Day: April 14, 2020

I have nothing
And sit here waiting
Something will come into my mind
It always does
I look at a maple leaf that has been preserved
The number of colors I see is about sixteen
I think of the old song:
  You were sixteen
  My Village queen
  Down by the old mill stream
A great tune from yesteryear
 
I think of the number again
And of the different colors
Think about the masses of people
A random shot of them produces
At least sixteen ethnic groups
All of which make up who we are
The collected masses are amazing
We hear the word average
Line up sixteen people from any career
Let’s make them female teachers
Tall, short, stout, thin, long-legged
Long torsos, various hair styles and so on
How can anyone define average?
 
No one knows all the tribes of Indians
Even the number of tribes is ambiguous
Hundreds, even thousands could be the answer
Different ways of life, many similar, but no two alike
The majority of us know that there are Indians
Many know they have lost money in their casinos
They offer good food and beverage
They are courteous and welcoming
They have Pow-Wows every summer
Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend
The Indians know a little about their history
We know a little bit of the history also
Very few, if any, know the whole complex story
It’s an interesting collection of tales
 
Stanski
April 14, 2020 ^
 
 

 
Artists, twenty or more, sitting at tables
regulars have their one spaces
The room provided by ones who care
Longing for a breakthrough for those
Hoping for survival
 
Mostly homeless, they mingle together
Proud of their work; greet each other
Hoping customers will come through the door
 
The work room opens at nine and closes at three
The artists have to go their way
None really know the other’s plight
Some disappear, never to return
Others return, for tomorrow anyway
Always with hope for success and sales
 
Their work does sell, little by little
Patrons are recognized and clung to
Encouragement by default
A sale sometimes causing tears
 
Cigarettes for a day or week or alcohol and drugs
Can’t kick the habit; don’t even ask
Can’t keep a job, but they have this talent
I’ll try again soon; I’d like to clean up
Become a new moon, celestial speaking
Hope is always preponderate
 
Women do their work; their art
Some need needles for darning or knitting
Others need them too, for other purposes
I look them in the eye, wishing peace and health
They have learned to trust me just as they 
Have learned to watch out for each other
 
We are all God’s children; took different paths
Some more challenging only by chance
Think about walking in others shoes
Realize what they have to go through
Be responsible and do not judge
We are all brothers and sisters
And it is so true that we need each other

When I was needy you were there to help
When I was broken you stood by to mend
When down and out you knew what gifts to send
So proud to know you and call you my friend
 
Stanski
April 13, 2020 ^