Author: stevehaarman

The roar is there, but

No movement

Trees are still

No birds flying

Open waters are

Calm and silent

To the east are

Gray clouds and

Above these is

A streak of pink-orange-

Magenta which makes

Up for all the quiet

And insubordination

To nature in general

No animals running

No squabbling for food

Just the color and

The constant roar

It is always something

We are never satisfied

Things could get better

One day closer to spring

Bones are beginning to thaw

From the sub-zero temperature

We must consider ourselves lucky

Having food, water, and heat

And most of all, shelter

Too many do not have

These things necessary

For a halfway decent life

No laughing, skipping children

They are hungry

No smiles

They are sad

Do not understand

No one understands

So we just keep going

And that roar

That damn roar

It just keeps roaring

Stanski

January 28, 2022 ^

The church was empty

A sign on a wall read

There will be no service today

Because of the cold weather

It was nine below zero

You are welcome to enter

And pray it continued

I did and said to myself

I am here in your house

God the Father above all

Things; the son on my side and

The Holy Spirit within me

The concept of this is

Beyond my comprehension

I can only believe and trust

And keep living up to His values

Steve Haarman aka Stanski

January 27, 2022 ^

Nine degrees below zero

The wind is sharply blowing

Wind-chill index way down there

One said minus forty-seven

It hurts the face; will burn the skin

Punta Gorda, Florida had

Fifteen degrees above zero

Cities in Alaska were warmer

No one is complaining

Everyone trying to be careful

The autumn was long and beautiful

Winter’s beauty is just a little different

Both involve the sun and blue sky

The inland sea is partially frozen

About two football fields out and

Then open water waves around

Smashes into the ice and sends

Spin-drift about twenty feet high

One thinks of old faithful only

This is constant and you do not

Have to line up early to get a glimpse

Today the wind is strong and steady

The snow is blowing horizontally

When the sun breaks through the clouds

The glare is intense; ice crystals sparkle

Like diamonds and on open water

Give a strobe effect that is blinding

We know when fall is coming to an end

Trees are barren and leaves clutter

The landscape until they blow away

Or are raked up be someone industrious

The colors of fall are magnificent while

Winter can only for many shades of gray

Except at sunrise and sunset

Then the colors are phenomenal and

Could give fall a run for the money

There has been no January thaw this year

Maybe it will come in February

We have endured for five weeks

Only eight to go unless nature fools us

Stanski

January 27, 2022 ^

Every morning one looks out

And hopes to see the sunrise

It is a wonderful gift from nature

And stimulates a person to

Get moving and accomplish

Things not previously thought of

One proceeds and works diligently

Hoping to create a long list of things done

It doesn’t always work out that way

There is always the possibility of clouds and rain

This would be enough to set anyone’s plans back

When it happens you have to address it

With an attitude that says that tomorrow is another day

And when it comes it brings another opportunity

When you finish a job and it has been done well

You get a rush of adrenalin; you feel good

Some cannot manage to get along this way

They need to get their highs from drugs and alcohol

It is a foolish way to go and most will agree

I know, I know they will say but then

Continue down that road that takes you nowhere

Health eventually becomes an issue

What started out innocently enough becomes tragic

As the one who was so sure of himself dies

We hear and read about it every day and the

Number of deaths from drug over dose

Keeps growing and the families who must contend

With this are heartbroken and bewildered

They did all they possibly could, but

Still could not cause an impact on their loved one’s behavior

The need for drugs usually brings violence

Because money is needed and usually obtained

In a way where other people are injured or dead

We all wonder how to bring this cycle to an end

We do not want to worry all night about what morning brings

Stanski

January 26, 2022 ^

The year is rolling. 

Much snow. 

Time for meditation and growth. 

I am thankful for having taken

the time to think about all of the

blessings bestowed on me and

the responsibilities I have to give back. 

I have a self-declared duty to lead and

leading is difficult.  Everyone is not

thinking the way I do and sometimes

question the viability of giving. 

Before they give up on the idea,

they should try it and find for

themselves how rewarding it can be.

Amen.

Steve Haarman aka Stanski

Love one another

Do not hesitate

Waiting is a possibility, but

The time is now

Too many walk away and

With them regrets

They fail to achieve

Are burdened with debts

We have been told to

Love one another as

He has loved you

When we do this

Everyone will know

We are His forever

By Steve Haarman aka Stanski

January 25, 2022 ^

The morning looked sturdy

Dependable, one might say

What must be done now?

There is work and play

Messes must be cleared

Food to prepare

Flowers to transplant

New snow to consider

Although that is not rare

Garbage to remove

Birds must have their feed

Look for the culprit

Stealing the thistle seed

Boots to be polished

Books to arrange

Poems to catalog

Check on the laundry

Water the lower level plants

Vacuum wherever needed

Make up the beds

Scrub all the toilets

Clean the tub and sinks

Check the smoothness of the ice

On the outdoor skating rink

A trip to the fish market

Drop letters in the mail

Get batteries for the flashlight

At the grocery squash and kale

That should about do it

Oh, sweep off the porch

Dry the bathroom mats in

The furnace room as well as

The mittens and the hats

A nap at about four, then

Start thinking about dinner

Watch the news for an hour

I’d say we have a winner

Stanski

January 24, 2022 ^

Every possible act is not reserved for each individual. 

We all have special talents, many unidentified,

which are used to move the whole toward

accomplishing the work we must do as taught by Jesus. 

Many are called to plead to others to do the work

which has been reserved for them.  We pray as

we go forward, knowing our limitations. 

We are encouraged to keep taking the steps;

to become part of the light, and to avoid

association with darkness.  The evil one is always

present and we try to escape his luring.

We call on Jesus, Who will be our guide to goodness. 

We must engage in life – doing good works;

feeding the hungry; clothing the naked;

and giving water to the thirsty.

We must not turn our backs on these deeds. 

Help us master them and give us the strength to continue. 

Amen.

Steve Haarman aka Stanski

A FOGGY DAY

It snows today

Winds are cold

Gray is the color

Just the mood is blue

What have I done?

I keep asking

I’m a paranoid android

Marching in circles

Mush in my head

Gloom in my eyes

I search for my star

Look to the skies

When it rains it pours

Old words, new meanings

The nearness of you

A thing of the past

I hear the exit music

Yes, I cannot dance

My wait is patient

How long can I last?

The truth, the truth

Sometimes a new word

Then, I’m the light

That’s what I do

Preach forgiveness

Then release

I believed, now

I say, please!

Don’t think twice

It’s not alright

I’m in a London fog

Think I have hope

Nothing for granted

In this waiting game

Death by slow torture

Brings one no fame

Life will unfold

No one laughs last

Regret breaks the soul, and

There is no cast

Stanski

January 23, 2022 ^

Just a few weeks ago the end of 2021 was near

and a new beginning was upon us. 

We have much to do and many have

priorities mixed up in my opinion. 

Jesus said “Love God above all things

and your neighbor as yourself.” 

Spending money on ourselves as

a church group, updating the mass

and songbooks when the old were

still viable is self-serving.  The money

used could have fed the hungry and

provided water for the thirsty. 

We chose or were mandated

to choose the books. 

We did not empty ourselves

regardless of the reason.

If we are not empty it is difficult

to be filled up with God’s grace. 

How important is eternal life? 

To most it is everything. 

Even the thought of it is so beautiful

that it is hard to believe. 

This makes us doubting Thomases. 

The all-knowing Father has plans for

us regardless and we must be

open to them as we make our path

to eternal glory.  We can do with less

while allowing others to have more. 

This is what the Father wants.

Steve Haarman aka Stanski

January 23, 2022 ^