Static annoys. Purity brings joys.
Chances of clarity may increase
with the application of elbow grease.
I remember that fuzzy TV screen,
and adjusting rabbit years (oldsters know what I mean).
The Dodgers on the radio was bliss
when I tuned out the crackle and hiss.
Even a scientist, by noise, is drowned
till he cleans his data, and finds truth, profound.
Eva Cassidy sings a note so pure
it penetrates the soul for sure.
Love is not mysterious or obscure,
When it's true, it's the heart's cure.
The truth is what I want to hear.
Tell me what's on your mind, my dear.
Poetry time
Every line chimes
Stop on a dime
A buck for a rhyme
What’s a meta for
Similes are, like, a bore
A terzanelle’s attractive
Tho a villanelle’s more proactive
Witches vex trochaic pentameter
Curse iambic HEXameter
Traditionalists eschew free verse
Blank verse is that much worse…
Romance, a hackneyed chore
While humor is adored
Satire rates high too
Tear-jerkers ~ boo-hoo
Poetry time
Elbow grease and grime
Lines sparkle and shine
Craftsmanship sublime
grinding sausage
grinding teeth
grinding pepper
grinding ground beef
elbow grease and grit
no room for a butterfly to flit…
Wherefore is summer ‘a grind’
~ when to its beauty we are blind
But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children
come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God
belongs to such as these.”
—Luke 18:16 NIV
WHAT’S HAPPENED TO JORDAN
What’s happened to Jordan? He’s living proof
that a kid with sideways horns, pawing hoof,
saw the masses using imperfect tongues
with elbow grease, praising God with their lungs.
What’s happened to Jordan? He’s living proof
that letting the children come, is no goof…
that glancing behind, the aisles were well lit
with eyes and ears saint-bright; faithful, tight-knit.
What’s happened to Jordan? He’s living proof.
He pounds on the drums. He’s raising the roof.
He concurs with youth. Ears incline to him.
He married Wisdom. They’re verve is a hymn.
What’s happened to Jordan? He’s living proof -
though he stumbled, God made him shatterproof.
And as the saying goes, “God don’t make junk.”
No whiskey in hand - only Spirit-drunk.
What’s happened to Jordan? He’s living proof
that his progeny, raised right - not aloof.
He’s raising young men with Christian morals.
Hero, on white horse, unsung with laurels.
A Thought For Today
By: Miracle Man
6/7/2023
Always give God your best, making patience your centerpiece,
Most failures are linked to a shortage of faith, and elbow grease.
What can we do,
A distant few
Who stand for peace, not war.?
How do I stop fighting, violence, suffering and pain?
Emphasize love, connection, and cross-cultural affection.
Look down from above,
What will you see?
Our hearts are connected
We're all being affected
On this small planet we inhabit together as one.
I denounce destruction
More- am a fan of construction
Creativity, not morbidity
A higher quality of life for all.
Cross national projects, volunteering overseas and cross-cultural community celebrations please!
How can we possibly shape each other's nations?
Meditate on peace,
Pulling up our sleeves to expose the elbow grease, plant trees, garden, play music, bowl- fill our time mindfully, fill our soul-
What can we do
A distant few
Who are revved up to dream, create and help?
"A lot" I say
Self-reflection says we've got a heart connection, a beautiful bisection, that need not correction.
There was a little girl I knew
Whose smile so brightly grew
She listened to her Mom and Dad
Was always good and never bad
Once, she cleaned the oven interior
But, soon was feeling quite inferior
Her scrubbing and rubbing concluded
With her so sure she had been deluded
Nothing she did made the oven clean
Bringing its heart to such a great sheen
Finally, she asked her Mom for advice
Sure she’d take it no matter the price
Mom said, “Put some elbow grease in it”
So off she went to find the grime grit
It was only moments before she discovered
Her parents guffawing until they’d recovered
Make Me Laugh with Some Humor - Any Form - New Poems Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Tania Kitchin
November 23, 2020
This story happened back in the 70’s before there was any knowledge of a product called Elbow Grease
So many want only to decorate
Over life, dapple in shiny paint
From responsibility, they choose to excuse
Their delicate hands from such a bruise
They are irked, if asked to lurk
In the murk of work
They think they are owed a road
That is freely breezy
After all, it is easy
To do what is easy
To do what is hard
Takes more regard
Elbow grease ain't pretty
But you need nitty-gritty
To build a city
It is not the starry-eyed seeker of fame
Who is processing your insurance claim
Or unclogging your drains, or growing your grains
That sleek-cheeked, vainglorious movie star
Isn't down at the garage, fixing your car
Spare me the confetti and pompous flash
My admiration is for those picking up my trash
Let's cheer the truck driver and the cashier
The factories and taxis that bring jobs here
The blue-collar unions that creates careers
From lessons of concessions during depressions
A paycheck's a better bet
Than esoteric expressions.
