Sunday, December 14, 2014

To the...

To the sun:
 the brightness excels your smile,
 the light shines around your space,
 within the dark reaches of life--
 you make it real,
 you bring the world closer to me,
 so do your thing, please before we die.


To the moon:
 GROW UP!  Won't You?

Saturday, December 13, 2014

To the Sore Throats

Sore throats are made to
 be felt and not seen,
  which makes them
   so difficult to tell about.


You can't speak or else
 it will hurt, but you
  have to tell someone
   that you have a pain.


So, here's to you who
 have sore throats and
  to some, who have
   more than others.


Don't talk, laugh, or
 strain your voice,
  because it makes
   more pain for you.


Rest in bed, drink
 plenty of liquids, and
  take aspirin to relieve
   your fever and pain.


Don't cough your way
 into oblivion, because
  then you won't have
   a throat to heal.


COUGH!

Friday, December 12, 2014

To Somebody, 1972

In the light of darkness,
In the speed of ants
            laugh
                    sadness.


Peace be still
Someone said
That man is dead
But life lives on
Through this somebody that I know.


Forever and ever
Until the sun shines through darkness.

Thursday, December 11, 2014

To Kill or Not to Kill, 1969

 It was a cold and rainy day.  It was winter time.  The day was Tuesday.  The date was November 26, 1986.  The time was 10:00 in the morning.  A small two-door foreign car stopped at the crossroads of a farm road and a main highway.  A small, but fat old man stepped out of the car.  The man had on an old dark green raincoat with a little hat on his head.  He put a metal box, like that of a tackle box, down on the ground.  He got back into his car and drove off.  An hour later a man in a station-wagon drove up to the crossroads and stopped.  On the car door, there was a sign that says "Red Cross Farm".  The man was tall and broad-shouldered.  He was wearing jeans with a large, husky coat on.  He got out of the car, picked up the metal box, and drove off.
 The same time in Washington, D.C., a meeting is taking place in the White House.  Those attending the meeting are the President, the heads of security for the President, the Treasury Department agents assigned to the president, the leaders of the Secret Service, and officials from the F.B.I.  The meeting is on the subject of security measures for the upcoming trip to the Midwest.  The President is planning a large, open-air, meeting to promote a new project in the Midwest.  The President, Vice-President, and Secretary of Agriculture will be at the meeting in the Midwest.  The President says, "Now, I know this is going to be an open-air meeting, but I do not see why we need to have so many security agents everywhere".  F.B.I. agent William Jefferson, who is the head of the F.B.I.'s work in the Midwest, says, "But Mr. President, there have been a number of shootings in the Midwest lately".

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Toi Chi Sun

 Toi Chi Sun is a form of self-defense, which has its roots in three Oriental countries:  Korea, China, and Vietnam.  It uses Korean technique of kick (front, side, and back) and hand (knife, hook, etc.).  It also uses the exercise technique of China, where control is a prime factor.  Finally, it uses the surprise and attack technique of Vietnam.
 To Chi Sun teaches that Karate does not have to be shown publically to be achieved.  It is not taught, so that a person can break boards.  It is taught, so that a person can defend himself against any opponent.
 I have been studying this form for approx. 5 years.  It is done through concentration.  The moves are based in the sub-conscious, and are transferred to the conscious during an attack.  Adrenalin is pumped into the muscles, and strength is achieved.  This strength is continued for about six hours, at which time, I start to lose the strength.
 Proponents of this form are:  Moja Rone--San Francisco Karate Expert and Author, Baghavid Gita--Indian Philosopher, Lawrence Southerland--Karate instructor in Anderson, S. C., and other people regarding to Oriental Arts.
 It all comes down to one idea.  Toi Chi Sun is mind over body.  The same idea can be used to stand pain, cold, hot, strain, stress, and anxiety.  This form is known in Vietnam as Toi Chi Lin Da Shau.

