GroundReport.com

A Slow Death

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 08:31:05 -0500

The clouds weep
The oceans wail
Rubbish clutters the beaches
And the ozone fails

Trash abounds
Pollution runs wild
The climate suffers
The effects of style

More concerned with how things look
Getting places in a hurry
Bigger and better is the cry
As the world dies

The Dead Walk on Sycamore Hill

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 23:09:34 -0500

In the farthermost corner
of Sycamore Hill,
a stone marks
the grave of Jacob Swill.

People came from far and wide
to watch him hang,
to see him die.

Many remember the last thing he said,
"God have mercy on you all"
And then he was dead.

Jacob lived at the bottom of
Sycamore Hill
in a house that was only
held together by will.

He stayed to himself,
making no friends.
He was often seen standing in the yard
listening to the wind.

He said it spoke to him,
of things better left unsaid.
Of evil and hatred,
and the dreams of the dead.

The dead were making plans,
he was often heard saying.
Of taking over,
Of people paying....

For deeds committed,
For sins unforgiven.
The dead were going
to exact vengeance on the living!

He said it was going to be soon,
and people better prepare.
But no one listened, no one cared.

"Forget about arming yourselves,
you're better off to pray."
For what you'll be facing,
no gun can put away.

The dead were all waiting
the night that Jacob died...
To welcome him to the fold
to bring him to their side.

The night was windy,
a chill on the air.
The townsfolk were sleeping,
and completely unaware.

The dead arose,
and with Jacob at the lead,
massacred the town..
everyone but me.

I tell my tale
far and wide.
Of the dead walking,
of seeing the other side.

If only they would listen,
and do what's right
the dead would remain sleeping,
and not haunt the night.

Instead of heeding my warnings,
they locked me in this room.
Through my window I hear the dead whispering,
speaking of the coming doom!

Poetry Analysis of IF by Rudyard Kipling

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 22:33:55 -0500

I have to start off by saying that this is my favorite poem of all time! I think if we could strive to do even half the things he mentions in the poem, we would be far better people. There are so many lessons to be learned from the poem. Let's analyze them in the hopes that we can come close to meeting their expectations.

The first section of the poem, in my opinion, is about being true to one's self. There are always going to be people who think differently than you, or misjudge you for one reason or another. I think the poem is saying that we need to rise above this, and do what we know is right and just. Don't let others provoke you into actions you know are wrong. Know the value of your self worth, but don't become conceited.

The second section is about overcoming obstacles that get in your path, whether by others, or of your own making. Follow your dreams, but be realistic in the approach. I believe this section is teaching perseverance, to keep going, even when things get rough.

I believe the most important lesson in the third section is to never give up! It is truly hard to get back up after life has beaten you into the ground. It can be done though, if we always believe in ourselves and know that we did it once so we can do it again! This is a very important lesson, and one that we all should take to heart. Kipling knew how hard life can sometimes be, and I think this section of the poem is full of hope for all of us.

The last section has two important lessons. First, that we are all equal. Don't put yourself above anyone else, but know that you are just as good as everyone else. There are things to be admired in almost everyone if you look hard enough. The second lesson I take from this section, is to never waste time. Make every minute of every day count!

These are certainly lofty standards, but one's that we should try our best to attain. Read the poem, and really pay attention to what it's saying. See if you are doing all of the positive things he describes. If not, work on it. I believe this poem is a road map to life, and we just have to learn to read the signs.

Smile and the world will smile with you

Tue, 13 May 2008 01:43:41 -0500

Smile: a gesture that shows you are pleased. A reaction of approval. An expression of joy.

Its so easy to smile and pass on the a little joy to others. Just do it and see the effect it has on your surroundings and how good it will make you feel. Ofcourse. in many instances you will be faced with a blank look or complete indifference. Just ignore them and go on giving smiles to everyone.

I realized the value of a smile from a beggar. He was begging and I did not have my wallet with me, I just smiled at him and said sorry. He replied by saying (in our own native language) " thankyou for the smile that was nice" something to that nature. From then on I try to atleast smile when I am unable to do something for them. There will be those who would care less for your smile but there also can be others who will feel good by this simple gesture

Try it and see. Smile and the world will smile with you? No. Smile and you have a chance of making someone happy and getting joy in return for a mere face reaction which costs nothing and involves the least effort.

Lets make the world a better place.......so look around and ...smile.

Positive News: Reporting on What's Good

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 02:37:34 -0500

Something nice to hear,

News as we report it, is what is happening around us. We assume it will interest the reader or that it is necessary to convery it to them. Thats what makes us decide if its newsworthy or not. Reporters decide what should be read by others. Not vise versa.

So, most of the time people read what is reported even though they donot want to read it or see it. They too get into the habit of just going through the news as a means of knowing whats happening around.

What good does this do? Well, certianly an incident should be reported so that people would know to avoid and area or just to know what is going on.

There is the other side of it too. When we hear news about violence, killings, hatred and war over and over again, it reduces the self respect of people and emphasise the diminishing social values. Then it might even make it ok to do it since everyone is doing it and its newsworthy and pulicised.

