February Activity Featuring--Thoughts on Dedication--Hosted by Jack Horne--England

We wondered where the word 'dedication' would take you. Would you think of dedicated individuals, or would you go for a dedication to someone or something? We couldn't wait to find out, and we certainly weren't disappointed! 

Jack Horne--England

Your Activity Feature Editor

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1952 State Champions

The men’s high school basketball team
traveled across state for the championship
game and headed home with the trophy.

They stopped at a restaurant on the way.
Two players were black.  The manager
said they’d be served on the back steps.

The entire basketball team walked out.
In terms of being proud, winning the
championship took second place.

Caryl Calsyn, United States

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Luminous Passion

A young girl, only twelve years old

I wrote down in my little notebook

               'Dedication'

Back then, I didn't know what the word

meant, it sounded like a joyful melody

A smile, a tear, bliss, discouragement,

and perseverance to fight for my beliefs

I traveled an emotional journey to understand

Dedication is an act of luminous passion

Inge Wesdijk, The Netherlands

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Reflection

No eye can see

Nor tongue can speak

Of that inner radiance-

A subtle release of that life force,

Which pulsates and rekindles

That sense of awe-

Blending that which was from time eternal,

Freeing, in awestruck thanksgiving

One whom is permitted to share

Agape, unconditional love

Jack Waller, Canada

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Always remembered

being kind and warmhearted

my late Grandmother

~~~~~~~~~~~

Immer in Erinnerung

freundlich und warmherzig

meine Großmutter

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Siempre acordaba 

amable y cariñosa

mi difunta abuela

Gert Knop, Germany

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D evoted for life

E ternally pursues

D etermined to win

I  deals set high

C aptivated by good

A llured to win

T errific human being

E nthusiastic in endeavors

D iligent humans who achieve goals.

Sara Kendrick, United States

______________

Dartmoor Dedication

My eyes scan lowering clouds

That shroud strong hills and harsh tors;

Weak sunlight battles indifferent rain,

And both fall unheeded on lazy bracken and bright heather;

A laughing wind shakes the brittle gorse

And blows sardonic kisses into my eyes.

Nick Spargo, United Kingdom

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Hello

That single word

commencing all friendships,

opening all doors.

It crosses bridges, 

it travels across and between continents,

is said with handshakes or hugs

or with a wave, but always with a smile

and the lucky hear it.

In any language it means the same.

Hello.

Linda Imbler, United States

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United

students, teachers, and staff

with a single goal

a wheelchair for Clara

who has cerebral palsy

fundraiser after fundraiser

gift after gift

at last the magic number

$16,000--and they celebrate

Clara in her new chair

with a big smiley face 

Elizabeth Howard, United States

 ______________

*writers

 around the world

 poetic hugs

*Dedicated to each & every haiku poet

 who makes this world a better place.

Barbara Tate, United States

______________

Dedication…

standing steadfast

on shaky ground

with resolve,

one step for now

seeking the light

to calm fears

words with wings…

a season of hope

Karen O’Leary, United States

______________

Dedication

Could this mean that you are trying to make life easier

for those in dire need of support,

and putting their needs before your own;

and by doing so becoming self less and dedicated.

I have my own cause which I support from the heart,

providing warm clothes and sleeping bags for the homeless.

Buying the Big Issue weekly helps the homeless

to help themselves and get off the streets.

I pray each night that they survive the winter,

these brave and courageous people. God Bless.

Jan Stalker, United Kingdom

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Love Well

Love is a well. Deep and pure.

And just as water nourishes the body

Love refreshes the soul

It has to be cradled, revered 

Or it slips through the fingers.

The more you love, the more you give

An ever flowing cycle.

From a trickle it can become an ocean

Given time and tenderness.

Tess Leyreloup, United Kingdom

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To Teachers

Like the forgotten hands that erect palaces –

Toiling away hours, distilling Shakespeare

And arithmetic so that they may see that

There’s more to life than the edges of the street.   

Aware of being used… by some to cross the yellow brick road

Others – to while away time, yet never wavering –

Always encouraging – giving to others – hours – dreams

and one day forgotten, retiring to hide behind the wallpaper

without fame of glory – An existence dedicated to a passion.

The real brave knights – the pillars of humanity.

Feby Joseph, India

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Dedication

Perseverance of the intense bees;

and iron-will of the frisky spider,

Tiny self-disciplined ants queue up;

ascend cliffs in endeavour,

Subtle Moth embraces flame;

while robust win the muscle game,

Passion at borders sets ablaze; 

high heaps of enemies at the gate,

Dedicated heroes of war return;

as twenty-one cannons decorate.

Dr. Upma A. Sharma, India

______________

year after year

students enjoy their classes...

dynamic teachers

who enthuse their students

with a love of learning

Mary Gunn, Ireland

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Dedication

I have come, Mother, to your eternal resting place,
a gathering of small birds hold onto a fragile bare tree;
then, fly up, gaining and falling, fighting a dark wind,
leaving me to my grief over your cold frozen tomb.

I am lonely, oh so alone, Mother, since you left me,
standing helpless, I watched your beauty fade away;
every moment with you was a treasure in my heart,
I could not keep you here, so I sadly said, let her go.

Constance Lafrance, Canada