Author: stevehaarman

 I feel like I am on a Greyhound Bus
 Don’t know where I’m going
 I’m all mixed up, and down
 I know things get better
 Bo Jangles says drink Tennessee Whiskey
 Then he dances away and
 Doesn’t tell me why
  
 I have to figure these things out
 I’ll have a little talk with Jesus
 He’ll help me find my way
 I’m not blaming anyone
 I know how to look in the mirror
 But I’ll tell him what is going on
 Maybe things will be alright
  
 I woke up this morning and
 Looked out at 24 inches of snow
 Life for me seemed over
 How could I possibly handle this?
 I am not a loser, but this is hell
 Except it’s a whole lot colder
 I hope my Friend is with me
  
 My bus is going in circles
 No way to stop it seems
 I’m not putting the fault on anyone
 I should be big enough to
 Step up to the plate, but
 Every time I look out the window
 That snow seem deeper and heavy
  
 Someday my day will come
 I will rise to the occasion
 For now the bus seems the answer
 My seat is not all that comfortable
 And there is no room to lay down
 I hope I’ll find my destination
 But really, I’m not ready yet
  
 Stanski
 December 2, 2019 ^
  
   

  
  
 The artists are coming
 Hope they like split-pea soup
 We vacuum the floor
 Scrape up the goop
 Mighty nice folks
 Styles all their own
 Believe in themselves
 Like to be shown
  
 We will show them
 The least we can do
 They know our world
 And trust in us, too
 We have their work
 All over the place
 And the wonder
 How it is that we would grace
 Our wall with their art
  
 We were inspired by what
 They do.  It fits into our scheme
 Like a monkey belongs in a zoo
 They are impressed and take
 The time to look at every thing
 That will be fine.  They leave
 In a day or so and promise
 They will come back for more
 I think they liked the soup
  
  
 Stanski 
 December 2, 2019 ^ 

 The funeral party was small
 Only a few who scattered
 In different directions
 After the cemetery service
  
 This was usual in the Dakotas
 Rural areas with few farmers left
 They were broken people
 Afraid to leave for now
  
 So they stayed with hopes 
 For next the year
 And prayers for a mild winter
 Spring came and plowing began
  
 Fragrance from the earth was good
 Spirits were high, but things went wrong
 Drought put an end to wishes
 A funeral atmosphere without a body
  
 These were the planes; arid soil
 And desolation; isolation
 No more springs for this broken family
 Another house on the prairie doomed
  
 Time went on; newcomers arrived
 New times; machines; irrigation
 There would be success along with failure
 Life would unfold for better or worse
  
 Stanski
 November 22, 2019 ^ 

  
 What you should do and what you do 
 May not even make a difference
 What you mean and
 Where your heart is 
 Is what really counts
 Do you live by others expectations?
 Are you driven to conform to a structure?
 Structure can inhibit your creative spirit
 Taking away your ability to salute or 
 Respect in your own original way.
  
 Throw out these shackles and
 Be true to yourself and your God
 Nothing matters more than your being and
 Your honest expression
 When you have this 
 You have everything you need
 For your complete contentment
  
 Creative processes will flow like spring waters
 To drift away from this idealism is to reject
 The true spirit of your life and living
 Structure means nothing 
 When compared to integrity
  
 Using talents at the highest levels of ability
 Adds luster to your body of work 
 This will manifest your gratitude
 For all your gifts 
 Including the gift of life 
 Do what you do
 Be gracious
 Take your bow
  
  
 Stanski
 December 2, 2019 ^ 

 
 
 I like to weed and need to, too, 
 but now is not the season;
 I like to read and read good books 
 and for this I have a reason.
 Just water these plants;
 Mop up the floors; 
 do you think it’s time?
 The bigger thoughts, 
 the big ideas,
 They may have to wait.
 Right now is the moment 
 for thinking it through
 
 It’s the time to write down a plan.
 I’m going to work on this for quite a while;
 So I can find out who I really am.
 I hope I can!  I hope I can!
 Right now I feel like an air borne bird,
 Not knowing where to land.
 I’m not looking for an easy path,
 But for the road to home
 I’ll be alright when I get there
 And will no longer have to roam.
 The feeling is there; I have it now:
 The music, the sun and the moon;
 And the sweet moan of ecstasy.
  Stanski
  December2, 2019 ^
                                                                                                                                                                                           
  
   

  
 You have heard the call
 The troubling call to make the choice
 Unplug or carry on
 The brain is dead 
 You feel that way, too
 But, yet, it’s up to you
 Shoes are on your feet
 Life is not so neat
 You make the call, “unplug”
 The final call, “unplug”
  
