Category: Personal

NaPoWriMo 2021 Day 13

On By WinstonIn Enlightenment, Loving Life, my blessed life, NaPoWriMo, Nature, Personal, Poetry, ValuesLeave a comment

I’ve been dreaming of having the money and time to travel where I want and spend my time as I please. This poem reflects what I see in those dreams. Enjoy!

Where Do You See Yourself?

There’s so much beauty to be found,

At place where land meets sky.

Horizons call and beckon me,

To where the seabirds cry.

Or maybe find a mountain peak,

With valleys deep and green.

To wake and greet a brand new day,

Somewhere I’ve never been.

The sounds of surf upon a coast,

The soft cry of a loon.

Great rushing winds of summer storms,

Soft silver light from moon.

I sit and watch the dazzling sun,

Dance ‘cross a peaceful lake.

While listening to the insect drone,

And perfect mem’ries make.

To find the peace which nature brings,

Such joy it brings to me.

They fill the corners of my soul.

Each wonder that I see.

They may be grand or tiny things,

Each precious in it’s way.

A bloom, a bird, an ocean vast,

Each has something to say.

I will experience each one,

As many as there’s time.

And listen to the whisp’ring world,

Bask in this joy sublime.

Cheers, Winston

NaPoWriMo 2021 Day 12

On By WinstonIn COVID 19, NaPoWriMo, Pandemic, Personal, Personal Responsibility, Poetry, Science, Society, Uncategorized, Values2 Comments

I am well aware that not everyone will agree with today’s poem and that’s okay. This post reflects my views on the current situation. Thank you for keeping any comments polite, respectful and brief.

COVID 19

This virus, such a tiny thing,

How quick, how far it spread.

Around the globe in just a year,

There’s near three million dead.

“It’s not so bad.”, some folks maintain,

“It’s no worse than the flu.”

At least until someone who died,

Is someone close to you.

They can’t conceive or won’t believe,

Why everything must stop.

And every step that we can take,

We must ’til cases drop.

Now wear your mask and wash you hands,

And stay home that’s the plan.

Now close the restaurants and bars,

Close any stores you can.

There’s no cabal with some grand plan,

To strip your rights from you.

The powerful elites don’t care,

‘Bout little fish like you.

Your “rights” aren’t more important than,

All those who’ve yet to die.

Unless you’re one who’ll tell me that,

This all has been a lie.

I beg you don’t say this to me,

I’ve heard it all before.

And I’ve no wish to go around,

Go ’round and ’round once more.

This virus, such a tiny thing,

Makes such a huge divide.

Some swear our fear has made us blind,

Some work to stem the tide.

I’ve diabetes, heart disease,

Health issues by the score.

Up until now my Docs have worked,

To keep me from Death’s door.

So I’ll rely on their advice,

To get me through these times.

And pass the lockdown as I do,

Composing little rhymes.

Cheers, Winston

NaPoWriMo 2021 Day 11

On By WinstonIn Drawing, Loving Life, My Art, my blessed life, NaPoWriMo, Personal, Personal Creativity Project,, Poetry, Sketches, UncategorizedLeave a comment

As you may have seen in previous posts here, I also enjoy drawing. I had really stepped back from it for while when my daughter was young and I was busier doing Dad stuff. She is out in the world now and I have started re-investing my time in visual art. I’m never going to be a great artist, but it brings me great joy. That’s really what I missed.

Recaptured Joy

I loved to sketch, to draw or paint,

Although I was no pro.

A life I got then, as one does,

And chose to let it go,

Oh sure I doodled now and then,

But less as time went by.

And as old skills from mem’ry slipped,

Was less inclined to try.

But then at length I realized,

What giving up had cost

So I set out once more to find,

That joy which had been lost.

Once more I pick my pencil up,

Resume old exercise.

Draw basic shapes five hundred times,

Each one a different size.

Here I now sit and set to page,

What’s seen in my mind’s eye.

Though I’m not back where once I was,

At least I’m going to try,

I study and I practice now,

I draw all kinds of things.

But haunted by my past I won’t,

Draw unicorns with wings.

