Oh flesh of many colors,
brothers all are we,
placing the Holy Spirit
above us on our knees.
No matter what we’re labeled
by those who sell a grace,
when names and slogans start to fly,
be calm and hold your place.
A yearning, kindly human heart
is only satisfied
through service to our Father,
not willful selfish pride.
Attitudes need adjustment
for loving, patient deeds:
objective understanding
not subjective, deceiving creed.
Oh flesh of many colors,
sisters all are we.
Beyond the ego, church, and flag,
the truth becomes a plea.
Categories:
willful, anti bullying, brother, christian,
Form: Rhyme
Because of you whom choose to live
your lives in willful blindness,
whom know inside you’ve failed yet
still expect a world of kindness,
whom weren’t there to show you care
although you knew it mattered,
well now our whole democracy
has cracked and nearly shattered.
How can it be that those whom choose
to live in willful blindness,
yet somehow they expect to find
the world still filled with kindness,
that they think they can live their life
expecting all their choices,
and never think the time will come
for them to use their voices?
The rights we think we’re born with
were never truly ours,
What’s here today can be snatched away
when the will of the people cowers.
As willful blindness keeps our courage
neatly tucked away,
It’s hard to watch how everything goes
from bad to worse each day.
The time has come for Americans
to rise above and see
turning away will only serve
to destroy our democracy.
Perhaps if we were focused more
on seeking human kindness
we wouldn’t see these darkened days
of stubborn willful blindness.
~Jeannie Cronin
Categories:
willful, america, anxiety, character, culture,
Form: Rhyme
The Willful Wind
Ah, the wind in the trees!
Bends lovingly to hug my knees.
And the whoosh of their leaves,
brings back multitudinous memories.
Of being sixteen on the back
of a hog,
And riding with a biker gang.
Clutching my boyfriend's back
so hard,
I thought it might crack.
Or high winds in Chicago, in
winter, so fierce.
My daughter, just two, and oh
so tiny!
Was nearly blown across icy
Michigan Avenue. Blimey!
In those heavy downpours in
San Francisco...good Lord!
That not so kind wind contorted
my umbrella like a pretzel!
On hot summer nights, dear wind,
is always a loving delight.
Blowing the heat of the day away
from all of us.
Creating a wondrous, starry,
cool California night!
Ah, wind, with a mind of its own.
On that you can count!
I salute your freedom, bowing to
no man and cannot be bought.
Free of no one, and going
wherever you ought.
Without one judgemental thought!
December 22, 2019
Categories:
willful, earth, freedom, imagery,
Form: Free verse
will iron wrought
bent on abandon to bliss
forges a cage
June 11th 2018
Composed for Brenda Chiri's
Abandon Poetry Contest
Categories:
willful, introspection,
Form: Senryu
You were doing drugs and boozing,
But I hung onto you.
I would nod at all your lies,
As though I thought them true.
I wouldn't give you money,
'Cause I knew where you would spend it;
So you took other measures,
Though you knew I'd be offended,
If I found out where you were,
and all that you were doing.
I sat at home and wrung my hands,
Wondering what was brewing.
Still I hung onto my baby,
I'd never let you go.
I'd fight for you with my last breath,
Though then you didn't know.
I loved you then, I love you now.
You'll always be my child.
Through Hell and back I've been with you,
Yet you still revile,
The one who's always been there,
To soothe and dry your tears.
No matter what may come our way,
I'll dry my children's tears.
No matter what the circumstance,
No matter what you do,
I'm still your mother, you're my child,
And I'm there for you.
Categories:
willful, mother daughter, drug,
Form: Quatrain
It’s so hot in climate outside
And inside the heat is exuded
Passion falls upon our feet
We are still alive not alluded
Our lives have been made from joy
This love we have for each other
Produces more heat than normal
Our hearts are pure for one another
I hold her close to me all the time
With a phase of willful passion
I romance her deep inside me
There’s dancing in some creation
There’s no losing within our lives
We don’t exist within the briar
Nothing could separate us now
A real love is what we truly are
Russell Sivey
Categories:
willful, love, passion,
Form: Rhyme
It’s so hot in climate outside
And inside the heat is exuded
Passion falls upon our feet
We are still alive not alluded
Our lives have been made from joy
This love we have for each other
Produces more heat than normal
Our hearts are pure for one another
I hold her close to me all the time
With a phase of willful passion
I romance her deep inside me
There’s dancing in some creation
There’s no losing within our lives
We don’t exist within the briar
Nothing could separate us now
A real love is what we truly are
Russell Sivey
Categories:
willful, life, love, passion,
Form: Quatrain
The willful solution of nature's passion
Catapults fury past sun-barched pride
As singular bodies receive awakening
Watery trenches press all debris
Nature resurges from infinite give-away
Making her case for elements unrestrained
Life blood plentifully arranged
Categories:
willful, hope, natural disasters,
Form: Free verse
years of pain
sometimes unbearable
terminal illness progresses
your future – always in God’s hands
abilities slip away swiftly
no longer able to care for yourself
friends and family create distance
but my Living Will brings comfort
comatose patients can linger for years
life-pumping feeding tubes and respirators
false hope instilled in loved ones
watching and praying for a miracle
no machines will keep my body alive
I’ll not go out this way
as my “Rage Against the Dying of the Light” closes
my spirit’s eager to explore eternal life
no viewing or funeral
just a blessing of last rights
ashes scattered in the Atlantic sea
where cool waters carry memories both life and death
*Written February 16, 2012 for Catie’s “Free Verse” contest
Categories:
willful, death, introspection,
Form: Free verse
That is why I am so
In fear for the Lord
Rendering him true
Fore-
Commandments' are
Everyday,
They comfort me too
Thou abide in me
Those are the medium
That surrounds' me
These are the medium
Which abound me
Those are the talents'
That surrounds' me
And these are the augmentations'
Which will set me free
GF
Categories:
willful, inspirational, passion, me,
Form: Romanticism
In youth I often wished on stars
I thought the largest ones came true.
But longing never got me far
So wishing ceased, long overdue.
As I matured and ventured out
Into a world so alien.
A lesson learned I had no doubt
Was always take it on the chin.
In life there are setbacks galore
A definite fact to expect
So never sit and wish for more
Since wishing is willful neglect.
When in life your dreams are plenty
Strive for them, fools wish for many.
Categories:
willful, inspirationallonging, life,
Form: Rhyme