Saturday, November 29, 2014

THE DREAM


Slim and trim and sleek and suave is what they hoped to be,
Esteemed, admired and sought by all, "Best dressed of all," said she.
With furs ad finery to shape their her figures lean and bold,
A social register to make, all masked a heart ice cold.
Each whim or stylish fad of time that fashion might dictate,
A selfish hand reached forth to grasp, their ego to inflate.

And then one night a dream took shape, they stood upon a plane,
Where earth and time rolled back the years, each moment to reclaim.
They watched those hands of time reverse, unneeded furs were shed,
A white coat floated from each form, to seals no longer dead,
They saw a parents rich brown eyes awaken as in dream,
From nightmares that had rode the floe, the pups were white and clean.

No more their naked bodies lay, in bloodied splattered snow,
No more the sealers sullen ships, waited by the floe.
No more were mothers brutalized protecting babes they bore,
No longer did the voice of doom decree their death in gore.
She saw the years these hapless slaves provided fuel and food,
Cosmetic oils to smooth their hands, and warm coats for the cool.

If this be dreams, let me awake, this is so sad for me,
Let me awake that I may help those helpless from the sea.
Fast forward on the tapes of time showed writing on the wall,
The numbered days of many forms, she heard their desperate call.
The mercury poisoned waterways no fish or birds should use,
Life's fragile chain of smaller forms, so carelessly abused.

Those dwindling numbers herded back, she marked their areas small,
The elephants hard pressed for space, the songbirds lingering call,
Man called it progress, asked for more, demanded death for all -
Who hindered his voracious lust for money making sprawl.
As psychic symbols moved to view, a silver chord appeared,
That blended every form of life, their balance to revere.

For when man slashed at Mother Earth, her roots were wounded too,
A lifeline touching psychic needs, for peace and values true.
The poisons seeped into both souls that carelessly were thrown,
As waste in Mother Nature's store, a store that was his own,
She watched man join the march of death whose slow and ghastly pace,
Marched through a vale of drugs and tears, mutations sad disgrace.
For with man's plunder of the earth, the poisoned soil and air,
No more could bring the needs of health, from nature's squandered fare.
But hope may spring eternal still and change to better ways,

The dream declared that love and care could bring a better day.

Sunday, November 23, 2014

THE UNWELCOME IMMIGRANT


Among the huddled masses that from Europe came,
A tiny golden visitor staked its claim to fame,
Somewhere in steerage passage with no ticket by my side,
I threw a shoot and anchored roots, in new lands far and wide.
Content to live in wastelands, my golden flower thrived,
In backyard tenement clutter, 'twas just thrilled to be alive.

On barren ground or homestead, this hardy alien grew,
Its puffballs - games for children, to scatter joy anew.
Unlike the dashing rosebud, whose thorns a child may fear,
The friendly dandelion waves, a stately stem with cheer.
Strong winds and rain may damage other dainty flowers,
But this sturdy willing immigrant stands tall through every shower.
Just weave me into garlands, I am a friendly flower,
To bed I go at sunset and rise a decent hour.
Like you, I love America, my new home top to tip,

Sharing nourishment and beauty, I am grateful for my trip.

Sunday, November 16, 2014

THE INJURED TREE


High on a hill a bent plum tree, lies half prone, where it started free,
A lightening bolt from a windblown board, bowed it low where the damage scored.
Its neighbors proud, stately and prim, towered above with their branches trim.
Yet a special charm embraces the eye, as hopeful branches their leaves hold high.
Summer will pass and a message tell, how a child can reach its fruit so well.
Its sturdy bole - a fine seat make, so handy to reach when its fruit we take.

What may have seemed like a mishap grim, has risen to bloom with hope from within.
Spreading its beauty and service free, a special delight - like no other near tree.
A message to all, soft breezes will tell, Its sturdy root still nourishes well.
The sun and the rain no favorites show, As small birds fly to branches so low.
Small children can reach its fruit so well, to share with their friends or even to sell.

"Don't feel sad that this plum tree fell, we can now reach its fruit, the children all tell."

