A Snippet from O-Blog-dee-O-Blog-da

Published November 11, 2018 by Nan Mykel

From Melanie Nathan’s blog*:

A wave of arrests of gays in Tanzania is feared after a senior official urged the public to report suspected gays to authorities. Homosexual acts are illegal in Tanzania and can bring a sentence of up 30 years. The examinations are taking place on Friday to see if there are any signs of same-sex relations among the men, who were arrested last week on suspicion of celebrating a gay marriage at a resort hotel, police chief of the south region of Zanzibar, Suleiman Hassan, told The Associated Press.

“We acted on a tip-off from a good citizen leading them to abort their party during the weekend and then police made a quick arrest,” said Hassan. After being held for several days, the men have been released pending the investigations, he said.

Last week Paul Makonda, the administrative chief of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city, urged citizens to report any suspected homosexuals. He said a task force would be established to seek out and punish homosexuals and prostitutes. READ MORE at VOX

*P.S. “This blog, O-Blog-Dee-O-Blog-Da, started out as a platform to showcase the equality and human rights advocacy work of Melanie. In addition to reporting related news and stories, O-Blog-Dee-O-Blog-Da serves as a platform for Nathan and her guests to highlight their work in a world where gay, lesbian, transgender, queer, intersex, and gender-free people are the subjects of persecution and discrimination.

“Over time it has developed into a renowned blog, on subjects including U.S. politics, equality related issues, the impact of homophobia and transphobia – especially state sanctioned homophobia, the decriminalization of homosexuality, LGBTQI asylum, sexuality violence and all human rights issues, around the globe, with a special focus on Africa.”

DEEP THOUGHTS UPON WAKING

Published November 11, 2018 by Nan Mykel

I might be digging myself a hole here, but here goes.

On November 1st this year I gave my talk about the material in the book I self-published in 2014. After I scheduled the talk at the library, NAMI kindly stepped in and sponsored it. My daughter flew up from Atlanta to support me, and counted 25 in attendance. I gave them egg nog. Almost half those attending were friends, come to support me.

My book is actually quite good, and failed to be puchased widely because I was unable to push it. This morning I realized that my synonym for push is manipulate, and that’s something my father was good at.

Then it came to me that this is what capitalism is all about, manipulation. I don’t believe I manipulate, and am touchy when I suspect others might be trying to manipulate me. Oh I could dig down deeper and discover times when I may have unconsciously manipulated, but if so I apologize. These reflections led to the “poem” I published on my blog yesterday, and some of the feedback. I embarrassed myself by the stanza:

Poems mirror the mind, you know. What are the parts we’re willing to show?

Blood from a refugee’s eyeball

pooling on the floor at the mall?

I might have done better if I’d taken more time. But, still waking up this morning, I began to wonder who we write poems for. If we post them publicly on a blog, surely we write for others? After five years (omg, has it been five?) my readership is miniscule, which suggests that I don’t write for my readers. (Sorry).

Tho it sounds stuffy, I write from my own muse, who does a good job of comforting me. I guess I write for the echo. I recall my tidbit from the past: Here’s the thing: I’ve been talking through this loudspeaker I found in my crib 80 years ago and just now notice it’s not plugged in.

I realize a line might be drawn between therapy poetry groups and straight ones, but where does a blog fit in? And now I wonder what’s the difference between trying to make my point versus manipulating you, but at least I’m upfront about it.

A Poem Can Be About Anything

Published November 10, 2018 by Nan Mykel

I wonder if…

A Poem Can Be About Anything

What shall I share today of me;

the shades that sleep under my tree?

The wild dogs of the night who drool,

or getting an A while yet in school?

Poems mirror the mind, you know.

What’re the parts we’re willing to show?

Blood from a refugee’s eyeball

pooling on the floor at the mall?

Or perchance Paul, my sixth grade crush

forgot later in life’s mad rush;

the spear point found atop the soil

speaking loud as any gargoyle.

The soft fur of Gracie, my love

who looks after me from above;

we oft don’t speak full truth in here,

hoping instead to spread good cheer,

leaving old timbers to shake–

from an underground earthquake,

echoing the ocean’s great roar

contained yet by the shore.

Careful not to rip the bridal veil,

crawling along the moth-eaten trail

we sing out long our private song

which from Darwin’s book we took.

TOO BIG A COINCIDENCE?

Published November 2, 2018 by Nan Mykel

I have yet t hear the suggestion question that perhaps Trump is behind the “caravan.” What perfect timing!

Witch One?

Published October 29, 2018 by Nan Mykel

WITCH ONE?

Witches have been given a bad name, compared to warlocks, which are men. Whoever heard of a warlock? See, they’re kept secret, while females get all the blame. (“She’s a nasty old witch.”)

