HEROES AMONG US

A recent writing challenge on the subject of heroes gave me pause for thought.  In scripting this topic, a virtual parade of heroes crossed my mind.  It occurred to me often we think of heroes as those who make headlines for great acts of courage, for making outstanding contributions to country, for leading exemplary public lives, or on a personal level those whose words or actions have had great impact on the lives of others.  Beyond that, though,  I like to think there are nondescript heroes among us every day, leading quiet lives, yet touching others such that the results of their actions are wide-ranging and long lasting, just as the ripples in a stream move ever outward when a pebble is dropped into the water.   Sometimes called the “butterfly effect”, simply put the concept is that small causes can have large effect.   Mother Teresa cautions us to do small things with great love.

 So, when I was shopping last week I began to look, really look, at the people about me and wondered who among them was someone’s hero.  What small kindness had they extended that unknowingly influenced the life of another, who then paid it forward to others who in turn had done the same.  A quote by Shirley Abbott says “our ancestors dwell in the attic of our brains as they do in the spiraling chain of knowledge hidden in every cell of our bodies”.  I am molded, I thought, by all those heroes who came before. Who was that long ago hero ancestor who imparted the knowledge I might have passed on that had positive impact on those I met?  Perhaps he was a barefoot Samaritan on the dusty road to Damascus who stopped to help a fellow traveler.  Perhaps she was an Aztec queen who changed lives with a flick of her finger.  Perhaps a peasant girl sold into slavery who became the favorite wife of an Arabian chieftain, and spent the rest of her life in silken saris surrounded by the scent of mysterious spices.  Perhaps a warrior who charged into battle to defend that which he held most dear.

  It seems perhaps we all have an opportunity to be a hero every day in some small way.  
In retrospect, approaching this writing challenge has made me mindful to give more thought to my own words and actions, to be more aware of their possible effect on the lives I touch on my own life journey, and to be more aware of the heroes among us.
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EXCUSE THE MUSE

There are times I seem to think in rhyme, and witty or thoughtful poems come to mind readily, sometimes in midnight epiphanies.  There are other times when my muse seems to have wandered off into neverland, and left me without rhyme or reason.   Such is the present.   I've decided to use this blog for occasional idle thoughts for a while.  I'm sure my muse will return in due time!

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CITY SECRETS AND SECRET CITIES

The topic this week at Midweek Motif
is CITY.  I hope my offering isn’t too verbose.
I’ve always had a fascination for lost civilizations
and hidden mysteries.
Submitted to Poets United Midweek Motif
July 12, 2018


Beneath the bright lights and busy streets of some of our large cities lie secrets once forgotten or little known.  Seattle, Washington, is one of the largest cities in the Pacific Northwest.    It seems the original Seattle was built on a swamp, and had many drainage problems.  After the great fire of  1889, in which most of the old wooden buildings were destroyed, it was decided to raise the street level one story, and today’s Seattle was built upon the ruins of old Seattle's Pioneer Square.  Tours are available of portions of the original village, which lies below present day Seattle. 
Beneath New York City, with its bright lights of Broadway and Times Square, lies a tunnel through which cattle were moved to the slaughterhouses in days gone by.  Beneath the White House in Washington, D.C., are tunnels, some of which lead to the Treasury Building, the Executive Building, Blair House and the capitol.  Beneath the inner city streets of my own city lie catacombs, which may be toured for a pittance.

Deep in the depths of our oceans lie long ago submerged cities and civilizations.  The oceans hold yet more secret cities to be found.  Next time you walk the inner city streets of your city, you may be treading upon yesterday.   Next time you take an ocean cruise to far away places, you may well be sailing OVER cities long committed to the deep.

Something to think about.

SUMMER IN SUBURBIA

Looking out my window on a beautiful,
sun-kissed summer day,  some idle thoughts
come to mind.
Submitted to Poets United
Poetry Pantry, July 7, 2018
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Bird song competes with the hum of air conditioners
Summer sun beams dapple manicured lawns
Leaves  dance in light summer breezes

Jet trails criss-cross azure skies
Travelers peer down from lofty height
While those below contemplate their destination

Heat waves rise from cement streets of the ghetto
While laughter rises from opulent back yard pools
Creating contrasting vignettes of life in the city

It’s summer in suburbia

SELF INSPECTION

We’re asked to take a look at ourselves
this week at Poets United.   I’ve been
in absentia for a time, on a journey to
rediscover my elusive muse, but here
are some thoughts on me!
Submitted to Midweek Motif Poets United
June 27, 2018
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Contemplating myself is scary
And leaves me considerably wary
But, fighting an urge for refusal,
I undertake a quick perusal

It seems I’ve retained my cognition
But suffer a bit from physical attrition
I try to avoid my reflection
Being uncomfortable with close inspection

Who is that, I think, with hair of gray
She was young and feisty just yesterday
She was a fast-paced multi-tasker
She had all the answers, just ask her

Straight and tall, she was rather well-built
Today she walks with a forward tilt
Slower in step than in days of yore
Now young men call her ma’am and open the door

She’s older today and wonderfully wise
Still young at heart, but now in disguise.

HAPPINESS

We’re to consider “happiness” for
this week’s Midweek Motif.  I am
blessed, and seem to have a working
acquaintance with happiness.
Submitted to Poets United
May 16, 2018

Could it be happiness is elusive
        hidden by thoughts obtrusive
While dwelling on discontent
        and wondering where happy went
Perhaps we expect too much…
        glorious grand moments and such
Meanwhile quiet moments of  pleasure
        could bring happiness beyond measure
But we carelessly pass them by
        while we're looking for “pie in the sky”.

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The photo is of an Oregon sunrise taken
by my daughter.

THE OLD HOME PLACE

Old abandoned houses always make me wax poetic
and wonder where are they now, how did their lives
unfold, and what memories drift in the dust
particles behind empty windows.
Here's a bit of rhyme submitted to dVerse, where
we're asked to consider the art of learning.  I continue
to learn the nuances of poetry from my fellow poets
here, and I am STILL trying to learn to negotiate
Photoshop for use in creating my digital art.
Submitted to Tuesday Poetics #220
May 8, 2018
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