Original Poetry and Music by the artist Z

Listen to: LoW

Listen to: Crazy

SWOT Analysis

Whenever SWOT forming notes that it is done within a square formation broken parts of four

Section in square indicates SWOT portion visibility caters rapid overview tour company’s health

Counting each title might not land equal significance all are clear and provides wealthy insights

Given spike attention details balance opportunities and threats also advantage or disadvantage

Correctly form able to hand off a decent blissful vantage point for companies to respond higher

Analysis intentional study of business acquired by government, nonprofit, and entrepreneur cue

First section knew would be top left hand corner representing strengths a specific company hold

Strengths document where an organization’s undeniable factor which excels and distinction role

This difference a particular firm possess drifts it apart from those market rivals and to controlling

Folds over carrying a strong brand, dedicated consumers, good financial or bonds on tech rolling

Second section top right weaknesses trolling aspect preventing superior brand performance done

Weaknesses label areas business is required to repair also to treat keeping competitive one nature

Investors may find here would be dismal brand, above average turnover, and plentiful debt crater

Opportunities bottom left area papers outside industry changes offer firm competing upper hand

Threats land on bottom right informs outside changes with possibilities disrupt competing firms

By Casino Blue

SMART Goals

Crowds may wonder about SMART goals meaning it broken down into five refresher sections

The first selection of this would be S which stands for specific terms clarifying precise goal

Then comes M standing measurable based on the way a person or organization hold milestones

Next A interpreted to represent achievable is realistic whether individual or business pile throne

Second, to last is R corresponding relevant is accomplishing the goal something helpful to hone

The last letter depicting SMART goals is T declaring time it will take and long term prone to suit

Each section assists to form a group to produce carefully, planned, clear and trackable pay tolls

Strategizing SMART goal cut difficulty, present wins by lessen vague, aggressive, or poor frame

Spend countless times approaching dismal goals may make it feel drain and unachievable shame

Compute to set apart durations on focusing SMART goals to eliminate or diminish derive issues

Avoid tear on tissues, establish personal or professional goals working with the SMART method

SMART goals not left wooded behind builds a strong ground basis for reaching successful trials

After explaining how effective sitting and performing this you may still be in denial think to use

Before you blow a fuse hear why you need to put emphasis on SMART goals kept close contact

No con its facts SMART framework paints boundaries and display steps needed to follow thru

Explains resources mandated to achieve and pit stops indicating growth continuing even a few

SMART goals give new perspectives to conquer goals efficiently and effectively if done right

By Casino Blue

February 2022

Eight Categories of Ratio

As a person who conducts business whether a large firm or a small business starting out now

One of the most important things to understand would be financial ratios how their indicators

Signals financial performance of a business and having various kinds of pins picks winner raters

Affirms business results, shares financial risk, and displays operating firm platers gear efficient

Meaningful category of ratios would be liquidity ratio analysis tears close breeze financial hints

Liquidity ratios tend to predict capabilities of a business satisfying financial requirements stints

Leans more towards short-term obligations and secure any short-term debt paying objective since

Turnover ratios analysis is another sort of formula for determining how a business elective sprint

Consider turnover ratios activity signs pointing to how efficient business possession work fluent

Focus procedure and actions use operating profitability ratio speak clear on timely duties meant

Entrepreneurs, firm owners or manager positions estimate profitability spent business efficient act

Business earnings connect to the value of fixed cost as warrant debt balance sheets track its fragility

Ratios and formulas related to this topic are labeled under business risk fragments exhibit agility

Picture how sensitive generated earnings fare against debt found balance sheet extend not a guilt

When filtering terms resonate to examine firm leverage on the company and respect debt repayment

Conducting a business aren’t any breaks in sense meeting owing funds doesn’t let layaway dents

Plotting, tracing, and learning business leverage to content debt a known ratio of financial risk

Commit a willing wrist settles out figuring dividends need to be paid to investors and meet parties

Additional anchors requiring confronting with payments would be interest paid to lenders hearty

Art spree these ratios dictate larger covers assumes improved conditions for firms are coverage

Hover edges over next section ratios for higher positions firm owners, managers, and investors

Coin these ratios under control terms whereas simple name speaks for measure win bless creators

Commonly perform ratio result in management operations creeds business life motion incubators

Control ratios lend review favorable or unfavorable tactics and decision spin cues, level debaters

By Casino Blue

Today Seems Like...

Today seems kind of dim with the rain

When experiencing the droplets causes the remembrance of pain

Yet I hear its god's tears and so it will protect me for all that is vain and evil

See different moments of life when life may be a sequel to what was before

Yet I respect circle tours of life such as in the lion kings and I am a Leo

Be sure free those personality traits each step counting on why not swing against trials

In a dirty world, we reside such vile schemes to dodge out uncomfortable conditions and be alarm

Carry the most protection you can this is America second amendment to bear arms

Spawn saluted affairs but careful from automatics charming the wicked to accept this duty.

As an adolescent looking at miss Liberty from boats sailing on shores can't deny her beauty.

It's our individual mission to develop life fulfilling whether tasting steak at stakes or nurturing fruitfully

No one can explain to your desires and goals only within yourself imagine a root torturing us bullying

Follow paths that grasp your breath inhale destiny also calling on unique skills pulling you and me

As a child follow your dreams continue to achieve those goals placed on you never away flees

Amounting inspirations from six years old in kindergarten being hopeful to remain an M.C.

Learn new words each day gain practice writing sentences eventually turning building raps

The audience admire while clapping hands a sense of change to collect pinches of change forms dollar bills

By Casino Blue

The Science of a God of Many

Poetry 11 of 12collectio

They say there is no Heaven, no Hell, no this & that. Some believe this, some believe that. What is knowledge? What is wisdom? What is Intelligence? Whom designed these dissembled parts in the form of electrons, protons, hydrogen nuclei, which then fuse together-materialize as in a crate or box, & then assemble themselves into a system of programmed law, purpose, design, & balanced complexity? Everyone is just like an ant or a mindless venus flytrap. Tiny Gods & Goddesses.

By Ray F. aka 6God

Pray

Life begins inside

Forgive me if I cry

Treasured tears when we weep

Create your love alive

Who said you’d never go

Where strength is only known

Heal yourself of the paralysis

You are loved you are gold

Forgive your lonely sin

Live ablaze within

Move into and along

Become a reaching psalm

You have me you’re not alone

Learn and love again

Your power is your friend

Upright is riddled in sunlight

Let it be your hopeful soul

Let go of all your ghosts

You matter yes the most

Wave all witnessed their crimes

Its obvious that we’ve cried

Move along and let go

Excitement will unfold

Embrace loves marigold.

