SANCTUARY PROVIDER

Stanski knew the hope and settling,
that new words can bring to
those whose lives have been disrupted

Disrupted by any number of offish things
Soft words of explanation then
Stronger for encouragement

He pondered over forgiveness so
one could move on in peace
knowing we all have failings

As well as limitations, but insisted by
all means possible don’t limit ourselves or
put up bars to make our own cages

Stanski has been there
He knows the truth and his wisdom
has always exceeded his years

Even as a child, some called him wonderful,
said he was an angel, who appeared at
the right time to help others unnerve,
so that they could continue

It was not easy for them,
but they had trust and let Stanski
bear some of their weight
until they were able to endure

He never fooled them or caused
insignificant toil, but was always straight forward
He knew of truth

He knew of love and love lost and broken heartedness
He would never confess this for it would
give cause to have an excuse and

Stanski wanted his students to
braid themselves with their own well understood truth
He did not feel clever or superior.

He knew his chore and spread his wings
when necessary to shelter and make
the down trodden secure

Stanski became a legend, but that was not his goal;
he knew the source of his talent and
would never play the part of a fool

His own days, too were numbered
No time to waste as his own soul was important,
thus his perpetual haste

Stanski
December 23, 2019 ^

IMAGINATION

Children see black birds
Beautiful black birds
Flying with ease

Up and over trees
Giving the subtle signal
Come and join me

Children think
Spread their wings
And to everyone’s surprise

They are spacing through leaves
And branches and
Then beyond; up in the sky

Where airplanes fly high
Around the moon they go
Their smiling faces glow

Can this be real?
They wonder; then see
lightning and hear thunder

Then back to the trees and
down to the ground, but
they haven’t been on the moon

Oh, they hear their mother’s call
they hear the black bird’s crow
wait, wait for us; until we grow

Then we’ll try again
it will be too late
the bluish black birds sing

You’ll be too old
won’t hear our ring
be busy working

Taking care and
by then you won’t care
but remember today

It was a wonder
A huge flight by
Boys made of clay

Jot it down, they crow
put all your words
in a lovely row

Read them often
so you won’t forget
you will have no regret

Watch for us
We’ll give you signals
Remind you to stay safe

Be alert as you go
We will play it straight
Just so you know

We’ll be watching you
Watching you flow
Smiling at your glow

Stanski
December 23, 2019 Y

FIDDLING

The city is burning
A sentry interrupts a party
to tell the General

Musicians keep playing
The soldier is thrown
into a dungeon

It is cool an dry,
guarded by a man
with one leg, who
sits on a stool

Both wait as
the General’s ego
expands into invincibility

But he is wrong
and will perish
with his vultures

The prisoner is
released by the guard
and the two walk down
a narrow corridor on

three legs finding
their way to safety and rest
They now dream of
sacred new beginnings

Where the erudite and
generals will serve in
a new manner

This is the way it was designed
The musicians will play on key
Life will be good
You’ll see

Stanski
December 23, 2019 ^

IMAGERY

I don’t know
what a dream is about
Something mundane and peaceful or
startling, causing a shout
Many possibilities
Like black cats flying
or dogs on unicycles
Maybe Van Gogh women sighing

Stay awake
Try to think
Keep moving forward
Dare not blink
Isn’t action better
than sleepy dreams
Why do deer freeze
in auto-light beams

Their lack of action
can bring sure death
Our lack of action
could cause wrath
People will wait
Give you a chance
Dreams or reality
You choose
It is your dance

Stanski
December 22, 2019 ^

WINNING

WAKE UP
NEVER TOO LATE
FIND THE JOY
PARTICIPATE

LIFE’S IMPORTANT
NOT ABOUT YOU
BUT RATHER ABOUT
WHAT YOU DO

DREAMS ARE SAFE
NOT ALL BAD
A WASTED LIFE
NOW THAT IS SAD

SO TAKE THE STEPS
ONE BY ONE
GOALS ARE REACHED
YOU HAVE WON

BY STEVE HAARMAN
December 22, 2019

WHAT COULD BE

I visit old friends who are right up there in age
And newer, younger people who can carry on
A conversation about the world in general, how
things are going and the condition of us as a
people. One thing in common is the disgust
they have for professional athletes who have
a disregard for the Flag of our Country. They
speak of friends they have lost in war and
cannot believe that these millionaires stoop
so low in showing their disrespect.

