I am posting an old poem I wrote many, MANY years ago. I wish I could say that I found it in a box while cleaning out my attic. But sadly no, all the writing from my teens, twenties and thirties is gone; lost to many moves across three states.
Why this poem came back to my consciousness? Damned if I know, but something tells me that I need to share it. So here you are:
I watch you walk down the street
Your red hair blazing in the sun
Bouncing merrily in tune with your graceful stride
And I realize then that I love you
Not because you are the most beautiful
Nor because you are the smartest
Not even because of what you give me
But simply because you are you
And you take pride in that
The time you take to show me you world
The time you take to get to know mine
That is why I love you
And why I always will
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Giving Thanks
The last few years have been a roller coaster ride for me dealing with a miasma of emotions. Even with everything, I have found I have a lot to be thankful for.
I am very thankful to be alive. Due to my earlier mental state it was touch and go for awhile. I am also thankful I am healthy with two arms, two legs and my five senses functioning well. The only afflictions I suffer from are the ones caused by the disease called "getting older." Even though I now creak and groan when I sit down or stand up my spirit is still twenty something.
I am grateful I found a therapist I feel comfortable with that gives me that "safe place" to go to and deal with any issues that may arise.
I am also thankful I have a roof over my head and a stable job at a good company. I am very appreciative that I have the opportunity to grow with AT&T and enjoy the people I work with.
I am blessed to have my writing return to me. After not having written anything for five years, I thought the talent was gone. A few months ago the words returned with a force, giving birth to poetry, short fiction and one novel that I am starting to write. My muse further blessed me by branching out to music and I have written five songs with the help of a great little program called Garage Band.
I am thankful for my friends, both old and new. It was because of their compassion, understanding and encouragement that I found my way back from the precipice. My old friends Andrew, Austin and Troy have been invaluable to me with their giving natures. My new friends Kat, Tommy, Root Beer Dave and Afro Dave gave me a new group to hang out with at our Thursday Evening Get-togethers. (for those not mentioned, please do not take it as a slight. You all are very important to me)
I encourage all of you who read this to make a list of all the things you are thankful and grateful for and share it with your loved ones. Encourage them to repost and share their own lists.
Pay the good things forward and watch the changes it will bring. I wish everyone a happy healthy 2008 filled with passion, peace and joy.
Let's make 2009 a year to remember. One where we achieve beyond our wildest dreams. And remember ...
Live with an Attitude of Gratitude.
I am very thankful to be alive. Due to my earlier mental state it was touch and go for awhile. I am also thankful I am healthy with two arms, two legs and my five senses functioning well. The only afflictions I suffer from are the ones caused by the disease called "getting older." Even though I now creak and groan when I sit down or stand up my spirit is still twenty something.
I am grateful I found a therapist I feel comfortable with that gives me that "safe place" to go to and deal with any issues that may arise.
I am also thankful I have a roof over my head and a stable job at a good company. I am very appreciative that I have the opportunity to grow with AT&T and enjoy the people I work with.
I am blessed to have my writing return to me. After not having written anything for five years, I thought the talent was gone. A few months ago the words returned with a force, giving birth to poetry, short fiction and one novel that I am starting to write. My muse further blessed me by branching out to music and I have written five songs with the help of a great little program called Garage Band.
I am thankful for my friends, both old and new. It was because of their compassion, understanding and encouragement that I found my way back from the precipice. My old friends Andrew, Austin and Troy have been invaluable to me with their giving natures. My new friends Kat, Tommy, Root Beer Dave and Afro Dave gave me a new group to hang out with at our Thursday Evening Get-togethers. (for those not mentioned, please do not take it as a slight. You all are very important to me)
I encourage all of you who read this to make a list of all the things you are thankful and grateful for and share it with your loved ones. Encourage them to repost and share their own lists.
Pay the good things forward and watch the changes it will bring. I wish everyone a happy healthy 2008 filled with passion, peace and joy.
Let's make 2009 a year to remember. One where we achieve beyond our wildest dreams. And remember ...
Live with an Attitude of Gratitude.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Historic yes but still the same old, same old
Yesterday I joined close to 140 million other Americans and voted. I walked into the both, pulled the curtain and pushed the lever. In one way the election is historic - An African-American is now President elect. I am so proud that this crazy experiment called democracy once again proved it works. President-elect Obama's victory also validated my belief that you can go as far as your dreams, hard work and faith can take you.
On January 20, 2009 we will witness the start of a new beginning for the United States. Not only for it's citizens but also how we are perceived in the international community. For too long our place in the world has been viewed as elitist and imperialistic. I believe that with the election of Senator Obama the international community will no longer see us as the bully on the playground but simply as just another kid on the monkey bars.
Still, as historic as last night's results were, this morning I wake up to the same old, same old. FOX is already stating that taxes will go up, Government will grow and McCain was the better choice. The Mass Media, both CNN and FOX are concentrating on the race issue or non-issue as it affected this election and how it will effect the Obama Presidency.
