Thrown To The Lions

United States of America a multicultural country
United States of America a religious tolerant country?
United States of America where people are killed because they are Christian
United States of America land of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?
United States of America where does our gun toting militant tolerance end?
United States of America where does killing people because of their differences end?
United States of America stop giving murderers fame and glory
United States of America listen to the victims' stories
United States of America let freedom from religious persecution reign
United States of America let there be no room for crimes of hate
United States of America One Nation Under God pray for healing
United States of America justice, not fame, is for all not just a privileged few
United States of America don't let these murders go unanswered
United States of America just how blind are you?

I AM

Lighthouse inside me
Keeps life's shipwrecks from these shores
Precious solitude

Time in the Sun

Beach umbrellas
So much trouble
Pound it deep
In place to keep
Wind blows
Oh no!
Inside out
No shade's about
Make it shorter
Hang towels on border
So far OK
Hasn't blown away
Guess we'll stay
Resting in its shade

Five Little Words

I stayed at a house quite near the beach
With the ocean and the boardwalk just out of reach
While resting on its porch in the shade of the trees
Came a command from the boards drifting on the breeze
That's indigenous to Wildwood, "Watch the tram car please!"

From 11 A.M. until midnight each day
Warning the people to move out of its way
The trams have been running since 1949
When they first started running it cost only a dime
What a bargain that must have been at that time

Did, "Watch the tram car please" get on my nerves?
I heard it so often that it only went to serve
As part of the music and rhythm that was background for the beaches
Like the days announcements and music heard over speakers
It became backdrop and trams used it only as it was needed

When you tell someone you've been to Wildwood the first thing they say
Is "Watch the tram car please," and I smile and turn away
And the memories come rushing back of that tram car running its two mile track
And  warning people to move out of its way as it ran forth and back
"Watch the tram car please!" Brings pleasant memories with a smile that cracks

Keeping Watch

Me
I cried and cried until I was dry inside

As days pressed on it began to subside

Cleaning and scrubbing still couldn’t remove

Flashes of hurt and anger that wouldn’t be soothed

I raged and I prayed, how could You let this be?

Was there a plan in all this that I couldn’t see?

Was all the drama I endured these past few years for nothing?

Was any sign of love just bluffing?

God
You replied that it was time to let go

You have taught him all that you know.

It’s just him and Me now, it's how it needs to be

He’ll take his bumps and bruises but he will see

I’ve been there all along waiting patiently

Guiding his steps and stating gently

It’s time young man to spread My word

Come along young man, be My voice and be heard

New Storm Door

We need a new storm door
The glass is loose and could fall on the floor
I've glued and taped it for a short term fix
Someone's coming to check the damage
No lies, no tricks
We went to the super home fix it yourself stores
There were styles and colors and different prices galore
"Are you doing it yourself or can we install?
If we can be of help just give us a call."
It was such a simple job
Now it's really quite a movement
Why it's not just a door
It's a capitol improvement!

Snapshot of Summer Twilight on the Court

Trees alive with frantic chirping frenzies
A soft mist is suspended over the court
Droplets like clear acrylic splattered on iris leaves
The sky a filmy white with shadows of pale gray
Cars line the streets and driveways silenced for the evening
Residents rest inside their comfortable air conditioned town homes
Solar lights dimly glow beside pathways in the descending twilight
A pair of jack rabbits play chase with each other
Darting around and under parked cars
The streets show dark and damp from a passing shower
The frenzied chirping has finally stopped
Outside house lights click on as if on cue
Bird calls and responses slowing down
Getting closer and farther away
Stray robins searching for food and a place to rest for the night
The air has turned damp, cool and still
Night bugs are few and no signs of squirrels
Tree branches shower rain drops
Every time birds take off from their precarious perches
Spiders industriously weave their gossamer webs
Preparing for dinner or breakfast depending on when it drops in
The wind chimes are silent for now
Only the sounds of air conditioners turning off and on
A few cars stray down the street and disturb the courts tableau

When Did Your Power Come On?

85 mile an hour winds knocked down trees and power lines
The storm was fast and furious the destruction didn't take much time
Our power went out around 6 P.M. on the 23rd of June
It didn't come up again any time soon

Without power we had to use flashlight and candles
Playing scrabble by candlelight was more than I could handle
Toward the end of the game I kept falling asleep
I was ahead by a small margin but I was too drowsy to keep
My eyes open any longer so in bed I did sleep

I awoke with the sun the very next morning
My husbands cell phone clock gave us a gentle warning
Time to get up and face a day without electricity
Food was still cold so breakfast was made in simplicity
My husband was off to work and me left with a day of serendipity

I went for a walk and made a new friend
I went to a birthday party for several other friends
The house where the party was held
Had power so I charged the battery of my cell
I could use it to text but not hold conversations
And I used it a lot without hesitation
Mostly checking to see if friends had power
Or to stay in the loop and just to pass the frustrating hours

