truths that survive

truths that survive

below the surface
among the roots
that nourish
into the stalks and stems
profusion of petals my love
dreaming with colours
petals bright crimson
orange colours of blood
dried tears upon past smiling cheeks
kisses upon lips open to the light
after nights consumed in love
from the dark earth we came
from haunting dreams of nothingness
to flowering life
passing days the stars
hidden above the clouds
seeing all with understanding
of all the unknown
as we walk the roads
work the land
smell the flowers
oh my love
how to resist passing time
feeding us the motion
from the winds of time
caressing your sweet domes of life
the sweetness of kisses upon brows
upon brown skin naked to the winds
with thoughts of flowering gentleness
the sun partaking of growth
for gentler times were there
my love far from the cold earth
we and only we shared space
that other petals falling from origins of nature
knowing happiness and sadness
bringing joy and pleasure
upon the grasses of the earth
parted lips of lovers
words murmured in the darkness of the night
remembered at the sight of beauty
sight of flowers
crimson scarlet blue of blue
shining with the glow of life
lover speak to me
with light tones of green
emerald sounds of ocean waves
falling on the rocks
where life never ending
the truths that survive
we my love will part
our sounds of spoken words
never to be forgotten
upon the earth
dried flowers return
windless days and cloudless skies
hours of time
returning days to nights
returning to the sands of time
to nourish the roots
to stems to flowers
delight at beauty
showing others the ways of love
oh beloved our words are heard
in the bosoms of others words
of love never forgotten
upon the soft earth
upon the grassed green and worn down
the weight of lovers
and passing times
we part my beloved
to return to the earth
to nourish the beauty
of blossoms falling from pleasures
given to passing lovers
on the land of our fathers
we were we are forever
the beauty of the earth
our truths survive.

© 2006 by Lou Reeves

I Remember

I Remember

I hear the voices,
Carried by the soft breeze,
Across green meadows,
Through denuded trees,
Forests that have witnessed,
The passing of men,
Burdened by war equipment,
Orders given, direction taken.

Thoughts of home,
Family, friends and lovers,
Shivers, not of fear,
Of cold, damp, motionless air,
The sounds of distant actions,
Machine against machine,
Man against man.

They knew where life began,
They knew where life might end,
Explosions everywhere,
Vibrations of air and land,
Unnatural sounds, then darkness.

I hear the voices
Carried by the soft breeze
“I love you, I love you”
Sounds never heard,
By family, friends and lovers.

I hear the voices,
Of fallen comrades,
Days and years have passed,
But memories linger on.

I walk the meadows,
Among the flowers,
Between the markers,
I think of unforgiving times,
The loss of fallen brothers.

I hear the voices.

I remember.

© 2006 by Lou Reeves

How to win friends...

Many of us remember the words of Marie-Antoinette: “Qu’ils mangent de la brioche”, translated: “Let them eat cake.” She didn’t win too many friends and her enemies took care of her later!

In an item on the social lives of Ottawan’s a write of a “social page” wrote :”Everyone who is anyone right now showed up to …” Wow,  I wonder how many friends she made or better yet, how many enemies she made. Imagine all the people who did not show up who might have read her social page. What would they think? Who is she to make such a statement?

Now, as a “common man” I must say that I have no interest in such gatherings. Let them eat their cake, drink their wine and hobnob. Some may need it; others are obliged to attend. Our city is filled with members of parliament, other politicians, senators and embassy personnel. They gather and participate in activities while living for short periods of time in our town.  The wealthy, the “upper class”, participate for longer periods of time continuing the never-ending social gatherings.

So we see a division, those who are “anyone right now” and all others. Yet among those who are not “anyone” are people of high quality and virtue, deserving of the highest praise for their existence, for their work and contributions to humanity. They could be labeled “common people” and I am one of those. This is said with a sense of pride and respect for all those who are not “anyone”.

The courage of conviction

It takes courage of conviction to attempt to change an Act of Parliament or the policies of government departments in Canada. There are a number of Canadians who are opposed to the monarchy and any display of allegiance to the Crown is abhorrent.  There are many who are monarchists and supporters of all that relates to the Crown.

As a young man of sixteen years of age, an army recruit swore allegiance to the Crown. Later in his career he achieved the rank of Captain and found himself no longer a believer in displaying loyalty to the monarch. As an example he found no reason to salute the queen at such an event like a mess dinner when a salute is required when the anthem “God save the Queen” is played.

There are Canadians who are loyal to the Canadian military and country but have little desire to serve under the Crown. During the two World Wars Canadian personnel served with dignity and many Canadian personnel either died or returned as wounded. They served for “King and Country” which was understandable. But today Canada has its own constitution and many believe that Canada should be an independent and free nation without any subservience to a “foreign” monarch.

My personal view is that Canada will achieve a status of independence within twenty years. Why? Simply, Canadians are loyal to Canada.  Is there a need to have a Queen?
Absolutely not! Within twenty years the majority of Canadians will be second and third generation descendents of immigrants. Those immigrants did not come to Canada because there was a sovereign living in England. They came because Canada offered a land where a person could improve their lot in life in a democratic nation. As well, the question of which “God” is to save the Queen? Religion will come into the picture and many Canadians will want their religious beliefs respected.

I wish the Canadian Captain the best in his law suit which is against the top military person and the Canadian Government. It takes courage to stand up against the system. One thing is almost absolutely sure is that he will never be promoted again; his career will come to a stand still. Yet, he will be saluted by those Canadians who want the Queen’s representative to simply leave town.

The Costs of War

The costs of wars are innumerable and the most devastating relate to human suffering and death. The pains to families created by war live on well after any war’s termination.

Without reference to the human tragedy of the war in Iraq, the costs of the war to the American public stood at $330,822,018,254 for a brief second at 6:26PM (EST).

How might these dollars have been spent to alleviate the human suffering of countless Americans who exist in poverty, lacking in adequate food and health care services and who frequently are homeless or have inadequate shelter? And there in America they have democracy and the war in Iraq has been said to be waged in part, to spread democracy.

Is this being realistic or plain stupid? Should “charity” not begin at home?

Now, for a little story coming from the Talking Tree:


The Talking Tree talks about American trust.

Two young Americans go camping with a cooler packed with beer and sandwiches.
After a day of walking they come across a beautiful spot for their camp. Realizing that they have forgotten a bottle opener, the older American says to the younger: “You must go back and get that bottle opener. Without it we can’t drink the beer.” “No way,” says the younger, “by the time I get back all the food will be gone.” I won’t, I promise,” says the older guy, “just hurry.”
Two days pass and there is no sign of the other American. Some what exasperated and quite hungry the older guy bites into a delicious sandwich. Suddenly the younger guy jumps out from behind some big rocks and shouts: “I knew it…and I am not going!”

So much said for American trust, by the "Talking Tree", for a little laugh.

Adapted by “Talking Tree 2006” from an anonymous non-copyright text, which was somewhat racist.