Damaged Soul

Damaged Soul

Troubled angry mind

Strives to create spiteful rage

Causing hurtful wounds

Ken Goree

This is a first attempt to understand the guy I spoke o, on Saturday.  Of course, I can’t see into his mind, nor have I lived the life that brought him to the place he is in now.  I assume, possibly incorrectly, that his life has been filled with anger, pain and poor examples of how to be part of a society.  I hope he finds a way to heal his wounds before he causes great harm to himself, or the world.

What isn’t Fair

Fair isn’t always
Getting your way
Sometimes it means
The price that you pay

Fair isn’t always
Being on top
Sometimes it means
The winning must stop

Fair isn’t always
Having the final word
Sometimes it means
Someone else must be heard

Fair isn’t always
So easy to see
Sometimes it means
Some other one’s glee

Fair isn’t always
Winning the game
Sometimes it means
Someone else’s fame

Fair isn’t always
Gaining the best price
Sometimes it means
Paying for it twice

Fair isn’t always
That the sun’s always out
Sometimes it means
It’s all rainy out

Fair isn’t always
Getting Best in Show
Sometimes it means
Hearing the word "No"


Ken Goree

This is another poem inspired by one of my little second grade students.  A few days ago we were playing a "Quiz Show" game to practice the concepts for the a math unit we were finishing up (Measurement).  In this game, the questions are projected up on a large screen for all the class to see.  One student, who has volunteered, reads the question while I watch to see which team gets a hand in the air first.  The class really enjoyed it, and the kids who struggle really seemed engage.

About half-way through the game, as it was becoming clear which team was pulling ahead of the others, one little girl stood up and walked in front of everyone on her way to me.  I was surprised that she hadn't shown any consideration of the class (walking in between them and the new question that had come up on the screen).  I finished the question, having to lean around her to see who put their hand up first.  It was difficult to finish the question as she kept trying to talk over me and the kid who was trying to answer.  After finishing the question I said, "Yes, what is it?"  I figured she had to go to the bathroom and had forgotten the silent hand signal.

"Their team is making me feel bad."

"Really?"  I said, surprised, as I hadn't seen anyone in the other group behaviong inappropriately.  "Did some one make fun of your team for missing a question?  Or 'boo' when your team got a question right?  I'll keep and eye out and what for them."

"No, they didn't"

"I guess I'm missing something.  What is wrong then?"

"They're happy and cheering when they get one right."

"Oh, Sweetie, they are doing it appropriately.  That's being a good teammate.  If you want to show 'Super-sportsmanship,' you could be happy for them and say something like, 'Good one!' when they get one right."

"I don't want to do that.  They aren't fair."

?????

"Sweetie, go sit down.  It isn't fair that we have stopped the game and 26 kids are having to sit and not learn while we talk."

Did I really just see that? (Not a poem, yet)

I'm not sure if I can figure out how to write a poem for what I saw today.  As I was in line at Costco, I saw a young man about 20-years-old (give or take a few years).  He had come in the exit and was moving quickly into the the main shopping area of the store.  A security guard was calling after him, and quickly catching up to him.

Guard:  You came in the wrong entrance.  Can I see your membership card?

Guy:  I'm a customer.  I'm shopping.

Guard:  I need to see your card for you to be in the main store.

Guy:  Man, I'm a customer.  I'm shopping.

Guard:  Sir, I need to see your card for you to be in the main store, or you'll have to leave.

Guy:  Man, I'm a customer.  I'm shopping and you are harassing me.  I don't have my card on me.

Guard:  We can help you.  I'll escort you to the customer service desk.  They'll look up your membership and write you out a one day pass.  Then I can let you in the store.

Another guard walked up right then.

Guy:  Man,  I'm just trying to shop and this Asshole is harassing me.

After a moment, the second security man was repeating almost the same thing as the first.  They were great.  They remained calm, without any sign of aggravation (okay, maybe a little).  About the time I was finishing with my check out, he was grudgingly shuffling toward the exit, cursing them and yelling out that he was being harassed.  The guards followed him as he passed the customer service desk (without stopping to verify his membership status).  He and I were walking almost side-by-side at this point.  Just as he was going through the exit, I thought I saw him look quickly to the side.  A split second later, he doubled back and grabbed a bike that someone had leaned against the wall inside the door ... then off he rode.  I followed him for a little, but 47-year-old guy pushing a shopping cart with a pressure washer in it doesn't move as quickly as a young man on a bike.  I went back in to the customer service desk and explained to them what I saw, and told them if they needed to ask me anything they could call.  Don't know if I can help any, but it seemed like the right thing to at least offer.

I just don't understand people like that.  That is why I'm not sure I'll be able to write a poem that goes with the event.

Fossil

Fossil

Unchangeable corpse

Now, eternally displayed

Without your consent

Ken Goree

This picture is of fossils made eternal in marble; pretty amazing.

Darkness

Wakened in
Dark of night by
Lover’s cries
From shadowed
Conveyors of
Harm

Sobbing
Shudders
Until life’s pure air
Returns to fill
Malevolent dream’s
Vacuum

Ken Goree