Last week at work I did the following sketch.
I sent it to my wife who said “Tell me that isn’t on a piece of scrap paper because I love it and want to hang it!” Of course it is on a piece of scrap paper. So this week, I set about re-doing it more suitable for hanging.
Many, MANY hours later, here is the result.
As always, I would love to know what people think.
Cheers,
Experimenting with a new paint tool on the iPad Pro. Any feedback is appreciated.
Cheers,
A small ink sketch done in between actual work related things today.
That Monday feeling of “anywhere but here”!
Cheers,
My sister bought a new journal while visiting on vacation. She asked me to draw a raven in it for her. Here is the result.
As always, I would love your feedback.
Cheers,
Part of my job is peer mentoring and a big part of that is helping to resolve interpersonal issues amongst my co-workers. I often use some of the principles of mindfulness to provide tools to aid this process. One of the main ones, is to not live in past issues or project future ones, but to deal with the moment we are in.
This is the focus of the penultimate verse for this year. Enjoy!
Don’t Fear What’s Not There
The past is gone do not live there,
The future not yet here.
Remove what was and what may be.
And so reduce your fear.
What we most fear is in our heads,
Not in front of us now.
Our future guess based on our past,
Is what we dread somehow.
We cannot hear a calming voice,
So sure it’s just a ploy.
Imagination robs us of,
Our very real joys.
Yet still our brains won’t let us be,
See dangers everywhere.
The “What ifs” start they never stop,
Are more than we can bear.
But if we stop and realize,
What we fear may not be.
From our eyes we can lift the haze,
The truth more clearly see.
The past is gone, why let it run,
The future you create.
By making choices for you now,
Stop ere it is too late.
The future is not carved in stone.
Why fear what is not there?
This does not mean you should not plan,
That you should not take care.
But do not base that plan on fear,
But common sense instead.
By starting in the here and now,
You see farther ahead.
So be here now and find your peace,
Within the now we share.
And from this moment you can find,
Such joy if you just dare.
The future is not carved in stone,
The past no longer here.
And we can find our peace right now,
Choose to live without fear.
Cheers, Winston
I have a friend named Gene who has been working for years to make the world a better place. Slowly, steadily and most importantly, deliberately. He has worked for youth employment programs, outreach programs, community health networks, school breakfast programs, non-profit housing… the list goes on. All of it with the intent to make life better for other people. He is one of my heroes, and this poem is for him.
A Better World
How many lives do we each touch,
As through this life we pass?
Perhaps a bit more focus there,
Than on things we amass.
It’s what we’ve done as we pass through,
That says just who we are.
The choice we make to harm or help,
Dark cloud or shining star.
All ethics and morality,
Are just a guide it’s true.
What matters is what’s in your heart,
Intent must come from you.
Now do you seek to lift someone,
Or only cause them pain?
If you would seek the former great,
If not please think again.
For in the end the life you’ve lived,
Is judged by those you touch.
So hold your anger, spread your love,
Your kindness does so much.
Not one of us can change the world,
There’s none of us that strong.
But every kindness great or small,
Still counteracts some wrong.
If each of us but try to make,
Things better for someone.
The world will change for that is how,
The greatest works are done.
Not one of us but all of us,
Have strength to shift the stars
If we all try a kinder path,
Might shift this world of ours.
Cheers, Winston
Three days to go and the creative juices are drying up. Still, I’ve managed to bang out another one. Only two more to go!
A Missing Muse
The voice inside my head cries out,
“Oh no! This cannot be!”
“The words, the lines, those precious rhymes,
Have all forsaken me.”
Yet here I sit and still I type,
Pull words it seems from air.
For in my head is naught but void,
No muse yet lingers there.
From overwork my muse has fled,
To seek less stressful lands.
For someone whom, though they create,
Still time off understands.
For even on the days I miss,
My muse I still pursue.
For then there is the catching up,
And then next verse is due.
Now though that muse has sought surcease,
From labour in my cause.
The fact is I’ve three more to write,
Too late a day to pause.
So here I sit and still I type,
These words upon the screen,
And wonder if that muse who fled,
Will ever more be seen.
Cheers, Winston
Okay, okay…. I know it’s “another” Spring poem. The season inspires me like no other. It truly is my favourite. So yes… I do tend to write about it a bit too often. Then again, these are my poems, so I guess that’s okay. Enjoy!
Spring 3.0
Now spring is here, the crocus blooms,
Promise a brighter day.
And herald all the flowers that,
Will fill the month of May.
The green buds swell upon the trees,
While grass begins to grow.
The complex dance of life speeds up,
Where winter forced it slow.
The air is filled with joyful songs,
Of birds but fresh returned.
While all the creatures now embrace,
The sun for which they’ve yearned.
It’s true the sky is overcast,
And there’s a chance of rain.
But maybe what’s no joy to us,
Renews the land again.
They say that April rains will bring,
May flowers that we love.
So try to see each shower as,
A gift from up above.
Now as you watch all nature wake,
Let that renew you too.
And bring that joyous energy,
To everything you do.
Cheers, Winston
Today is the 27th of May here in Ottawa and it is snowing steadily and shows no sign of stopping anytime soon. This is more than a little unusual. A few flakes, a mini flurry sure. Not uncommon you say. But this isn’t that. This is uncommon for this time of year. It gave rise to today’s poem.
Look What We’ve Done
Though it is spring and crocus bloom,
The snow comes falling down.
To blanket once more all in white,
And in it’s stillness drown.
I will not rant, the weather curse,
For nature’s not to blame.
This one’s on us, the life we choose,
Yes humans are to blame.
We have been told, for years and years,
What we are headed for.
We’ve seen the signs, they’re everywhere,
But chosen to ignore.
But now the snow, and not a bit,
Enough to make a point.
That we have buggered up the world,
Put nature out of joint.
But we don’t want to see that truth,
So some excuse will make.
The climate is a complex thing,
And “facts” easy to fake.
And all the while, the snow comes down,
Soon summer fires burn.
While we go on the way we have,
And greenhouse gases churn.
So weep not for the crocus now,
Blooms lost beneath the snow.
Weep for the children yet to come,
And all they will not know.
Cheers, Winston
I’ve written poems about my wife, and about my dogs, but I don’t think I’ve ever written one about my daughter. This one is for her.
A Father’s Wish
I wish you joy to temper pain,
Some sun your clouds to chase.
I wish you love to lift you up,
To gently touch your face.
I wish you peace when weariness,
Tells you you can’t go on.
I wish you friends to carry you,
When all your strength is gone.
I wish you luck for everyone,
I know needs luck at times.
I wish you hope to not give up,
In spite of all life’s crimes.
But most of all I wish you sight,
To see the one I see.
And courage that you may become,
Who’ere you’re meant to be.
I pray that every wish you wish,
Is someday coming true.
Because your joy is my one wish,
My daughter I love you.
Cheers, Winston
Brain Bits To Go 