Which Clouds Have a Silver Lining?

Which clouds have a silver lining?

All of the them if we look

We are sure to find some examples

Even in the pages of a crisis book.

Since the shutdown began, if we observe

Everyone started cooking  at home

So out came all those dusty appliances we had never used

And finally we could justify why they were owned.

 

We got out our aprons and mixing bowls

And began to make fancy and unusual spreads

I don't think any of us could ever have imagined

Some of the fancier dishes we learned to prepare.

 

And because we couldn't go to restaurants or movies

Home is where we had to work and have fun

In the process, some home repairs and projects got started or finished

That might have been on the back shelf and forever remained undone.

 

And all that time we used to spend

Sitting on trains, buses, and in cars

We now spent reading, walking, exercising, crafting, creating, becoming better at different things

Just by using all those extra hours.

 

And what about all the gardening

Some of us went lock stock and barrel into

We transformed backyards and front yards into havens to enjoy

And became mini farmers of fruits, vegetables, and herbs too.

 

And then there was the fact

That because we all drove and gadded about so much less

We saved money on maintenance, insurance, and gas

And were spared of crowds and traffic stress.

 

A lot of other money was saved

By not going to stores where expensive dresses, bags and cosmetics awaited

And many of us looked in the mirror and said,  "thank god I don't need a regular haircut"

Remembering all the ones we had gone for and hated (thanks Krysia for this input).

 

It became so easy to find time to attend meetings and events

Because it was a question of just plugging into Zoom

We didn't have to dress or drive anywhere to show our face or participate

We just had to sit down in front of a computer in any old room.

 

Our kids and family got to see us more

And to appreciate all that we do

In turn we got to participate in their lives

In a way we couldn't construe.

 

So reader, which clouds have a silver lining?

I dare say, all of them if we look

I am sure each of us can create our own version

Of the silver linings playbook.

Hurry Hurry Time

Hurry Hurry Time

I want my birthday to come

I want to blow out the candles on my cake

I want to open presents and have lots of fun

Hurry Hurry Time

I want to go to bed late

I want to stay out with my friends

I want to drive and have dates

Hurry Hurry Time

I want to be done with school

I want to make my own decisions

Style my hair and look cool

Hurry Hurry Time

I want my college days to end

I want to have a job and work

A paycheck to save and spend

Hurry Hurry Time

I want to build a better life

I want to  live in a nice house

Be a happy husband or wife

Hurry Hurry Time

I want our babies to be born

I want to cook and read and watch them grow

Fill our house with a child's laughter and song

Slow Slow Time

I want to keep middle age out the door

I want to live, laugh and love as I always have

Now and for many years more

Slow Slow Time

I want to sidestep the losses of age

I don't want health issues or relationship issues

Or challenges earning an income or wage

Slow Slow Time

I want to see my grandkids grow and do great things

I want to be there when space travel becomes common

And experience what the future will bring

And thus we spend our lives

Trying to hurry time when we are younger

And trying to slow time when we are older

And only when we realize

Yesterday is gone

Tomorrow may never come

Only then we realize

How important it is

To make every minute count

Let's begin! 

I Am The Richest Person In America

I am the richest person in America

Richer than Bill Gates

Richer than Elon Musk or Mark Cuban

It's okay if you are going, wait, what, wait.

Richer than Warren Buffett

Let me be even geo bolder

Richer than that Zara fellow and the owners of Ikea

Richer than the Vatican for all I know.

Richer than all the richest kings in history

And richer than the richest queens too

Richer than the richest celebrities

Yes Oprah and Sean Combs - it's true.

Richer than the richest sports women and men

Michael Jordan or Conor McGregor

Richer than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

Richer than Roger Federer.

Why am I the richest person in America, dear reader

I'll tell you now my poem is coming to an end

I am richer than everyone in America, and in the world,

Because I am rich in friends!

And so I say thank you to you, past, present, and future friends.

And thank you to family or relatives, who have become friends

I am the richest person in the world, and in history

Because the rich tapestry of your friendships has enriched my life from end to end.

Gracias, Shukriya

Deu borem korum, Danke sehr

Tak, Dziękuję,

Khop Khun Mak Kha

Nanri, Salamat

Shukran, Dhanyavaadhamulu

Arigato, doh jeh

Merci becoup!

P.S. My previous post - Which Friend Are You? Can You Spot Yourself?  is a previous reflection on the rich tapestry of friendships in my life. Since this rich tapestry has no beginning and no end, consider yourself included, even if you don't spot yourself.

I Wish That I Could Always See

 

I wish that I could always see

Through the lens of eternity

So that I could think beyond ideas

Such as

This is you and that is me.

After all, what I see as me is an infinite speck

In a galaxy of 100 billion

Even where I live, I am a speck

Just one out of 328 million.

With much self-importance, I debate about this and that

Complaining about things not being the way I think they should be

A pitiful specimen I am to focus on that

Instead of being spellbound by the wonders around me.

There are so many reasons to express awe

For such an amazing, rich, and diverse life

What a fool to spend it casting this and that opinion

And creating divisions and all kinds of strife.

Life is short, I've started telling myself

And it's getting shorter with every passing day

Instead of spending it putting people and ideas down

I should use my precious time in a loving and more enlightened way.

And this is what I will try to do, dear reader

And if you see me go astray

Let me know as soon as possible.

I don't want to waste another day.