something different
something new
beginnings of what
no one can tell
we don’t know
in its inception
ideas of what might
develop tomorrow
didn’t occur
even those activities
spawned thoughts
of possibilities
though those
weren’t it either
to guess as what
will take place
would be wasting time
for everything
seems different
-Jennie Nawrocki
just a few minutes
look at the time
it should be soon
some hours
have passed
since arriving
knowing crowds
form all wanting
the same thing
only few would
pass through today
paperwork complete
relatively easy
just hand them over
standard documents
but why so long
so many people
all rushing this day
nobody has moved
for quite some time
soon we all take turns
looking again
so much time
sitting and waiting
within the minutes
books read
friends called
notes written
alleviating wasted time
soon very soon
the day is ending
supper will be made
after all this
what else is there to do
analyzing schedules
chat with neighbors
check papers
will it be longer
only next in line
can’t it go faster
really it won’t take that long
this is important
hands figit in anticipation
for movement is imminent
opportunity to be finished
on with the day
it is getting really late
maybe another day
start over, what to do then
just a few more minutes
it will be good to wait
a little more won’t hurt
now it needs to happen now
time to leave
finally
it is our turn
-Jennie Nawrocki
infinite it seems
relatively flat ground
scattered with mounds
roll along its surface
covered with tall
reeds of grass
out numbering
wild flowers blooming
a step taken
breaks a path
one sees up close
compacted shafts of green
once standing tall
on the ground below
though the onlooker
from outside
sees the grass level
as shallow as the feet
or as deep as the hip
the body becomes invisible
hidden amongst the blades
showing no beginning, no end
the field remains infinite
-Jennie Nawrocki
up and down
the switch goes
giving electricity
to a device
push in, push out
allows the circuitry
to send signals
of on and off
turn and click
isn’t immediate
full power though
steadily charges
press and release
controls activity
with a simple
small button
input and output
ready to use
until someone
pulls the plug
-Jennie Nawrocki
packed neatly
containers protect
ingredients inside
simple or extravagant
vintage or new
they are covered
with colors
festive and ground
memories settling
in their display
reminding people
of the past
while building futures
bold or humble
these decorations
renew everyday
into a holiday
-Jennie Nawrocki
retreat from hiding in a shell
for performing I shall
a part of me is on stage
as I write these words on this page
knowing that I have fed
minds of people that have read
useless as my words are
there meanings only go so far
caught in a world of phrases
things highlighted in popular phases
current is the state to see
timeless is where these poems should be
knowing that it maybe pertinent
on this and every continent
without sincerity of meaning
I must present my real being
for years, decades, centuries, they discover
it reminds all readers to be helpful to each other
-Jennie Nawrocki
a car brightly decorated
eye-catching
from far away
a light box attached
indicates availability
either called or flagged
it arrives
depending on the load
baggage to be handled
determines assistance
from behind the wheel
a location given
its passengers destination
the meter begins
conversation is variable
depending on multiple factors
whether brief or lengthy
weighing in the traffic of the day
the experience ends
with payment for services
adding to that
tipping based on generosity
closing the door silently
for the next activity
is here, this moment
-Jennie Nawrocki
it starts with part of a wrapper
to small to pick up
then add a lid to that
from thirst satisfaction
after getting that
last piece of ice
someone in a hurry
throws and misses
and all their packaging
is left on the ground
splattering food bits everywhere
attracting animals, insects
for an evening meal
leaving once whole pieces
in shreds on the ground
those few pieces
now a small heap
seeing nothing picked up
another sees no service
has been made
no refuse collected
the trash inside overflows
adding to the pile
now looking abhorrent
few even want to go near
leaving only those
requiring crumbs to eat
feasting on what is left
in this pile of trash
-Jennie Nawrocki
questions, answers
comments, pictures
press conferences
several crowding
wanting more than
just the news
the personal recap
not publicity versions
an intimate interaction
only few are invited
unexpected, grateful
to receive
in-depth conversation
occurring amongst
a small crowd, individuals
less formal, less structured
an intimate discussion
that reveals
understanding, trust
building a simple
mutually respected
companions, friends
-Jennie Nawrocki
there in the southern tip
known as the cape
only part of a country
that travelers rested
during long journeys
to other lands
trading wears
eating new foods
learning customs
foreign from everyday fare
they liked it so much
they declared
we will rule these
uneducated, uncivilized people
they need our ways
and we need this port
this cape, this country
as our own so we
can travel free
while charging those who follow
years of governed supremacy
making proclamations
if you live in a hut
if your skin color is different
you are not one of us
your social interactions, your job,
your ability to have money
everything about you
shall be segregated, separate
as you were not born
my fellow citizen
years passed
showed how once
happy people
were forced
to live in a world
that has taken their
land, their relatives,
their entire world
while the privileges
of others based on
their origins
regarded these people
as trash, unwanted nuisances
until a man
intelligent, revered
gathered information, people
to show they had rights,
they were people
constructed of
similar DNA
deciding things were unjust
increasing support
of others just like them
protesting conditions,
unacceptable differences
within living environments
for leading others
towards a combined
empathic society
he was jailed
all were deemed motions
against an elitist government
defending these actions
became no match for
separatists standards
imprisoned he waited
always staying positive
continuing to reiterate
all are equal, the same
eventually regimes fell
releasing a man
who stood for a cause
soon afterwards the people
gave this man authority
they wanted him to lead them
in a newly formed government
as it was his ways, his ideas
passed through generations
that brought down
misguided ideas, thoughts
bringing a country
once divided
together
we remember him
for bringing a country
governed out of
disgust of others
to be ruled
by the collective
enabling, enhancement
of skills of all
residing within
these newly built
accepting borders
leaders of today
remember his words,
rather than his fists
his gentle attitude
we remember
a ruler, a friend to all
knowing he is the same
as all those that
called him their leader
their representative
their friend
Nelson Mandela
-Jennie Nawrocki
penaugural 