The Container

We look at the container and see its color has faded.

We look at the container and see it is misshapen.

We look at the container and see it doesn't have a polished hue.

We look at the container and see its lines are not symmetrical.

We look at the container and see its bumps and dents.

We look at the container and our eyes dart away from its less than wholesome appearance.

We look at the container and our hands itch to get a paintbrush and touch it up.

We look at the container and see that its best years are behind it.

We look at the container and see its style is dated.

And suddenly we stop seeing the container.

And we see only the gold inside.

As a loving heart was meant to see.

                          <<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

For my brother David. Who was gold inside. And only saw the gold inside.

A Better World

Let's create a better world

Doing what we can

Uniting in the cause of good

Every woman, child, and man.

Let's create a better world

One in which there's more giving

One in which our hearts are tender and open

Towards every person and everything living.

Let's create a better world

One in which there's peace and stability

One in which every child has a chance

Against the ravages of war, genocide, oppression, and inequity.

Let's create a better world

Where no one is belittled or mocked for despair

Let's use our knowledge, our prayers, and our wisdom

To face down all our human anxieties and cares.

Yes, let's create a better world, dear reader

One in which each one of us has faith, trust, and hope for tomorrow

To a better world let's be born

One in which we create more joys than sorrows.

Let's be born again to love and to trust

Born again to the promise of all we are meant to be

Born again to wisdom, joy, and awe

Born again to the infinite and golden treasures of our humanity.

Be born again, dear reader

Born to the awesomeness of everything you are meant to be

Born to your infinite potential and promise

To the love, the compassion, and the goodness that is your true destiny.

Be born again, dear reader

Born to the best you can be

Born to the miraculous and blessed life 

That's at the core of your birth and your humanity.

Even When

 

Even when dark clouds obliterate the sun

I will keep the song in my heart alive

Even when the burdens I have to bear make my fingers numb

I will keep the song in my heart alive

Even when all around me are sounds and sights of suffering and despair

I will keep the song in my heart alive

Even when all I see for miles and miles is mortar and flares

I will keep the song in my heart alive

Even though every weapon known to man may try to deter me 

I will keep the song in my heart alive

Even though rockets and cannons try to unnerve me

I will keep the song in my heart alive

Even though the future may be colored by many sorrows

I will keep the song in my heart alive

Even though there's so much uncertainty about what may happen tomorrow

I will keep the song in my heart alive

I will keep the song in my heart alive

For those who are depending on me

I will keep the song in my heart alive

Despite the perils of my journey

I will keep the song in my heart alive

For those who are depending on me

I will keep the song in my heart alive

Even if it threatens my mortality

I will keep the song in my heart alive

For those who are depending on me

I will keep the song in my heart alive

No one can take that away from me

Dedicated to Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Ukranian people, and all the brave souls that have emerged in every devastating war, throughout history, inclusive of wars against poverty, cruelty, genocide, oppression, and injustice.

Walk Though You May Stumble

Walk though you may stumble

Set your sights on unseen ground

Though you knees get weak

And your feet get weary

Keep your eyes in front of you

Let your purpose be your engine

Let faith and moral certainty be the clean fuel that runs your engine

Hold fast to trust and hope in humanity.

Let your spirits be unbound.

Walk though you may stumble

Take only what is important with you

Carry what is essential

Make your burden light

To your single purpose be true

To your ultimate purpose be bound

Though you knees get weak

And your feet get weary

Let your purpose be your engine

Let faith be the clean fuel that runs your engine

Hold fast to your mission and vision 

Let your spirits be unbound.

Walk though you may stumble

Look towards the light

Put one foot in front of the other

Until doubt is out of sight

One foot in front of the other

To your purpose bound

Though you knees get weak

And your feet get weary

Keep your eyes in front of you

Let you heart's desire be your engine

Let your faith and moral certainty be the clean fuel that runs that engine

Hold fast to the truth and your mission and vision

Let your spirits be unbound.

To your purpose alone be true

To your purpose alone be bound

Though you knees get weak

And your feet get weary

Hold fast to your mission and vision

Let your spirits be unbound.

Let your spirits be unbound.