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