Steve Haarman

Waves refract the sunlight
One thinks of the strobe light 
Sun rays filter through the woods
The yellow maple leaves as dazzling as 
They dance in the mild breeze.  The cedar 
Barely move as the white pine serves as a
Wind break.  Beauty is astounding and the sound of
Nature’s music is a symphony
We are a month into autumn and the peak colors 
Are behind us.  Rain has been a factor, shortening
The season.  Tamaracks have not
Given up and are going through
Their stages of color change
People speak of a harsh winter
But it is easier to take things
One day at a time and look for
The beauty each day brings
Sometimes you have to look
And maybe it is a different
Kind of beauty, but it is there
For the taking.  Most of the campers
Have returned home for school
Soon the deer hunting army will
Be arriving.  Deer will be taken
But their instincts for survival
Are impressive.  Their lifespan
For the most part goes from
Bambi to yearling to the fender
Of a truck or car.  Others go on
For years before they are finally
Victims of an excited hunter
We have our traditions and repeat
Them every year. We know our own
But worldwide there are many 
We have never seen and have no
Idea of.  Life is too busy to explore
All of them so we stay content with
Only our own.  There are many things 
We have no idea of.  Nature abounds
With numerous mysteries and many
Exciting things to discover.  Meanwhile
We will enjoy today.

Stanski
October 19, 2021 ^

Frenchmen are ubiquitous
All over the place is what I mean
Not to be redundant
 
They usually have a quiet friend from the office accompanying them
When they stop by for a drink after work
The quiet guy gives affirmation to whatever the Frenchman should say
The Frenchman looks for this affirmation

We ran into them on St. Patrick’s Day

I don’t like exercise said the Frenchman
None whatsoever
My idea of exercise, he went on,
Is to sit up in the morning when you wake up
Throw back the covers
Swing the legs over the side of the bed
Drop them to the floor and stand up
That’s it he said

You must hate leap year, I said
He smiled at that one a few minutes later
His friend nodded his head, too
I didn’t know if they were slow
Or if I was talking to fast

His wife taught cooking, he said
I thought that was nice

I took down her name and website on a coaster
Then left it behind after we said goodbye

Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, too-ra-loo-ra-li


Stanski
October 18, 2021 ^

Frenchmen are ubiquitous
All over the place is what I mean
Not to be redundant
 
They usually have a quiet friend from the office accompanying them
When they stop by for a drink after work
The quiet guy gives affirmation to whatever the Frenchman should say
The Frenchman looks for this affirmation

We ran into them on St. Patrick’s Day

I don’t like exercise said the Frenchman
None whatsoever
My idea of exercise, he went on,
Is to sit up in the morning when you wake up
Throw back the covers
Swing the legs over the side of the bed
Drop them to the floor and stand up
That’s it he said

You must hate leap year, I said
He smiled at that one a few minutes later
His friend nodded his head, too
I didn’t know if they were slow
Or if I was talking to fast

His wife taught cooking, he said
I thought that was nice

I took down her name and website on a coaster
Then left it behind after we said goodbye

Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, too-ra-loo-ra-li


Stanski
October 18, 2021 ^

The focus is rightfully here
Many things we must do
A better community is what we want
Halloween pumpkins think that too
Most are carved smiling
A few with a concerned frown
There are a lot of nasties
Occurring outside this town

We have a right to do our thing
Most everyone would agree
So much more outside our reach, still
Problems from which we cannot flee
They are universal
Show on every continent
Collectively holding our breath
Waiting for another disastrous event

We all have our interests
Set our own human goals
Forgetting many times in the process
The worlds impoverished souls

We think about our focus
What would be best for us?
Where do we put our faith?
Where do we put our trust?

