Uncommon Common Sense
Allegories Ideas and Observations
Copyright 2015 Heritage Productions
pending Publishing for your Consideration.
According To Your Abilities
Copyright 2009 Michael
Gibbowr
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
Copyright
2007 Michael Gibbowr
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
Copyright
2007 Michael Gibbowr
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
Copyright
2007 Michael Gibbowr
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)
Copyright
2012 Michael Gibbowr
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
Copyright 2012 Michael
Gibbowr
( 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
Copyright
2007 Michael Gibbowr
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
Copyright 2007 Michael
Gibbowr
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
Copyright
2007 Michael Gibbowr
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
Copyright
2007 Michael Gibbowr
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
Copyright
2008 Michael Gibbowr
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”
Copyright
2008 Michael Gibbowr
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...
Copyright 2009 Michael Gibbowr
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
Leisure... Reveals the Inner You
Teaching... Teaches Patience and Humility
Learning...
Unleashes Possibilities
Children... Personify Innocence Unhindered
Adults... Contemplate theFinite
State
of all Considered
Adults... Contemplate the
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
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
Copyright
2008 Michael Gibbowr
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
Copyright
2008 Michael Gibbowr
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
Copyright
2008 Michael Gibbowr
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…
Copyright 2008 Michael Gibbowr
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
Copyright
2008 Michael Gibbowr
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!!!
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