Shared with Melissa’s FFFC #351 picture prompt
Puppy Love – 18th December 2025
Tag: Humanity
he doesn’t know it’s Christmas
Grail – 28th June 2025
God gave us the excuse to kill,
where our humanity must prevail
A long time coming, but coming still,
the realisation of the holy grail;
When the blood has dried from our hands
we may wash clean our broken hearts;
When each and every one of us understands
standing together is the sum of our parts.
Somewhat inspired after reading this poem by Sunra Rainz.
Livestream – 24th June 2025
I.
Join us at eight pm. Going live!
II.
Screens soon flicker, fighting against the algorithm.
III.
It’s the feel-good story of today!
IV.
Rounding up the starving with generous aid.
V.
Machine guns rattle into the gathered crowds.
VI.
No mercy, no humanity – we’re livestreaming genocide.
VII.
Broadcast ends at nine pm. Gone dead.
Format inspired by this post by Nilofer Neubert – 7 lines of 7 words.
The Cooing – 10th March 2025
Why do they move in their metal boxes?
They don’t have wings? They can’t fly?
How do they find their way home
When they can’t view the whole sky?
Do they love and mate with just one?
Both taking care of their nest
What the hell are they doing before the sun
Sets each day in the west?
Why do they not eat the food they leave
For us to nourish and grow?
Sat pondering on the wire, we can’t believe
That they know something we don’t know
Inspired by an image from an old No Theme Thursday and a conversation between Amy and me, where we wondered about the birds nesting next to our house and I wondered what they were thinking about us.
What Wisdom – 29th September 2024
Nothing now will change the mind
Of what’s decided by mankind
For all the proofs and arguments made
The highest price is always paid
A spear for heads, a sword for hearts
In search of union, the pulled-aparts
Secrets buried for manipulation
Histories bound for exploitation
The past once written on papyrus page
Wisdom to be lent to a future age
New evidence brings into dispute
The wisest moral substitute
And one true path could be agreed
By humanity unburdened, freed
Yet as decided by mankind
Nothing now will change their mind
Submitted to No Theme Thursday (picture prompt) and Poets and Storytellers United – substitution – a meditation on the stupidity of mankind when presented with the tools for wisdom and peace.
Sculpting – 3rd September 2023
With a hammer in hand
Chiselling at the stone
Crafting at the life planned
In one’s thoughts alone
Painting cloudless skies
To fall down to this earth
Daydream a new surprise
Meaning defines its worth
An artist in every way
Reflecting deep-held traits
When words can never say
The statue silently states
Today I’m feeling:
Pretty good but in some pain. I fell asleep on my back last night which was pretty unusual for me but I soon woke up needing to pee. Back to side sleeping, my shoulders ached me awake again a few times so when my alarm went off I wanted to sleep a bit more but then I was feeling pain on the left side of my jaw as my rotten teeth decided it was time to tell me to go back the dentist. With needing to pee again it was time to get up. I still managed to motivate myself with a 100 star-jumps and out to have a day of coffee, reading and ironing.
Today I’m grateful for:
Being able to watch a funny podcast on YouTube that made ironing 17 shirts more pleasant than normal.
The best thing about today was:
I found out Hayden has a new girlfriend called Vashti and I was surprised to hear that she is Aboriginal. I’m not sure why I find that surprising. I only ever met his first girlfriend who was a stereotypical pretty blonde-haired blue-eyed girl. He sounded very happy today and looking forward to his new job doing support work which he is hoping to start in the next week or two.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
In general, the garden is out of my control or more specifically it is too big and I’m too lazy to get it under control fully. My priorities lay elsewhere. Handled by Amy asking if we needed the gardeners to come again to which I replied ‘Yes!’
Something I learned today?