By D. Briggs

December 2021

What I Want For Christmas

Deciding on what do I want for Christmas this splendid twenty-twenty-one year

For starters, I would like to get support with embracement in chasing dreams with cheers

To conquer my feelings of failure, begin to enjoy leisurely time invested in ideas

Would like to receive financial help to pay for another LIU program I’m good for It I swear

Another gift would like to get for Christmas would be getting money to buy a car to shift gears

She always paying for cabs here and there spending so much money to get somewhere

Needs an automobile it would be better grocery shopping if it was in her vehicle hums we share

Would love ability get chances to splurge on my mother's gift this time of month to tell her I care

Another important Christmas present I would receive would be my older brother coming here

Knowing him and I had a rough spot at one another to disagree but I hope his best interest yeah

Enough money to purchase him a one-way ticket to New York City to repair his broken esteem

Wasn’t working out the west coast live in Oregon so bring him near though aggravating it seems

All I have at world is my mother, brothers, nieces, and family friends of all ages we are a team

Success stories come true split banks with one another spending on what each other eyes gleam

One best wish for Christmas would be to have a family reunion since relatives spread out deems

Having a whole bloodline close where we talking to each one of them would be a realistic dream

Discuss how is living within current times with a pandemic and lend a shoulder to let out streams

By Casino Blue

October- November 2021

Verse 2 Mindfulness Part 1

The third mindset which is adapted to alpha males would be a feeling to have mindfulness

Spiteful messes trigger asking women, what we’re discussing is pertaining dimes pull a twist

Get her annoyed see her leave your ass no matter how many gems are on your wrist

Mindfulness means practices to key mentally into present moments not just counting wits

Don’t look in shame everyone falls to parallels to allow our minds wander splits away

Granted permitting minds to drift reinsuring it operates, as usual, provides creativity boost to stay

Not knocking minds to shift away from current conditions it entertains a person who goes astray

Certain times guaranteed slip from the present if bored, fit the present mood, and burn focus ashtrays

It’s demanded to concentrate on the immediate environment when it causes be socially situated pays

Lose presence in talkative surrounding rubs wrong way thinking a charming comeback day later

Women won’t bate cha not replying and couldn’t bring forth anything to tell making lost interest

Nervous or not put up on perfect cuddling jabs to return when converse invest yourself mindful

Being present at any moment is a present result alerting beyond aware surrounding bind physical

Isn’t hard read between movements and create judgment off shown emotions in their feels call

Noting actions both verbal and nonverbal can lead a man to counterpoint forget stall be accurate

Knack you with saying f*** Iverson indeed use practice hit precisely on any court playing threes.

By CasinoBlue

Other

By Donald B.

Nightmares Meet Hopes to Dreams

One of the dreams which constantly is dreamt of would be my elevator heading to hell

Each time dreamt it sickens me to the heart all I did was press the bell to head to the basement

Face spent in shock when the elevator says it's on H level then I open the door

The next event known see a hooded figure and then hood comes off to snakes falling to the floor

Wonder nights consistently have dreamed about going under when I’m good tours as I’m pure

Within pores, screams loudly I am not a criminal although connect to corner guys score ensure

Beg mother to insure me in case I fall for the last time breathing my final airwaves sounds silent

Not violent but another dream I have would be a recording studio with an open microphone saw

Hear slight voice saying if the music you want then go after it and chase dreams to you are soar

Shout out loudest raw could ever imagine yelling out and trying to figure out the future fate

Would I rap as hoped when I was a little kid brought up in a man message sorry I am late?

Put soul on the line to speak stories for someone growing and changing could relate to these tales

Tried every occupation and position to do something productive yet I’m pulled into fails until write

Chanel wrongdoing making mistakes as youth turn to pleasure for loved ones make things right

Punches come right, dodge out, and accept left-sided reactions body out of control shows white

Wise ones always said when seeing bright white light inside eyes you are drifting into heaven

Maybe dreams are combined forming one statement suffer negatives in nine three to nine eleven

Conquer any issues beyond me living straight lines on Earth or replaying innocence age seven

By CasinoBlue

Kelis/ Alicia Keys/ Queens Latifah Rhyme

A classic which drop-in time living would be by NAS baby mother Kelis when she did this song

Rhythm and words in mind can’t keep from humming the melody no time, I’m gone I’m caught

The named tune called Caught Out There aka I Hate You So Much Right Now help support of

Love how Kelis lashed out unforgettable woman screaming ballads on a groovy break-up track

Wouldn’t be surprised mention his song it took Kelis to the top of listeners heart it made racks

Missed flack became a reminder of another tune “not gon’ cry,” allow feeling mad accepted

Open flood gate strange tact read between lines end relationship allow single carry, anyone, thru

Hearing Alicia Keys “You Don’t Know My Name” comes upon seventies tasteful ballad déjà vu

While Ms. Keys bellow smooth lyrics absolutely brings back school crushes and daydream views

Before the video came the song was a hit, in midst sleek visuals inserted unforgettable who knew

Will never block out mind or ears when Queen Latifah punch a guy for grabbing privates whew

As Queen Latifah release U.N.I.T.Y to the masses it declared a statement women own their sex

Couple first lines summarize a purpose of song share message and fans stayed didn’t hit next

Females know when they ain’t getting just do’s put it on remarkably way shout out disrespect

For how many times black women and women, in general, get lack of respect daily this interjects

The introspective lesson provides women commendable to confront issues men bring their way

By Casino Blue

The Alien & The Earthling

The unidentified being was standing on the lonely New York City sidewalk outside of a bar. There, he waited in search of someone. The being was at the end of his means and thought maybe he’d find a person here- he was running out of time. Dressed in a khaki trench coat, blue jeans, dark brown boots, and a fedora which matched his footwear to top it all off, the clothes gave him the look of a gritty criminal. Surrounded by short-fenced off trees and yellow lights which made the dog droppings on the floor glow in the night; He heard a commotion inside the lounge. There were no windows but he could see who was stirring things up because he had special eyes.

Albert frequently visited the drinking center of his neighborhood. His apartment was across the street and he basically lived at the bar... He was always dressed in his green and white striped pajamas with flip flops. The bartender was his best mate. Joe said “you’re done for the night, go home and get some rest” as he snatched the pool stick from Albert’s hands before he could beat somebody over the head with it. Albert was a veteran, hardened by the war.

Albert exited the bar and lit a cigarette. The unidentified being approached him. Albert asked how he could be of service to the gentlemen. An aura of hesitation resonated and filled the space between them. The being needed a man of war who was willing to go to hell and back for survival. However, he thought Albert’s drinking made him reckless. “someone as hostile as you- a trained warrior, but you must be able to keep a secret”- The being was thinking out loud to himself. Alberts pajamas contained an army patch which sold his identity as a soldier. Albert responded “I’m a man of law and order. I don’t do contract hits. I won’t whack anyone for you if that’s where you think this is leading. Get lost, I never saw you”. Now the being said within the depths of his intellect “Great! This is perfect! He’s not reckless and he’s able to keep a secret”. The being says out loud this time “I’m from another planet and I need your help”.

Albert flicked his cigarette and began crossing the street. There were no cars or bystanders. The only movement amongst the two was a mellow breeze and the changing of traffic lights which could be seen corner after corner for a mile, from where they were located. All the lights had changed to green as Albert walked and murmured to himself “maybe I should call an ambulance and have him put in an institution”. The alien followed behind him. When Albert noticed he was being trailed, he turned around and attempted to swing at the alien in one simultaneous gesture. Missing the blow, he stumbled and fell to the ground. “This crazy guy!” Albert said in frustration. Lifting his gaze from the cold concrete, he found himself staring at the alien in his true form. Tom, as he’d come to call himself, now had huge eyes filled with blue light seeping out of them, vicious teeth sharper than a katana, tentacles for arms and legs, and his color was a pinkish purple. Tom also had slime oozing down his skin which wasn’t really skin at all. Tom morphed back into a human form right before Albert’s eyes.