Our power came on at 3 A.M. Thursday the 25th of June
Which meant our neighbor's noisy generators would be quieted soon
I believe we were of the first of our group of friends
To get our power back up again
We never lost gas or water or heavenly shade from our trees
This was a plus with no fans to give us ease
From the heat which turned out to be
Quite comfortable and moderate with an ever so slight breeze

When I went on line and saw the extent of destruction
Posted in pictures and in words filled with emotion
My small inconveniences were nothing by comparison
To the lives that were garrisoned
In shelters due to trees and debris destroying their homes
And with no state relief because they weren't living in a declared disaster zone
Amazing when there's no disaster it is declared
And when there is one the governor won't dare
To look a fool, well too late for that!
He needs to step up to the plate and bat!

Was God Lost?

I've found God, let me introduce you to him
(I didn't know He needed finding)
I'm vegan and I meditate and I feel great
(Blessed and happy are you who search for and believe in God)
I'm Hindu and have been taught that my body is my shelter
(your body is God's temple and God is your shelter from the storms of life)

Changed

How can you live through life’s joys and pains and not be changed?’

There are so many insights to be gained, how can you not be changed?

Your old life can never remain the same, how can you not be changed?

Each day you live can bring new choices and visions to embrace, how can you not be changed?

Your body creates millions of new cells continually, giving new life.
How can your joys and pains be contained?
You can’t help but be changed!

P.S.

Life if viewed as a journey should be filled with people and experiences to help with change.

Change isn't bad or good it is just a way of life. Embrace it, learn from it and move on.

Parenting: Ideal and Real

The Ideal

Parent:  Talk to us we’re listening

Child:  I’m so blessed to have parents who listen

P:   Talk to us, we’ll try to understand

C:   You guys have always been so understanding

P:   Talk to us you have our undivided attention

C:   You always give me all the attention that I need

P:   Talk to us because we’re here for you

C:   With all you do you are always there for me

P:   Talk to us because we care

C:   I’ve always felt cared for

P:   Talk to us any time, anywhere

C:   If I need help you are there for me no matter where I am or what time it is

P:   Talk to us even though sometimes we’re busy

C:   I appreciate that you always take time from your busy schedule to listen to me

P:   Talk to us even though sometimes we’re weary

C:   I love that if I have really needed to talk you are there even when you seem tired

P:   Talk to us when you have a problem deary

P:   Talk to us and we’ll help as best we can

P:   Talk to us and explain your situation

P:   Talk to us and we’ll talk to you too

P:   Talk to us and together we’ll figure out what to do

C:  You always try your best to help no matter what the problem is

C:   I love you guys

When you dreamed of being parents isn’t that how life was supposed to be?

You love your kids and they do their best to make you pleased?

At least that’s how we thought it should be.

And then they become tweens and teens.

Evidently something we didn’t foresee.

   

The Real

P:   Don’t talk to me until I’ve had my cup of tea

C:   I really need to talk right now and you’re only worried about your needs

P:   We’ll do our best to understand, no guarantees

C:   I see you watching me but do you understand me?

P:   What was that? My mind started wandering

C:   Did you even hear me? Don’t you care?

P:   I’ve got things to do so talk as we walk

C:   I feel hurt and frustrated

P:   We can’t talk to you all the time especially at work

C:   I feel like you wouldn’t be there for me in an emergency 

P:   We’re busy all the time we will have to set an appointment to talk

C:   I'm your child! Why do I have to make an appointment to talk with you?

P:   We’re too pooped to think can we talk later?

C:   I love you guys but you’re always too tired to hear me!

P:   Why didn’t you tell us you had a problem?

C:   I tried but you kept pushing me away!

P:   Do you know what time it is?

C:   It’s time you actually listened to me and helped me!

P:   I don’t know if we can do anything about it now!

C:   Whatever!

P:   You better tell us everything and fast!

C:   Oh so now you’re listening, after there’s trouble?

P:   I’m so angry with you I can’t even speak!

C:   I guess that makes two of us!

P:   I guess you want us to bail you out again?

C:   Whatever!

Not every day will be so bad

Not every day will be so sad

There will be happy times

There will be proud times

And then your life can turn on a dime

Love the good as well as the bad

Be grateful for the days you all are glad

Your children aren’t with you forever and a day

Let them know you love them even if they are far away

Although they can turn your hair so gray

That love is what keeps their demons at bay

Namaste

Who Are We Really?

