Poetry For Now

SPRINGTIME

April 09, 2021 Martin Strasmore Season 2 Episode 1
Poetry For Now
SPRINGTIME
Show Notes Transcript

It has been one year since we started this podcast, so now it seems the right time to restart with Season 2 Episode 1.    Springtime -  Just as we have hopes of emerging from the worst of the Covid pandemic, we have emerged from one era of political leadership in the US,  into a new world of leadership focused on recovery and regeneration, rebuilding and rebalancing.  This time can become our golden hour, and 2021 our golden year.
Poems in this episode are: 

  • Passover & Easter (Again).  
  • One year of Transformation
  • The Golden Hour
  • Moving forward


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It has been one year since we started this podcast, so now it seems the right time to restart with Season 2 Episode 1.    Springtime -  Just as we have hopes of emerging from the worst of the Covid pandemic, we have emerged from one era of political leadership in the US,  into a new world of leadership focused on recovery and regeneration, rebuilding and rebalancing.  This time can become our golden hour, and 2021 our golden year.

PASSOVER & EASTER AGAIN

Matzoh and easter eggs

Oppression and redemption

Rebirth and renewal

we are taken care of 

if we choose to be.

When taking care of others

Kindness and caring

will redeem everyone. 



ONE YEAR OF TRANSFORMATION

The world turned upside down

testing our collective ability

to stand together as one world

Testing our willingness 

to transform and reset

To find joy and peace

in social isolation

to honor those working

to keep the wheels turning

to provide food

to save lives

to keep us secure.


Did we succeed?

did we survive?

yes, no, maybe

depends on whom you are.

For the privileged ones

did we do our part?


As we slowly emerge

lets start again now

with thoughtful actions

that benefit our world,


to improve all lives

by carefully applying resources

by spending time creating beauty

by sharing positive words

by keeping connected

by remembering lessons learned

the strength of relationship

the joy in simplicity

the resilience of nature

The value of time

The power of self reflection

the love in our hearts




THE GOLDEN HOUR

I love the shadows and light on the tall pine trees

 limbs and branches reaching out in all directions

 like dancers with elaborate headdresses.

Then my favorite tree, the Live Oak’s twisted branches

holding multitudes of Crimson bromeliads

waiting to blossom like static cardinals


Even the dead trees

 tall and leafless, appear as dramatic skeletons

 in this golden light against the gray clouds and blue sky ,

standing, as if waiting for the woodpecker with the redhead

 to come and find the treasures hidden inside. 

Next I pass a young pine 

straight vertical sprouts reaching up 

soon to become pine cones


Some high up on the old pines 

look like little crucifixes in the sky 

reminding me of Jesus spreading his arms

over Rio de Janeiro. 

The sun is getting lower and lower

 a cool breeze blows across the water 

the forest is illuminated in beautiful golden light

so the leaves of bushes glow vibrantly green.


Another day closes with the osprey

flying home with the silver fish

held tightly in its hooked talons 

transmuted into gold 

reflecting the fading golden light


somewhere deep in the silent forest

the great horned owls wait patiently

for their hunting time

under the sparkling stars

and the silver moon,

while we sleep waiting for another sunrise.


MOVING FORWARD

It is easy to be trapped

addicted to what feels good or exciting

i remember watching the levers pulled

the money disappearing

in the Las Vegas one armed bandits

like sets of unforgiving roulette wheels

Giving the illusion of a chance to win.


How many things do we do

that seem good at the moment

then drag us down to another action

that leaves us dis-satisfied or unhappy

leaving ice cream to fill the void,

or we can move forward.


Leaving the razzle dazzle 

into the lands of magical rocks,

shades of yellow, orange and red

in the arches and voodoos

of Bryce Canyon.


Onto Zion

Climbing high up 

Angels Landing

to see a world far below.


Surrounded by high colorful canyon walls

hiking through rushing water

in the Narrows of Zion

Thoughts are refreshed

the mind is cleared.


Every day we can start again,

choosing actions that are beneficial,

diving through choppy waters of the mind

to emerge with new momentum,

leaving selfishness behind

moving forward into a golden era for everyone.


©MartinStrasmore2021