My soul is but a garden, once fruitful and yielding,
A bounty of hope that was thought to spring eternal.
Left alone; now overgrown the weeds they rob the soil.
Roots thirsting and soil its nutrients depleted, the leaves left a wilt.
Moisture is forbidden, roots clogged as if not water but glacial silt.
The once sturdy stalk no more, its given up the fight.
The picture of the synthesis, once green now void of color, appears in black and white. joram07

It's an unmistakable sound that you hear, only for a month, and only this time of year. The man stands in the slush, a mix of rain and snow. A red bucket at his side he hopes will fill overflow. His feet are wet and must be cold, yet a rosie cheeked smile is all that is told. Ring the bell; ring the bell all the while the stores sell sell. Its a familiar scene, that one only sees, during the time of Hanukkah candles and the Christmas trees. It relies on the giving brought out by the glee, it helps those less fortunate than you and me. So, give what you can; A dollar a quarter a penny two or three. Take a moment to acknowledge this army of one, as he readies for battle, salvation as his gun. He too has a story and would love to tell, but all that matters not as he rings his bell. DING DING DING DING joram o7

Just got done watching the Democratic debate in Las Vegas. Right from the very first question Lamb Chop tried to ignite a fire.... even when the flame didn't catch he feebly attempted to fan the flickering flame of controversy. His questions were not about issues but attempts to create issues. I Applaud the candidates! The entire group at one point or another made a statement to stop the finger pointing and focus on the issues. But, Lamb kept stirring the pot.....Then to top it off after the debate the news panel on CNN were all fired up and wide eyed about the tension, the increase in aggression, and dissension. Were they watching the same thing that I was? Media, and specifically CNN in this case has gotten caught up in their own hype. It was the most blatant example of news trying to create news that I've ever seen! It's pathetic!!

I heard this brother talking about his younger brother who went off to join the war, signing up just after his high school graduation and eighteenth birthday. They are from a small town out side Boston. One known for its toughness and macho bravado! He was one year older and just completed his first year as a college football star... He was big and strong and very handsome, so you know he was popular with "Everyone". His younger brother was physically not so lucky and instead buried his head in books and study. He would graduate with honors and a scholarship in full, but decided instead to join the military. Their fathers never really entered their lives, actually they never knew them. You see soon after entering their mother they would exit never to be seen again. Their mother made some bad choices when she was young, but has since made good. She is strong and gave them a good life. They were all very close. According to the brother who had to share a room with his little brother, a little to close. So, why am I writing this? I couldn't help but think of the Sadness the mother must feel and the guilt the older brother will carry through life, you see, the shrapnel from a road side bomb would pierce his heart as if stabbed bye the blade of a very large knife. ...........So, as I listened this Veterans day to what his brother did say, it made me pause and think and then say, "HEY!" He talked of the fun they will have no more; they shared a life and a room, damn he could snore. He left for battle after just turning eighteen; a naked women he'd not felt or even seen. He was old enough to carry a gun and die for an Iraqi, but not mature enough to go to the "packy" This you see is what really stunk, his brother would die never laid nor drunk. It's OK for a Muslim who has the same fate; he is to find happiness at heavens gate. 100 virgins lie in Wait! He'll die for this belief and knowledge of relief. This all made it clear what sacrifices a soldier may give, the biggest one? A long life of experiences they will never live. Joram 07

REPUBLICAN-Ramped ethics problems, utter blatantly lacking intestinal-fortitude , is creating angry Nation ! .......... DEMOCRAT-Destroying every-ones motivation of creating revolutions against tyranny!