Steve Haarman

Our first cousin reunion two years ago was a lovely gathering.  
Many had not seen some of the others for years.  
We planned to do it again but the CCP and 
Comrade Anthony Napoleon Fauci got in the way.
We went one, no two, no three, but will plan on 
would be number four in 2022.  
Where it will take place has not been decided.  
Lake Michigan in the Upper Peninsula is a beautiful place, 
but a great distance for many, 
although I traveled from here to Tennessee for the first.  
Getting together was almost like meeting 
new people for the first time.  
Life has a way of interfering with good intentions.  
Jobs, marriages, children, illnesses, timing and
 other factors get in the way.  Death, also, 
takes a loved one and removes precious possibilities. 
In real life it is much the same.  
We have friends and acquaintances whom we cherish 
and plan to get together with, but things get in the way.  
There is no need to get down on oneself as so many other 
glorious things remain in our midst.  
The raising of children and then grandchildren and 
great-grandchildren are all episodes of life that should fill us.  
Our work, our hobbies, and many other obligations 
take our time but also reward us.  Nearing October, 
I look out and see our beautiful inland sea throwing 
waves on the shore rhythmically as in a song.  
Sunshine filters through the cedar trees; 
the fragrance of nature is immense and the 
birds continue with their singing and 
chipmunks search and quarrel for food.  
Although not perfect, life can be wonderful 
especially when we remember that the 
Hand of God plays an important role in all that we do.

Stanski
September 25, 2021 ^

Train peals in the distance 
Sing their song to me and
I fall to sleep in peace
I wake in the early morning
Waves crash the shoreline
In a drummer’s rhythm
Just count the beats
Morning sun bleeds through
The cedar trees into
My bedroom window
I feel the warmth and comfort
The sky is light blue with white clouds
Fragrance is uplifting and
I know Mother Nature and
Our Heavenly Father are going 
To be kind to us today
Do I have any complaints?
Yes, but they are dwarfed 
By the real problems in 
Our chaotic world
I feel and pray for the Haitians
Suffering under a dictator and
Torn apart by storms and hurricanes 
By enlarge they are peaceful people
Who, although suffering, have
A deep faith in the power of Jesus
It is humbling to read their stories
Our border, mostly under control
Eight months ago is now a mess
Those trying to enforce the laws
Are criticized by our leaders
We appeal to the Saudis for oil
The white caps roll in
The flowers are beautiful and
Birds keep singing their songs
There is a certain order and
We may be lucky enough to find it
We should strive to work together
To be the best planet in the universe
Instead of the foolish war-mongering
Idiots that history is recording

Stanski
September 25, 2021 ^

How can we wonder about
The future with so many
Unsavory characters in the picture
From all walks of life?
It should be an uncomplicated path
But too many are looking for 
That shortcut to success which
Includes control over others and 
Shortcomings of responsibility in
The deeds which would benefit all
We live in a generally corrupt society
With so many ready to wave their
Own flag with insistence that their
Man or women is the one to follow
I think that that is folly, especially
When you look at the Occupant or
Governors following socialist policies
I have no problem with respect
But when I am disrespected for 
The truth I present and preach
I feel bad not for myself but
For the country which has had
To endure the results of the
Present administration and the sycophants
Who fall in line and try to point out
The failings of the last president,
Who, in spite of constant hearings and 
Investigations as well as impeachments, from
Which he was exonerated, led our 
Country to a prosperity never thought possible
They now see or should see how
Short sighted they were and now
They, as well as the courageous us,
Prepare to pay for the terrible decisions
Now being made by those in power
Our country is in a mess; from the border fiasco 
to foreign policy and energy independence and
Trillion dollar decisions which will destroy us
My friends, make your choice,
Swampers or Deplorables;
Marxist Socialism or Free Enterprise Capitalists 
The country is in your hands
I wonder which way you will go

Stanski  
September 25, 2021 ^

 
The sunlight hits the waves 
A strobe affect is the result
You must look away because
This is a beauty of nature
That one can only take
In small measures
Today it is happening and
I think of other beautiful things
My heart is a little heavy
As my children have had to leave
After a week long visit
One goes from that uplifting feeling
To a low of slight depression
We all know that life goes on
But that beautiful gift has left
And I am left alone in
My own poetic sense 
They are still out there and
Just a phone call away
We know there is inevitably 
There will be rain on a parade
The storm will pass and soon
Little miracles appear and
The soul responds with gratitude
There are many of these miracles
Do they always or ever cross our minds?
Do we miss out on the joys of life?
Do we miss them because 
We are not looking or even aware
That these wonders exist?
On a cold snarly bone-chilling day
There is beauty -- just a different kind
So a week long gift of presence is gone
The memories are ingrained sufficiently
It will soon be time to shake off the blues
Life will continue to unfold and soon
Someone new will come along 
The emptiness will be filled
The heartache will be soothed
The strobe affect will be gone
But still saying good-bye will always
Be or seem to be a hard word to say

