Sally came running in the door…”Grandma I have a secret!” She yelled.
It’s a really, really good secret…but I promised not to tell.”
“I want to keep my promise but you don’t know how hard it’s been.”
“Trying not to tell anyone…trying to keep this secret in.”
Sally looked up at her Grandma…her wide eyes, big and blue…
“Grandma can you help me? Grandma tell me what to do?”
Grandma took Sally out to her back yard saying…“There’s something I want you to see.
They sat down under a very large oak… “This is my secret tree.”
“Grandma…” Sally laughed …”This is not a secret tree!
Everybody knows about it…everyone can see…”
Grandma put a finger to her lips…and gently shook her head
“The tree is not the secret, silly…it’s what it holds.” she said.
Ever since I was a little girl…and a secret was given to me
I’d hurry home and sit right here…underneath this very tree.”
“And when I was sure I was alone…that secret I’d retrieve
then I would let that secret out and share it with the leaves.
And so this tree is filled with secrets…every secret I ever brought
secrets she will never tell…and some I’m sure I’ve long forgot….
With that Grandma stood up and walked away…happy as can be
leaving Sally all alone in the shade of her secret tree.
On her way to the house Grandma turned around and smiled…
She couldn’t be sure but she believes
Sally was whispering to the tree
sharing her secret with the leaves.
*
I've never had
an abortion, but then
again I've never been
left by a husband
when I was pregnant
with 8 children.
I've never been totally broke.
I've never known I had
a life-risking pregnancy.
I have no right to interfere
between any woman and
her decisions.
saiom shriver
Elvin and Leroy were baseball players
From the time they were six years old
And best friends since the early days
A million baseball stories to be told
Their entire lives had been consumed
By the game of baseball which they
Played together all through school
Then pro-Negro league as Blue Jays
Even in retirement baseball was key
Games at the ball park and on the t.v.
Indeed – it was a sad day when Elvin
Passed away from a cardio infraction
Poor Leroy was hurt and felt so alone
He had always had Elvin by his side
And now without – was totally thrown
Unable to handle that Elvin had died
Leroy missed Elvin so much that he
Kept talking to him – always his plea
“Please let me know how you’re doing
So I can quit all my silly brooding”
But nothing – no answer from Elvin
Until late one night – in the kitchen
Leroy was talking - asking his friend
For a message – some sign to be sent
Leroy was sitting at the table and
Heard Elvin so asked – “that you man”
Without hesitation the voice of Elvin
Clear as day – “It’s me – good friend”
Leroy was both shocked and ecstatic
He started talking and then did ask
About baseball in heaven – and Elvin
Said – “Leroy – it really is heaven”
“They got baseball everywhere and
You should see the fields and parks
Just like we used to dream and plan
And got beautiful lights after dark”
“That is wonderful news” – said Leroy
“Wonderful – is there any bad news”
Elvin began tentatively – “well old boy
There is some bad news I brought you”
“What bad news - Elvin ” – Leroy asked
“Tell me – whatever - be what it might “
So Leroy started slow then said it fast
“Elvin - you’re pitchin’ tomorrow night”
There are certain things
That all children know -
Flowers bloom in spring
When all the birds sing
The sun helps things grow
And melts the fresh snow
Rain washes things clean
And helps with gardening
The good times - playing
And bed time for praying
The very best balloons
Big ‘n round as full moons
And without any strings
Moving as the wind blows
Yep - children know things
Like - don’t step on toes
The moon is Swiss cheese
Leprechauns wear green
And all angels have wings
Yep – children know things
the off-grid life.
untied from the shackles of strife,
2017, the modern existence,
getting on the property ladder, how does anyone have a chance?
20, 25 or 30, forced to work to pay every bill,
going to work all hours, struggling to find a way, a life against our will,
needing the money from any form of work, mostly unprogressive, unhappy
life passing by, frustrating, anger, decreasing self-worth, causing individuals to be snappy
unfulfilled, potentials are not met, working a job all day, unable to progress,
money is the key factor, for bills to be met, let me digress.
often they still aren't causing pain and suffering, stress and depression,
homelessness is rife through the country, a feeling of regression,
a feeling of being stuck, how to retrain and improve your careers?
speak to friends or family and the same conversation, doubts, and fears
if only another option was available,
one that was accepted and not just for the vulnerable,
the homeless, the people with nothing,
but how is this existence different? it is truly crushing,
once you can see that your life is consumed with working for money,
the soul has passed, your energy too, it can get so hard it's not even funny,
but who understands? in the face of consumerism, higher purchase, loans, and debt,
who is living a life, truly satisfied, and their dreams are met?
