we bend under pressure
and sustained battery to the psyche
and yet
ironically, those “contributions” can raise the quality of life
our troubles and the suffering surrounding us
can become extinct when the beauty of love shows up
when we treasure the existence of humanity
and gift it what it needs
those weakened
can begin again with renewed strength
Tag: humanity
Universal Peace
solidarity
let us stand against the hate
choose amity now
Another piece from the past echoes my thoughts about our current world concerns.
Achieving Peace
harmonizing the extremes
by channeling in graceful solutions
the art of negotiation
in a world of bad discourse
it’s a delicate dance
of intelligence and compassion
few possess the skills necessary
yet may all leaders learn those
as our world desperately
requires them now
Presented with slight revision, posted originally on IWH 4/26/2018.
Sharing “Collapse Of Industrial Civilization – XRAYMIKE79”
Normally, I would be sharing a 100-word story, but XRAYMIKE79’s postings continue to get under my skin in a good way. The Sunday Whirl hasn’t been posted yet, so I choose to share the last three pieces I’ve read by this brilliant poet instead! I hope they connect with you as they have with me. I want to thank Nan’s Notebook for pointing me in this direction.
Fragile
Redux
my enclosure
not a perfect design
so many ways to die easily
the interior
can be frail as well
so many ways to lose myself
Originally posted on I Write Her, 2/24/2019.
Left And Right
the division is palpable
a great chasm where all voices are lost
information doesn’t help
when it’s lopsided, false or biased
adding strong emotions
only makes it worse
facts just don’t get in
how do we tear down the walls
constructed by those
who want us to languish just enough
to keep us productive for their well-being
how do we rise above
the mis- and dis-information
created to keep us at bay
how do we finally
once and for all
come together
and stop being used
by those who choose
to determine our worth
and the harmony we seek
Caged
Redux
my humanity
wrapped up in skin, no escape
everything stirs me
coping, reacting, that’s life
but this space is confining
Originally posted 1/19/2019 on I Write Her.
Duane L Herrmann
Life Consequence
Our kindnesses that no one else knows of tell the true measure of ourselves. When no one else is looking, our true nature shines. So, what do you do when no one else will know? Do you rise to your most noble self? Or do you look out for number one? If the latter, you may have a later opportunity to improve; if not, you will carry that inability with you, a burden to drag you down. We never know what opportunities may await us to demonstrate our greatness. Failure is human; success – our best nature. We can try.
MEMORIES BE
Memories can change
be overlaid,
gain new meaning,
become
a friend they weren’t
before,
but effort,
progress,
must be made.
FINDING EARTH
We thought we
were going to the moon
but found the earth instead:
blue-white ball
suspended, alone, and single
in expanse of empty space:
one home
for one mankind,
we are one together.
ONE DOWN
Female sucks blood
eagerly,
hungrily,
for her children,
not looking
for her safety…
SPLAT!!!
One more
mosquito dead!
DINING IN
Sitting here
waiting for food
is what we do.
I’ve strung my lines,
food will come.
I’m energetic,
but now wait
for flyer
to be tangled.
LITTLE BODY
The body of a little boy,
just two years old,
washed up on shore,
his family fleeing
war and drought,
denied refuge.
What a relief,
ignorant sighed
thinking a terrorist dead.
~~~
Herrmann has published a sci-fi novel, nine poetry books, history, short stories, and more. He has carried kittens in his mouth, pet snakes, and conversed with owls, careful not to anger them! All despite a traumatic, abusive childhood, dyslexia, ADHD, cyclothymia, a form of Mutism, anxiety disorder, and PTSD. Herrman was first featured in 2020 and then again in 2022. This is his second feature this year. You can find all his work published on The Short of It HERE.
If you’d like to be featured on The Short of It in the future,
click here for the submission guidelines.
#TheShortofIt – Vol 1 The Sound of Brilliance and Vol 2 Reflections & Revelations on Amazon
Discovering
Redux
within the layers
go deeper in to find me
it’s all there for you
Originally posted 1/11/2019 on I Write Her.
Do Different
Redux
Pixabay.com
time has no beginning and no end
your stint is somewhere on the spectrum
a calendar year is a social construct
that has a beginning and an end
don’t be fooled
by limitations
challenge yourself not to live
in the shoes of others
january is not the only time
to give attention to behaviors
your birthday is not the only time
to consider the realities of your last
summer isn’t the only time
the sun shines
mondays are not the only time
to be frustrated about waking up
holidays are not the only time
to enjoy family and friends
christmas is not the only time
to give presents and thanks
40 hours is not the only time
you should labor and sweat
babies being born is not the only time
new life should spring forth
weddings are not the only time
it becomes fashionable to love
new years is not the only time
to do different
your whole life is the only time
to do it your way
Originally posted 12/31/2018 on I Write Her.
Sublime Cruelty
Redux
hard efforts
fortunes stolen
earned rewards
but no joy
life is hard
and it sucks
some benefits
you’ll reap
other times
none
just misery
and defeat
but you start
again
keep going
till death
taking small
joys
when they
come
each one
a tiny
victory
to savor
hoping
the next
chapter
won’t kill you
Originally published 12/14/2018 on I Write Her.
I Write Her 
