Sometimes jokes are hurtful.
They're not as funny as we think.
Everyone appreciates a caring comment.
There's so much more to gain
from being considerate and kind.
AP: 2nd place 2026, Honorable Mention 2026
If only we could get along but you always add gas to the fire
My life's been fine without you -- really has.
A Belgian bar has opened in the square,
and weekends, we do beer and tapas there,
then Malcolm and Elaine's place, for some jazz
and Jamieson's. May in Cortes -- what a blast!
Right now, I'm growing sideburns! Summer hols,
we'll all dress up as bandits and their molls!
I've never laughed so much. Who needs the past?
Yet sometimes, when the lake frowns in the rain,
or April squalls tug blossoms from the trees,
I think of you. This sadness preordained,
like plane trees pollarded, proud amputees
shorn of their plumes, emerges, stark and strange:
and I know then. Some things will never change.
the world is bleeding
fighting never-ending wars
that began and raged
with beliefs and politics ~
peace never, in consensus
Let's just agree - 'to beg to differ'
Three preteen girls tried to be friends with each other
They will never be able to do it, says Dorthea’s brother
Never say never, warns his savvy sage stepmother.
Wisely saying nothing, is David, Dorthea’s brother.
David has noted that girls do not get along in threes.
They want a bestie, and one is always feeling left out.
He waits for the fireworks, which happens with these.
One of the girls storms out of the house, with an angry shout.
What happened to her? Asks the stepmother, truly confused.
David keeps his mouth shut, but he understands the shout.
The fact that he is smarter than her, makes him feel amused.
She is one of three, says the stepson, it never works out.
Boys can get along fine in three; they never stomp out.
That is true of boys, but not of girls, David said.
Girls pair off in twos, and one is always feeling left out.
His stepmother decided to put this new knowledge into her head.
This basic wish
Is the wish of every mother and child
The wish for things to be safe and fun
For everyone to smile
And not push and shove, yell and fight.
It’s the wish that drives them like sheep
Into the beautiful green pastures over there
Just beyond the bounds, always
Just out of reach.
It’s the wish to unite
Form a one world government or religion
Or circle to sing kumbaya
To hold us all together
Keep us safe in the night
And fed in the morning.
It’s also the wishful dream that fades
When Sun rises on another day
And it’s time to once again
Simply care
For all things we need to do
The bitter and the sweet
Made better by the fact
Adversity builds something
Nothing else can.
(11/22/24)
his miscreant philosophy was easily seen that day
he held his wormwood tea in an irritating way
diffident cousins were totally intimidated by Jim
his duende charm sort of knocked them on their chin
I held great grandma’s zither in my non-musical lap
Jim’s sister trivial complaint about this was a bit of crap
the timbre of this instrument will amaze you, I said.
I said this without hesitation, feeling confident as Ned.
Ned is my gay cousin, who came dressed in red and teal.
He always says the funniest things, at every single meal.
It would be seismic if we relatives could all get along each time.
my grandpa, an erudite writer asked me if I know how to rhyme.
I am unsure why I put myself here, but they are my kin I guess.
Today I am here to honor, my recently deceased cousin Tess.
Aunt Cherie is cavil, complaining about straws that are yellow.
I roll my eyes and smile at my new date, a tolerant good fellow.
“Why can't we all just get along”
Rodney King once uttered these words
As current today as it was back then
Our “head in the sand” thinking, it disturbs
We're all just members of the human race
Why divide us up, us and them
Brothers that will meet our maker one day
What's so very important until then
In the overall scheme of earthly things
Only love should rise above all
Colour, language and religion all secondary
Co-existence must be installed
Maybe I'm just whistling in the wind
But if my small voice does make a difference
Then hear me loud and clear as I shout
To reject it is a display of ignorance
I cannot get along with these kids he said.
Which ones? I asked him.
None of them.
In your class?
In the school.
They all hate me.
There is not one you can get along with?
No.
How did that happen?
They are awful.
All of them?
Every single one.
Just like my last two schools.
Whatever happened changed the tune
The entire room stared at this so-called goon.
He was new to their class in every way.
So far he had ruined the teacher’s whole day.
Was he the felon classmates thought he was?
As did the sixth-grade teachers, Mr. Pea and Ms. Fuzz.
Just meeting him, I could give him a fresh start.
I am not one to tear a new student apart.
Kids were glaring; he had made many mad.
Trying to prove he was big and bad.
I met him on a different level, he was a delight.
He calmed down quite a bit and did not fight.
Some students just need some one-on-one.
For them school is in no way interesting or fun.
How did he get along with you? The teacher asked me.
Great, but I did not ask him to do anything academically.
There are some typical fools
who do not want to be part of the nature
while they are alive.
But they seem to have forgotten something important;
When they are dead,
they will be naturally part of it forever
Why can't we all just get along?
Why can't we agree to disagree?
Should we use violence to right a wrong?
It doesn't make much sense to me.
Why can't we agree to disagree?
Surely we can find a way.
It doesn't make much sense to me,
All this hate expressed today.
Surely we can find a way,
To bring about peace and healing.
All this hate expressed today,
Has set our country reeling.
To bring about peace and healing,
Should we use violence to right a wrong?
Our country has been set reeling.
Why can't we all just get along?
7/27/21
I can't sleep at night
In my arms you're being held tight
And it is ever so, ever so right
Oh, thinking about you girl
Be there in my world
I can't open my eyes
Showing you there after two tears left cry
And girl old girl I can't get along without you
Oh girl this girl I can't get along without you
Dreaming about you girl
I can't go on without you
As my daydreams are true
You are within my view
On my pillow are my tears
My calendar shows the years
My alarm clock chimes
With the changing of times
Dreaming about my baby, my girl
Thinking about her my girl
Mine dreaming about a girl
Ah! and I can't go on without you
Maybe I can't get along without you.
Can't go on without you, girl
9/30/76
Written word by James Edward Lee 1976, 2020
Four little girls in second grade
Each carrying a backpack of pure unhappiness
Not willing to be friends on their own
So I started a friendship club
They had fun together
Until one pointed to another and said
I cannot get along with her
That’s too bad, I said. I guess you cannot be in the friendship club.
SHE CAN’T GET ALONG WITH ME EITHER!
She did not say that, I told her. We will miss you.
No, I think I can get along with her, she said.
I rolled my eyes silently, inside my head where she could not see me.
Girls choose to like or not like at an early age.
No rhyme or reason to it.
I
am
sad
when
folks'
biases
surface
Why
must
folks
deride
peoples'
cultural
variances?
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