In addition, there were amendments being voted on in three states that would Constitutionally define what marriage is. In Arizona, California, and Florida the measures all received over 50% of a YES vote. In Florida, Amendment 2 is now law gaining the requisite 60% agreement. In Arkansas Initiative 1, which bans gay couples from adopting children or becoming foster parents also received over 50% of a YES vote.
I hope that those that voted for these additions to their state constitutions read the propositions. Nearly all of these propositions did not single out same sex unions, but instead defined a broader group of people. Unmarried people. Civil Unions. The passing of these propositions will not only take away rights from same sex couples, which I believed the were designed to do. But also will take away rights from couples that are together but not married. Common-law marriages are a thing of the past in these states.
If you do not believe in the institution of marriage but are in a committed relationship. Too bad, so sad. Out of luck.
On January 20, 2009 we will witness the start of a new beginning for the United States. Not only for it's citizens but also how we are perceived in the international community. For too long our place in the world has been viewed as elitist and imperialistic. I believe that with the election of Senator Obama the international community will no longer see us as the bully on the playground but simply as just another kid on the monkey bars.
Still, as historic as last night's results were, this morning I wake up to the same old, same old. FOX is already stating that taxes will go up, Government will grow and McCain was the better choice. The Mass Media, both CNN and FOX are concentrating on the race issue or non-issue as it affected this election and how it will effect the Obama Presidency.
Two bulletins greeted me on my MySpace account this morning. One stating that Obama is not black but half white and half Muslim. I wasn't aware that religion was an ethnicity or race. That same logic makes Bush and McCain half white and half Christian.
The second bulletin aligns Obama with the Anti-Christ. It references The Book of Revelation as it's proof of this. And points to this as the beginning of the End of Days. The bulletin claims again that the President elect is Muslim and states that the Anti-Christ will be Muslim. In fact, nowhere in the Book of Revelation does it mention the geographical area where the Beast and Dragon are spawned from. In fact, the term Anti-Christ is not mentioned anywhere in the Book of Revelation. It is only mentioned in First and Second John and then only in reference to those people who do not accept Jesus as the Christ.
In addition, there were amendments being voted on in three states that would Constitutionally define what marriage is. In Arizona, California, and Florida the measures all received over 50% of a YES vote. In Florida, Amendment 2 is now law gaining the requisite 60% agreement. In Arkansas Initiative 1, which bans gay couples from adopting children or becoming foster parents also received over 50% of a YES vote.
I hope that those that voted for these additions to their state constitutions read the propositions. Nearly all of these propositions did not single out same sex unions, but instead defined a broader group of people. Unmarried people. Civil Unions. The passing of these propositions will not only take away rights from same sex couples, which I believed the were designed to do. But also will take away rights from couples that are together but not married. Common-law marriages are a thing of the past in these states.
If you do not believe in the institution of marriage but are in a committed relationship. Too bad, so sad. Out of luck.
If you are seniors who choose to live together for companionship but not get married because it would affect your Social Security benefits. Oh well ...
This is not only about tax benefits. It also affects health benefits as well as information that can be granted. Under the HIPAA laws, doctors may not talk to your life partner about your health issues without your permission.
While the results of the Presidential election show this country is starting to grow and reach it's promise. The problems of racism and prejudice and "morally right" are still present in our society.
They will not go away overnight. But we are moving in the right direction.
This is not only about tax benefits. It also affects health benefits as well as information that can be granted. Under the HIPAA laws, doctors may not talk to your life partner about your health issues without your permission.
While the results of the Presidential election show this country is starting to grow and reach it's promise. The problems of racism and prejudice and "morally right" are still present in our society.
They will not go away overnight. But we are moving in the right direction.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Sunday, August 31, 2008
The Reason
What is this creature that Nature hath doth devised?
She is Steadfast and Yielding
Approachable and Aloof
Intoxicating and Sobering to the same breath
Alluring to the eyes and
Confounding to one's soul
yet Life seems Grander because of them
and we Smaller without
they are Our Match
Our Hopes
Our Fears
Our Puguratory and Our Salvation
they are All which we hold dear
and Everything we risk to lose
they are Life
and they are
The Reason
Subscribe to Once More Into The Void
She is Steadfast and Yielding
Approachable and Aloof
Intoxicating and Sobering to the same breath
Alluring to the eyes and
Confounding to one's soul
yet Life seems Grander because of them
and we Smaller without
they are Our Match
Our Hopes
Our Fears
Our Puguratory and Our Salvation
they are All which we hold dear
and Everything we risk to lose
they are Life
and they are
The Reason
Subscribe to Once More Into The Void
Monday, August 18, 2008
Here comes Faye
Faye is around the Florida Keys and heading north. We are under a Tropical Storm warning. Maybe I won't have to go to work Wednesday.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Hold On
You gotta hold on when you want to fall
You gotta run when you want to crawl
You gotta speak up when you want to remain silent
You gotta hold on to your dreams
You gotta realize what it means
You gotta reach out to who you choose to be
Life is what you make it
Not what it seems to be
You can fix it or you can break it
The choice is yours to see
You gotta get up when you want to lay down
You gotta stay when you want to leave town
You gotta have faith and never give up the day
You gotta hold on.
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