Steve Haarman

There was a time when, is 
a phrase heard every now and again.  
People are sentimental, have memories and 
nostalgia for things in the past.  
Time has a way of painting the scenarios in 
a beautiful, if not lonely way.  
The Grandma Moses greens and yellows, 
along with the weathered-fence-post grays 
all come into play as you express how 
there was something that went on before now, 
something big and you were a part of it.  
Now it is gone and will probably not return.  
The memory will not be betrayed, but 
there were a few truths occur 
then which could speak of that time 
in terms not so rosy.  
It is not so much denial, but 
rather a yearning for the 
peacefulness one remembers.  
This is never to be taken lightly.  
We all look to be filled up 
with contentment and satisfaction.  
Actions are required to achieve the feeling.  
Knowledge of what is good 
must be accompanied with 
plans for the journey.  
Intentions remain dreams 
with no forward motion 
if steps are not taken.  
When desire is great we begin.
Soon that will be the time when ---

Stanski
June 7, 2021 ^

OVER THE YEARS
I have been mistreated
Been black and blue
Cursed and slandered
Abused by the cruel
But I never stopped
I knew what was right
Kept taking the steps
Avoided the fight
It is a rough world
We are all sinners
I ask for forgiveness
Bragging is for beginners
There is work to do
And always has been
It is there on the fringes
Where you will find friends
They need your help
You are accepted
Trust is wonderful
Joy is reflective
My wounds have healed
I do not look back
There would be nothing to see
Of those who gave you no slack
I know the Truth
I believe in the Light
Do my best to follow Him
Keep Him in my sight
He is the Prince
I am the pauper
I can hear His call
Come to My supper
I will be there
At His right hand
On the streets paved with gold
It will be beyond grand

Stanski
June 6, 2021 ^

THE DIFFICULT ROAD
The road will wear you down
Other’s expectations have you tired 
Your lovely smile turns into a frown
The desire to succeed has its clout
One thinks about giving
How much can you give?
Sometimes you give everything, but
It is lost like water in a sieve 

One looks inward – inward for strength
Thinks deeply about life – life is not a disease
What is it one thinks that brings us to our knees?
Success comes from sunshine – an answer if you please
Now is just the beginning although five months have past
The beginning of the last seven – a gift from heaven
Look about at nature; listen for the sounds
Find everything you’re looking for; everything you’re craving

Look for the spark that gives you energy
Think you can find it?  It is such a mystery
Go to the shore; climb the mountain side
Listen to the echoes of a distant stampede
Do not rest too long – the rent must be paid
Whittle your way through the forest; use a sharp blade
Give back all your excuses before you dig your grave
You have done the deed; many thanks from those you saved

Stanski
June 1, 2021 ^

YOU ARE GRINDING WHO?
Your arm is busy grinding
But there is no one minding
As they’re out there lining
Up waiting to be served

They love the sausage
You are preparing with sage
And other spices, all the rage
Passerby’s think it’s all absurd

What they have in mind is the grill
Full of burgers flavored with dill
On weekends they go through the drill
As though this was the final word

They wave to a neighbor who’s drooling
Ask him how he is doing
The neighbor asks what’s brewing
Must think you’re a coo-coo bird

Look he stands there excited
As though he were almost invited
Thinks, it’s an amazing plan contrived
Expects a fastball, but gets a curve

Another neighbor is unwinding
Thinks about the silver lining
The wonder of his neighbor’s dinning
On the sausage that he had been grinding

No one asks the source of the meat
Could it be the funeral home up the street?
Some say the director raises sheep
Is it the spices that make it distinct?

