The Blue Green Marble
By Jonathan Jay Brandstater
3/25/98
From Outer Space, the Earth resembles a blue-green
marble,
'An orb of flawless beauty.
There are no scars or sharp edges to mar the image.
Moving closer, we see the clouds, like white cotton. Brown
spots interrupt the smooth blue-green pattern.
Continents emerge, the mountains become distinct. So do
oceans and lakes.
Closer still, cities appear, like silver and black
blemishes. Sky scrapers pierce the air, as if in rebellio
against a faceless parent. But fields and forests still
predominate.
The land is not solid, but laced with rivers which feed the
adjacent seas and oceans
.
------------------
The images on the metal and glass box are blue and green
but other colors are present as well--including the black
of night and the red of blood. The voices from the
mechanical monster drone on about violence and war.
Disgusted, the man presses the OFF button on his remote and
falls asleep. He dreams of playing marbles with his
childhood friends. The glass spheres are blue, green, red,
white, yellow and orange. The man keeps one marble out of
play. The orb is both blue and green. He keeps it at a
safe place at home.
The man awakens, yawns and stretches. Reflecting on the
dream he has just had, he goes to a nearby bookshelf and
takes down a small box from one of the shelves. He opens
the box, smiles, and contemplates the contents: a
blue-green glass marble resting on a square of black velvet
cloth.
From Outer Space, the Earth resembles a blue-green
marble....
Dance of the Shaman
By Jonathan Jay Brandstater
1998
While waiting for a song I like, I stretch my
limbs. Squatting and standing flex my knees. Holding my
arms above stretch them as well.
As a song I prefer begins, I strut confidently onto
the dance floor.
Then the magic really begins.
I become one with the music,
Flowing like water
I move my feet, click my heels, clap my hands, click my
fingers.
All in time with the rhythm.
Energy flows through me, like electricity through a
wire.
I am the wind, blowing away misconceptions.
I am fire, burning away fear.
I am water, washing away pain.
I am earth, washing away resistance.
I am a snake, shedding the skin of an outmoded past,
And laying the groundwork for a bright new future.
I am a cat, bobbing and weaving past obstacles
And chasing butterflies of truth.
I am an eagle, opening his wings and soaring to new
heights.
I wave my arms and part the veils between the seen and
unseen worlds--Between the possible and actual.
I spin like a whirlwind,
Stirring up necessary change,
While keeping a calm center.
More songs strike responsive chords and I remain on the
dance floor.
Other people join me. Some choose to be my partners--I bid
them welcome.
I no longer feel self-conscious.
Our differences disappear. We are all one big family, one
humanity--
Striving, yet joyous in our exuberance.
Soon, it is time for me to move on.
My work done, I return to myself and take my leave.
Yet I leave something behind for next time.
Joy.
And now for a little levity:
Two Nephews; Too Many Monsters
By Jonathan Jay Brandstater, copyright 1998
Two of my nephews love Goosebumps!Why?
Why does R.L. Stine suit them just fine?
Why, while eating toast, they ask me to read
About Frankenstein's ghost?
My nephews love when I read them tales
That scare me the most!
It never fails!
Wherein werewolves howl and black cats shriek--
These tales are not for stomachs weak.
Can't we read something else besides
The Gargoyle who loved to take pony rides?
Oh no! It MUST be Dracula's Son
Or The Mummy's Wife
Or The Goblin Nun
Oh well, the boys visit only twice a year.
If it were more, I'd have reason to fear.
They'd want the entire collection of horror tales.
I'd be contributing much to bookstore sales!
The Cat Breed Song
By Jonathan Jay Brandstater, copyright 1998
How many cat breeds do you know?
There's Siamese, Burmese and Persian Calico.
Himalayan, Birman, Rex and Korat,
Japanese Bobtail and the Maine Coon Cat.
Turkish Angora and Abyssinian too.
Let's not forget the British and Russian Blue.
Manx and Scottish Fold and Havana Brown,
And the Egyptian Mau with the golden crown.
The American Shorthair is a very mixed breed.
Adopting one of them is a very good deed.
Tortoise-shell, tabby, marmalade, black and white,
Just make good and sure that your cats don't fight.
There's even a hairless cat, wouldn't you know?
A true novelty in any cat show!
Click Here to go to Jon's Fiction Page
Email: jonjb.geo@yahoo.com
