The game is played
Who is to question?
If it was said
It must be true
We were told
No one asks
By whom
The straw man
Would be the answer
A typical non-answer
Otherwise known as a lie
Big oil is bad
Wonderful anthem
No one reports
How many own stock
Or the number employed
The taxes paid
Percentage of GNP
No, they are just bad
The straw man speaks
The story goes on
Believers believe
Games are played
We all are the losers
Stanski
December 4, 2020 ^
The artist looks at a blank canvas
Not sure what he is going to do
Mixes a few of his oils
Looks at his palate for clues
Dabbles a streak; it looks like an arroyo
Visualizes the banks and goes to work
Sage, shrubs begin to fill in
Rocks, Junipers and an awesome sky
Now the work around and the accents
A little time with deliberate strokes
Adjustments and modifications
A master piece by the way it looks
One wonders about the mind of the artist
Many of whom wish to be a master
How much work and creativity
Should they go slow or faster
Many just have the touch
The feel for what to do
Yet the blank canvas endures
Whatever; who has a clue?
Stanski
December 2, 2020 ^
VICTORY OR VANQUISHED
Don’t tell me you don’t hear the music
Or that you don’t understand
You may not know the notes
You may not even be a fan
But let me tell you friend
Stay in line, this is a parade
We are the good; we’re fighting evil
Hold on to this hand-grenade
You always were a soft one
But now we’re dancing in real time
Those sharp knives will cut your dangles off
Now don’t tell me you’re feeling fine
This isn’t the Salvation Army
We’re fighting against corruption
If the enemy overtakes us
There will be no resuscitation
All you’ve heard is talk, brother
But now you are up against action
We have been out-gunned by the immoral
The fight is now abut retraction
Lady Justice wears a blindfold
The obedient wear a mask
The opportunity presented for tinkering
To correct this cheating is our task
Corruption is a nasty label
But what about Capitalism
Pray the courts will follow the Constitution
And save us from evil socialism
Stanski
December 1, 2020
Does everyone know?
We only have a few days
Actually about two months
To look into Medicare
Check out our benefits
What we are entitled to
Rides to the doctors
Prescriptions, eye glasses
Oxygen, hearing-aids
Food and supplies
And oh, so much more
Just a few days left
You might be entitled
To 144 dollars every month
Find out if you qualify
It’s worth looking into
Wheel-chairs or crutches
Be sure you get all
That you deserve
Taxpayers are happy providers
You just call and stake your claim
Then you are off
Like the “Easy Riders”
Time is running out
Act now, don’t hesitate
Get all fixed up and ready
Well prepared for the Golden Gate
I guarantee it!
Stanski
November 30, 2020 ^
Does everyone know?
We only have a few days
Actually about two months
To look into Medicare
Check out our benefits
What we are entitled to
Rides to the doctors
Prescriptions, eye glasses
Oxygen, hearing-aids
Food and supplies
And oh, so much more
Just a few days left
You might be entitled
To 144 dollars every month
Find out if you qualify
It’s worth looking into
Wheel-chairs or crutches
Be sure you get all
That you deserve
Taxpayers are happy providers
You just call and stake your claim
Then you are off
Like the “Easy Riders”
Time is running out
Act now, don’t hesitate
Get all fixed up and ready
Well prepared for the Golden Gate
I guarantee it!
Stanski
November 30, 2020 ^
Dear friends, it’s been a day
Thanksgiving, my favorite
I am at home but feel
Somehow like I am away
With the Chinese Virus,
Just to give Covid-19 a name
Liberty is at risk
Things may never be the same
Little dictators with their fiats
Closing mom and pop stores
Letting Walmart stay open
But limiting what you can buy
They close restaurants and bars
Putting people out of work
Close down places of worship
Planned Parenthood deemed essential
The lock down is terrible
Causing more deaths than the virus
Suicide, depression, no doctor visits
Everyone is under unnecessary stress
Wear a mask, don’t wear a mask
We are hit with uncertainty
But control is the thing and it is invoked
At every opportunity
This will all end, dear friends
One way or another
When dictators run for office
We will advise them not to bother
We can do much better
Out people are suffering
But that is the point
They are getting it done
Defunding the police
Allowing terror in the streets
There will be the day when
They learn that crime does not pay
Happy Thanksgiving
Stanski
November 27, 2020 ^
What brings peace to a soul?
Working through the day so bravely
What could possibly be his goal?
Maybe to get home safely
The work is steady and true
You know he has a clue
Wakes up early every day
Has coffee and packs his lunch
He only has so much pay
He knows the meaning of crunch
Some say that he’s an angel
And doesn’t have an angle
When can he take a break?
If there is no relief
What can we do for his sake?
To ease him of his grief
Never has asked for much
Will have to have the right touch
Will he ever open to others
He really needs to lie down
Give him lots of covers
Tell him he’s the toast of the town
Many want to salute him
Even when things look dim
What brings the peace?
We want to know
Some say miracles never cease
Some look for cosmic glow
He plans ahead for tomorrow
At ease with his load of sorrow
He hears bells when they ring
Is aware of every hour
Shares the songs he will sing
Never seems to be sour
Has faith in his God
A man is he from the sod
Stanski
November 28, 2020^
SEVEN FIVES
Rain falling gently
Drops from roof
Taps on ground
As though
Morse-code were still the rage
The rage is digital
The clicking taps
Are like rain
Hand-held
Reign supreme among youth
Youth are gentle
In their own way
Like rain on
A sunny day they
Get in the way of our progress
Progression is slow
In one dimension
Many drops of water
In a short time
May lead to flooding on the street
Street cleaning
Fun to watch
Water sprayed
So forcefully
Then swept up by oversize brush
Brush my shoes
To a shine
On a corner stand
Looking grand
Six dollars plus a tip will make it ten
Ten minutes to go
Plenty of time
Beginning to rain
After the shine
Everything I’m sure will work out fine
Stanski
November 27, 2020
FALLEN
We break
Are broken
Left wondering
What do we do?
Where do we go?
Why are we helpless?
When will tomorrow come
With deliverance from this despair?
What about faith?
Where do we find hope?
Why is there no understanding?
When will the morning light appear?
We are known and hear angelic singing
The storm is passing over
Praise be to God
Answers came
We are reassured
And learn how to bend
In all manner of storms
Have resiliency
Endure difficulties
Renew faith, hope and understanding
Be one with truth
Guide others
Persevere with
Thanksgiving
Stanski
November 26, 2020
Broken and wounded
Wondering why
Heartache has to remain
When all we do is try to heal
Anger remains
Even though
Prayers for release are prayed
And all we seek is to
Make it through the day
We aware of His mercies
Bring Him into our heart
He would tell us
A good start
Empty yourself
Lighten your load
I give you all the power you need
Now it’s up to you to lead yourself
When you open you know your path
Forgiveness is a start
What was, is fragmented
Will not come back together
Move on with love
A different love
No more need for tether
Stanski
November 26, 2020 ^
Steve Haarman 