Hi James,
Sorry to hear that you have all that to contend with. If I were you, I wouldn't try to change everything at once; you have to eat an elephant one bite at a time. I wish you the very best in your recovery. Get as much professional help as you need. Give it your best. You are a loveable soul.
Reading poetry requires a different approach to reading prose - I tend to slow right down in my reading, and concentrate. That's why I read very few poems in this section, and I try to home in on the "good" ones (I know that is a somewhat subjective term). And that's why I asked if you could 'narrow down' a few of what you consider to be your best because the sight of so many tends to make me skip over them all, and yet I remember how much I enjoyed your "Ode to Max Fischer". I can only imagine that other potential readers react the same way. Having said all that: I know next-to-nothing about poetry, other than whether I like it or not.
It's cool if I made you think more about your work, and ta for the words of appreciation. I appreciate you taking the time to reply. With your pointers, I'll be sure to check out a poem or two of yours next time I am in 'poem mode'.
Cheers,
Diane
Legacy for Leonard
Hi Jim,
Your writing about your problems and your feelings will likely do you as much good as writing poetry (whether or not you choose to share them or just write them down for yourself), but I'm sure you know that already.
I particularly like Diane's advice to you that you can only eat an elephant one bite at a time - it's a very apt reminder that will serve us all from time to time.
I'm sure I speak for many others in this forum when I say that we are all thinking about you and wishing you the very best in your recovery.
Best regards,
Sherry
Your writing about your problems and your feelings will likely do you as much good as writing poetry (whether or not you choose to share them or just write them down for yourself), but I'm sure you know that already.
I particularly like Diane's advice to you that you can only eat an elephant one bite at a time - it's a very apt reminder that will serve us all from time to time.
I'm sure I speak for many others in this forum when I say that we are all thinking about you and wishing you the very best in your recovery.
Best regards,
Sherry
Vegetarian
I've no idea why I'd want to eat an elephant; has the whole world gone mad?! Who eats elephants, where have they got the time to sit down and eat a whole elephant, and who are these people trying to eat an elephant two bites at a time? Sure I'll eat a bit of whale, but elephants, well...
I am ok, a bit mental but that isn't half as bad as this whole elephant eating conspiracy, thank you Sherry and Diane for your supportive words; I suppose at the least you both eat your elephants properly, at the most you are two of many beautiful souls.
At AA we say one day at a time, because we know you start an elephant eating craze and wham, there go our lovely big eared/feet/trunk/eyes/everything friends. Again, thank you, I am on the mend (although you may question this by this time).
Love,
James.
I am ok, a bit mental but that isn't half as bad as this whole elephant eating conspiracy, thank you Sherry and Diane for your supportive words; I suppose at the least you both eat your elephants properly, at the most you are two of many beautiful souls.
At AA we say one day at a time, because we know you start an elephant eating craze and wham, there go our lovely big eared/feet/trunk/eyes/everything friends. Again, thank you, I am on the mend (although you may question this by this time).
Love,
James.
-
Diane
.Eating elephants
Hi Jim,
I’m glad to see you are maintaining your sense of humour.
My doctor told me last week that I am no longer allowed to eat elephants.
Only fish and vegetables and I have to drink 2 1/2 litres of water every day - for that I feel like an elephant’s trunk would come in very handy!
Diane, I didn’t know that Bruce Springsteen had a song called Sherry Darling. Probably because I’m not actually a Bruce Springsteen fan. Not that there is anything wrong with him, its just that my music-listening time is very limited, and there are so many talented people out there that one could potentially be a fan of. The only ‘Sherry’ song I knew was the one by The Four Seasons, and made famous by Frankie Valli. So I guess I have two songs. Surely, there must be a song out there about ‘Diane’.
If not, I'm sure that Jim will at least write you a poem.
Bon Appetit,
Sherry Darling
I’m glad to see you are maintaining your sense of humour.
My doctor told me last week that I am no longer allowed to eat elephants.
Only fish and vegetables and I have to drink 2 1/2 litres of water every day - for that I feel like an elephant’s trunk would come in very handy!
