a Word to The WISE...: January 2016

Uncommon Common Sense

Allegories Ideas and Observations

NOTE: The following is a Sampling from a Manuscript
pending Publishing for your Consideration.

According To Your Abilities

Well, here I am again fresh in from my routine trek through the Tree-line it’s about quarter past seven in the morning, at about forty maybe forty-five degrees Fahrenheit. It was a quiet, clear night, after a relentless week of rain and high winds. My campfire was blazing bright once it finally got going, my stores of kindling and timber were dry for the most part, but some of it did get a taste of the weather. I may build a little lean-to by my campsite to cut back on exposure to the elements. I don’t like using tarps when a natural cover can be thrown together.

Anyway, as dawn began to subdue the last remnants of twilight, I found myself thinking how much I’m going to miss this ole familiar spot once I move. Obviously I’ve been looking at property’s that will meet my need for solitude. This has been, and continues to be a topic of distraction, however, it certainly doesn’t take long for me to embrace the moment at hand sheltered under natures canopy.

And yes, I realize at first glance that some folks will fail to see the lure of sitting quietly by a fire. But as the embers of my illuminating blaze were dwindling to ash, my gaze into this transformation was interrupted by the sense of movement in my peripheral view. Slowly I adjusted my sight to the edge of the tree-line, to a small clearing, where my old friend Mother Fox came into focus. No more than

a stones throw away she spotted me, cautiously gazed in my direction, we locked eyes for ten, maybe fifteen seconds, then upon realizing it was just an old acquaintance who posed her no particular threat she nonchalantly continued about her business tracking her intended meal. As she slowly drifted out of sight I was reminded of our many encounters with one another around my campsite, as well as what I consider our formal introduction. One night in particular a few years back, while going for a walk to clear my head, we just happen to each become oblivious to our surroundings and found ourselves eyeball to eyeball. We were maybe ten to fifteen feet away from one another. We’d seen each other from time to time in the Tree-line, but now here we were face to face as it were.

Neither of us intimidated by the other, we took a good long gander she of me, and I of her. Then to my surprise, and I have to say delight, she slowly and cautiously moved towards me, sniffing and looking me up and down to gauge my intentions. After all, it’s not like we were strangers, we’d seen one another around. Anyway, she ended up getting to maybe two feet in front of me, sniffing and sizing me up before she decided I was a tolerable enough neighbor. She took a few steps back, then casually turned to her left, and my right to continue tracking her dinner.

Being a bit of an outdoorsman, you get the sense of things pretty quickly in the tree-line. So the idea of this fox being a threat due to rabies, or my having gotten to close to her young was considered before being dismissed in light of her posture and what proved an obvious curiosity, I of her, and she of me. Had this encounter been one in which the fox would have to have been dispatched, I was not only capable, but duly prepared for such a probability. When you spend as much time as I do off the beaten path, you do your due diligence.

Which brings me back to my little campfire; where I’ve been fortunate in having encountered many of the indigenous wildlife first hand, the fox, coyote, coy-dog, deer, beaver, you get the gist. I’ve observed these and several other species here in their natural habitat, first because they’ve become accustomed to my presence. Second, and more importantly, because of knowing and understanding the environment in which I’ve set up my camp. Where thirdly; with the exception of my campfire… I limit my activity to actions that do not pose a threat or interruption to the natural behavior patterns of the wildlife indigenous to the area.

That said, it’s not just about knowledge, or appreciation of my surroundings, it’s also about respect for the individual characteristics represented in each species within this domain. Fact is; there’s so much we can learn from nature and apply to our daily life, some of it simple, some of it profound. But I suppose the important thing is that we don’t close our eyes to the obvious, or complicate the simple things that are within our power to address. Hey, you don’t need me to tell you that, you already know. We just need a reminder from time to time to appreciate and respect what, and who we have right here in front of us, right now. For me it’s my simple campfires, and time spent observing the tree-lines inhabitants do what they do to survive and thrive within their natural habitat. The question you might consider asking yourself is, what that is for you ?