Witches are often called hag, crone, harpy, harridan, she-devil and battle-ax. Warlocks are sometimes called wizards.

If someone with a red cap riding on a broomstick asks for candy on Halloween, notice if she’s a he or not, and if he’s old and red-headed. Then you can get ready to run, but be civil!

Written in response to a blogger’s request for 99-word Halloween stories but not submitted for fear of messing with young minds.

99 words plus title

For Our Information

Published October 29, 2018 by Nan Mykel

Curious: Women versus men?

Snippet from Jill Dennison

Published October 29, 2018 by Nan Mykel

Filosofa’s Word:

Trump has now declared that he is against globalism and is a nationalist, yet the majority of the people in this nation do not want to be an isolationist nation for we see the very real dangers. We need our friends around the globe, just as they need us, and Mr. Trump has it all wrong … ALL WRONG … if he thinks that shunning other nations makes us safer, for in every sense of the word, it endangers our lives.

Further, Mr. Trump seems to be playing to the white supremacist arm of nationalists who eschew any who are not white, Christian, and of European descent. Hence, his desire for a wall to keep Hispanics from Mexico, Central and South America out of our country. Hence, his stepped-up deportations of even legal immigrants. Hence, his aversion to immigrants from the Middle East.

The United States will not survive as an independent nation if we shut ourselves off from international affairs. Technology has made the planet smaller and in today’s world, no nation can thrive without the help of others….

See Jill’s site for more….

A Katha Upanishad for Millennials and Ranchers – reblog from waltbox

Published October 28, 2018 by Nan Mykel

Excellent writing style!

waltbox

The home of Yama, King of Death, was a craftsman bungalow near an urban area revitalized for Millenials. The plots in this neighborhood were tiny, the homes half the size of those in newer neighborhoods but twice the cost. Most had seen a non-load bearing wall removed to achieve an open floor concept. Owners of these homes owned vehicles with deluxe emblems on their trunks, and though the main road through the neighborhood was paved with brick, and walking for groceries or to a restaurant was encouraged, vehicles such as these needed to be driven, or rather paraded, often, if not daily. Otherwise what would be the point of anything.

Wet leaves dampened the thud of Nacho’s boot heels on the wooden steps leading to Death’s door. The steps smelled of fresh pine, and fresh paint. The potted mums of fresh soil. The curb appeal was to die for.

Nacho removed…

View original post 1,657 more words

HALLOWEEN IN ATHENS OHIO

Published October 27, 2018 by Nan Mykel

Wasn’t what we expected, was it.

Cold rain and hate murders on the telly.

Those Pittsburgh folk grieving

in the rain.

Only my feelings got hurt, not my

loved ones.

My emotions, miniscule in the presence of

blood and guts grief. Bitterness

has no place, is too much. Reality

is the name of the day. I can only imagine.

I Embrace- A Poem

Published October 15, 2018 by Nan Mykel

I embrace

the green mountain bosoms

of the Great Smokies

and the calming silence

of the lake early mornings,

quiet save the splash

of a fish in the rising mist,

reassuring that

after all is said and done,

there was a time

in living memory

when things were better.

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A Snippet from O-Blog-dee-O-Blog-da

“We acted on a tip-off from a good citizen leading them to abort their party during the weekend and then police made a quick arrest,” said Hassan. After being held for several days, the men have been released pending the investigations, he said.

Last week Paul Makonda, the administrative chief of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city, urged citizens to report any suspected homosexuals. He said a task force would be established to seek out and punish homosexuals and prostitutes. READ MORE at VOX

DEEP THOUGHTS UPON WAKING

Poems mirror the mind, you know. What are the parts we’re willing to show?

Blood from a refugee’s eyeball

pooling on the floor at the mall?

A Poem Can Be About Anything

TOO BIG A COINCIDENCE?

Witch One?

For Our Information

Snippet from Jill Dennison

A Katha Upanishad for Millennials and Ranchers – reblog from waltbox

HALLOWEEN IN ATHENS OHIO

I Embrace- A Poem

“We acted on a tip-off from a good citizen leading them to abort their party during the weekend and then police made a quick arrest,” said Hassan. After being held for several days, the men have been released pending the investigations, he said.

Last week Paul Makonda, the administrative chief of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city, urged citizens to report any suspected homosexuals. He said a task force would be established to seek out and punish homosexuals and prostitutes. READ MORE at VOX

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Poems mirror the mind, you know. What are the parts we’re willing to show?

Blood from a refugee’s eyeball

pooling on the floor at the mall?

Share this: Reblog, Like

Share this: Reblog, Like

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