An experiment with discipline and universal values.

"Human suffering needs to inspire compassion for us to survive."

what a powerful sentiment.... and to close with

", the light of compassion failed."

This is a good, pointed and concise post, I agree with you. Even though I wasn't actually following the coverage of Katrina's aftermath very closely (I live north of the mountains, we had our own problems then...), I do remember the devastation from the initial reports, as well as the fallout and the general horrific nature of the problems....

Dan Casey

... because the moment connected you with life. One must be silent and willing to listen to receive the lesson. You learned well.

Brutally honest all the way around.

I stayed out of Viet Nam by staying in school in spite of nearly (more likely probably) having a nervous breakdown. I had no clue other than I wanted to graduate with a degree in biology. And I did. My background was anti-military although my father was in the Army for 12 years. He probably felt the same as you did. He didn't talk about it much and didn't glorify war. Nobody wanted me to go, least of all, me.

But ... later I worked for much of the same reasons you did. I needed money to live on. I got out of the job what little it offered. When I lost it, it crushed me financially, but I was better off in other ways.

I now write! No one who knew me 10 years ago would believe it (because back then I didn't.). Life goes on because it must. I'm enjoying life much more these days.

2 days older than my sister. Guess 1953 was a good year. I'm a year older.

Yes ... a stiff wind ... well put. But unless it fells the tree it can do a good pruning. I wouldn't want to go back to some of the burdens I had to let go of. I survived as best I could and put out new shoots.

You should share your musings more often!

Yes, we ask why and that can be good ... but in the end the cycles persevere with or without our input. I try not to wander too far from the concrete with most of my poetry. Better to think of the images of the haiku artists. But I'm human and wander off down other paths at times.

A very Happy Birthday to You!!

Hope you have a great evening!!!!!!!!!!