Month: April 2020

Day is born; the unknown lurks

Opportunities to absurdities

Could be in the works

Nothing known until it is lived

Starting out early day

To the shore and rippling waves

Hoping for the beauty of

The sun which has risen

Baffled by low clouds of mist

Taking away this vision

Closer observation throws me

Searching, searching but no horizon

Clouds obscure something rare

A wonder, oh, to be aware of

All these earthly gifts

You shake, you stare

No doubt at all that you care

There is no horizon

You walk away

After you look away

Trying to get a grip

No sun will break today

At least not from my view

Other aspects of life

Will have to prevail

You’ve been affected in a good way

It will have been a good day

Listen for song; there is none

Just for a while

Birds will come for the seed

Their song will crack your smile

Another gift and don’t forget

This early euphoria takes you to

A plane of no regret

Stanski

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 ^
 

Thirty pieces of silver
The reward for a betrayal
How many would say no?
Then hold their head high
No suicide by hanging
They have all they need
Still most are betrayers
We eat the forbidden fruit
Feel how we are above it all
We rejoice in glorious music
Which frees our minds of guilt
Deep within we all know
We have failed to bear the weight of
The cross that brought us salvation
 
We ignore the hungry and thirsty
Doing only the token giving
We open our mouths in slander
Without knowing the truth
We sneer at the addicted
Never extending a hand to help
Yes, we are betrayers
Our payment is pride and arrogance
We forget those who need us
Just because we think we are busy
Do we think about the book of records
Or pretend we are the chosen ones?
Thirty pieces of silver
Yes, we are the willing betrayers
 
Stanski
April 12, 2020 ^
 
 

You think about the Alamo
San Antonio, Teas in 1836
Just a little bump in the course of man
 
Who were all those that died
Their families, too, what did they do?
On both sides of the issue
 
It’s like a song you sing and forget
Nothing concerning you, so no regrets
Fight for land takes many lives
 
History reports and sometimes lies
We have the land
What was the cost?
If you’re the winner
How much was lost?
 
All over the world, the struggle for freedom is
Something we cannot ignore
Footnotes in books
Will we forget?
What drove them to our shore?
 
Do we all have a part in moving ahead?
Can we leave it to just a few?
Pay attention and do your part
Or we’ll lose and nothing you can do
 
It may sound simple, but the words have truth
We’re in a parade that is never over
When we’re through with something on our list
It’s replaced by three or four more
 
Stay awake and be alert
There’s an end, but first a start
Think about Teas a long time ago
Be willing to do your part
 
Stanski
April 12, 2020 ^

 
Nature may have your answers
Write, pray, look for help
Moon has his own language
Stars will show the way
Forest protects and offers flora
Trees bend, lean and wave or
Stand silent giving no sign
Night sounds loud or quiet
Keep me at peace or
Aware of fear
 
Shore noise, too, causes confusion
Exploding with wrath or gentle persuasions
Winds example of persistence
Wear you with its strength or
May cause you to be weary as
Its sounds exhaust you
 
You breathe slowly, calmly and with meditation
Slow the heart and its anxious beating
Your mind is soaring, looking for answers and
You know nature has its place, but
Your answers lie somewhere else
 
Thinking about this in full moon light
You imagine shadows as clouds pass and
Branches wave in the breeze
Are you in the territory of angels?
Silent laughter, finding peace
Knowing answers come from within
Home now, safely sleeping
Waves gently reflect twinkling stars
Spirits applaud
 
Stanski
April 12, 2020 ^
 
 

Now the little things become important
Sing me a happy song I can dance to
Today has just begun and
I am waiting for tomorrow
More cooking, washing, and cleaning
It will be fun because it is Easter
No egg rolling or parades
The bunny outfits didn’t get sanitized
Most of the clowns are vacationing

That would be isolation at home
Many are going through the motions
Pretending it is no big deal
Church doors locked but the internet
Gives those who believe their platform
Virtual is such a possible word
Not real but pretending that it is

We may all join together in our minds
Sing the songs that are played
Then have hard-boiled eggs and coffee
Easter rolls with the cross
It will be a great celebration for
Jesus, the Christ, has risen
We have been redeemed

Now it is our turn to act
We may remember the wedding feast
Where many were called but failed to show
Then the few were chosen
To be chosen then was to be invited
Invited to a life with Christ in which to serve

In serving we are fulfilled, we are selfless
We are earning our invitation to heaven
Willing to give up everything in order
To follow Him in His footsteps
It will be a difficult journey
There will be no looking back
We have been chosen

What will be our answer?
Are we going to be fans or followers?
 
