Category: flash
Do you remember the year?
Well John and Mitchy were getting kind of itchy, cause it was kind of a drag to not be groovin’ on a Sunday afternoon. So I said we’re going to San Francisco and I don’t care how much money I gotta spend, so we can fly. Here, the hometown looks the same but, you’re gonna meet some gentle people there and the rows of houses are all the same and nobody seems to care. Nothing is real and there’s nothing to get hung about. So there’s not a trace of doubt in my mind that when logic and proportion have fallen sloppy dead, you can either stand in the pouring rain or hide behind rainbow’s wall.
Now, it was on the third of June, another sleepy, dusty delta day you asked me if there’ll come a time that we’ll go riding along on a carousel. I thought you looked too good to be true. You told me, “I aint never loved a man.”
But baby, I need your lovin’ and I know what you want…baby, I got it.
So let’s spend the night together and don’t worry ‘bout tomorrow. Then, all over the world you can hear the sound of lovers in love.
That’s when we skipped the light fandango because we both knew that all you need is Love.
Those Who Wait
“Things will come to those who wait”
Unfortunately, it will only be the leftovers from those who hustled. You know all the clichés. The early bird gets the worm; first to table gets the hottest food or first come first served. My personal favorite, #1 is always the winner and #2 is just another loser. I think Warren Buffet probably summed it up best in his philosophy for investing. “Always go with the original”. I can’t tell you how many products I’ve seen in my lifetime and said, “Man, I thought of that years ago.” But while I was just thinking about it, someone else was doing something about it. So whatever it is you’re dreaming of… be the first to act.
The Fall of an Empire
Let me tell you a little story of a once great empire that existed long ago and in a land far away…or is it?
This empire consisted of an Emperor, who held the power to rule over civil and military affairs. The Senate, made up of men of character acted as the advisory counsel for the Emperor. However, the powerful, wealthy and spoilt members of the Senate inevitably became corrupt and many lived a debauched, deluded and immoral lifestyle, leading to constant antagonism of the Emperor and an inability to create laws to govern its citizens; resulting in a moral decay of society.
This decline in morals, ethics and values especially among the wealthy upper class had a devastating impact. Sexual promiscuity, including adultery, orgies, homosexuality and bestiality ran rampant. ‘Religious festivals’ were held where lewd acts would be performed openly. Widespread gambling, massive consumption of alcohol and sadistic cruelty were held in public venues.
The elite leaders that once protected the Empire became so politically corrupt that eventually they could decide who would become Emperor. At one point they held an open auction and sold ‘the throne of the world’ to the highest bidder.
Heavy military spending to support the constant wars against the barbarians led to increased taxes. The military was eventually spread too thin to defend its borders. High spending soon led to threats of government bankruptcy, even higher taxation, failing economics and out of control inflation. The currency was devalued to such a point that a barter system returned.
An invasion of ‘slave labor’ from other countries eventually led to a high unemployment rate among its citizens. This caused increased dependability, government hand-outs and subsidies. Many citizens chose to live strictly off these subsidies, sacrificing their standard of living for an idle life of ease. They divide between rich and poor grew to massive proportions.
As thousands of these idle and unemployed citizens grew bored civil unrest and rioting in the streets became common. Violence and bloodshed lost its ability to shock the spectators. Basic principles and the standards of judgement about the value of life declined. The views of what was right or wrong, good or bad grew perverted as all ethics and standards of human behavior were lost.
Many natural disasters such as fires, floods, violent storms and earthquakes took their toll and left the population looking for anyone to blame. Many different types of religions were sought out as the citizens searched for answers.
The Empire had created many enemies worldwide; some out of envy and others out of hatred. This resulted in the Empire being under constant attack from foreign armies. Eventually, these barbarians laid waste to the capitol and brought the Empire to its knees, leading to its inevitable decline.
Rest
‘Rest is a good thing but boredom is its evil brother”
Rest; we all need it. A good night’s sleep can fill up our energy tanks and send us off to face a brave new world all bubbly and inspired. (Or is that coffee?)
But boredom is something quite different. It can make people drink too much, start extra-marital affairs, rob gas stations, deface property and even make us fat. Where rest gives us energy, boredom sucks it away. The root of all evil is not money, but boredom.
So keep your mind occupied: read a book, go for a walk, call a friend or learn how to play the guitar. Or as my son says, “become the pharaoh of the world.” Whatever it is, set a goal and keep working toward it.
Love and Peace
The Backyard Poet
Jerry Brotherton 