Long Volunteer Poems

For ten months now I’ve brooded over coming second place
in the pickle section deeming, it no less than a disgrace.
It was written plain and simple, so there can be no excuse,
that the pickles in this...

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I see people moving, but going nowhere
I see people moving with their hands thrown in the air
I see people moving but they have nothing to share
Bags and pans, old kettle, and old man
The scavenger, the...

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In Colchester, CT,
and possibly in your town too,
we have a LongTerm ReCoVery Committee
looking at 20/20 prevision
for post-pandemic climate health revisions
for wealthy local and global EarthJustice.

So, what have I noticed
that might be economically
and ecologically win/win useful?

In...

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One of the least talked about,
yet most problematic issues
for regenerating  

Global
social-psychological
mental and physical
health and public safety
movements

Well fed and watered
to empower and enlighten interfaith
action and reflection,
song and dance
liturgical and fire-circle
contemporary-indigenous wisdom

Is to explore together
how and...

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The sun was rising high in the east over the town of Milton creek
It was the eighteenth day of December, the start of Christmas week
All the store fronts were decorated; it was a colourful sight...

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I am sorry
about my judgmental,
sadly disdainful,
tone
in earlier messages.

Even worse,
I remain embarrassed
for spreading it out
for key staff
and leaders
to well-positioned see
and hear
and feel,
touched by wounded toxicity.

My training 
and experience
includes victimized by homophobia
and healing through community mediation.

Within this...

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Where were you when the wind starts to blow? Where you when you I created the show, where were you when my hands were stiff, where were you when I got stuck in the ditch?

I...

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Tasting Africa (One L****ick at a Time) Part 1
(Though the title's a joke, my limericks are not!)

1. Life's Always an Adventure (Morogoro)
Can one's life be that safe when all live in a zoo -
Friend on...

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He stood and aimlessly watched the parade of patrons and volunteers that wandered daily past his kennel.  All so familiar, so ordinary.  Just like every other day he mused.  Nothing new. ...

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Date: April  2,   2051

NEXT DAY:
3:10 afternoon
 the family held a secret
Family conference in adjourned rooms of
Holly's family. CJ  and his wife Amaliah 
Desharah Dolly were present in
Father Hakim's and ma Lucinda's
Suite...

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I have a friend, old and retired, who keeps busy helping the poor. Let's call him Ted because he wants to remain anonymous. Some of his ideas, he says, wouldn’t make many of his neighbors...

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Date:  April  4,  2051

Dolly had Molly and Holly delayed
In the dinning area while she secured 
Any loose ends. They had most of
The assemblages in place. The aisle
The flowers? Delilah had questions 
"Mommy...

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What if I ,
Saw a waist-coated white rabbit,
Pass and disappear down a hole
Would I think I was going quite mad
Or would I want to follow him
As he exclaimed I’m late!  I’m late!
For a very...

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Once upon a time a gymnast teacher told a girl, 
and all her classmates, 
to gather round 
to spot the student currently bouncing 
on the trampoline. 

They circled 
to volunteer a ring of imperfectly rhythmed
but...

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A former friend of mine
tricked me into becoming
something I am not

The volunteer President
of our condo association,
a position I clearly cannot afford
midst trifling disassociations.

We were starting our Autumn tradition
of arguing about next year's budget
which typically continues
until...

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'We have a future king to make,'
Said the deep, resounding voice.
'But it is not a proper fit for everyone.
For a king must know first how to obey than to command,
And to abide rather than reign.'

'And...

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Dear Covenant to Empower Children, Inc.

I was in a Potlatch CoHousing Cafe
just the other repair-invested day
for both ego and eco therapy.

Our host introduced
this Potlatch SkillShare event
speaking to himself:

The less I share skills and resources
on cooperative...

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Spawned from the loins that 
Perpetuated the loyal serfs mongrel
Seed:-
These peoples of a conditioned and
"Resigned-To-it-all" breed.
Born into the enveloping tedium
Of interlocking days...Interwoven
With interlocking days -
Victims of stark circumstance
And vague promises unmade.
Gregariously living out their lives
When...

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Community outdoor innovators
are challenged by premillennial lack
of potlatch cooperative investments
paid-forward
by ZeroZone invested WiseElders,

Limited by Space
for developing multifamily co-housing
with cooperative community organic gardens.

Limited by volunteer outdoor ego-eco therapeutic
Time.

Limited by competitive economic grid
and profile assumptions
for future WinLose...

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More than 30 years ago the Supreme Court in the United States ruled that if individuals are mentally ill but not criminally insane they cannot be confined to asylums. They must be allowed to live...

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"No, I am not Prince Hamlet, nor was meant to be;
                        ...

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I had my plan memorized, 
and I picked the right time.
I walked into the bank 
when there was no line.
I walked up to the teller 
and presented a note.
She hadn’t lived my life, 
you see,...

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If you’ve read any of my delicious, hand-crafted vignettes and listened to us talk, you’ll know that my roommates and I are critical thinking swifties who spend hour after hour talking about anything and everything,...

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(A Guide For New Minions)

1. It is much easier to hate those you know nothing about.
2. Always remember that when you kill someone they are no longer feeling pain. Prolong other's misery whenever possible.
3. The...

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MY HOME TOWN
by
JOHN M. ARRIBAS	
Time moves on never stands still
It changes the outcome no matter the will
Of the dreamers who hold on to and then
Each moment happens once then never again
I had a feeling this...

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