Disabled One?
by Ted L Glines

Chrissy grew up hard
she could not hear
uncertain and lonely
other kids would jeer.

Robert grew up mean
kicked dogs who were small
being a bully
made him feel so tall.

Chrissy needed a job
no one would hire
for she was disabled
and life was dire.

Chrissy answered an ad
in the City Times
this time she was hired
by a man full of crimes.

Robert - her boss
yes, she worked for this dude
cruely abused
he made her pose nude.

There is more to this time
but we won't go there
Chrissy lived through it
with no need to share.

Chrissy kept searching
'til she finally found
a job which would use her
but not by the pound.

She thought she was leaving
evil Robert behind
but that never works
not with his kind.

A predator wants
to pick on the weak
the victim's terror
is what they seek.

Robert emailed her job
put her address online,
put up Websites about her
he was feeling fine.

But the world moves on
and now ...

Chrissy has a loving husband
two daughters to protect
and a heart which has healed
from society's neglect.

And Chrissy has found
she has friends on the Net
who champion her cause
that's how good it can get.

Better than that
no longer scared and sad
our Chrissy's grown up
and she's hopping mad!

Robert is running
as his Websites go down
his emails don't work
(that gives him a frown).

He finds that his preying
is not worth a dime
now scared when confronted
with the warrants of crime.

Now I ask you truly
how is this labeled;
is it Chrissy or Robert
who is truly disabled?

Do it now!
by Ted L Glines

Stay as you are
and let things happen
or take a stand.
Your choice alone;
you can make things better
if you lend a hand.

Just let things alone
for a little more time
and they'll only get worse.
When helplessness rules
and nothing is done,
it's a downhill curse.

Let go the burden
that you don't need,
it's dragging you under.
Let it go now
and you'll feel the light
of happy wonder.

Push forward the good
and let go the bad;
do it this hour.
The sun will come up
on a brand new day
of positive power.

You can do this,
you can open your eyes
and make a vow
to do these things
to improve your life;
do it now ...

Do it now!

Author's Notes: Maybe it is simple  and trite, but it  is the very simple solution to a life which  is degrading (day by day) under the  pressure of abusive relationships  and eroding economics. Negative pressures will  not simply go away  (or get better) until you make positive moves in your own  behalf.

Max Ehrmann

Desiderata

Go  placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace  there may be in  silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be  on good terms with all  persons.
Speak your truth quietly and  clearly;
and listen to  others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they  too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they  are vexations to the spirit.
If  you compare yourself with others,
you  may become vain and bitter;
for  always there will be greater  and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your  achievements as  well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career,  however humble;
it is a real  possession in the changing fortunes  of time.
Exercise caution in your  business affairs;
for  the world is full of trickery.
But let this not  blind you to  what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high  ideals;
and  everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially,  do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical  about love;
for  in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as  perennial  as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully  surrendering the things  of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit  to shield you in sudden  misfortune.
But do not distress yourself  with dark imaginings.
Many fears  are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond  a wholesome discipline,
be  gentle with yourself.
You  are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the  stars;
you  have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to  you,
no  doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.