You give your hand to me
And then we both fall down
You land on your rear
I fall on my crown
We linger for a while
Laying there in that aisle
I know that you’re alright
When I see your lovely smile
We managed to get
to the dinning room
She asked as we were
about to eat
What’s the name of
that dance again
I think it was pretty neat
Stanski
November 14, 2020
Little puppies that try to nip at your fingers are cute.
I always hope they are broken from the habit
and instinct as they grow. Most are trained,
but many continue to aggravate.
It becomes part of their nature and
their need to be chained.
People are much like these
once gentle animals.
When growing they are
either neglected or
raised in a good manner.
It helps to have wholesome
guidance when growing but
even the most ardent attention
to details does not guarantee
the results that most parents desire.
Conversely, neglected children often
succeed beyond expectation.
This is not juxtaposition, but
just the way things happen when
we interface with others as we develop.
Divisions begin to take place.
Certain people are desirous and
others are considered outcasts.
The playing field begins to become
un-level and not in the favor of
the downtrodden or unstable.
Those most in need are
neglected and under served.
While the fortunate attend
the better schools and, until recently,
charter schools and vouchers
were still off the table.
When schooling and indoctrination end,
young adults go on to their destiny.
Some will nip at fingers and get
kicked around until they find the wrong path;
others are good little pups and wind up getting
the nicest treats on a regular basis.
As a whole we appear to be indifferent;
lay down and suffer the consequences.
Stanski
November 13, 2020 ^
Here I sit, almost nine at night
trying to come up with something to write.
I keep getting interrupted by Joe Namath
and his Medicare coverage ads.
When his finishes another shows up
so I am pretty much up to speed
on my health care options.
I think about how many are dependent
on the government for so many things.
Social Security which retrospectively
was a bad idea, in my opinion,
expanded into payments and
control of senior healthcare
and a great safety net was in place
except the fund set up for this was
raided time and time again for other
purposes, so it stands on wobbly legs.
Soon safety nets became common place.
Churches and Social Organizations
used to be the ones who came to
the aid of their neighbors in trouble.
This gave purpose to these members
and the recipients’ pride was such
that they wanted to get off the dole
as soon as possible and usually did,
unless there were extenuating
circumstances that existed.
The government took over and soon
we had monthly checks, food stamps,
housing provisions and insurance,
removing any incentive from those
receiving, to pick themselves up,
shake themselves off and
get back in the race.
It is good to have safety nets
for those truly in need, but those
in need seem to be encouraged
to take advantage of everything available
leaving them dependent on the government.
The nets should not be disabling and
then making it not only comfortable
to be dependent but also a badge of honor.
Stanski
November 12, 2020 ^
. I look for goodness; it is out there; people trying to do the right things on a regular basis. One could almost predict who will show up when there is something to do. They come; do what is needed; leave fulfilled and often tired. There are many who do this and also many who would like to but cannot for various reasons. They do their good in other ways. The joy of giving of yourself cannot be overstated. Happy people are givers. Those unhappy keep looking out for themselves always wanting more but more was the wrong choice and now they wish they had chosen something different, a yellow car instead of the red on they settled on. They become depressed and affect other people. What should be systemic joy is melded into a bland populace. Blandness leads to indifference. Where some care about condition and others don’t. Respect for others becomes a lost notion which leads to a divide eventually goes to the courts. This comes with costs paid for with citizen’s money and in the end one side is a victor and the other is bitter and in a sense everyone loses. The coming together is not that difficult if pride and ego could be set aside. We have a way to go and many steps to take, but eventually sensibility will take us to where we want to be. Our integrity will have been restored. Stanski November 11, 2020 ^
One-way streets to nowhere
Lack that basic appeal
Then we find ourselves traveling them
Wondering if this is real
No plans on which to act
Or influences present to reject
You’re on your own you realize
Enough to almost make you sick
Birds fly overhead silently
Grounding you; you begin to think
Dependence on others is not for you
Something missing in that link
You walk; you jump, seeing a shadow
Likening it to a lost yesterday
But you are looking for tomorrow
There are few more acts in this play
You are independent; yet wonder why
Certain things aren’t happening
You want to get by all alone
But you really miss the pampering
You say you are wrong
And miss those with the touch
You’ve come around and that’s awesome
And the effort wasn’t much
Something else that’s missing
The ringing of the bells
You realize that was your job
Don’t worry; no one will tell
Stanski
November 10, 2020 ^
Originals
Vanish
One by one
Lost
Destroyed
Think: Four horsemen
What’s left?
