tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21338494893060791382023-11-15T20:37:48.029-05:00CrowswriteProse and poems, rants and raves.Paul Sandersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12094845813557284970noreply@blogger.comBlogger431125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133849489306079138.post-62733196050175212352019-08-21T10:40:00.001-04:002019-08-21T10:40:35.223-04:00Hello,<br />
After a decade of poems, and essays (some 430!), Crowswrite is going on hiatus. I have recently discovered that any writing previously published, including on this blog, will not be accepted for publication in most magazines, anthologies, etc. One of my goals is to share my work more broadly, so I will stop entries here, at least for a while, allowing me to submit new work elsewhere.<br />
<br />
I hope you have enjoyed this blog. I certainly have enjoyed the journey. And thanks for your interest and feedback.<br />
<br />
For now, I am currently reviving my middle school novel, Crows, and editing a life long collection of poems and stories. It is an exciting new "chapter" in my writing career.<br />
<br />
If you wish to receive an occasional piece from me please contact me via text or email and I'll send you a poem or essay. I promise not to send too much.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, keep reading and writing, and enjoy your time.<br />
<br />
Best regards,<br />
Peace,<br />
Paul<br />
<br />
<br />Paul Sandersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12094845813557284970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133849489306079138.post-10446382222681190622019-07-07T11:59:00.000-04:002019-07-07T12:00:48.496-04:00Drawing<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I can hear it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The drumming and hammering </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Upon a rotted-out branch.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Perhaps there is a juicy grub?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Or maybe the need to reach out to its own kind?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I’m here</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I’m alive</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Where are you?</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">My guess would be a downy woodpecker</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I see them frequently </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">When they brace themselves against the odds</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And grab a seed at the feeder, then flee</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">But today I only hear</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Not see </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Lost as it should be </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Amidst the almond shaped leaves</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And the avenues of grey-brown bark.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">But the bird has served a silent purpose</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Unwittingly </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And innocently </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It draws me away </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">From my cauldron of self</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Which occasionally needs a good stir</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I am looking up now</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Not down</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I am reaching out now and opened</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Not inward and closed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Stretching and unlocking</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Receptive to worlds awaiting. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>Paul Sandersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12094845813557284970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133849489306079138.post-75275074982846225842019-07-06T15:58:00.003-04:002019-07-06T16:05:30.228-04:00Magic<span style="margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The sailor sets off</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Letting the tide run</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">As sailors always have</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Pointing the bow into the horizon</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Which then becomes his destination.</span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ports of call being only minor
irritations</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Distractions, complications</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">No gps dictating</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">No one’s fault if he sails off the
edge:</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It’s his journey, spawned of dreams</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">And if he so chooses</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">(Or is so chosen)</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">His life</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">His death.</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">To disappear is his expression</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">No grave, no flowers.</span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Beholding then,</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">As night clinks dully against day
& wears on it,</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">While dead stars persistently shine</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Black holes ever drawing</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Smoothing the edges</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Razors yielding </span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Grinding on and on</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Stardust to stardust.</span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The sailor is indifferently cast in
his part</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Bearing his fruits</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">As tears of terror and wonder</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Shore to unknown shore</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Scorched by searing cauldrons</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Frozen in place by the distances he
has come</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">And his dark destinations </span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">No charts can pretend to predict. </span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Only the whales can tell and lead</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Its their magic.</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Listen to their call:</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">There is only magic.</span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><i></i><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>Paul Sandersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12094845813557284970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133849489306079138.post-91847635542447158232019-06-23T09:19:00.001-04:002020-04-06T09:11:34.211-04:00What Makes You Happy?<span style="font-family: "calibri";">What makes you happy?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">What cup of steaming morning brew</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">What weathered hand gently held</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">What nubile leaf or garden sprout</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">What laugh cascading through the trees</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">What waft of fresh spring early air</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">What downy pair of woolly socks</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">What baby’s breath upon your shoulder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">What fresh cut grass</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">What distant thunder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">What moment lost and then regained</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">What friend arriving unannounced</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">What day fulfilled</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">What night so deep</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">What word what way</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">What makes you happy?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">-P. Sanderson</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>Paul Sandersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12094845813557284970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133849489306079138.post-2674328633216846462019-06-23T09:04:00.000-04:002020-03-28T10:11:18.189-04:00Rabbit Reverie<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Rabbit Reverie</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I can’t help but wonder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Coffee in hand</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">What the whitetail thinks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Submerged in a patch of hop clover</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Sharing it with the morning bees,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Is it lost in the wonder of such fortune?