Rising from the ground in a newly awakened sense of drunkenness, Albert was experiencing the greatest adrenaline rush he’d ever been through. Even moreso, than when he was escaping as a prisoner of war.

Tom pulled out some heavy sunglasses and put them on because light continued to project from his eyes slightly. As he brought the shades to his face he said “I see your adrenaline levels and heart rate have increased. Don’t be afraid, I am of peace to you and all the Earth”.

Albert continued to his apartment in haste. The alien followed. Albert said to himself “I knew the government had contact with aliens”. Noticing again that the alien was pacing behind him, Albert shouts “What, are you going to invade my house along with my planet!?”. Tom responded “I’ve waited 3 years to find you and no, the government doesn’t have contact with us. That would be a terrible mistake”.

Albert decided to let Tom inside his studio apartment. The place was furnished with nothing more than a yellow beat down sofa and a dirty coffee maker which Albert used to sober up. Albert introduced the Alien to coffee. Indeed, they would both introduce each other to completely different worlds.

Tom began speaking once the drink of the Gods was served “I am from another galaxy which has been conquered by a creation gone ramped. I and a few others managed to escape in time and take refuge in neighboring galaxies. We don’t come to settle but to bring warning. Albert, you and I must infiltrate the highest levels of government and prepare this world for intergalactic war. Trust me when I tell you they are coming and not peacefully. They are attacking galaxy by galaxy with plans of possessing the known universe. We don’t have much time left before they get here”. Albert had a million questions running through his mind but all he could do is stare.

By DestinedWriter

Charismatic Likeness

God’s gift to a few would be having charisma since it is one real surface quality to expect

When given this personality trait would fit performers for its charming, and expressive at peck

Credit charismatic people to be credited life of the party person wouldn’t be shock selected actor

Filing actors with charisma is important performing on stage or on-camera needs retractor energy

Primarily those with higher amounts of energy and shift it to on-screen can gather inner most g’s

Though not each actor may not be extending the most charismatic personality if seeing up close

Automatic charisma by birth will maintain advantages and secure performance tasks chosen

One of the known actresses display a feeling of charisma isn’t token her name, Angelina Jolie

Angels subpoenas hold the key charismatic higher-ups are good at leading having visionary eyes

Charismatic leader has a stance for looking over faults to carry large dreams and work to realize

Feel prized hierarchy looks further than the big picture, what others don’t catch behind a horizon

Pour pride summing up various imaginative ways to produce a successful outcome for all intact

Enacting presence with solid communication is required to convince followers to share a goal

Statement of belief charismatic leaders owns inspiring followers in roles to progress a complete

Calm enough deplete forceful opinion, while soft heart others emotion, ambition, and experience

Rift followers hold must foster charismatic leaders do not force others adapt led style next rinses

Charismatic leader knows when to risk get big rewards and when conservative not ate as blintzes

By Casino Blue

The Parable of the Sorrow: A Ode to Octavia Butler

The views expressed by the individual does not represent Fountain House, its Board of Directors, and the Fountain House community at large. We want to be respectful of all beliefs.

I always wondered but was afraid to challenge social norms; To walk on water per say...

‘There is nothing to fear but fear itself’

Social injustices, war, poverty

But through it all

There is a name above every other name

There is a name. O Jesus! There is a name.

There were other profits (Isaiah, Elijah, Cyrus)

But there is no other name but the name of Jesus.

O! to sit at the feet of the prince of peace

The author and finisher of our fate

The parable of the sower: There will be a great harvest. Will you be ready to reap? He will come knocking. Will you answer?

By Paul C.

TO KNOW

Just when you have lived half a century and think you know everything,

you realize you know nothing

I have often wondered if true love is about giving all you can without

asking in return for anything

Yet now after half a century, I discovered that love is just a very

powerful feeling that nobody can live a happy life without having

to an elder women, it is even just seeing everything sparkle clean and

not having to wipe even a counter for crumbs or some other thing

or seeing everything perfectly organized and never having to see

anything cluttered or something

then i realized that what makes us feel love changes all the time as

we age, and it is not just one thing all the time but constantly

changing

so the answer to what is love depends on you and what arouses your

feeling of love and is to you exciting

I guess my best advice is to do more of those things that arouse our

feelings of love in our lives and not live a whole life just trying to

give and not asking

how little did I know about love when I thought that just giving would

get people to love more and love you back in return without even

asking, so ask for what is important to you also within logic and not

wait for other's misunderstanding

as for others, if you wish to make them happy, do the things they

think are important and arouse them with logic and make their lives

more full and loving

so be wise, my friend, andpay lots of attention to your soul and try

to enjoy life more doing things you like and not forget about living

or you'll always regret not remembering to do all the things you like

and arouse your feeling of love and only living to give but having no

gratification or love, living only to do the hard work.

By Mario F.

Goodnight My Hidden Child

By Donald Briggs

May-Sept 2021

Poor vs. Rich

Verse 1

Comparing rich people to lower wealth individuals the latter has a harsh time when it comes to life

First off a poor person’s live under rifle dwellings in search of manageable paying residence to start

Let it be known a guarantee within urban areas, such as public housing named projects art waiting list

Many families must be patient it’s a residing skill since affordable housing can take a year or more wish

Wealthy people never face timelines which lower class families turn below fair or dangerous home bliss

Besides making do with bottom list apartments poor try to count on relatives welcoming or live streets

Repeated attempts at using one-hundred-thirty-three dollars value of food stretch a monthly usage base

Roughly stated amount is generally the average food stamps benefit a person receives per month faces

If broken down into number of days a normal month has it represents four dollars thirty-eight cent fee

Oblige tips to a T how many people live in a household amount isn’t easy, impoverished kins elsewhere

Dealt not for self but swear to give nutrient to adolescents guardians turn to subsist on poor quality net

Met with difficult decisions below standard financial families don’t choose poor groceries only fitted buy

Encaged by price people suffer food models that subsidizes processed pick, thus makes artificially cheap

Being to craft a career that fluent with monetary gains allowed to reap natural sources within their food

The havers provide better circumstances for next generation but treat poor folk rudely place to eat bad

Those civilians with cash dine at finer location than lower financial stats are glad to afford happy meals

Verse 2

Often a person who lives on lower income may have no other option but to skip a meal is a vibe felt

Whether make do with what’s available some nights might be sugar sandwiches or dollar pizza secure

Examine statistics one in six Americans are food deprived and have no stable food cycle leads insecure

Got a talent find yourself playing concerts in subway trails with a tin can scoring donations to keep store

Many find themselves whoring out abilities just to collect smalls amounts to eat if not go without in core

Ignorance of wealthy person in powerful positions would be unfortunates bore a attitude of being lazy

Oh contrary hazy vision of poor people seems to be something upper class holds on to believe is a fact

Spit bars to fill-in those bullshit lies for lower class tend to work acts longer and more complex than rest

Children living under poverty grow up to manage themselves since parents always at work bless or curse

Worst prone to struggles having eighty percent of impoverished families produce at least a parent works

Households under low means sixty percent carry at least one parent in full time jobs to eat food on forks

Bubble rich lives in confidence must allow cork to be pop the deprive work longer than job creators

Human known to be from a wealth creed grader, forty-four percent get up three hours prior job starts

Yet three percent of poverty workers wake up three hours before job begins, true as informational part

Results in study can be taken differently the poor have an art performing multiple positions piled on top

Operating in this fashion duties for job one lets a person relax three hours before readying second crop

By Casino Blue

Alone Time

Being alone, is it bad or is it good? The experience of both, I say try--one should.

