A Rare Blend of Political Philosophies

When asked about industrial inequality and what the town was doing about it, Mr. Webb, the editor of the town paper, says:

“Well, I dunno.  I guess we’re all hunting like everybody else for a way the diligent and sensible can rise to the top and the lazy and quarrelsome can sink to the bottom.  But it ain’t easy to find.  Meanwhile, we do all we can to help those that can’t help themselves and those that can we leave alone.  Are there any more questions?’

Thornton Wilder, Our Town.  1938

The Intersection of Life (Haiku)

The two realms of life

Physical - Spiritual

Intersect in us

Why? (Haiku)

Why do I do it?
Reading only my writings,
Reason avoids me.

Go towards pleasure?
Not what I see in review,
More overcoming.

Away from the pain?
Not necessarily so,
More overcoming.

Done for the money?
Net worth shows it is not so,
More overcoming.

A fighter inside;
Fighter, maybe warrior,
Not one to have fun.

Seeking the struggle.
The reward for all the work--
A breath on the slope.

Then onward, upward.
Sometimes on the same mountain
Sometimes another.

It seems important
To search for the Holy Grail
But never find it.

Important also
To see the demon dragons,
Slay them each in turn.

Some satisfaction
In reflection can be found.
Rest not on laurels.

Move on, find the next.
Dream, imagine, and decide.
Commence the struggle.

Ever the artist
Not working for the money
Strive for achievement.

Cards Fans-Cats Fans (Haiku)

Cards fan win or lose
Cheering on our beloved
Respect the other

Cats fan they must win
Love the Cats hate the other
Don't win burn the couch

Basic difference
The one based on affection
The other far less

One for the contest
The other for self-image
Fans inferior

Hindsight, A Curse (Haiku)

Wishing to go back
Seeing the long term effects
To change what was done

One knows exactly 
What one would do differently
In treating each child

One can be involved
Without causing permanent
Patterned responses

Hindsight in advance
A gift for the very few
A curse for others 

Just Say No (Haiku)

An approach to life

Saying,”No,” and meaning it

Creates time for Aim

In our heart of hearts

To be, to do, to have, hold

Is what we desire

Knowing what we want

Allows decisions to act

To realize Aim

Stepping back to ask

What am I doing and why?

Leads to decisions

Short of stubbornness

But making decisions stick

Allows Aim to win

Pleasing of others

Is not an aim, an excuse

Takes the easy way

Realize the rest

Is others’ demands on us

To satisfy theirs

A time has to come

When one must ask the question

Answering with heart

The Spectator Haiku

Special in your own mind

Mundane and ordinary

As others see you

Seeking the bubble

Even vicariously

Of recognition

Watch others perform

Enjoying their winning ways

Thinking it is you

Harsh awakening

If it ever should happen

Hopefully never