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It looks to think it is invisible</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">In its solitary motionless meditation</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Hunkered down, vanished in the moment</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Unseen to predators </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">As a mound of grey and white.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Does it retreat deep into itself</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">In a quiet reverie </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Still in its own reality</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Still as it knows to be</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A practice tried and true? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And then in an instant of its wise choosing</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It breaks from its retreat with a twitch of the nose,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Lifts a clover from the ground</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And chews.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">-P.Sanderson</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>Paul Sandersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12094845813557284970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133849489306079138.post-88992270235771107712019-05-30T10:02:00.000-04:002019-05-30T10:09:36.648-04:00The Bear<span style="font-family: calibri;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I know there is a
bear out there</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">Although I have never seen it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">My part-time inner sleuth </span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">Has been busily sifting through the clues</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">Ever since my neighbor Susan put that image in play.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">She said, as casually as one can talk about a bear,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">“Did you hear about the black bear that was seen</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">Down the street?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Ya,
the folks at Adam’s Garden of Eden spotted it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">Six feet tall.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Pretty
big.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Ya.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">This moment, these thoughts</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">Were like dumping the contents </span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">Of a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle on the dining room table.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">Let the games begin!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">Clue one, and the biggest piece so far:<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">My bird feeders have been emptied overnight</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">For the past week or so.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Especially the suet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">If I was a bear, the feeder food seems like an open
invitation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">Midnight snack, come and get it!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">Rendered fat and sunflower seeds, so tempting!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">For several days I have been secretly accusing raccoons</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">Those midnight ramblers</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">Those masked banditos</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">So maybe they can be on my suspect list.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">But how could they reach the suet, strung from a cable</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">Hung from a high branch?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">About six feet off the ground?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">I thought I was clever</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">Until recently.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">But now the bear has been placed in the suspect lineup.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">Excuse me, number 4, Mr. Black Bear,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">Would you mind standing on your hind feet </span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">And reaching up?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">Ah! See?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">Mr. Bear could reach the suet, for sure!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">But how to prove it,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">Where’s the evidence?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">No witnesses</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">No tracks on the ground</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">No hair or scat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">I needed to catch him in the act.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">“What you need is one of those infrared trail cameras</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">Like hunters use,” my friend Karen suggested.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">Hmmm.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Maybe, just
maybe.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">They have used those to take all
the crystal clear</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">Photos that we’ve seen of Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster,
right? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">Right?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">So off to Amazon Prime I go. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">All hail Amazon for the work they do</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">In supporting our dreams and nightmares</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">Of monsters and mythical creatures</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">And maybe even bears in our backyards.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">So my trail camera is on its way, shipped one day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">And tomorrow night </span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">When the moon is low, I’ll know:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">Do black bears still roam</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">Sucking suet feeders dry?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">And stirring my imagination?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">While giving me more than a moment pause</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">To puzzle and ponder and wonder wild.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">Tomorrow after dark, I may know.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: calibri;"></span>Paul Sandersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12094845813557284970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133849489306079138.post-49822184752898022002019-05-30T09:56:00.000-04:002019-07-16T16:23:18.773-04:00Jumping Spider <br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It is a warm spring morning</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A steady gentle breeze wafts and drafts</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Pushing its way across the treetops</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And settles in my lap </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The pollen and particles </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">That temporarily adorned the nearby branches</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Flowers high above so out of sight</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Hidden in the great waves of green</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Broken beauties decorate the day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Drop their offerings </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Gifts to the ground.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">My reptilian brain drives me to bask a bit</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Armchair and coffee</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I am ready for the nine o’clock show.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Right on cue</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A jumping spider appears</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And eight eyes wide open</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It inspects the knuckles of my hand</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Resting on the arm of my chair.