 We, so smug, can tell you
 You were right or wrong
 While not looking at ourselves
 As we make similar calls
 To a lesser degree of course
 But impactful and final
 At least for today
 We say no to opportunity
 Sorry, I can’t help
 Now is not the time.  
 Sorry!
 It will have to wait
 We don’t have the time
 We don’t have the money
 It’s not convenient
  
 No eye contact made
 The minor unplugging
 The taking away
 The breaking down
 Denial!
 Death by a thousand cuts
 Oh, yes!
 We all know this guilt
 Pull the plug
  
 Stanski
 December 2, 2019 ^ 

  
 Every clue is not a lead, 
 but it slows us down enough 
 to take a pause and look 
 at what we have.                                           
 Too often we amble forward, 
 not even looking, and later 
 wonder how did we get 
 this far and when.  
      
 We look back to when 
 there was a future, but 
 were too busy to 
 give it much thought, 
 and then arrive at where 
 we are and wonder, again, 
 how did we get to here.

 We have regrets and recapitulations 
 as well as self examination and 
 new resolves, assuming 
 there had been resolve once before.  
 We are wondering about 
 what could have been, 
 but soon get back to what is 
 and try to make peace with ourselves 
 between our ambitions and our limitations.  

 This is not bad and not necessarily good.  
 It is a start and fresh starts 
 always have promise.  
 We can hang our hat on that and 
 begin to move forward with 
 new goals and new ambitions.

 Where we want to go may be 
 a long way off and detours 
 are to be expected.  Purpose, 
 though, trumps most obstacles 
 and watching for trail markers 
 and other clues can be a good thing.  

 There are no guarantees but 
 desire for success may be 
 a strong motivator.  Highs 
 can be obtained from accomplishment. 
 Tomorrow is a new beginning 
 and new opportunity.  

 New highs are a potential.  
 Live in the present with 
 an eye on the future, while 
 knowing at the end of the day 
 that tomorrow is waiting 
 and with it new clues and new markers. 
 
 Light the candles and 
 listen to the music.
 
 Stanski
 December 1, 2019 ^

 Many people do things
 To them it is the greatest
 Others view – not so much
 What do you do?
  
 You are the one
 There is no other
 Your notions are right for you
 Others be damned
  
 No one can live for you
 Or walk in your shoes 
 Only you knows yourself
 Your beliefs and motives
  
 Instincts and intuition prevail 
 Drive you to failure or victory
 Never give up; flee from self-doubt
 There is no wrong for you
  
 No need to prove for others
 Believe in yourself
 Compliment others
 Self-reliance is a noble quality
  
 We all have today
 You live it well and
 When tomorrow arrives
 Do it all over again
  
 Stanski
 December 1, 2019 ^
   

 Grand Rapids Chicks in town to
 Play the Fort Wayne Daisies
 I was in Fort Wayne visiting
 My Grandma and Grandpa 
 On Wabash Avenue 
  
 I would walk to the game
 Three blocks to the park
 Took the short cut along
 The railroad tracks, which
 Smelled richly of creosote 
  
 The game was great
 Just being there was a delight
 The league broke up years ago
 Many still remember the lady ballplayers
  
  
 Went horseback riding at the Burton Stable 
 My horse “Buster” was easy to handle
 Until he decided it was feeding time
 He got into a gallop all the way back
 No matter what I did was to no avail
 He was determined and won out
 The area is all residential now, so
 All I have is the memories
  
  
 In Chicago, the Herald Carriers, who
 Sold enough subscriptions to qualify
 Watched the Cubs play at Wrigley Field
 Then went to Six Flags Park for a few hours
 I enjoyed the parachute drop, but
 Was glad to get back on solid ground
  
 Good memories from days gone by
  
 Stanski
 December 1, 2019 ^
   

  
 It’s three in the morning
 No one up but me
 I’m not alone though
 At least not in my mind
 Peaceful and content
 I think about the day past
 And the one almost at hand
 Savoring all the goodness I find
 While looking forward to more
  
 Don’t overlook the struggles
 That’s part of life, too
 No music is playing
 Quiet is all right for now
 The clock speaking tick tock
 Admonishes me
 Get to bed; get your rest
 When you’re refreshed, you’re at your best
  
 All so true, but then
 I would miss this opportunity
 For quiet and thought
 Plants grow and live alone
 They do all right and seem content
 I talk to them and learn, too
  
 No one knows what’s best for you
 Or cares, really, what you do
 We all have a program
 If you’re willing to pay
 You can have your name on it
 Coffee will still cost 
 Two dollars a cup
 Refills free
  
 Stanski
 December1, 2019 ^