There are some things to be said That keep rolling around in my head One of which must be said precise That extremism in defense of liberty is no vice
Moderation in pursuit of justice is not a virtue Nor can any ethical argument be made to so construe While to some this may be seem quite obvious Too many others remain cheerfully oblivious
In this present crisis of the American house divided These are some things of which I have decided One of these is the need for a new birth of freedom As long as it remains true to the American te deum
What has come before, raises the level of intelligence To negate this past, is to shirk off its relevance We must guard against the leveling in this modernity While amply realizing the best of our precious legacy
Strewn there in the passages of our Declaration Are the seeds of the Constitution of our nation Let us not back down against the face of destruction But instead hold on ever stronger to our ancestral institutions
(c) September 23, 2021 Michael Doyle All Rights Reserved
“There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of the people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will have truly defeated age” -Sophia Loren, actor and singer (b. 20 Sep 1934)
“It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favors.” – George Washington, Thanksgiving Proclamation, 1789
A little something about tolerance It’s not by majority or in ignorance Truth is absolute and not up for vote The new intolerance needs an antidote
This the antidote or speaking truth Something we should from our youth Truth spoken must be from the objective It is not something that is subjective
Not everyone’s opinion is equal in worth Just as one would always want true North There is but one truth and there is one way That provides the saving grace day by day
(c) September 22, 2021 Michael Doyle All Rights Reserved
“The spirit of encroachment tends to consolidate the powers of all the departments in one, and thus to create whatever the form of government, a real despotism.” – George Washington (1796)
“The characteristic of a well-bred man is, to converse with his inferiors without insolence, and with his superiors with respect and with ease.” – Lord Chesterfield, statesman and writer (22 Sep 1694-1773)
The best answers are seldom violence Despite the circumstances or incidences The toughest battles are fought within The struggle is to find peace again
The one who truly wins this contest Has found the path to tranquility's rest No longer pushed by one's torrid emotions But like water finding form and knowing its devotion
The weight of the world can bear on the shoulders Of a man who has no choice but to be bolder No golden calf is worth the sacrifice To a soul to go against itself or good advice
One must always walk with our integrity Even when the accusations against one are incendiary Instead it is enough to know and find consilience That will trace its way to the needed paths of resilience
Until as water wears away at the cobbled stone And the guitar player bleeds his fingers to the bone We must walk past that proverbial bridge of sighs And at last, truth will be seen beyond whispered lies
(c) September 21, 2021 Michael Doyle All Rights Reserved
In the province of Henan, gungfu was born To rise to defeat China's enemies as sworn Shaolin's grace side by side with Tai Chi's school Brought honor to their disciples' rule
A battle head was one of strictly set contest Fighting to prevail, which of these was best Glass is fought with glass, brick against brick Who lives to win another day is the meanest trick
The seifoo's rambles his play on the Hollywood set As a kick in the balls that we'll not soon forget Less about the glory and never about possible defeat These are the lessons hard learned from the street
Gungfu is about the disciple developed inside Keeping control and avoiding anger and pride The game is to get inside the other person's head Fights best won are less painfully won instead
A chip held on the shoulder is just extra weight Don't let it be the deciding factor that seals fate Lessons whispered quietly in darkened alley ways If listened to will allow you live yet another day
The lessons we need, we learn as we grow Smoothly connected within gungfu's ebb and flow Step by step, increasing in the ways and skill It's not a matter of if but of when and will
Building up to fall as sadly torn down Keeping true to your path wins victory's crown There is power in the words spoken and unspoken Held in discipline by the spirit unbroken
Every moment holds its deepest importance As life comes to use every choice, chance by chance Graciously shared over warm cups of tea Life is lived strong when lived in all humility
In his penance the dragon is once again born In the restoration of balance that others might mourn But without this, equilibrium is lost in life And all that is left is the path of increasing strife
(c) September 20, 2021 Michael Doyle All Rights Reserved
Heading out of Australia to escape this Aussie winter. First stop Japan, then UK/Ireland and if work doesn't call me back, onto Chicago. I will make it up as I go along