Cheers, Winston

NaPoWriMo 2021 Day 10

On By WinstonIn NaPoWriMo, Personal, Poetry, Uncategorized, writer`s blockLeave a comment

For myself typically the problem isn’t finding words. Words I’ve got in abundance! The problem is finding words that I can force into some form of narrative. That’s where the tricky bits are, and that’s the subject of today’s poem.

So Many Words, So Little Focus

I feel the words rush through my mind,

In search of some release.

I try to shift them to the page,

Find for myself some peace.

But any peace is too short-lived,

For always there are more.

A jumbled, meaningless tumult,

An endless, numbing roar.

I catch a few, a sentence make,

From there a couplet spin.

They are too few the words I free,

To calm the storm within.

Now once again, the chaos comes,

I give myself to it.

I dance within the whirling gyre,

Though here I plainly sit.

I clutch and grasp and wrestle with,

The words within my mind.

And when at last I dare to look,

A finished verse I find.

And briefly then I know such peace,

Before it starts again.

The words return, they rush and roar,

And fill up my whole brain.

And so it goes, the wheel turns,

The cycle starts anew.

To write until the storm abates,

Is all that I can do.

Cheers, Winston

NaPoWriMo 2021 Day 09

On By WinstonIn Enlightenment, Global Issues, Media, NaPoWriMo, Personal, Personal Responsibility, Poetry, Society, Technology, ValuesLeave a comment

A lot of ink, both physical and digital has been devoted to the evils personal tech devices of late. I’m more a proponent of balance than banishment. Make better choices. That’s what I’m striving for.

What Is Light Without The Dark?

The constant light, is always there,

It seeps in through the seams.

There’s nowhere that I’m free of it,

Even my darkest dreams.

Light finds me there, and sears my eyes,

I beg for some respite.

But there is none, it never fades,

Dim yet eternal light.

Five billion screens, each one aglow,

Dark never stood a chance.

Now day and night are just the same,

We’ve stilled the ancient dance.

And though our screens give constant light,

We see much less by far.

Than when our eyes looked up to seek,

The brightest, clearest star.

By giving all our time to this,

Thing there within our hand.

We’ve lost the will to look beyond,

And try to understand.

But don’t forget that screen is just,

A tool that we can use.

Don’t blame the thing, but blame the choice,

And then more wisely choose.

Now choose to close that screen sometimes,

Enveloped in the night.

For darkness is essential to,

Appreciate the light.

Cheers, Winston

NaPoWriMo 2021 Day 8

On By WinstonIn Loving Life, my blessed life, NaPoWriMo, Nature, Personal, Poetry, spring, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Since April is National Poetry Month, I try to do at least one spring themed entry per year. Here in Canada, winters are cold and long and spring is much anticipated. It is probably my favourite season.

For Love of Spring

To watch the swelling of a bud,

Then watch the leaf unfold.

The wonder of a world reborn,

From winter’s deadly cold.

The piping of returning birds,

Geese calling overhead.

With crocus blooms a welcome splash,

Of colour in their bed.

The days grow warm but no too hot,

The nights are still quite chill.

I love the spring, I always have,

And prob’ly always will.

I watch the swelling of a bud,

The bloom which opens there,

It’s beauty overcomes my heart,

All I can do is stare.

For spring is come, at last arrived,

All dormant things awake.

To stretch and seek this vernal sun,

All beauty now to make.

And I, eyes filled with wonder walk,

See wonders everywhere.

It’s spring and beauty fills my world,

With light and joy so rare.

So bring the sun, then bring the rains,

Wash winter’s signs away.

Then paint the world in brighter shades,

I’m loving life today!

Cheers, Winston

NaPoWriMo 2021 Day 5

On By WinstonIn Loving Life, my blessed life, my Dog, NaPoWriMo, Personal, Poetry, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Before anyone argues that their dog is the best one, I just want to say… Every dog is the best one that ever was. Not just dogs. Every pet that is loved by their owner is the best one that ever was. It’s not a competition… it’s all about the blessing!

Loving My Best Dog

This dog I see before me is,

The finest there could be.

It’s true because this friend is mine,

And so it’s true for me.

If I go out, he’s oh so thrilled,

When I walk through the door.

He wags so hard and jumps around,

Then rolls upon the floor.

Sometimes he’ll lie upon my feet,

To let me know he’s there.

And anytime I’m feeling sick,

Stays close to show his care.

