quote of the day - excellence

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.
Aristotelis

grow

grow big and tall
fed by the proximity
of other beings
all ready to teach.
do learn to stay still
when you need peace;
and do learn to storm
when you need to run;
do learn to dance
with your hands up
in the free air above;
learn to stay clean
no matter how dark
the waters in which
you were thrown to swim.
when you come out
you will know
you have grown big and tall
kind and all
you need to be
for your own
but also for others felicity.

summer

come down south
where the summers are long
and the ground is low,
where the fish are jumping
in the afternoon heat.
where the air is steamy
and the crabs are swift,
while the lazy gators
are first to cross the street.

drive your car slow
watch out when you turn
alligator mama is crossing
and going to town
her hips are swinging
with pride when she does
put her best feet forward.
give thanks for this day
to bask the sun.

come down low
where the summers are long
let the pace get slow
can't avoid the sweat
but can cool it off
when the breeze comes in
let it pass under your chin;
let the lazy gators
be first to cross the street

my library

my books are moving
eternally between
my house and a larger one
a well organized one - downtown.
the focal point
of the city for me
has been its library
family friendly
and mostly free.
i have met friends
some live between
cardboard covers,
and some behind desks.
the books come and go
and they have many stories
to tell if you listen to them.
they teach you, they tease you
sadden or amuse you.
they bring to your home
sometime a dusty smell,
sometime the one of fresh ink.
whatever they bring
you might well grow
to be wiser because
of them - just think.

summer day

blue from blueberries,
red from raspberries
and white from cream
put them together to decorate
a beautiful cake.
after you eat
rest on the lawn
look at the stars
till sparkles start
to spring right up.
then in excitement
jump on your feet
do make some noise
to show your joy
the band may be tired by now
but we can still stand up tall
the street's in smoke
after all the firework
now go to bed
to rest and dream
in many colors
you used to trim
this summer day.

parable

source: http://joomla.wildlife.org

you have launched yourself
dangeroulsy but think for a while
know what you do
and what cannot be undone.
if you fall you must
gather your strength
so you can spring back
from murky waters
let hope reborn itself
onto your wings
batting the air moderately
forget the greed,
you do not need all this
(just to feed).
now launch yourself
beautifully.

step

for once let us take a step
out of the ordinary reality,
let us think that we are as young
as necessary to be able to fly freely,
as rich as necessary to not really need
anything but a dream
a chance to pursue it
and see how we feel.
and what else would we need,
dear?