I am somewhat hesitant to post this as I am afraid that it will be ripped apart. But, I guess I have to suck it up if I am going to ever get published.
Thanks to my poetry class this semester for the feedback. Special thanks to Laura, who sugested the the idea of making this a shape poem.



This poem is my property, so no stealing.

Lesson from a Tree

The dark green buds can be seen on every limb and every limb’s limb.
In the early spring they are hard and callous-like, the result of the winter’s labor.
Hard earned new life beginning where its predecessor died only twelve months ago.
Suddenly, April arrives, breading lilacs and green leaves out of the buds once so small.
Green leaves last until September then turn brilliant shades of red and brown and gold
As they slowly die and fall away to carpet the ground until the first snow.
This has happened before and will happen again.
But the tree remains here.
It is not moved by weather.
When the snow falls,
When the winds blow,
It just stands where
Its life began.
Quiet and still.
A model of patience,
An image of stability,
A symbol of groundedness.
Its roots are deep in the past. It feeds from the lives of former generations.
Even if transplanted it must be sustained by what its
Ancestors leave behind;
It survives on
Tradition.

Back Again

I'm posting while I should be getting ready for bed, so this will be short. It seems that I have forgotten Blogger for for two years, but no more. I feels good to be back posting the random an useless stuff that I used to post. Like this.

I'm here at Franciscan University of Steubenville a little more then a year from graduating with a degree in English. I like most of my classes and it is refreshing to be back at a Catholic university where most people take their faith seriously. how many places do you know where any of your classes begin with a prayer, much less starting work that way. Yet, every morning my boss on the custodial crew prays with us. I love it.

Well, I guess that's all for now. I just needed to write something before I forgot.

More in the future,

John W.

P.S. If any one is still out there please respond. I would like to know if anyone still uses Blogger.

DaVinci Code

Hi Everyone, I’m back for more.

Today’s Topic: The DaVinci Code. I’m probably going to get myself into trouble with this, but here goes.

I’ll start by saying up front that I plan to see the DaVinci Code at some time. I don’t know if I’ll se it in theater or wait till it come out on video, but I do plan to watch it. I want to clear up for myself all of the things I’m hearing about it. I’m wondering if perhaps people are going a little overboard in their condemnations of the movie and the book.

That being said, however, I don’t think that the cultural influence of the book is being overstated. Even if the book is not all its cracked up to be it has opened a Pandora’s Box and has contributed to the popularizing of many historical errors; errors that have cast a shadow on Christianity and, undoubtedly, many doubts about the church among Christians and non-Christians alike.

With that in mind I ask everyone who reads this blog to avoid seeing the DaVinci Code opening weekend. We need to make sure that we do what we can to make sure, despite our personal views on the book in itself, that this movie does not become a cultural phenomenon like the book on which it was based. In order for this to work, however, it is not enough that we just don’t see the movie; if we just stayed at home we would have no impact on the box office. We also need to vote with our money and go see another movie this weekend. The best choice seems to be Dreamworks’ Over the Hedge, which seems like a clean and funny movie. And, if we all get behind one movie we have a much better chance of keeping The DaVinci Code out of the number 1 spot. I hope you will all join me.

Well, that’s all for me. I welcome any comments and hope that someone will read this post.

'Till next time'John W

First Blog

Hey Everyone,

This is my first blog ever and so I have no idea what to say. I guess that I'll start with my life now.

I just finished with my first year at Ave Maria University. It was grueling and intense. But, I'm alive and none the worse for it all. On a lighter note I am not in school now, unlike my other friends who are taking finals. Ha, ha to them. I'm all set to take MORE classes this summer, but for now I'm enjoying my freedom.

Well, I guess that is all for now.

'Till next time'

John W