He hates the heat, and loves the snow,

Loves AC more than me.

For anytime it’s hot outside,

Inside is where he’ll be.

He loves his Mommy just as much,

Her constant shadow now.

With all the love he gives to us,

There’s always more somehow.

He loves his snacks (a bit too much),

And napping in the hall.

Wants belly-rubs from all who pass,

But Aunty most of all.

He truly is the finest pup,

Best one that ever was.

And we are blessed, so truly blessed,

He gave his heart to us.

Cheers, Winston

(For Ducky, Chester and every dog who’s life I’ve been blessed to share. You are all the best dog ever!)

NaPoWriMo 2021 Day 3

On By WinstonIn Love, my angel, my blessed life, NaPoWriMo, Personal, Relationships, UncategorizedLeave a comment

It was my lady wife who suggested the subject of today’s effort. If you enjoy it, thank her for the inspiration. If you do not, then blame me for the execution.

The Caress

A finger traces over skin,

As perfect as the dawn.

The faintest sigh, the moment passed,

Too soon, too quickly gone.

The softest touch, like eider down,

You barely sense it’s there.

Now focused on that moving touch,

So totally aware.

No words could ever say as clear,

How loved you truly are.

As that one soft, so tender thing,

It sets the highest bar.

It seems so small, so minor yet,

In that it’s strength does lie.

Though other passions burn so bright,

Their light must sooner die.

When I’m too old, these words to say,

Eyes dim and limbs so weak.

You’ll feel my touch upon your hand,

In your heart hear me speak.

“For all these years I’ve loved you so,

My life was truly blessed.

For every time I’ve touched you love,

My soul you have caressed.”

Cheers, Winston

NaPoWriMo 2021 Day 2

On By WinstonIn Enlightenment, family, Friendship, Loving Life, my blessed life, NaPoWriMo, Personal, Poetry, ValuesLeave a comment

My friend Jen turns fifty-five today. We’ve been friends for twenty years now… but that’s nothing. I met her through my wife who has been friends with her for fifty years! All of that made today seem like a great day to celebrate that friendship.

That One Friend

I wish that everyone could have,

A friend as true as you.

The world would be a better place,

Because of what they’d do.

A friend who’d always lift them up,

Who never put them down.

The one who’d love to see their smile,

Who’d understand their frown.

That friend who’s up for anything,

Who makes that thing more fun.

And down the road looks back and laughs,

At crazy things they’ve done.

You always put another first,

And think of yourself last.

Then brush off any thanks or praise,

Embarrassed ’til it’s past.

You love to share and talk and laugh,

It brightens any day.

You’re interested in everyone.

I guess you’re born that way.

So thanks my friend for being part,

Of our lives all these years.

You’ve shared our triumphs and defeats,

Our laughter and our tears.

Your friendship is the greatest gift,

A blessing through and through.

It’s true our lives are brighter far,

My friend because of you!

Cheers, Winston

NaPoWriMo 2021 Day 1

On By WinstonIn NaPoWriMo, Personal, Poetry, writer`s blockLeave a comment

It is April 1st once again and so begins National Poetry Writing Month. Last year, I finished a couple of poems away from the 30 verse target. Hopefully this year I can go all the way. Time will tell.

Without further ado… today’s offering.

A Most Poetic Death

“Good morning”, said the typist to,

The keyboard where he sat.

“I’m hoping we’ll get on this year,

Despite last April’s spat.”

The keyboard for it’s part said naught,

For keyboard’s cannot talk,

The typist sits there nervously,

Then gets up for a walk.

Returning, sitting, fingers placed,

He fumbles for some words.

But what appears on snowy page,

Are horrid, verbal turds.

He cannot write, he’s lost the knack,

So backs away again.

Perhaps the keyboard is the block,

Now searches for a pen.

It’s not the keyboard nor the pen,

He knows this from the start.

The problem is the emptiness,

Where verse lived in his heart.

He used to love the play of words,

The rhythm, shape and flow.

Has sacrificed that love for craft,

Too blind to see it go.

The typist sits, his fingers range,

And roam across the keys.

Tears form and trickle down his face,

As each weak verse he sees.

If craft lives now where once dwelt love,

Then craft must be a muse.

The poet dead, mere typist now,

A shell for craft to use.

Cheers, Winston