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Today in Uncle Don Land, 1971

Announcer.   And now, direct from our studio in Cell 143-B of the Oregon State Correctional
                      Institution in Portland, Oregon, it's "Today in Uncle Don Land".  Along with Uncle
                      Don, we have Lynn Novice, our newsman--Jerry Plate, and our weatherman, who
                      just got out of jail, Joey Jive.  And now, here's Uncle Don.


Uncle Don.   Well folks, here I am again.  We've moved our studio, because the police raided our
                      other studio.  I have some sad news.  Lynn Novice won't be with us--because she was
                      hit by a truck.  On our show, we've got the head of the "Smuggling Heroin League"--
                      Jose Smith; the vice-chairman of the "Bring our Boys Back from Berlin Foundation"--
                      Fred Fink; Charlotte Chum--head of "Women Of Power" or "WOP"; and the "Bop
                      Boys", who will sing for us.  Here's our weatherman, Joey Jive, to give us the weather.


Joey Jive.      Thanks Uncle Don, it sure is good to get back into jail.  Let's look at the map.  For you
                      people that are revolting in Eugene today, the weather will be fair and windy--so
                      those firebombs will spread faster through those buildings.  For those in Salem--you
                      will have rain--so wait until tomorrow to blow up the city.  That's all for today.  Our
                      high in Portland is acid, and our low is bennies.


Uncle Don    That was great Joey.  Here is a commercial from "Bobby Sox".


Announcer.   Remember those Bop days?  Well, they're coming back.  ...And the way to stay with
                      the times is with "Bobby Sox".  It will not only rejuvenate your feet, but it will also
                      knock your shoes off.  Drink it with a friend.  "Bobby Sox"  is MY cup of tea!


Uncle Don.   Here's our first guest--Jose Smith.  He is president of the "Smuggling Heroin League".
                     He provides powder for needy people in America.  Welcome Mr. Smith.


Smith.          Wow!  Far out!


Uncle Don.  Are you on anything?


Smith.          Yes, my chair--Ha Ha Ha!


Uncle Don.   Well, tell me what the "Smuggling Heroin League" is all about.


Smith.           We have an organized society of ships between Nome, Alaska and Veracruz, Mexico.
                      Everyday, thousands of junkies get fixes, because of our loyal, dedicated wetbacks.


Uncle Don.   Well, that's real nice.  (Uncle Don pushes a little button behind his chair.  Suddenly,
                      50 policemen rush into cell 143-B and take Jose Smith away.)  Well, as you can see,
                      I'm not only a loveable, well-liked person--I'm also a narc.  Let's go to Jerry Plate
                      for the news.  Jerry,


Plate.             Thanks Uncle Don.  Today we had several riots, demonstrations, and card playin's.
                      The most interesting item was an attack by flying fish on salmon.  Salmon won by
                      a final score of 3-2.


Uncle Don.   Well thanks Jerry, that was SOME report!  Now for an advertisement from our
                      sponsor--Bunseam Bread.


Announcer.   Bunseam Bread gives you W.A.S.P.--Wonderful American Super Protein.  It will
                      make you grow higher and your neck redder.  Bunseam Bread is great for your ego.


Uncle Don.   Now, our nest guest is Fred Fink.  Mr. Fink is the vice-chairman of the "Bring our
                     Boys Back from Berlin Foundation".  He has a great deal of education at P.S. No. 147
                     in Brooklyn, where he was a student for 36 years.  It certainly is a pleasure to have you
                     here, Mr. Fink.


Fred Fink.    Thank you.


Uncle Don.   Tell us what the foundation does.


Fred Fink.    Our foundation gives money to the soldiers in Berlin.  We give them about $6.00 a
                     month.  This money goes toward an airplane ticket, so that they can come home.
                     Unfortunately, it takes about 20 years to get enough money to come home.  That's
                     why we need everyone's support in our effort.  If we could be able to give every
                     soldier $12 a month, instead of $6, it could cut the arrival time in half.  In other words,
                     it will take 10 years, instead of 20.


Uncle Don.   Well, I'm sure that you'll get all the support you need.  Where can people send their
                      money?


