Steve Haarman

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 Three shrubs are planted
 Receive equal attention
 Fertilized, sun and water
 Still they grow differently
  
 One wonders why
 Just a mystery of nature
 Or some unknown influence
 Will we ever know?
  
 Three brothers 
 Close in age
 Raised together
 Sharing the same accommodations
  
 Each grow
 Uniquely different, but
 With many similarities
  
 What causes this?
 Personal trials, tribulations
 And experience as well as
 Preparation and opportunity
 Courage and effort
  
 Shrub differentiation 
 Is more difficult to understand
 Components of growth seem equal
 Outcomes, as in real life,
 Vary immensely 
  
 Stanski
 October 9, 2019 

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 My mind moves in all directions
 I am at peace, just affected
 By an encounter with many first cousins
  
 Some I have not seen in years
 There is so much known and unknown
 Trying to put it together in one day
  
 It began, went on and finally ended
 Then the heavy heart with the goodbyes
  
 My maternal grandparents had seven children
 They have all gone on to their rewards
 When we count the cousins we reach twenty-six
 Those who showed counted to ten
 The deceased among us totaled four
 Twelve couldn’t make it for one reason or another
 Some brought along their spouses
  
 Those there had stories and memories
 So much, almost too much to share
 From heartbreak events to those celebrated
 The yarns, jokes and tales went on
  
 And the food – how much can you eat?
 Enough for a week and we had only a day
  
 So emotional when it came to an end
 There was laughing and sadness, but no crying
 We vowed to do it all again
 And share all the records we gathered
  
 We’ll see how it goes – no one knows
 But we’re glad we had this one day
  
 Stanski
 October 4, 2019 ^ 

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 I bend
 My knees are scraped
 I look
 There is slight bleeding
 I cannot stop
 People are depending on me
  
 Continuing 
 I struggle
 I must stop and rest
 An aching back makes this demand
  
 I hear barking
 Dogs in the back ground
 Searching for my scent
 My heart quickens
 Adrenalin flowing
  
 What was mine was mine
 And the money wrapped securely,
 Tucked into my shirt was mine
 It was owed to me, but
 Withheld because of
 A petty dispute
  
 When opportunity presented
 I took my due
 Then was accused of stealing
 No records existed
 Just oral agreements
  
 So now I am a thief, but
 In their eyes only
 I wanted to fade away
 But I knew duty
 There would be no magistrate
 To exonerate me
  
 I kept moving
 My people were
 Of solid stock
 They needed a chance
 I would provide it
 Their ship was leaving
  
  
  
  
 Courage
 I told myself
 No sound of dogs
  
 I made it to the dock side
 Just before the ship left port
 Turned over my money
 Said my farewell
  
 I had accomplished
 My aches, pains, and wounds would heal
 Dogs will still bark
 I had liberated friends
 And now set myself free
 With hope of a distant reunion
  
 Stanski
 September 30, 2019^ 

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 I look at the sky and see stars
 It is late at night; nearly early morning
 I think of creation and Almighty God
 The flow of all celestial bodies
  
 I am in wonder of His majesty 
 Cannot comprehend His omnipotence 
  
 The moon is not visible tonight
 But I know of its magnetic power
 Low tides, high tides; outrageous
  
 All part of His creative force
 I sense the beauty of His mystery
 Nothing is obvious of course
  
 His challenge to us is to believe
 Oh, such a dazzling presentation
 Our thinking cannot compare
 Yet how can there be hesitation
  
 Utter disbelief is not an option
 Unless we chase the path of fools
 There can be no realistic discussion
 About who is the one that rules
  
 I dream of the coming together
 Twelve tribes united as one
 We then will be equal in faith
 No battles to lose or be won
  
  
 Stanski 
 September 26, 2019 ^
   

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 It cannot be true
 Maybe a state of mind
 Cruelty we see and
 Will never understand
  
 A bully on the playground
 Picks fights he can win
 Twists the truth of things
 Just to cover his sin
  
 A fireman, black in color
 Saves the life a small white girl
 Gets no credit as a hero
 Walks away feeling like a zero
  
 He has the right to dream
 Wonders if life is like it seems
  
 Tomorrow he works again
 For this he gives his thanks
  
 I find situations hard to comprehend
 My mind looks for beauty
 I tend to search for justice
 It is my sacred duty
  
 I throw my arms up in the air
 Life could be so nice
 What is wrong I wonder?
 Why are we throwing the dice?
  
 Stanski
 September 26, 2019 ^ 

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 I keep on dreaming
 Having reached for a star
 And been disappointed with my empty hand
  
 I try the river flowing
 Come up with a mouthful of sand
 When I wanted something grand
  
 Our country had standards
 I see them disappear
 I look for those who stand for something
 Smugness is not a substitute
  
 There are those in desperate need
 Ignored by many because of greed
  
 I listen to a widow with deep faith
 Her children are suffering malnutrition
 She walks two miles each way for water
 To make soup with weeds and is thankful
  
 I keep on dreaming; what can I do?
 What is in front of me is my call
  
 Betrayed by those in whom I trust
 I seek deep faith; will not let it rust
  
 I want the Prince to bring us peace
 Arouse our interests in other’s needs
 Victims of dictators seeking control
 Dictators who commit corruptible deeds
  
 I dream that truth can be accepted
 Watch it trashed if it is contrary to
 The shaky ground of the opposition
 I keep dreaming of solutions; how about you
  
 Stanski
 September 25, 2019 ^ 

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 We see them by the millions
 On a bright, clear night
 Such an amazing array of stars
  
 So many, with many needs
 See them and wonder
 Could I reach up
 Gather in just one
 And cause no thunder
 Or shift of the poles?
  
