Bipolar life

It's a bipolar day. 

For those who wonder what it's like, 

here's a stab at description...

My mind is racing 100 miles a minute, 

A dozen fabulous ideas at once. 

New inventions, ideas for books, 

things I want to buy.

Yet sadness weighs on my shoulders 

like a wool blanket - heavy, itchy, 

smelling of wet sheep. 

Can't think, can't write, can't talk.

Too much noise; can't concentrate.

Voices are too loud.

The phone buzzes like angry bees.

Light is over bright. It hurts to see.

Every chore seems monumental;  

Even walking takes too much energy

like my feet grew 2 sizes overnight.

Maybe they did. 

I keep moving.

This will usually passes in a day or two, 

then I can get back to functioning. 

Until then, I think I'll sleep, 

watch reruns of documentaries,

And play video games 

until the computer runs out of juice.

State of the world

58 dead in Vegas,
we sigh and shake our head.
"A tragedy," we say.
Warmest condolences
From the President.
We just keep scrolling
through the news.

Thousands homeless
in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico
Hurricane casualties
still without food, water,
Illness clawing at their door.
"Those poor people," we say.
Here's 5 dollars
for your trouble.

Tom Petty has a heart attack,
and the Internet goes into mourning.
CD and MP3 sales increase.
We spend hours reminiscing
about our lost youth.
"Where has time gone," we ask.
Lines will form at the grave
For a last view of the icon.

How did this become
our priority?

Take a knee, America.

It takes courage to risk your livelihood, and often your life, to take a stand against bigotry, racism, and violence. But when a country no longer shows respect for all of its citizens, then those citizens, the disenfranchised, must find a way to make themselves heard.

The NFL players, as well as those in other public positions, have seen kneeling during the national anthem as a way to utilize their visibility to represent groups that have become invisible. It is a peaceful protest. Our flag is only a symbol, and the national anthem only words if the nation no longer embraces the ideals embedded within them. 

As a Veteran, I still salute the flag, and as a patriot, I cry every time the national anthem is played.

... But then, I'm not afraid of getting shot by the police.
I'm not watching my kids die from poverty.
I don't get turned down for jobs, housing, schools because I'm not white enough.

I will never understand the battles these Americans have to fight every hour of every day.  So I cannot condemn the actions of those who would be their champions.