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

 

 

Appointment

 

 

 

I am intrigued with words

Especially English words,

A single letter can change the sense

From sensible to absurd.

 

This reading appointment

Might be a disappointment

But that particular outcome

Is not my intent.

 

I had my mind set

On a certain appointment

But when I could not fulfil it

That was a disappointment.

 

An unfulfilled appointment

Becomes a disappointment

And that was certainly the case

With this appointment.

 

Taking time to read my poem

Is definitely an appointment

But if at the end you are not satisfied

Then that is a disappointment.

 

For the living, we know

That death is an appointment,

For the deceased, however,

It is not a disappointment.

 

 

Appointment & disappointment

Note the interplay,

One comes out of the other

And it happens every day.

 

Now for another appointment

The one least recognized,

I refer to His appointment

I hope you’re not surprised.

 

We all have an appointment

With the Almighty God

And none cannot avoid it

By any means at all.

 

By His appointment

I mean at His judgment seat

Before which all must stand:

The strong and the weak.

 

Appointment, disappointment

And His appointment,

If for you the last is the least

You’re in for a disappointment.

 

Stewart Russell © December 14, 2021

 

 

In Action and Inaction

 

 

 

In action and inaction

Same thing? You think?

Try looking again

And this time try not to blink.

 

In action and inaction

Same spelling, same sound

But there is a break involved;

We’re coming around.

 

People are the constant

And also, the variable,

However, we swing

They aim at people.

 

People take a break

They can’t always work

However, inaction in this case

Is not what we call inert.

No break in the action

Is said to be in action

But when the break appears,

This is called inaction.

 

In action and inaction

Take the West Indies for instance,

They've become so used to losing

There is little resistance.

 

 

Almost void of action,

In fact, sometimes none at all,

Therefore, I have no choice:

Their inaction I appall.

 

Now take the COVID fight

This is action non-stop!

The PM directs her generals

And others in this plot.

 

Inaction and in action

Can sometimes be the same:

Like Caswell Franklyn and his union

That some call insane.

 

Strike action is on!

In a sense this is inaction,

In another sense it is the opposite:

The strikers are in action.

 

 

Action has begun

Regarding the coming Election

Parliament is prorogued:

It is no longer in action.

 

Note the interplay

That occurs between these two:

Similar and yet so different,

Depending on the view.

 

Strike action is inaction

But it is also the action

To force a desirable outcome

To the nurses’ satisfaction.

 

Election is the PM’s call

To address a perceived inaction

And hence, in the coming days,

Candidates will be in action.

 

Whether inaction or in action

Both relate to a cause

And to determine which and when,

It is important that we pause.

 

 

 

 Pause for consideration,

Pause for contemplation,

Then take the necessary action:

In action or inaction.

 

Stewart Russell © December 31, 2021