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~RIBBONS~

When I was young and carefree,I wore bracelets on my wrists that sparkled and jangled, and wove ribbons in my hair.

Since then I've tied yellow ribbons around trees,praying for loved ones to return from war~I've worn MIA bracelets for men missing in action,who returned alone,in boxes or not at all.

I have worn black upon my arm for an assassinated civil rights leader;for my president and his brother and my heart wore sorrow.

I have worn red ribbons for domestic violence;green ribbons to stop child abuse and pink ribbons for cancer.

One day I would once more like to wear ribbons in my hair,whose colors symbolized only rainbows in a world at peace and healthy once again~

But I know somehow they would never feel the same as they did in my youth,when worn as JOYFUL ornaments~

~5May99~

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***LENSES***

Lenses capturing pain,moving towards them in lines of grieving people mourning loved ones lost..

Lenses missing nothing,leaving no face untouched..baring personal sorrow for all the world to see.

Lenses reflecting our world,transmitting pictures across the globe from Littleton to Sarajevo,crossing every boundary.

Lenses focused on living beings,encircled by loving arms..Hands reaching out to comfort,capturing every human gesture.

Lenses delivering images for all the world to view..How many more mournful faces,before the pictures change?

As the lenses do their work to communicate events,do they reach the human heart and move the world to change?

How many documented traits of tears?before we all say "enough!" ..and build a WORLD OF PEACE,so the lenses see only LOVE~ ********************************************* ********************************************* If one can reach through pain~ If one can grow beyond despair~ If one can absorb and dissipate grief~ One can reach a level of JOY one would not recognize otherwise,because there is more to compare it with~ ********************************************* ********************************************* 24Mar99~ *text above,copyrite by Rose-Colleen Mullaly* Anchorage,Alaska

*Here is a photo of Colleen*

"I DON'T WANT TO BE 6 AGAIN"

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I don't want to be six again.... I like having the opportunity to know the difference between right and wrong and feel like I've made a step because I made the choice to.

I like having the wisdom that exposure to the harsh realities of life brings; because it helps me to advance spiritually.

I like being able to make the money that will take me to far off exotic lands or buy a new toy for the child who has none.

I like being the master of my own destiny. I appreciate that I am fortunate enough to have the means that allows me a shelter and entertainment. I am happy to pay my bills because I am old enough and wise enough to earn my way.

I like being able to refuse the yucky foods I don't like and cook lots of the ones that I like.

I love that I have learned the emotional wisdom to be able to share my life with another person and can work out our differences.

I like that I realise that other people are not always happy, so I can have the opportunity to brighten their day.

I like that I was *once* 6 years old. But to tell you the truth, I appreciate those seashells and the sand beneath my toes much much more than I did when I was 6.

Why? Because now I understand the world is not all good and fair, and that people hurt other people, and that we have the ability to destroy ourselves....

Those sea shells, the sand and the simple pleasures in life have a MUCH GREATER MEANING.

No, I do not wish *I* were 6 again. :)

~Sevilla~1999