Yet again people tend to get into bad moods when they hear bad news.

My aim is to provide news that is welcoming and uplifting. Things that will enhance self respect and show the goodness of people. Which in turn will make others imitate and achieve goodness. Please join me in giving "something nice to hear"

I am sure in our own little way we can contribute to uplift a few lives, it will certainly make my day if I can achieve this!

What is a headache?

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 02:37:24 -0500

My headache,

In life most people suffer from headaches. Some have long episodes namely migraine. Some others as a symptom or after effect of a related disease. Yet others have it resulting from an overdose and call it a hangover. From children to adults, you name it, they have had it at some point of their lives.

Now it is very common among many. Even those using the computer for long hours develop a headache due to bad light and straining of eye sight. Then those studying and reading complain of it. The reasons are many. These get sorted out once the cause is identified.

Well, many of us like me have different types of headaches almost everyday. Sudden sharp pangs or lingering dull headaches. No doctor can point at the cause and it just keeps coming day after day. We go through life with this and if it gets worse just lie down or take an over the counter medicine for short term relief. Our headaches are part of our life. Does anyone else go through this as me? Any sollutions?

Is it due to stress? climatic change? food we eat? or the life style?

I am yet to find out!

My Little Space

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 02:28:40 -0500

My Little Space,

Before I was born I occupied a little space in a woman's womb. I know it must have felt uncomfortable having a sort of parasite cliging on to her. That created a bond and I call her my mother and I have now become a part of her life, almost a part of her body! That is because of "my little space" in her life.

As a child I shared a little space with some people, a space to sleep, eat and live in a place called home. Those people are collectively called my family. There is a strong bond between us because we shared a little space together called home, shared a mother and a father.

Then in school I shared space with some my own age. I call them friends. class mates due to the friendship we developed while being at the same space most of the time.

When an adult I started expanding my space. This extended space became my ofiice and work area, where I spent most of my daytime.

At a certain time in life I started creating a new space for me and thats when I got married and started my own family. Now this new space has taken over my previous little spaces and has become my most important place to be.

Yet at times I withdraw to my teeny weeny little space where I am all alone and wants to be. In my own littles space all by myself.

When I die I know I will still have my little space for a while until all my body parts are turned to dust.

Life is all about the space one occupies in this world. Ones alloted "Little Space". So lets make the best use of the "little space" given to us.

Life is beautiful

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 00:23:46 -0500

Life is beautiful

The morning rays of the sun reaching my head

The chirping of birds on my window ledge

That little thing to do you planned well ahead

Now that’s something to make me get out of bed

A telephone call from a friend far away

A peck on my cheek to confirm he will stay

The songs in the air that blow my cares away

Today I know, is gonna be a beautiful day

Then off with my routine work I would go

To office then home the chores to and fro

The morning bliss I will carry as I go

To unknown places where there may be a foe

Well, all is well if we make our minds that way

Even when hassled and pushed to the brink oh pray

If you already thought it will be good today

No one can take that pleasure from you away

So pull yourselves up from all that gloom and doom

Just think its all gonna be better soon

Relax and enjoy the life that looms

Simple things that daily make you bloom

Things I Hate

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 01:24:13 -0600

Things I hate

I don't like to see people bullied

Laughter and jokes at others expense,

I don't like crowded places

With dressed up folk that don't make sense,

I don't like to hear bragging chatter

Of things they have and might possess

I don't lile to hear gossip of others

What they have done and not confessed

I don't like wet rainy weather

With dark clouded days filled with gloom

I don't even like the hot sveltering days

Where the midday sun reaches my room

I don't like to hear people lie

Knowing its not the truth they say

I don't like the bugs and flies

That roam around the home all day

I don't like to see some folk

Been put aside for faults not their own

I don't like to see the poor, caste away

for not being able to stand on their own

I really hate politicians who come to power

And live as if the whole country they own

While to the poor citizens

who apponted them moan

Thats some stuff I hate

And there is more I can write

If you stary around

you will also know what I like!!!

Looks are deceiving

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 01:10:11 -0600

Looks can be really deceiving.

I always get caught to this trap of seeing only the outer look of people and considering them to be nice.

Accepting offers which seemingly looks good but complete rubbish within.

What about "goods" that are cheap and attractive but just crap.

Then the "food" that looks really yummy but make you sick after you've taken a few bites.

The other side of it is we ourselves rely on our outer good looks more than our inner selves. Those that dress well and look good always set trends and are sought after. Where as those that are simple and kind get ignored

Well that is life. If you want to suvive in this world and also be accepted, just try and do what I do.

Simply try to reach the minimum level of acceptance in outer looks without completely ignorng it. You do have to look at least pleasing to be accepted.

Then also say the least to be in conversation but not ignored. I am always quiet with strangers when it comes to topics I disagree with. Its just not worth telling your mind out to strangers, so I prefer my solitute then, at the expense of being ignored.

This way you can live a comfortable simple life of being yourself yet not completely away from others and miserable.

Don't you agree???