Since the end of World War II Baby Boomers have witnessed many events on the world state that have altered the course of history. Wars, assassinations, attempted assassinations, economic upheavals, the race to the moon, the Cold War, presidential elections, political intrigue, global warming, and the civil rights movement to name a few. Citizens over the past sixty years have embarked upon an odyssey of exposure to events that have left their emotional effect on families and individuals for years to come. The role of the parent has been questioned and modified from one guidance and respect to one in the present era where reliance upon advanced technology is places to provide a minimum sense of obedience. Every issue of daily living is subjected to debate, evaluation, constant inquiry, and a growing departure from compliance in the spirit of conformity. Influence has assumed new boundaries in the realm of economics, social networking, environmental awareness, criminal activity, and athletic opportunity. Years of childhood development are forfeited in pursuit of success and status in the complexity of the adult world. Innocence is a virtue available for those select few isolated completely from the sensationalism of the media in their constant efforts to report the latest trends of progress. Materialism and poverty make room for acceptance and disillusionment. Escapism is an alternative to reality; not a perfect solution rather a temporary compromise. Search for idols we sadly tend to look in the wrong places.

Testimony on Our Times

By Stanley R. From

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2009 Stanley R. From
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4490-2125-2

Chapter One

War Paint Aboard The Flushing Line The first game of my schedule for the present season My social partner begged off for a legitimate reason Aboard the subway after a few stops to my surprise A young fella was part of a boarding party with war paint Around his eyes

A Yankee Cap planted firmly on top of his head Constantly pushing a large balloon to the floor colored red The paint across his face indicated more of the same The smile on his mother's face demonstrated she was not To blame.

Perhaps a daytime party among other baseball fans The body paint perhaps part of everyone's plans As an innocent witness my trip to the ball park came alive Through the happiness of a young fan at the tender age of five.

A Punishable Good Deed

Eight pairs of used eye glasses a donation to be The location of the drop off area a complete mystery to me Asking a stranger he pointed me in the wrong direction In the humid weather not worthy of my trust and affection.

Another stranger told me the truth adding to my woes The most difficult option the one I finally chose Block after block I traveled in the humid heat Physical exercise for a senior citizen a most rewarding treat.

The return trip not as taxing as before Seeing the drop off box at the end the result of my revolving door As my lungs cried out for air satisfaction was the result of my Physical game Putting an end to the rumors of my continuing obesity an obvious Physical shame.

Going The Distance

As advertised in the paper the walk a thon promised fun for all Patrons showed up on time old and young, big and small Bread and water were offered along with orange slices too A nice cash donation gave patrons a fancy T shirt in color dark blue.

A DJ kept the pulse of the morning quite alive Martial arts members demonstrated that without defensive skills People are deprived Soon the ribbon cutting ceremony had the walkers on their way Unfortunately soon after the start the majority began to stray.

A few brave ones completed one cycle in the heat I guess the rest of the crowd retreated to the cold water stand as we Speak Two gentlemen donated three cycles a testimony to their determination Able to overcome all the odds certainly not of their creation.

Along A Rocky Road Well Traveled

The family unit never strong during my infancy Trouble followed the Patriarch and the Matriarch so notably Health issues along with violence and poverty thrown in too An outsider saved my life as the resilent glue.

The library, school, and sports filled in the hours of my youth The family support system so weak I didn't want to know the truth Men in uniform and squad cars always came around Along this path to a life of emptiness I would be bound.

The challenges I faced played up in the local news Ready to handle them since I already paid my dues Periodic visits to the grave sites of the local cemetery Part of the life that used to be forever committed to memory.

Intelligence Makes A Comeback

When I first started too eager to please Completely lost in a forest surrounded by trees Involving myself in a contest to be her number one After three social activities for me it was over and done.

My life and my heart became an open book Allowing her to dominate me amid all the abuse I took No girl coach available to guide me through tough times Independently committing myself to failure a blue print by design.

Now the challenge for success is seldom ever there My mental outlook is stronger as if I didn't even care A member of the walking wounded no longer do I claim Building bridges through aloftness a new strategy of my game. An All Conquering Smile

The prospect of chicken and rice once again brought me home To a noon time hangout in a working zone Previously the waitress in anger was willing to say goodbye $9.00 for this aggrevation I could not deny.