A little bit of both in balance brings peace.

Understanding of finding your place, together the strings piece. Do you need to be alone to become great finding yourself, or do you need the crowd to define your wealth? Trouble comes more abundantly in stress, being to nice, & so utterly trusting. Are you laughing with your killer you did nothing to? Or is she out to destroy you associating? Alone-alone, I reminisce, that I've been through alot of shit.....

By 6God aka Ray F.

The Meaning of Roses by Color

All color of roses mean something and is appropriate to be shared for various occasions.

Ok let us not go vacation when it comes to white roses begins its travels from lightest to dark.

Catch glimpses of a white rose produce commitment marriages and new beginnings embark

Silent white roses beauty can allude gestures of remembrance for ones buried in future parks

Look at Bryant Park it was a place to lay dead before related others to park and peep out movies

Times when families brought out reverends white roses used to praise a friend, and groves family

It’s a blessing to see white roses when kin expand with in-laws instead hands over am at finality

Goes leg of lamb and enter a spiritual vinyl sees St. Patrick’s new journeys or say your goodbye

White roses unfiltered usually signifies respect, tributes homages for new starts out hooded eyes

Ties in expressions wishing hopeful and prosperous future looking forward to current days worst

Event where we pull out hearses needing pastors twelve white roses say Thought of you in mind

Only right to have white roses be present significance of purity, chastity and innocence reminds

Dime ivory roses are symbolic as off-white colors which displays and acknowledges dark shades

Blades of sight hatch it to be a cream or eggshell hue ivory roses frequently is interpreted elegant

Ivory transitioning from white offers a presentation very few L’s causes calmness embeds luxury

Staring ivory roses result deluxe definitions of charm and considered a great gift anyone receives

Can’t deceive choosing ivory roses for person personality who screams exquisite taste and styles

Ivory rose create a meaning someone know another who cares meanwhile no trace romantic do’s

Those living around alert newcomers yellow roses truly symbolized jealousy and greed at heart

Currently yellow roses meaning revamped to correlate friendship and start caring for another one

Similar how warm sunflowers sunders giving a friend these roses provided warmth and affection

Affects swung toward pleasant surprise of symbolic grander way to present a particular delight

Yellow roses may regard highlighted memories and a warm thought or token appreciated people

Equals yellow roses and ivory roses having positive vibes such as charm, luxury, care and friend

By Casino Blue

March/ April 2021

Below

Raindrops

Whiffers of rain should note by now precipitation actually doesn’t comes in “drop” forms

Warm up to notions “raindrops” definition of rain aren’t accurate more of a misnomer concluded

Scientist given end terms rain is not exactly made into a teardrop minds get bonded in lieu theory

Dare fiery research raindrops comes to be on window panes and landing on lands for sprawling

Water molecules tend lessen and gathers other water molecules within atmosphere before falling

From rainwater begin to drop it transforms into a more-or-less spherical design Spalding feature

Rainwater starts creature closer to land it meets air pressure which flattens lower pieces of a drop

Once event of rainwater conditions with air pressure results taking angles to hamburger bun tops

Milestone that is set always succeed to a new record such as United States twenty-four-hour prop

An example of this would be amount of rain poured down on one city was hopped over recently

Imagine a day in July 1979 a Texas town known as Alvin prevent seen Tropical Storm Claudette

Roars met sounds as frightening alongside paws of it poured a shocking forty-three inches of rain

Pains of Alvin community were near proximately to Houston just south of big city held a record

Accords of historical mark lasted there for most rainfall within United States twenty-four hours

Honors town holding this title was surpassed in April of twenty-eighteen a city Hanalei powder

Hanalei a part of Hawaiian towns which collected forty-nine-point-sixty-nine inches flower rain

Under many cities, towns, and vicinities of the world praises raindrops as value to money same

Places around globe may even entertain enormous worth on rain look at African nation Botswana

Take into context currency transfer in this nation is called Botswanan pula clouts you wanna see

Remain with this idea the word “pula” has a definition attached to it being crowned “rain” to be

In consideration use of the word “pula” tending to dominant currency traded display importance

Rain impotent hence the nation predicting how valuable and glamorous rain plays in sub-Saharan

Surprised how raindrops rubs off to traded dollars saw and ran up on this ideal relation meaning

How do my talents with writing greet hip-hop society deeming keep cash flow remain liquidated

By Casino Blue

Thoughts on 3/25/2021 at 3:40 pm in New York

What scares me is coming out of my comfort zone and bettering a new skill a train of thought

If I succeed in making any parts of a new program to enlighten feelings of all kinds of sorts into word

Order of me finally being somebody brought here me to not to be forgotten but heard with sights

Taking pieces of my life and forming into some amount of art from listeners excuse my mood it’s a fight

Combat between my heart, mind, and soul I wouldn’t want to raise the youth under my type of growing

Knowing just well if I spit a bar or two of negative reactions how damaging it can be to younger ages

Of I would love to perform on the stage singing my thought and ideas away to escape to a better living

Have enough dough to support at least ten Thanksgivings at once just of the cuff of my wrist swings back

Collect thoughts being hated no other reason but making something out of my life place me on stacks

Dollar racks Dollar over another cramming my bank account into choices of when, where, how and cost

Toss away low self-esteem to be something standing on red carpets speaking to reporter’s Q’s about me

Be all that I can be without a military title but standing to entertain people from fires of destruction

Hear a calming voice to illude to excellent times ahead as I inspire those to follow dreams the construct

Cons luck to be created into a made man slates clean demeanor all praise was given to a leader at most

Pictures taken all self no demons close corners no cops arrestment of a true rider ambition connect 2Pac

To unlock insecurities in search of best MC of them all promises to never go astray of remembrance to it

Split between decisions go the right way or curve left wit hammers pointed at all challengers that fits

Lifts pull up G strings on heavy equip making boomer vibes always beyond says A poker faces if that odd

Long and behold my problems with rejection either a job, a college department, or even a spouse

When love runs dry arguments begin to appear lost understanding and love no in the air of the house

Before was like wonderland what a way cherishing as a hero but now six red flags no Mickey Mouse

Douse me into flames of having affairs with other ladies as an adolescent I was a shame to speak to girls

Grew lack of confidence to speak to women and have a companion for the hours of my life twirl weeks

As weak become months and months become years of insanity not accepting I am at bottom of attract

I must retract how I am perceived to one day create a seed that is adjacent to me hold the worlds best

While I was looking to become a hoodlum in life and saying they grow to be too I can’t its life vest

Caress their minds for something more go beyond my doors of a master to reach a DR send trips D.R

Dominican Republic is where they travel once they are doctors comprehend counting Trinidad our lands

I play Tony Mont far from Cuba but even sweet T and T wildlife is rampant people go missing days strand

Carnival in Trinidad is one of the greats but how I can attend one if I don’t know updates about ways

I tend to grant a wishful relationship between me as a Yankees and their actions to be on the island

Outgoing something I need to be I’ll lend a hand assist of mine to greet immigrants from past waters sea

By Casino Blue

Flower

The petal of the rose

The scent of the flower

The dew on the leaves

The feel of the soil

The reaching for the sun

And the roots in the ground

My hearts desire

Is to gaze at the flower

By Karl S.