The Servant…

And The Sage of the Serengeti

The Lion and the Mouse

Are an Unlikely Pai

One the King of Beasts the other a Scavenger

Adapt at negotiating Serengeti Fare

The Lion a Predator

Whose only threat is Man

Imposes his will

Throughout his whole lifespan

The Mouse an Opportunist

Content to avoid being Prey

Busies himself with his own affairs

A course from which he seldom strays

The Lion ever mindful

Of the needs of the Pride

Ensures their better interests

Remain his daily Guide

As to our unlikely Allies

They one day meet by chance

When the Rodent sought Leftovers

He had spied at a glance

Distracted by hunger he neglected

The Rodents number one rule

Be not too hasty

Lest you prove yourself a fool

So in his foolishness

He clumsily crossed the Lions Path

What followed…?

Well, you do the math

The Lion caught the encroacher

His paw pinning him by the tail

Then proceeded to question the Mouse

“To what end did you think to avail”?

“Did you think to take a morsel

From me or my Pride

Would be the sort of matter

I would long abide?

Or did you think me too feeble

To contest such a foe

Who scurries the Serengeti

Scavenging too and fro?

Alas, you must have thought yourself

More clever than I

And so now for a fool’s errand

I bid you prepare to die”

The Mouse trembling in fear

Promptly dropped to his knees

Pleading to the Lion…

“Have mercy, I beg you Please!”

“For who knows what service

Your servant might one day provide

On behalf of your Majesty

Or your Noble Pride

Grant me in your Greatness

My insignificant life

And I pledge to never again

Cause you one iota of strife”

The Lion magnanimously conceded

To the trembling Mouse’s Plea

But before his release was reminded

“You owe your Life and freedom to Me”

Time passed and in due course

The Lion now advanced with age

Appointed an Heir to his Kingdom

As he retired as its Noble Sage

His time now taken up

With natures curiosities

He set about exploring the Serengeti

Doing as he Pleased

But one dreadful day he found himself

Trapped in a Humans debilitating Net

Where despite his vast power and insight

Freedom was not his to get

It was then… in this perilous time and place

The Mouse whose life the Lion had once spared

Scurried along the Trap

Where the Lion had been snared

Then as he swiftly chewed away

At the Snares entangling ropes

He reminded the Lion of his Mercy toward him

When he had no cause to hope

And that the kindness of life and Freedom

That upon him was bestowed

Was a debt he never forgot

Or to whom the debt was owed

Soon the Lion was free from the Humans Snare

Thanks to the Mouse’s clever ingenuity

With the sincerest gratitude

Of the Sage of the Serengeti

The two remained the best of friends

Throughout the remainder of their days

Ever Mindful of a twist of fate

And their Journeys intersecting ways

Now I would that you consider the gesture of Mercy

When it was in the Lions Power to Give

To a self-centered soul whose only interest

Had been the life of leisure he’d chose to live

Consider too the Lions Obligation

To the Lioness and their brood

To be their guardian and protector

While ensuring there’s sufficient food

Any sign of weakness

Would invite trouble round-about

From any would be Usurpers

Who perceived his prowess to be in doubt

Yet this Noble Creature took pity

On the wayward rodents Plight

Providing an opportunity

For him to change his ways and set things aright

Never expecting that he would one day

The benefactor of this action be

And yet, a kindness passed along

Proved the pivotal provocation

To secure the legacy of the Sage of the Serengeti

For The Spartan Name

In Ancient Greece lived a Warrior Breed

Bound by Honor to a Humble Creed

No Retreat No Surrender

To the Death Pledged Every Member

Obliged to One Thing and One Alone

Bring Back Your Shield or Be Carried On It Home

Citizen Soldiers of Sparta knew No Regret

For Each to the Other Were In Debt

Not by Houses and Lands or Earthly Gain

But by Blood and Sinew and the Spartan Name

In such a time spoke the Spartan King

When the Persian Empire War did bring

As to this Land of Warriors True

May such be said of such as you…?

“You Spartans gathered with me this night…”

King Leonidas thundered before their Perilous Fight

“What Dark Purpose Steals the Sleep

Of an Honorable Man?

What Malcontent Misery

Stays the Steadfast Hand?

Who Dares Defy the Breaking of Destiny’s Dawn?

Where is he who can withstand the Noble Born?

Let such as thinks himself Suited to the Task

Of his Conscious this Question Ask...

To What End and Purpose be his Plight?

And if he Be Fit for a Furious Fight?