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Furry fleshed bristle</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Onyx eyes gleam</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It raises its abdomen and spinnerets</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And streams downwind </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Jets of glowing silk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Cross my chest and lap</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And I am captured in this moment.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>Paul Sandersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12094845813557284970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133849489306079138.post-36673912061207474422019-05-16T15:54:00.003-04:002019-05-30T09:57:29.652-04:00Peace Puzzle<img alt="Image may contain: indoor" aria-busy="false" class="spotlight" height="400" src="https://scontent.fbed1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/60449199_10215478519098962_6990837994760437760_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_ht=scontent.fbed1-1.fna&oh=8b2cf3e58319bb93608529c6f1983cdb&oe=5D6B2353" width="300" /><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Paul Sandersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12094845813557284970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133849489306079138.post-9976184082560160982019-05-06T13:46:00.000-04:002019-05-06T13:46:15.984-04:00A Momentary Lapse in Judgment<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I read the sign in front of the church, I felt myself
being sucked back into the black hole of pessimism that has been welling-up in
me for the past decade or so.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>For a
while, I thought it was acid reflux, and indeed, Nexium actually helped. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>For a while. Living
better through chemistry.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The roadside sign implored, “Cherish each other and
creation.” <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Apparently, you don’t have to
sit in a pew to get a sermon.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I once
went to a church that assembled at a drive-in- movie theatre.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Passion plays on Sunday morning, passion pit
on Saturday night.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The subtext implies that these are things we should be
doing but we are not.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Perhaps this is
the true epitaph that should be carved on the gravestones of the latter-day
world: “We could have done better…”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But we didn’t.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are drowning in the murk and detritus of our lesser
angels, and are surely vulnerable, as are all life forms, to the strictly
enforce rules of the evolutionary road.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This
comes as no surprise for many; slings and arrows…slings and arrows.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>For a few of us it is a bit of a shock, being
buffered by home grown avarice. It was a nice ride while it lasted, the sign
might read post-apocalypse, in front of The Church of I Told You So.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m not ready for this eventuality.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I was born and ill-bred with the great
American, great western dream, spawned post war; such a foolish dream. John and
Paul wrote prophetically, although not likely their intention: </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“…I've got to admit it's getting better (Better)<br />
<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="margin: 0px;">A little better all the time (It can't get no worse…)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pop, opt!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hopeful as these platitudes seem, it can always get
worse.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>At least in the short run.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>And help me if you will to define short run:<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>What hour, what day?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>What era, what epoch? What longitudinal lifeline?</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are on the cusp of many dark days of pessimism,
followed by boundless stretches of night.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>The pendulum will swing long and wide.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And as for me, I wish not to be prophetic.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I wish not to sooth say the end times, (which
I saw on the roadside sign of another Pentecostal church: </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Are we in end times?”)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Give me that ol’ roadside religion!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’d like to disbelieve these ideas.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I’d like to be buoyed by optimism.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>But facts tell true another story.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It seems, I don’t burn hot enough. My shields are down, I
don’t possess the greater glory of egotism that might just keep the
climatologists and sociologist from knocking at my door.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“Ding-dong, doomsday calling!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And I must admit, when all hope is gone, that it’s not an
altogether bad thing.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It’s just a
thing.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The next thing.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was a good run wasn’t it? </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“…It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine…”
Michael Stipe, et al.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It leaves me vulnerable (haven’t we always been?) to those
slings and arrows, large and small, while still resting in the residue of
whimsy and wonder?</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I reject your reality and substitute my own.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>-The Dungeonmaster.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I do what I can, while we are being consumed, absorbed,
amoeba like, into the next moment, both terrifying and glorious.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Meanwhile, </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Moment by moment…</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">-Paul Sanderson</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">May, 2019</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span>Paul Sandersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12094845813557284970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133849489306079138.post-7264582121756048422019-04-22T11:37:00.000-04:002019-04-22T11:38:05.256-04:00Earth Day 2019<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Much obliged dear mother</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">For the life you have given us</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And the beauty and wonder </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">That surrounds us.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I beg your patience</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">At this late hour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">For us to learn once more</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">To care and celebrate</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">To protect and preserve</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The rare and marvelous spectacle</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Of bounteous life</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Here on Earth </span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">So displayed each day.</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Paul Sandersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12094845813557284970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133849489306079138.post-6212697918748036202019-04-20T10:44:00.001-04:002020-05-01T09:02:23.819-04:00It's a Slow Dance<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It's a Slow Dance</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The trees are posing majestically </span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">In a standing salutation</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Reaching, reaching, limbs akimbo </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Spring has come this day.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The maples spark up to the sky</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">This is their time</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Festooned in red</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">They proclaim the ancient revival.