Best Facilities Poems
As I walked into the banquet hall of the
Goodman’s Inn, the first thing that stood
out to me were the eyes of the people. I
felt as though I could actually see hope. Eyes
seemed to sparkle and everyone in the hall
sat talking to the others sitting around them
as they waited for the main course of the evening.
To understand this report we need to go back just
over a year ago when Lindsey Long won the 50
million dollar lottery. Apparently the multimillionaire
booked the Goodman’s Inn for December 24th through
to January 2nd of this year solely to house the homeless
over the Christmas holidays. Miss Long walked through
the streets herself over the last week inviting the
unfortunate homeless to come to the motel for these
festivities. Lindsey Long has not only provided the rooms
for this week, she also has clothed them with new
wardrobes and warm winter clothing and accessories.
Now as the people sat around the table they were
told Miss Long had an announcement. We all waited
to hear what this amazing lady had to say
and excitement filled the room. When this
beautiful young woman began to talk there
wasn’t one dry eye in the building. She told them
how she was not going to just send them back
on the street next week but how she had
built a new centre that would have sleeping
facilities and showers to accommodate all
of them. This new facility will be serving
three meals a day which will be prepared solely
from themselves on a voluntary bases.
The feeling in the Inn that night was pure joy
and as the people realized the impact of this
wonderful news, they all broke out singing
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear. This is
Rhonda Reeds reporting for
The Good Newspaper.
Merry Christmas everyone.
Written by Brenda Meier-Hans
11.12.2014
Sponsor Mystic Rose
The Good Newspaper
1st
Once we lived together in a surreal world
So full of beauty and fluorescent light
I remember those lovely blissful evenings
We rambled along country paths in great delight
I think of the beauty and charm of twilight dusks
When we listened to the enchanting choir
Of crickets and night birds singing for us
Counting glowworms with tiny lanterns of fire.
How those romantic nights swim into view
When we slept in each other’s warm embrace
Your tender touch and love’s soft murmurs
Contrasted with your snoring, my topic to tease
I still recall the vacations we enjoyed
In a thatched cottage by the riverside
Lulled by the quiet music of the river
Neither concerned nor conscious of time’s swift ride
How we sat together weaving magical dreams
Of building a posh house with modern facilities
In a far-off place beyond the village, we lived
And our occasional trip to enjoy the amenities
That was a time when existence was like a dream
When from joy to joy- uninterrupted we flew
Relishing every act of concern n' care we shared
And in mutual love and trust as we grew.
Now I stay, a phantom under this rotting roof
With awful memories barging in~
On windswept nights like marauding thieves,
When I sense a cauldron churning within.
All things you once used remind me of your absence
The armchair you lay sprawling, now lies empty and bereft
The books whose pages you often turned lie unopened
Bearing marks, your constantly moving fingers left.
What remains is the love you planted in my soul,
The deep scar caused by your absence, time can’t heal.
A handful of memories, passing years can never erase,
And traces of an eternal bond, no force can ever steal…
Some people can be so ignorant
I know they're not to blame
They see me in my wheelchair
And say “Aw, isn't it a shame”?
I say “Hello, I’m fine”
And you don't know what to do
Just because I am disabled
Don't assume my brain is too
Whenever you get stressed
You can walk along the beach
With no facilities for the disabled
To me it’s out of reach
I'd like to go on holidays
But I stay at home instead
Because no matter where I go
I need a hoist to go to bed
My bowel and my bladder
Are affected by my medication
It angers me when disabled toilets
Have poor sanitation
On the bus, the driver puts down a ramp
And I can hear you whinge
When your shopping trolley is in my way
And sometimes my wheels impinge
I wait at zebra crossings
And I know my green cross code
But the timing on the lights means
I don't have time to cross the road
My legs may no longer work
But my brain power is perfect
So next time you see me in the town
Please have some respect
If you'd like to know how I am
Don't be afraid to ask
My disability isn't catching
And it isn't a difficult task
I'll tell you how I am
And I’ll ask how you are too
Overlook my disability
It isn’t hard to do
Down in Haiti
Far from the dream
Way on back
From the vacation scene
Lives the people
Trapped in a life
Poverty, sadness
Toil and strife
Children weeping
From worm infested,
Swollen, malnourished
Starving little bellies
What would Golden
Flower think of today
The country she loved
Destroyed in such a way
(Missionary from Haiti came to visit our church yesterday. With his visit and
talk, I see solutions to problems in an instant. Something to treat the water
before the people use it, reforestation, wells in places that need them, and
proper out door facilities for areas that don't have them. Money, work, and
time is needed to carry these projects out .)
