Poetry & Humor
There is absolutely no reason the two can’t go together. Here are some examples of things I like.This one was written by Pilot Officer John Gillespe Magee Jr. He was flying at 30,000 feet over England at the time. He was killed shortly after while serving in the RCAF. It was 1941 and he was 19 years old. Having flown my self in my younger days I think I understand.
Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings: Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds -- and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of -- wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence: hov’ring there, I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air. Up, the long, delirious, burning blue I’ve topped the windswept heights with easy grace Where never lark, or even eagle flew -- And, while the silent lifting mind I’ve trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand and touched the face of God.
The signature on this one is Opal Hendricksen. That’s all I know about it, except to say that it’s very funny. And even though I’m a man I get it. Others who read it laugh all the way through. It must be one of those universals.
ODE TO A MAMMOGRAM For years ’n years they told me; “Be careful of your breasts. Don’t ever squeeze or bruise them, And give them monthly tests.” So I heeded all their warnings And protected them by law… Guarded them very carefully, And always wore a bra. After 30 years of careful care The doctor found a lump. He ordered up a mammogram To look inside that clump. “Stand up very close.” she said, As she got my boob in line, “And tell me when it hurts,” she said, “Ah yes! There! That’s just fine”. She stepped upon a peddle… I could not believe my eyes! A plastic plate was pressing down… My boob was in a vice! My skin was stretched ’n stretched From way up by my chin, And my poor boob was being squashed To Swedish pancake thin!! “Take a deep breath,” she said to me. Who does she think she’s kidding? My chest is smashed in her machine, I can’t breathe and woozie I’m getting. “There, that was good.” I heard her say As the room was slowly swaying, “Now let’s get the other one.” “Lord, have mercy,” I was praying. It squeezed me from the up and down. It squeezed me from both sides. I’ll bet she’s never had this done To her tender little hide! If I had no problem when I came in, I surely have one now… If there had been a cyst in there, It would have popped, KER-POW!!! This machine was made by man, Of this I have no doubt… I’d like to get his balls in there, For months he’d go “without”.
William Blake
To see a world in a grain of sand Or heaven in a wild flower To hold infinity in the palm of your hand Or eternity in an hour.
This is called Desiderata. It was found in a church yard and is believed to have come from the 17th century if memory serves. I wish more people would commit it to memory.
Go quietly 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 ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; for they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others you may become bitter or vain, 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. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of 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 with yourself. You are a 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 labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, be at peace with your soul. With all its shame, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be carefull. Strive to be happy. I’m having a little trouble with the "gracefully surrendering the things of youth" part myself.
A short one from Louisa May Alcott
A little kingdom I possess, Where thoughts and feelings dwell; And very hard the task I find Of governing it well.
Here it get’s a little different. But aside from the very obvious it’s not a bad way of looking at the world. This is called the Wiccan Rede. It may have belonged to someone else but seems first to have been publicly expounded by Gerald B. Gardner, a Britt, who, in the early to mid 20th century, is credited with inventing the modern Wicca movement. Although there is some question as how much he took from tradition and how much he invented. The word Wicca itself is an old English term meaning wisdom. The Rede comes in various forms but the basics are the same.
Bide within the Law you must, in perfect Love and perfect Trust. Live you must and let to live, fairly take and fairly give. For tread the Circle thrice about to keep unwelcome spirits out. To bind the spell well every time, let the spell be said in rhyme. Light of eye and soft of touch, speak ye little, listen much. Honor the Old Ones in deed and name, let love and light be our guides again. Deosil go by the waxing moon, chanting out the joyful tune. Widdershins go when the moon doth wane, and the werewolf howls by the dread wolfsbane. When the Lady’s moon is new, kiss the hand to Her times two. When the moon rides at Her peak then your heart’s desire seek. Heed the North winds mighty gale, lock the door and trim the sail. When the Wind blows from the East, expect the new and set the feast. When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss you on the mouth. When the wind whispers from the West, all hearts will find peace and rest. Nine woods in the Cauldron go, burn them fast and burn them slow. Birch in the fire goes to represent what the Lady knows. Oak in the forest towers with might, in the fire it brings the God’s insight. Rowan is a tree of power causing life and magic to flower. Willows at the waterside stand ready to help us to the Summerland. Hawthorn is burned to purify and to draw faerie to your eye. Hazel-the tree of wisdom and learning adds its strength to the bright fire burning. White are the flowers of Apple tree that brings us fruits of fertility. Grapes grow upon the vine giving us both joy and wine. Fir does mark the evergreen to represent immortality seen. Elder is the Lady’s tree burn it not or cursed you'll be. Four times the Major Sabbats mark in the light and in the dark. As the old year starts to wane the new begins, it’s now Samhain. When the time for Imbolc shows watch for flowers through the snows. When the wheel begins to turn soon the Beltane fires will burn. As the wheel turns to Lamas night power is brought to magic rite. Four times the Minor Sabbats fall use the Sun to mark them all. When the wheel has turned to Yule light the log the Horned One rules. In the spring, when night equals day time for Ostara to come our way. When the Sun has reached it’s height time for Oak and Holly to fight. Harvesting comes to one and all when the Autumn Equinox does fall. Heed the flower, bush, and tree by the Lady blessed you’ll be. Where the rippling waters go cast a stone, the truth you’ll know. When you have and hold a need, harken not to others greed. With a fool no season spend or be counted as his friend. Merry Meet and Merry Part bright the cheeks and warm the heart. Mind the Three-fold Laws you should three times bad and three times good. When misfortune is enow wear the star upon your brow. Be true in love this you must do unless your love is false to you. These Eight words the Rede fulfill: “An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will”
Author: Chris Johnson
Version: 2.0.1