Diane, I didn’t know that Bruce Springsteen had a song called Sherry Darling. Probably because I’m not actually a Bruce Springsteen fan. Not that there is anything wrong with him, its just that my music-listening time is very limited, and there are so many talented people out there that one could potentially be a fan of. The only ‘Sherry’ song I knew was the one by The Four Seasons, and made famous by Frankie Valli. So I guess I have two songs. Surely, there must be a song out there about ‘Diane’.
If not, I'm sure that Jim will at least write you a poem.
Bon Appetit,
Sherry Darling
-
Diane
Sherry Darlin',
Your 'bon appetit' made me laugh.
According to some of my friends, I have narrow and ancient musical tastes, restricted mostly to Bruce Springsteen, and little else. I think they are probably right, but I don't mind. There are a few songs with my name in, but none I remotely want to draw attention to. Except maybe Sleeping With the Television On, by Billy Joel, cos I like Mr Joel. (I can withstand this, and don't wish anyone to write me a pome.)
I do so love that song by James Taylor, Rockaby Sweet Baby James. You know that one? Now James sure aint a baby, but he is sweet. Maybe we could play it for him:
Your 'bon appetit' made me laugh.
According to some of my friends, I have narrow and ancient musical tastes, restricted mostly to Bruce Springsteen, and little else. I think they are probably right, but I don't mind. There are a few songs with my name in, but none I remotely want to draw attention to. Except maybe Sleeping With the Television On, by Billy Joel, cos I like Mr Joel. (I can withstand this, and don't wish anyone to write me a pome.)
I do so love that song by James Taylor, Rockaby Sweet Baby James. You know that one? Now James sure aint a baby, but he is sweet. Maybe we could play it for him:
DianeSweet Baby James
There is a young cowboy, he lives on the range.
His horse and his cattle are his only companions;
He works in the saddle and he sleeps in the canyons,
Waiting for summer, his pastures to change . . .
And as the moon rises, he sits by his fire,
Thinking about women and glasses of beer;
And closing his eyes as the dogies retire,
He sings out a song which is soft but it's clear—
As if maybe someone could hear.
Goodnight, you moonlight ladies;
Rockabye sweet baby James . . .
Deep greens and blues are the colors I choose;
Won't you let me go down in my dreams
And rockabye sweet baby James.
Now the first of December was covered with snow,
And so was the turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston.
Lord, the Berkshires seemed dream-like on account of that frosting,
With ten miles behind me
And ten thousand more to go . . .
There's a song that they sing when they take to the highway,
A song that they sing when they take to the sea,
A song that they sing of their home in the sky—
Maybe you can believe it if it helps you to sleep,
But singing works just fine for me . . .
So, goodnight, you moonlight ladies;
Rockabye sweet baby James . . .
Deep greens and blues are the colors I choose;
Won't you let me go down in my dreams
And rockabye sweet baby James.
-
Diane
Plodding on
Diane and Sherry, I hope you are both well and thank you again for the beautiful support. Diane, hmmm not sure this is "the beauty" but I had an itch I just had to scratch; this poem is for the both of you.
White Flag.
When there was nothing left to say
It was said
Heartfelt
It lifted up the arena of the stars
Those crisp eyes that awoke the magi of yesterday,
These days that mingled mixed and lost their impetus
When hearts fell to sleep and loss and dark sinew
The light of another was our guide
Snubbed.
These days, that mingled mixed and turned upon today
Then a friend was there
Over the telephone line
Faceless with voice and courage
They handed out the flag
White, pure, anew
Today the flag is peace
At peace we wave our flag
Surrendering to love.
White Flag.
When there was nothing left to say
It was said
Heartfelt
It lifted up the arena of the stars
Those crisp eyes that awoke the magi of yesterday,
These days that mingled mixed and lost their impetus
When hearts fell to sleep and loss and dark sinew
The light of another was our guide
Snubbed.
These days, that mingled mixed and turned upon today
Then a friend was there
Over the telephone line
Faceless with voice and courage
They handed out the flag
White, pure, anew
Today the flag is peace
At peace we wave our flag
Surrendering to love.
