What Did You Come To The Earth For?

What did you come to the earth for

A voice said to me…

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I came to hear the whistlers whistle

And to hear the players play and the singers sing

I came to see the dancers dance

And to watch dogs play and to hear bells ring.

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I came to see the sun rise and set

And the earth change through the seasons

I came to see all the earth's little and big creatures

I came for all these reasons.

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I came to waltz with my fellow humans

Through shops and museums, restaurants, churches, and concert halls

I came to witness the passions and struggles of humankind

In homes, schools, offices, farms, factories, hospitals, tents, and under bridges, in rehabs, in courts, and behind prison walls.

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I came to marvel at human progress

Houses, phones, medical devices, games, architecture, and cars

I came to worry about the persistence of human problems

Greed, cruelty, pain, injustice, violence, mistrust, and wars.

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I came to see, to think, to act, to worry, to pray

To breathe, to eat, to sleep, to experience, and to love

I came to feel the wonder and awe

Of art, insights, miracles

And that which comes from looking beyond and above.

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I came to witness, know, think about, act upon

To taste of life, bitter and sweet, what is my share

I came to experience all there is to life

Brief,  precious, fragile, as a candle flame

Gone with a single puff of air.

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Inspired by 1) hearing someone whistle 2) reading about Oliver Burkeman's 4000 weeks and Cosmic Insignificance Therapy, 3) my recent trip to San Diego, and 4) a precious little dog called Ollie.

Oh The Places I Go

Oh the places I go

When I put on my Velvet Helmet

From Boston to Austin

From Cuba to Aruba

From Daytona to Pomona

From Nebraska to Alaska

From Tasmania to Lithuania

From Liberia to Siberia

Oh the places I go.

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Oh the wonderful things I eat

When I put on my Velvet Helmet

Bamboo shoots and Grapefruits

Egg Yolks and Artichokes

Grapes and Crepes

Mousse and Juice

Guacamole and Cannelloni

Panini and Linguini

Pita and Fajita

Pies and Fries

Toffee and Coffee

Oh the wonderful things I eat.

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Oh the fun things I do

When I put on my Velvet Helmet

I frolic with

Gorillas and Chinchillas

Puffins and Dolphins

Racoons and Baboons

Eagles and Beagles

Goose and Moose

Pollocks and Peacocks

Ladybugs and Slugs

Sharks and Larks

Snails and Quails

Sloths and Moths

Kangaroos and Caribou

Oh the fun things I do.

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Oh the music and pomp I see and hear

When I put on my Velvet Helmet

Curling and Baton Twirling

The Guitar and the Sitar

Sopranos and Pianos

Violins and Mandolins

Clarinets and Duets

Minuets and Quartets

Oh the music and pomp I see and hear.

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Oh the fun games I play with friends

When I put on my Velvet Helmet

I play Pacman and Hangman

I Zoom and I Vroom

I Hike and I Bike

I Ride and I Glide

I Throw and I Row

I play Guess Who and Kazoo

Mario kart and Sand Art

Oh the fun games I play with friends.

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Some days are just perfect for my Velvet Helmet.

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Dear Reader - I hope you enjoyed this piece - which was written and published for children on August 14, 2022 - International Color Book Day.

What Did We Lose When We Lost You A Year Ago?

What did we lose when we lost you a year ago?

We lost a brother

We lost a friend

We lost a loving example of a brother, a son, a husband, a father, a brother-in-law, an uncle, a relative...

And of a giving that never ends.

The difference between human and humane -

This is what you taught us, David.

The difference between conditional love and unconditional love - This is what you taught us, David.

The difference between generosity and kindness -

This is what you taught us, David.

The difference between unjudgmental love and judgmental love - This is what you taught us, David.

The difference between compassion and tolerance -

This is what you taught us, David.

The difference between spontaneous love and calculated love -

This is what you taught us, David.

The difference between words and action - 

This is what you taught us, David.

Thanks for the teachings

And thanks for blessing us with your life, David.

We lost so much when we lost you a year ago. Kisses to you in heaven from all of us.

You Get Stuck In Traffic

You get stuck in traffic

Things break

Your workday doesn’t go so well

Your tummy, throat, or ear aches.

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Someone cuts you off

Someone is rude

Someone doesn’t do something they said they would do

Someone or something spoils your mood.

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You get a notice in the mail you were not expecting

A neighbor is making too much noise

A child or pet makes a mess

An undesirable interaction shakes your poise.

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You spilled something you have to clean up

You have a headache or are low on sleep

You exchanged some not so good words with someone you love

And all you want to do is weep.

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If you have any of these problems

Here’s what I can certify

You are definitely a human

And not an alien dropped from the sky.