For such as they who by Honor Live

Despite Depravations Have All to Give

As All one has be it Great or Small

Is at a Noble Man’s Beckon Call

He thus Will Fight and Bleed for Country’s Cause

Not for Glory, Gain or Men’s Applause

Because he Knows his Cause is Right

Though his Mortality be Pondered through the Night

Thus to the Persians we decree…”

“Fan the Foul Flame of your ills if you must

Only Be thou Warned of The Unyielding Thrust

Of He Who Stands For More Than He

Whose Cause is Driven By Destiny!”

“To this end my Compatriots We Lend Our Swords

Withholding naught But Breath In This Accord

To Preserve What Is Right and Good and True…”

“You Servants of Xerxes will the same be said of You?”

King Leonidas and his 300 Spartans Strong

Fought and Died but have been Remembered Long

For Courage For Character

For More than Self or Gain

For Duty For Honor

For The Spartan Name!

The Stag the Huntsman and the Hound

The Stag is a fleet of foot inhabitant

Of the Woodland where the River flows

Intuitive and insightful… there’s little

About his environment beyond what he knows

The Doe and Fawns in his care

Admire his speed and agility

But trust him with their lives

For his deeds have the hint of Nobility

The Hound is a sturdy K-9

Who seldom looses his subject’s scent

The companion of the Huntsman

Known to pursue his prey without relent

Though well fed and cared for

He knows his fortunes fickle in the hands of men

For should he fail to do their bidding

He knows he too will come to an untimely end

The Huntsman adapt at tracking

And living off the Land

Is also an expert marksman with Long-irons, Bow,

Knives, Axes or any other weapons at his command

A former Soldier in the War to end all Wars

He knows full well what it takes to survive

And in the Woodland where he lives

His skills ensure that such as he will thrive

You see now how each with his own motivation

Are inclined to give their all

For in their given efforts

Their fortunes rise or fall

That said, let us venture

To the Woodland at the Rivers bank

Where the Stag and several Doe

With their Fawns are formed in ranks

The Mature the Yearlings and Innocent among them

Are all at leisure in their secluded sanctuary

Until the Huntsman and his Hound discover

What was thought their inaccessible Territory

The Stag sternly admonishes his subjects

“In all directions flee…

As to the Huntsman and his Hound

Leave the matter to be attended to by me”

He thus presents himself plainly

Within the Huntsman’s view

Giving ample cause

That he alone should be pursued

For his large muscular frame

And distinguished Twelve-Point-Rack

Are a continuously coveted trophy

That ensure that he alone will be the one they track

The chase goes on for quite a while

With the Stag leading his Pursuers away from family

Knowing that to truly spare them this day

A sacrifice will be required presently

So he picks the time and place

Furthest from all that he holds dear

And feigns a frenzied fatigue

As he senses the Huntsman and Hound draw near

A shot rigs out within the Woodland

And the mighty Stag he falls

His pursuers content to have bagged such a trophy

Wherein the pursuer and pursued truly gave their all

The Huntsman has measured meat for his table

A hide for clothing to be worn

And a trophy mount

His cabins walls to adorn

The Stag has provided ample time

For his Herd to discover a new refuge to call home

And set an example of courage for the Yearlings

Long after he’s been gone

Perhaps this troubling tale

Rings resounding reason for regret

Perhaps this prescription for courage

Of feats of fidelity the Forest won’t soon forget

Might teach us all the sanctity of sacrifice

For what matters most of all

And how important it is to appreciate life

Whether your fortunes rise or fall

For who knows what troubles might beset us

In the days and weeks ahead

While in the happiness of our habitat

Wherein we seem secure from our deepest dread

May we all be measured

With the nobility of the Stag

And dare deeds worthy of repeating

Wherein our heirs might never have cause to lag

Saying those who’ve gone before me

Are a standard in whose shadow I hope to stand

Eager to enrich the world in which they live

Through all that’s within their power to command

Perhaps this tale will teach us too

The world revolves around more than me and you

Perhaps we’ll even appreciate another’s point of view

Considering the cause of others in all we say and do

All of this is a lot to ask

From the story of the Stag

But who knows what pearls of wisdom

May yet be yielded when not inclined to boast or brag

None Will Soon Forget

(The Oak)

