Executive Residence

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Unfortunate circumstances surround,
the joy attached to the idea
of visiting this house.
As a child, I felt protected,
now my children wonder, to whom
the blame is set?

Money shouldn’t control,
yet,
it does, leaving behind
a steadfast belief in unity and solidarity, wrapped in parental tough love.

This passion for leadership should exist,
personal preference –
grounded in faith from above, and rooms for existentialists.
Young minds dream, set goals,
similar sentiments can be traced back
to years ago.

– Tous pour un, un pour tous. –

Experience, a must, most would agree,
understanding war,  law, nations, the humble, complex ideologies, and to whom we place our trust.


Room for change is generally in need,
a strict warning against swift technology.
Ha, just admit it,
the brilliantly rich know more than we do, and we’re terrified of AI absurdity.

The manifestos of ancestors impressive,
progression for many requires time, 
generations of wisdom holding value, as
this country mingles in crime.

A home base with decades of failure, take heed –
these seasons,
they reek of power and greed.
Souls weep,
all for one and one for all, a dream
profoundly exhausted, hearts broken,
Let us breathe!

Society divided, but love surely shows,
costs substantial, life unrecognizable.
What, pray tell, shall we do? Executive branches wither as fighting ensues.

Young keen voices abundant, AHH!
A servant life, not many are called to,
let the anointed through.

Spoiled attention seekers have stolen the show,
now, money decides
who stays and who will go.


– Learning –  

a collection of photos and poems.

Anthropology

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Haibun

The counting was straightforward,
repetitive in its style – for learning.
Outer galaxy creatures taught many about rhythm and dancing- rhythmic movement.
There was a grouchy soul nobody wanted to humor, sadly his was lost on most.
Silliness welcomed within the kitchen, safety and danger overlooked.
Cultures encouraged by a tall yellow fowl, a friend to all.
A pair of besties, a relationship generally overlooked and undervalued.
A monster with a sweet tooth, lack of cleanliness, not one for culinary fortitude.
Someone to teach distance, often running about – investing in measurement.
And a couple striving to get their relationship right – work in progress. One loved too deeply and the other more private.

A society, in order to expand, must accept change, as creating works this way. No two people were born alike, all with different visions, fingerprints, and no two goals the same. Accepting and tolerating are worlds apart, yet both require grace. Both deserving civil conversation and an ability to live, yet neither earn an absolute. Judgement comes but by the same boat each time, and no one is safe, He decides. Love is required, love will always win, love is instant and sometimes earned – but remember it was freely given.

Anthropology
Disfunction senerios
Puppets to Muppets

– Learning –  

a collection of photos and poems.

Brothers

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The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Let me say, I’m fully aware I’ve done nothing to deserve the protection of these men and women. I hope not to insult with my words but to honor, possibly, and admit my shortcomings in being thankful for their service. Peace be to those who served. )

Ashamed of the details I’d forgotten,

Unnerved by the facts we aren’t taught,

Humbled by the dedication proven,

And the lives lost.

Passionate in prayer quietly watching,

Questioned how civilians give back,

Intrigued by the devotion to State,

Terrified for, and in awe of the forces they’ve reckoned with,

And grateful for every step these men take.

– Learning –  

a collection of photos and poems.

Non-negotiable

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The day had finally arrived it was Mom’s pick.

The dreaded Bible Museum, “… this is my no discussion item.”

“You understand it costs $30, right?”

“Yep, I do, and I’ll gladly buy the tickets. It’s my turn today.”

“Mom, there are so many places to visit and they cost you nothing. I know why you want to go, but this is an expensive trip as is…”

“I can’t come all this way and not go, plus I’ve already lost the cathedral visit because of their schedule.”

“You lead the way.”

“I need to manage my time right so I don’t miss the next showing of A Walk Through Creation. The lady said start on the third floor.”

A few moments later.

“Mom, come look. Mom, do you see this? Mom, this is soo old. Mom, I could stay just in this room for an hour. Mom, I need a picture of that. Mom, these artifacts are priceless.”

“Now you understand why I cried when I saw the Gutenberg Bible yesterday, sweet child of mine.”

” If you’re up to waiting I think we should do the Walk Through the Old Testament, they line up over there.”

“I’d really love to, yes.”

“Wow, this is bright.”
“Yes, son, and then there was light.”


“Their depiction of the rainbow is beautiful…”
“God’s promise.”

Many, many, many moments later.

“Mom, I’m didn’t expect to learn so much. You do realize where all that came from?  I’d do this again, for sure. This is a top D.C. spot for me.”

“Its kinda like I knew all along. You are my son…”

– Learning –  

a collection of photos and poems.

***As I begin sharing the last few poems of the D.C. collection, I’d like to say thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts.

-Aud

Dreaming

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In the beginning there is excitement,
Passion for the idea of new,
Dreams run wild, and possibilities fierce with endlessness.
Who could we be, what will we learn
And how will we survive, thoughts rush yet breath is pensive
All the while, feeling lost on a speedway with experienced drivers,
Each thought jockeying for position in the line of importance.