Children of God

As Christians, lovers of Christ

A family of believers in His sovereignty

People of faith and great potential

Talented in many and diverse ways

In need of love and joy in varying degrees

A collection of life experiences complicated, challenging and exciting

Spirits inside corporal bodies

Seekers of God’s grace

Workers in the kingdom that is at hand

A community in need of each other’s prayers and support

A people who love and care about each other and our world

We are anyone who chooses to follow Jesus and His teachings

We are a sign of God's everlasting love

May You Always Know You Are Loved!

Your mom loved you enough to give you life

We loved you enough to give you a home

Your Godparents love you enough to impart Godly wisdom

Your pastors loved you enough to show you God’s love in action

Your counselors love you enough to break you of bad habits and help find you work

And above all God loves you unconditionally and always will

Sometimes the love you receive may hurt and confuse you

It’s an opportunity for you to grow and become the man God created you to be

Don’t harbor grudges, they are a waste of energy

The earliest message you wanted to tell people was that God loved them

There will come a day when you will tell that to everyone with conviction

until then our wish for you is

May you always know you are loved!

Nose Bandage Blues

Oh, I can't see my food for my nose!
Now how do you suppose
That eating my food would cause such woes
Or that the size of the problem
Would be in proportion to my nose?
I thought I knew where my mouth was
Now I can't see my mouth for my nose!

To have the food miss my mouth is just gross
This bandage on my nose just seems to grow
I've been asked if it blinks red in the snow
Can I take it off? Oh no!
Not until the surgeon says it can go!
Until then my nose I can't blow
Pat, blot and wipe but never, ever blow!
Oh, I can't see my food for my nose!

Tell Her I'm Your Girlfriend

I had the brains and you had the brass
Who'd have thought that we could last
For fifty-five years
How on earth did we survive our past?
I was four and you had turned five
You certainly made my playtime come alive!
Around and around the block you came
All arms and legs and blonde hair that looked
Like a recent trip through a hurricane.
I heard laughing and shouting from your brothers and you
When you shouted to me I wasn't sure what to do.

You were attracted to my swing-set
But we hadn't even met as yet
So bold as brass you came up to the gate
Evidently becoming fast friends was our fate
My grandma was in the yard watching me
You said "tell her I'm your girlfriend!"
If it were today I would have thought,"Really?"
It bothered me that I was about to lie
But I was four so I hesitantly gave it a try
When it worked I was amazed and a little confused
I thought surely my grandmother knew the truth.

We played on the swings for hours it seemed
We swung so high until my grandma screamed
"Don't swing so high Marian, you'll bang your head on the tree!"
You got upset because you thought she had yelled at you
That's when I  learned that you were a Marian too!
So that's how it started the two Marians like two peas in a pod
What we would do had Mother saying "Oh my God!"
There was paper snow in the house and a flood in the basement
Riding in doll carriages to my grandma's amazement
Remember when we hid in the trunk room and grandma called the cops?
My two sisters were home, when we tried to hide again they made us stop!

We graduated to dancing on the thin porch railing
To music from the record player, our balance unfailing
I tried it first and then I convinced you to try
I'm sure the next door neighbors were thinking, "Oh my!"
They came out and watched us to make sure we didn't fall
But we kept right on dancing, we had a ball!
One year we braided our hair and undid it
That year we trick-or-treated as two Halloween witches.

We've stayed in touch over the years
Through children weddings and funerals and such
So many more memories but these were just a touch
Of our earliest highlights
And here we are still as we approach our twilight
Happy Birthday Mar, you're still older than me
By just a few months but you're still just as sweet!

Love,
The other Marian

Snapshot

Sparrow hawks swooping

Their high pitched lonely songs are echoing

Blue Jays perch, tails flipping

Their sharp harsh vocals are piercing

Cardinals timidly perch and twitch

They squeak and fly away

The winds are frozen in stillness

Their songs on the wind chimes are silent

The trees look like unearthed plant roots

Scraggly and bare

The sky is blue with puffs of white

The sun casts shadows of rooftops onto the frozen snow

And reflects blindingly off of parked car windows

That’s life in a snapshot on Quail court this cold winter morn.

No Cop Outs

I don’t want to cop out today

It is a day for painting a picture

It is a day for writing poetry

It is a day for praying for loved ones in distress

Lord keep me focused on my goals

Amen

Trading

I watched some kids in second grade, in one of the schools where I work, getting overly involved in trading cards and toys that go with the cards. One child got angry with another child because he refused to trade a pocket watch for a certain card that he wanted him to get. This seemingly harmless game of trading if continued can become something more troubling that I have witnessed first hand within my own family. That is what prompted me to write “Trading”.

Trading

By Marian M. Fay

I’ll give you this card for that card

This card for that toy

That toy for your toy

Your toy for that knife

This knife for that drug

This drug for that drug

That drug for harder drugs

Harder drugs for that lifestyle

That lifestyle for life on the streets

Life on the streets is no life at all

No life at all or life with God

You Decide.