What kind of force is necessary
to move mountains?
Can it come from within or
is it simply impossible?
What quixotic journey can lead
to slaying the dragon dead?
Is the same strength required
if it’s all in my head?
What kind of force is necessary
to open another’s eyes?
Can another’s eyes be opened
when they are glued shut with lies?
They think that I need them
as if without them I would
be lost.
I am purrfectly capable
of getting my own food
if I want.
I am more than able
to get that drink of water
if I need.
You see, I don’t need
to be waited on hand
and foot.
You offered your servitude
and it would be foolish not
to take it.
So Caesar crossed the Rubicon
and Washington the Delaware
and we still don’t know
why the chicken crossed the road.
There was a war over there
and a war over here
and even a couple that
spanned the globe.
It all started with a shot
heard round the world
or was it a big bang
that created the world?
Even today, there is a war
over here and over there
and even one within
but who remembers peace?
It is not that history repeats itself
although the similarities are clear,
but rather history has never ended
it’s stuck on repeat year after year.
The lights flicker
and for that split second
you are left in the dark
only to open your eyes
again
and see that even with
the lights restored
and the power at full strength
you are left in the dark
again.
When you’re on the rag it’s no fun
Because then you hate everyone.
Chew gum, feel good.
Happy Birthday, DOOBAH!
From about 40,000 feet up
I stare at the dots below
as they stare back up
at the little jet go.
And each of those dots
are points that connect
to form multiple plots,
each filled with intellect.
Often it seems like we are alone;
we stumble through life,
as a dot on our own
knowing such trouble and strife.
But, if we simply connect the dots
we might be able to see
with each line that we jot,
we simply allow love to be.
My local newspaper has the best editor in the world…NOT! Every week there is some new disaster with a headline or perhaps typos on every page. The best is when they have to issue apologies for using the wrong name in an obituary. Our paper can not be the only one in the world that is in need of a new editor, so here is my request. If you find a funny headline or perhaps one with a typo that is too good to resist, send it to me and I will write an article that better fits the headline! If you find a good one, send it on to: butwiththemind@gmail.com.
Here is a nice headline that actually ran in our town’s paper about a year ago. Enjoy.
LOCAL FOOD PANTY RECEIVES MANY DONATIONS
The panty is filling up fast this holiday season as donations come in from all over. It seems the locals are always willing to lend a helping hand when it is needed most. Without the assistance of a loving community, the panty would remain empty leaving many hungry in unimaginable ways. This hairy situation is avoided at all costs as donations help shave the expenses of running this full-time service. Not everyone is allowed in the panty; those with the greatest need are served first which really helps them breathe easier. The panty would like to extend a warm thank you to all who donated their time, resources, and expertise. Without you, our panty would not be filled.
-Plot and execute the perfect escape from my bedroom
-Lose that pesky extra pound (can be accomplished by losing winter fur)
-Catch at least four mice a week…okay a month… catch a mouse
-Only scratch my people when they deserve it (already accomplished)
-Get an extra hour of sleep every hour
-Rise earlier and encourage my people to do the same
Five points connect you
to the rest of the world at large.
Will you clench all five
into a tight and hurtful fist?
Will you extend a welcome
and comforting hand to one in need?
Five points connect you
but you choose their charge.
Everybody’s got ’em. Everybody ignores ’em after they make ’em. New Year’s Resolutions, Folks! Here are mine, which I fully intend to act upon in the new year…of 2025.
-Get a haircut
-Read the dictionary
-Adopt 5 more cats and one dog…pending Emilita’s approval
-Lose 5 pounds of fat and gain 10 pounds of muscle
-Stop coughing
-Move to someplace exotic like the Dead Sea
-Perform an exorcism
-Earn enough money to donate to an animal shelter and pay the rent for the month (1 out of 2 wouldn’t be bad either)
-Travel to Australia to find myself a nice shelia
-Find some type of food that doesn’t make me gag
-Make my cat love me and not the treat bag
-Make my clothing out of cat hair so I never have to worry about getting the cat hair off before I go places
-Buy my mom a secluded house on a remote island far from cigarettes, bratty kids, and noisy neighbors
-Find a way to break it to my mom that Emilita will not be joining her on said island
-Finally, help achieve world peace
Autumn Siders 