Futurelawyer

#PoetryFriday - Can You Dance?

Can you dance?
she said,
coyly.
He thought quickly.
Where are my words now?
Surely, they will not fail me now?

In an instant,
he knew,
that the dance he danced each day
did not count.
He thought of the many moments that his truth
danced out of reach,
and his dancing words
hung,
swinging,
from the top of the business tree.
They dangled,
like participles
in a grammarian nightmare.

Can you dance?
Of course, he thought.
I dance around my feelings
every day.
If I stop to feel them,
I know that I will surely die.

Can you dance?
Oh, yes, I can.
What kind of dance would you like?
I dance the dance of the runner.
I run away,
and still away.
I dance the dance of the dreamer.
I wish for a slow and easy pace.
I hope that the music will follow my lead.

Can you dance?
Can you teach me?

Old Man. Don't Be This Guy.

We all have things happen in our lives that are sad. Some of us lose spouses. Some of us alienate others out of a fear of seeming weak. No one of us is a perfect human. However, we control how we live our lives. When you reach the end, don't end up alone in a chair. Don't be this guy.

Old Man.

He slowly pattered to the chair,

cloth rubbed raw and chafing,

slippers worn and in their place,

pipe and ashtray next to the lighter

his wife had given him on Memorial Day.

His body bent forward

and his gaze fell on the carpet,

threadbare from walking and pacing

during illness and crisis.

He was alone now,

Slowly dying

and living slowly.

He watched the flickering television

looking for meaning,

and not looking at all.

Did he remember the President

and the year?

Or did he remember a kiss in 1947...

or was it ‘48?

He felt a tightening in his chest

and knew his end was coming.

He closed his eyes

and remembered the past

thought about the future

and prayed to whatever God

was up there.

When he died,

They removed the body,

boxed his belongings,

threw them in the trash,

emptied his bank accounts

and went on living.

Guess Who's Not Coming For Thanksgiving Dinner This Year?

A flock of wild turkeys is visiting us at our campsite.  I think they know that Thanksgiving is 9 months away. 

The FutureLawyer Has A Modest Proposal.

48 out of 50 Senators voted last week to abolish the filibuster. No discussion of legislative action or lack of action should ever begin with the phrase "the nuclear option". Words have meaning. If we wanted absolute majority voting, we wouldn't need Senators or Representatives. Real governance requires delegation to a persons with a level head and a wise sense of history.

 

 

This Guy Has His Priorities Straight.

Why My Future Vacations Will Be Taken In An RV.

If you think that cruising is the best way to spend your vacation time and money, you must not have taken a cruise lately. From Pandemic woes, to crowded pools and ships, to small cabins, long lines and assembly line food, I humbly suggest you consider a land yacht vacation. The RV has all our stuff in it. I can drive for a while, and then stop if I want to. I control the climate. I can park the RV in a favorite location (Any Florida State Park or Disney's Ft. Wilderness are favorites), and, after the vacation, the RV is still there, ready to go. Cruises are sold cheaply; but, you aren't told that, if you want photographs or memorabilia of your trip, you can eat up a lot of money. I could go on, but let this typical view of a cruise ship pool get you started. Have I talked about living in close proximity to a few thousand of your close friends for a week?

What If A Billionaire Used His Power And Money For Good?

Mark Cuban founds company to provide low cost, generic drugs. Mark Cuban is my new hero. Rather than follow the lead of Big Pharma, and raise drug prices to vulnerable populations, he is using his money and power to found a low cost pharmacy that sells needed drugs at a cost plus price that is transparent. Capitalism works when capitalists are good people. Profit is the best incentive for progress. Yes, some follow baser instincts. But, government control is not the answer. Thanks, Mr. Cuban. You have earned a thank you. Why isn't this on the front page of the Tampa Bay Times?

Why Kids Need To Be In School.

Shakespeare Was Right. The Past Is Prologue.

I posted this ten years ago. Who knew then about Pandemics? We all thought Monk was crazy, and a character in a TV situation comedy. Shakespeare was right. The past is prologue.

January 24, 2012

"Do You Know Where Your Hands Have Been? As I grow older, germs and illness become more worrisome. Aging geeks need to be conscious of health risks, and we tend to wash our hands more frequently, and use disinfectant wipes more often. However, are you aware that the most dangerous thing you do today may be sitting at the computer reading the FutureLawyer blog? Quick, where are your hands right now? If they are on or near your keyboard or mouse, you are touching the most germ infested places in your house. Yes, that includes the bathroom. If you then touch your face or scratch your nose, or whatever, you have just increased your risk of illness. What to do? Well, my rule has always been, WWMD. No, not the nuclear option, silly. What Would Monk Do? My favorite detective may be obsessive-compulsive; but, he has one thing right. Hands and keyboards and computer mice need to wiped down with a disinfectant wipe regularly. Hands need to be washed often. And, keyboards need to be deep cleaned less often; but, still on a regular basis. This kit from WalMart will make the job easier. Unlike some, I don't recommend removing each key. I have ruined a few keyboards when I couldn't get the keys back on properly. So, stop reading this blog. Get a disinfectant wipe. Wipe down the keyboard and mouse. Go back to computing. Repeat."

Don't Join The Insane. Stay In Your Lane.

The Marcus Aurelius quote about not being focused on being in the majority all the time, has a corollary argument about keeping one's own counsel. Avoid drama, conflict, and other people's business or problems, just as you avoid joining the insane. Mental health. It's everyone's business. The "Save the Drama" sign in my office, reminds me every day that I have my own circus. I don't need yours.