New Year Celebration?
Please forgive me for being a party pooper but I dislike New Year. I think I detest it because I simply don’t understand it. What are we celebrating? I suppose we are pleased to be getting rid of one year and welcoming a new one with all its potential. But don’t we do exactly that every single day? What is so special about this particular day? And if I am to celebrate the potential of a new year then why does it begin with a hangover? what a great start – a late night and too much alcohol – the new year is already ruined before it even began! No, if it were down to me, I’d be going to bed at a normal hour and treating it like any other
Read More »Getting Older
I once thought that I would last forever Had no concerns at all Burned the candles at both ends And in the middle too But there came a time when I suddenly understood Time, was moving quickly on Everyone looks older But not necessarily wiser Certain songs are sung memories Of times now long gone Partying with people Whose names I no longer remember Yes indeed, life has moved on Getting older Getting bolder With each passing day Where there is a will They say that there is a way But the way my body feels I’m sometimes not so sure Quite frankly The word manure Or a derivation Comes to mind And you know What I find So bloody difficult Is actually that Aging is so damned Unkind
Read More »A Childlike Reality
Children often bring a smile to our lips. Their worldview unfettered by outside influence and devoid of any political pressure often provides us with laughter and sometimes remarkably powerful but simple insights into our complex world. I have played more than my part in terms of aiding this phenomenom having fathered four children to date and each and everyone of them has taught me something valuable or brought a smile to my face in terms of what they did or said. All kids are different too right from the very beginning. Having watched my twin boys grow up I can say that… different from the very first second of life outside the womb. Obviously, it is my youngest child that now alone has this childlike ability to point out glitches
Read More »A Barren Day and My Roots
Its one of those days when I am uninspired and don’t seem to have anything to say that I haven’t said before. No poetry, no bursts of irked energy for a good old rant and certainly no spiritually uplifting thoughts or feelings. These sorts of days happen. Perhaps its because I have done nothing but write anyway – white papers, Analyst briefing notes, articles, presentations etc. etc. I really do write for a living it seems – if you are interested in those professional writings take a look here). So…. What then? Just recently I have been feeling a bit homesick for Houston. I mean, Houston was home for 17-years and after being away almost 8-years, I do miss it from time to time. I miss the heat would you
Read More »The Check (or Cheque)
I went to my bank this lunchtime here in Brno in the Czech Republic with something I haven’t seen in quite a while – a paper cheque. Actually, it was a paper check as it originated in the good old US of A. I took it to the cashier and she took it and looked at it carefully. “What is it?” she asked. “A check,” said I, with a smile. I was asked to take my check and take a seat. About five minutes later, one of the ladies from the back office came looking for the ‘American with the paper check’. I’m unsure as to which was more unusual – the American (naturalized) or the paper check! We sat down at her desk and she pulled out a huge manual.
Read More »The Stream of Life
Bobbing along the stream Sometimes fighting Other times alighting For a longer look Checking out scenery But no real choices Except to go with the flow I go where I need to go Can only slow The inevitable As I start at the beginning I must end at the end That’s the way it really is Life is like a stream Winding its lonely way Always just passing through Never sitting still Ripples speak to movement Movement is my destiny One day, I will reach the Sea And that, my friends Will be the end of me.
Read More »Touching the Emptiness
Touch the emptiness Stretching deepness Cooling depths Old memories Black and white Like old movies Funny feelings As if I could touch Touch the emptiness It’s on the edge As if momentarily Forgotten Was that my childhood? Was that really me? Stretching deeply To touch the emptiness Its’ dreamlike quality Chasing that thought Is there a reason? Am I all for naught? Touching the emptiness Building a soulful thirst Driving onwards ever wearily Towards the setting Sun Yet didn’t it just begin? Started in the sixties Images, floating illusions Touching the emptiness My father has already gone He prepares the place Wherever that is as he Touches the emptiness Birth, Death, emptiness Cyclic like the seasons I came from the emptiness And there I will return Reaching out, stretching On
Read More »Am I Just a Grumpy Old Sod?
I am reaching my mid-fifties mark and I often now hear my mother’s voice from 20-30 years ago telling me she sometimes felt like she was 20 but more often like she was 70. When she arrives here in June for a break I need to her ask her how it feels to be 78! While I know that I am certainly wiser and more experienced, a little more patient and have a better idea of what is really important and what is not, I am more short-tempered than I used to be. I really don’t know why. I just am. Gabriela surprised me not so long ago as I remarked about someone’s behaviour around me and she told me I intimidate people because I look pissed off! I hadn’t
Read More »Life’s Junk
Just over 7-years ago, I arrived in the Czech Republic with one suitcase. Later, I shipped one box to myself. It wasn’t a large box. I left a large house stuffed to the brim with stuff and do you know what, I didn’t really miss any of it. Anything I did miss turned out to have a connection to someone in my life. I did miss being able to look at certain photographs of my family, my boys, my parents, my college days. I did miss the framed picture bought for me as a gift by my Aunt in New Orleans as it reminded me of my Uncle who died too young. I missed a few items – trinkets mainly – given to me by my father and by my
Read More »Moments
A little reminiscing Passing of a life Not even thrilling It’s been a long ride Dancing through time Losing my pride Where did it go Where did they go All of those people All of those places Those ups and those oh so downs Times and time, sand grains falling Moments of glory and moments of hell Moments when you knew that you’d done well Listening to second hand Bolan A Child of his revolution Just like that Jean Jeanie Crossing the Atlantic Ocean Houston, I heard you calling Or am I confusing you with the Clash? All that trans Energy wasted Never did make my splash Where did it go What did I really do All of those faces All of those names The heights and the valleys The
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