Prayer for World Poetry Day - March 21, 2012

Heavenly Father, Thank you for another day. Bless those who are making birthday today. Father, we ask your blessings on the poets and lyricists who share their work with your people. Please continue to send inspiration our way and persuade us to always speak positivity to all who hear. Let our purpose be spirit-filled and enable us to do what is right in your sight. Lord, as we celebrate another World Poetry Day, we thank you for our talents. Ma our work be always pleasing to you and helpful to others. In your name I pray.

AMEN

Poem: Getting Back

I've got a lot to say
and while some of it
may come harsh your way
no ill is intended
so let the fences be mended
cause there are things that
need to be said
and things that have to
rest in the bed
because if you're not alive
you're dead
so don't let riches get
to your head
cause these days
man watching
with a piece of lead
and when they shoot
all we see is red
red red wine
but it don't make me
feel fine
cause all the young people
dying
and we crying and crying
and crying
cause we just don't know why
no matter how much we try
they just don't listen
and in this game
they're not winning
but we got plans
to get them back
on track
off the slack
and from the hack
cause without them
there's no future
and we want them
to live till they wearing dentures
that's vivid right
but that's the only way
to get them to the light
and on the right
path
so don't take it harsh
take it real
and make your appeal
to the youth
to get them back
on the right track

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POEM: My Delight

when I write
I make it a delight
despite
the pitfalls I face
my time in this place
is limited and while I am
conceited
I take heed
and I take lead
because only with
fortitude
and a good attitude
can we excel
and the evil repel
we've gotta pray
and focus on the
right way
to keep our lives
in check
and learn to walk away
when we get vexed
it's better to
do better
and live as a positive
trendsetter
setting the right example
let's get the evil
trampled
crumpled
and discarded
let the good
be regarded
and the innocent freed
because we know how
tough this life can be

© Linette Rasbatt

My Try at Short Fiction

I awakened to a horrible sound. It croaked, it creaked and it growled. I could not figure out what it was but I was afraid. I huddled under my covers, fearful to leave the room. I pondered on what to do. Should I get up or should I lay down.

The sound continued. CREAK! CROAK! BRRRR! I decided that I would face the consequences but not without my little pickaxe. I grabbed it from under my bed and lightly walked into the hallway and headed for the front room. I did not bother to turn on the lights because I did not want to startle whatever was in the house. I tiptoed, barely breathing, into the living room and to my surprise, there was nothing or noone there.

But there it was again - CREAK, CROAK, GRRRR! I started to consider if my septic was crumbling or if a cow had fallen below the house. I summed up some more courage and I stepped outside. I looked over the porch and at the side of the house but I could see nothing. I ventured into the yard and as the motion lights came on, my eyes just met the dark and cold night.

I gave up and went back to bed. In the morning, I realized that my son figured out how to watch a movie on my laptop and that's where the noise was coming from. He is grounded for two months!

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Prayer for the World on March 13, 2012

Holy Father, Most High God, Gracious Creator:

Thank you for your countless blessings. It is truly amazing the works of your hands and the massive nature of your forgiveness. Give us a refreshment in love, a quenching of humbleness and an aching to serve you. Bless those who are in struggles and are in need of love. Comfort those that are abused and who need a hand or a prayer from another. Dear God, we know we are not perfect but help us to strive to be more like you.

In your name I pray.

Amen

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Happy Gardening

When you are gardening, you have to watch for so many pests.

There's the:

1. Loose livestock - in the BVI, that could be cows, sheep, goats, donkeys or horses. They make extensive damage and depending on which animal bites your plant, it's dead. The only good thing is that they leave their manure behind to fertilize what's left. The animals understand food security much better than the humans. The owners are horrible though because they leave their animals to bother everyone.
2. Birds - We've got thrushes here in the BVI and they love tomatoes, eggplants, mangos, soursop and anything these birds think is delicious. They are smart and cunning birds who make one pick in a fruit and then move to another. I remember when we had the swing open windows, the thrushes would just fly in and look for food on the counter. No one has really found a way to get rid of them. For cash crops, there's netting that can be used but for large fruit trees, you just have to pray they leave some for you.
3. Iguanas - In St. Thomas, farmers will have issues with iguanas. However the staff at the UVI Cooperative Extension service have some great ideas that are eco-friendly to keep the iguanas away. It is also against the law to harm these creatures so any solution must be green and safe for the iguanas.
4. Small Pests - Pink Hibiscus Mealybug, Aphids, Scale Insects are the many other plant pests can be detrimental to a garden. Crickets, caterpillars and other worms/nematodes are also silent killers that can kill a crop overnight. Mango Seed Weevil are also small pests that destroy a mango crop. These are just a few examples as there are many more small pests that can damage crops. Consult with your local agriculture representatives on how to deal with these problems.
5. Man - Humans are the worst pests. They are supposed to have a conscience but they don't. There are folklore stories about persons who got sick or died from being poisoned from eating stolen food. I let my property grow into into thorns just for the two foot bandits. You want it more than I do, then cut your own tracks through the cashas!

These are just a few examples - and these are more relevant to my limited experience. Be sure to keep an eye out for all types of pests in your garden.

Happy Gardening!

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POEM: What I have to give

giving you love

is the only thing
that I can offer
it's all I have
all I can freely give
of the little I own
you may think it's less
but it is my very best
when I give it
I'm not left with emptiness
there won't be an empty nest
but it'll be like an elegant dress
or a head full of beautiful tresses
it is what I have
and when I give it
I give it all
I don't stall
and there won't be a recall
the best thing in the world
is love
and we should give it away
everyday
and in every way
LOVE

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