14 GROUNDCOVER NEWS POETRY Confusion SARAH DARBY-WHITE Groundcover contributor Tell me, what’s normal? It’s time that I know. I must know what’s normal, Cuz, I’m weird and it shows. It’s really not funny, This odd kind of thing. I’m a hamster just spinning Getting nowhere it seems. Skipping stones SARAH DARBY-WHITE Thought these feelings would pass, But they’re stronger than ever. Despair that’s just there That I never can sever. Confusion, delusions Of what I could be. Confusion intrusions Won’t let me be free. I have mastered skipping stones Upon the stillness of the early morning lake. It takes perfected skill and a flick of the wrist. A glassy surface and the water breaks. The lake speaks. A massive heartbeat. Telling stories of a life within. Of lessons learned, but what has changed? What is to come? Where have I been? So many questions unanswered. Each skipping stone begins a new chapter In this life that deceives. This life that lies. I’m anticipating what comes after. The waters are turbulent now. Not Calm and tranquil with the rising sun. As evening approaches, I’m out of stones, Out of chapters; All but one. My last chance to make it right, To salvage all that I treasure. Whether I get it right or get it wrong Skipping stones has been a pleasure. RONALD PAGERESKI Standing all alone in the cold on my deck, lookin kinda hungry, lookin like a wreck. Kitty showed up looking for a friend, with me, it has become a trend. Homeless kitties, their future unclear they all know me well, far and near. They all come by to see a friendly soul, knowing the cat chow will overflow the bowl. Eating their fill, then off they go, they'll be back soon, next day or so. Looking for this soul, hopin' I will fill the bowl. So come to me kitty,I won't give a fright. But stay safe young kitties, alone in the night. Late night visitor Cloudy day RONALD PAGERESKI Groundcover contributor Dark clouds build above me. I need someone to love me. The one I had has gone away, made my world so dark and gray. What turned her so hard and mean? I'll always miss the Lady Marlene. I have to make my way alone, my heart is heavy, feels like stone. But, many folks are in the same boat, tears in the eyes, lump in the throat. We have to face the lonely night, all alone in our dismal plight. But, tomorrow brings a brand new day. Let's not let sorrow stand in our way. If we feel like we've been hit by a bus, remember many have it much worse than us. WISDOM from page 9 If pursuit of the truth is your goal, between the German church of the 1930s and the American church today. At Easter we have another image of “you can kill the revolutionary but you can’t kill the revolution.” What reality do you believe in and what is the role of faith today? Visualize reality as a radiant diamond with infinite facets. Every appearance including you and me is in this view. To experience the interrelatedness of the facets in the context of the whole diamond is the breakthrough moment that the masters among our ancestors have taught us from beginningless time. Jesus, Buddha and a host of holy beings have taught that compassion, loving kindness and wisdom are the foundational truths of reality. If we surrender our ego fixations to this truth we can walk the path of freedom and learn to “Keep your eyes on the prize.” It’s the most worthy of goals. there are many ‘practical’ people who will consider you crazy for neglecting the most obvious rule of compliance culture, “The bottom line is the dollar sign,” and its corollary, “Follow the money.” It is true that if your financial life is in chaos you will find yourself too busy to do anything else. You may be overworked and have nothing to show for it. It can be so frustrating you may take your last dollar and go party. The distractions are everywhere, comfort food is a big one. The food industry is a pioneer in addictive engineering; feel good for a minute and be sick for life, similar to hard drugs but legal and a choice that is always in your face. Personal choice is an illusion for many as the need to survive this moment blocks the view of a long and happy life. It’s the trap of civilization and the hard struggle of decolonization. Remember “Peace of mind does not come from absence of struggle, it comes from absence of confusion and uncertainty.” If you look for what we share in common as human beings your discovery will likely look crazy to followers of compliance culture. We need the time and space to look at new approaches in our struggle for good health and a happy life. Let’s meet at Crazy Wisdom on Main between Washington and Huron. The Ann Arbor Community Commons is growing! Let us move forward with growing awareness until we are crazy with the wisdom that matters. Let’s meet on Earth Day, April 22, at - 4 p.m. at the Groundcover office (in the basement of Bethlehem United Church of Christ at 423 S. 4th Ave) for a People's Peace Bank study and working group. We will view Werner's conversation at the Capital Club Dubai on Central Bank Digital Currencies and more. Earth Days celebrations are happening all weekend: April 20, 21 and 22. Go to annarborcommunitycommons.org for more details!
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