Written at the cottage of Wordsworth Trudi and Sting 
In the presence of Keith Altham and Adelaide in 2008 
Also at the Waverly 

one could easily fall
into the rhythm of the stones 
be lulled into inactivity
that crushes bones.

But one must act to survive
though one is ill 
and has no will

to fight the onslaught
the inner and outer foes

there is something to be interspersed
within it all
that each soul knows
the accent

the hesitated speech
that does not
can not grasp or reach
that which it wants to say 
that steps on its own tongue
hinders its own way

For besides those blocks we face
outside
are the ones we create
by our lack of patience 
the inability to wait
for outcomes

Always trying
wanting to skew the deck
that sometimes leads life to shambles
makes one life a hell a wreck
of paths not traveled
roads not crossed 
things that one always wanted to achieve
that now seems lost....

can one regain the years
or even an hour

or can one just start out
where one is 
to reverse the power

take it back inside yourself
instead of looking for a rescuer
a magic wand
an elf
to take away your hurts and misdeeds 

When one should do what one needs
to restore and resurrect
the forgotten ways of grace
that we so often neglect
If we do these simple deeds

take the humble vow
instead of putting it off
if we could do it now

what future joys it will bring 
will stop and make the angels sing..
for you cannot put time upon a shelf
for god helps those most

who help themselves..
and all life celebrates the day

when each on of us 
gets out of their own way..

© 2010 
Stephen John Kalinich 
All Rights Reserved

Grassmere Part Two

I am keenly aware 
of all the violence, hatred and prejudice.
Many people 
do not have humanitarian interest at heart.
Many people 
do not recognize 
this tendency within themselves.
They want to control.
They want to be Lords.
The only true souls 
are those 
that care not only for themselves
but for all beings.
In our successes 
and search for fame 
let us recognize 
and touch the other
within us.
I see some of my friends 
in music being afraid 
to express real sentiment.
They are suspect.
They do not trust it.
It is a melodrama,
but we can not lose this innocence
We must fight for genuine kindness.
It is a key to our healing
as individuals, nations and a world.
Our TV and Films are full of reality shows - Whose reality?
Let us not just express 
what is horrible.
A lot of it is bad.
Let us create 
what we can become.
What we have the potential to transform 
within ourselves
and make 
the experience better 
for all beings..
This is what a World of Peace 
is about.
Planting seeds 
for a new awakening.
Mankind is read to receive this.
Mankind is ready 
to become more 
than we have expressed as beings
up until now.
We must surrender 
and be recharged.
Let me touch your creativity 
with my own.
Let us not be creative misers 
saving it for ourselves
Let us put it in the interest of humanity.
Let us encourage others 
to express and create the aliveness
of their very being
so they can be more alive, more vital.
I will sing it from gas stations
as I pump the gas
From street corners
From my paper bags and shopping cart.
I will cry out for the world
PEACE!
Peace must be our destiny
Inner and outer peace.
We must not only give equal opportunity 
but equal participation
and one abilities 
should not be used 
to so dominate 
that we stifle other lives.
People waste their energy
trying to be trendy.
When you go through 
all the harshness of life
when you are wounded 
you need tenderness.
You need to not be afraid 
to to feel genuine sincere caring 
and love.
If it seems a little syrupy, 
I understand your mistrust of it 
but if it is
real and works 
and allows you to survive,
why not let someone else 
experience life that way
If it helps them 
to live in this everyday World 
and be a more effective,
compassionate being.
I ask you what is wrong with that?

© .2010 
Stephen John Kalinich 
All Rights Reserved