From an acorn to a mighty oak…

From humble beginnings, to the standard of excellence one invokes

This is my natural history

A marvel of nature for all to see…

My roots go deep and long

My trunk is stout and strong

My branches reach for the deep blue sky

My leaves offer shade to the passer-bye

The winds greet me and bid their due

The sun and rain my strength renew

My leaves blanket the earth with color in the fall

In winter the snow covers all, yet I stand tall…

In spring I beckon birds, squirrels, chipmunks

And raccoon to call me home…

As I blossom and leaf

I provide a comfort-zone…

For all of nature and even man

To benefit from my resources on a scale grand

This was the intent of my design…

And to its purpose I am resigned…

To be all my creator planned for me

And still more should the axe I see…

For whether by shade or shelter I serve

My duty will I diligently observe…

This is my Legacy…

To give without remorse or regret

May your life be as mine…

One none will soon forget…

Made Good Under Pressure

( Dedicated to Dr. Victor Frankl Author of: “Man’s Search For Meaning” )

I carry a piece of coal as a reminder to me

That under pressure our potential increases expediently

Some might scoff at this conclusion

As a hypothesis not studied nearly enough

I refer them to the millions of years required

To produce a Diamond in the Rough

An actual product of carbon

That when cut and polished with skill

Will surpass the radiance of any Gemstone

And its possessor’s expectations unequivocally fulfill

This portable international currency

Is valued in the best and worst of economy’s

Is sought after by the most renowned Geologists

To the most common of citizenry

And is adorned by every woman with unabashed gaiety

If you doubt the diamonds influence

You need only to look to fashion and its impact economically

But for the real and most reliable results

Ask any woman who’s engaged:

What expresses affection more significantly?

You’ll find the rarity of this piece of coal

Made good under pressure and time

Is the first choice of all

To say to someone you love… You are one of a kind!

