Living with gratitude and finding joy in every day things. My poetry, essays, and psychology.
Author:Chrisssie Morris Brady
I've read poetry since I was nine and have written creatively since I was fourteen (probably long before that). After writing book reviews and social comment, I decided I wanted to write poetry. I have no formal training, but I surround myself with poets and their writing. I am honing my craft.
I have two published collections which I don't feel good about, but have been published by madswirl.com and other publications. I live on the south coast of England with my daughter. I am seriously ill.
Daughter, seek wisdom above all Don’t repeat the mistakes of my youth Yet you are more self-possessed Than I ever was, will be You’re cool, a bright young thing Popular, a blessed child Not awkward like I was Shy with nothing to say Although I could have shouted From the roofs my manifesto You are blessed with grace Talented dancer, athlete Beautiful to all, my little girl
The sailing club billows forth Tacking across the harbour Circling the islands Visiting each bay A pleasant view to watch On a May afternoon Dotting the water Gliding the waves Soundless but for the wind And crash of waves The shouting of instructions Watch the boom
The sailing club billows forth Tacking across the harbour Circling the islands Visiting each bay A pleasant view to watch On a May afternoon Dotting the water Gliding the waves Soundless but for the wind And crash of waves The shouting of instructions Watch the boom
Dusk at another airport One can see the heat hanging A yellow orb is low in the sky Slowly turning to egg yolk And then mango Sinking slowly as a goodbye Turning the color of oranges Finally some red markings As that sun drops away Minutes pass, the clouds celebrate With pink, pale red, apricot, and aqua
One of my first work experiences was bridge-building between the Catholic and Protestant communities in Northern Ireland. We visited schools and youth clubs, having discussions and using drama sketches to illustrate the tough questions.
Almost all of the youth, who would be over 30 now, wanted peace in Northern Ireland.
It seems peace is not enough. Due to what we term Brexit, there is now a customs border in the Irish Sea. It was impossible to put a border on the island of Ireland, as border checks were what The Troubles were about.
The Troubles means the bombings, murders, and deployment of British troops. It is a very Irish expression but minimizes the terrible warfare that went on.
Since the UK left the European Union, each EU member is part of the Good Friday Peace Accord and must do all they can to preserve it.
Now, goods arriving in Northern Ireland from Britain must go through customs. Some businesses, because of this, have stopped trading with Britain and only trade with the EU. Some goods are no longer available in Northern Ireland.
Note that the United Kingdom includes Northern Ireland. Britain does not include Northern Ireland.
There was an election in Northern Ireland last week. For the first time, Sinn Fein won a majority. The Democratic Union Party (DUP) refuse to sit in government with Sinn Fein because, they claim, the trading protocol with Britain is not working.
Everyone agrees it is not working. The answer is to talk it out. The Good Friday Agreement states that power must be shared.
Since the DUP, who are renowned for being difficult, will not take up their posts in government, I think it is time for the people to vote on a united Ireland. The population did not want to leave the EU. A united Ireland would be entirely EU.
It is only ideology that keeps Northern Ireland separate. The ideology of the DUP. Obviously, they are now less voted for. Other smaller political parties ate into their constituency too.
One cannot please all of the people all of the time. Right now, people are angry that London is governing them, and nothing is being done to address local issues. Thus, I believe that although some will vote nay, the majority will see the logic and vote yes.
Last year there was some violence about the trading protocol, i.e. the border in the Irish Sea, using 11-year- old boys so as not to be known. It was obviously not Sinn Fein. Buses were set alight with petrol bombs made in bottles
If violence is that pathetic, a united Ireland is an obvious answer to Northern Ireland’s problems.
Village belonging to M.O.D. near me. Photo: author
Lately, I have been fearing what will become of Putin’s blood thirsty attack on Ukraine. I have made my protest but I can also lighten my tread on the Earth. It won’t save lives, sadly, but might mitigate the carbon released. Here are my ideas.
Don’t upgrade your phone just because you can. Mine is second hand, with a sim only contract. Keep the phone you have.
You don’t need to wash your clothes after wearing them once. (I don’t mean underclothes.)
Only use the washer when it is full.
I buy second hand clothes. I look good. No one knows.
Don’t water your garden every day. In high summer a good water every other day in the cool of evening is enough.
Use white vinegar to clean your home.
Stop using paper napkins.
Mend your clothes.
Reuse, repurpose and recycle.
Walk and cycle or use public transport whenever you can.
Never use plastic grass
Sow wild flower seeds
Plant a tree
Don’t leave electrical goods on ‘standby’. Switch them off.
Don’t leave lights on unnecessarily.
Enjoy dusk a little before turning the lights on.
Don’t use the dryer
Boil water in the kettle rather than the pan.
Always use a lid on your pan.
Don’t let flames lick the sides of your pans.
Turn the shower off while you shampoo your hair.
Take a shorter shower.
If you have children, they will not notice less water in the bath if you use bubble bath.
There are so many ways to be kind to the Earth. You can leave more ideas in comments.
Racism drove two hundred miles to murder fascism planned, premeditated death of black-skinned people because of their skin color
Tears are flowing in grief, not yet felt anger at such hatred, a community attacked Nazism loosed again because their skin was black Two hundred miles he drove, intent
Let the forests fall, let rivers become dry may the earthquake until we do not hate let the sun hide her face, the moon drifts away more black people are dead just for being black
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