Imagine That

Hippies. (Photo/Courtesy of RockIndia.net)

"Imagine there's no countries...  No religion," Lennon said.

Dared to be dreamer until someone shot him dead.

'though his vision for the world is one I'd like to join,

Real life comes around with news that kicks you in the groin.

Borderlines imposed on lands and cultures not our own

Only led to conflicts and the conflict's only grown.

Fortune, faith, and fighting fit like 3 peas in a pod...

Wars fought over resources or someone's "One, true God."

Africa, the Middle East, now Russia and Ukraine;

But I always wonder what these countries think they'll gain.

I know what their leaders get; their pockets lined with cash.

Never mind the refugees left picking through the trash.

Lennon had a good imagination...  So do I.

But I can't imagine what would happen should we try

Implementing even one of Lennon's fondest dreams,

Faced with such a plethora of power grabbing schemes.

Voting in Afghanistan

Photo/Courtesy of payam-aftab.com)

Watching the election process in Afghanistan.

Not a lot that separates the candidates who ran;

Most would like a U.S. presence; all of them are men.

Even once they count the votes, won't know the winner then.

I get so embarrassed by the voters in those lines,

Knowing that they're facing more than people waving signs,

They are risking life and limb to go and cast their vote...

I know people who don't go if they can't find their coat.

B Strong... Again

Lt. Edward Walsh and Michael Kennedy

Red Sox are in Boston; their Home Opener's today

And my lucky sister gets to go and see them play...

Watch them get their rings and raise the banner in the park.

We could use our Red Sox - Boston's mood is rather dark.

We've just buried firemen from Engine 33,

Ladder 15: Edward Walsh and Michael Kennedy.

Rushed into a burning building, as such heroes do.

(Both were 1st responders when the Marathon bombs blew.)

Game today is dedicated to the men we've lost.

Sox hope we can start to heal when that 1st pitch is tossed.

P.S. To my sister; If you run into Ortiz,

Don't forget to look into the Samsung and say "Cheese!"

David Ortiz's, now infamous, "selfie" with President Obama. (Courtesy of/David Ortiz)

Tooting My Own Horn

(Photo/Courtesy of Writeassociate.com)

Please feel free to skip this rhyme; just tooting my own horn.

Normally, I do not like to brag, so I was torn.

Still, I'd like to share it so I'll screw humility;

Poet Spotlight's featured poet for the month is me.

I was thrilled when I was asked (although it's a mistake)

There's a hundred poets more deserving of this break.

I am not a poet; I just have a knack for rhyme

And, before you ask, I didn't pay this guy a dime.

When I tried to warn him that his judgement was impaired,

Wanting to insure his reputation would be spared,

Brian didn't change his mind (at least, he hasn't yet)

Clearly, he's still unaware of how bad this could get.

"No-one's Ever Lost Money Betting Against Peace in the Middle East"

(Courtesy of Truthdig.com)

Israelis and Palestinians are on the outs...

Secretary Kerry wants to soothe them.  I've my doubts.

Israel's reneged on deals to set some prisoners free.

Talks are breaking down because the 2 sides can't agree.

Netanyahu doesn't trust Abbas (who feels the same.)

Currently, they both insist the other guy's to blame.

Palestinians are angry, and they have a right

Watching new Israeli settlements grow overnight.

Now Abbas is saying he'll appeal to the U.N.

That derails the framework talks and nothing happens then.

Kerry's gone to see if there's another thing to try;

Rumor says we might release an old Israeli spy.

If we plan to free their spy we should get something back;

Major issues needing breakthroughs aren't a thing we lack.

Make them stop the settlements and honor deals they've made;

If there aren't concessions then it isn't worth the trade.

Unsolicited Advice for House Republicans - Knock it Off

(Courtesy of Newsbusters.org)

Yesterday a million people clicked healthcare.gov

Said that they'd sign 7 million up; they've gone above.

It's almost miraculous that they've achieved their goals.

But it's still unpopular according to the polls.

Data show that people want the things in A.C.A.

Problem is too many feel they can't afford to pay.

Yes, it makes insurance better but it still ain't cheap

(Unlike certain policies that people couldn't keep.)

I will grant that there are problems still, but it's a start.

Wish the so called "loyal opposition" did its part.

GOP keeps voting to repeal it even though

If you ask what they'd replace it with, they do not know.

These are problems Congress could be fixing in a snap

If the House Republicans would, finally, cut the crap.

That's enough of trying to repeal the A.C.A.

What is it they're trying to accomplish, anyway?

If they want to make a point, I'd say the point's been made.

Look how they've succeeded, everybody's nerves are frayed.

Since they've made it clear that they don't have a better plan,

It is time to move along and fix the things they can.

Dear Fellow NaPoWriMo2014 Participants... Welcome

Graphic courtesy of NaPoWriMo.net

30 poems, 30 days; a month of poetry.

Last year I completed 30...  This year? We will see.

I'm already sure that there are 2 days I'll be gone.

I'll be off and running well before the crack of dawn.

I will try to post 2 rhymes the next time that I'm back.

They will not be poetry.  I do not have the knack.

Poets can distill a thought with language - make it pure.

I've just got the rhyming bug and, sadly, there's no cure.

My blog tells the news in rhyme but poetry it's not.

They're the product of this Seussilitis thing I've got.

I cannot write poetry because I'm not profound...

Still, I'm pretty good at rhyming.  Hope you'll stick around.