I stopped watching sports is a common statement
Who wants to watch all the carrying on and the
fancy dances after they score. Some of the better
coaches have said to act as if you have been their
before. In basketball the clowning and antics
take away from what once was a great sport to watch

The young and old are tired of the way morality has
been broken down in movies, television, books and
advertising. Affirmation is given to bad behavior
Politicians are guilty, judges are guilty as are
Teachers and clerics. Political correctness is said
to be a farce. Drug abuse and a disregard for
decency add to their frustration

I wish we could all adopt respect for each other
Learn to be tolerant and abide by the Golden Ruld

Stanski
December 21, 2019 ^

SPECKS IN TIME

The thoughts we have as we travel
from one place to another
each of which we can call home
and are comfortable while moving along

No apprehension, anxiety or nervousness
as we look, when we can, at
the beauty nature has given us

Sunshine flows into the woods and
the interior is plainly visible
Wonder is the only word

We as the present humans
have a high regard for ourselves
We wish to claim responsibility for
the spectacular

In reality we are nothing and
have been here for just a speck of time

I think of the pictured rocks in Munising, Michigan
They are somewhere, according to the experts,
between three and five hundred million years old

Hard to get your arms around this kind of time

The birth of the Savior was a little over
two thousand years ago and
we are aware of much of the history since then

If we lean toward being proud
there are some accomplishments
that are remarkable and noteworthy
such as the printing press, the cotton gin,
airplane, moon landing and much more,
but on the other side of the coin
there is much to be ashamed of including
slavery, genocide, needless wars and the taking of human life

I think of all of this as the car I am driving travels safely
down beautiful highways at a remarkable speed
We are important in what we do, but there is much to work on
As little specks we better begin

Stanski
December 20, 2019^

THOUGHTS YOU BRING

Today
Wake up early
thinking of you
Start the Sunday
moving slowly
The way you used to do
Watered plants
try to bring order
Then I think
what does it really matter?

It does mean something
Life does go on
You are not a physical part
anymore
but I’ll always have you
On my mind

Life was full
You made it that way
That was just you
What more can I say

I’ll move on
forever mindful
Life is precious
A real miracle

Stanski
December 20, 2019 ^

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR LOVE

Today is your birthday
An ominous day
No sunshine at all

And you were all sunshine
Even on cloudy days
Until the last day

We were laden with dark clouds
But you had seen the light
Only a few days before

You told your sister
The colors were gold, purple, and magenta
Just like you to have this vision

Us unmemorable humans
Can only imagine white light
You saw what was true

But then you were special
Had insight which illuminated
Caused others to stagger

You were the one
The leftover I found
You held on to me

We had our life
Mostly our togetherness was rosy
Lots of sunshine and understanding

I still sense you about
Even after nine years
Your idiosyncrasies were treasures

I will wind the music box
Listen to “Happy Birthday to You”
Then go and cry

Stanski
December 19, 2019 ^

REBUILDING

Different slants on the same truth
May cause confusion

Repetition alters no ideal
Perfection is to strive for through practice

We open up to new inspiration
Never knowing where to look or
when to expect the arrival

What we know is significant
Only in the sense of understanding
that growth is waiting

Drifting takes place while we linger
What we want is not being delivered

We look at the monument which is our self
It has been built with heavy stones

Tear this down and then rebuild
No easy task

Good growth requires hard work
No one can do it for us

Keep rebuilding until the monument of you
Is ready for enlightenment

Suddenly your gifts arrive
They were there before
But you were not ready

Now you are
Uphold this truth and your ideals

Stanski
December 19, 2019 ^