Smitten

Smitten is what smitten does

Is it the kiss on the cheek

Or the feel of your hand

Is it your magical smile

Or the way that you laugh

Is it your heartbeat

Or your head on my chest

That leaves me so smitten with you

By Karl S.

Childhood

Those years near and dear

Where hath thy gone

I look and what do I see

A man staring back at me

Shy and timid true

But with love to give

And a life to lead

Years pass life goes on

What is the past to me

A reminder

Or lesson

Ever onward I say

The future yet unwritten

By Karl S.

Oma and Opa

This ones for you

For guidance and wisdom

For the lessons of life

For paving a way

The bitterness of struggle

The sting of defeat

Yet ever onward in hope

A better world for all

A world of peace

And brotherhood of man

Solidarity for all

This lesson I'll keep

Life is worth living

Love conquers all

The world is worth fighting for

By Karl S.

Thrifting

The art of the find

The thrill of the search

Around every corner

A new spot to find

The treasure I want to be mine

A dress, a blouse

Oh what will it be it be

The perfect item

Staring right back at me

From here to there

To everywhere

Find it I must

Find it I will

Oh the joy of thrifting everywhere

By Karl S.

Who am I to you

Friend, foe, colleague

There is a sadness to my soul

Ever present

Like the pain of a sting

That doesn't go away

Who am I to you

Will I be missed if never there

Who am I to you

A touch of kindness

A friendly laugh

A sweet embrace

Who am I to you

A nothing

A passing thought

The one excluded

Who am I to you

The one that's needed

Or the useless one

When it all said and done

At the end of our road

The one not forgotten

Is what I wish to be to you

What the heck I bought myself a journal, I think I found a hobby I like.

By Karl S.

If God Was a Black Woman

If God was a black woman, then what is the devil to her?

Was Satan a lover of hers that scorn held possession of pure?

If God was a black woman, how does she feel about the civil rights fifties’ décor?

Were she able to send righteous members connected to her, leave heaven to restore

Build a new day, no longer whites and blacks only believe to ensure equality

Be qualitative to a tee on measuring which race is dominant on Earth’s surface

Surf traces of waves her own looking over shoulders and no chances to the legal occupation

Being denied better nutrient or live better instead of projects own vernacular patient captions

If God was a black woman, is possible to be our captain guiding us through not to drown

If god was a black woman, how does she feel that her own racial kind are gunned down in streets

Not only police enforcement but numbers brought with you either a six or a five that’s sweet

God was a black woman, does she hold Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglas voyage not repeat

If god was a black woman, why she put altercation of Rosa Parks to stir momentum not losing the seat

God was a black woman, how to create beauty as Christmas spirit but replace other days with triple K’s

As the saying goes, life’s a bitch, then you die, but why must black males cook under Pyrex earn a K or two

If there’s God who happens to be a black woman, why aren’t there educated adults in the profession too?

Why most if not majority of blacks considered hoodlum, hoes, or thug never preachers and doctors true

If God was a black woman as she made only a few mortal men attractive to be sex man alive be reviewed

How come some blacks feel like they are handpicked to live a life of glamour while others spew re-ups

God was a black woman, why we are as black males combating you white full opportunity black half cups

If God a black female, why has it as legend tells most historical figures to seem to be white men in clump

Shouldn’t we question historical parts of the world, find out if true identities were fixed to fit assumptions?

If God was a black woman, why must I shed more tears for ages, around those breathe quick get slumped

Understand struggles in innocence with a fork dot road keep getting denied ends or go out with pumps

If God was a black woman, why does it feel the importance of black love losing have jump taken interracial

Not difficult to comprehend black women, pick whoever they find interesting, but watch their facials

Many faces of desperation mainly of color who says its right not given fair shot fates shall begin

God a black woman, how does most billionaires happen to bring creamier feat trends send us vocational

If god was a black woman, how does it look for remainders should roller skate government stations?

Stated nationals of abuse to minds of grown black men killed with knees on a neck not to breathe

Tell us it’s appropriate to grieve sorrows of inequality where it’s not equivalence does not propel cameo.

God’s a black woman, but still official protectors throw tear gas in crowds for leaders to make cameos.

By Casino Blue

Passion and Empathy

To be an entrepreneur, a potential business owner must feel passion to conquer an over the firm's topic.

Passion won’t stop its hidden trick needed driving motivation to pursue and produce motives.

As a person chasing a thought, a person lived reasons to decide on acting to propose a spell.

Imperative to carry along with dreams become passionate surrounding the ideas.

Be focused and excited to get momentum for a new reality from a conjured-up thought process cell.

Aiming for anything life especially to make a better day for oneself, never fell against deaf ears.

Sometimes it may be easier to go after a dream with a couple of dollars behind you, family cheers.

Having family members backing and willing to spend hours working long days, tonight glares

Once a person’s business starts to form, passion glow flares in a person’s investor, pitch paces

Chase opportunities of improvement must be more than enough reason to wake up the crack of dawn.

Desire to obtain a fair hand at becoming more than what a person already is, can never bore yawns.

Marketing would flourish just as long baring passion and pride in a person’s work even Juwan’s hired.

Simply having a particular passion will take a lead as a foundational key towards higher success acting.

Not tackling an enthusiastic, eager, and a slight obsessive for the business they won’t go far as others.

A second trait entrepreneur requires an empathy as a leader when customer enjoyment goes southern

Great business operators understand and perceive consumers’ emotions to respond to hover mistakes.

Wrist might break into light-ups with a few diamonds around the whole body just retain sweeps.

Important for business runners to keep intact empathy transfers over to general better procedures.

Entrepreneurs are similar to money racers; proceeds remain in heavy pocket holders, adoring

Leader having behavior according to shopper’s concerns, since they had identical happening

Trepanning at its idlest capabilities capture environment from perspective seen by buyers crucial

Owner of businesses has the privilege to examine the crew, shall thru rehearsals

Empathy triggers better collection of funds, it allows sellers to comprehend its struggles of target

Product or service suppliers become relevant as stars gated on markets, how our offers end its issues

Tissues get brought out for a grand whenever hi-depth empathy hatches productivity or innovation

By Casino Blue

A Smile

A Smile

A Smile to light the Heavens

A Smile to take away My Sorrow

A Smile that beckons to me

Saying this Smile is just for you

By Karl S.

I Think of You

I think of you in the corners of my mind

When I'm at peace and no one can see

I think of you in the chilly air with the wind howling all around

I think of you next to the fire when the warmth surrounds my body

I think of you in the quiet moments when I put my mind at ease

I think of you

Karl S.

Once There Was

Once there was a way to go

Filled with hope and joy

Once there was a place to sleep filled with solace and peace

Once there was a belly to feed

Filled with pudding and bread

But now there is a life to lead

By Karl S.

