350 initiative

350 is about the living conditions our children and grandchildren will inherit from us. What will you say to them someday, if asked,


How did it…
Why did it…
What were you doing when it…
began to get so bad?

Too busy? “Better” things to do? Head in sand?

The 350 initiative is not a political movement, but it is intended to hold politicians, as well as ourselves, accountable. It can be seen as quite progressive in its concern, while being very conservative in its values. It is at the same time, both pro-life and pro-choice. It measures a threshold for existence, and it asks you to choose: Will you continue to be a part of the problem, or will you commit to help with finding solutions beginning Oct. 24. It is not hopeless…

From Mighty Acorns

From mighty acorns...
( When all you’ve ever wanted isn’t enough )
Get in touch with a tree, rooted strongly and Deep.

Inner tree to become you, nourished in Darkness

yet, always Light seeking, growing edge reaching.

Strong roots for support, to bring what is needed;

tough bark protecting a cross-section of growing,

each year adding strength as length reaches high.

Limbs branching, expressing fruits of sweet effort,

fruit ripe for sustaining, magic seeds to be sowing.

While leaves falling, replenish, becoming the earth

Mighty acorn…well cared for… now, glowing

in soil dark and deep, a tree showing …
now whole, and full growing
completely alive

Advice from a Tree

"Advice from a Tree" by Ilan Shamir

Dear Friend, Stand tall and proud
Sink your roots deeply into the Earth

Reflect the light of your own true nature

Think long term.  Go out on a limb

Remember your place among all living beings

Embrace with joy the changing seasons

for each yields its own abundance

The energy and birth of spring

The growth and contentment of summer

The wisdom to let go, like leaves in the fall

The rest and quiet renewal of winter

Feel the wind and sun and delight in their presence

Look up at the moon that shines down upon you

and the mystery if the stars at night

Seek nourishment from the good things in life

Simple pleasures...earth...fresh air,...light

Be content with your natural beauty...Drink plenty of water

Let your limbs sway, and dance in the breezes

Be flexible...Remember your roots...Enjoy the view!

Weeds - Liberals and Justice for All

The labels come and go, but it is hard to argue with historical evidence indicating so-called progressive types are more highly evolved than the so-called conservative types. In the major socio-political conflicts of American history, liberals have consistently been on the side any reasonable citizen would now objectively consider the good or correct (and winning) side. It is clear from their shifting rhetoric that what conservatives seek to conserve is what liberals fought to create a generation before.

Starting with the War for Independence itself, conservatives have been reluctant to embrace the American version of human progress. Think about it: a Revolution against British injustice, a Civil War that ended the disgrace of slavery, a campaign for a woman’s right to vote, union activities to humanize workplace conditions, social security, civil rights (to vote, to busride, to work for the Brooklyn Dodgers), and now an absolutely vital regard for environmental protecting…all spearheaded by progressive “trouble-makers” seeking change, trying to give meaning to the ideal of “liberty and justice for all…”

But, what about Abraham Lincoln, you say… a Republican, you say…well, I say, look at the haircut… and then compare a map of the Confederacy, with a map of the 2008 national election results. Different sort of Republican…? Labels come and go…

Biosphere

The Bio-sphere is a delicate bubble surrounding a planet where existence, as we know it, is possible…It is a closed system of bio-logical cycles that have sustained life for millions of years. Anything that escapes nature’s capacity for re-cycling and re-processing is pollution, which as it accumulates within the closed system degrades the earth’s ability to sustain life.

Flowerworks

Come,
make time,
for a lily walk,
a flowerful stroll,
to celebrate a celebration.

A woman’s joy,
whole-hearted, attending beauty,
touches those witnessing such enjoyment.
A thousand blooms visiting so briefly
en-joy-ment’s intensified—Carpe diem—
that’s all they’re allowed.

Each day the flowerlover greets new arrivals.
Some perk as she nears.
(I swear)
“Look at this one.”
“That one!”
“Here.”
“Over there!”
“Didja see those?”
“These ‘popped’ this morning.”
Holding each gently, welcoming,
tenderly searching lilyfaces,
neglecting few.

“You have to see this one”

Or, (Monet would like this) you can sit.
There’re places for sitting, and having a view,
green grounds, enlightened, by colors around.
Sitting and seeing, not only the blues…
there’s peachy and rose-ish,
some reds as can be;
passionate purples, and some,
not quite white;
sunsetting oranges, elegant pinks, and
sunshining yellows, sunlit, and sun bright.

Not quite quiet fireworks,
blooms bursting in air,
a rainbow exploded,
flowerworks surround.