A New Peace Of Mind

F. David Rolf

Much of my writing all seems to rhyme In a cadence that’s easy to hear

Many’s the time, these thoughts made us chuckle but a few of them brought us a tear

Most of my thinking is not so profound but leans toward the light side of life

Dwelling on problems we face every day gives you stress and way too much strife

Although there are times as we go along that cause us to pause or to ponder

How lucky we are to live in a place where our lives do not endlessly wander

It’s true—we have problems that sometimes are tough but to face them head-on is the trick

To give more attention than what they deserve causes worry and may make you sick

So, if I may offer, or simply suggest-make the most of your life while you may

Try not to worry as it does you no good Laugh as often as you can every day

Do something good for a friend who’s in need

Go out of your way to be kind

Treat every stranger to your biggest, bright smile

You’ll have a wonderful feeling, and a new peace of mind.

The Rest Of Your Days

When you arrive at the place In your work a day life

Where it’s time to retire from it all

You might just relax, Maybe take all those trips

Or perhaps just go walk at the mall

All the dreams you have stored For a great many years

You now have the time to fulfill

Every day is a weekend Or so it now seems

So spend all your time as you will

Go play with the grandkids Just work in your yard

Do nothing at all if you choose

You might now discover The moment is here

To at last, take a wonderful cruise

You can write a best seller Or a masterpiece paint

Let the artist within you now flow

But take the vast knowledge You’ve gained through the years

And share with the world all you know

I suppose there is one thing Not yet mentioned here

That insures you will keep right on hopping

It seems there are those Who will always need more

So from morning ’till night they go shopping

But now, when at last You have all this time

Don’t spend it entirely on pleasure

You’ll find that by helping When someone’s in need

Your reward will be of great measure

Give away lots of money Volunteer at a school

Take lunch to a shut-in you know

The size of your action Doesn’t matter at all

Your desire to help others will show

The thanks you’ll receive From those you have helped

Will come back in so many ways

It will be so rewarding That you’ll feel satisfied

And can smile for the rest of your days.

The Circle Game

Nancy Bennett

A few weeks ago, a former student from my Indiana days, a talented artist and a Facebook friend, posted a painting of carousel horses. Those vivid colors and bold brushstrokes brought a long-forgotten childhood memory rushing back.

Canadarago Lake Park was a popular destination near the village of Richfield Springs, N.Y., where we lived in the 1960s. The park offered all the same attractions of most early 20th century parks. But the best as far as I was concerned, was the merry-go-round, with hand-painted wooden horses imported from Germany.

In 1940 the roof had collapsed during an ice storm, but had been rebuilt, and was ready to thrill my sisters and me in the early ‘60s when our parents took us to the park for the first time.

Oh, the thrill of my first merry-go-round ride! Walking up to the platform I could hardly contain my excitement. The glow from thousands of incandescent lightbulbs was reflected by mirrors around the inside. The cheerful piped-in organ music thundered all around as I walked among the rows of beautifully painted wooden steeds—they were like life-size toys—and to a 6-year–old, they were overwhelming in the best way. Some went up and down; others just as beautiful were stationary. There were rows and rows of horses three abreast, and open carriage-type benches for those who didn’t ride.

I chose a middle horse which had his head thrown back in mid-gallop. My dad lifted me up onto my chosen mount, and draped the leather strap around my waist. Of course my feet could not reach the stirrups! I remember patting the wooden horse’s head, and grabbing the pole, trying to contain my excitement and fear until finally, with the gentlest jolt, the platform began to turn and my horse began to move up and down so smoothly. Picking up speed, we began to glide, the park whizzing by outside.

All too soon the horses slowed, and it was over. My dad picked me up, set me down onto the wooden platform,and led me back outside the fence. I was in the same place as I had been before the ride, and yet I was not in the same place at all. Five minutes of enchantment can do that to a little girl.

Beth’s painting brought it all whooshing back—the lights, the music! I could almost touch that moment of innocent wonder.

In her 1966 song “The Circle Game,” Joni Mitchell sang of life’s seasons and its lessons, of growing up and outgrowing one’s capacity to catch those glimmers of delight as our lives whiz past. Mitchell’s chorus hits true every time. Like Beth’s painting, it too takes me back to that wondrous moment.

“And the seasons, they go round and round

And the painted ponies go up and down

We’re captive on the carousel of time

We can’t return, we can only look

Behind, from where we came

And go round and round and round, in the circle game.”

My Obscure Object of Desire

Emma Genessee

My obscure object of desire

Your Augen used to shine so bright;

A color that would suspend me in the air.

A breath that elevates mine,

A face that will kill me,

My life as I know it.

My body before you shape it.

My speech will enter a new millennia,

My expression is yours,

To spin into gold;

To sparkle under your pressure.

These collarbones are for you to pull together.

This Spirit is here to remember.

These hands are searching,

And holding on!