter(at room temperature)
1 large egg
1-teaspoon pure vanilla extract
icing sugar – optional

How to make:
Sift and set aside all the dry ingredients (flour, cocoa powder, baking soda)
Using a mixer on medium speed beat the butter and sugar in a bowl until creamed.
Add egg, and then beat until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes)
Mix in vanilla until just combined
Now gradually spoon in the dry ingredients with the mixer on low speed.
Cover bowl and place in refrigerator to chill until dough is firm (at least 1 hour)

Let the oven preheat to 350 degrees, and line some baking sheets with parchment paper.
Using clean dry hands roll the dough into small balls (about 1″ in size)
Space about 1 1/2 inches apart on the baking sheets.
Bake for 8 minutes or until cookies seem firm.
Using a small sieve lightly dust the tops of the cookies with icing sugar.
Allow to cool on baking sheet for few minutes before removing from sheets.

Remember to replace the parchment sheet if you need to re-use the baking sheet for another batch – otherwise the icing sugar may give the next patch a slight burnt flavour!

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Broken Eggs

Posted on January 16, 2013 | 11 Comments

Broken Egg

soft white tones
soothing browns
perfectly shaped
spheres nestled
anticipating
spicy creations
sweet sugar burst
creamy butter
wholesome flour
rich dark cocoa
so peacefully
waiting for
melding

then a crack
whack smack
pulled apart
smashed crunched
carefully beaten
whisked stirred
binding together
bakers delight
all for one
one for all
caressing my
taste-buds

Broken eggs
are required
to unleash
true delight.

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Fully Completed

Posted on January 15, 2013 | 9 Comments

You make me joyous you do
turning me twirling me whirling me
reducing releasing rejoicing
now there is no holding back

here I am inside outside myself
here I am upside downside unshelved
stripped of all pretense
embracing human imperative
feeling you burning churning
inside each breath beat burst
melding welding our cells
this instance contains infinity
blessed blessings of eternity
a genesis newly recreated
resurrected released

we impelled compelled
willingly overwhelmed
us singlely co-mingling
into unified unity enjoined

You leave me smiling you do

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Angels Dancing on Sunbeams

Posted on January 15, 2013 | 6 Comments

Sun Beam

Do you remember?
How we lay still
in morning light
sunlight kissing
our naked bodies?

Do you remember?
How we lay watching
winking dust floating
carefree in sunshine
over top our smiles?

Do you remember?
How you turned to me
saying it isn’t dust
those are celestial
beings sparked by love?

Do you remember?
Me at all anymore
when you see morning
light through your
bedroom window graced
with dancing angels?

I remember too vividly
as they mock me each
and every sunny morning
smirking at my naivety
for believing in eternity.

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Unusual Foods: Cock Flavoured Soup

Posted on January 14, 2013 | 8 Comments

The other day I was shopping at my local grocery store in the “International Foods” section of the store and I browsed past this food item. Later I looked it up on the internet and I love the description of the item:

“A spicy, chicken-flavoured soup mix, Grace Cock Soup Mix is quick to prepare and extremely versatile. Try thus piping hot soup as a between-meal snack or an appetizer – or as a base to add a spicy kick to your favourite soup recipes.

I kid you not...cock being a male chicken commonly called a rooster

I kid you not…cock being a male chicken commonly called a rooster

I am part of a weekend soup exchange – perhaps I should spice things up with a little Grace Cock Soup Mix. When people ask I can say – “well I started with a Cock Soup Mix base and added some spice to my recipe…no really it tastes like chicken!”

Oh the things that amuse me…

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Skin on Skin

Posted on January 13, 2013 | 9 Comments

here we lie entangled akimbo
soft warmth of january thaw
fresh in our glowing flesh
sheets rumpled in sweat
sweet salty scent of passion
wrapped inside each breath
each touch of skin on skin
a shiver of recent memory
gliding gently down inside
around and back again
fingers dancing down inside
around and back again
bodies joining down inside
around and back again
and back again
and again
until we finally pause
in lingering tingling
skin clinging to skin
us entangled akimbo
simply lying here.

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Oubliette

Posted on January 12, 2013 | 3 Comments

One Way Sparrow

oubliette: a secret place of imprisonment, usually with only one opening in the top.

In a world of instant maps
I am suddenly adrift
without even a tiger
unable to find myself
in this digital expanse
let alone my destination

all around me circle
these landmarks strange
this territory unfamiliar
looms darkly laughing
somewhere I took a wrong turn
and ended up here
down some dead-end
unmarked backwater
with nothing behind me
and only cliffs ahead

yet the GPS
keeps bleeping
and tweeting
‘go back! go back!’
stupid machine
- there is no back
nothing remains
consumed by time
the path here was
one way streets
with no way out
no turns allowed
except February 30

undaunted I
I forge ahead
to somewhere
unknown
unmapped
unzoned
spilling
over the edge
where there be dragons.

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Posted in Energy, Ethics, Family, Green, Happiness, Health, Memory, Poem, Psychology, Schadenfreude, Writing, |Ramble

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Death

Posted on January 12, 2013 | 13 Comments

fluttering spring bird
bumped my winter window
too late to fly south

Christmas tree needles
mysteriously appear
the tree long removed.

From birth our springs wound
the clockwork of life winds down -
the rewind key lost.

Inspired by the  word prompt “DEATH” at

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