What are we to do?
Should we look for Him in every occurrence?
Hoping for what we cannot see, while
Waiting with patient endurance

That is one way of looking
He expects more you see
Solve the problems in front of us
The road to our victory

Stanski
October 8, 2017 ^

MEDITATION October 17, 2021
The truth be known, 
and how often is that?
There are many about us 
filled with doubt.
Hope and faith meanwhile 
drive other into deep belief.  
The unknown is troublesome
But Jesus spoke to us 
and showed us 
The way to His Kingdom.  
He performed miracles to 
lay proof to His remarks.
What more do we need?  Amen
Steve Haarman

It is so sad and still we remember
How the world stopped as we were
Shattered by terrorists who wished to
Destroy our spirit and success
A nation formed from nations all over the earth
We were different but the same and
Our country was loved by all even in
The midst of disagreements
Many lives were lost in vain
Many heroes were lost and many
Survived whose lives were forever changed
Why were we targeted?  There are many
Thoughts on this.  We came together as
A nation.  This closeness lasted for a while
But then the normal political feud presented
This was sadness, but ego and the need to control
Prevailed.  We forgot the heroes and went to 
Afghanistan to defeat the oppressors.  
We defeated the enemy and tried to rebuild
Their country.  You can only do so much
It is difficult to transform ways of life and
Ultimately you fail.  We lingered, went to war, 
Ill-advised, with Iraq.  We son and lost at the same time
We left citizens of Iraq confused and dismayed
Terrorists collected and formed the Islamic State of 
Iraq and Syria also known as ISIS.  Osama bin Laden
Was eventually killed even while the intentions of
The then administration was the demise of America
As we know it.  Events happen. Sad and sweet, sweet
And sad.  09/11/01 - Never forget

Steve Haarman
09/11/21

News travels fast
Awareness takes on 
Its own dimensions
Reaction stays the same
What should we do?
What can we do?
Answers are only guesses
We create our own cages
Find our security
Complain when we feel closed in
The answer is there
Don’t wait for the wind
Slow down the pace
Concentrate on that before you
Then you find solutions
Hands on and aware
No one can fault this
The fact that you care
Everything isn’t great
Doesn’t have to be
Simple things need tending to
Rewards come in satisfaction
Knowing you take part
Others before have walked away
Attendance to action is an art
You feel your peace
No banners waved
The quiet surrender to what is right
Keeps you uplifted and full
You see your own news
Things you can handle
Making a difference
Light from one candle
Graceful you become
A precious part of life

Stanski
October 16, 2021 ^

Who are the winners?
The losers?
Who can say?
Pick yourself up 
Get back on track
Have yourself a nice day
We are in a battle
Almost for survival
Forget about etiquette
You’re here to stay
Find your position
Nobody else will care
You are on your own
No time for despair
Been here before
In the thick of things
Looking for truth
Nothing seems to ring
There is the slang
The talking around
Just these one liners
Bring on the clowns
Feel like meat
Going for process
Assured it’s the best thing
Take on alarm
Listen to no one
Let instinct prevail
You know what is right
It comes in one color
Some try to shade it
Others declare 
There is room for shifting
Try not to stare
Disbelief can be uplifting
Take your position
Hold it up high
Others are looking
Victory is the cry
Arduous effort
No longer fun
Don’t let up
We have almost won

Stanski
October 15, 2021 ^

Looking out the window
I see the sunshine reflecting off
The long grass on the dunes
Lake water was like liquid silver
Beauty, I thought as I looked back to the dune
My heart jumped and reality returned
Somewhere in the dune were
The ashes of my bride and youngest son
What is this thing called life
A merry-go-round of emotions
The angels were lonely and stopped by
Leaving me lonely and in wonder

Stanski
October 27, 2019 ^

I walked the road.  Rain was in a sprinkle mode
I walked to my neighbors.   Most had left for home
After their annual reunion.  I walked back
Someone was going to pick me up
I waited and took time to wonder what my
World was coming to.  Many things to do and a
Body that was beginning to show its wear
Where will I go if my home sells?  Where will I
Find the peace that I would soon be leaving
All of my local work was for the honor and
Glory of God.  Most everything is in order, but
There is still much to do.  Somehow life unfolds
And all things falls into place

Stanski