All new, all fresh, all encompassing.

Plans made, vast space for the fast-paced.
Then reality strikes, the work begins, yet the fruits of labor hum, hold tight to all things precious.
The overall simplicity of how life is,
goes unnoticed,
work looked back upon as tactile and real, as callouses are worn, scars heal, and the unknown remains in existence, yet
there’s beauty in the sun rising.
History made minute by minute, choices lead to new places, and growth persevers in the name of passion.
Why wouldn’t you?

– Learning –  

a collection of photos and poems.

Port For Dreams

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A poet, who dreamed of safety,
A place for all. Welcomed,
if it were only this easy

We question with intensity
What brings you here?
A murmur felt throughout society

These too shall pass through
A cry out to the masses
Stepping over her, him, me, you

Who stays, who goes,  somebody move
Leadership I lacking, pitiful
Eventually, we all lose

A portal, a melting pot for dreams
Less different, more in common
Weakening amongst transition,  it seems

Poet to poet we ache similarly
Left to decide, no one left behind
And yet, now,  is America suffering?

– Learning –  

a collection of photos and poems

Structure

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at first, the logistics were tricky,

a desire for distance was universal, 

a commonality existed, 

so they leaned into progression.

structure set by those well informed, and steadfast,

support deemed imperative,

while overwhelmingly consistent,

whispers of beauty were allowed.

a common goal set, the trajectory – forever,

for some.

– Learning –  

a collection of photos and poems.

Gravity

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Goodnight, Day

as simple as it seems,

nothing could have prepared us,

we’ve heard and we’ve seen,

how life gives, and we take for granted,

our daily routine.

The world appears different now and gravity settles in,

weighty, and morning merely hours ago, 

city lights slowly turning on,

soon our capital’s night will show,

function becoming imperative, however,

’tis custom for nature to start the glow.

– Learning –  

a collection of photos and poems.

Pinnacle – Haibun

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Rain was in the forecast all week for Saturday. Nothing would have kept us from our twenty mile day, unless our beloved rule enforcers said, “No, you’re not allowed today.”

The memorials were at the top of the week’s list. Armed with an umbrella, rain coat and waterproof clothing we left the hotel on foot like adventurers. Every measure was taken, so disappointment wouldn’t take lead, in a journey surrounded by opportunities to dread every step. Another day of adding images to everyone else’s travel stories. Damp and cold air caused affirming giggles as the first few blocks were defeated. Wet. Wet. Wet. 

Rain fell upon those who looked for family names. Vietnam heros one by one and rising as we walked along the site. Many familiar names were read, piecing a name with someone from back home. Heroes. At the pinnacle, the water on my face was indistinguishable between rain drops and tears. The gravity of our country’s loss felt upon my chest. Realizing the Larrys, Garys, and Kennys of mine could have easily been on this wall, yet they weren’t, but these men were…

Prepared to stay 

Believing in born ready

Tremendous loss here

The only story I can share of my grandfather, a man my mother never got to know because she was a child when he left for war, was in paperwork from years, an entire life really, of VA hospital stays. “He” continues to escape, traveling hundreds of miles, and writing letters to locate his children. Found again in Kansas searching for his young children. His war afflictions resulted in foster care for children after their mother abandoned them. War wounded, schizophrenic, possibly, yet found daily, while hospitalized, in a small closet writing detailed notes to General MacArthur. A full life given, yet no peace found.

Korean War Vet

Stolen By The Aftermath 

Grandfather Wallace

– Learning –  

a collection of photos and poems.

Philosophy

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With a path laid out before us, chosen,

and for us to decide, we wrestle.

Life tugs us left and then right.

Experience breeds new thoughts; opportunities abound.

We touch, and its impact changes us.

What is is as hard as concrete, yet many believe in its fluidity. Leaving many to question reality.

Challenging our spirit.

Does life call us, or do we call upon life?

The beauty, I believe, settles upon how well we listen.

-Learning-

a collection of photos and poems.

Metropolis

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There is a saying on my phone’s lock screen which reads:
Have you seen today’s beauty?
It was put there years ago by a friend. Probably my best friend.
I wondered if I’d see beauty in D.C.
A city full of concrete and noise,
I considered rock concerts from my past,
welcome to the jungle.
I imagined where everyone who accompanied
and passed me down the sidewalk, was going.
I read their faces as best I could. I thought I’d see stress, overload, and even concern. I did.
But I also saw joy, friendship, health, and love amongst the lights and stone.
I must have questioned if I would …
The sky was blue most days, what’s not to celebrate?
People find companionship with one another over similarities,
the obvious return is doing life together.
Accepting what our hearts and bodies need is universal, and so we work to treat them well.
We’re more alike than we are different, I’m sure
someone important came up with the saying.
But we are different, and embracing this is key.

– Learning –

A collection of photos and poems from D.C.