The hostile temperature however was gone this time as I entered The place A smile of acceptance was offered towards me with saving grace Along with the meal I consumed a second bottle The relaxed environment was pursued by everyone going full throttle.

A token of my appreciation was offered for the first time The recipient could not believe I would be so kind I left the facility in a state of triumph walking on air A smile of sincerity convinced me it was the right moment to be there.

The Party Crashers

Plates of food at a party setting for two Salt and pepper not among the invitees finding more important things to do Mustard and ketchup as invitees accepting center stage The recipient of their attention having difficulty accepting them on his nutritional page.

His plate filled with cole slaw and potato salad for M & K a non Traditional affair With other meat oriented party platters unable to compare Suddenly two eggs made their presence known sitting upon the plate Looking affectionally at the dynamic twosome after an extended wait.

"Pour yourself over us to add flavor to the local domain" A tasteless meal in the annals of remembrance offers nothing but pain An absent thought of consumption suddenly entered the room A clean plate brought satisfaction to the owner under the light of the evening moon.

A Solitary Voice Sitting In Section One

The origin of the problem began late in 2006 The local team in the fall classic not part of the mix A late season collapse the following year left the team again on the outside Resentment on their collective failure seriously affected overall team pride.

The current campaign again left the leadership on the hot seat After one brave soul proclaimed his diamond nine as the ones to beat Injuries coupled with indifference left the locals looking up A lack of consistency afforded them few visits to their personal victory cup.

Rumors created the opportunity for a seasonal schedule of days to reduce itself to a precious few Words of appreciation never gave the leader in victory or defeat his just due A coalition united behind the words of a solitary voice The die was cast as the local club made its fateful choice.

The Last Dance

Cheek to cheek you followed the musical vibrations through the late hours of the night Dressed up in your evening finery a most attractive sight Higher education in your future a topic with your friends to discuss Despite miles of separation staying in touch was a definite plus.

Watching other couples the theme of romance was present in the air The beauty of love was telling your significant other how much you care Ideas planted in youthful minds needed additional time to grow The fertile fields of opportunity always required experienced people in the know.

In the parking lot you repeated your temporary goodbyes In different directions the graduating class would commence to fly A few miles away your premature removal from the local scene Reality has a habit of ending many unfulfilled dreams.

2000 Miles And Then Some

The longest journey with a rental car Without air conditioning I would not get far Bags in the trunk; cooler in the back seat A full tank of gas as preparations are complete.

Following a route mile by mile Four hours of driving followed by a smile Sandwiches and fruit occupy my only break The next time I stop; a room for the night do I take.

A perfect trip, interrupted by rain now an illusion Looking for a landmark just added to my confusion A police car visited me fifteen minutes outside of town A warning given me as I sat on hollowed ground.

I danced around construction signs in the final phase A solitary driver fighting off an aging craze Parked safely in front of my house for my eyes A newly paved street a beautiful welcome home prize.

Let The Bidding Begin

Tables filled with treasures for the wandering eye A number in your possession; to your money saying goodbye Cars, guns, picture frames, and glasses Time moving slowly like a jar of molasses.

Children in the rear hungry for food Parents with a sense of purpose in a spending groove The auctioneer yelling out numbers at the speed of light Determined to sell all the merchandise on the tables tonight.

Very few of the ladies in the crowd my attention does receive A hard life for many of them my initial impressions do believe Leaving the building my wallet filled to the brim Not purchasing anything tonight just a regular ordinary sin.

Traveling Along A Major Highway

Ahead of me on the horizon darkening skies A time for a break a convenient alibi Drops on my window falling like a waterfall My wipers moving at full blast having no effect at all.

By a Chinese Bouffet surrounded by water I pondered my fate My relatives miles away were my evening date I followed a truck constantly in front of me Storm free skies for me a forbidden luxury.

Three hours later a fast food eatery accepted me A dry oasis in a continuing atmosphere of flood like misery Near my destination as the drops began to subside A trip of adventure with caution as my guide.

Anxiety Inc.

A few miles away a stranger helped me with a call Thinking confidently about my future my problems would be small A major road allowed me little time to think Hopes for a happy arrival quickly began to sink.

With no help from the locals I reached for my recently bought cell Another landmark on the road gave me hope for a spell I made a quick turn into a road by a blueberry sign However I still could not count on success being mine.