2013
I don’t remember any one moment or act that brought myself
and my friends to this moment….maybe it was the night we had
dinner at Aunt Elaine’s house….she had boiled water for the pasta in
tainted water because she had refused to update her data-chip implant,
and her filtered water had been cut off….anyway, everyone was sick
for days…..lesson all of us present heeded…. things we wanted to do like
before seemed out of reach….what with the twice-daily voice-response
activated check-ins…. and the ID line-up queue for food rations…. a guy
couldn’t just up and go fishin’ for the day….or go hiking in the woods,
at the drop of a hat….rumors flew like the wind of people I knew who
escaped to the northwoods, never to be heard from again….. some people
heard of folks arrested and taken to detention facilities….no one knew
where….everyone feared needing any acute medical care…. whether you
returned cured…. or returned at all…. was anybodys guess…. I just wanted
to go fishin’…..
just wanted
to go
fishin’
© All Rights Reserved
Today someone praised a poem I wrote
It is about considering the disenfranchised
at this supposedly jolly time of year
Why, she said, just think about all in need,
why not spend Christmas with them, she asked
Amazingly enough, that is just what I do,
For you see I am one of the poor and disabled
whose SSD checks just do not stretch to month's end
All who live in my building experience much the same,
depending on food boxes and the generosity of others
We come in all types and sorts, full of warts and woes
Mental illness has felled a number of us terribly
They closed the hospitals and mental facilities
Just can't afford them, government says, so out
they were tossed roam the streets, incapable and lost
Poor choices plagued many tender, women who loved,
or thought they did, men who beat and burned them,
took their money and left them ill and unable to fight
Years of abuse, wisdom awakened, years more to heal
to even a bare minimum of capability to survive
So, dear tender lady, with heart of gold, trust when I say
I live with the broken and poor and lonely each day
The governor announced that gyms
Will open in a week
So all the fitness freaks can start
Improving their physique.
At just one-third capacity,
Facilities will let
Much fewer members enter
To absorb each other’s sweat.
Despite the mandatory masks,
(Assuming all comply)
There will not be a surface
That remains germ-free and dry.
Yet hordes will flock to exercise
And take it all in stride,
While others, me among them,
Will continue walks outside.
I hear the clarion bugle calls at Fort Carson when conditions are just right,
Sounding "Reveille" at break of dawn to the mournful sound of "Taps" at night!
"Reveille" 'wakes soldiers from their well-deserved rest to begin another day
Of training to protect our freedoms, though they do it for very meager pay!
The bugle sounds "Chow Call" at noon for lunch, the most welcome of calls!
The dining facilities peal with laughter, Yankee twang and Texas drawls!
The bugle calls "Retreat" and the roar of cannon is heard to end the day.
Old Glory is slowly lowered, solemnly folded and tenderly stowed away.
The plaintive sound of "Taps" is played at ten PM echoing as clearly as a bell!
Its peaceful call heralds, "You've earned your rest, God is nigh and all is well!"
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved
I was a mere lad of ten living on a prairie farm in Hoosier land,
Roaming the fields in my old straw hat, barefoot, carefree and tanned.
My faithful dog, Spooks, was always with me chasing rabbits,
(And rabbits were very plentiful due to their prolific habits!)
We had no inside facilities such as running water or a bath.
Our privy, as it was called, was located at the end of a winding path!
A Saturday night ritual was taking a sitz bath in a metal washing tub,
Then we'd pile in Dad's '35 Dodge and head for town after my scrub.
There was no TV in those days and my ears were glued to the radio,
Following the adventures of my heroes, filtered through static-filled audio!
I spent my meager allowance buying model planes and crafting the things.
Dozens hung from the ceiling of my room floating on gossamer wings.
I used a supple willow branch for a rod and a safety pin for a hook,
Angling for crawdads and wily crappie in the cool and flowing brook.
The Great Depression was ending way back then when I was ten.
Alas, World War Two began and things were never the same again.
On languid summer afternoons on a limb of the old oak tree I'd stretch,
And watch the scudding clouds as boyhood dreams I'd sketch.
Those were some of the things I did way back then when I was ten.
I'm four score and five now, but how I cherish memories of way back then!
Entry for Kelly Deschler's "Way Back When I Was Ten" Contest
The fire chief was in a great big tight
Was holding his cheeks with all his might
At the bus station did stop
Cost a dime to use the pot
Now his drawers a pitiful sight
Long ago my husband worked as a fireman.
They were on a trip to get some schooling.
On the way the chief had a sudden attack of diarrhea.
They stopped at the bus station but they charged a dime to use the
facilities..He did not have a dime ___well you know the rest of the
story.....
Star Wars Rebellion:
A galactic game of Risk—
Empire/Alliance.
Alliance Leaders:
Luke Skywalker, Han Solo,
Leia, Mon Mothma.
