Half the Sky

Reading Half the Sky
To learn about why
To heed the girls' cry
What I can buy
To give help a try
Don't want to deny
Them a chance to fly
Let dreams soar high
From the depths they lie
From conditions they could die

Saw the authors on Oprah urging action.

She Gives

I stare at the small and wrinkled writing
And think of her fragile hand just like it
No birthday or holiday missed
As long as she lives, she gives

I pull on another hand-knit sweater
She made when her eyes were seeing better
She’s started the next one on her list
As long as she lives, she gives

I realize she won’t be here forever
My heart won’t easily forget her

I’ll pass to the coming generation
A few examples of her loving patience
I hope I’m remembered just like this
As long as she lives, she gives

Now I’ve grown to appreciate and understand
The strength of my mother’s mother’s plan

As long as she lives, as long as she lives,
As long she lives, she gives

In this season of giving, I'm remembering my grandmother -
with thanks to co-writer Betsy Jackson for bringing it to life.

Attraction Distraction

This little attraction may be more than it seems,
Afraid to face why he shows up in my dreams.
Feels like he's all mine when we talk on the phone,
I'm not sure what to say when it's us two alone

I try to keep my place and handle his request,
Try to keep to myself how much I'm impressed.
He's thoughtful and caring, he loves to joke around.
A more respected man isn't easily found.

I know he has a wife, isn't looking to play.
I have no intention of getting him to stray,
Just want him to notice how I look and act.
He's got my attention, I can't ignore the fact.


With Tiger's troubles I was reminded of this writing from my single days.

Planet Protection

Forget the jokes that he's a bore,
Listen to what's said by Al Gore.
It's a crisis we can't ignore.
Shouldn't we learn how to do more?

We see the glaciers disappear,
But it doesn't cause enough fear.
Learn how the waters could rise here,
See if that can get us in gear!

Harmful as the national debt.
Seen An Inconvenient Truth yet?
Go to climatecrisis.net
Before or Earth's too hot and wet!

We need to keep moving in the right direction
Of planet protection!


Written just after seeing An Inconvenient Truth, posting for the global climate change conference in Copenhagen.

Happy Thanksgiving?

Nearly Thanksgiving,
Have some misgiving?
Despite rightful living,
Life's unforgiving!

Who can give thanks?
After problems with the banks,
Housing market tanks,
Job offers are blanks,
Car makers walk planks,
Lawmakers join ranks
In Healthcare pranks?
Who can give thanks?

For those who might not be feeling grateful this year

Amelia Earhart

Amelia Earhart
Certainly did her part
In making history
Without the results she wanted to see
She gave women a good start
In expanding what they could be

Amelia Earhart
Eagerly would depart
In taking to the sky
Believing that all were wanting to fly
Had the horse before the cart
Said the doubters, why even try?

Amelia Earhart
Labeled as a tart?
For straying from her man
When someone else fit into her plan
Wasn't seen as very smart
Husband staying her biggest fan

Amelia Earhart
Navigator read the chart
Circling the world
Marveling the sights, the beauty unfurled
Satisfied her wandering heart
Till over the ocean her plane twirled


Inspired by the recent movie Amelia

Healthcare

Patients lining up
And the phones won't quit
There's no diagnosis
And my nylons don't fit

A buzz from the doctor
While I'm still on the phone
Roasting from the heat
And I feel like a drone

Patients lining up
Others wait on hold
Many needing shots
And some with a cold

Be sure they check in
And they go to the lab
Who else was put in?
It's hard to keep tab

Who is on which line?
Will you spell that name?
Whose writing is that?
Who will take the blame?

Payments aren't logged
The charts are piled high
Stomach is growling
And the time won't fly


Posting as topical but written in 1987 with a few updates