Qualifying questions, remedial response.
Knowledge of situations often haunt.
What we know or have been told.
We tell ourselves we just don’t know.
Answers formed by thoughts untold.
Rumour and misinformation often sold.
Conspiracy theories tend to rule the day.
Bare truth and logic will get in the way.
04/22/2024 j.g.l.
Current Thoughts
Open your mouth, let words
bypass lips. Converse consciously
to brethren or bystanders.
Reach out to
close friends gone amiss.
Be not afraid, not now, of
articulating current thoughts and
accomplishments of which
you are proud, and even your sins
(for we have all owned a few)
might seem far less tragic
from an altered point of view.
Give fresh voice
to insecurities and anxieties hidden
within your self, speak highly of
those dusty dreams
languishing on a shelf.
Past sullen moments cast a
lengthy shadow, short-term
expectations tend to dull down
long-term possibilities.
Talk freely around all you want,
or hope, or desire to be.
Each intention will resonate
with those who wholly believe.
Understanding takes effort.
© 2024 j.g. lewis
April 18th is Poem in Your Pocket Day
a day to celebrate poetry by selecting a poem,
carrying it in your pocket, and sharing with the
friends and strangers who cross your path.
Share a poem wherever the day takes you, as you
would share a smile, a gesture, or your kindness.
Sharing is caring.
April is Poetry Month
take a poem to lunch
Our paths shift, circumstance and
attitude shaping our trajectory.
The company we keep alters both
our outlook and destination.
We are where we are
mainly because of who we are
and whom we are with.
04/16/2024 j.g.l.
I'm like a pencil;
sometimes sharp,
most days
well-rounded,
other times
dull or
occasionally
broken.
Still I write.
j.g. lewis
is a writer/photographer in Toronto.
In 1988 I booked a trip to Minneapolis in late September for a much-needed getaway; four days in a favourite city and the opportunity to see Prince in concert. When booking the trip, I was offered a deal on tickets to the George Michael concert the night before. The singer was flying high with his album Faith, and while not a big fan, the music was decent, and I was going to be in the city anyway.
Over that weekend we saw two phenomenal concerts. Prince was more than expected and, I suppose, Michael was as well (a consummate performer, and man what a voice).
The weekend came to mind yesterday evening when I heard of Michael’s passing. I even related the story, and then realized both musicians were now dead not even 30 years later.
Each of them passed away in 2016, among so many other great artists who have recently left the stage. 2016 has not been a good year. David Bowie, Glen Frey, Alan Rickman, Paul Kantner, Leonard Cohen, Greg Lake; I could mention more and most names would resonate in one way or another.
And 2017 will, in all likelihood, produce a similar number of artists and celebrities we have come to know well through popular culture. Yes, the baby boomers are getting up there in age.
While saddening, it is heartfelt to think of how these entertainers and how they had some sort of an impact on us. We also have to take stock of our own lives. None of us are immortal or infallible. We are never sure when our number will be called, so there is no better time to make the most of what we have left.
Make more when there is less to waste.
It may be that you need to work a little harder on that dream you’ve kept at bay, or move where you thought you always wanted to live, or take that trip. Bury that hatchet with that old friend, take those two classes that have held you back from the college degree, or take a new class just for the sake of learning something new.
We are not sure what time is left, so why not spend it doing something you want to do?
“There’s something deep inside of me.
There’s someone else I’ve got to be.”
George Michael
Freedom! ‘90
Peace
Peace of mind, peace
of mine. Peace not of
opportunity, but in these
confusing times. Peace at
home and peace in all
foreign lands, peace in
my sister’s words and in
my brother’s hands.
Peace not only in concept,
and peace not just in kind,
but peace we are all to be
worthy of; a peace we can
surely find. A peace of
which someday we won’t
need to be reminded the
possibility exists. Peace in
every child’s gentle dream,
and in every lover’s kiss.
Peace can be here, when
we chose to allow it to be,
but we all have to do it
together, even if individually.
Peace can be a promise, or
peace can be the way.
Peace is something to be
spoken of, and not only
on this day.
Let there be peace on Earth
and let it begin with me.
j.g.l.
I’m like a pencil;
sometimes sharp,
most days
well-rounded,
other times
dull or
occasionally
broken.
Still I write.
j.g. lewis
is a writer/photographer in Toronto.