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The oaks are waiting for the sun</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">To coax their sap</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">To rise, to shine</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">To layer wood upon their girth </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">More patiently than the growth below;</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Sassafras saplings gather green</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">While tangy spicebush stand in the damp</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Dogwoods open, blush, and show</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">As daggered greenbrier ramble about,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">All flashing bright and verdant bold</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">In their romance with our brightest star.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">This is a dance your welcome to</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The steps are slow, the pace is honest</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">To see them move and gambol about</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Sit patiently, with open heart </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Beneath a woodland tree.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">-P. Sanderson</span><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>Paul Sandersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12094845813557284970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133849489306079138.post-80277002720665230072019-04-17T14:54:00.000-04:002019-04-17T14:56:42.763-04:00Hatred, What to Do?<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">When you see hatred gather it up</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And stuff it in the bottom of a paper bag.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">You may need to tape the bag shut,</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">You may need to wear gloves.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Then hike out on your favorite trail</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And stop at that beautiful place,</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Maybe one overlooking a valley</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Perhaps by a stream or a giant</span> b<span style="font-family: "calibri";">oulder.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">You can do this alone, but</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">If it is your first time bring a trusted friend.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Sit quietly for a few minutes</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Breathe in the peace and beauty,</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Then carefully open the bag</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And shred the hatred you have gathered</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Into tiny-tiny pieces.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Try not to hate the hatred,</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Just break it down, smaller and smaller</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Look to see what it is made of,</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Perhaps you will have a lucid moment.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">At the right moment, </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">gather the pieces and offer them to the
wind</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Cast them high, cast them away.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A good breeze will dilute them </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">As you salute them with a goodbye smile.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Sometimes a Chickadee will stop and help.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">They know what to do with hatred</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">They are not afraid.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">After you are done you may want to sing </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A song or splash in a nearby stream.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Think:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">How else can you send hatred to a better place?</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Does it burn?<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> </span>Can you
compost it?<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 13.33px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Can the ocean </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">w</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">ash it clean?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ask the Chickadee, she may know.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 13.33px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Paul Sandersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12094845813557284970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133849489306079138.post-29893827253080627172019-04-16T12:38:00.000-04:002020-05-03T08:46:21.013-04:00Briefly Borrowed<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It’s a lay me down wind.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Pruned by providence on other days</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">An old oak has fallen in the forest</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Once a tower of leaf and trunk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Now resting in a bed of ferns and moss.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Its day has come</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A wind too strong</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Roars high above out of the north</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">First limbs bowed before the storm</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Then roots yielded their groaning- grip</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And dropped it with a snap and boom</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Full circle it is now earthly bound.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And when my wind comes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">On another day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I wish that if it please the fates</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">That I may rest upon such a bed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Of greens and sod</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Of duff and rock</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And so gently return </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And thankful for</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">This life I’ve briefly borrowed.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Paul Sandersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12094845813557284970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133849489306079138.post-31643555001209697672019-04-14T09:44:00.000-04:002019-04-14T09:45:21.692-04:00Persistence<span style="font-family: "calibri";">There is a sorting as the years pass</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A choosing happens</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Establishing an order </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Of <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>things we keep</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And things that must be let go</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Objects totemic</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">That flow with us</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Through our time and space</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A temporal persistence</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tactile</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Visceral.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I have a baseball glove </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A leather lefty</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Folded and creased</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Sweat stained</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Scented and storied.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">My hand knows how it feels</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Before I slip it over my fingers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I’ve kept it</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And it keeps me.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It’s been many years </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Since the last game of catch, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Still it’s a living thing, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Now relegated to the back of a closet, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Or</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Boxes in attics</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Or</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Storage units.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">In my day-to-day reality </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It has been long gone </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">But not forgotten.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It seems that I will
