August 2010 Options

[Guest_bombadil1247_*]

August 2010

The chestnuts dropped early this year
scattered like tiny mines beneath the trees
catching kids walking barefoot unawares.
Retribution was swift; hundreds of shells
were smashed open and the treasures inside
threaded on string - war trophies for display
and final destruction in an orgy of ‘Conkers’.

Summer passed, unnoticed, with no obituary;
the art of reading nature long forgotten
in this pushbutton age that programs time
to suit the schedules of industry and Sky TV.
Automatons and zombies vie for recognition
as archetype of this Brave New World
where technology rules and men obey.

‘Computer Error’ hides a multitude of sins
though computers are only as fallible
as their data clerks – are the seasons out of sync
because of human error? Some would say so
and I won’t argue overmuch; a sin of omission
is still a sin no matter what excuse is offered
nor what tribunals may say in expiation.

Mary died last week and I didn’t know
until her hearse paused outside my door
allowing a silent, last farewell – I had no tears,
just shock and deep regret for all the wasted years
since last we talked of silly things like bus schedules
and dogs’ mess in her garden. Her garden where
white carnations thrived on the love she shared so freely.

They went with her to the crematorium and mourned
when I could not. I lost that right through indifference.

[AMETHYST]

Hey Jim,

Actually yes. For the past few years I have been 'guilty' of the identical thing and have found out that people right under my nose have passed on, or have been away ill and might have needed a friend but I wasn't there - I was too busy burying myself in my own solitude if you want to call it that. Or perhaps putting distance between others because my energy to share their lives wasn't enough for my own highs and lows. I think it is something many can relate to and even confess to being a part of that problem.

I can also see the relationship with S3 clearly. I will return with some solid feedback with all this in mind that might be helpful to you. Sometimes we write in a code, so to protect our true feeling, and sometimes, we read blinded so as not to admit we fit the profile.

Will return soon enough and hopefully with something worth the posting!

Big Hugs,

PS Grieve ... and then forgive yourself, this plague of indifference and distance is truely an epidemic of a new social disease.... It's not just you ... believe me. I have done it with close friends and family.... and have lost some family in the process, leaving me feeling so ashame remembering all those times a fleeting thought of I should call ... this one, that one ... and allowed the day steal me into itself. The time to call and say hi, I was thinking of you today - had come and gone and there wasn't any replacing it. So although I missed a strong point of how the computer age fit in, I surely can say I have been there, and probably still find myself clawing my way out.

Liz