Steve Haarman

You think about the Alamo
San Antonio, Teas in 1836
Just a little bump in the course of man
 
Who were all those that died
Their families, too, what did they do?
On both sides of the issue
 
It’s like a song you sing and forget
Nothing concerning you, so no regrets
Fight for land takes many lives
 
History reports and sometimes lies
We have the land
What was the cost?
If you’re the winner
How much was lost?
 
All over the world, the struggle for freedom is
Something we cannot ignore
Footnotes in books
Will we forget?
What drove them to our shore?
 
Do we all have a part in moving ahead?
Can we leave it to just a few?
Pay attention and do your part
Or we’ll lose and nothing you can do
 
It may sound simple, but the words have truth
We’re in a parade that is never over
When we’re through with something on our list
It’s replaced by three or four more
 
Stay awake and be alert
There’s an end, but first a start
Think about Teas a long time ago
Be willing to do your part
 
Stanski
April 12, 2020 ^

 
Nature may have your answers
Write, pray, look for help
Moon has his own language
Stars will show the way
Forest protects and offers flora
Trees bend, lean and wave or
Stand silent giving no sign
Night sounds loud or quiet
Keep me at peace or
Aware of fear
 
Shore noise, too, causes confusion
Exploding with wrath or gentle persuasions
Winds example of persistence
Wear you with its strength or
May cause you to be weary as
Its sounds exhaust you
 
You breathe slowly, calmly and with meditation
Slow the heart and its anxious beating
Your mind is soaring, looking for answers and
You know nature has its place, but
Your answers lie somewhere else
 
Thinking about this in full moon light
You imagine shadows as clouds pass and
Branches wave in the breeze
Are you in the territory of angels?
Silent laughter, finding peace
Knowing answers come from within
Home now, safely sleeping
Waves gently reflect twinkling stars
Spirits applaud
 
Stanski
April 12, 2020 ^
 
 

Now the little things become important
Sing me a happy song I can dance to
Today has just begun and
I am waiting for tomorrow
More cooking, washing, and cleaning
It will be fun because it is Easter
No egg rolling or parades
The bunny outfits didn’t get sanitized
Most of the clowns are vacationing

That would be isolation at home
Many are going through the motions
Pretending it is no big deal
Church doors locked but the internet
Gives those who believe their platform
Virtual is such a possible word
Not real but pretending that it is

We may all join together in our minds
Sing the songs that are played
Then have hard-boiled eggs and coffee
Easter rolls with the cross
It will be a great celebration for
Jesus, the Christ, has risen
We have been redeemed

Now it is our turn to act
We may remember the wedding feast
Where many were called but failed to show
Then the few were chosen
To be chosen then was to be invited
Invited to a life with Christ in which to serve

In serving we are fulfilled, we are selfless
We are earning our invitation to heaven
Willing to give up everything in order
To follow Him in His footsteps
It will be a difficult journey
There will be no looking back
We have been chosen

What will be our answer?
Are we going to be fans or followers?
 
Stanski
April 12, 2020 ^
 

Don’t tell me you don’t remember
When I sat down next to you
I knew it was all over
Though you weren’t a baubles,
Bangles and beads sort of girl
You had the rhythm and
There was no doubt that
You wouldn’t let your love get cold
You had me follow you home
Just so I would know where you lived
I still remember that night
The moon was not quite full
How strange it was and then
You sealed our fate with a kiss
How wonderful, but never mind
What a woman is for
If not to lead the way
You were apples, peaches
And cherries to me
When you smiled I knew
This was the real thing
I took a deep breath of the country air
It has a little magic floating with it
I worked and you worked
There would be no summer vacation
But someday, one day soon
I would find a ring for you
What some said would be over
Was just beginning and
You never lost your touch
You wanted a dozen children
We made it half-way; that was fine
Time marches on and one day
The Doctor gave us a Bouquet of Blues
He gave you months, even years
That was good enough for you
We made it through
Two watermelon seasons and then
The angels came and took you away
Our merry-go-round time was over
How bitter for me, my sweet one
I still get the thrill, thinking of you
 
Stanski  
April 11, 2020
 
 

The Lord will find the way
He knew the animal's stall
Or was at least was told about it
But He did not care at all
He knew what He was about
Could only say thank you

The strong rule for a while
But You know the Truth
Whatever I say, please believe
For my love of you is great
Evil is there surrounding you
I am one true Friend

Believe in me; save your soul
Believe in me; I’m what it’s all about
I answer, Jesus, I’m sorry my Lord
I am human, but I am listening
Your road means everything to me
Pass me not; I need you so

Your grace makes my cup overflow
I owe everything to You
Please give me direction
I have to know the way I should go
I am too close to knowing You
I will travel the way willingly

Please take my hand, oh gentle One
My salvation depends on You
I know I am low on priority
So many need your loving care
I can rely on what I know
Until you have time for me

Then you can take me to glory land
The only place I want to be
The road to this luxury is difficult
But with Your help, I’ll find the way
You are my Friend above all others
And You certainly know the way

The highway only You constructed
Is the path I wish to take
Say You will not leave me
I want you by my side
My wishes may be great, but
I know that You will provide
 