So I refer you back to my conclusion

That a piece of coal under pressure is an example for all to see

The potential hidden in all of us is significant

When we with patience preserver adversity…

The Shepherd and the Wolf

A clever Wolf followed a fickle flock of sheep

In the care of a conscientious Shepherds Keep

This went on for quite some time

With no attempt at mischief of any kind

None-the-less the Shepherd remained steadfast

To protect his Flock from a threat perceived

Watching the Wolfs every movement

Preparing for the predator, trusting what he believed

Days and weeks passed with the Wolf

Keeping company about the Flock

But to the Shepherds amazement

He made no effort to seize his stock

In time the Shepherd began to view the Wolf

As a guardian ore his Sheep

Rather than a ravenous instrument against them

So one day when called away he left them in his Keep

The Wolf having circumstance and opportunity

Promptly fell upon the Flock

And in a frenzy… he destroyed the better part

Of all the Shepherds Stock

When the Shepherd returned to find this tragedy

He exclaimed: I’m to blame the Sheep had trusted me

And in a fools folly I consigned the innocent

To the Wolfs dreaded debauchery

The Wampanoag

A People Proud and Strong

Chief Eagle Hawk and his son Swift Eagle

Of the Wampanoag Tribe

Were sitting at their Campfire contemplating

The mishaps of their People and Justice long denied

When Chief Eagle Hawk

Intent on encouraging his son

Told him not to forget his Ancestors

And the way things once were done

He said: The dignity of the Wampanoag

Is not in what we might possess…

As to wrongs wrought upon us

That the Great Spirit will redress

Meanwhile, let us remember

The meager means of the Pale Face

When our Native People

First came in contact with their Race

Their arrival to our shores

Was hardly as the harbinger of grace

Fact is, when we first observed them

They were plainly out of place

And so we thought who are these Fare Skinned Fools

Who know not how to work the Land

Nor do they show great skill in the Hunt

With such strange weapons in their command

Yes, it was thought preservation of our People

Might be better served leaving them to their fate

But we also knew The Great Spirit

Would not approve of hoarding or of hate

Knowing well our stores would sustain, us and them

We set out to teach them Natures ways

Sharing our meat and corn

Attempting to ensure good use of their days

Well, that kindness as you know

Proved our undoing in the end

For the Pale Skinned

Turned out to be no friend

The Wampanoag were as you know

Dispersed from our Ancestral Place

By the ungrateful…

Subjugating European Race

As to the remnants of our Tribe

We do as we’ve always done

Passing on our Traditions

From Father down to Son

From Mother down to Daughter

As it has ever been

In spite of our ill-treatment

By those of Pale Skin

As to these Europeans

Who’ve displaced all Native Tribes

We are not their Judge

Though Justice will not forever be denied

So it is we teach you to live among them

To learn their uncertain ways

For in time the Wampanoag will rise from the ashes

The Great Spirit granting us favor as in former days

This may not be tomorrow

Or in my time my Son

But I trust you will see our restoration

Before your days are done

The Campfire slowly dwindled down to embers

As twilight turned to dawn

An evening to be remembered

Especially now that Chief Eagle Hawk’ passed on

Passed from this Plane to join The Great Spirit

In the Happy Hunting Grounds

Where the Ways of the Wampanoag

Are always to be found…

While his Son Swift Eagle Father of Skylynn

Continues the Tradition of passing fond memories on

Yearning for when the Wampanoag and their Legacy

Are recognized as a People Proud and Strong…

Ode To Simpler Times

Back when a Full Service, Service Station

Meant someone pumped your gas

Washed both front and back windshields

And checked your oil

Was courteous and presented you with coupons

For special promotional gifts…

It would be safe to say was a time

When we were spoiled

It was also a time when your Mechanic

Could diagnose and turn a wrench

In such a timely manner

It seemed to be a synch

Points, plugs and condenser

With an occasional fuel-injection Ride

Also meant you and me “Joe Public”

