Children

THE SECRET TREE

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.


Left With 8 Children By A Husband

Folder: 
Children

*

 

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

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Baseball Everywhere

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”

Children Know Things

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

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The Off Grid Life

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.

Author's Notes/Comments: 

This is my first time sharing my poetry, (after a few friends encouraged me that I should) please be kind and send your thoughts.

Also all words are opinions of myself in the modern world that we live in. 

This is not meant to cause offense, harm, upset to anyone, and if it does please understand that is not my intention.

 

Many thanks,

What I Want To Be (when I grow up)

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

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Dreaming

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. 

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tags:

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 ju

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?

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He thinks he's God

Folder: 
Personal World

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... 

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