CALL FOR JOY

While our human family suffers in many places around the globe, from Covid and war, Ukraine is staring us in the face.  In our safe and peaceful lives here in the US we must do our best to do whatever we can to reduce pain and bring back joy soon.  We cannot let despair win.
The poems include: The sun will shine!   Neighborhood Gong Concert.  The Joy of Bread.
"In conclusion" has suggestions for how you too can help the refugees.

Transcript

CALL FOR JOY
While our human family suffers in many places around the globe, from Covid and war, Ukraine is staring us in the face.  In our safe and peaceful lives here in the US we must do our best to do whatever we can to reduce pain and bring back joy soon.  We cannot let despair win.

THE SUN WILL SHINE

There’s a dark cloud hanging over our world

even Ben & Jerry’s and a chocolate digestive

don’t make it go away

Maybe Margaret Hope’s 2nd flush Darjeeling tea

will do the trick

Its brewing now, getting darker

with a touch of amber.

Sunlight comes through the glass cup

replacing the dark cloud of Putinism

releasing me from the daily news

of willful barbaric brutality, that will fail.

The poet wants to uplift your spirits

and yet we all live in this new reality:

technological warfare attempting

to destroy the Ukranian spirit.

Let it be known

the Human heart is stronger that the mind

Human goodness will overcome evil

and the world will become a better place.

NEIGHBORHOOD GONG CONCERT

Echoing through the warm air

hoping this will grow my hair

the maestro strikes gongs

Nepalese magic flows out

Minds relax

The big wind gong sings

Dharma (gong) shakes us up

as the sun goes down

Healing and inspiration

invoke a peaceful meditation

wilted flowers perk up

soon the birds join in

IrIdescent grackles on the roof

add their cackling voices

Northern mocking birds twitter

Mourning doves enter cooing.

As the concert slowly ends

harmonizing sounds fade away

a blanket of silence falls over us

no one speaks.

we pray for peace.

OM SHANTI SHANTI SHANTI

THE JOY OF BREAD

There is something very satisfying

about bread.

It can take us around the world

in 80 bites.

Fresh Foccaccia, dip it in olive oil 

add Italian herbs

That chewy new york bagel

thick cream cheese and lox

The baguette’s crunchy crust

the warm flaky croissant

butter and apricot jam.

Smells of the boulangerie

Dark brown pumpernickel

smooth, creamy and stinky 

Limburger cheese

The whole wheat flat bread

rolled and filled with nutella 

like a Hampstead Crepe

from the sidewalk kitchen

The soft roll with butter and marmite

the buttie without the greasy bacon

Sour dough brings Izzy

back to Hippy days 

San Francisco 

and credence clearwater.

The warm puffed up

Pitta bread carries the hummus

to your lips

What would we do

without bread to soak up

the delicious fish sauce

in the cafe in Cassis

overlooking the harbor.

hold on to your memories

As even bread

is being attacked by this war.

IN CONCLUSION

Please do what you can to support the millions of Ukranian refugees streaming into neighboring countries.  The charities I have started donating to, after some research, are The World Central Kitchen - their ChefsForUkraine response has served, to date, over one million meals and continues to expand efforts to help feed families in need.

Americares which efficiently provides medical and other needed supplies.

Thanks for listening, watch the sunrise each day and find your joy.

©µartinStrasmore2022