Of the Poet’s Heart

Autumn’s frost deepening the crimson of maple leaves, yet

I wonder

of the poet’s heart,

are we only placed here to renew, clearly

we have a voice

as with summer crickets singing

their sweet songs,

yet locusts clattering of who knows what, droning

until summer’s ear no longer listens.

So instead of singing sweetly or droning endlessly

I write simply,

will we survive until next autumn?

I wonder, and an equation is formed like this:

CONSPIRACY THEORIES = HATE = VIOLENCE AND CRUELTY = FACISM =

DESTRUCTION.

Think it can’t happen in the United States? It already has.

Just ask Paul Pelosi.

VOTE.

Poetry and Image © Copyright, 2022 rivers renewed

P.S. Almost all political hate is from the right. The “both sides” theory is from the right wing attempting to defuse their blame. More than 90% is from Republicans, according to Liz Cheney.

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Decisions

This is why many religious people voted for the EX-president.

In spite of what the news calls immorality and lying, they voted for him.

They wanted someone on their side, to appoint people that would reflect their views, to turn the tide against secular views of morality.

The problem though is that not everyone believes the way a conservative Christian does. We are a nation of many faiths, ethnic groups and viewpoints. Only 30% of our people wanted this decision.

I recently heard a pastor put it this way: We now have two different views of what Christianity is. One says our views are important, and you need to adhere to them too. The other says I have faith, I’m a Christian, but I don’t have the right to control you’re body. And I shouldn’t.

And if you want to adhere to the view of what our founding fathers thought, think again. Many were deists. I’ll let you look that up. Then of course there was slavery.

Normally the Supreme Court goes through a series of opinions and negotiates an outcome. That didn’t happen this time. Extremists on the court pushed the decision through simply because they had the raw power to do so. What does this remind you of? Democracy? No.

I’m hoping that in the future we as a people will make better decisions reflecting who we are, not who we were a hundred years ago. By this I mean not only in elections, but in the way our government is structured. That we can fix the parts that are broken.

That raw power will be limited, and radicalism will not be allowed to destroy us.

I wish you peace.

Writing and Image © Copyright 2022 rivers renewed

Gun Violence

I’m an American and I am very angry.

You couldn’t pay me a million dollars or any amount of money to be a Republican right now. I have had it up to here with their nonsense. No Republican lawmakers are not pulling the trigger killing people, but their policies are. Or in this case their lack of policies are.

And don’t go down the road of most conservatives saying, “we need to let the families heal…”. Of course we do, but that doesn’t mean do nothing. That is just Republican code talk for “be quiet so we can keep our guns!”.

They’ve been saying the same thing for more than 20 years. I’ve been counting. And they say this after every shooting!

And what could bring better healing than making changes…. taking action against guns??

No American citizen needs an assault rifle. NO ONE needs one. Once again that is a Republican interpretation and it’s wrong.

Assault rifles should be reserved for our military and police departments. And they are not in the Constitution. This is just one of many things we could do to make us all safer.

I’m sick too of conspiracies like carnivorous worms eating our brains, with conservatives being against vaccines, being against wearing masks, against books about racism (and helping us heal). All of these are Republican issues. If you don’t like conspiracies ruining our nation then vote them out.

Don’t like Kamala Harris? Ok, find someone else. We need some John McCains. Actually we need female versions of John McCain, and no it’s not Sinema! Look up the name Val Demings.

I’ll bet I could name 100 women that could do a better job of being president than king for a day #45. Want to see gun violence dramatically reduced or eliminated?

Vote out Republicans!

I’m an American. And I am very angry.

Writing and Image Copyright © 2022 rivers renewed

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

This weekend we celebrate the birth of one of our greatest Americans, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Have you ever heard one of his speeches? They are amazing!

But how do I write about him today, in these very difficult times, when our scars as a nation threaten our very existence?

Well, I think that we need more people like him. We need women and men that are people of peace, that can speak truth to our circumstances, and show us the way.

Yes we need unity and peace, but not at the expense of truth and justice. Think about this one thing for a moment. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, shot to death.