never let it go.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It is a place holder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A memory marker</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A man maker</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A dream keeper.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>Paul Sandersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12094845813557284970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133849489306079138.post-82558392239184175862019-04-13T10:58:00.003-04:002019-04-13T10:59:22.140-04:0093 Million<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Going nowhere down the road </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">I sit in my car </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">There is nothing like the warmth of
the sun</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">On this chilled spring day.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Only a few hours past the frost of
dark</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">I sit in this sanctuary </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">And luxuriate </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The seat has soaked in</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The infrared rays </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Issued from the solar furnace </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Some 93 million miles distant </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">It’s warmth now radiant </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Soaking into my bones</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Relieving my burdens. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Energy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Conceived on day one</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Chasing shadows</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Filling voids</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Generating peace</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">In my reptilian brain.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Why be cold?</span><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><img height="98" src="file:///C:/Users/PAUL'S~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.png" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_1" width="624" /></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>Paul Sandersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12094845813557284970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133849489306079138.post-28172778419325611522019-04-11T10:29:00.001-04:002019-04-11T10:34:42.677-04:00Laundro<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I didn’t notice the short bus pull up.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I was busy pushing quarters into the silver
slot.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It takes twenty-seven for the big
washer.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>My goal is to finish the wash
and dry in one act, one hour. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Teacher and John have
arrived inside the entrance.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Teacher
exchanges pleasantries with Marianne as she folds clothes.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>John stands in place, slightly weaving, as if
the world was moving too fast and then suddenly stopped. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Teacher grabs a broom and starts sweeping the
already clean floor.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>He hands the broom
to John, who moves it to-and-fro twice, pushing the imaginary pile of dust into
the pickup.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Kenny enters, full of bluster, speaking in a voice way
too loud for the room. He engages Teacher and Marianne in a protracted and one-sided
conversation about the events of his day; the condition of his truck, the fish
fry at the VFW, and some relative that they might see at some point soon, but
probably not.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Marianne continues to fold clothes.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>She is a youthful middle-aged woman, and it
seems she is the reason Kenny and Teacher are here; old drones circling the honey.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>John continues to sway, mouth slightly agape,
while fiddling with his earphones. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I can’t
see if his eyes are vacant or just simply have vacated this show.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Kenny completes his monologue and exits, bow implied.
Teacher and Marianne give a kind review of his performance, noting that this
man “knows a lot.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Teacher offers John the opportunity to run the vacuum
cleaner.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>He declines, preferring to
watch a television show droning-on about buying the perfect home.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">My clothes are now dry and I join in the ritual of
folding.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Kenny departs with a practiced aplomb, soon followed by
Teacher, and then John, trailing slightly behind, who appears to have completed
the lesson.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
"<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Have a nice day, have a nice day, have a nice day.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>You too, you too, you too.”</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The laundromat quiets upon these exits. Marianne looks
across the row of washers churning away and we make brief eye contact.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“Quite the show,” I comment, trying to stay
in my neutral corner.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>She smiles and
slightly rolls her eyes, as she begins to fold another load of clothes.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>Paul Sandersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12094845813557284970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133849489306079138.post-77294105045048736562019-04-09T13:03:00.002-04:002020-03-30T11:20:53.997-04:00Silent Sentinels<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Silent Sentinels</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Daffodils</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Adrift, afield</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Randomly placed</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">This time, this day.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Silent sentinels nodding east</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
Still t<span style="font-family: "calibri";">hese yellow belles so boldly chime</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Remember me?</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Remember me.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Planted on a day of grace</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">By backdoors gone</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Or unmarked graves</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Near walkways that lead</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">From the shadowed past to now.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We see them as we pass on by</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Gifted by their persistent charm</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Remembrances of those moments when</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We stoop and plant them future bound.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></div>
Paul Sandersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12094845813557284970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133849489306079138.post-19251618794577930422019-04-07T10:40:00.000-04:002019-04-07T10:57:18.516-04:00Low Along the Water's Edge<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I saw three Oyster Catchers</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And they saw me,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Handsome with their bright orange bills</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">They worked the wrack</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Quick afoot</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Then scampered down the sandy beach</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Took flight </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Low along the water’s edge</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">As if to say</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I’d rather not sir</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">So we will be on our secret way.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I stopped to marvel</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And labored for a moment</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">To think the things </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I think I know</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">One of which is to ponder </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">From the bird’s point of view </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">What they may have made of me.