quiet poet
the home of sherku and other verse I write
Thursday, August 15, 2024
Answer is 42
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
To Do
I
The higher the humidity goes, the less I want to do.
walking to the pool, too long today, not something to do
Are you one who glances at books sideways,
looking for hidden words? Is that something for you to do?
Amazing, to see what it is that attracts one's attention, that is
jumping to the front to command, this is what you need to do
The motor sputtered, refused to start, the vehicle is now
awaiting time, and schedule, for service to do
No one pays attention to what goes on, until it starts
happening to them, then all else goes aside, something's urgent to do
Walking down the dark slightly sloping aisle, carefully
selecting a seat, settled in, ready to get away from things to do
II
Standing under a star filled sky, fireflies in the grassy field,
rising, make their way to treetops, doing what they need to do
The choice is not “Do I fight? or do I give up?” The question to be
making a real difference in life is, “What can I do?”
“Radical” doesn't always mean being out on the edge, primary meaning is
Being rooted, it should be what drives you to do what you do
When a word is used outside of its original meaning, it may be creative,
or deviating, be aware of that, recognize what they do
When they recognize you but don't remember your name,
recalling may be their problem, but is there something you can do
What you fear is a great example of the power of imagination;
accepting that concept, choose hope, see how much that can do
So Sherlock, when they hear it through the grapevine, something that is not
happening, what is it that you really want them to do
Sunday, July 14, 2024
Send me on my way
Sunday, June 09, 2024
Cross points
I
Let me tell you a story. It began simply enough. How do I convey my idea to you? Sign language began to get the point across
We were busy, we still needed to share our story. From a distance, I couldn't see your hand sign but the smoke signal got your point across
So busy, the story was pressing, we didn't want to carry wood to the desert, so we developed a flag and semaphore system to get our point across
We stumbled about our busyness, and in stumbling we fell and discovered sound, “ouch” was a breakthrough to get our point across
Sounds became easier to spread across a distance, we found the echo, and then drum beats to help get our point across
Devices were crafted, and refined, to help carry the sound or the drum beats for greater distances to get our point across
II
In the telling of our story, through all the developments, time was spent on coding, and decoding, the message to get the point across
What did this hand signal mean? “I don't think it means what you think it does” was a problem to be resolved to get our point across
Coordinating the meaning of this, or that, makes a difference. It takes time to do, and for those who spend the time; they get their point across
The more time coordinating, and preparing, the more it becomes easier to craft the message, and be successful, in getting the point across
Gather, discuss, decide, produce, rinse and repeat, these are the all important steps to keep the energy focused on the flywheel to get the point across
The energy can become distracted, attention can shift, from focal point to focal point, instead of trusting the process to get the point across
So Sherlock, what comes next? Consider the sun will rise tomorrow. Keep the flywheel spinning so folks can get the next point across.
I struggled to complete this but a friend sent me a text that gave me the spark to do so. Thank you!
Saturday, April 20, 2024
Do the right thing
I
When Dad was 18, he enlisted as a US Marine, serving and surviving 3 World War II Pacific island battles to do the right thing
When I was eighteen, I got a draft number for the Vietnam war, that I hoped would not call for me, unless it was the right thing
Now 50 years ago from that Vietnam conflict, when those that did serve returned, they did not get the recognition that should have been the right thing
War was hell and being home in the US wasn't much easier; anti-war protests, race riots, gas shortages, all trying to do the right thing
The news headlines were big, dramatic, chaos seemed to reign, and yet many of us survived those days, times trying to do the right thing
I had trained for a few years with a rifle drill team. I was captivated by their precision, cadence, moving in unison doing the right thing
II
Looking back, that was likely a reach for stability in the midst of the chaos around; along with lessons from Coach Wooden to do the right thing
UCLA was THE team, consistent, dominant on the college basketball court. Coach melded great talent in his system for success doing the right thing
I still take my new shoes, and re-do the laces just like I had read about as one of the lessons Coach Wooden taught in prep to do the right thing
To play the game Coach started with the basics. If the shoes were tied properly, no need to lose time during a game doing the right thing
A simple thing, shoe laces, but tied properly, they stayed tied. When time was critical, using time wisely paid off doing the right thing