People come from near and far
Sometimes they wait in the bar
Listen for a reputation to be marred
The bartender lets out not a peep

This is all about getting you thinking
About transactions accompanied by winking
In a back room at a table with drinking
Money exchanged without any blinking

A.H.McKricken   aka Stanski
October 9, 2016 ^

THE EMPTY CHAIR
One looks around
Searches for a face
Comes up empty, sorrowfully
That one prays for grace
Lifts eyes upward to heaven
Asks God – please God
That chair that’s empty
Please give us a happy reason
Sometimes there is one
But more times the answer is sad
Why did it happen, Lord
How did we lose this hero?
There is more than one empty chair
Heroes are lost many without care
Police are killed – sometimes with cheer
Families losing their providers is not fair
We her the call –
De-fund the Police
Re-imagine our protection
A few rotten apples
Hysterical results
We witnessed the peaceful demonstrations
And watch the crime rates soar
Our heroes bludgeoned to death
Giving us another empty chair
The open border flooded with people
Coming from who knows where
Committing terror, human traffic and murder
Leaving us too many empty chairs

Stanski
May 30, 2021 ^

No one knows
Because it doesn’t show
And givers don’t wave flags
They do what they do
Never ask questions
Just act and walk away
You hear the one who bloviates
Are not especially charmed
Still see results of someone
Who came and did the deed
No bells will be ringing
But still your hear music
The magic of self-sacrifice
Keeps our inner selves singing
It for us to send a tribute
Never allowed to mention names
We stand only to give the salute
To those who seek no fame
Some are without limbs
Some without sight
They chose to serve
Did not walk away
We must show them gratitude
For they were willing to help
Even to the extent of losing their lives
They left their homes and never returned
Our hearts bend and ache for these heroes
From their example we must learn
What they faced and did is our concern
All races, religions, and nationalities
A symbiotic legion and brotherhood
Oh, to thank them in person if only we could
But we must respect them in our own way
God shows us how to come together
And give until it feels good
To help our sisters and our brothers
They will not be forgotten
We will learn to step up
Give what we can and do it silently with
No desire to take praise away from them

Stanski
May 5, 2021 ^

When the imagination
Takes over the truth 
You find yourself in 
A balancing act
Make up will
Overcome stage fright
The applause you hear
Will be for you and
Shared gallantly 
With your fellow thespians
The world is waiting
Wondering what took so long
Adrenalinized euphoria takes hold
You are the talk of the town
Fly you to the moon and
Let you play among the stars
Enlighten them and return
Ticker-tape parades in open cars
Bodyguards and henchmen
Interviews with the press
Wardrobe executives
Now the family is in the way
What should you do with relatives?
Dreamland is fun
Too bad it’s not real, but
Reality can be cold and harsh
Having little or no appeal
Everything encountered
Will have ups and downs
From political leaders to
The circus clowns
Find peace and joy in what you do
The safest way to go
Hopes and dreams disappear
You wonder quietly, why the fear

Stanski 
May 31, 2021 ^

I heard the horn, soft and blue
Then the strum of a bass guitar 
A piano man tinkled the ivory
Lights were low and dreamy
The dinner had been light
Steak, salad, a glass of red wine:
Shiraz from Australia
My love had the same
Now we were listening, while
Sipping on warm cognac 
I wondered how I deserved this
Thinking of all the complexities

The many involved with the meal
Travel arrangements of the musicians
Selection of the wines and liquors
Decisions leading to the ambience of the room
Nothing is as simple as it might look
I had admiration for how it came together
Meanwhile the small band played
A lady appeared and sang a few numbers
Songs that melt the heart 
I was with the one I love
Life is not always easy, but so far
It had not let me down

This was a great reward
Even though it had a price
I remember difficult times 
The courage it took to make it through
I thought of others who had helped along the way
Wondered for a while where they might be
Some I knew were gone
I regretted having lost touch with them
The equations of life are mystical
It unfolds in ways we never imagined
We live one day at a time and
This day will not be forgotten

Stanski
November 5, 2017 ^

Where do we look
When there is no cure
And our hearts ache
Like never before
You can talk to angels
Write love songs
Think about Jesus
On the hill of Calvary, but
You walk away with
A hole in your heart
Still looking every way
There is no cure, so
You do your best
Keep taking steps never
Stopping to rest and
You look for joy in every
Moment and feel you
Have it over the rest,
But this is no contest
No winner take all
And no matter what
Cards you hold you know
Your day is coming
When they lay you down 
To rest.  The looking is 
Over as is the writing
And the singing and then
You know this is the cure

Stanski
May 6, 2021 ^