Not all people living off-grid are rich in cash!
but they aim for other needs; security in food & energy, it's worth a bash,
a growing transition for many people too,
it's not just for the hippies, the spiritual, it's for people like me and you,
think about it for a moment or two...
who would you be without your car, house and your possessions?
is that person you portray the real you? or do you blend in so people don't ask questions?
are you honest with your family and friends?
or do you sit behind a desk wishing it would end?
there is a wealth of knowledge of old traditions,
from a time when they lived without these conditions,
the conditions of social media, advertising, marketing ads or vlogs
when screen time didn't consume every waking hour, and children were fascinated with tadpoles transforming into frogs.
hours spent outside, climbing trees, playing at the park,
not allowed home unless it was tea time or had gotten dark.
a shift is happening, ecotherapy, wild schooling, bushcraft, and hikes,
forest schooling, homeschooling, people walking and out on their bikes,
scientists are noticing the effects on children's behaviors, reduced health issues,
ADHD, also a boost in self-awareness, positivity, confidence and mental health issues
is it easier to sit a child down to hours in front of the tv, or ipad?
than it is to spend a few hours playing down the park with dad?
or baking a cake with mum, the importance of these skills are being misplaced,
in this consumerism world, with employees a number, in a life so fast-paced.
Off-grid living, the communities hidden away,
all they want is a parcel of land to look after their needs, but hey,
that's not possible, 'cause where will the local council get their tax,
with the community, living off the land, growing food and chopping wood with an axe,
the need and usage of government-owned services would become minute,
living simply and within your skills of the land, renewables used, an abundance of fruit,
food preserved in many forms, jams and chutneys, frozen meat,
enough food to last year-round to survive through winter, or in the heat,
the food produced off the land, tending the garden, and grown for nutrition,
the most important for life and health also said to aid in remission.
off grid homesteaders, don't need to take the flack,
with health as the focus, working outdoors to provide, lowering the need for prozac,
comments from shallow minded people need not be said,
the power of community, working together, I want to spread,
to include children in the transition, of conserving nature and our wildlife,
the tranquil setting amongst the seasons, watching the stars, that's my type of nightlife.
Now this is a tale I wish I'd been told
Back when I was 8 years old
When teacher said now listen here
It's about time that you found careers
Something that will make you wealthy
And keep your family fed and healthy
Something that may not be much fun
But the benefits are second to none
And so I listened to each child say
What they want to be some day
Some said nurses, some said vets
One said teach the alphabet
“Wouldn't you like to be a judge?”
No says I, I will not budge
Then Teacher said, whilst turning purple,
I could not be a ninja turtle
Nor a wizard or a beanstalk farmer
And superhero was not the answer
I'd rather not be stacking shelves
When I could discover trolls and elves
She fires choices at me 1, 2, 3
But fireman does not appeal to me
Nor policing or a dentist
Can't I be a magicians apprentice?
“No!” she screeched, losing all control
“I'm tired of this rigmarole!”
“You just do not seem to understand”
“How important it is to have this planned!”
So I sat and listened to this pedagogue
And her long and dreary monologue
By the end it was so plain to see
That she had almost given up on me
So at this point I offer my apology
And said I'd like to do archaeology
She said “hooray!The boys come round!”
“What's made you want to dig underground?”
I'd like to sail from sea to shore
To discover my own dinosaur
It's a job I'll find much more exciting
Than stuck inside an office writing
And once I've found this once fearsome beast
With giant claws and razor teeth
I'd bring him back from non existence
And ask him for some job assistance
“Don't be silly”, Teacher said
“You can't bring things back that once were dead”
She says I'm mad and wide of the mark
I take it she's not seen Jurassic Park?
She was so angry and could take no more
And she threw me in the corridor
I tried one last time to really thrill 'er
I told her I really could find Godzilla
She screamed "I cannot take this anymore!"
And on that note she slammed the door
So I reflect that maybe I've gone too far
But I don't care for bags of money or fancy cars
Life's too short and far too fleeting
To be in and out of office meetings
So to give up on your dreams and magic
To work in a bank would be quite tragic
So if you want to avoid catastrophe
It's time to listen carefully
Never give up on your wildest dreams
And you'll end up where you're meant to be
As children are playing " you are it" at the park
Smiling while they run around
In the beautiful bright day
Children can see the different things that our Mother Nature has given us
The Children smell the flowers they dream of being bees
Their dreams are getting closer
They dream of their body drifting in the sea and being the
captain of their own vessel at sea on a stormy night and
waiting for the rain to stop so that they are able to see
shore again and find the treasure that they been dreaming off.
I wonder...if we saw everyone as a child, our child...would the world be a different place?
If we saw in others our children’s purity...their smile, their eyes...their face
Would we be as quick to shun them, to close our hearts...our shore
As quick to judge or hate them...as quick to go to war?
His time will come
When he will learn
Life isn't given on a silver platter
His time will come
When he will learn
Not everyone wants to be part of him
His time will come
When he will learn
Not everyone will obey his command and whim
His own child
His time has come
He has learnt
That the world doesn't revolve around him
His time will come
When he will learn
There is more to life than revenge
His time will come
When he will learn
There is peace beyond forgiveness
His time will come
When he will learn
I'm not as timid as he perceives...