In Self Defense: A tribute to Mary Oliver

To Mary Oliver, and all kindred spirits with hearts of gold.

                        In Self Defense
            (A work in progress as always)

I am a perpetual wallflower; misunderstood, complicated, and yearning for the world to gain some common sense.
I am frustrated because I know it will never happen.
Looking for that one silver lining that defines my life in perpetuity; pressed between the pages of my favorite book like a memory of someone waiting for the sun to shine.
It is mine, a fine line between mediocrity, and desire for something more than humble pride, a selfish whim of fame, and fortune; a game I call my life in self defense.

D.A. Wittler 1/18/19

Why Build A Wall?

A few thoughts on the preservation of freedom, and the common defense of a nation:
 "Self governing is good" our Founders said, and so the Declaration of Independence was signed. A line was drawn on the town green of Lexington, and blood was spilled for the sake of free people to determine their own  government, and so the Constitution was born. Again, even when all was in jeopardy, and the White House burned, a free people carried on to repel tyranny.
As words spoken on a battle field at Gettysburg still echoed in our collective souls, 620,000 of our best, and bravest met their maker for the sake of abolishing slavery, and so the Emancipation Proclamation became a reality.

Time, and time again we fought to preserve the  ideals outlined by those who knew the perilous journey of freedom would not be easy, and yet we still struggle to protect the land that was purchased in every manner justified, and unjustified by hope in freedom, and the lust of greed, yet so we stand a United States.
Today, we stand on the brink of a delusion that anyone seeking refuge may enter unchecked into our land of laws rather than men, but the law was set to protect us from disease, and all manner of foreign invasion such as the lawless bring, and criminal mind conceives, and yet we shut down our government of, by, and for the people for the sake of politicians who cannot see the clear reason why they represent those who put them in their seats. Is it not worth a few more dollars spent to place freedom first, and to protect the precious gift God has given by Divine Providence rather than place in peril that which so many have given a fill measure to protect?

D.A. Wittler 1/11/19

What Will It Take?

A few thoughts:
Awakening to the silent world of texting I wonder, What will it take for me to reach you as the wall between us grows taller, and mightier than the love we once knew? How many instant messages does it take to find that one phrase that releases us from the bonds of platitudes, and emotional insecurity? In my heart I know the answers, if only I could get past the beating drum in my head that always looks for motive, and suspects every line to have some suspicious connotation. If only I could see beyond the barrier of my human limitations. For the love of God let me reach out to you as a friend, and not someone looking to persuade, or influence you in a way that hurts, but heals the wounds between us, for they are the true reason for our separation.
D.A.W. 1/5/19

A Few Words For The Sake Of A Wall

A few thoughts:

 “Sometimes you put walls up not to keep people out, but to see who cares enough to break them down.”
-Socrates

For me the question begs: "Do I have the courage to overcome what cannot be undone, like distance, time, and emotional energy of a negative kind?" And still, "Do I possess the tools to pry apart the brick, and mortar of a wall created in the mind?" The answer seems to jump out of me: "Caring is not a question, but an action waiting to be taken." So I guess the only thing left to do is start pulling away the clutter, and deal with the wall at hand, because part of that wall was built in my own frame of mind before it became a force of human nature. Like nature, our human condition can seem to be an insurmountable obstacle, but in reality just a mole hill waiting to be conquered.
God bless, and Happy Thanksgiving to all!

The Fear of New Beginings

A Series of Divine Accidents

Poems, and Thoughts

From My Adulthood.

Dale A. Wittler

I have heard that fear is our only enemy, and the person who can overcome it is truly blessed. To my knowledge there has only ever been one such person born on earth who has ever achieved that goal, and he died willingly to save the entire world. My aim in life has never gotten even close to such a lofty purpose, but I can say that to inspire even one person to become the best version of themselves is perhaps a surmountable destination given the obstacles, and mole hills created by uncertainty, and a lack of confidence in oneself.

Speaking as a man so often consumed by doubt, there is only one facet of life left to fully explore, and that is faith. Faith feeds the fire of a notion postulated by the late film director/actor Orson Wells who believed that all great film is about divine accidents. One never knows when something purely spontaneous will create a moment unscripted, and brilliant. More than mere coincidence, life is not about happenstance, rather a series of divine accidents. And so I embark on yet another leg of a journey began on July 24th. 1962. But as life provides references, information, and formal education in youth, it affords a gold mine of experience in adulthood.

It is here where I begin again, and perhaps end with the ultimate conclusion that to become a person willing to face fear, that fear become less of an enemy, and more of a yearning to emulate the greatest human being who ever lived. Perhaps then life becomes more about the divine side in each of us, and less about the fears that keep us from becoming the best version of ourselves. Here is a collection of my own series of divine accidents. Enjoy!

D.A.Wittler 11/05/2018

One Day At A Time For Dad

For the man  I knew as a child who seemed invincible, his work ethic unstoppable. Who hung his clothes on a kitchen chair at night so as not to wake my mother who was already planning out her day in a silent slumber only mother's can know.
For the father I now know who worries out loud whereas years ago he buried it deep in a silent rage only father's can feel. For the "old man" creeping by through life with a cane in hand, and an oxygen bottle at his side. For the son I wish I had been, and only now can comprehend. For a shoulder to lean on, a hand to hold on to, and an ear always listening to a soul longing for freedom.
For a God to be kind enough to grant a peaceful end to a perfect day.
Amen

I Am Today

Who am I today?

Friend, stranger

Loner, introvert, lover?

Oh I am what I need to be

At any given moment

Taking in the beauty of your voice

It is my choice

Over miles of pasture

Fields of corn

Blankets of soy beans

Once green with life enduring

Until the harvest moon comes calling

Devouring in an autumn mist

Preparing for wisps of winter wind.

I am caring

A !atent soul emerging

On angel's wings appearing

I am my own invention

Being of God's creation

Free will lets me roam

Upon shores of freedom

To determine my life's course

While this mortal vessel courses

With that which bleeds

From a heart that leaps for joy

Dives into waters of depression

Or beats dry upon death's door

I am mortal man

I am today!

D.A. Wittler 11/1/18

Wounded

Something new to do instead of arts, and crafts.

Wounded
(For Lisa)

 Fell asleep anxious
 In my rocker
 A while ago
 Wanting to hear
 Church bells toll
 Murmer of crickets
 Chirping a symphony
 My wounded soul.

Like I thought
It never came
Until I dreamed
Then I heard
An angel sing
Whispering a tune.

Then it came
A healing warm
In solitude form
Calmed the storm
And saved me
My wounded ego.

D.A. Wittler 9/12/18