When I think of this horrible senseless act, it helps me to understand some of the emotions African Americans feel today. There’s George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and so many others that have died unjustly.

There is a lot of pain my friends, more than most of us realize. I don’t think we can handle this much pain.

We need more people like Dr. King…..people of peace, who can speak to our circumstances, and who can show us the way.

May God heal our land…… and heal our people.

Writing Copyright © 2022 rivers renewed, image from PBS

Clouds in the Winter Sky

As clouds roll by in the winter sky

I wonder

I wander through the blue

searching through

so many fragments here seeking

our lost sense

our wholeness forgotten,

where will the new year

take us?

Poetry and Image Copyright © 2021 rivers renewed

P.S. I’m back from a holiday break.

America the Beautiful

We have such a beautiful country, don’t we?

The other day my wife and I were driving near our home when we noticed a woman walking, dressed in traditional clothing, perhaps from Africa.

Yet Africa’s not a country, did you know that? There are many countries,

thousands of cultures and languages there. And this lady was wearing some beautiful clothing, with bright colors.

And later in the day My Love and I were on our front porch speaking of love and whatever the future holds,

when a neighbor walked by with her grandson. She’s a good neighbor, and from Indonesia.

Such a beautiful country we are.

Well unless you consider…..the militias. The ugliness of far right extremists, in love with their assault rifles,

intimidating voters, spinning bizarre ideas, many hating brown or black people.

Stop the far right extremists, stop the hate, stop the lies.

Keep America beautiful,

and free.

VOTE.

Writing and Image, Copyright © 2020 ancient skies

In the Heartbeat of Our Nation

In the space of our democracy, in the heartbeat of our nation,

there is room for all people,

all colors,

and with different ideas.

Don’t let the extreme far right,

take that away.

VOTE.

Poem, and Image, Copyright © 2020 ancient skies

Good Common Sense

And on that day I heard our nation falling, with the horrific sound of our people weeping.

We were scared, so scared as the militias from Wisconsin, and Montana drove the streets of Washington,

armed to the teeth, in their pickup trucks protecting the self declared king. Black leather boots were also marching,

marching us down the wrong road. We had to follow the leader……didn’t we? We were so scared…

Many people think there are two parties in Washington simply arguing, never getting anything done.

The truth is though, the far-right is out of control. Refusing….to take the virus seriously, some refusing science or refusing masks.

Often trying to cut people’s health care, touting the Bible as a shield while people die needlessly. And there is also the suppression of voting….

And the other side is sinless? Not at all. Yet they are attempting to hold the president accountable, and to put the breaks on brutality,

and the hunger for more power. I believe General Jim Mattis (who used to work for the president) when he says the president lies all the time,

and doesn’t attempt to unite us. He seeks to divide us instead. The choice is clear…..

we need healing and good common sense….in our leadership.

VOTE.

Poem, Writing and Image, Copyright © 2020 ancient skies

Restoration

“I won’t traffic in fear and division.”

Joe Biden

You know what? I believe Honest Joe when he says that.

He’s not perfect, and he says that too, in the context of he will take responsibility when he does make a mistake.

Instead of blaming others. I know too he will help this nation heal. He will be picking a woman running mate,

and I’m willing to bet she will be African American.

God, may the healing and restoration begin for our nation, for our world.

Amen.

      

Writing and Image © Copyright 2020, ancient skies

Today in the Rain

Today as I walked I carried my umbrella shielding myself from the sky, a light rain,

and puddle splashing, in my old tennis shoes, that I really should throw away,

and I realized, I needed to maintain my peace, a sense of purpose and strength.

It really is difficult to watch the brutality and insanity of the far right…..

but I needed to let the grief and anger go……in spite of the numbers increasing, in spite of them denying science,

I can choose to be descended from the sky and birthed by the ocean….and besides,

those that live in darkness and leather are nothing more really…..

than spoiled children craving power and attention.

May we win our battle with the endless peace witnessed by the earth, and sky and oceans, flowing strong within us…..

against the rage of insanity.

Amen.

Writing and Image © Copyright 2020, ancient skies