Bicycle Therapy

Ride away into the sunset on a bicycle journey--I ride away, pedaling focused, my stress & thoughts I hide away. Music in my ears for the moment, feeling, & time. Everyone clueless to my vibes 'in another world that's mine. Downhill feels like an oasis, all your worries fadeaway. The uphill journey a battle conquered, made the day. Some ride alone, some with friends. As long as we all feel accomplished in the end.

By Ray F. aka "6God"

January/February 2021

Below

A Dream of a Dream

A memory long forgotten

Yet lingering

The pain of the past

Once a reminder

Now a long forgotten truth

Time passes and life goes on

Determining a purpose

In the uncertainty of now

Life, like waves in an ocean

Never ending

Yet all must one day end

Love and the gift of giving

Deeply felt

For this we move forward

In the eternity of time

To make our mark

We must live

And love

By Karl S.

Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day nice holiday should be noted to act as cheesy as we want during the celebration.

Cheesy like cheddar melted on a Philly cheesesteak layered Provolone shredded top smells great

As humans, we give flowers to ones we need before it's too late a chance to stress points of love.

Whether to send white doves into the sky rise above to see or spending over your means to treat her

Opportunity repeats three simple words to our partner which are “I Love You” eight thou heard

Smooth jazz, ballads, or R&B music to get both of us in the mood to completely hear every word

Prancing herds, kitchen prepare a special evening ahead no matter how shameful play love music

Amusement offering handmade or store brought cards to friends displaying how much our caring

Empathic women, I never knew to spot their frowns for being alone best times stop their tearing

Hidden cornball scheme seen into coming scenes showing flattery weighs heaviest on Valentine

Balance line New York Americans we are raised overboard attitudes irony to don’t give a f**k

A special day allows people tuck our attitudes present all f**ks given and speak from their heart

Essentially our partners’ showcase the art of affection throws away nonchalant pickup butterflies.

Why argue to relive puberty and awkward moments within emotion inside shutter all lies to tell

Let guard down what’s not to cherish a particular day thinking ways to make partners smile well.

Crews rather thread blue lining hues even those of true must respect red fourteen, not a hard sell

By Casino Blue

School Day

(After anonymous)

To school we make our silent way

My escort’s face stony and grim,

The bowl of her mind so full beyond me,

This child, her consciousness’ weighty,

persistent burden,

an orbiting satellite held yet tenuously in her dutiful love’s gravity.

I see myself as I think she would,

a kneeling silhouette framed in the bus window,

floating in the pool of morning’s royal blue light,

as if in prayer,

watching the day rise to its commotion.

Years gone, it’s still as though she’s waiting for the bus to stop,

to pull me from canvas and send me further adrift,

quietly eager to cast off motherhood,

to disappear from one wavelength of the world’s vision,

and I, ready to vanish from her scrutiny.

But her voice, her presence is only my memory.

In the classroom then,

my mother’s angry voice played in the background,

forcing the distortion,

teacher and children blurring and hushed into the distance,

drowned out by her anger.

And suddenly she and I are alone,

my eyes fixed downward,

guilty heat rising in my face,

the injurious percussion of her raised voice in my eardrums

and some household item ruined

to match my broken spirit,

until the vision fades.

Time and again, I wash ashore on the unfriendly moment,

lost in the cries of other children,

fallen drowsy in the roar of my worlds.

Unvoiced sadness interrupting the laughter,

the frayed ends of my raw emotion branched and frozen.

On trips, I see my open hand unanswered and chapped by loneliness,

others recoiling.

From the back, I can look beyond the twin lines,

hand anchored reluctantly in an adult’s grasp.

Drawn unwittingly, I swim between day and dream.

And sometimes unexpectedly the sun shines on me and,

blinded by my reflected brilliance,

warmed in its rays,

for everything that I am, I am forgiven.

By Nathaniel

Imagination

Imagination, where does it come from? Whom puts these thoughts in our brains, or shall I rather say, in our computer. Dream, 'dream we stream away, in thoughts asleep & some awake. I wonder where that world is eyes closed, awake indulged within a reverie of seconds eyes froze. Numbers of power everywhere I elevate, dig deeper excavate. Spiritually gone, 'time travel, mind through portals, imagination, mind 'few--mortals.

By "6God" aka Ray F.

Who Am I?

I feel like my souls crying inside me

and my body serves to hide me

Me, Who am I? That's who I am

Nothing, like emptiness to the glass, clear and see through

But then I see you

and I feel something different, very different, I am alive,

no longer identified with the world and my body that's in it

in this story of mine your light brightly shines and illuminates my sight, my eyes, my heart, and my mind.

Let the strangers on the street walk by

Some are ruff, some are sweet

Nonetheless we're all with the supreme

Being is something I learn

Being is something of grace

Being has been given and it exceeds every place

Don't sweat, don't fret. Tomorrow is today and yesterday never fades

Be yourself and you won't have to remember, it's impossible to forget. Sometimes we're reminded but then move on to what's next.

Ain't nothing I can't be as long as I embrace the unseen, that's me- who I am. Who are you?

By DestinedWriter

Shopping

You never really know when or with what intensity the spirit might grab you. Especially with

today's coronavirus-restriction induced yearnings.

While at the supermarket I saw (one of ) the check out ladies with whom I have struck up a little

banter and intrigue. To the degree that that's possible on the check out line. On a whim, from

one of the aisles I selected a beautiful bouquet of flowers from those that are sold there. At the

checkout conveyer belt I arranged my shopping in such a way that it would be the last thing she

touched, therefore still holding it in one hand while she gave me the receipt with the other.

When I didn't take them (the pretty flowers) off her and informed them they were for her, she

smiled and seemed delighted. Either that or polite, who knows?? Then, as is customary and

advisable in these matters, before anything else could transpire between us, I made a

hasty/immediate exit although admittedly with some small swagger in my step. Outside I

stopped for a moment and turned up my collar against the brutal, cutting wind. Then I kept it

moving, and morphed into the throng of hurrying people on the sidewalk. Indistinguishable from

all the rest.

By Declan M.

1/29/21

Living in the Present

Being present at the moment means that I defeated Satan plan of having me die young.

As much of breakfast with coffee and how I could swallow my tongue or stuck choke spots.

But yet I’m still alive to see today’s morning sunrise and plot how to live my second chance.

An outlook on life be an artist rope words paint it to you as Bob Ross at first heard or glance.

I’m taking the stance today to decide on losing weight for it is troubling to be overweight or obese.

Sometimes I wonder if I am going to be the next victim of police violence since I’m larger in life.

Where I’m from its very trife people a few steps from their front door and next thing their demise doom.

Feelings I share with you is sent through my heart, mind, and soul of stories told long ago in my room.

Shouts and laugh come right after one another ever since twenty-fifteen being bipolar bloom mental.

Sentimental about life after death wonder what Pac said was true does heaven have a ghetto up top.

Knowing any day could be my last from the simplest act but fighting to collect a nice drop with rims.

New York’s very own see from toes on up to blue jeans, a polo shirt, and even wearing a Yankee brim.

Must stay clean and fresh like many other days in living within this place called Earth facial hair trims.

Never shaking in those luxury boots that one twenty a pair stood to all evils never shaking in my Tim’s.

Didn’t collect a doctorate yet in my world of schooling but at the same time a Master never dims.

Slim choices whether dribble a ball, tribble stores fronts or learn how to riddle a bar or two make it out.