Could turn “Shady Tree Mechanic” with a sense of pride

It also meant that what you did know

Though minus volumes within the Trade

Was passed along from Father to Son

Beneath the backyard shade

Another upside of those simpler times

Was when stumped in the thick of a mechanical mix

You could get instruction and advice

From your Local Garage to get the problem fixed

This was also an unassuming time

When Air didn’t cost you a dime

When inspection stickers were about safety

And common sense guided an Inspectors mind

As for Octane… Well, Hi-Test, Leaded or Un-Leaded

Were as complicated as we thought it would get

Back when Regular, Premium and Super

Gave us performance without regret

Oh sure, there were voids

In design and accessibility

Like the lack of Seat Belts within Cars made of Steal

That despite Steal Dashboards displayed dependability

Then there was the distinctness

Of a Chevy, Ford or Chrysler coming down the Road

When Sports-Cars, Sedans and such

Could not only perform but bear a load

Yes, Imports had their place

Like the Rover, Jaguar and MGB

There was even room for Mercedes, Porsche

Fiat, Volkswagen and others who crossed the Sea

But aside from my preference

For the temperamental MGB

I liked when you could look down the Road

And American Made dominated what you’d see…

Trade and Tradition

From an early age a Small Town Boy

Watched his Daddy Turn-a-Wrench

Whose skills were such

That he made it all appear a synch

Thus the Boy bit-by-bit learned every aspect

Of the Internal Combustion Engine

Along with the workings of every working part

Under-the-hood… to which he gave his full attention

His Daddy’s tutelage was casual and contemplative

So as not to overwhelm the Boy

Who unlike his Peers

Viewed every Vehicle as a Potential Toy

His interest and ingenuity Mechanically

Proved a marvel to all that he would meet

So much so that like his Daddy

He was recognized as a Facilitator of Motorized Feats

From Boyhood to Teenage Years

His skills would steadily grow

Until it seemed the Boy had learned

All that he could learn or know…

The Teenage Prodigy Graduated his Trade School

At the Top of his very Talented Class

And from there pursued an Engineering Degree

Where among Peers and Senior’s his skills surpassed

The young man went on to earn a Master’s and PhD

Within his chosen field

And in a career marked by innovative distinction

His skills and tutelage would many wonders yield

His Students and his Peers

All held his genius in awe

And never ceased to be amazed at his ability

To help them see the things they saw

Enabling the inquisitive to excel

And the average to explore

His Gift is said much like his Daddy’s

Who inspires you to want to be something more…

All of this would on the surface

Make for a story worthy to be told

But the real Bell-Ringer happens every weekend

When Mechanical Magic still unfolds

As Father, Son and now Grandson

In the same Garage turn a wrench

With each succeeding generation

Making it all appear a synch

You see the Small Town never lost its lure

To its attentive and Favored Son

Who loves his Daddy deeply…

And never forgot where his abilities had begun

Thus you’ll find him proudly working

With his Boy at his Daddy’s side

Passing on a Trade and Tradition

Passed on to him with pride…

Without Reprieve

An Autumn-Breeze gently rustles through the trees

The Southbound-Geese cackle melodically as they please

The squirrel continues to scurry-about as in times past

Preparing for Winter’s-Biting-Blast

The Fox ever-watchful of her Pups

Hunts nearby Fields for their sup

The Raccoon though nocturnal by Nature

Is not adverse to scavenging in the light of day

If palatable prospects

Present her way

The bountiful Songbirds of Early-Spring

Are now but few to fondly sing

Soon Winters-Breath will fill the Air

And blanket Browning Meadows with Snow to spare

The Mallards by then will have flown south too

That is all but a reluctant few

The Salmon will have already spawned

And been promptly fed upon

The Grizzly will Den-up for her scheduled sleep

The Caribou once past the Rut vigilance will keep

The Wolves will prowl more intent

To replenish stores they’ve spent

The Eagle will still majestically rule the sky

As one more Winter Passes-Bye

But as for today the sky is blue

With warm wistful winds passing through

And while I see the signs of what’s to come

I embrace the moment before it’s done

For this gentle day will not come again

It’s here but once then at an end

With a new day on its heels to dawn

To reveal its mysteries before it’s gone

Oh that we were more inclined to perceive

The wonders of our world without reprieve

Perhaps then we’d all grasp the fragility of fate

And embrace each moment before it’s too late

“Bark Syndrome”

Missing the Mark, the Target or Goal is just that…

But that doesn’t diminish the fallout

For failure to meet expectations

Or the deep sense of disappointment

In having lacked the capacity to close the deal

Whether it is in resisting a temptation

For which you are vulnerable to

Or completing a task to its desired end

But what separates us from the misguided minions

Who languish in their mishaps

Or anticlimactic outcome of their Objective

Is the willingness to pick ones self up

From the bottom of bemoanable behavior

And to brush off the dust and debris

Of discontent or guilt, fully prepared to fix our sights

Back upon the object of our intent

As for those who lack the capacity

To move beyond a particular setback or compunction

These are they who haven’t harnessed perspective

Regarding their particular position

Which simply put is…

A chronic case of “Bark Syndrome”

Or the inability to see the Forest for the Trees

With noses pressed to the Bark of circumstance

However, once a reasonable individual realizes

That circumstance is merely circumstantial

They are compelled to step back

From the “Bark of Bemoaning”

And continue on their course

Within Life’s Forest of Opportunities

Setting their sights on the Mark or Goal

Of Personal Progress

Sure, all of us have had a case of “Bark Syndrome”

At one point or another in our lives

That’s not tragic, it’s just Life…

But what’s a tragedy is when the ailment’s diagnosed

And the “Cure” is prescribed but discarded

Especially knowing that Perspective in our daily lives

While at times may elude our grasp

Is never far from reach

Which brings up the obvious

What will it take to keep our eyes on the “Prize”

Of Personal Progress… Mentally, Socially, Physically,

Financially and yes, Spiritually?

Perhaps it requires more introspective initiative

Within the Looking Glass of Life

And being willing to respectfully

Relate that insight to others

After all, a little perspective can go a long way

In recognizing the Forest of Opportunity here today

Perhaps...

Trust... is Earned not Deserved

Judgment... is for Facts Reserved

Truth... is True on All Occasions

Common Sense... Suits All Situations

Laughter... is Medicine for the Soul

Tears... can Cleanse and Help Make Whole

Conversation... is Therapeutic for the Intellect

Listening...Teaches to Be Circumspect

Labor... instills Value of a Dollar Due
Leisure... Reveals the Inner You

Teaching... Teaches Patience and Humility

Learning... Unleashes Possibilities

Children... Personify Innocence Unhindered
Adults... Contemplate the Finite State of all Considered

Youth... is a Magical Time and Grace

Elderly... is a Well Earned Sense Of Place

Life... is for Living on Purpose Without Regret

Death... is the Final Toll of Mortal Debt

Happiness... is Contentment Found Within

Misery... is Misguided Measures That Never Win

Perhaps... herein you've Recovered
Lessons Learned or Truths Discovered

Perhaps... some of this is New To You

My Hope is you Consider The Above In All You Do...