Stanski
April 10, 2020 ^

I am writing freehand off the top of my head
A duty to myself; this writing muses and poetry
A gift that sometimes flows like lava
Often unknown obstacles are in the way
 
I keep pushing forward; after all
It is my sense of wellbeing
Why let anything interfere
With this marvelous talent from God
I thank Him every day for every word
 
The basics in my life are obvious
Supreme Being centered, and then
The earthly compromises of the
Arts, nature, tranquility and women
Then an opportunity to engage
In a respectful conversation with males
 
Is it a better way of life we want?
How absurd, I think, when we have everything
Including the right to expression
A roof, hot water, lights, communication
Freedoms unheard of elsewhere
What more could I ask for
 
I am moved by the letter I received
From a women distressed in Haiti, who has
Children with little hope of survival
They depend on her two mile journey
To obtain water for a soup made with
Grasses and weeds to nourish them
Children suffering from malnutrition, she
Hopes they sleep through the night
While she watches out for poisonous snakes and spiders
She still has her faith in our Savior
He will watch out for her and her children
Her husband died in the hurricane
 
How can this not move me or anyone?
I will give to help her and many
Not until it hurts, but until it feels good
I am humbled by her faith and our
Collective failure to trust in God
Compared to her total trust in His power
I feel I have so much more to do and
Hope I am given the time and ability
To do what we are called to do

When I was hungry, you gave me to eat
When I was thirsty, you gave me to drink
Now enter in to the home of My Father
I gave you your gifts, now please try to use them
Build your temples with love, forget about stones
The glory shown God will beam through the ages
 
Stanski
April 10, 2020 ^

At four in the afternoon
The day was coming to a close
Nothing going on during the quarantine
Everything had been overcast
Gray and cloudy out to the invisible horizon
A typical early April day
 
Then the wind came up
It seemed like hurricane force
Sleet began to pour out of the sky
Followed by a fairyland snow fall
It lasted for ten minutes or so
Then vanished in the midst of sun glow
 
Like it never even happened
A commercial message came to mind
If it had not been witnessed
It would seem like one big line
The wind is still blowing; nice music
And the sun continues to shine
 
Stanski
April 9, 2020 ^

Just the two of us
Let it flow
The fire is fine
Grover is right in tune
Always there and mellow
Like the day old full moon
Don’t let’s waste a moment
Take me to that secret place
And let’s make a memory

Take me there
Let us make the journey
We will have no regrets
And with nothing to lose
Isn’t that the very best
We can make it if we try

There will be no tears in the end
Because you have that look in your eye
It is so funny that we waste no energy
Just so fine to have you around
I have rolled snake eyes in the past
But this time I’m wearing a crown

We might have missed the strawberry moon
But we’ll make it up this summer
Time is out of my mind
Take five; then take another five
Listen to those inner-city blues

You have that look of love
And I can promise you right now
There will be no tears to send
Because as long as there is a beat
There will surely be no end

You twist my heart strings
Almost like you are playing a tune
I think you’re asking for some cognac
Will Remy Martin Cordon Blue be fine?

It is never too late to show me
Your fine soulful strut will do
I claim you now and forever
All my tomorrows will be filled with you
 
Stanski
April 8, 2020 ^
 

I’m not saying
Spring isn’t beautiful
To the contrary
Finding it perfect is the rarity
Tulips in bloom months before June
When the catalpa tree does its swoon
 
Is much too early
Blossoms looked for in May
Have already gone by the way
All beauty not dependable
Situation not defendable
So you run on average
Use approximation
When working thru
Spring rationalization
 
Everything lovely for
Two weeks at best
Then the overgrowth
Followed by pests
Work required is crazy
Not that you’re lazy
A seasoned expert
You don’t overexert
Not work, its play
You’ll catch up, some day
 
This year may be a different story
The deadly virus may destroy us
Change our lives forever
Eyewitnesses to a phenomena
Prayers everyday it will pass
Normal living hopefully will return
Then things of importance
Will be our concern
Pettiness will be set aside
If only, if only we survive
 
Stanski
April 8, 2020 ^
 

Quiet and listless
Several days in a row
Sunshine only a maybe
In the later stage of the day
The sky and lake are gray
No horizon can be found
The water is smooth, glass like
No wind blowing at all
Nature is singing no songs
If she were they would be songs of pain
The lichen on trees refuse to glow
This is all part of the waiting game
Be patient in waiting
I have said that before
But it made sense when I said it
It doesn’t now or forevermore
And then last night
Clouds blocked the light of the moon
All of its promises lost
It was to be large and pink
I looked and searched, but
Just a bright nighttime gray
A sickly-looking exasperating sight
No sound, but then the peal of
A distant nighttime train
The sound was eerie
Matching the way I felt
Weeks of isolation 
Nothing to promote energy
And with all those things to do
The world has shut down
Nothing left but an empty feeling
And the look of a sad circus clown
Now it is a little later in the day
Still no sunshine; not even a ray
A slight breeze lifts slowly the flag
With colors still brilliant even though
I remain sad
 
Stanski
April 8, 2020 ^