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Thinking simply of them </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And more highly of myself</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I stopped to wonder </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">What it means to be an Oyster Catcher</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">What it is to live along the shore</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">To fly</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">To nest</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">To see this day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">In their own unique way?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Do they have a day?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Meted -out in their minds?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A remembered yesterday</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A hopeful tomorrow?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I saw three Oyster Catchers</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And they saw me,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Handsome with their bright orange bills</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Teachers on this bright spring day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Teaching in their secret way</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">What we do not know.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>Paul Sandersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12094845813557284970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133849489306079138.post-91214176253759708152019-04-05T09:43:00.002-04:002019-04-05T09:45:41.295-04:00Stream of Creation<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Sitting on the beach below the dunes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I have interrupted an ongoing conversation</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Between the wave tossed trunk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Of a massive oak,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Now debarked and scoured and bleached,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And a heap of slipper shells,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The skeletal like remains of a mollusk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Fanciful footwear of intertidal fairies.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">They speak of being swept into the stream of creation</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Even now </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And once again,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And kindly suggest that I might relinquish too</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And know the journey we are on.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I dig my toes into the sand</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Mindlessly considering, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And feel my roots grow deeper</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Into the earth and sea and sky.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">They grip and purchase</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And hold me steadily </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">On our course. </span><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>Paul Sandersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12094845813557284970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133849489306079138.post-1241556594080041072019-04-03T09:44:00.001-04:002019-04-03T09:45:37.229-04:00Old School<span style="font-family: "calibri";">There you are</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Old school like I knew</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And today in the mailbox</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Once again</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Old school in an envelope</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A few scrawled letters </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">My name</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">My address</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And I could only smile </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And feel the love.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">John Lennon was the postage stamp</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">He was our friend we never met</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We cried the day he died</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We share these roots</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Old and strong</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Grown deep now in different soils</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">But connected by rhizomal memories</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">That will always be</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Faithful, proud and loyal.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And now yellow pages from your pad</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">With ink and care</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Sent my way</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Pages covered with your DNA </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Letting me know the state of your story</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The tales of your time</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Your hand extended to mine.</span><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>Paul Sandersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12094845813557284970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133849489306079138.post-23058323847451776122019-04-01T16:12:00.002-04:002020-04-03T10:22:14.029-04:00Basic Requirements<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Basic Requirements</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I need you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Like in the old days </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">As we stepped down from the trees</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And you helped me find water on the Serengeti</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">As we hid from prowling lions.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And today </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">When you helped fix my cell phone</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And later went to the grocery in my stead</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">So I could safely plant our garden.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I needed you</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Then and now</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">To teach me</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">When to be smart </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And when to be wise</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">When to act and when to wait.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">When to sow and when to reap.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And we need each other </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">To acknowledge our limitations</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">To correct our mistakes</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And to build upon our brilliant truths</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">To join collectively</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">To care deeply</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">To find strength in our numbers</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">To celebrate our synergy</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">To revel in our survival.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I need you</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And we desperately need each other.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Because we can be greater </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Than the sum of our scattered numbers.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">There is no better way.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>Paul Sandersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12094845813557284970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133849489306079138.post-83892841557467889512019-02-07T16:42:00.000-05:002019-03-07T10:18:45.378-05:00I Told You So<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Unplug me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Then plug me back in.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Reset me back to a previously functioning state.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I’ve been running version 2.0</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">For the past 20,000.0 years</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And it’s gotten quite buggy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The day before that</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Was the last day we were on course true.