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- abandoned
- absence of light
soften the blow
soften the blow
couch the criticism in suggestion
respect the integrity
let a child know he is loved
despite his falling short
let him grow on strong foundation
down that path
sadness overwhelms, lying down
under the weight of chaos
of knowing that without foundation
of adherence to respect and truth
with the inability to communicate
let alone trust
with the acceptance
of ‘alternative facts’ and unsubstantiated accusations
there will be no security of self
yet we rush to go down that path
though we learned where it takes us
only eighty years ago
greed enriches no one
greed enriches no one
the act of plundering thickens
our skin and our waistline
makes us sullen and grasping
we surrender our place in the glorious
diversity that surrounds us and, worse,
despoil and deplete it so what we pass
on to the next generation is a mere
shell of what we were given
each generation needs its own
humble appreciation and maturity
to assume responsibility to sustain
the richness of our Earth
each person needs to do what he can
to heal what greed has stripped of joy
even for the ‘me’ generation
which of us, when our child asks
for bread, would hand him a snake?
foundation of value
self-worth, knowing i am loved
that is what i work to have all children
take within themselves to enable each
to respect self and those other uncertain beings struggling to find place in
the enormity of unsure relationships
and hints of danger
to have strength of foundation
to be able to respect us all and see
fellow humans with caring
and compassion
imagine that
sensitive to who kids are
witty in the spirit of their games
kathi brings out laughter
and gives safe haven to imagination
delineation
from the airplane
countries appear to have distinct
patterns of farmland as though
of a class of patches in a family quilt
with colors generations have found
the comforting foundation of their view
on their lives
but mountain ranges, valley depths
streams, rivers and coastlines
keep their own identities
without regard for borders
would that we remember and respect
what nature gives as itself and try
to dominate only the little that we add
it was simply understood
greed may have been
good then, but not
the admitting of it
respect for your elders then
required that you use
their title – Mr., Mrs., Miss
not Ms unless you were from
the South and then
you spelled it Miz
anyone who swore aloud
shocked, and was shunned
but our black and white sensibilities
denied brown, yellow and red
the possibility of full personhood
it was simply understood
on the hedge
An original poem by MaryJane Nordgren on betting our lives
we seldom risk it all'
“Only bet what you can afford to lose!” seems good advice
until the moment comes we must decide who and what we are
will a sneak suffice? or will it bring us down in our own estimation
for the rest of our lives?
we are forced to look again at what we can afford to lose:
ourselves
*
Readers Comment: “WOW! Pray we take the time and have the wisdom to make best choices.” SA Oregon