88 game win streak, 10 national championships, 7 consecutive, a set of records unmatched today, doing the right thing
So check Sherlock’s shoes when you can. You should see the right lace goes over the left, a reminder to always do the right thing
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Starting over
- The cover of Chris Stapleton, “Starting over” was performed by State Rep Jeff Roy at the opening of the SAFE Coalition performance space https://youtu.be/_4fD7XAd72w?si=UWh7b-y0z-Sf51Vg
- Pádraig Ó Tuama - Poetry Unbound. https://onbeing.org/programs/thomas-lux-refrigerator-1957/#transcript
- Ocean at the end of the Lane, Neil Gaiman. https://www.neilgaiman.com/works/Books/The+Ocean+at+the+End+of+the+Lane/
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Lessons from dust
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Advice from the curbside
I
The Christmas tree carefully took time to put up, to decorate, and far less time to remove all the ornaments, strings of lights, and put the tree on the curb
Middle aged honey bees work from the top down secreting wax from their abdomens to build the combs of the hive. Yes, they don't need the curb
The youthful bees fly all over to collect the pollen to make honey, they have the energy for that. Smarts come with time staying above the curb
Real estate appraisers take the measures of each room, and walls, inside and out, to make their assessment of the residences appeal from the curb
The Peregrine 1 moon shot will run out of fuel before it can power its landing on the moon. The team will maximize testing opportunities as it flies well out of sight of the curb
Recognition of the two circles overlapping, mingling, in ways I would uncover from the breadcrumbs of the table of their conversation while sitting there on the old stone curb
II
Be prepared for whatever life throws at you, whether dressing for the changing weather, or patiently waiting your turn, applaud their effort when you stand on the curb
Follow curiosity where it can take you, willingly explore with the eyes of a 3 year old, flop to make a snow angel, and step back to check it out from the curb
Be helpful and leave a rake in its proper place, definitely avoid stepping on the tines to try and pick it up, it can quickly leave you down and out on the curb
Balance is what you do when walking along the edge of a narrow surface, prioritize is what you do to accomplish goals so you won't be left behind on the curb
Mind the words you say but don't be afraid to say what you mean, to add value, to help someone, to share the lessons you acquired walking along the curb
Ben advocated religiously for work, folks remember “Industry need not wish” and should know he continued that sentence with “and he who lives upon hope will die fasting” upon the curb
So Sherlock, continue your work, taking the measure of the times, building from the top down, and bottom up, sharing the content in context, with the folks along the curb
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
Treasure the moment
It’s Thanksgiving weekend and 40 years have passed since you left us
Yet you continue watching over us, reminding us to treasure the moment
Here today, this residence is empty, ready for some other family to enjoy
Daily life, and their celebrations, creating new memories to treasure the moment
There are folding chairs to add to the circle in the living room of the new house
Where conversation ebbs and flows, and games are played to treasure the moment
Someone remarks of a time when … and we all go there, transported instantly …
The thread meanders as the sparks fly triggering other treasures of the moment
The baby is passed around, everyone gets their turn, gooing and ahing
Baby talk is a universal language, in that time before words, to treasure the moment
The family tree continues to grow, some branches end, others expand
A family collaboration brings forth an updated document to help treasure the moment
II
Twenty eight years later, this residence is empty for Thanksgiving, all action takes place in the new dwelling, enabling the new residence to treasure the moments
Sitting on the stairs, recarpeted while we were here, the sounds of the house
are different, there are echos now to treasure the moment
A singular brown oak leaf remains plastered to the sky view window in the
new residence, visible as I roll back the shade, bending to stretch, and treasure the moment
Houses couldn't exist without doors to enter, or leave, windows to let in light,
and air, and then there's the sound pattern to treasure the moment
These windows and storms are less sound proof than what we had,
the folks around us seem so much closer, they are perhaps eager to treasure the moment
Boxes, multiple sizes, were full and heavy, now emptied, flattened, and recycled
leaving behind the contents, here and there, in a new spot to treasure the moment
Hold on Sherlock, did you feel that cloud of uncertainty dissipate? The shift was slight but noticeable. My T-shirts supply has been shelved so I can now treasure the moment
Friday, December 15, 2023
Call for Water
I
