Tag: Choices

NaPoWriMo Day 21

On By WinstonIn Extended Family,, family, Health, Love, Loving Life, My Awesome Wife, my blessed life, my Dog, NaPoWriMo, Personal, Poetry, Relationships, The Choices We MakeLeave a comment

As I have mentioned a few times, I have been off work for some time for health reasons. I’m finally going back in a week or two and financially, it’s not a moment too soon. Personally though the past few months have had one important upside. More time with my wife, dog and extended family. I’ve also been able to devote more time to my art. It’s been great… aside from the whole sick and broke thing. Anyway, today’s poem is about that. Enjoy!

The Value of Time

Another day, a dollar earned,

That’s how the stories go,

But what is paid for what is earned,

That’s something most don’t know.

 

But I have spent some time away,

From works’ mad, hectic pace,

And if I could, I would withdraw,

From that one-sided race.

 

For what is paid is my dear time,

And I have none to spare,

Time with my wife and with my dog,

All those for whom I care.

 

I know the company cares not,

Not what they’re there to do,

Don’t kid yourself that you’re unique,

There’s countless more like you.

 

They’ll suck you dry, then cast you off,

Replace you in a blink,

And you’ll have sold all of your time,

For far less than you think.

 

We must all work, I understand,

There’s nothing much for free,

So, trade my time with those I love,

For their security.

 

Though I’ve been sick and money’s tight,

This time I don’t resent,

For time at home with family,

Is always time well spent.

Cheers,

NaPoWriMo 2022 Day 29

On By WinstonIn Enlightenment, homelessness, my blessed life, NaPoWriMo, Personal, Personal Responsibility, Poetry, Society, Values, VolunteeringLeave a comment

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

NaPoWriMo 2022 Day 1

On By WinstonIn Bullying Yourself, Enlightenment, NaPoWriMo, Poetry, Self Awareness, The Power of WordsLeave a comment

It seems like it was only eleven short months ago that I wrapped up my last verse of the year. Now here we are again. Softly, gently, we find ourselves wrapped in the sweet warmth of the dream, knowing all the time… the nightmare of writer’s block lurks somewhere up ahead. But that is a problem for another day. Without further delay my season opener.

The Lies We Tell Ourselves

Continue reading “NaPoWriMo 2022 Day 1” →

NaPoWriMo Day 26

On By WinstonIn Enlightenment, Global Issues, NaPoWriMo, Personal, Poetry, Politics, Society, Values, Warfare1 Comment

I know that the sentiments in today’s poem probably won’t be popular with some people. That’s okay. I’m kinda used to people disagreeing with me. They have that right. Just don’t think that outrage is going to change the truth of my words here.

I would also like to point out that this is nothing to do with the fine people who wear the uniform in harms way. This is about the ones who send them out to bleed, break and die for no reason.

OUR ENDLESS WAR

Now sound the trumpet, beat the drum,

Cry war throughout the land.

The time has come to teach our foes,

The end is close at hand.

They do not think or act like us,

Barbarians or worse.

If they will not be more like us,

Their name shall be a curse.

If they would try, then they could be,

Just like us here at home.

But they refuse the gifts we bring,

So our troops we let roam.

To do with bullets and with bombs,

What words and cash can’t do.

Those who cling to their culture now,

Defiance they shall rue.

We preach of freedom only if,

They become just like me.

But if they won’t, then rubble mounds,

Will their whole nation be.

So woe betide the people who,

Their lives choose to defend.

We’ll murder, bomb and burn their lands,

In wars that never end.

Our cause is just, this is a fact,

Because we have said so.

But when the slaughter finally ends,

Was it? We’ll never know.

The ones we kill are gone it’s true,

But those we leave behind.

No counselling or help they get,

For broken, tortured mind.

They’ll wallow in the blood we’ve spilt,

From cradle to the grave.

When all you’ve known is blood and death,

To strike back is not brave.

The only lesson we have taught,

With all that we have done.

If you don’t like how someone lives,

Life’s cheap. Kill everyone.

