Day: November 30, 2019

MAIL TIME


 The little lady hobbled
 Out to the mail box
 The rural carrier was
 Just up the road
  
 He had stopped and
 Her step was 
 A little livelier
 Than usual
  
 She got there and
 Pulled the lid up,
 Lowered the red flag
 Her box was half-full
  
 She scurried back
 To the house and
 Began sorting 
 The stack:
  
 Advertising
 Letters requesting money
 Some bills and to her thrill
 A few letters
  
 These were unexpected
 But meant so much to her
 She savored them
 Read them
  
 Then re-read them
 Then set them aside
 The day seemed brighter
 She discarded most of the rest
  
 Went to the kitchen
 To prepare lunch
 Cyrus, her husband
 Would be home soon
  
 Stanski 
 November 22, 2019 ^

I WAS JUST TALKING TO MYSELF


 THE CONVERSATION

 What, honey?
    I was just talking to myself
 Did you get a reply?
    Very funny ---
    I’m just thinking out loud
  
 Everything okay?
    Yea!  Just a little confused,
    But I have a call in to my advisor
    He has the answers
    I’m just thinking out loud
  
    I’m a little upset
 Seems to be a trend
    You’re not in my shoes
 I’m in my own 
 I know the score and
 Talking to yourself
 Does not score points
  
    Give me a break
 You’ve had your share
    What are you saying?
 It is time to move boldly
  
 Can’t redo the past
 Time to look forward
    What, honey?
 I was just talking to myself
  
 Stanski
 November 21, 2019 ^

ON IT GOES


 Talks go on
 Question after question
 Answered by experts
 Either for or against
 The interests of the accused
  
 Power of the gavel
 Public servants praised
 Equal representation denied
 Closed door interrogators 
 A one-sided affair
  
 A senate investigation
 After many months
 Found nothing
 The Mueller investigation
 45 million dollars
  
 All of his soldiers were
 Anti the accused
 Over two years of
 Investigation and
 No there, there
  
 Then the house sham
 More unfairness
 Quid pro quo
 Did not work
 Then tried bribery 
  
 Nothing
 But quid pro quo is
 The same as bribery
 Ask the former vice-president
 He knows
  
 Everything is not up to date
 Somehow the truth
 Will raise its head
 Then all hell will break loose
 The swamp will begin to drain
  
 Stanski
 November 21, 2019 ^

RETROSPECTION TO REALITY


  
 Doors close; chapters end; friends go
 We take this with sorrow and sometimes regret
 Once gone there is nothing we can do
 There was a chance once.
 Maybe it was missed.  Maybe not
 You go on.  You think
 Sometimes you beat yourself up
 But why?
  
 Life is a two way street
 You can only travel one way at a time
 The regret may be that you can’t travel two
 Life works its own way and
 Unfolds for you and there for the taking or leaving
 You take when you can or when convenience dictates
 You leave when you must
 There is no other way
  
 We embrace and cherish
 Those who give comfort
 And give back more or less as we can
 Life goes on
  
 We see things we can’t believe
 We believe things we can’t see or understand
 We remember and then forget
 We learn and fail to implement
 Overall we improve ourselves and move forward
  
 We look for the truth and know we only have today
 Do what you can and release the rest
 Be joyful and believe in yourself
 Worry not about the goodbyes
 Focus on the hellos
  
 Stanski
 November 30, 2019 ^

A PRAYER

     
        Dear Lord,
    
   Give me eyes to see   and ears to hear. I know there is light in the darkness that makes everything   new. I know there is new life in suffering that opens a new earth for me. I   know there is a joy beyond sorrow that rejuvenates my heart. Yes, Lord, I   know that you are, that you act, that you love, that you indeed are Light,   Life, and Truth. People, work, plans, projects, ideas, meetings, buildings,   paintings, music, and literature all can only give me real joy and peace when   I can see and hear them as reflections of your presence, your glory, your   kingdom.
    
   Let me then see and   hear. Let me be so taken by what you show me and by what you say to me that   your vision and hearing become my guide in life and impart meaning to all my   concerns.
    
   Let me see and hear   what is really real, and let me have the courage to keep unmasking the   endless unrealities, which disturb my life every day. Now I see only in a   mirror, but one day, O Lord, I hope to see you face to face.
    
   Amen.  

 PRAYER BY HENRI NOUWEN

THE SHOP FOR MEN AND TALL BOYS

 
 Two men working
 One middle-aged
 The other older
 Maybe a father and son
 But individually equal
 Neither one the boss
  
 It was a men’s store
 Gentle conversation
 No pressure; everyday talk
 We looked around
 My brother and I
  
 He found an outfit for 
 An upcoming wedding
 A 4th of July ceremony
 On a cruise ship to boot
 Needed a smaller size
  
 Sure enough, a pair had
 Come in that very day
 A trip to the fitting room
 Tried it on; a perfect fit
  
 The two men were excited
 This was a good sale
 They seemed happy for us
 We finished; gave our thanks
  
 It was a beautiful sunny day
 The sky was blue
 The air sweet
 Florida in November
  
 Stanski
 November 30, 2019 ^

REFLECTION ON LIFE


 Olivia was talking
 Henry was laying on his stomach 
 partially listening, but not really
 He was lost in thought
 What am I doing here 
 soaking up the sun, 
 just like the old people?
 Where did the time go?
 How did I get here?
 Where am I going?
 Every day is the same
 He began to sweat
 A nervous sweat 
 although it was very warm
  
 He uttered some reply to Olivia, 
 then sunk back into depression
 How much time did I waste?
 What could I have done?
 I took the easy path
 Played everything on the safe side
 Forgot about the path not taken
 What songs did I fail to sing?
 Who will miss me when I’m gone?
 My regrets are great
 I still have Olivia
 I love you, dear
 I love you too, Henry
  
 Stanski
 November 20, 2019 ^