Stanski
April 12, 2020 ^
 

Don’t tell me you don’t remember
When I sat down next to you
I knew it was all over
Though you weren’t a baubles,
Bangles and beads sort of girl
You had the rhythm and
There was no doubt that
You wouldn’t let your love get cold
You had me follow you home
Just so I would know where you lived
I still remember that night
The moon was not quite full
How strange it was and then
You sealed our fate with a kiss
How wonderful, but never mind
What a woman is for
If not to lead the way
You were apples, peaches
And cherries to me
When you smiled I knew
This was the real thing
I took a deep breath of the country air
It has a little magic floating with it
I worked and you worked
There would be no summer vacation
But someday, one day soon
I would find a ring for you
What some said would be over
Was just beginning and
You never lost your touch
You wanted a dozen children
We made it half-way; that was fine
Time marches on and one day
The Doctor gave us a Bouquet of Blues
He gave you months, even years
That was good enough for you
We made it through
Two watermelon seasons and then
The angels came and took you away
Our merry-go-round time was over
How bitter for me, my sweet one
I still get the thrill, thinking of you
 
Stanski  
April 11, 2020
 
 

The Lord will find the way
He knew the animal's stall
Or was at least was told about it
But He did not care at all
He knew what He was about
Could only say thank you

The strong rule for a while
But You know the Truth
Whatever I say, please believe
For my love of you is great
Evil is there surrounding you
I am one true Friend

Believe in me; save your soul
Believe in me; I’m what it’s all about
I answer, Jesus, I’m sorry my Lord
I am human, but I am listening
Your road means everything to me
Pass me not; I need you so

Your grace makes my cup overflow
I owe everything to You
Please give me direction
I have to know the way I should go
I am too close to knowing You
I will travel the way willingly

Please take my hand, oh gentle One
My salvation depends on You
I know I am low on priority
So many need your loving care
I can rely on what I know
Until you have time for me

Then you can take me to glory land
The only place I want to be
The road to this luxury is difficult
But with Your help, I’ll find the way
You are my Friend above all others
And You certainly know the way

The highway only You constructed
Is the path I wish to take
Say You will not leave me
I want you by my side
My wishes may be great, but
I know that You will provide
 
Stanski
April 10, 2020 ^

I am writing freehand off the top of my head
A duty to myself; this writing muses and poetry
A gift that sometimes flows like lava
Often unknown obstacles are in the way
 
I keep pushing forward; after all
It is my sense of wellbeing
Why let anything interfere
With this marvelous talent from God
I thank Him every day for every word
 
The basics in my life are obvious
Supreme Being centered, and then
The earthly compromises of the
Arts, nature, tranquility and women
Then an opportunity to engage
In a respectful conversation with males
 
Is it a better way of life we want?
How absurd, I think, when we have everything
Including the right to expression
A roof, hot water, lights, communication
Freedoms unheard of elsewhere
What more could I ask for
 
I am moved by the letter I received
From a women distressed in Haiti, who has
Children with little hope of survival
They depend on her two mile journey
To obtain water for a soup made with
Grasses and weeds to nourish them
Children suffering from malnutrition, she
Hopes they sleep through the night
While she watches out for poisonous snakes and spiders
She still has her faith in our Savior
He will watch out for her and her children
Her husband died in the hurricane
 
How can this not move me or anyone?
I will give to help her and many
Not until it hurts, but until it feels good
I am humbled by her faith and our
Collective failure to trust in God
Compared to her total trust in His power
I feel I have so much more to do and
Hope I am given the time and ability
To do what we are called to do

When I was hungry, you gave me to eat
When I was thirsty, you gave me to drink
Now enter in to the home of My Father
I gave you your gifts, now please try to use them
Build your temples with love, forget about stones
The glory shown God will beam through the ages
 
Stanski
April 10, 2020 ^