Kind o’ Confusing

  

 

 

He said he came home early

She said it was late,

He had arrived home

The same time she would wake.

 

If she wakes up early

Then how could he be late?

Did he not arrive home

At the time she would wake?

 

A difference in perspective

Between this husband and wife

And as a result

There is ongoing strife.

 

When he comes at eleven

She says it is early

But thinks he is late

If he comes at twelve-thirty.

 

What’s early for the male

Is late for the female,

They see time differently

That is “for real”.

 

She awakes at four

And that is early for her,

He gets home at four too

And she says it’s later

 

So early for the woman

Is late for the man,

Men, please acknowledge this

When you devise your plan.

 

Stewart Russell © September 2019

 

December 4th

 

 

December 4^th is where we are,

How did we get here so fast?

It was like yesterday the year began

And 11 months have passed.

 

December 4^th is where we are,

And Christmas is drawing nigh,

The roads have become extremely busy

As the vehicles thunder by.

 

December 4^th is where we are

And the countdown is truly on,

Some have already started to shop

Unlike in years gone.

 

Back then was the excitement

In trying to cut it close

But perhaps being more youthful then

They could join the droves.

 

 

 

December 4^th is where we are

In a year of ups and downs

But with Christmas just around the bend

Smiles have replaced frowns.

 

There are chirpy good mornings

And excuse me if you please,

And the spirit of the festive goodwill

Brings temporary ease.

 

 

 

December 4^th is where we are

We give God thanks and praise,

It’s because of Him we are still alive

So, to Him our voices raise.

 

Thank you, Lord, for this day

And the blessed gift of life,

Fill our hearts with your Shalom peace

And protect us from strife.

 

Stewart Russell © December 4, 2025

 

All Earth’s Joys

 

 

What is the greatest joy

You have experienced on earth?

Whatever that was

Must have brought great mirth.

 

Laughter and excitement

What lasting treasures!

And the unforgettable memories

That brought us pleasure.

 

But all of earth’s joys

Eventually come to an end

And that for all of us

Could be around the next bend.

 

Like our life, they are short lived

As is the withering grass

And regardless of status or position

We are all in that class.

 

 

All of earth’s joys

Are lined with sorrow

And for every event we enjoy

There is a pending horror.

 

So, what is your greatest joy?

Can you tell it to me?

For whatever it is I can tell you this

Its sorrow lining you will see.

 

Is it a happy marriage?

It will be marred by death,

Did you win the lottery?

Well, you will leave that wealth.

 

Of course, we do understand

It could be the other way around,

The joys set us up

But the sorrow brings us down.

 

 

Death is the lining of sorrow

That shadows life

In the same way that earthly peace

Is shattered by strife.

 

So whatever earthly joy we seek

After that joy comes the bleak,

Just like the summer and the winter

These changes come even as we speak.

 

It is not so in heaven, though

Whenever that time shall be,

Then will be an eternity of untinged joy

When our Saviour, Jesus we see.

 

Stewart Russell © January 31, 2021

 

Two Types of People

 

 

There are two types of people

In the world today

Or rather, in any given era,

Might be a better way to say.

 

And these should be obvious

As it pertains to life:

One set mitigates the problem

The other is bent on strife.

 

 

Set number one, I suggest,

Is about finding solutions

While the other, on the other hand,

Is bent on causing problems.

 

One manufactures a problem

For the other set to solve,

Pay attention to what I am saying

To see how our world revolves.

 

 

It comes over to me as

The law makers vs the law breakers

Or, put in another way:

The problem solvers and causers.

 

The difficulty of being proactive

In itself is a problem too

For, given the propensity for trouble,

There’s not much anyone can do.

 

One may anticipate trouble

And put some solutions in place

But concerning the how and when,

There mightn’t be a trace.

 

The case of watchman and villain

Or beat cop and thief,

The former is easily identifiable

The latter causes grief.

 

Like the proverbial chessboard:

On one side is the solution

And as most would understand

The other side is the problem.

 

 

Hence, the question here of late:

Are you a part of the solution?

Or, as the question invariably continues:

Are you a part of the problem?

 

The obvious point here

Is that we are one or the other

And should there be a case of both,

That would be a colossal bother.

 

That certain ambidextrous person

Himself, would be a problem

And must certainly be considered

Opposed to the solution.

 

 

One type sees a problem

In every contemplated solution,

The other sees a solution

In the case of every problem.

 

Herein is an interesting interplay

Particularly with the first type,

They become part of the problem

And expectantly offer little light.

 

The second type is willing to try

And try and try again

And unlike the other type

These don’t exacerbate the pain.

 

Again, I ask the question

Which of the two types are you:

One type the world can do without,

Are you among the other crew?

 

Stewart Russell © July 2020

 

 

Life and Living

 

 

From dawn till dusk

From dusk till dawn,

From morning till night

From night till morn.

 

From dust to dust

The destiny of the body,

What is the meaning of life?

Tell me, can anybody?

 

A few short decades

Sometimes more, sometimes less,

Sometimes full of trouble

Sometimes blessed.

 

 

 

Like the throw of a die

To determine one’s destiny

Or like picking Lotto numbers

To avert poverty.

 

Does life make a living?

Does living make a life?

Which stance should one adopt

To reduce life’s strife?

 

 

 

Some eat to live

Others live to eat,

Feeding a chicken properly

Gives better meat.

 

Some are living to die

While some are dying to live,

Some horde up everything

Never willing to give.

 

Some live for today

Since tomorrow never comes,

Some lead the way

While others march to their drum.

 

Ages and stages

Of writing on life’s pages

And as life’s tempest rages,

One to one engages.

 

Life is made for living

But what does this mean?

For some it is mostly fun and frolic

For others, a battle scene.

 

 

Wastage is a privilege

That a few can afford

While most daily scratch around

Seeking opportunity’s door.

 

Bits and pieces for some,

A bounty for others,

Some seeing life as a blessing

And for some it’s a bother.

 

For some the days are short,

For others they are quite long

And definitely life’s not the same

For the weak and the strong.

 

Life and living

Can be vastly different,

One may complement the other

Given one’s intent.

 

Primary and secondary

Don’t mix up the two!

These two are critically important

Regarding what we do.

 

 

Necessity comes first

And after comes pleasure,

Health before wealth, my friend

Is a primary measure.

 

We all start with life-

It is a living we must make

And we do so as the genuine

And not as the fake.

 

Yes, life is for living

But living the best we can

Not only for self but for others

As our daily life plan.

 

Stewart Russell © June 12, 2024