When thirsty, your body signals a call for water
A turn of the faucet, or a flush of the toilet, starts a call for water
The signal may require a long walk, to the well, or stream,
To return with a full yellow container to answer the call for water
The faucet at the sink will start the flow through the pipes
in the house, the street, pump, or water tower to answer the call for water
When the hot water faucet is turned, the water flows under pressure,
with a diversion through heating coils, to answer the call for water
When the toilet is flushed, the water flows carrying the refuse liquid
and, or solid, before refilling the device in the call for water
The refuse, liquid and solid, moves through gravity flow pipes
to get processed before returning to the stream to answer the call for water
II
Science tells us human males are about 60% water, females about 55%,
which shows why we need to respond to the call for water
The earth's surface is about 70% water but 97% of that is salt water
requiring treatment before answering the call for water
We have to take care of the 3% fresh water, use it as needed,
conserve it to help with the call for water
Science can help determine a good economic process
for conversion of salt water to better answer the call for water
We need to foster those scientific efforts, and trust the science,
as it evolves to provide a solution to the call for water
There are those among us near and far, who need shorter walks,
or better access, to answer the call for water
So Sherlock, are you all wet yet? Or will you help Frank,
and Lynn when they initiate their call for water?
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Time for the music
I
What is the one thing we usually never have enough of
And which we can't buy? Haven’t Got Time for the Pain
Do you manage it, or do you let it control you? I have tried
To be as efficient as I can. times they are a changing
A little planning can go a long way to helping avoid
Wasting energy, money, or time; time is on my side
I like to reward those who manage time well. My time is
Important, and when others recognize that, let the good times roll
Think about it, lots of action words are associated with this
Concept: Make, take, buy, spend, waste; baby, one more time
It seems like time is a thing to be handled, bought, boxed
Stored, when it just keep ticking on its own, Time in a Bottle
II
It can be a real question, or a good ice breaker, to ask
someone, Does Anybody Really Know What Time it is?
I would propose that only when you are up and about
Does it exist, Time has come today
Memories, whether the penultimate, or even the last time
Are instances when we recognize Times like these
What is it that gives us pause, stops us to realize, and
recognize the present as a gift? Only Time Will Tell
Without that pause, a sense of something else, we go
About living, doing, being, Time after time
If it is worthy, and created the pause, then the best thing
to do is likely to Love me Two Times
Sherlock says: give a gift to yourself, think, plan, and then
tackle the day, the next minute, so that it feels like the first time
Source of 100 song titles with "Time"
https://spinditty.com/playlists/songs-with-time-in-the-title
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
10,000 decisions
Monday, September 18, 2023
Confused, and bewildered, or
How is it that the sunlight, just so, reveals the dust that has been gathering from the bike running down the driveway, while the band plays on
We find the cleaner, and cloths, to get rid of the dust, putting aside the writing which wasn't going as fast as the single speed wheels, while the band plays on
If there is a cure for an illness, why won't folks take it? If there is a treatment that helps an illness, it can be like a single speed cycle, while the band plays on
Is nonsense the lack of sense, or a component of sense, that you can build on, like Lego blocks, or shifting gears on a ten speed bike while the band plays on
Heard someone reveal it took them until they were in college to find out that there were poets that were indeed alive, and writing today, while the band plays on
II
There are pairs of things, think about it, that'll give you pause, cause you to do a double take, check it out, where, why, while the band plays on
As we grow older each day, some wisdom may reveal itself to us, releasing us from instant satisfaction, bestowing us patience, while the band plays on
Writing works when you can read and follow what I am attempting to convey, head nods, uh huh, provides feedback, gears shift cleanly, while the band plays on
"Intuitions come first, strategic reasoning second", we need an emotional approach to bring others to a review of facts, while the band plays on
Addressing the elephant in the room is good, reason rides the beast, whether shifting gears, or kicking up dust, while the band plays on
The hard ribcage protects the pumping heart, sending oxygenated blood throughout, letting us clean, ride, or double take while the band plays on
So Sherlock, you know positioning is key for the line of sight in a quartet, the eyes do a lot of communication, keeping the rhythm, shifting the gears, while the band plays on