Having removed a ton of YouTube subscriptions I returned to Little Chinese Everywhere and Yan’s journey from Europe to China. This time she was in a small Georgian village nestled in amongst rolling green mountains. One particular interaction stood out to me when the old lady owner brought breakfast and Yan said thank you in Georgian and the old lady gave her a hug and said thank you in Chinese. It reminded me of the goodness within most of humanity.
What mystery fascinates me?
Ultimately the mysteries of the truths of the world. Growing to be more aware of histories written by victors or manipulated by those in a position of strength I’m left contemplating what it is that I know that is true. So many lies are so often repeated these days and so much information and counter-information is available. What is it that I should believe?
Mysteries of origin, the universe, the planet, humanity. How can it not entertain the mind? The existential mystery of meaning.
The mystery of what I will eat tomorrow.
No Aliens – 25th March 2023
*The era of degenerate freedom is over
We must retrieve the dignity of our race*
There’s something bigger than all of us
That will teach us exactly our place
Our distrust for each other destroys us
And easily manipulated by bad actors
Always a third party invites themselves
Divided we fell when they attacked us
There’s no alien or god to be blamed
Only for ourselves to be ashamed
*Text from, and poem inspired by, Death’s End by Liu Cixin
Today I’m feeling:
Contented, sleepy and positive.
Today I’m grateful for:
My tattooist who gave me a 500 baht discount today. I guess I should probably know her name. I’ll ask next time. Cos there will be a next time!
The best thing about today was:
Getting a new tattoo. Whilst I was in the chair I was closing my eyes and savouring the tickle of the needle and later with the colouring, the pain. I was thinking that as with most things, the anticipation and the journey to the goal are often better than the finish or the result.
Now I have this tattoo I will enjoy it of course but I’m already thinking about what might come next. I haven’t done much else today really!
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
I arrived at Kanom Tattoo Studio about 20 minutes early for my ten o’clock appointment as the girls prepared the room equipment and artwork. It felt like not long after and I was in the chair getting the outline work done.
I’d lost track of time as I closed my eyes and sent myself off on different tangents of thought until my butt got uncomfortable and I would adjust my position whilst trying to keep my right arm still and so on until it was time for a break before colouring.
I was shocked to see it was already 1.30. I didn’t really have any other plans for today anyway so I just accepted the situation and when I got home I ate and watched videos and TV until I’m here now in bed past midnight.
Tomorrow I have to take Tigger to the vet for one more vaccine but it doesn’t really matter what time so I’m sure to sleep in a bit.
Something I learned today?
When I woke up this morning I could already smell the air pollution from the smoke, even indoors. Outside looked abysmal too but I didn’t think too much about it as it’s kind of expected at this time of year and nothing ever gets done to try and remedy the situation.
In the afternoon Amy messaged me that the AQI was over 600! I thought that couldn’t be right. It was around 250 yesterday and today didn’t seem that much worse but I checked the app and sure enough, she was right. This was another reason for not doing much else today – just sitting in the living room with aircon and purifier trying not to develop lung cancer. I have headaches and bloody snot and do not feel 100%.
I got a Honda 125 in my shed and I don’t know how to put it back together again – 5th July 1994
Well, I didn’t hold out much hope and indeed, Ireland are out and on the next plane home, as they say, losing 2-0, with two ridiculous mistakes to let Holland in. A reasonable match, Broni took five though and watched ‘The Piano’ again on video upstairs.
John-boy turned up with newly purchased motorbike and face alight with delight. Then onto Kerry’s for me and Broni, with food and drink and fun on our minds.
Just before we left I let Julie know we were not very happy with the bills situation, particularly after she just got some money through and pissed it away in the pub. You know she told me she lent some money to someone!
Jen was already at Kerry’s which was a bit foreboding but we politely chatted away. 70-year-old Ron came from next door (such a cool bloke for his age – I’d like to be like him, I think, when I reach that age). Then Kerry’s mum and Liz and her two kids. Champagne was drunk and the story of Kerry’s surfing accident told each time someone else came round. Her face not looking as bad as expected.
1994ever 