The Call To Common Sense

Common Sense isn’t all that Common

We hear said time and again…

But still seem to take for granted

What we as individuals comprehend

Truth be told it’s more tolerable

To believe someone an exception to the rule

Rather than recognize another link

In what’s known as the Chain of Fools

I know this sounds cold and callous

But I’m being cruel to be kind

Since the only way to change ones actions

Is to change the State of Mind

To take nothing said or done for granted

To see beyond what’s before our eyes

To question intent and content

To discern the Truth from Lies

To embrace analytics and logic

With feet firmly set upon the ground

To appreciate Life’s Simplicity

While pondering the profound

Oh sure, there’ll always be Educated Idiots

With no sense of Practicality

Just as with illiterate Know it All’s

Who’ve never seen the inside of a University

But that’s not to say we shouldn’t strive

To live without pretense

In the elusive pursuit of spreading

The Call To Common Sense…

More Than That To Me

Tell you ‘bout a man

With calloused hands and feet of clay

Principled and practical

In an unapologetic way

He lived in the moment

Anchored in the past

A mountain in stature

Who’s shadow when cast

Struck fear in the heart

Of those unknown to him

But a comfort to family

And those he called friend

Tell you ‘bout a man

Who knew what he stood for

Wounded while fighting

The war to end all wars

Fact is… his generation

Preserved Democracy

Passing on the privilege of freedom

To both you and me

Tell you ‘bout a man

Held in high esteem

Who despite his hardships

Never ceased to laugh and dream

Always wanting better

For his family

And even with his flaws

Left an unmatched Legacy

Some knew him as a Carpenter

Or a Man who “Turned a Wrench”

Some knew the Musician, but all knew “The Guy”

You could turn to in a pinch

I knew him as Hero

But he was more than that to me

Fact is my Daddy died a better Man

Than I’ll ever live to be

Tell you ‘bout a man

Who accepted no excuse for excuses

In his view…

Apologies were useless

You either did what you said you’d do

Or he had nothing to do with you

Yea, he sure was an S.O.B. there’s no denying reality

But Daddy died a better man than I’ll ever live to be

Live Before You Die

Anyone who’s ever cast a baited line

Into a stocked pond, River or the Ocean deep

Has done so with the hope of hooking one

That’s the envy of anyone to keep

But as in life, not all fisherman are equal

Especially in this task…

Not that you would know it

Based on many you might ask

Facts however, are weighed-in

With the actual fish

Pound for pound, inch by inch

In-spite of the wanton wish

As for the guy

Not inclined to brag or boast

Odds are pretty fair

He’s fetched the biggest and the most

Oh sure he likes competition

But not for bragging rights

Rather to have known he gave his all

With filets to fry that night

As for me, I’ve dropped a few hook & lines

And have had my share to fry

But not for comparison

With the best of guys

For me it’s being on the water

That makes it a real treat

The bonus is when I get to bring home

Something good to eat

But then my intention has not been

To reveal myself to you

Rather, to recognize…

The best damn Fisherman I ever knew

No he wasn’t someone famous

But on the water he was well known

Because he and his boat The Jigster

Reeled many a trophy home

Saltwater and warm breezes

Were for him the sweet nectar of life

My Uncle Eddy was the Salt Of The Earth

With a wit as sharp as a knife

A Navy Man…

Who could barely swim

With an affinity for the Deep-Blue

That could always muster a hearty grin

Strippers were his specialty

Marlin his measured sport

A wild man on the water

On land the conservative sort

Practical not perfect

Though adamant in his views

If he said it, it was so…

With little room to be confused

My Uncle Eddy taught me many things

In my formative years

A man who like my Daddy

Did not give sway to fears

But perhaps the most poignant memory

Of this tough as nails guy

Came at his bedside

When he looked me in the eye

And made me promise

To be sure I live before I die…

As he prepared to pass this mortal realm

For that Great Fishing-Hole In The Sky

We spoke of many things that day

And found we shared so many similar points of view

And even learned we’d learned from each other

More than a thing or two

I of course proved the recipient

Of far more benefit from him

In cherished childhood memories

To numerous to list herein

As for Uncle Eddy, at heart he was a Fisherman

Not inclined to brag or boast

Someone who simply lived a hearty life

Though one remembered more than most

Now I’ve told you some about a man

Who loved to Fish his whole life through

A little ‘bout his impact on such as I…

But I wonder, when the tally of your days is due

Will there be those to speak in such terms

Of someone such as you…?

