Sunshine

©Dianne Barskey, 8/2007

Find a little sunshine

In all that you do

That little bit of sunshine

Can make a big difference

Sunshine is important to everyone

It makes us strong

It can make us happy

There are times when it is hard

To bear the sunshine

There are times when we

Must try harder to see the good

Sadness, depression, whatever you call it

Makes it difficult to go through a day

Sunshine can seem to add to the problem

You have to remember that the sunshine

Is the gods way of reminding us

That we are good and worthwhile

We are people with feelings

Feelings that are more sensitive

But we are still worthy of everything

That others give us.

DISCRIMINATION?

©Dianne Barskey 2010

Why is there discrimination?

Why can’t we all learn to tolerate differences?

Sexual orientation, religion, or race

None of these should cause problems.

Can’t we just accept people for who they are?

Can’t we just learn to get along?

There is no reason why we can’t?

Just because someone is gay or lesbian,

Bisexual, Pagan, Catholic, African, or Chinese

Does not mean that they

Are any less than you are.

The world needs to learn to be more tolerant.

Tolerance is not crippling like many think.

Tolerance can actually strengthen

Civilization in the long run.

Civilization, how can we call

What we have, civil?

Civil is not what I would call it.

We do not respect others.

We bully, browbeat, and detest

Others who are not ‘normal.’

What is normal?

Does anyone really know?

SUICIDE

©Dianne Barskey 2007

Is suicide the answer

To all of life’s issues?

No, I do not think so.

Suicide is “the easy way out.”

The difficult way is to say

“I need help. Can you help me?”

Talking, sharing, listening

Learning ways to cope

These are better ways for all.

Suicide leaves friends and family

Scratching their heads

“Is there something I could have done?”

“Is there something I did or said wrong?”

“What is wrong with me that you

Did not want to stay?”

Is this the legacy you want to leave?

THE WALL

THE WALL

©Dianne Barskey 2007

There is a wall in my way.

The wall is called depression.

There must be a way past it.

Things must be better over there.

One day the wall gets bigger.

One day the wall gets thicker.

What can I do?

The doctors say medicate.

The clergy say meditate.

Both work a bit on the wall,

But there must be more

That can be done.

Finally someone says therapy.

I figure I will try it.

The wall is shrinking!

Now the wall won’t leave completely,

But the coping skills are there

To keep the wall from

Growing so big again.

Thank the gods for all of the people

That have made a difference

In my life.

OCEAN RELAXATION

©Dianne Barskey 2007

Ocean surf

Ebbing and flowing

On the beach and off

Bringing seashells

And seaweed

Scenting the air with salt

Soothing sounds

Of the surf

And the seagulls

Seagulls laughing

At who knows what

Dolphins jumping in the waves

Lay back on the sand

Listen to all the sounds

Soothing, relaxing

Bringing peace to a harried mind