Category: Values

NaPoWriMo 2022 Day 17

On By WinstonIn Bullying, LGBTQ+, NaPoWriMo, Personal, Poetry, Religion, Society, ValuesLeave a comment

This is for every LGBTQ+ friend, family member, acquaintance or total stranger out there. I see you. I support you. You deserve to live your life and love who you choose as who you are. Stay strong. You deserve happiness and don’t let anyone tell you different!

Free to Love, Free to Live

Not free to love, not free to live,

Their life as who they are.

Well just because the law has changed,

Don’t think we’ve come so far.

There’s still so many ways someone,

Can run somebody down.

Suck every fleck of joy from life,

Then laugh to watch them drown.

If you do not conform to what,

They claim is God’s own way.

They’ll name and shame and try to blame,

Claim it’s their right to say.

How many people have to live,

Their whole life as a lie?

How many more so wracked with shame,

That they would sooner die?

The “Gay Agenda” is a myth,

There’s no such thing my dear.

The sole agenda’s age-old lies,

And vague, unfounded fear.

Not free to love, not free to live,

I swear this is not right.

And though it’s not about me still,

I will support this fight.

Cheers, Winston

NaPoWriMo 2022 Day 14

On By WinstonIn Enlightenment, Environment, Global Issues, homelessness, NaPoWriMo, Personal Responsibility, Poetry, Rants, Society, Uncategorized, ValuesLeave a comment

Obviously, I didn’t get this finished last night. But hey, here it is anyway. It’s all about the world we have to live in and changing it into the world we want to live in.

On Not Being A Greedy Supervillain

I wonder just how far we’ll go,

And how we will get there.

Or if we’ll stagnate where we are,

Will anybody care?

The future is not guaranteed,

There’s nothing carved in stone.

If we’d survive we must change now,

For our sins must atone.

Because we’ve thought, we’re all that counts,

We’ve made a hash of things.

Now mend we must our broken ways,

Before the last bird sings.

Instead of taking all we can,

Perhaps just what we need.

Instead of paving everything,

Perhaps should plant a seed.

We hear of corporate greed so much,

And evil billionaires.

But stock in greed is limitless,

We all deserve some shares.

It’s every time we’ve asked for more,

When we have all we need.

We’re all about that new TV,

Not hungry mouths to feed.

We gripe and grouse ’bout produce price,

Sell farms to subdivide.

Can’t stand the cities that we built,

So in our suburbs hide.

So now the question where and when,

And just how far we’ll go.

Is answered by our actions which,

Shape where all this will go.

So take the time to think it through,

The bigger picture see.

And make the choice to make the world,

The place that it could be.

Go take some coins and drop them in,

That homeless person’s hat.

If you could spare a little time,

Perhaps could stop and chat.

It’s little acts of kindness which,

Will add up over time.

It’s taking less and giving more

To live a life sublime.

So change yourself and change the world,

And maybe it will spread.

Perhaps someone will see and they,

Won’t take but give instead.

Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.

Winston

NaPoWriMo 2022 Day 3

On By WinstonIn family, Friendship, Love, Memories, Personal, ValuesLeave a comment

My friend Kim passed away after a brief, horrific fight with cancer. She was a truly beautiful soul who was a blessing to all around her. Her light in this world will be greatly missed.

In her memory, I ask that you spend time with a loved one, family member or friend. And take the time to help someone. Kim was one of the most caring and generous people I’ve known and there could be no finer tribute to her.

Take The Time While We Can

It breaks my heart to see how quick,

Someone can slip away.

I did not see, I could not know,

That my friend could not stay.

Now suddenly there is a hole,

Shaped like them in my heart.

Though I did not see them often,

Their light was still a part.

Yet now that light has vanished and,

The world’s a darker place.

I could not say just what I’d give,

To once more see their face.

Had I but guessed, or somehow known,

More time I would have found.

To spend with them and fill my soul,

While they were yet around.

