Letter to illegal mind altering substances

.....written by a person who I respect.....

Letter to illegal mind altering substances

You live off of the suffering souls in humanity
who choose you in fear of
their inability to reach the summit
of their own expectations.

You are chosen by the frustrated
the angry
the hurting
and the frightened
to cloak the truth so challenges can remain hidden
and opportunities can be missed without regret.

There is no regret where numbness reigns.

You create zombies out of people
who used to care
used to plan
used to work together
towards a purpose

But now only exist
without care
without joy
without hope
To fill their craving for you.

You create orphans and widows
of those left behind
from the victims who's spirits you now control

Whether existing or dead.
it's all the same to those left alone
their efforts destroyed
their work doubled
their pay off slashed
their joy violated
by the loss of dreams
which you stole from them.

You deny God the satisfaction of seeing her creations
fulfill the purpose of their birth.

You take away,
but you do not give back.
You selfishly only serve yourself.

You are a ball and chain
a monkey on the back
a crick in the neck
a 100% interest loan
and a force to be reckoned with.

But there is one thing that you do not control
born into each human on earth
distinguishing ourselves from our animal counterparts
a gift from God our mother
and the one thing that can destroy you;

Free will.

Desiderata by Max Ehrman, 1952

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself to others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle wiht yourself.

You are the child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life
keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful,
strive to be happy.

ONE HOUSE

ONE HOUSE

MY DREAM IS FOR ONE HOUSE
ONE UNITED FRONT
FOR ALL OF OUR SEPARATED SELVES
ONE HOUSE
ONE FAMILY
ONE VILLAGE
TO LISTEN
TO FOCUS
TO HEAL
TO GROW
ONE HOUSE
ONE FAMILY
ONE VILLAGE
TO UNIFY OUR SEPARATED SELVES INTO ONE STRONG FAMILY UNIT
ONE HOUSE
ONE FAMILY
ONE VILLAGE
FOR THE SAKE OF US ALL.

Writer's Block

A poem has not found me recently. Have my desires become bound to a man? Have my needs become bound by my children? Is my spirit so open that it cannot contain a poetic thought? Are my photos enough to quell my creative urge? I choose number four.

Rainbow gathering

The rainbow gathering is an annual reunion of free spirits (aka hippies) who engage in spiritualism via music, community and food. My brother sketched the typical layout for me in one of the hundreds of letters that I've received from him, since his incarceration last August.
Some things are just not free, and now neither is he.

Angry Pile

........seen along Mockingbird Canyon Road

Strippers Eviction continued

Stripper's Eviction

Prisoner's Lament

Albert's scheduled for release from Texas prison February 2008, where he was incarcerated for posession of Marijana in 2006. His wife and children eagerly await his return to Washington state.

I admire Albert's positive, upbeat personality. I have two binders of stories which he has written and mailed to me and other family members, using his lock-down time productively.

I believe that marijuana is no more criminal than alcohol and therefore should be just as legal as alcohol. God help us that Albert's family was made to rely on their own resources while he was locked up for two years because he likes to get high. The corruption in our society is enough to make me want to become a hippie. But I don't because I know bullshit lies in that path as well.