Community
the server
A beautiful evening
Driving to a favorite venue
Friends reunite after years apart
Looking forward to sharing experiences
And getting a fresh start
A traffic snag
Our timely arrival delayed
No matter, we were greeted warmly
Please be seated, don’t dismay
Your server is eager to meet you
She will soon be on her way
So we settle in, review the menu
So much to say
Our server, so genuine
Wishing only to please
Beamed with authenticity
Immediately put us at ease
Eager to make our evening perfect
She directed as best she knew,
Dietary restrictions, however,
Made our choices few
Time passed, we waited
Our anticipation was great
Then serendipity entered
Characteristically late
And altered our event
One miscue after another
Lead to a dinner, gone awry
We remarked to each other
How unlikely
Tho It’s still a great day
Genuine and sincere
A jewel of humankind
Our server acknowledged
Our misfortunes
They will be addressed
As you dine
While a much-anticipated meal
Went sideways very quick
What trumped in importance
Was our server,
Her spirit and her wit
And so we left richer
for our experience, to be sure
For the kindness, and grace
She extended
We will never forget
A PRAYER FOR PEACE
With unspeakable loss
The war continues on
Fueled by hatred and distrust
Based on centuries of fears
Of families broken
And unbelievable loss
Both sides entrenched in their beliefs
Passed down and emboldened
Does the possibility of resolution exist?
For those displaced, to hold on to?
Mothers, fathers, singles, child
Witness horrors no one should ever see
Nor will they ever be free to forget
While we in the West
Read in shock, disbelief
And at the end of the day
Rest our heads gently on our pillows
Say goodnight
Wake to life, the next morning
And say,
What can we do?
What role do we play?
Community education
Discussion
What do each have to say?
And so we pray
Then share our resources
Whatever they may be
Time, financial, comfort
A need as broad as the sea
Is it not each one’s responsibility
To support and uphold mankind?
Through kindness,
And through our time
Each day the call grows louder
Prayer is the starting point but not the end
What calls for reason, not reaction
We must promote, forever, Amen
LABELS
Unproductive and disqualifying
Unless accompanied with a benefit, or goal
How established, and
For what application
Is the intent, the might, the role?
Beauty describes a flower
or sunrise
Comical, are actions
Arising from the unexpected
There are labels that drive
Our commerce and prose
But those that separate others
By ability and race
Strike at the heart
They have no place
So embrace the positive in what is
Be grateful for the variety in delivery and space
Through family, friends, variance in grace
Reach out to those whose strength is less
Not by their fault, they were put to a test
Labels can weigh heavily, without proper care
They can hinder a breakthrough
Lead to despair
Unless we as humanity
Do more to mend and repair
So, lend an arm, sit, listen, smile
For the stories compiled may be
Richer in experience, than you’ve
Walked in miles
Quite and humble, often kept to themselves
Yet the lessons learned, and mountains climbed
Yields wisdom and clarity
A label defiles
What If?
What if
For just one day
And for all of society
There was no profiling
Each individual is unique
And everyone respected
Nothing to separate us
While families carry-on
Children attend school
Without fear of gunfire
And employees find purpose
In their daily routine
What if
Instead of closing oneself off
From the world around
To monitor social media
We help the elderly man
Pack his groceries
Smile at fellow pedestrians
Some of which wear frowns
Because life isn’t what it should be
That smile could make their day a bit brighter
And provide them with the sense
That humanity is truly caring
What if
For one week
Instead of ordering our morning coffee
We gave to our favorite charity
A small adjustment
For the people that it would impact
Business could contribute
Everyone benefits
Charities provide enhanced services
Those donating experience gratitude
And recipients’ well-being is broadened
What a difference that would make
What if?
Acts of kindness
Of any kind, sort and value
Give hope, wipe away tears
Begets further acts of kindness
So little effort, so much impact
What if?
We just gave one hour
coffee proceeds
A smile
What a difference it could make
