I was once so god damned rich
Might be hard to understand
To have anything you wish -
No matter how large or grand
For many years I did own
In the heart of Beverly Hills
The very loveliest home
With all the finest of frills
Two acres and twenty rooms
Silk sheets gold plated brooms
Maids drivers and every tool
My life was easy and very cool
Then came the financial fire
Of two thousand and eight
I lost everything but my ire
For I saw the truth too late
Endless dominos were falling
Mandelbrot’s fractal chain
With human voices calling
In choruses of deep pain
I had my share of dominos
And debt to crooked banks
So I suffered mighty throes
And to them give no thanks
The descent was immediate
The depression hard to stop
It seemed that nothing fit
And everything was locked
Irony - pair of dice in human hand
I say looking down at Beverly Hills
Earning cash - giving sexual thrills
In the back of some stranger’s van
You say it could not happen to you
You are too smart - or this or that
But if it did - what would you do
To deal with the new set of facts
Could you - would you - should you
Where - how - when and how much
Who with - what’ll you have to do
And will you ever again find luck
There are so many questions
When you are totally broke
And too many indiscretions
Before it’s all writ and spoke
I was once so god-damned rich
And now I am so damned poor
If it wasn’t for those I’d miss
I’d say - I don’t want any more
the off-grid life.
untied from the shackles of strife,
2017, the modern existence,
getting on the property ladder, how does anyone have a chance?
20, 25 or 30, forced to work to pay every bill,
going to work all hours, struggling to find a way, a life against our will,
needing the money from any form of work, mostly unprogressive, unhappy
life passing by, frustrating, anger, decreasing self-worth, causing individuals to be snappy
unfulfilled, potentials are not met, working a job all day, unable to progress,
money is the key factor, for bills to be met, let me digress.
often they still aren't causing pain and suffering, stress and depression,
homelessness is rife through the country, a feeling of regression,
a feeling of being stuck, how to retrain and improve your careers?
speak to friends or family and the same conversation, doubts, and fears
if only another option was available,
one that was accepted and not just for the vulnerable,
the homeless, the people with nothing,
but how is this existence different? it is truly crushing,
once you can see that your life is consumed with working for money,
the soul has passed, your energy too, it can get so hard it's not even funny,
but who understands? in the face of consumerism, higher purchase, loans, and debt,
who is living a life, truly satisfied, and their dreams are met?
Not all people living off-grid are rich in cash!
but they aim for other needs; security in food & energy, it's worth a bash,
a growing transition for many people too,
it's not just for the hippies, the spiritual, it's for people like me and you,
think about it for a moment or two...
who would you be without your car, house and your possessions?
is that person you portray the real you? or do you blend in so people don't ask questions?
are you honest with your family and friends?
or do you sit behind a desk wishing it would end?
there is a wealth of knowledge of old traditions,
from a time when they lived without these conditions,
the conditions of social media, advertising, marketing ads or vlogs
when screen time didn't consume every waking hour, and children were fascinated with tadpoles transforming into frogs.
hours spent outside, climbing trees, playing at the park,
not allowed home unless it was tea time or had gotten dark.
a shift is happening, ecotherapy, wild schooling, bushcraft, and hikes,
forest schooling, homeschooling, people walking and out on their bikes,
scientists are noticing the effects on children's behaviors, reduced health issues,
ADHD, also a boost in self-awareness, positivity, confidence and mental health issues
is it easier to sit a child down to hours in front of the tv, or ipad?
than it is to spend a few hours playing down the park with dad?
or baking a cake with mum, the importance of these skills are being misplaced,
in this consumerism world, with employees a number, in a life so fast-paced.
Off-grid living, the communities hidden away,
all they want is a parcel of land to look after their needs, but hey,
that's not possible, 'cause where will the local council get their tax,
with the community, living off the land, growing food and chopping wood with an axe,
the need and usage of government-owned services would become minute,
living simply and within your skills of the land, renewables used, an abundance of fruit,
food preserved in many forms, jams and chutneys, frozen meat,
enough food to last year-round to survive through winter, or in the heat,
the food produced off the land, tending the garden, and grown for nutrition,
the most important for life and health also said to aid in remission.
off grid homesteaders, don't need to take the flack,
with health as the focus, working outdoors to provide, lowering the need for prozac,
comments from shallow minded people need not be said,
the power of community, working together, I want to spread,
to include children in the transition, of conserving nature and our wildlife,
the tranquil setting amongst the seasons, watching the stars, that's my type of nightlife.
On December 1st of each year, red ribbons are interlaced everywhere.
It's for each and every person infected by HIV/AIDS.
