Steve Haarman

The night of the world is ancient
Winds whisper of fear and the
Purpose of creation swept away
We suffer again the fear of plague
It goes by a different name
A coronavirus transmitted
Person to person
 
The night is alone, dark
Cannot speak out truth
Will give no light at this time
We do not learn
Bring wrath upon ourselves
Proclaim we’ll do our best
Give our warnings to be safe
 
The night is not all bad
It is very temperate
Allows for millions of dreams
Often indistinct and incomplete
Too often not remembered
We awake un-rested
Clamoring about existing danger
 
The dark night offers no hope
No flowers or sacred music
It leaves us cold and alone
Dwelling as we would in the light
Where our cares are one-sided
Our thoughts self-centered
Foolish people that we are
 
We make painful attempts at slander
Shifting any share of blame
Encase ourselves in strategy
Like concrete in a broken mixer
We are woeful, hopeless, and crusty
Search in all the wrong places
Avoiding appeal for His graces
 
Stanski
February 3, 2020 ^

I am not the star of this story
No one around here has read it
It is not about everything I miss at home
You keep jiving me
Refuse to understand
It’s about someone you never knew
The one I keep talking to
I can’t stop loving you
We are one
Into eternity
We had ecstasy
And central heating
Your smile melted my heart
The polite way you handled yourself
But let me have it four ways from Sunday
Couldn’t stop laughing at you
So quiet in public
Then the burst
As you prepared dinner
Now every time I turn around,
I am in love with you again
Every day I have the blues
I really needed you loving me
Always
Now I have boogie nights
Yearning for your love
You were right for me
But now it can never be
I will make it through
Because I can always think of you
What else can I do?
Never stop dreaming of you
Joy and pain
Here today
Gone tomorrow
That is how it was
You’ll always be on my mind
Forever, for always, my love
 
Stanski
February 2, 2020 ^
 

It is not my birthday
Not even close
But if it was
I’ll tell you what I’d do
Go to the mountains blue
Or the big lakes blue
Or the horizon blue
And then just listen
To the rhythms of the place
The sounds of earth’s grace
From where do they come
And how can I hear?
My heart is already gold
I have nothing to fear,
Except God, Himself
I know He is near
Look at the flowers
The birds and trees
The butterflies
How grand
This land
I am filled with joy
Do not always understand
Are there distant lands on
Other planets
In universes unknown
What is impossible?
I am one who believes
In all possibilities
Just look at the bees
An army working for their queen
Making honey as a gift
A reality
Right before our eyes
How can we disbelieve anything?
And why are we not working for our King?
He is complete without us, but
Wouldn’t that just be just the thing?
 
Stanski
February 2, 2020 ^
 
 

Get out the guitar
Play a little song
Listen to the tambourine
It is funky jive
Just to keep you alive
Now for some rap
Listen to me man
I’m the preacher boy
This ain’t no ploy
I have a lot to say
On this very day
Jesus died on the cross
Don’t deny He’s the boss
Know what I’m saying
I’m just saying
 
It ain’t easy being Lord
Watching my sinners boast
I could turn them into toast
That’s why I’m King
Look at my golden ring
Doesn’t mean a thing
Could be a piece of string
A reminder too
Of all of you
Sinners out there
Do you really care?
Like you say you do
I can drop the other shoe
 
But I won’t
My love is too great
Do not hesitate
I don’t exaggerate
When I say to thee
Just follow me
My fingers are sore
There is no more
No more time to play
Put the music away
Work now is the jive
If you want to stay alive
 
Stanski
February 2, 2020 ^

Hey, Chuck Baby
You think you're eye candy
Don’t be fooled
This is just a block party
Everyone is sweet
Never mind your thoughts
I know Chicago is a big city
You call yourself a peace maker
Why is your river green?
Don’t give me that Saint Patrick’s jazz
Jock it in my boy
You’re feeling good
Want a peacemaker interlude
Don’t hold your breath
We came to your party
If you had to pick one interlude
I hope it would be the time you spent with me
When I explained how things were going to be
Every day I have the blues
You know what I am saying
I have the funky get down
You want love nationwide
Too bad you don’t have a magic wand
Take the party roll
Make a sound for the town interlude
They should call Chicago, "Chuck Town"
Then would come the Chuck Town Intro
Claim you love the theme from “The Godfather”
People will believe you
Call for a Latin interlude
Jingle jangle man
This is all for you
Don’t mess with me now
I’m just getting wound up
You call me your man, but
It don’t mean a thing
Watch out Harlem
Chuck is coming for an interlude
Be careful Chuck
Look out for that river
 
Stanski
February 1, 2020 ^

Hard to explain emotions

The city, (that would be Grand Rapids)
Has expanded way beyond its borders

Its entities, like Spectrum Health
Has satellites in all directions
Schools in several cities