By Casino Blue

Love

Love. What is love? One of the most famous words within history, books, & life. An amazing word it is; it's motivating, defying, dangerous, & all in all--the solution to hate.

Are we supposed to love everyone, just a few, just or family, or just one person? Love powerful, more so even than image & flesh. knowledge comes, & surely will go, but love is the greatest of all.

By 6God aka Ray F.

Ten Slang Terms

Imagine, I rap around blocks as if its Tetris timelines of a game pull from archives

Archives of my slang have been expressed through writing such as “I hate to see it.”

High fates to twos split top being a connect combo of cringe and disappointment

Haters say hi while I reply with a smile of charm meet this appointed blessing

Meaning behind “I hate to see it” suits as a reaction lessening than favorable situ

Capture a friend dog life like a shih tzu started hustling got caught red-handed

Life behind bars not talking a rhyme but metal plates dreading you reprimanded

Perfect “I hate to see it” ace bandage with a sigh and empathic shrug recommendation

“Ok Boomer” phrase wrecking an old mandated whose dated back to baby boomers

Triggered off drama when its placed on social media for dismissing gloom blurs

Millennials as young-ins adopted this phrase to disrespect a room full of grey furs.

Notice if elders degrade you to say their line “when I was your age” youth spurs

Complain they did things differently such as going outside and use books that were used

Accusing young crowds have nothing to do with time but stare at screens gems

Calls for a response including “Ok, Boomer” belted flam at them with sass or clever

Leaves levered respect and even better toward a rebuttal to fight our beliefs

Grief being understood by all may seem like stressful positions keep it a light tap

Jibes by the other sides it pertains to these coins we collect certain ni&#as tab caps

Categorizing statements as having a “cap” means it falls on the breath of a lie

Try referencing “cap” in moments of skepticism approaching a person who caps

Just announce the person is “capping” or claim it to be one hundred “no cap”

Real ni&#as will throw on “no cap” as a method of their legitimacy on statements

Pushed to the end of your wits fate meant, text a Yankee cap can relate contempt

Contemplating if someone is keeping to authentic truths listen out “that’s a fact”

Question my originality and you’ll be seen on edges of a plaque within the “trap”.

“Basic” is simplistic slang phrase that has held its ground to map out the test of time.

Popularity of the term remains dominant but not as vibrant when it first took to lines.

Defined reverted to usually portray anything that is drastically mainstream refined

Drop of a free dime something could flow from greatness then turn into self-demise

Spoken should be taken as degrading reaction confirmed with some rolling eyes

Don’t look down on term “retweet” since rings sly bells developed through minds

Binds of bringing up this “retweet” now is coherent on repasting someone post wrote

Study how 2020ers quote “retweet” means a distinction of actual act to art of agreeing

Once thoughts provoke others welcoming certain degrees of honor just say “retweet”

Occasions shorten words benefits getting a jest in a story speak once catches on repeats

Why stretch out labels for anything practice this habit outfits transform into just “fit”

Grow bonds with others attached to a specific circle can be an advantage burden lifts

Allows more communication by abbreviating items wonder taking “out” becomes “fit”

Compliment appears updated on times we live praise a wardrobe pick becomes nice “fit”

Ball on any prominent court whether Gucci cloth rag to Construct Timbo’s wits amazed

First you must crawl, then walk, then jog, then run dealing with mazes of sending out text

Next term issued throughout 2020 would be another abbreviation with two letter “F.R”

Two alphabets signify a common phrase which referee saying “for real” simple way

Carries multiple definitions including to place power behind you are waving truths.

“F.R” should be thrown in conversations to question clarity of story told by ruth’s

Excellent suggestion not to voice this vocab out loud to others shaped to boost text

Vex at something, someone as celebrities or a brand announce unofficially “canceled”

Public figure steps out of line with scandals or produce a problem bans their sells reign

“Canceled” kept previous meaning on trains and T.V shows, but now has wider effect

Ninth word which needs to be defined would sound familiar to you called, “clout”

Read about its definition through Oxford Dictionary pertains to power and influence

Sins of taboo speaking figurately can be sick as flu what is brought up hence popular

Understanding hold of term “clout” online doesn’t stray far from detail prop your bar

Instigates how key stars act and events to occur whether negative or positive outcome

Evolves establish phrase “clout chaser” in addition to “clout chasing” drum scout fame.

Current game for Youtubers and influencers are aiming more followers or clout chances

Album advance, promotion of movies or in general depends on social media followers

Not giving a f&%k when living life carelessly bring in fans who pay exuberant dollars

Scholars frustrated with making grade A but never doubt me “and I oop” into aerial clouts

Thank Jasmine from RuPaul’s Drag Race suggested term “and I oop” hoop non fails ball out

Taken from a time Jasmine started approaching sentence right before hurting herself no pout

Routes of a beginning sentence was abruptly cut down and here lays birth of “And I oop”

Terms referrers to complement a blunder of words none said such as having phone droops

By Casino Blue

The End Times

By Rich Courage

It was a long time coming, the End Times. But when it happened, it happened fast. Mankind, we called

ourselves. Should’ve been Mancruel. See, over the centuries, we’d managed to kill ourselves in war after

selfish war, but the wars were only the obvious evils. Mankind’s demise came from the subtle evils.

Pollution. Overpopulation. And greed. Lots of greed.

Humanity did a number not just on ourselves, but on our poor planet as well. We fouled the air, poisoned the waters and raped the land. Basically, like pigs, we crapped all over everything and ourselves as much and as often as we could. But we weren’t just a few pigs in a pen. Then came the

virus.

Some folks, few that are left, say it came from a lab in China. That the Billionaires arranged it all to profit off the resulting pandemic, ‘cause profit they sure did. Others say it was Mother Nature’s way of saying, “You want to screw with me? I’ll show you mutts who your mama is!” Some say it was just God showing his dissapointment. Me? I could care less. I just know that things are way different now. Simpler. Cleaner. And I like it fine.

For instance, Long Island has bears. Queens has deer. Brooklyn has coyotes. The Bronx? The Bronx is a wasteland. Some things never change. And Manhattan? Manhattan has me. The few folks that are left in Manhattan, they call me Wolfbearer. Mainly cause I wear a vest made from a wolf I killed some years back. Hated to do it, but it was him or me. I preferred me. I run with a pack of dogs I rescued from an abandoned A S P C A. They protect me and I find us food. Healthiest relationships I’ve ever had. Unconditional love.

The end of the world had to happen in order for me to care about another living soul enough to die for. Go figure. Its a pretty good life. Simple and pretty much drama free. There are some goofballs around, scavengers and such. They steer clear of me and the mutts. Once in a while, some of them get the courage to try and steal from us. It never ends well for them. Woof woof.

Each night, the mutts and I head up to the roof garden I built on top of the Belasco theater. Vegetables, fruits. No flowers. The murder hornets killed off all the bees. I usually barbeque. Roasted peppers and deer meat, if hunting was good. Then we lay out on the roof and watch the stars come out. The full moon shines and is reflected in the now crystal clear Hudson river. The breezes are sweet and smog free. In winter, the mutts and I relocate to a townhouse on the upper west side where we keep a nice, roaring fire in the fireplace. It’s a good life. How’d things get to this you ask?

