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American citizens — weary of the bluster and outrage, indecency and greed and the mockery of the traditions we hold dear and the ravaging of our democracy — seek a leader to emerge from the chaos, someone to shine a light on injustice, someone to provide hope and guidance and someone to restore a sense of pride and compassion that has, until recently, been heralded and lauded around the world.

We are looking for that special someone who is:

  • Pragmatic and progressive-mind
  • Intelligent and well-spoken
  • Authentic
  • Earnest
  • Well-informed
  • Kind and compassionate
  • Honest
  • Cognizant of the worth of ALL Americans
  • Appreciative of the merits of discussion from both sides of the aisle and all those in between

Recognizing that saints are in pretty short supply these days, we nonetheless prefer a leader whose character and background are beyond reproach, one who has a record of commanding respect and affording it to others in equal measure.

Timeliness is of the essence. Your skills and leadership are needed NOW. Please: Make yourself known.

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She roams from room to room
checks the thermostat
notches it up a degree or two.
With chores completed
and nothing more to do
a chill tends to set in.

It’s the dusk of the year,
waning light
the sun favoring the southern sky.
No bright windows to read by,
no outdoor radiance to warm her.

Her first winter alone
a new combatant: diving into depression, swimming in darkness, a paralysis of intent
or welcoming warrior: artistic exploration, snow-bound inspiration, the homey sustenance of soups and bread?

The choice — it’s hers to make.

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Isn’t it odd
and somehow gratifying
when some word
(one you’ve never heard of
or rarely used)
crosses your path
again and again
jumping out at you
from the pages of a book
or in your RSS feed
or on Dateline
some Friday night
and you’re like
‘huh. that’s weird.’

a word like tangled
or onomatopoeia
or gronk.

yeah.

i think that’s pretty cool.

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I think all of us would love for the world to be a joyous place filled with strawberry ice cream, confetti, helium balloons and colorful streamers where we dance in the streets with lively music filling the air from every rooftop under sunny blue skies dotted with happy little clouds. There would be no crime, no disease, no disabilities, no avarice, no greed. Everyone is smart! Everyone is beautiful! People would have each others’ best interests at heart and kindness and compassion would be the order of the day.

That’s the stuff of fairy tales and we all know it.

Some people operate under the weight of the direct opposite of that fantasy ideal and almost collapse from the self-imposed negativity of trying to right too many wrongs. Noble, yes but the reality of the ugliness in the world can be too much for anyone to deal with day in and day out, year after year after year if indeed adherence to such a lofty goal is able to sustain itself for any extended period of time.

On the flip side, however, are those individuals for whom unpleasantness must be avoided at all costs. These are the folks, God Bless ‘Em, who insist on only viewing their world with optimism. They do not – ever – wish to be made aware of anything that challenges their funny, furry, fuzzy, fluffy outlook. Too often, these fortunate ones have not yet had to grapple with doubt or struggle or unfairness or financial worry or inequality or hardship or poverty or loss or isolation or physical unattractiveness. Theirs has always been a lovely, wonderful world. I’ve wondered whether they are aware that most people’s lives are not similarly blessed or if they realize that so many others won’t ever enjoy the good life these Golden Ones sometimes take for granted.

It’s true that negativity in a person is an undesirable trait; however, cheerful yet unmitigated and relentless avoidance of the harsh actualities of the Real World is hardly admirable – or practical – either.

Daily Prompt: Fluff

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I used to covet things.

Physical tangible possessions
new clothes, jackets, shoes
magazines, CDs, books and DVDs
drawers and closets jammed tight
tunes and words not yet absorbed.

I have plenty and then some.

Will I live the years necessary
to enjoy all that I’ve accumulated?

Will my ROI pay ample dividends?