NAPKIN WORDS #17 2011 - Dedicated to Mike Prevor

1. DARKNESS IN THE WEST
For so many hundreds of years, the wealth of
the world, the great medical leaps, inventions,
science, that wondrous world of the arts, all
spewed from the volcanic forces of the Western
world. Please remember that in earlier years, all
this wealth and wonder came from the East.

We in the West, folk-danced among the stars,
slid down every-day rainbows. In fact, we all
but owned every beautiful blue sky.

Now look at us, we of that Western world:

What are we to make of the great darkness
all around our great cities, our huge empty vaults,
our children, employment, our history?

Is it an Eastern Sun that glitters brightly
upon others, and no longer upon us. Or, is it
simply time that we step out of the darkness,
erect great glimmering lights, and compete
with everyone, so the sun comes around once
again, shines upon us, as well as the rest of the
world?

Capitalism is not the enemy. Nor has anyone
on this globe purchased it. It is out there and I
have no doubt it is scratching about, wondering
why we in the West no longer wish to be friends.
Let’s get off of our Ass...ets, let us compete,
contend, rise up and meet what it truly is: A
CHALLENGE.

A new challenge of competition, not a declaration
of war. If we win the challenge, there will not be
a war, but should we not take-up the challenge,
the majority of people in the West will be poorer-
than-poor, and because of that, there might be
war!

2. MYSTERY SIGHTING
It is my belief that each of us must be like those
statues found on Easter Island.

After we are gone, there must be something of
our making, our doing, our mark if you will,
which will cause others to ask “Why were
they there!”

3. EYE DOCTOR ADVICE
Only you can light that lamp of who you are,
so others can be pleased by your brightness.

The eye doctor of time teaches that you should
never spend your days trying to please those
unable to see.

Worry about your light, not the sighted who refuse
to see!

4. KNOWLEDGE OF THE HEART
When we think of love, love thinks ahead!

5. A CHILD’S VOICE HEARD
It was my normal Friday night at Le Bernardin.

The window of ideas had opened, the outline for.
a new Napkin Words edition were entering my
mind, and I was writing them down on paper
napkins, the way I normally do.

It was 12-10-10, a few weeks before Christmas.

Suddenly, like a rainbow, it rose in arcs, displayed
a wonder with a beauty of words, spoken as if from
a magical bell hanging high in the sky.

Those words were heard and treasured by this
ancient, and from the smile of some diners at
nearby tables, it was enjoyed by others, records
of a child’s voice heard!

Let time do with them what it wishes, but for me,
they were a treasure, a first true gift of that
holiday season!

6. LEARNING ABOUT FEAR
Fear always is caused by something that we do not
know. For if it is something we know, something
nearby, that is called worry, a thing we know about
but should not fear!

POETRY SOARING

Poets are birds with
extraordinary sight,
maybe an eagle,
perhaps a hawk,
spotting their victims
from alpine heights.

So when they swoop,
capture their prey,
food for belly,
words for thought.

Such is success for those
who fly,
else white bones,
pages left blank.





by Edward Hunter