7/06/20
All I do all day is think about you & check your school app to see how your day is going, don't ever let anyone tell you I don't care or I'm not there because that would be deceit their showing, you are my family my superhero my saving grace,I look so forward to every other weekend daddy gets ninja focused when I see your face, thinking about leaving you a legacy & not a lease which means I have to get to it & use a little more elbow grease, things started off rocky but we still climbing to the top & what daddy tell you we gonna make it because we never stop
Old Silver, my topic today
No, not the fabled horse
Or a pet of any kind
And it’s not an anniversary
That I have in mind
Rather, it’s a feeling
It’s how I feel today
And I’m not really sure
Just why I feel this way
A bit tarnished and neglected
Like Grandma’s old tea set
Not useful, as I once was
Not beautiful, and yet
I know that with some effort
Some extra elbow grease
I’ll sparkle once again
A fine old silver piece
Dedicated to the “Silver Survivors”
"Santa Claus! Santa Claus! Since you are so fat,
How do you slide down chimneys? Please answer me that!"
"Well, it ain't easy laddie since I am quite obese!
But I wriggles and squirms and apply lots of elbow grease!"
"Santa Claus! Santa Claus! How do the reindeer fly?"
"They wiggles their ears and swishes their tails to soar thro' the sky!"
"Santa Claus! Santa Claus! How do you know if I've been good or bad?"
"Ho! Ho! I know alright 'cause I check with your Mom and Dad!"
"Santa Claus! Santa Claus! Why does Rudolph have a shiny red nose?"
"It is his secret alone and that even to me he will not disclose!"
"Santa Claus! Santa Claus! Is your favorite snack cookies and milk?"
"If I had my druthers, I prefer salami and cheese, things of that ilk!"
"Santa Claus! Santa Claus! How fast is your sleigh?"
"Fast enough to circle the whole earth on each Christmas Day!"
"Santa Claus! Santa Claus! Will you please come again next year?"
"Yes, my boy, and for years and years to come, never you fear!"
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
Christmas Day 2017
Things will fit better
if you first bother
to measure.
Follow through
on what you ask
God to do.
I do not blame
God who has
blessed you with
a brain, insight, and a will
to make it plain.
Progress
Requires care
A little footwork.
A little "Elbow Grease".
Should always
accompany
your prayers.
If your creator
seems distant
he is waiting
for you to put
some "motion"
behind your
E-motions..
Go and become
a steward
of your own
blessings.
What you ask
God to put
into motion,
"claim"
You know, all that
"faith “and no work....
and you…
Not budging,
while waiting on
"change".!
Well: let that be the reason
For things staying the same.!
8/15/17
Beyond guns and funds
Involving moons and suns
From here to kingdom come
And then some
By the skin of one's teeth
Above and beneath
Any peak
Near and far from fields of wheat
Or creeks
Won't always be a cinch
Even in a pinch
Just might cause you or others to flinch
Thus requiring the use of a winch
All along
Rather get it right then wrong
And do a bang-up job
Before I'm gone
Don't be an egghead
Caught up with what he and she said
Make sure you and your family stay fed
It may require a lot of elbow grease
Despite if you just want peace
And to buy and make your family a feast with meats and sweets
Whether or not it has to do with your pockets getting obese
Regardless of similar and different beliefs
Will everything eventually cease?
I didn't realize it could even happen
That my grief could reach the depth
That couldn't be solaced by paper and pen
Words can't dry the tears I've wept
I underestimated the strength of sorrow
When it completely comes to power
I put off life, until tomorrow
Nestled under a deep, dark tower
It has been brought to my attention
That I write in moments of peace
A jarring truth, worth my mention
Depression dries my elbow grease
This poem was written about my small business. Perhaps it will mean something else to you.
Grow my little flower
Take all the time you need
Don't throw in the towel, over a shower
You were once a tiny seed
Look how you've grown
The stepping stones you cleared
You couldn't have possibly known
Until your beautiful buds appeared
Admire another's elegance
But don't take time to compare
beauty is nice, but dense
Let it float about the air
A swan may envy a peacock
Vibrant feathers, standing tall
Jealousy won't stop the clock
Before long, the swan will fall
If only the swan knew
The beauty she possessed
More feathers would accrue
As she gave life her very best
Life is a lovely dance
You were created to thrive
Embrace it with romance
Keep your hopes and dreams alive
Don't be discouraged by the time consumed
Becoming who you were meant to be
Remember how you bloomed
For all the world to see
It didn't happen over night
Storms and elbow grease
Don't live your life by fright
You are only here on lease
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