The immune virus that is hushed and silenced, a private personal matter like an unspoken rule.
If known that one is positive, then all life known turns hell and that soul, that HUMAN BEING is made to suffer unjustly at the very hands of society.
Stigma attached to the incurable disease breeds hate and fear making one diagnosed positive feel sub - human and inhuman like a ghost.
HIV/AIDS affects us all whether we know it or not - although there is no cure for this fatal score, we have hope that one day we can fight this disease.
Until then, educate yourself and get tested - knowing your status can help save your life!
Further spread awareness and prevention so that others can know, let's work together to end the fatal virus and stop the hate!
A graveyard of dead trees
Fallen leaves of vast red and orange seas
Squirrels scurry before winter strikes
As children play while others pass on bikes
A harmony of the trees an the wind come together and sing
As a bird chirps then stops to clean it's wing
Children shrieking and screaming as they play
Angry armies of cars roar past, then fly away
Memories start of when I was a kid
Only broken away by time an what it did
Sitting still only in question
Of who I am and to what is my impression
I laughed . . . I played here
I was happy unknown of fear
But then reality again breaks memory's connection
Only to be lost again, still unknown of my reflection
...............
this heinous monstrosity of segregation,
that drains the blood, sweat, and tears
from generations of poor, illiterate, and downtrodden,
rapist of family values, and murderer
of productivity and hard working hands,
the dream of 5 year old boys whose aspirations
of being like daddy wind him up on a dime bag street corner,
grappling frazzled bits and pieces,
the remnants of a worn out dream,
passed down through a shackled and indoctrinated
system of beliefs twisted by the hands of greedy governments,
and corporate schemes that trade lives for money.
this heinous monstrosity of segregation,
convincing mothers they are better off alienated
from their children,
and that a father's life for his son or daughter
is worth nothing more than three meals and a cot,
a place to rot, and a sacred book of scripture only given
to wash the sins of those hands that profit
from the years of ones held captive and sometimes murdered
for crimes unworthy of the time,
hours and years robbed from innocent loved ones
who pay the burden of the brainless zombies
taking pride in their jobs that torture the downtrodden.of societies
in every nation.
this the system we take pride in,
that we divide in,
husband from wife, father from son,
left with no remaining choice in the end,
but to sever all ties completely from everyone,
draining any scintilla of scraps
from the family 'till of loving plenty',
no leftovers from the dinnertime table of togetherness
savored for a child in need of
what it means to awaken to the sound of unity,
a now lost and forgotten concept taught only
in lieu of a desire for mass destruction and for-profit policing
of innocent citizens,
where are the people who say they care about the children?
5:36 AM 7/11/2013 ©
with inspiration from 'riddles'
http://www.postpoems.org/authors/belial_lair/poem/945997#comment-402731
......................
Homage to Geneva
Ugonna Wachuku
(c) 1998: Ugonna Wachuku
Contents:
Dedication
Prologue
Escalade
Homage to Geneva
Fireworks
Spirit of Geneva
English Garden
River Walk
Alpine Garden
Take My Love
The Author
Dedication:
To every Genevese
and to every other
human being who,
in oneness, symbolize
that Genevan spirit
of tolerance, peace,
humanitarianism and
brotherhood of all
humankind.
Prologue
"Man is born free;
and everywhere he
is in chains."
~ Jean Jacques Rousseau
"The desire to be as
civil as possible is
a deep motive for the
contemplative life."
~M. Scott Peck
In Geneva today, the human creative spirit is
not in chains. One is invited to let one's creative
essence run calmly wild for the peaceful good of all
humanity.
In contemplation therefore, Geneva will never cease
to awe and inspire my deepest poetic emotion. For
me, Geneva is not just a small, global city and state.
Geneva is an emerald beauty of huge, natural, creative
inspiration so unexplainable.
In paying this homage to Geneva, it is my kind wish to
invoke the most subtle feeling in every human heart -
so that we can begin to see Geneva anew based on her
ancestral heritage in the reformation and humanitarianism.
And also in the moving spirit of her hard-won independence
clothed in that strengthening solidarity of the human spirit.
In Geneva's great name, let us continue to live with that
cherished spirit of peace warmed in the sky-blue garments
of love and solidified in the flame of human adversity
and soulful yearning for survival through this journey
called life.
At the very dawn of the new millennium, let us embrace
one another with that sweet fragrance of humane care
and healing oneness.