We’ve proven that, you can’t force change,

There must be something more.

A way of peace and of respect,

Not endless, bloody war.

Winston

NaPoWriMo 7

On By WinstonIn NaPoWriMo, Personal, Poetry, Self Awareness, Society, Uncategorized, ValuesLeave a comment

Own You

Why do we do the things we do?
What is it makes us go?
And when we do what we should not,
Pretend we didn’t know?
Some say this is the way we are,
Imperfect, full of sin.
Some say it’s what our parents did,
Still buried deep within.
I say it is each choice we make,
We make each one alone.
Not parents, God nor DNA,
It’s on our heads alone.
We choose to hold one person back,
Another person teach.
The hand that hurts, the hand that helps,
Just one mind guides them each.
We are just who we choose to be,
No truth could be so plain.
Some lash out from the smallest hurt,
Some rise above their pain.
You cannot choose all of the things,
That life will bring to you.
It’s up to you how you respond,
Think well before you do.

Cheers, Winston

NaPoWriMo Day 23

On By WinstonIn Enlightenment, NaPoWriMo, Personal, Poetry, Self Awareness, ValuesLeave a comment

So… here we are… caught up again for the moment.  I just have to figure out what to catch up with.

 

Creating Ghosts

We all carry our ghosts with us,

bits of our past that cling.

Of choices that we now regret,

that baggage that we bring.

The ones we hurt, the ones we lost,

the ones we pushed away.

Now every one is still with us,

within our minds they stay.

We think we’re free of all that’s past,

in that there is no truth.

We’re haunted by the things we’ve done,

the errors of our youth.

As we look back, more often now,

the view begins to change.

It fills with faces of the lost,

some known and some strange.

Then we begin to understand,

the difference that we make.

Face some regrets accept some blame,

wish life’s tests to retake.

But that is not the way this works,

what’s done is done and done.

We can just try to learn from them,

be kind to everyone.

And if we change, if change we can,

with kindness set our path.

Perhaps the demons of our past,

will set aside their wrath.

 

Cheers, Winston

 

NaPoWriMo Day 7

On By WinstonIn Enlightenment, Loving Life, NaPoWriMo, Personal, Poetry, Self Awareness, ValuesLeave a comment

My wonderful wife Lynn has been listening to my poems this month and mentioned that I seem to be on a self-awareness kick. Apparently, she’s right (as she usually is).

What Price the Dream?

 

“Livin’ the dream.” you hear them say,

but at what price that dream?

The fancy house, the shiny car,

are they all that they seem?

 

We work and work to have nice things,

but things can’t hold your hand.

When all is said and all is done,

perhaps we’ll understand.

 

This time we have is all we have,

we spend it every day.

But in the end when it is gone,

there’s nothing we won’t pay.

 

But it’s too late when time is gone,

you cannot buy some more.

So all the things you spent it on,

are what your life was for.

 

Are you your house, your car, your toys?

Or hero to your kid.

When you look back what will you see?

Be proud of what you did?

 

So just make sure you spend it well,

on what you love the best.

And when it’s gone and you look back,

your choice will stand the test.

 

Cheers, Winston

Return of the Poet

On By WinstonIn Enlightenment, Loving Life, NaPoWriMo, Personal, Self Awareness, ValuesLeave a comment

I’m actually a day late with this. I had planned a while ago to participate again in NaPoWriMo. Then totally zoned yesterday and forgot about it. Oops.

Here we go anyway!

The Return of the Poet

It’s April once again and I,

Begin to write anew.

To search throughout my cobwebbed mind,

Tell something that is true.

Those rhymes I’ve made and words I’ve spilled.

So oft upon the page.

Are scarcer and much slower found,

My brain now shows it’s age.

So here’s a truth from one who’s looked,

Unflinching at his days.

Don’t sit and wait, the time is now,

To grow, to change your ways.

For in the end with every choice,

Our soul is more defined.

So think before you speak or act,

There’s no chance to rewind .

Cheers, Winston