or
The Daily News
by DR Varg
I used to think that headlines were
so central to my day!
The world affairs, I had to know,
so I could then assay
the situation--be alert
to how all things did stand.
I couldn't miss a day of news!
This seemed a firm command.
Not knowing ev'ry detail on
a current world event
lacking full enlightenment!
The current bills; which ones should pass,
In these, I was engrossed.
The good ones needed my support!
Each one, I diagnosed!
The winners of elections, I
yes, had to know indeed!
The list of world-wide leaders was
a record I did need!
Then I was told to reappraise;
my focus was misplaced!
...was shown this habit served me, not!
I sensed it soon, a waste!
which grew then, like a debt;
and pushed aside what mattered most:
devotion to Colette!
And aft' she left, I slowly sensed
this paper-reading just
distracted from our precious time
which filled me with disgust!
It hampered so, my concentrating
loyally on her!
which then caused her devotion
to our closeness to deter.
And soon each page, comprising news
delivered me a slap;
a stern reminder she was gone,
and I could sense the gap
which, now I was a-strugglin' with!
The paper now did scold!
With ev'ry page-turn, I did make
immense regret took hold!
I consequently did decide
this ritual should be
eliminated from my life!
Its worth...was none for me!
So...canceled my subscription; all
the headlines went unread!
I spent my time on other things.
Wrote poetry instead!
And this behavior did take hold!
I traded in the news
for writing verse, expressing thoughts;
a better path...did choose!
But time has passed and I accept
my course, a proper one
but now I sense some value there;
the news, I need not shun!
The latest battles taking place
in Washington do not
require my attention;
they don't merit e'en a thought!
The latest scandals going on,
I needn't dwell--address.
But there's some stuff there, I now see,
that does, some worth possess!
There's stories present which detail
some truly tragic states,
describing lives of common folks
who're bearing massive weights!
And they're not in the news because
they're famous, well known stars;
their stories are reported due
a crisis bringing scars!
And though these stories can appeal
to our dramatic sense.
They seem, yet just another source
providing mere suspense,
so, we respond excitedly;
emotions rise and surge!
Our quest for entertainment has
been stoked and does emerge!
But there's another angle,
now, I'm grateful, this...can see;
these crises have befallen them;
they're not a weight on me!
It's easy, to let negatives
just grab our focus, so,
which then stirs up a somber mood
so, we're then feeling low!
But we can change our focus
and our mood does, hence react!
A mood containing gratefulness
is nicer, that's a fact!
So reading 'bout these av'rage folks
whose lives have been upset,
propels, now, in me, gratefulness;
their deal, I did not get!
It helps me, yes to recognize
that I've been given much!
And many burdens others have,
I've not been forced to touch!
Reminders of our blessings are
a blessing--plain and true!
Perhaps the paper does that now;
its worth, I can construe.
 |
David R. Varg (7-15-01)
