Independent Poets

Independent Artists & Poets

Hearts of Wisdom

When the rain beats on the windswept ground

and the trees are stripped of leaves -

when we fear the branches crashing down

and we long for some relief -

blinding lightening flashes and

rushing water floods the streets -

Thunder rocks the darkened sky,

but hearts of wisdom still find peace.

Hearts of wisdom come to know

you can face the threatening storm -

and you can bear the coldest chill

when you've lived in summer's warmth.

Even lost in wilderness,

you can still be safe from harm -

It's when you're walking on the edge

that hearts of wisdom may be born.

When we learn to number

all our days the seasons 'round

when we number all our days

hearts of wisdom may be found.

When a blizzard shakes my house at night

and I feel the north winds blow -

when I turn out all but one small light,

bank the fire but keep the glow -

I remember words you spoke,

from the heart, I've come to know -

"We will never give up hope" -

hearts of wisdom don't let go.

"Teach us to number our days,

that we may get us a heart of wisdom." -Psalms

DEATH

The vampire bitch of war

prowls the crushed buildings,

scratches among the discarded bodies,

searches out the orphaned child

whose noiseless cries are overlooked

by all the young men leaving,

by all the old men leading.

Excellence

Perfection is being right.

Excellence is being willing to be wrong.

Perfection is fear.

Excellence is taking a risk.

Perfection is anger and frustration.

Excellence is powerful.

Perfection is control.

Excellence is spontaneous.

Perfection is judgment.

Excellence is accepting.

Perfection is taking.

Excellence is giving.

Perfection is doubt.

Excellence is confidence.

Perfection is pressure.

Excellence is natural.

Perfection is the destination.

Excellence is the journey.

- Anon.

America The Beautiful

Katharine Lee Bates wrote the original version in 1893.

She wrote the 2nd version in 1904. 
Her final version was written in 1913.

Here is a note from Katharine Lee Bates:






"One day some of the other teachers and I decided to go on a trip 






to 14,000-foot Pikes Peak. We hired a prairie wagon. 






Near the top we had to leave the wagon and go the rest of the way on mules. 






I was very tired. But when I saw the view, I felt great joy. 






All the wonder of America seemed displayed there, with the sea-like expanse."

America the Beautiful - 1913

O beautiful for spacious skies, 
For amber waves of grain, 
For purple mountain majesties 
Above the fruited plain! 
America! America! 
God shed his grace on thee 
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife. 
Who more than self the country loved
And mercy more than life! 
America! America!
May God thy gold refine 
Till all success be nobleness 
And every gain divine!

O beautiful for patriot dream 
That sees beyond the years 
Thine alabaster cities gleam 
Undimmed by human tears! 
America! America! 
God shed his grace on thee 
And crown thy good with brotherhood 
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for halcyon skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the enameled plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till souls wax fair as earth and air
And music-hearted sea!

O beautiful for pilgrims feet,
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America ! America !
God shed his grace on thee
Till paths be wrought through 
wilds of thought
By pilgrim foot and knee!

O beautiful for glory-tale
Of liberating strife
When once and twice,
for man's avail
Men lavished precious life !
America! America! 
God shed his grace on thee
Till selfish gain no longer stain 
The banner of the free!

O beautiful for patriot dream 
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears! 
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till nobler men keep once again 
Thy whiter jubilee!

Sometimes we just need to remember what the 12 Rules of Life really are:

1. Never give yourself a haircut after three margaritas.

2. You need only two tools: WD-40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move and it should, use WD-40. If it moves and shouldn't, use the tape.

3. The five most essential words for a healthy, vital relationship are: "I apologize" and "you are right."

4. Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.

5. Never pass up an opportunity to pee.

6. If he/she says that you are too good for him/her - believe them.

7. Learn to pick your battles; ask yourself, "Will this matter one year
from now? How about one month? One week? One day?"

8. When you make a mistake, make amends immediately. It's easier to eat
crow while it's still warm.

9. If you woke up breathing, congratulations! You have another chance!

10. Living well really is the best revenge. Being miserable because of a bad or former relationship just might mean that the other person was right about you.

11. Work is good, but it's not that important. Money is nice, but you can't take it with you. Statistics show most people don't live to spend all they saved; some die even before they retire. Anything we have isn't really ours; it was given to us by God; He just lets us borrow it while we're here...even our kids.

12. And finally... Be really good to your family and/or friends. You never know when you are going to need them to empty your bedpan.

Belief I, painting by Mária Titi, Hungary

Drowning in the Fire

I dream again-
my longing an aria da capo
that draws me back to the iron gates,
their pillared strength a dream-compass
homing me towards True North,
where a bone-deep urging calls to me
from that secret cave where the dark marrow grows-
speaking the Word that is only a sigh,
yet a wordless lover's plea:
my heart, in truth, the burning boat
that sinks in the blood-red sea,
drowning, at last, in the raging sky-
and buried whole in Thee.

-by S.K. Dapoz, U.S.A.