PRESIDENT

What My President Should Stand For © 6/16/16 ARC

When I was a little girl studying history,
I learned the word forefathers.
The idea appealed to me.
Fathers founding the country:
patriarchs of a united family.

As I matured learned truth:
equality, truth, justice wasn’t for all.
The awareness appalled me.
Indians, Blacks, Women, Minority:
excluded from Constitution affinity.

I tried hard to analyze country roots;
studied biographies of leading politicians.
The education enlightened me.
Good, bad: some magnificent authority:
Those few illuminated American priority.

Founders…, Lincoln, Roosevelt(s), Truman;
ranked highest in leadership behaviors.
Their personalities fascinated me.
Pray 2016 will manifest enlightening seniority:
Hillary Clinton of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

History instructs on who rancorously divide;
Reagan/Nixon/Bush: un-empathetic/morally lacking.
Power/Wealth perverted frightens me.
Trump: chauvinistic, racist – exhibiting traits of inferiority:
praying: historical woman president with skilled diplomacy.
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Three Angels

THREE ANGELS © June 12, 2016 – Sunday ARC J

Joan, Susan, Maryann – three angels I met decade ago.

They were at Rynerson Park where I did mile prayer walk.

Three very close friends who walked their dogs.

Their unity is binding/spiritual like symbolic shamrock.


They responded to my need of loquacious reminiscing.

The catharsis aftermath of assault was evident to witness.

I had been attacked: stabbed 42 times – miracle spared life.

I needed rehabilitation: mental, social, physical fitness.


They were angels administering to my chronic needs.

My mouth was snarled: speech mangled and slurred.

They were so patient: encouraging me to share.

My needs were important: each and every word.


God spared my life, and gave me blessings too.

Three earth angels: sensitive and empathetic.

They also were interesting: life stories of attention.

Most of all: spiritual inner beauty - truly aesthetic.
………………………………………….

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father’s Day © 6/12/16 Sunday - ARC In Memoriam to my Father LJG Sr.
I remember daddy: gone four+ decades now.
He role modeled best of what a father can be.

Prayer was his mantle and music his gift.
A hard working driver nigh river Genesee.

Family prayed together: novenas kneeling down.
Sundays were the best when he took day off.

He took my younger sister/me near river one night.
Praying water mist relieve hacking whooping cough.

Daddy loved God, Jesus, Spirit: people, entertaining.
He knew how to tell a great story, sing a good song.

Playing the harmonica was his forte’.
Catholic religion could do no wrong.

He missed out becoming priest due to loss of fingers.
35 married 15 years junior – sired 10 – 7 breathed.

Franklin Roosevelt/Harry Truman political idols.
Felt Northern Sicilian roots superior wreathed.

He played ball until his 80s at family picnic.
Happy as a lark playing poker with his sons.

That’s how I see him now in multi mansions heavenly abode.
Stogie in mouth/encircled by brothers: weekend scoring runs.

Happy Father’s Day to universal kith and kin.
May you hear appreciation from your own.

I thank you for carrying out the role well done.
Your character/blessed traits were well sown.
………………………………..

EMPATHY

EMPATHY © ARC June 6, 2016 @ 2:00 P.M.


I may be 75, but it seems like yesterday:
helping Mom walk with polio crippled feet;
watching her cry as she told of first baby’s death;
seeing the pennies, nickels, dimes grow in canning jars;
riding with family on daddy’s day off to lake/ice cream treat.

I loved rare visits to first generation family in nearby state:
grandmom never learned English/spoke Sicilian dialect;
Mom’s eleven siblings birthed awesome cousins;
love, comradery, laughter, familial pride, were abundant;
encouraged by all: be best Americans with high intellect.

My eldest brother was sick with rheumatic heart fever:
second too had problems, but third and me were well;
followed: younger sister, brother, 2 miscarriages, last retarded joy;
mom admonished those who grieved: God had good reason;
I witnessed after birth prejudicial neighbors turned from hell.

EMPATHY transformed prejudice to acceptance:
they put on the `cloak’ of what if it was them;
and that’s when I understood divine mystery;
evil was allowed so that choice could be free;
re-occurring: those who love, those who condemn.

I was grateful immigrant ancestors made it in time:
they were around to applaud the social programs;
I helped mom walk to welfare office for relief;
made to feel humiliated and ashamed of our faith;.
uncles in war embroiled in holocaust and pogroms.

Now, once again, I watch a volatile political battle:
ones who rancor the loudest have the least empathy;
the irony is not lost on me – remind me of childhood;
profess a faith that is opposite of what they preach;
it’s the attitude of conquer/slavery – manifest destiny.

A white Anglo Saxon man is leading the charge:
spews prejudicial, misanthropic, chauvinistic pomposity;
like Hitler hypnotizing his volatile lemmings;
sans leaders with no backbone to stand up;
analogy Emperor With No Clothes: ludicrosity.

I pray, use talent to educate and speak out:
ladies and gentlemen, I implore you to assume the other;
visualize what if it was you: immigrant, minority, poor;
can you see yourself as a different sex or color;
loving neighbor as self; as your sister and brother.

…………………………………………….

John Anthony

John Anthony June 16, 2016
His was a miracle birth;
prayed for and received.
Welcomed and loved;
my faith knew – believed.

First year was hard;
colic and hernia trauma.
Hospital surgery nine months;
signaling life of drama.

By two: signs of brilliance;
took time to walk/instead scooted.
Marching music was his favorite;
memory, charisma/well rooted.

Youth kaleidoscope in nature;
multi-skilled: mental, athletic, art.
Auraed in ethics, empathy, wisdom;
far beyond fledgling: passionate heart.

Volunteered for Army infantry at 18;
experienced combat and lost best friend.
Early marriage followed by fatherhood;
youth counselor with college on weekend.

Hardworking with several vocations;
teacher, chef, transport, mentor… multi more.
Volunteer for church, youth, nonprofits;
God, country, family, service: his center corps.

Now 52: loving husband, father, and grand;
assuming new flourishing beginnings in lifespan.
He represents the best of what a mensch can be;
role model walking spiritual talk: Renaissance Man.

…………………………..