Young Luke Skywalker
Has to confront Darth Vader,
Becomes Jedi Knight.
Han Solo pilots
The Millenium Falcon
With friend Chewbaca.
Leia Organa:
Very strong diplomat,
Potential Jedi.
President Mothma:
The rebellion’s heart and soul,
Great at recruiting.
Rebel advantage:
They are able to move their
Secret Headquarters.
Imperial Leaders:
The Emperor Palpatine,
Dark Lord Darth Vader.
Evil Palpatine,
A.K.A. Darth Sidius,
Dark Lord of the Sith.
Apprentice Vader
Was Annakin skywalker,
Seduced by dark side.
Control production,
Build mines and refineries,
Fight for resources.
The construction yards
Are used to build everything.
Must be defended!
To create armies,
Need training facilities.
Must be defended!
To build more starships,
Build or capture space stations.
Must be defended!
Special characters:
Assassins, Spies, Commandos,
And Infiltrators.
Planet resources
Gained by colonization,
Diplomacy, conquest.
To gain VICTORY:
Capture/destroy headquarters,
Capture the leaders.
Idealogies?
What’s the real goal of all wars?
Control resources!
THE COACH
by
JOHN M. ARRIBAS
Went to an alumni meeting last week
Looking for solace, the outlook was bleak
We lost a game we should have won
A total disaster to all not just some
Cries of anguish torrents of pain
“How the hell did we lose that game”
Three close calls in the recent past
Defeat was looming, the die had been cast
We were favorite to trample that team
What followed next was strictly obscene
No confidence in the coach, zero trust
A new powerful resurgence is a must
“Fire the coach, we need a new spark”
Call the chancellor a search to embark
There’ll be plenty of coaches to interview
At the end of the season there will be a slew
Most will have been fired that’s for sure
Same kind of let down we’ve had to endure
Appoint a committee to find a coaching ace
Got to expunge this humiliating disgrace
While we’re at it the assistants they must go
They haven’t inspired the team as far as I know
Need to raise cash something we’re lacking
Buy out his contract and send him packing
A new coach will cost us a hefty sum
A sales job needed to convince the alum
All must partake in any new proposal
Resources will be placed at our disposal
A few claimed it was to soon to act
Hissed and booed told not to come back
The coach (2)
All that remained were anxiously waiting
Are there any coaches, we’ve been baiting
A new coach will surely demand success
All in favor pledge support in this quest
Days later the finals were slated
Consensus was, we won’t be elated
To our amazement, it’s hard to explain
Out team executed a perfect game
I went to an alumni meeting last night
Everyone was joyful in utter delight
Many were boasting and sipping champagne
Alas we were conference champions again
We need to make sure we continue to cruise
Complete confidence in the coach and his crew
Upgraded facilities, haven’t you heard
Call the chancellor pass on the good word
Our coach is a winner to be sure
Esteem and respect for him to endure
The backers are ecstatic bursting with praise
Throw in some perks add in a raise
Extend his contract for a many a year
Act fast our rivals might get his ear
Those remarks from last week , bid them adieu
They were made by an uninformed few
Living in a world where poverty exist,
My way of living will put you in a mental twist!
In and out of correctional facilities,
Cant seem to deal with life's difficulties!
I've been placed in isolation many times,
That was my punishment for committing crimes!
When will I grow up and finally learn,
That we live in a life where there's nowhere else to turn!
We have to stand up and make a change,
Live life without having so much rage!
So I have to sit here and evaluate my contribution to my community,
Be of service to my fellows with humility!
Thirty-five years in a fifty year old building where I repair all.
Having that many years of changes within, each one I have saw.
I answer calls each day to fix everything, either big or very small.
Reality is and this is not vainness, they expect me never to fall.
Truth is I listen to every word that is said, though it might be tall.
Years of paying attention watching closely to every bouncing ball.
Facilities maintenance is one title that my job holds so dear.
I just call myself a maintenance man, and no job do I fear.
Victory is mine if I can repair and keep it running so clear.
Eventually though all things must be replaced some year.
Years spent in one place can take a toll on anyone’s heart and mind.
Every soul needs a change once in awhile, so peace they can find.
Another twelve years is what spirit will endure, before I unwind.
Retirement is not what I seek, for I have always worked in a grind.
Service to others is more than a job to me, my life, existence refined.
death of a forest
blatant rape of sacred land
the green olympics!
--------------------------------
A forest in S. Korea, consisting of 500 year old wangsasre trees,
is being cut down to make way for Olympic ski facilities that will
be used for a four day competition in 2018.
The IOC has mandated these games as the “Green Olympics”!!
Pls, you may join the campaign to save this forest by signing on:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/save_ancient_korean_forest_loc/?bxVHzjb&v=64804