I have not forgotten, nor have I decided to quit doing the Name That Abstracts. So for those of you who enjoy them, I do too, and stay tuned. Maybe next weekend I'll put some more up for you. I've just been concentrating on other things lately. I have a final exam in my MSA class this coming Tuesday and spent a lot of study time today until I had to go make dinner.
I'm so sick of the arrogance I see literally all over the place. Especially when a political election is coming up. It makes my blood boil! There are certain figures who send me over the top. Bill Maher is one of them. He is the epitome of an arrogant jackass.
Truth is, we humans are none of us just one thing or another.
I have discussed this topic before, from the standpoint of someone who has experienced it from the inside looking out and from the outside looking in. I've seen it from all sides. I've mulled it over a lot, and dealt with it first hand. I've been miraculously healed of depression and brought out of the deepest, darkest pit imaginable into freedom...and after that, to slip slowly back into it wondering why God left me...why was this happening...that time to be healed through doctors and medication.
Finding the balance
‘Tween realist and optimist
But aren’t they the same?
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Troubles follow me
No matter which way I go
Blessings hide in them.
I know your courage has worn thin
It’s hard to face another day
And unknown things that lurk within
~~~
But listen to what I will say
Get out of bed and lift your chin
Our God will always make a way
~~~
Remember all the good there’s been
And let the hope within you stay
Today’s the day you must begin
~~~
If worries, at the cross you lay
And all your sorrows that have been
For which our Savior died to pay
~~~
Just let go of your fear and sin
He’s with you always, come what may
His love you did already win
There are special things we cherish
Hold fondly, and hold dear
We wouldn’t think of keeping them
Anywhere but near
~~~
They hold the memories so sweet
Of moments on the way
Along the journey we have walked
Toward where we are today
~~~
These special things we cherish
Though tarnished, they may be
We hold them ever close to us
We treat them carefully
~~~
We polish them and place them safely
Somewhere they won’t fall
We show them to all visitors
Who on us, sometimes call
But often we don’t treat our loved ones
With the same great care
When worry lines, perhaps appear
Or salt and pepper hair
~~~
Or maybe they are chipped and cracked
Or tarnished in some way
And we can’t stand to look at them
Or have them in our way
~~~
If we would only cherish people
Like those things we do
And handle them with care, you see
Speak fondly of them, too
~~~
What a kinder world I think
That maybe this would be
I do not know what you will do
But I can start with me
My heart is full
Of emptiness
Makes no sense…
Yet makes perfect sense
To all who understand
And many will understand
~~~
My heart is empty
of understanding
Some will say
They don’t know
The fullness therein
And never will
I woke up this morning to find that my friend Robbie from Intown Hardware in Atlanta had posted a photo on my timeline of a memorial they had made for Pilot the cat, who lived at the store for all her life. I worked at Intown for about 6 months, several years ago, and even when I wasn’t working there, we frequented that store when I lived in Atlanta.
Pilot died a few days ago at the ripe age of 16. I posted a blog about it on my own page yesterday with a different pic of Pilot, and a poem that I wrote in her memory. Robbie said that they have included my poem in the memorial for her at the store. So, I photoshopped it just a bit and thought I’d share the poem with you here on 20 Lines. I believe the photo meets the criteria to post it here, since it was shared with me because of the poem, and this is a photoshopped version that I did of it. If not, let me know, Melissa.
For Pilot
Pilot was a dear old cat
For many years, she was so fat
It seemed to be her claim to fame
But Pilot was much more than that.
~~~
For customers and all the staff
She made us smile, and made us laugh
Found with her foot stuck in the door
Became the queen of that whole store
~~~
In later years, she lost some weight
Which left her in a better state
But Pilot, dear was growing old
And kitty heaven could not wait
~~~
Today, she drew her final breath
And many mourn dear Pilot’s death
And though she now to rest is lain
Her dear, sweet, mem’ry will remain
If you’d like to try a Rispetto, here are the rules. Shadow Poetry – Rispetto
Here’s my effort, with a bit of frustration and a bit of humor. :)
My Brain (A Rispetto)
It seems that my brain has a mind of its own
Won’t do what I tell it, as hard as I try
The thoughts just keep coming, won’t leave me alone
I’m trying to focus, it leads me to sigh
~~~
I’m needing to study, and did just a bit
The dumb doorbell rang, and I said, “Oh, I quit!”
I’ll sit here a moment and take a deep breath
And then get back to it, though it be my death!
Of beauty, and of sorrow deep
A poet simply has to write
On cheerful day, or lonely night
The words inside, she cannot keep
~~~
Though smiles abound, or though she weep
She crafts her words and gives them light
Of beauty, and of sorrow deep
A poet simply has to write
~~~
Both wide awake, or fighting sleep
Though she may try to hold them tight
The thoughts inside, they just take flight
And to the page, the words do leap
Of beauty, and of sorrow deep
I think there are a couple of things that would make life a lot more pleasant for ourselves as well as others, as individuals. One is if we could understand that it's okay, and feel the freedom to state our beliefs or opinions, knowing that sometimes maybe we're right, sometimes maybe we're wrong, but it's our opinion or belief and it's perfectly okay to state it.
It’s September now
Four months left in the year
The weather will be cooler
Soon the holidays will be upon us
Family gatherings
Laughter and hugs
Where did the year go
It started off so lovely
Rapidly turned so cold
Life turned cold and harsh
But that was then
As it begins to cool outside
It’s warmer now within
Life is beginning to burst forth
As if it’s spring, not fall
Seasons come and go
No matter the weather
This is from SwittersB‘s suggestion on my Name That Abstract Challenge. :) The last one, “Heartbreak”, I forgot to mention in that post, was from nutsfortreasure‘s suggestion. Sorry about that, Eunice! The links are both going under this week’s Poetry Challenge. I’m looking forward to seeing some poems from all y’all! :)
Lizzie the Lizard is chasing her tail
Watching it fly, and through the air sail
If Lizzie should catch it, oh how she will wail!
Heartbreak
How can I go on
Everything’s upside down
All that
Remains of what we once were is the
Tears that flood my eyes
Bitter tears, leaving me to
Rue the day that you
Ever walked into my life
And made me believe in your
Kiss