Well, it sort of started during the short tumultuous term of our last President. The smirker, I call him. He fomented great divisions in America, fanned the flames of racism, and general hatred of anybody different. Half the people loved him, half hated him, and in the end it didn’t matter. The Smirker was just a distraction. A patsy. For who you ask? The billionaire boys club. The mega rich men who built

civilization, and tore it all down when they got tired of it.

See, the boys, the secret kings of the world, figured if Americans were busy fighting each other, they wouldn’t notice the end of the world was coming. The Boys figured that, with overpopulation, humanity was headed for extinction, and the boys decided to save themselves. Sure, they could’ve made cold fusion public, and that would have maybe stopped global warming, but what to do with all the damned people? Ah, but a virus! That was the ticket. Reduce humanity to a much more manageable size and start over from scratch. With the Boys in charge of course, as always. So, the Boys built remote, mini cities. Cold fusion. Bio domes full of genetically engineered crops. Billions of animal DNA samples to clone when the world got up and running again. Geothermal heating, hydro cooling systems.

In a few hundred years, civilization would be starting over, and the Boys would rule the world, as usual. The more things change, the more they stay the same, eh? And there’s us. The immune. A handful of colorful characters who, through some quirk of genetics, lived through the virus. All 7 waves of it. We survive in different ways. Some hunt, fish and live off the land. Some scavenge. Me and the mutts, we do a little of both. I know a hundred different ways to make chili taste like a gourmet meal. Plenty of food left in the city from when almost everyone evacuated/fled for the hills. But there are places the mutts and I steer clear of. Alphabet City. What’s left of Chinatown. Washington Heights. Especially the heights.

See, a troop of boy scouts, all of whom had been sexually abused, formed a nasty little tribe and claimed Washington Heights as their own. Their head scoutmaster, an ex Navy Seal, turned them into a band of survivalists. They set themselves up in the Cloisters. Folks who try to pass through there are never heard from again.

What do I do with my time, you may ask. Me? I drive a Hummer when I’m not racing the electric blue porsche up park avenue. I wear FuBu, L.L .Bean and Air Jordans. I carry a flashlight, compound bow and arrows, knife that would make Crocodile Dundee proud, a thermos full of honey mead(I had a pagan girlfriend once) and a bag of treats for the mutts. I sing rock operas at the Met in Lincoln Center. I shred metal on electric guitar at Carnegie Hall. When I strum the high C, the Mutts go wild.

I get lonely once in a while, but to tell you the truth, I prefer the mutts to people. They listen. They play. They love in a pure, innocent, passionate free way I’ve never encountered in my 60 years on this beat up planet. And who knows? I keep up the guitar solos, maybe one day I’ll be discovered.

Short Poems (separate poem at each break)

Three dragonflies are on the water,

Wings so fast they seem still,

Weaving together, then falling away.

The sparrow wheels and

Alights, flashing its wings

And hopping, its head turned curiously,

Taking the world in.

A frayed leaf blowing in the wind

Pretends to be a butterfly,

Falling to the ground

And becoming what it is.

Waves are hushing in the trees

Leaves like shimmering water

Wind, an unseen current in the branches

Animating the landscape.

-Nathaniel

Corona Shapeshifting

Corona is shapeshifting how businesses work in New York

People wonder keeping food on their fork without chalk lines

Same game played within America rich get richer and poor pine

Middle- and lower-class sending prayers to pay bills fine.

Escape morals or rules its wild wild west out here f*** cop fines.

Metro prime back on August 31^st until people head to the back spots

Do not take as if its Rosa Parks just lot safer for MTA workers only fair

Tons of people wait on lines get food for supper while rich wear fox hair

Children deserve healthy meals for dinner despair faces look at cereal boxes.

Aftermath of pandemic is likely Americans will break locks of operations.

Managers aid subordinates on options to perform preparation task at home

Workers roam around to enter offices boss ‘fingers press on them slight

Configure spending time between work at home or headquarter sites

Heights of plight work at office location could transform to resemble status

Stakes involve a superior symbol slim chances bolt fact at times stay hush

Called out from home order to perform in arm’s length of boss elbow brush pass

By Richard C. 10/1/2020

Finding New Joy in Philosophizing

The relationships one creates at Fountain House are extremely important, not just in the present time, but for one’s future as well.

Case in point, my friendship with Jeff A., former External Affairs officer of Fountain House.

Recently, Jeff invited me to take a course with him titled “The Joy of Philosophizing” at the East Side Institute in Manhattan. The course began during COVID--online of course! -and quickly it became an eye opener. It gave me new insight into myself, philosophy and even political activism.

Comprised of two discussion leaders, and twenty-four students, including Jeff and myself, we, the class, really did, on a weekly basis, experience the joy of philosophizing, although I must say that we experienced the pain of it, too.

Though we all seemed to agree that the world is in a bad place and needs to be changed, the struggle for all of us was how to figure out the way to go about changing it without being too ideological, simplistic and impatient.

Though the class was composed of people of many races and various walks of life, I seemed to hold the darkest views, because, up until now, I’ve been a marxist and panicked and an impatient one at that.

Like everybody else in the group,I believe in the possibility of change, but unlike most of the participants, I am not optimistic about change coming without a world struggle, and is I said in the last class, if we want change, we have to deal with the fact that some people in the world do not want change--at least not progressive change. As a result, we have to expect a vicious fight in which the opponents of progressive change, namely the neo nazis and other right-wing extremists have to be “defeated”.

There was complete silence in the room for a few minutes after I said that,not because I had convinced everyone of my view ,but because I had shut down the discussion with the traumatic idea that the philosophizing may have to stop while we go out to fight the good fight against people who are invincibly stubborn and ignorant..

Gradually the room came to life again, and various people including Jeff pointed out that going out to fight might be premature, that we have to teach ourselves and the world how to think before we can bring about real change in the world.

Jeff’s contribution was the most powerful--and I should have kept it in mind all these years, because I've heard him say it before: we shouldn't assume that right wingers and other people who disagree with us are unreachable, because you never know what will happen when you open up the lines of communication with them. As an officer of external affairs at Fountain House, Jeff was in charge of fundraising and he approached people of various political views who were willing to support our humanitarian, NONPARTISAN, non judgemental, nonprofit agency with real cash and real enthusiasm, because as Jeff says, they had a “revolutionary”--a humanitarian spirit--within them, too, even though they might disagree with one another politically. If you try finding the revolutionary in everybody, you just may garner their support in your cause.

Jeff’s thought finally pushed me over the ideological edge; it convinced me to abandon marxist doctrine(not its humanitarian spirit, but its doctrine!)and become a more non-ideological person, someone who believes that we can work for change within the system if we are tolerant, patient and not presumptuous.

He touched the revolutionary in me in an unexpected way: he convinced me without intending to, to dump Marxist doctrine and join the human race and that triggered me to revisit many of my entrepreneurial ideas-ideas which I had abandoned out of fear and discomfort and lack of confidence in myself and capitalism.

What will happen to me and the world from this point forward I don't know, but at least I have a fresh perspective and I can go about leading a better life and be a better activist, to boot. I won’t be as dark and depressed and almost hopeless and I may even experience true joy,,.not just in philosophizing, if but life itself.

So, I can say I got my money’s worth in this course, and I thank Jeff and the lecturers and the students for providing it to me.

Craig, 7/2/20