TUMBLER RIDGE. We Know What The Problem Is!

It's us. People. 

We have been trained to see ourselves as consumers. 

We buy what we want or do without. 

Pride comes in what we purchase.

A new handbag.

A diamond ring.

Something new to impress our friends

who think we don't deserve it.

We fume inside the mind

which otherwise could invent

something new

-- now that would be rewarding.

Something like

diamond rings or bracelets

something to spend our savings on

to make us look rich.

We have made it!

Forget clothes, food or furniture

no matter how much they cost

we can't wear them

and pretend we forgot we had them.

If we had servants 

we would forget them.

To forget we are rich

that is status.

Janet Vickers

TUMBLER RIDGE Jailbreak by Kim Goldberg

 

for the love of breaking hearts and sleepless nights I will select a few poems submitted under this title as your submission to create a poem under this name "TUMBLER RIDGE"

Jailbreak

 

the robots are so good now

they can manipulate scissors

they stand at their stations and snip

each // word // from the // story

stripping all context, this is

The Great Decluttering

dawn of our brave new age where everything 

can be anything and anything 

everything, the words drift 

to the immaculate 

floor (for robots are not dirty)

where they spontaneously 

resequence into poems about locks and 

shrikes, seamless horizons and keys

the jailbreak 

is now complete

~ Kim Goldberg

Thank you Nanaimo poet Kim Goldberg 

Way Beyond Time for Poems "TUMBLER RIDGE"

 

for humanity to realize, we,  all life on this planet is at risk of becoming extinct. Why? Because (for centuries) we humans are far most impressed by stories of shootings, killings, threat of war, strength and wealth than human nature. But there is a very deep message in our grief.

It's not that we don't have  the answer, its that there is so much heartache we feel overwhelmed.

The working title for this book will be Tumbler Ridge. I am not looking for blame or names or what's wrong with us, but for encouragement to believe we will find an answer in lovingkindness.

Scrolling through internet for information on humanity's history

 

This is not a history. Just a few items on the problems of being human.  We love to believe in "success". Ours and others we love to promote.

The problem with "success" it can mean whatever we want it to mean. Which is mostly in my opinion, power. Proof of our power.

But I have come to the conclusion it's a record of "greatness" according to this creatures ego. And that is the problem.

For the sake of  ego I believe humanity is destroying  our planet. It records its achievements by monetary wealth. Yes we have people who have great courage like those who survived Auswich and who see progress as our ability to look at our big mistakes.

Racism. Watching the despair unfold in the US. The automatic assumption that the top of the human race is the white man. 

I don't feel bad or guilty for what the USA is doing to humanity. I feel bad when I fail to do the right thing.

It's a trap in my brain. Not a mistake. I feel bad when I have made the wrong decision.

I know I am NOT superior to others based on my education, my attempts at presenting myself as trustworthy, my habits or beliefs.

FORGET SUPERIORITY IN ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING!.

Humility and respect for others comes first. No-one cares how morally superior this old woman  named Janet Vickers has become. She never made it as Danielle or Washahid. They inspire comfort to me as I mourn for my own attempts to save the world.

All I know is racism is evil, struggling to win in the superiority game is destructive to my ego. So I keep trying to love others. That's all.

I love people. I hope for their success. And I will try over and over again to care for humanity with the help of my friends and family.

WAKE UP! WAKE UP.

You could see what was happening

but you didn't know how to stop it!

If I knew

if I had billions

or fame

or power

I could speak up

but how does an aging wife

get the attention of the rich and famous

whose power comes from

convincing the rest of us

are powerless. 

When Can I Die? Please

I was born 97 years ago. It has been a good life.

I haven't suffered much.

As I look back it seems the world tried

to teach me how

to be a good person.

I wanted more.

I wanted to be a success

famous even.

I doubt I made it even as a good person.

You'll never amount to anything

I was told by one of my aunts.

Her children were raised to be perfect.

I didn't want that.

Girls I supposed to be perfect

not thanked for their efforts

or talents.

They just have to be beyond

anyones notice

seen and not heard

not published

not a star

not even a sex object.

However its unmentioned

but likely

they must be quietly submitting

to whatever anyone and everyone

expects from them.

 

The Palestinian Nose

It's not spectacular

but it is distinct

how can I explain?

Those who have the long thin nose

that enlarges and widens at the bottom

close to the lips

indicates the passage of time

quietly breathing in and out

passed down from parent to child

for as long as the people of 

Palestine 

have been here

you will notice those who are determined

will not give up

or brag the important work

they are dedicated to do

quietly without fanfare

but they finish the task.