Trying my hand at poetry

A Manifesto on Life:

The Cactus

The snow falls                    

outside on the hill;            

tiny crystals                        

float here and there.         

In a window, the cactus stands            

as tall and proud as it possibly can.    

Prickled and green, rigid and still,   

it cares not for that snow on the hill.  

Days go by

and the snow melts.

The sun shines bright

a warmth unfelt

by the cactus, prickled and green.

A desire for more remains to be seen

for the cactus,  all alone

upon the sill it forever calls home.

The life of                    

a cactus so grand          

may be for some            

the perfect stance.         

As for me, I prefer the sky,          

the cold world of danger that reigns outside.   

Cruel may be the struggle of man      

But with it comes love, hope, and a helping hand. 

An update in the oh-so efficient bullet format:

• Doug and I are [almost] officially moved in together!  i.e. shacked up  The [almost] is attributed to the fact that I still have a carload of junk to either a)  throw away or b) ship over to the new pad.  The past few days have been spent rearranging furniture in a desperate attempt to fit all of my bedroom furniture into Doug's already furnished 10x13 bedroom.  Surprisingly enough, we are both very satisfied with the result!  
• Ok, this last sentence was a vast understatement.  I am absolutely ecstatic about sharing my life and living space with Doug.  Let me be clear about this:  I am incandescently happy about this aspect of my life!!!!!   
• In case words aren't enough, allow me to elaborate via a pictoral representation: 

Me: incandescently happy.

Ok, back to my bulleted update:

• I have a job! yayyy!!! :)  At least I think I have a job, a job I was offered almost two weeks ago and have yet to actually start.  Alas, my first day is now scheduled for next wednesday.  That is, unless they decide to bump me back another week just for funzies.  This is not an impossibility.  
• Despite my newfound job security (?), I am still in the process of applying elsewhere, just to keep things interesting.  My prospects include 1. a full-time position as YWCA Coordinator working with youth in Asheville and Buncombe County.  Perks: a) involves working w/ teens b) full time w/ benefits!!!!!  Very exciting.  2. Goooooo Asheville Blues!  It looks as though my alma mater is very interested in hiring me on as part-time interim English teacher for the remaining school year!  Perks:  a) Working w/ teens b) Daily interaction w/ Jay BonBons c) a great experience that would look great on a resume!!  Exciting stuff, I know.
• BIG NEWS:  I have officially joined Camp Hillary.  Yes, it's true.  I support Hillary Clinton for president.  I have been leaning towards this decision for awhile but consistently found myself split between Clinton and Obama.  Perhaps I will jump sides later down the road, but for now, Clinton it is, for a couple of key though perhaps overly-simplistic reasons:

1. My brain says practicality--keep to the issues missy-- but my heart screams, "Goood GOD I want a woman president!!!!!"
2. Speaking of issues:  Universal Healthcare.  I likes. A lot.
3. Strong and experienced.  Why is that when a woman is confident, professional, smart and cut-throat she is an evil bitch??  If that were a man up there, we would be waving an American flag in patriotic splendor.  Obama talks a good talk [comparisons to MLK are awe-inspiring] but does he stomp the stomp?  Who knows.  Well I'm sorry, but I think this country is teetering a little too far on the brink of annihilation to place all of our pennies in one appealingly-black basket of "hope."
4. The Economy:  Clinton did it back in the '90s, now it's Hillary's turn to kick fiscal irresponsibility into next week.
5. Coming from a long lineage of therapeutic bargain shoppers, I understand the golden rule of a good deal:  Never, under any circumstances, turn your back on the "Two For."  Two presidents for the price of one?  yes, please!  
6. Finally:  Obama's "You're likeable enough, Hillary" comment does not sit well with me, making me wonder if men in America--white or black--will ever accept a strong woman calling all the shots.  

This in and of itself would make my back Hillary.  But everything combined?  I can now proudly proclaim:

Hillary Clinton is my homegirl