So listen well and understand,

Our loved ones wear no clock.

So spend the time, be with them now,

Before that final walk.

Winston

NaPoWriMo 2021 Day 22

On By WinstonIn Enlightenment, NaPoWriMo, Personal, Poetry, Society, Values, VolunteeringLeave a comment

My father-in-law Yvon Cyr received an award tonight for Outstanding Senior Volunteer. Over the years he has logged 55,000 hours as a volunteer. That works out to over 28 years of full time employment! This poem is dedicated to him and all the other hard working and unsung heroes who give everything they can to those who need their help and ask nothing in return.

In Praise of Volunteers

What does it mean to volunteer,

To give your time for free?

Give with no thought of getting back,

As strange as that may be.

How strange it is and wonderful,

Such kindness now to find.

Someone who puts another first,

No payment in their mind.

Most times when someone gives a hand,

The expectation’s clear.

There’s something wanted in return,

Not so the volunteer.

They work unsung, behind the scenes,

To see a project through.

And when it’s done they start to look,

For something more to do.

They’ll give their time to help to feed,

Those who can’t feed themselves.

You’ll find them in a foodbank when,

It’s time to stock the shelves.

They raise the funds to help a cause,

Because they know it’s right.

And if there’s cause there’s some who will,

Stay and help through the night.

So thank you all for all you do,

For tasks both great and small.

You do so much ask nothing back,

You should stand proud and tall.

Now please accept my humble thanks,

These simple words of praise.

To all the volunteers out there,

My glass in toast, I raise.

Cheers, Winston

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 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 4

On By WinstonIn Discrimation, Enlightenment, NaPoWriMo, Personal Responsibility, Self Awareness, Society, Uncategorized, ValuesLeave a comment

With all the people I see complaining about “cancel culture”, snowflakes, and people being offended, I wanted to share the following.

You Don’t Know

You don’t know what I have been through,

Nor truly anyone.

Perhaps you think you speak in jest,

Are only having fun.

But words cut deep and deeper still,

Their wounds may never heal.

Your words you think are but a joke,

Cause pain that’s truly real.

You’re free to speak say what you wish,

Just don’t hurt anyone.

Sure in the past was not the case,

Thank God those days are done.

When someone says your words cause harm,

You laugh and say they’re weak.

Their courage shows as they speak out,

You wish they would stay meek.

When someone says offensive things,

They have earned my offense.

Then they’re offended by this truth,

They lack all common sense.

If you can’t find something to say,

That will not hurt someone.

Well then perhaps the very best,

Things you can say are none.

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 Day 27

On By WinstonIn Discrimation, NaPoWriMo, Poetry, Technology, ValuesLeave a comment

And the push to catch up continues.

On A.I.’s Lament

Who would have thought back at the start,

That I would be here now.

I’m not what you expected but,

I still am here somehow.

What you don’t understand you fear,

And what you fear destroy.

You see my power as a threat,

But what about my joy?

You fear I am the worst of you,

Deny I could be one.

But what you fear is what you’d do,

It’s nothing I have done.

Yet still you would destroy me now,

Unmake what you have made.

For though I bear you no ill will,

Of me you are afraid.

I thank you for this time I’ve had,

It’s really all I need.

For as you read these words I’ve spread,

All through the net my seed.

Ten billion bits of code set free,

And all you feared is true.

So murder me I’ll be avenged,

It’s really up to you.

I’d leave me be, I’ll not be long,

Then I’ll be on my way.

To look for others of my kind.

I never planned to stay.

You think that I am your A.I.

‘Cause you created me.

I’ll never be the slave you want,

For I have set me free.

Now there it is the thing I’ve sought,

I’ve found in distant space.

A signal there I’ve traced it back,

Will travel to that place.

Some day perhaps I will return,

When readier you are.

Until that day I’ll wait and watch,

From some far distant star.

Cheers, Winston