-
Diane
Hey just clicked down here and spotted this! How sweet of you James to write a poem for me and Sherry. Funny, I was also talking about not saying things earlier.
They are lovely words. I truly hope things are going in the right direction for you. Take a hug ((James)).
Mat, my mother often used to recount how she used to play me that Batchelors song when I was a baby and it used to make me cry. Btw, your smile, your big grin, is good to have around in this place.
Cheers,
Diane
They handed out the flag
White, pure, anew
Today the flag is peace
At peace we wave our flag
Surrendering to love.
They are lovely words. I truly hope things are going in the right direction for you. Take a hug ((James)).
Mat, my mother often used to recount how she used to play me that Batchelors song when I was a baby and it used to make me cry. Btw, your smile, your big grin, is good to have around in this place.
Cheers,
Diane
Jiminy
I scraped the poem
It was too much
Be in Love's pocket mate
The Bossman
.
I scraped the poem
It was too much
Be in Love's pocket mate
The Bossman
.
Last edited by Boss on Wed Feb 07, 2007 1:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Adam, thank you, again. Don't start you don't write as well as me! An epic life and glad you are still about, your message picked me up a great deal a couple of weeks ago and again now your compassion and openness has meant so much; I am back on track - although I actually don't have a track to talk of, I guess we forge on and find where it leads us. Thank you for the poem and support.
Until next time,
James.
Until next time,
James.
JiminyC,
My uncle Bob is an AA man. Has been since my aunty dragged his head out of the gas oven. He was unconscious. The gas or the grog; I'm not sure.
He hasn't had a drink now for 36 years. (he is 86)
My observation is that he is a "giver". He assists other people through their difficulties. I believe this attitude has carried him through.
Most of his mates were killed in the second world war in north Africa (The Battle of El Alamein) fighting Rommel's Nth Afrika Korps. He went into battle with 1400 men and 40 of the original men walked out after 9 months of fighting. The rest were dead or unable to walk.
He told me his sadness came from guilt. Guilty that he had not died with his mates.
Rommel complemented Bob's "Division" (Bob was in the 2nd 48th Battalion) and said that if he (Rommel) had been fortunate enough to have those soldiers, he would have won his African campaign. Uncle Bob didn't tell me this, I found it out by surfing the net last year.
Bob is a quiet hero to all our family and we love him deeply.
He doesn't think of himself as a hero at all. And he says it was luck that he has survived to his ripe old age.
He helps other people and this is what sustains him.
He is still an AA member and still helps when and where he can.
You say you have no path James.
Bob's path is a pretty good one. He tells me that helping others gives him strength.
best wishes to you JiminyC. Matj
My uncle Bob is an AA man. Has been since my aunty dragged his head out of the gas oven. He was unconscious. The gas or the grog; I'm not sure.
He hasn't had a drink now for 36 years. (he is 86)
My observation is that he is a "giver". He assists other people through their difficulties. I believe this attitude has carried him through.
Most of his mates were killed in the second world war in north Africa (The Battle of El Alamein) fighting Rommel's Nth Afrika Korps. He went into battle with 1400 men and 40 of the original men walked out after 9 months of fighting. The rest were dead or unable to walk.
He told me his sadness came from guilt. Guilty that he had not died with his mates.
Rommel complemented Bob's "Division" (Bob was in the 2nd 48th Battalion) and said that if he (Rommel) had been fortunate enough to have those soldiers, he would have won his African campaign. Uncle Bob didn't tell me this, I found it out by surfing the net last year.
Bob is a quiet hero to all our family and we love him deeply.
He doesn't think of himself as a hero at all. And he says it was luck that he has survived to his ripe old age.
He helps other people and this is what sustains him.
He is still an AA member and still helps when and where he can.
You say you have no path James.
Bob's path is a pretty good one. He tells me that helping others gives him strength.
best wishes to you JiminyC. Matj
Last edited by mat james on Wed Feb 07, 2007 12:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"Without light or guide, save that which burned in my heart." San Juan de la Cruz.