The house once called home was empty and silent The occupants on a vacation at the time not active or relient A blue car with a familiar face finally came to rescue me A mile to the rear the family palace awaited me.

Family Secrets

My relatives up in years no longer part of the jet set Over fifty years of love between them since the day they first met Sitting in the living room issues of the past suddenly came alive Words of wisdom covering the loopholes trying to survive.

The old giants of the family tree Amassing fortunes on property ownership and old fashioned frugality Children would suffer; spouses would complain The opportunity for a healthy childhood meanwhile going down the drain.

Higher education would provide a chance for upward mobility Family connections however provided escape from continuing tranquility Old country views constantly clashed with the present Children in the middle their voices so resented.

Working Overtime For The World

Assuming responsibility to get the job done With the help of others a lot of work mixed in with a little fun Rules were set down for all to follow Members doing their own things made the words very hollow.

Parties were fun when profits were made A few people in the sun with the majority in the shade Words were exchanged over issues large and small Soon the dedication of a select few amounted to little at all.

A few clubs used the workers to maintain the flow After years of abuse the dedicated ones reluctantly let go Now the clubs suffer in silence on their own Waiting for the attitude of the non participants to improve as home grown.

The Great Alligator Caper

The fish in the local lake were under seige Fighting for available air on the surface to breathe Hidden inside the grass a gator pondered his next move Another meal on the horizon his desire to prove.

A senior citizen a gun in his hand Anxious to defend the marine life who inhabited his land The gator came forward in quest of a meal A few ounces of lead in his head soon he did feel.

Sinking slowly below the surface level of the lake One lucky shot at the right time was all it would take For the fish the battle for survival was temporarily won As The local alligator population in the region was reduced by one.

Strategies

Two friends in the maturity of their years In search of companionship bravely coping with their fears No pain intended for a website saying free Many available ladies searching hopefully in the name of decency.

Age is a factor though no one wants to say The period of motherhood for some is slowly slipping away Wrinkles chasing wrinkles is not an acceptable quest Cooperation is necessary to escape from this constant mess.

A heavy wallet is acceptable over one that is thin Opening doors to social paradise is a battle only a select few can ever win With heavy hearts ladies must open the game Otherwise their lonely status will always remain the same.

Common interests or opposites the chemistry of the time The quest for friendship or the spirit of true love finally mine The checklist of the ladies so complicated and always growing A dose of reality is necessary or tis a barren field they will always be a sowing.

Commentary On A Horse Farm

Structured fields of green with fence posts in the picture A few horses out to pasture a continuing pretty fixture Houses in the background for offices and guests on vacation Carriages of polish and nobility in magazine pages a continuing sensation.

A pond of fish so large for the naked eye A weekend trip by golf cart for the innocent to buy Trips to other cities; north of the border too Six employees in two cars; a road marathon to do.

A love affair with animals seven days a week No matter if you feel tired always at your peak With residency on the premises so the saying goes The future looks promising with higher attendance at the shows.

Tennis Balls On The Diamond

A trip to Yogi's place on a hot July night With a little help from the locals able to get it right Refreshments for my appetite; a game was thrown in too Children making their own fireworks over a three hour period so true.

Between inning excitement added to the fun The home team in control the visitors on the run Tennis balls were sold to many in the crowd Prizes were available for bragging rights so loud.

Hula hoops and prize signs later invaded the field Contestants in the stands to the great odds never to yield Balls were thrown like a hail storm of yellow In quest of some great prizes exciting and mellow.

A select few found this was their lucky day The majority after the contest was over slipped silently away The next time the spirit of competition arrived again as a yellow tennis ball Dollar bills would once again fill the stadium as competitors gave it their all.

A Double Dose Of Family Pet Loss

The loveable companion you feed during the day Chasing the thrown ball at the park when it's time to play The morning air where you two go for a walk A main topic of conversation with a stranger when you talk.

The agony you feel when your friend is in pain The money well spent when going against the grain On three legs still focused enough to wave his tail The last trip to the veterinarian aboard a painless ship to sail.

A little guy in the car licking my hand At the front door barking at the owner's command Sometimes not eating acting like a pest After an extended period of suffering rewarded with a final rest.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from Testimony on Our Times by Stanley R. From Copyright © 2009 by Stanley R. From. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.