Poetry - Guest

 

To His Management by Objective

By Karl Stetson

(with grave apologies to Andrew Marvell)

Had we but world enough, and time,

These objectives were no crime.

We would sit down, and think which way,

How best to utilize each day.

Thou, by the pot of coffee's side,

Shouldst milestones set, and I with pride,

Should nod and ne'er complain, I would

Write task descriptions by the flood.

You, their approval might refuse,

Till the conversion of the Jews.

I would my long-term goals should grow,

Vast as empires, and more slow.

A hundred years we'd seek all ways

Of lens design and tracing rays,

Two hundred spend to find the best,

and thirty thousand for each test,

An age at least to every part

Of Science that impacts our art,

For our research deserves this state,

Nor would I plan at lower rate.

But at my back I always hear,
The wings of progress hurrying near,
And yonder all before us lie,
Deserts of vast uncertainty.
Who can but guess what shall be found
Where our Technology is bound?
Nor who can plan on those who try
Experiments we cannot see?
And their success may turn to dust,
The plans wherein we placed our trust.
To set objectives has its place,
But few who do, I think, keep pace.

Now, therefore, while a youthful hue
Sits on each thought like morning dew,
And while the eager soul inspires,
To every theory, instant fires,
Let Fancy take us where it may!
And let's, like starving birds of prey,
Each new discovery devour,
Not languish in slow hindsight’s power.
Let us roll all our wit and all
Our inspiration in one ball,
And tear out Truth, with brutal strife,
Through Nature's iron gates of life.
Thus, though the prize may ne'er be won,
 Our labor shall at least be fun.

 

 

HEAL AMERICA

BY JOHNNY JACKSON

FOR OVER TWO HUNDRED YEARS AMERICA'S BEEN AROUND

OH WE'VE HAD OUR UPS AND WE'VE HAD OUR DOWNS.

BUT WHEN TIMES WERE TOUGH AND THINGS WERE GOING WRONG

AMERICA HAS ALWAYS PLAYED HER SONG.

WE PLAYED IT WHEN THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE WAS DECLARED

AND WE PLAYED IT WHEN WASHINGTON CROSSED THE DELAWARE.

AND WHEN SETTLERS WERE MOVING ACROSS OUR LAND

STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER LED THERE BAND.

WHEN A CIVIL WAR HAD TORN US APART

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL PLAYED IN OUR HEARTS

DETERMINED TO LIVE IN A LAND THAT IS FREE

WE PLAYED IT ON THE BEACH OF NORMANDY.

LED BY FAITH IN GOD WE TRUST

OUR FATHERS SACRAFICED THEIR LIVES FOR US

AT PEARL, AT MIDWAY,THE KOREA CAMPAIGN

AND WE PLAYED IT IN THE FIELDS OF VIETNAM

AND THOUGH IT WAS MOCKED, BURNED AND TORN

IT STOOD PROUD IN DESERT STORM

IT DISPLAYS TO A WORLD THATS BURDENED WITH YOKES

POWER, COURAGE, FREEDOM AND HOPE

BUT WHILE EMPIRES HAVE FALLEN AND WALLS HAVE COME DOWN

WE STILL FIGHT A BATTLE IN EVERY TOWN

CRIMES OF HATRED AND VIOLENCE WE SEE

WARS OF DESTRUCTION UPON OUR STREETS

WE NEED OUR GOD TO HEAL OUR LAND

TO PUT LOVE, FAITH AND HOPE BACK IN THE HEART OF MAN

WHERE YOU SEE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOUR BEST FRIEND

AND WHERE CHILDREN CAN GROW TO BE WOMEN AND MEN

ITS NOT JUST A FLAG AND ITS NOT JUST A SONG

ITS A PEOPLE TOGETHER, UNITED AND STRONG

AND WITH FAITH IN GOD NO MATTER COLOR OR CREED

WE'LL KEEP ON PLAYING IT, FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA.

GOD HEAL AMERICA

WRITTEN BY JOHNNY JACKSON,.ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

615.292.4698

jacksonprecision@directvinternet.com