Fred Fink.    They can send it to "Bring our Boys Back from Berlin", P.O. Box 1902, Cell no. 607,
                     Leavenworth, Kansas.  If you send a check of more than $1.50, you will get a free
                     membership to the foundation.


Uncle Don.   Thank you for stopping by, Fred.  Now folks, here's a word from our sponsor, Seppi
                      Cola.


Announcer.   Seppi Cola is the official drink of the Mafia, the Syndicate, and all those other
                      protecting organizations.  Seppi Cola gives you B.I.R.C.H.--Better Ink-Rich Cold
                      Honey, a new secret formula for sweeter cheeks.  Seppi Cola seeps into your body
                      and gives you a feeling you'll never forget.  Seppi Cola--buy it today.


Uncle Don.   Yes, that's Seppi Cola.  Now,  here's our musical feature.  Uusually we like to
                      introduce a new group during this time slot, so here's a new group that call
                      themselves the "Bop Boys".  The members of the group are Spade, who plays the
                      piano and sings, and Oglethorpe, who plays the kazoo and sings.  They write their
                      own songs.  They bring back the sounds of the fifties and put them in a modern
                      flavor.  Ladies and gentlemen, the "Bop Boys".


Bop Boys.     (singing)  Doo wah wah wah, Doo wah wah wah, Doo wah wah wah, Doo wah wah
                      wah, Doo wah dee.  (speaking)  Hello ladies and gentlemen, and we're the Bop Boys.
                      We gon' sing some beach songs, some car songs, some love songs, but first of all we
                      gotta do our introductory song.  You see, we play rock and roll. 
                      (singing)  Shing-a-ling bop a doo, Shing-a-ling bop a doo, Shing-a-ling bop a doo--
                      We're gonna sing a song for my baby who's blue
                      Bee bop a doo, Shing-a-ling too
                      Gonna do the fish for my baby who's blue
                      Gonna do the twist with my blue suede shoes
                      Doo bop a doo bop a doo bop a doo doo.


Uncle Don.   That was great boys.  Folks, if you enjoy, send your vote to Cell 143-B of the Oregon
                      State Correctional Institution, and maybe these boys will come back next week.
                      (aside)  That was awful!  Now, here is our last guest--Charlotte Chum.  Miss Chum
                      is head of "Women Of Power" or "WOP".  Good morning Miss Chum.


Chum.           Hi there.


Uncle Don.   Tell us briefly what your program covers.


Chum.           Well you see, it's like this, "Women Of Power" was organized to give women a voice
                      in their exploitation.


Uncle Don.   Could you tell us where women are being exploited?


Chum.           I can give you 3 examples:  "Bunseam Bread", "Bobby Sox", and "Seppi Cola".


Uncle Don.   (whispering)  You can't say that.  They're our sponsors.


Chum.           (shouting)  You can't tell me what I can and cannot say!


Uncle Don.   Well, I see by our director, Al Capone, that it's time to say so long for Jerry Plate,
                      Joey Jive, and the deceased Lynn Novice for now.  Tune in tomorrow--same time,
                      same channel, different studio.


Chum.           "Women Of Power" will live for 1000 years.  Long live "WOP"!


Uncle Don.   Goodbye folks!

Monday, December 8, 2014

A Thought on Tomorrow, 1974

 Tomorrow will be June 17, 1974, which is a point in my life.  It is my 21st birthday, brought to you by the John Dursts.  I feel that it is just another birthday, but it is also a time when I will be passing into adulthood, according to the society in which I live.  I will be able to do many things, that I have previously not been able to do, legally.  Even though many things have been given to 18 year olds, the 21st birthday is still the old standard of becoming an adult.  Am I ready for this responsibility?  It seems that I will have some responsibility but not much more than I already have.  What's so different about becoming 21 years old that when I was 20?  I am no longer a teenager.  I am an adult.  Am I?  I'm supposed to be.  But, am I?  Perhaps, I'll be an adult tomorrow.  Who knows?  Zap, I'm an adult!  Am I?  Of course I am, because society says that I am.  Don't argue with society.  You can't fight city hall.
 Tomorrow will be June 17, 1974.  What's the difference?