 No one really knows
 It is all a dream
 But there are some
 Who rely on them it seems
 They haven’t found their stride, but
  
 Do not seek a place to hide
 They will find the door
 The opens to sunny streets
 Will then pursue their dreams
  
 No need for a star from afar
 Or a lightning bug in a jar
 Truth has been the instrument
 The same bright sky is the limit
 They dreamed and now will achieve it
  
 Stanski
 September 23, 2019 ^ 

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 You are good, but excluded
 It is just the color of your skin
 How is this conceivable
 My mind cannot grasp
 The indifference towards
 Those not like us
 How does the offended endure?
 Where is the ground to understand?
  
 One must resort to nature
 Distract themselves from reality
 Move to bearable dreaming
 Lose themselves in sounds and music
 We are a peculiar lot
 All fife is a precious gift
 A miracle without peer
 This is not good enough
  
 Some must rule; others serve
 Dictators oppress their own people
 Color here is not an issue
 It is totally power and control
 Slaves were brought to our country
 Some brutalized while others became family
 They were emancipated; given freedom
 Not all were prepared; some revolted
  
 Most were resented by former owners
 Became victims of the KKK
 Dreamers became judges, teachers, inventors,
 Factory workers, soldiers and public servants
 They are a good part of our collective blood
 When they can’t sleep, their dreams have seams
 Dreaming of ancient rivers with hopes
 That the waters will remain deep in their veins
  
 Stanski
 September 23, 2019 ^ 

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 When the truth doesn’t matter
 Where are we?
  
 When those in trouble are left alone
 Who are we?
  
 When we stop our dreaming
 What are our expectations? 
  
 When we cannot face up to expectancies?
 Who have we become?
  
 We thunder with depression
 Will lightning bring us hope?
  
 So easy to walk away
 Leave the mess to others
  
 Who will be the brave amongst us?
 Is courage always enough?
  
 How about a dance in the sun
 What by this will actually be won?
  
 When we await the comfort of night
 Will that be enough to stem our fright?
  
 Is reality, though cold, the answer sought?
 Dreamland is peaceful, we have been taught
  
 But where do we go with dreams
 Nothing is really as it seems
  
 We must confront; seek the truth
 What would be left?  To pick what fruit?
  
 It is best to step back within ourselves
 What is available on our shelves?
  
 Turn around and share the fare
 Then you know just where you are
  
 Stanski
 September 22, 2019 ^ 

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 To those who may wonder or tend to doubt, have Faith and Hope and remember that God is Love
  
 From Saint Paul to Timothy:
 Beloved:  Teach and urge these things.  Whoever teaches something different and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the religious teaching is conceited, understanding nothing, and has a morbid disposition for arguments and verbal disputes.  From these come envy, rivalry, insults, evil suspicions, and mutual friction among people with corrupted minds, who are deprived of the truth, supposing religion to be a means of gain.  Indeed, religion with contentment is a great gain.  For we brought nothing into the world, just as we shall not be able to take anything out of it.  If we have food and clothing, we shall be content with that.  Those who want to be rich are falling into temptation and into a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge them into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is the root of all evils, and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains.
                 
 But you, man of God, avoid all this.  Instead, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.  Compete well for the faith.  Lay hold of eternal life, to which you were called when you made the noble confession in the presence of many witnesses.
  
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 So, my friends, we have to decide whether our highest thoughts can out-maneuver His lowest thoughts or are we going to concede that our faith shall overcome all doubts and then shed ourselves of all obstacles and follow Him, carry our cross for Him, empty ourselves only to be filled up again with His glory and love.  Live our lives in a new way, which makes a mother in Haiti, (living in a small tent made of metal, salvaged from the last disaster, which an adult cannot stand up in and where her three children, whose father was killed, are constantly hungry, fed only soup made from weeds, and if they can fall asleep have to be watched, so as to avoid being bitten by large spiders and snakes.  Where the source of clean water is two miles away and dangerous to get and difficult to carry back to the tin hut,) more important than our providing the luxurious life we are seeking for ourselves.  Jesus said, “Follow me.”  The rest is up to us.  The above mentioned mother has deep faith in Jesus.  She constantly turns to Him and knows His love will be always with her and her family.  She has the Faith that could move mountains.  If you wish to help as He wishes you to, send your gifts to “Food for the Poor” 
 6401 Lyons Road, PO BOX 979004, Coconut Creek, Florida 33097-9004
  
 “For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.  Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” From Saint Paul to the Corinthians
  
 Your friend, Steve Haarman, aka Stanski.  September 21, 2019 ^