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I’m standing in the cornfield </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">In my virtual Kansas</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Waiting in my foil cap</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Emblazoned with the logo </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Of my hometown team.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I never made varsity</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Which turns out to be my possible salvation.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I can follow my story tree</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">All the way back to the day before </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It all went wrong.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">You know, you were there too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Our roots go deep</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Where we once were anchored.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">So back in Kansas</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I dig my feet in</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I’m done with the dance</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And am waiting for lightning to strike</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Knowing no other way </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">To let go</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">To reset</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">To gain course</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">To make amends</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">As the wind whistles her telling-tune</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Called, <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“I Told You
So.”</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>Paul Sandersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12094845813557284970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133849489306079138.post-20751915554494596182019-02-02T20:27:00.001-05:002019-02-02T20:31:03.796-05:00The Cure<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I feel weak and out of sorts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Maybe it’s the winter wind that haunts the nearby trees?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It moves me to desperation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Something lacking in my snacking?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And out of desperation </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I eat chocolate cake.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Modern science knows only a little about its healing
properties.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">But long-gone astrologers will tell you of its potential.</span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The </span></span><em><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Aztecs</span></em><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> believed that cacao seeds were the gift of Quetzalcoatl.</span></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Dutch mystics rendered it into cacao
butter and added sugar.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">And wonderbaar!</span></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It’s probably why people often say “Oh, my
god!” </span></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">After a forkful of German chocolate cake.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Chocolate is often part of holy day
rituals.</span></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ever nibble the ears of a chocolate bunny?</span></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Or eat the gold foil wrapped coins of Hanukkah
money?</span></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Show me the gelt!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The Swiss also belong in the pantheon of chocolate deities.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Nothing neutral about that flavor.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Lob sei,</span> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toblerone"><span style="color: black;">Toblerone</span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I’m hoping that the cake will return me back to “in
sorts.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A culinary cure of sorts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Meanwhile, what would really be good with chocolate cake</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Is a scoop of ice cream.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">“What flavor,” you say?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Come on now…</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>Paul Sandersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12094845813557284970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133849489306079138.post-53982407612206502462019-01-29T10:39:00.004-05:002019-01-29T10:41:22.579-05:00Good Day<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Hey,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">I hope you’re having a good day.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">What is a good day?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">A good day is the first steps you take
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">In a new pair of sneakers</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">(and extra good if you have new
socks!)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">A good day is making someone laugh out
loud</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Who has been locked up in a prison of
pain.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">A good day is seeing a kid </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Make baby steps of success.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">A good day is feeling the warm sun on
your cheek</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">On a cold January day.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">A good day is catching a golden leaf</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">That a maple tree has dropped to you.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">A good day is</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Finding your keys</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">A warm cookie</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">A wink and a nod.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">A good day my friend</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Is waiting for you.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>Paul Sandersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12094845813557284970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133849489306079138.post-79864145718394521642019-01-19T12:20:00.001-05:002019-01-19T12:21:51.789-05:00The Unregulated Territories<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A cat passes by here</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">On some sort of regular patrol,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Black with white boots,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">She seems to prowl in the unregulated territories.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And I wish to ask her</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">“What do you know?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">For I think that she could answer</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Though she chooses to keep to herself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Run silent run deep?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Reticence is her pedagogy… </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">That may be the better way to go.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Other creatures have answers,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The wisdom of wings</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Furbearers foresight </span><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , serif; margin: 0px;">but they seemed skeptical</span></i><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , serif; margin: 0px;">And
reluctant </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">to share them.</span><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Humans have stories</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">That explain our stories,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">But our bullshit masks many </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Of our creature canon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>-we once knew
better-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And might still know now</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">If we listened.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ask a cat what it knows of the sparrow</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And what the sparrow knows of the cat;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Truths are to be found in the unregulated territories.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>Paul Sandersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12094845813557284970noreply@blogger.com0