Stanski
September 24, 2021^

 
None of us are free
If one of us are in chains
This flies over the heads of many
But the truth herein cannot be denied
We are doing well; nothing is bad
We have worked and earned
Feel like sitting; enjoying our reward
But we cannot get comfortable
The pebbles in our shoes bother us
These are called scruples and 
It is good to have them;
You might call this possession a gift
Because we will not sit down and
Ignore what must be done
We cannot sit in comfort while
Any of our brothers are suffering
Many believe and live accordingly
Many are waiting, although 
They do not know it now, for us
To come and share the news and
Explain the need to become a follower
A big point in life; any life; and all lives
The mandate is a precept given to us
By the one who is the light
We remain feeble in our efforts and
Resort to the only thing we know
And that is prayer to the master so
That He will find for us that crack
Which will let the light shine in and
Open up our brothers and sisters
To what is important in life
We must give back in many and every way
Not until it hurts, but until it feels good
Lean on us, we will cry out, and 
It will not be long before you walk on your own
We can follow that man; together we will go
We will be amazed as we are filled with grace by
The one who walked on water
Soon it will seem that there are no chains
This is a good feeling, but we determine
To travel to the fringes and continue
We will know when the last chain falls

Stanski
September 23, 2021 ^

The old man sucking 
Idly at his cane looked up
Life, he said, is the four seasons
If you see them, then
You have seen life
There are more components
He added and went on
Beauty, service to others
Thinking of others first
Harboring no hatred
Following the rules
Belief in your creator and
Being His follower
This is life
Do not leave
Anyone in confusion 
Be willing to forgive
Remain full of hope
Always ready to serve
This is life
It may not be easy
But the journey is worth it
There will be a time
When you can do no more
Lord have mercy
May my life have 
Lived up to all expectations
If not I ask for forgiveness
Eternity is forever
The old man went
Back to his cane
Muttering:  Yes,
This is life

Stanski
September 22, 2021 ^

All of the excuses 
Remain excuses
Until opportunity
Presents itself
Then success exudes
Happiness prevails
Prior expectations
Of those who provided
Are cast aside
And the assumption of
A major give back
To others found 
In the same condition
That they formerly were
Deteriorates into sadness
As human nature takes over
The successful seem less inclined
To give back in solemnity as
A huge thank you to those
Who lifted them from the fringes
It is possibly understandable 
As we know that humans get
Caught up in their own flourishment
In a way it is sad to see
Because we all need each other
The escape from the rat race
Does not preclude the return
Some refuse and are forever gone
Never to return and there
Are those who remember them
And lay claim to importance
Because they once did know them
When they were nothing
And maybe retrospectively
The losers are encouraged to
Jump into the race and
Try for success themselves
A minor miracle that all
Can attach themselves to

Stanski
September 21, 2021 ^

The sky was awesome
Looking up through 
The Birch tree leaves
Blue and cloudless
With the fragrance
And the sounds of nature
One felt a relief from
The chaos of the world
Deep faith was renewed
Unbelievable ecstasy 
No longing for tomorrow
This was today and a gift
There would be time 
For problem solving later
Now we were on a joy run
But the inner feelings
Could not forget 
The downtrodden and
Homeless and hungry
We have so much to be
Thankful for and much to 
Give back to others
This is the task at hand
Outlined by the teachings
We believe in and what
We want to be involved in
It is not an easy task and
Unfortunately is ever present
We have the means and
The desire to follow the One
No one said it would be easy
No one said the sky would
Be so magnificently blue
It was given to us and
Now we prepare ourselves
To give back to the fullest
Of our abilities; sacrifice
May be necessary, but
Haven’t others given of
Themselves for us?
We are blessed people
Not we must pay it forward

Stanski
September 20, 2021 ^

A crack is sometimes needed 
For that is how
The light comes in 
Do we make the cracks?
Let us not worry
About that answer
As long as we receive the Light
We will be on firm ground
Everything will not always
Go the way we had thought
But that is the miracle of
Subjecting yourself to the
Wisdom and planning of 
The One higher than you
Your life if full and running over
This is an awesome reward
Unheard of in some societies
Or group think in another parallel
We keep moving forward and
Have intent on doing what is right
Mysterious bodies get in the way
We have the strength to fight
In a civil way to show the way
And those who choose to listen
Are the ones filled with delight
We are brave souls and will not
Linger in discussion with disbelievers
They will never listen and are liars
What do we make of it all?
We received before the great fall
There are no idols in our way
A game we have no intention to play
We wake up and are thankful
Then consider what lies before us
Assume our duties and progress
Satisfaction is our reward but
Quiet acceptance is not absurd
In fact it is the modest way
And grateful are we who 
Have this marvelous say
We know the way and it is good
We have done exactly what we should
The Light has brought us home

Stanski
September 19, 2021 ^

 
They came; they came
Oh Pioneers
They came, engaged
Conquered, and enslaved
Freed; grieved and believed
Moved westward
Were ensnared
Camped and shared
Were exposed, but
The nation grows
Eventually from 
The east to west
Wounded or killed
Survived all dread
Prayed for the
Hand of God
Part of the history
Is still a mystery
Fighting over land
A part of our freedom
From tyranny to this
The abyss, but bridges
Were built; courage it took
And never to look
Back and flee, for
This was earned 
By toil and sweat
Animals and farmland
No sure bet
Losses and survival
A combination like
Life and death
The old got older
And the young did the same
But this was theirs
They had no shame
Took their loss
In flood or flame
Started over; kept moving
Pride overflowed; they glowed
O pioneers

Stanski
September 18, 2021 ^