Just Plain Foolish

Just a chance for an old-fashioned, simple storyteller to say what needs to be said.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Oh, the humanity!

Today, I learned via Don, over at Country Contemplative that Mr. Bush has made a heart-rending sacrifice in solidarity with the families of the fallen: his golf game. My heart positively oozes sympathy and remorse - how could I possibly have expected more from someone whose lies put my loved one in harm's way? Oh, right. That part.

Just a little reminder, for those keeping track: those of us with loved ones in the military wind up making far greater sacrifices than merely expensive hobbies. And that's not even counting those families that have to live for the rest of their lives with the loss of a brother, sister, son, daughter, father, mother, spouse, cousin, or friend. We give up birthdays spent together, the ability to keep those we love nearby, long talks about nothing in particular. We try to hang on to as much of it as we can, singing duets at 5 seconds and half a world apart. We give up peace of mind, sitting awake at night, wondering how our loved ones are doing. We give up the ability to call up our friends and relatives, and instead clutch our cell phones, praying for the right kind of call.

During my dad's first deployment, I came down with a life-threatening illness, and the only way my dad could talk to me was snatched phone calls. When my dad came back from that deployment, he threw himself to the floor at the sound of the furnace starting up in the fall. And you claim to be in solidarity with people who have lost even more? Oh, right, I forgot: you gave up your golf game. Yeah, I can see where that's right up there with real sacrifice. Not.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Distant train whistle
singing your travelling song
in the morning rain.

Rain slick leaves cling
to wet windshields, car hoods
Stormy spring morning.

Humming together,
busy tending, building, gathering
bright pollen, nectar
comb full of new brood,
spring beehive awakening.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Boom!
Crash!
Rumble...
Sharp Flashes!
softly shushing rain...
midnight thundershower concert

Thursday, May 08, 2008

pick
strum
rhythm
notes sparkle
banjo strings dancing
fingers flying over the neck
lost in the bright music, I smile

***************

wool
string
spindle
the dance starts
whirling, twirling wheel
spins loose fibers into tight yarn.

***************

Silence shakes me
trembling through walls
built of words

Early morning
birdsong awakens me:
wild symphony.