In Geneva's meadow gardens and green country-sides
of inspiration and peace, :- from Hermance to Dardagny;
from Veyrier to Versoix, to Plan-les-Ouates - where
inspiring Patek Philippe have been humanely creating
worthy watches for humankind since 1839, let us, indeed,
affirm our love for one another despite our skin colour,
religious creed, social status, level of education or ethnic
origin:
By doing so, we will surely build an enchanting world of
peace and humaneness where everyone will sit with joy
and fulfilment under his or her own Alpine tree
or palm tree.
Subsequently, let me specially call on all women and
men of inspiration and goodwill to join me in paying
this heart-felt homage to Geneva - with additional
inspiration and encouragement from abiding friends
such as Franck Muller: Master of Complications!
Let my creative tribute to this humanely great Canton of
the Swiss, Confederation Helvetia, which I have come to
christen: Poetic Geneva, outlive the monuments of time
and stone. Let us cherish this humble homage to Geneva
now and forever!
Ugonna Wachuku
Wednesday 20 May, 1998
Geneva, Switzerland
i:
Escalade
There is a spirit so strong
and beautiful on this land
called Geneva where the
rivers Rhone and Arve
calmly flow.
On a summer boatride down
the Rhone town and country,
one's joy is aroused by the
enchanting nature of Geneva's
bloom and glow.
Geneva is a beautiful land
beckoning to love and to
embrace with a maidens's
charm.
The people of Geneva are
beautiful too. It is the
people's strong spirit
that sustains the land in
beauty an peaceful
independence.
This strong spirit came
on firmly during that
dark night of December
11, 1602, when it seemed
the stars of hope and
light had fled from
Geneva's sky.
When it seemed the people
of Geneva will smile no
more in the land's beauty.
With Charles-Emmanuel -
Duke of Savoy on the brink
of conquering Geneva by
suprise, the land's peaceful
soul was shaken.
From the city walls at
Plainpalais to the
clinging bells of Saint
Peter's Cathedral, the
Genevese raised their
loving lanterns in
oneness.
Jacques Mrcier's first
shot of warning can
still be heard today,
raising that strong
spirit for the land's
fragrant, uplifting
freedom.
Even Francois Bousezel
who gave his life to
keep Geneva's peaceful
independence and beauty
will still be remembered
till the end of time.
In a spirit of oneness
and love, Geneva fought
to bring glorious light
and freedom during that
night of terror.
Through the years, that
sweet aroma of Mere
Royaume's pot of saving
soup can still be breathed
in soothing defence of
Geneva's independence.
Lady Piaget's keys
unlocked the darling
door to freedom and
joyful victory.
Geneva won her freedom,
her peaceful independence
when Isaac Mercier dropped
the Portcullis at the
blown-up gate of Porte
Neuve.
The stars smiled.
Heaven heathered.
The dark grey sky
bloomed into dewy
dawn on that glorious
sunday morning when
Theodore de Beze and
Simone Goulart led
Geneva in worship
and praise to God
Almighty who made
all things peaceful
and beautifully
healing.
Remember, there is
a strong spirit so
splendid and uplifting
on this land of heaven's
earth called Geneva where
the rivers Rhone and Arve
freshly flow with gladness.
There is a spirit so
strong and beautifully
inspiring on this
Genevese land called
Saint Gervais where
eighteen men lie
while the freedom
and peaceful
independence
they won live
for you and
for me till
the end of
time!
....... From my book: Homage to Geneva .......
(c) Ugonna Wachuku: May 1998
Geneva: Switzerland
_
Homage to Geneva
~ Critiques/Comments ~
Serene Moment
belleloved@excite.com
A very nice tribute to Geneva. I've learned a lot on an historical perspective. Great work. ^_^
http://www.postpoems.com/members/serene
Helen Schmidt
heljac123@aol.com
Ugonna,
What a wonderful homage to a beautiful city. My husband and I have visited Geneva and found it to be a lovely, ethereal place whose citizens are friendly and welcoming. I enjoyed the historical citations in your "Homage to Geneva." A beautiful piece!
Best regards,
Helen
http://PostPoems.com/members/helen
2002-02-22 12:03:50
Farah D
fiffi_d@yahoo.com
I was in Geneva last month and I can totally relate to the sentiments that you have expressed so beautifully here..Ugonna. Its a most wonderful and humane city...and you have brought that aspect of the city so well in your poem. Its as if Geneva is speaking to you and through the words of Geneva you speak to us. One of my most memorable memories of Geneva is from the air as the plane swoops in to land ..with the calmness of the lake beckoning you to come down quickly. I will surely be back again in Geneva soon and I will surely be back before that to read your wonderful words. Thank you Ugonna.
http://PostPoems.com/members/destiny
2002-04-14 13:53:42