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

REMEMBRANCE DAY


From Flanders fields red poppies flash,
Their show is speaking from the ash,
With undulating waves that flow,
Their sounds of silence tell of old,
Of wars that promised force brought change,
For life on Earth to rearrange.

To those who fell in lines of fire,
In death have joined this silent choir.
All so simple, yet profound,
Through change of thought - new life is found.
This hidden secret - thoughts bring power,
To demonstrate from modern towers.

Flashing from the heart to mind,
Translates with choice as speech refines.
That offers care and love for change,
And magnifies when we rearrange.
Thoughts that prove from new in power,
Speak for those dead in fields of flowers.
From history's page, as thoughts renew,
New President, new change in view.

Young voices help to speed the race,
A change through internet of space,
Pictures flash, hearts choose to change,
Fingers flash - thoughts rearrange,
Rejecting hate through power of mind,
Renewed through love, ALL people bind.

Sunday, November 9, 2014

LOOKING FOR A WINTER'S RESIDENCE


Our valley's known for kindly hearts, new winter's quarters - time to start,
We all look through the late fall days - all seeking for a place to stay.
A tiny spot that they will share - within their home, just anywhere.
We need only bits of food - though our bathroom habits can be rude.
Housekeeping work we leave for you, while making nests for homes anew.
I'll take a bit from her silk dress to make a lining for my nest.
Grandmothers have told us which is best.

And what a find - her lovely hair, those curly ends, I'm sure she'll share,
On padded feet her quilt I've crossed, soft and cozy just like moss.
But owner of this lovely home, unwilling was her home to share.
Leaping up in frantic fright, (I do such work in dead of night.)
She screeched - a frantic time ensued  - the sounds I heard were really rude.
I raced along her soft white arm - then under sheets to keep from harm.

Now I'll take a look around, near some books, a space I've found,
I'm seeking fabric for my nest, I trust she feel I'm not a pest.
Her soft and lovely dainty curls had looked and felt like real pearls.
With closets full of clothes to share, I'll take small bits, she won't care.
I feel she's had a change of mind, I smell cheese, how sweet and kind.
Upon a tiny wooden tray, served on the floor, I'm glad to stay,
Outside the snow hides grains of wheat, but peanut butter, what a treat.
What's that I hear - sounds like a snap, Grandmother had warned me,
 "Now watch for traps."  

Sunday, November 2, 2014

AN ADVENTURE



The fall season had arrived and my parents decided to go hiking on the flood plains at the edge of the foothills. To be sure picnic fixings would include me I did a little whining and it always works. To reach the water required a walk along an abandoned road through the forest that was closed to vehicle traffic with two foot high cement well-heads at the entrance. The road had once led to a natural gas well head and compressor station. In the opposite direction of the well head a game trail appeared leading down through the bush to a river. This large flood plane was made of rocks and my mom was planning to collect some nice ones although she had not figured on carrying any rocks this distance back to the truck. That is anyone's guess.


First it was hiking time and we set off along the flood plain, walked along the river's edge on the rocks. I went into the bush because those rocks were too hard for my soft little paws.. One thing we had to watch out for was bears. At that time of the year they are out in full force. My mom wore bear bells around her ankles and carried two tin plates to bang together in case we spotted a bear. My dad should have brought his shotgun just in case but he said we would e okay, Yeah, right, I thought. My parents were talking and I was nearby in the bush when I heard a rustling off to my right in a thick stand of spruce but I had to investigate this noise. I ambled further into the woods. My parents and the river were to my left. Then I heard my dad call me and give his shrill whistle but I wasn't about give up my search. Now all of a sudden I had he feeling that I was being watched. I tilted my head upwards, stuck my nose in the air and sniffed in every direction to see if I could get the scent of something, a faint odor in the wind, but of what? I wanted quiet so I could listen for any unusual sounds. Then I stopped dead in my tracks, just 10 feet in front of me, not one, not two, but three pairs of eyes peering ahead, right at me, three raccoons, clinging to the birch tree in deep concentration and looking me over.