This is called advancement
Makes one proud as condition improves

At the same time
Just beyond the last influence

I witness old farm buildings and silos
Which have not functioned for eons

A red painted barn with a green roof
Appears to be used by a gentleman farmer

One building, sun-faded gray with
Weather darkened roof is still standing

Nothing has been going on there for a while
Birth and death on the same road

A sign of the times
No crystal ball available

But isn’t that the way we like it
A lot like brain storming

Some ideas work, others don’t
Good ideas expand for everyone’s apparent good
Other ideas, once good, are now out of vogue

I can be happy and sad at the same time
We learn from the past and then bury it
We anticipate the new, filled with hope

It is not a merry-go-round, but
I would love to grab a golden ring
Be part of something bigger than myself

There is so much to do in our “world”
So many people unaware of possibilities
Addiction, abuse, and depression
Bad habits chewing up income
Many problems to solve

This is still today as we witness birth and death
We are people of character and sensitivities

There are many ways of getting involved
Who, I say, if not us; when, if not now

We will soon be the old barns and silos
What will our record be?
Who will miss us as new solutions come along?
 
Stanski
February 1, 2020 ^

Up at six o’clock
Shower, dress, leave
Daughter is with me
Rely on water for fluids
Head to St. Ignace
Cross the Mighty Mac
Continue to Traverse City
Daughter picks up repaired auto
We each head back
I need to make three stops
For fuel and de-fueling
My last stop is in Gulliver
I am turning right as
She signals a left turn
Follows me home
Eight hours and fifteen minutes
Staggering but beautiful
Flying by on Highway 75
Trees are painted with snow
Many look like Birch but are not
Evergreens have branches
Heavy with snow
Golden leaves still on oaks
Everything is as it should be
This is winter
Precipitation begins to fall
Rain drops turning to snow flakes
Roads get slushy
Extra care taken
Fifteen minutes and it is over
Dry roads and the bridge near
Cross bridge; enter God’s country
You could smell it in the breeze
But too cold to lower window
We just know
Another hour or so we are home
Then our day will begin
 
Stanski
February 1, 2020 ^

The day starts gray and cold
Few deer along my path
I make it into town
Attend the morning adoration and mass

Return home
Cross railroad tracks
Men working to install warning lights
Arrive home safely

Still gray and cloudy
Think of work to do
Not overly excited

Listen to Ray Price’s “Final Sessions”
He fills me up with his singing

The sun comes through the clouds
Snow covered ground lightens

I feel inspired
Decide to write
So easy
The decision
So difficult
The writing

I wish to uplift people
Spiritually and intellectually
All things are not easy
Everyone reacts differently

Then the question
Who am I
To strive to implore improvement?

Just a follower,
Who is aware of the Word
I know my pledge
Am aware of my duty

So I may say
Life, easy or difficult, has its purpose
We will never know for sure what it is

We do know what goodness and kindness are
These are great starting points, and
There is nothing wrong with
Hope, love, and understanding

I remember the warning lights
I know what they mean
Life is full of them
 
Stanski
January 31, 2020 ^

Life is great
A precious gift

We succeed
Propel ourselves forward

We are ready when
Opportunity comes our way

Mostly surround ourselves
With like thinking individuals

Are content and make progress
Time passes and we flow

Then comes a change
A new environment

New people to work with
Those who cannot comprehend

Our past means nothing to them
A war-chest of medals meaningless

All of our facade useless
Naked, as could be said, and
Back to square one

A new trial
A challenge that overwhelms

We think of the Cross

The One who fell
Had to get up and continue

Bearing the heavy load
He was carrying us, our sins

Now we must rise
Understand our mission

Reacquaint with our true selves
Know our strengths
Our weakness and energy

We must not linger

This is life, we remember
A precious gift

This thought stays with us

We have work to do
There will be no bravos

The measure of success
Will be ours

We draw up our game plan
We begin

This is truly our life, our gift
 
Stanski
January 31, 2020 ^

We love the color red
It comes in many shades

I think tomato, fire truck
Lighthouse and suspenders

There are many more examples
But those came to mind quickly

My mind does not filter out
The non-essential but
Comes to grip with reality

The flag red could be thrown in
Respectfully, or course

Fire hydrants or fire trucks
Both touch us the same

Red buffalo plaid conjures
Up bygone days

Red sails in the sunset
Really are a canvas white

My mind spins
Little Red Riding Hood
Wasn’t a hood, but
Wore a red garment

Many flowers are red
Many shades just like
Fifty shades of gray

Santa Claus just came to town
His outfit is red 
With trim of assorted colors

Now he is for sale
Fifty percent off

Valentine’s Day is close
Red, heart shaped boxes of candy
Will be looked for and sought after

Red is an interesting color
Many things to be considered

My favorite of all is
Red skies and sunsets
How about you?
 
Stanski
January 30, 2020 ^