Not Small At All
I’ve gained appreciation for the smaller things in life,
The uneventful days when all is pleasant, free from strife.
Where family’s fine and things I need work perfectly each time,
While plans are all accomplished, and there’s calmness that’s sublime.
Human Nature?
If people were to wake up of the same faith, land, and race,
__Would they inevitably soon find out,
That new divisions had emerged to fully take their place
__For folks to separate themselves about?
Dream Denied
What happens when a lifelong dream
_Seems lastingly denied?
Does sadness linger all your days
_Devouring you inside?
Or might you find it feasible
_To modify the goal,
Replacing the priority
_With one you can control?
Poet’s Note: This poem’s title and opening lines derive from Langston Hughes’ famous poem “Harlem.”
Russel Winick started writing poetry after ending a long legal career. He resides in Naperville, Illinois.
Ah, the Russel wisdom is back, this time with renewed intensity and depth. “Appreciation for the smaller things in life” and those that are simpler is often left to the elderly to ascertain. Your question about human nature finding something to be divided and fight about is well-taken. Some dreams may have reduced goals in time, yet some seem to linger or be replaced by different pursuits with equally high hopes. I particularly identify with the first and third poems.
Whenever I wake up to a comment from Roy Peterson, I know it’s going to be a fine day. I’m glad that the poems struck chords with you, sir. Thank you, always.