If not…

Perhaps it’s time you do

What Uncle Eddy required

Of someone such as I

To pledge to be among the fortunate

Who’ve learned to live before you die…

It’s Time…

Who am I ?

What is my Purpose in Life ?

Is there an Answer ?

What is it… ?

As to the First Question…

You are among the Most Unique Within Your Species

An Irreplaceable Specimen of Potentiality

Capable of The Most Consequential Achievements

Ever Conceived by Mortal Man

Secondly, You were Designed

With a Specific Thought in Mind

To Pursue Expression of What Resides In You

Not To Mimic Another’s Attributes

But To Discover Your Own Pursuits

To Do What It Is That You Do Best…

To Question, Challenge and Explore, an Unyielding Quest

To Look into The Looking Glass of Life

And Cut Through the B.S. like a Razor-Edged-Knife

Going Beyond the Perceptions of the Conventional View

To Reveal That To Yourself, You’ve Remained True…

And That In Its Entirety

Is What Purpose Has Intended For You To Pursue

Without Qualification

Paying The Price Required Of You

Thirdly, if up to now The Answer hasn’t been Clear

Pursuit of Your Personal Best means Facing Your Fears

In spite of Disappointments, Heartache or Tears

Yes, Purpose Requires Resilience From You

Giving Your All, In All That You Do

Fourth, and finely…

If You’re Courageous Enough To Stay The Course

You’ll Learn to Find Meaning

Amidst Celebration and Loss

You’ll Live Life On Purpose…

Knowing Your Purpose

Is Uniquely Your Own

With an Unsatisfied Satisfaction

In Having Ventured Beyond Your Comfort Zone

More Importantly, you’ll have Expressed Personal Gifts

As Only Your Perspective Befits

Who am I ?

What is my Purpose in Life ?

Is there an Answer ?

What is it… ?

Well, now you Know…

So off with You…

It’s Time to Do…

And Be…

And Grow…

Nature Is A Constant

A Farmer in the Furrows

Fell upon an injured Fox

Too weak to flee

He soon found himself in a wooden box

The Farmer intent on dispatching the Carnivore

Upon returning to his Barn

And nailing his hide to the door

As a warning to others to move-on

But something happened unexpectedly

When the Farmer set out to seal the Fox’s fate

In looking into his eyes

He proceeded with pity instead of hate

Too weak to growl or express resistance

All the Fox could do is wine

Which seems to have had an influence

In the Farmers change of heart and mind

But the only practical place to put him

Was in a corner of the Chicken Coup by day

Since the daily activity of Farming

Anywhere else would find him in the way

So as the Farmer went about his chores

The Fox bedded-down outside the Henhouse doors

Too feeble to fetch a morsel on his own

The Farmer fed him Table-scraps when he got home

This went on for quite some time

The Fox by day in the Coup and at night in the Barn

With the Farmer and the Fox

Seeming to get along

After all, a Farmer nursing a Fox back-to-health

Was an unheard of curiosity

Not just for the two of them

But the whole Farming Community

Thus the Farmer was warned by mutual consent

No good can come of this arrangement

It’s un-natural and un-wise

Trouble will be your reward… so don’t be surprised

None-the-less the Farmer and the Fox

Continued as they had been

With the Fox recovering daily

Within the Chicken’s Pen

And after weeks of association

Even the Chickens got use to him

All seemed harmonious as he got healthy

Until one day temptation got the best of him

The Farmer while working in the Fields

Left the Henhouse open with the Fox still in the Coup

When he returned he found his Hens all dead

With the Fox still feasting on the Henhouse stoop

Well, as you could imagine

The Farmer was disappointed how things turned out

The Fox’s Hide ended up on the Barn door after all

But a valuable lesson came about

If you put a Fox in the Henhouse

There’ll be Chicken for dinner every time

Since nature is a constant

Even if to its truths you are blind

NOTE: All Comments and Criticisms are Welcome

in this brief homage to Aesop's Fables and

Grimm's Fairytales, with a bit of a modern

Twist... Really, You're Opinions Matter!!!

a Word to The WISE...

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