Day: December 9, 2019

 We look and we see
 And what do we see?
 We see flags, posters, banners, buttons, and shirts,
 Each proclaiming something about us
  
 Each is a little layer of identity
 A feeling of belonging
 A thread of security
 Which keeps us from falling apart
  
 And becoming isolated
 As we try to sort out just where we’re going
 In this topsy-turvy world of ours
 We have our scars, styles, shoes and they become our badges
  
 Just a little more layering and what we need to comfort us
 The iPads, droids, and other technological gizmos
 Give us an upper hand for a while
 But we know the empty feeling will soon be returning
  
 We look for direction
 But where are the leaders
 And is there any hope in this dark world of insanity?
 Who do we trust and who can we follow?
  
 Who will teach us to lead?
 We begin to think and analyze
 And know that we have to begin to grow
 We have to know more than the last thing we read
  
 Whatever the season, this is the time of growth
 False gods say the end is at hand
 While all around us new growth is exposed
 We look to our God for purpose
  
 With our acceptance of this
 We feel the presence and are uplifted as we move forward
 The novelties lose their importance
 And our gratitude for life increases
  
 Stanski
 December 9, 2019 ^
  
   

 The road is hard
 It is cold
 You must pound on
 If you are to succeed
 Turning back
 With no effort
 Would corrupt you
 Forever
  
 Why move on
 One may ask
 What are the percentages?
 And for whom do you move?
 For gain is the answer
 Personal and general
 There is no advancement
 Without movement
  
 Advancement is necessary
 When there is growth
 Knowledge is waiting
 To be grasped; necessary
 If chaos is to be avoided  
 Will chance be supreme?
 Do we want to exist in
 A confused unorganized state?
  
 No; so we take the steps
 Proceed forward until
 We reach the mass or mess
 Begin the sorting
 This is fundamental
 If civilization is to exist
 Input is equally allowed
 Leadership will vary
  
 It is survival we wish
 With fair terms for everyone
 Disagreement will prevail
 The majority will decide
 We all should remain tolerant
 Make changes when necessary
 Live by an agreed rule of law
 Or remain primitive

 Stanski
 December 9, 2019 ^
  
   

  
 It is oil
 And it is good
 It is coal
 And it is good
  
 Given to us
 Oh, we pay
 But given to us
 To put to good use
  
 Some equate to 
 Dirty air
 Not I
 Air can be cleaned
 Call it technology
  
 And at the same time
 We improve human condition
 Extend life span
 Electricity
 Fuel
 Medicine
 Clothing
 Anything plastic
 Which is almost everything
  
 Where is the hemp
 What would that do?
 Why not the coal
 What does that do?
 Why not the oil
 What does that do?
  
 Who are these people?
 We still have CO2
 We exhale this
 Every time we breath
 Yesterday the waves were huge 
 Today the lake is calm
 The birds are still flying
  
 Termites exhale, too
 What can we do?
 DDT is gone
 What can we do?
 Malaria increases
 Nearly three million
 Die each year
 What can we do?
  
 Pass out the nets
 What are they made of?
 Is it green? 
  
 Where is the wind?
 It’s getting colder
 Where is the sun?
 It’s getting colder
  
 See, its working
 The law of
 Unintended consequences
  
 One pack of renewable needles
 And one sack of wool
 Going to make a sweater
 Hope it isn’t scratchy
  
 Stanski
 December 9, 2019 ^ 

  
 Proud gardeners have a passion for the Irises
 They are beautiful flowers
 People in general love them
 Some are endangered and protected by law
 Many are plentiful and you find them everywhere
 A special interest is what it takes 
 To keep them all straight

 I knew a man and wife who had over
 Fifty different species of Iris
 They took care of them for years
 Before letting it all go 
 It was just too much work and
 They were getting up in years
 As I look back I can relate
  
 Irises come in many colors and names
 New varieties are developed from time to time
 People will travel to be first in line
 Observers will think that they’re insane
 Playing one-up with competitors
 Is all a part of an Iris lover's game
 Whenever they have an advantage
 It will be flaunted with no shame
  
 I would never name a child Iris
 I know people named Iris, 
 They seem very nice
 But that’s beside the point
 One time a person named Iris gave me a book-bag
 It was very plain with no flowers on it 
 I was thankful for that
  
 Once I tried to develop a board game involving small Irises
 It became very complicated
 After a while everything started to merge
 I lost interest, but
 I still think it’s a good idea 
  
 The deer leave the irises alone for the most part
 I have a few flower books for sale
 But no one has shown much interest
 There is always tomorrow
 Good night, Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are
 I think her first name was Iris
 She loved to garden, but didn't use books
 One thing I love is interesting stories
 This one is a real winner

 Stanski
 December 9, 2019 ^