Memory!
Copies!
Suddenly
Valid copies
Transcend
Originals
Become
Desirable
Authentic copies
Supersede
Originals
Values
Escalate
Precious
Replicas
Of what used to be
To die for
As it were
Perception
Altering
Reality
Markets taking
Wrong turn
It happens
Beware the bubble
Find the truth
Stanski
November 9, 2020 ^
I open my door and smell
the fresh breeze of fall.
It is so similar to spring when
we have so much to anticipate.
The autumn leaves are still colorful.
From red, yellow and green and
every color in between, I gasp at
the beauty which nature has given us.
We have a heavenly Father,
Who has given us these gifts.
As we look around, really searching,
we cha find example after example of
people who have been left out in the dark
and are depressed, suppressed,
hungry and thirsty. We thank God for
the wonderful day; He tells us to
take care of our brothers.
Some are at a loss at how to do this.
They don’t have to look far to
find those who need help.
It is up to us to be humble enough
to admit that we have excessive gifts
and then take these gifts and give
them away to those in need.
It is not about us. It is about them
and those who volunteer in agencies
that seek to provide what is needed
to those who need it.
Contributions of money may be sent
to organizations who use all of the money
to help those worldwide seeking shelter,
clothes, food, and water. We have heard
that this is our duty time and time again
and we by our own volition
should repeat out efforts often.
When you see a beautiful flower,
think of those in need and act.
It will make your day much brighter.
It will add to the beauty of the world.
Stanski
November 8,2020
It is funny to me now as
I sit alone in frustration
Over things of which
I have no control
I can’t sing out
Honey, grab your stuff and
To the coast we’ll go
Where my garden awaits me
And the songbirds sing
The gentle wind off
The majestic ocean and
The sun and the blue sky
Will shake me from this funk
Grab your stuff dear
We will disappear
It is our time of year to
Put aside this malarkey
Get down to real issues
Where no one will interfere
The place where we feel
That God is near and
Everything, no matter what
Will be fine beyond
Anything we can have here
Away we will go until the fall
I can almost hear the call
Of the church bell there
Won’t it be grand to be back
And leave all this behind
At least for a while
Reality gets in the way
We have been so lucky dear
But, I have to state clearly
I have not such a place to
Run off to so when I feel that way
I just stay here
Where God is always near
Stanski
November 7, 2020 ^
I sit with a blank mind
Close my eyes
Think
What is there to say?
I am not angry
There is so much to do
So much potential
I have heard all the excuses
Listened to the loud voices
Then waited
All blow; no go
Typical
Not my first rodeo
The big shots dance
Think it is romance
Never show up
With a fistful of cash
They talk the talk
Interfere with my walk
So dismissive
Of ideas
That are clearly good
Would benefit many
Cost them no money
But they know better
Would rather argue
Bring in a lawyer
To defend their position
Good things go undone
They are always the spoiler
What they like
Is telling others
What to do
Then want the credit
But never step up
Or roll up their sleeves
Then speak gently
About their ideas
And nothing gets done
Isn’t that just the way
The way to nowhere
Stanski
November 6, 2020 ^
Park by the river
Cool place to go
Small stream of water
Adds to your glow
Rocks out there
Causing rapids and
Putting on
Quite a show
You like the sound of water
The music is familiar
But never the same
Hypnotic causing
Wanderlust
Calming
Keeping you sane
The conflict of
Man and nature
Tension
Like a game of chess
The good, bad and ugly
Exciting
I must confess
Springtime
Finds the water
Overflowing its banks
Summertime
Shrinkage
Makes it difficult
To fish
Dam it in the winter
Making a skating pond
Fear, joy, confusion
We can carry on
Our friend
Our foe
We stop
It flows
Cool water
Stanski
November 5, 2020 ^
Steve Haarman 