Saturday, August 24, 2013

Wishing Upon a Star






To be sung to the tune of “When You Wish Upon a Star…”


To all folks from near and far
Let us tell just what we are:
Students, teachers, H.S.A.–
We’re O.L.V.

Dreamers, learners we embrace,
We’re a truly special place,
Once you’re here, you’ll want to stay
At O.L.V.

Cyber friends,
The going has been tough,
Our funds are not enough–
Consider helping.

We don’t dwell in Fairyland,
No, we’re here, in Maryland.
We’re still here at O.L.V.–
"The place to be."

Cyber friends,
We humbly ask of you:
Please, send a check or two,
The sky’s the limit.

Be “a bolt out of the blue,”
Do “step in and see us through,”
And one day your dearest dream
Will too come true.


     I’m in charge of a fundraiser for my kids’ school.  A school rich in history, cultural diversity, and character.  A school in which former students eagerly enroll their own kids – that kind of school.
     Our Lady of Victory is open to everyone.  Its academic excellence and great atmosphere draws in students from various religious backgrounds as well as children from nonreligious families. 
     O.L.V. is, however, a Catholic school and, like most Catholic schools across the country, it experiences financial difficulties.    
     We–parents, students, teachers–remain positive and hope for the best, but the school could use all the help it can get.  And I could use all the ways of raising money I can come up with.
     Whether you are a Marylander or not, Catholic or not – please, consider supporting a very special school.  Help it stay afloat and get through tough times.  Spread the word.  Any contribution will be greatly appreciated.

Please, make your checks payable to Our Lady of Victory School,
write T.H.A. Fundraiser on the memo line,
and mail the checks to:

Our Lady of Victory School

4416 Wilkens Ave.

Baltimore, MD 21229


Thank you.


Image credit: Wikipedia 

Shared on dversepoets 

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

"To misfortune or good fortune..." (translation)


Шпаликов Г.
(1937 –  1974)

По несчастью или к счастью,
Истина проста:
Никогда не возвращайся
В прежние места.
Даже если пепелище
Выглядит вполне,
Не найти того, что ищем,
Ни тебе, ни мне.
Путешествие в обратно
Я бы запретил,
И прошу тебя, как брата,
Душу не мути.
А не то рвану по следу,
Кто меня вернет?
И на валенках уеду
В сорок пятый год.
В сорок пятом угадаю,
Там, где — Боже мой! —
Будет мама молодая
И отец живой.


Shpalikov G.
(1937 – 1974)
                   
Translated from Russian by Alexandra A. Palmer

To misfortune or good fortune,
Simple is the truth:
Let the former places haunt you
From the days of youth –
Don’t go back. The dwelling old
May look like before,
But it won’t for you or me hold
What we’re searching for.
Trips to long ago much rather
I would ban in whole,
And I ask you as my brother,
Don’t stir up my soul.
Or I’ll lurch away from here–
Who’ll to stop me strive?–
Ride my felt boots to the year
Nineteen forty five.
I’ll discern it through the snow,
Nineteen forty five,
Where–dear God!–my mother’s so
Young and dad’s alive.




Live for the Love of it,
The Happy Amateur

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

"Happy"


Marc Chagall 'Progulka' ('A Stroll')
1917

'Happy'

I’ve no weight, I’m a kite,
Fly me high, hold on tight,
Don’t let go of my hand,
Bye-bye, land!

Keep your feet on the ground,
Planet Earth’s small and round,
With its oceans and all,
Like a ball.

Limitations disperse,
You are my universe,
Standing firmly, and bound
To the ground.

I am air, I am light,
I am day, I am night,
Watch me how I go whee!
Fly with me?

Burning bright, burning clear,
From this world disappear
In the blink of an eye
You and I.


Live for the Love of it,
The Happy Amateur


Today I'm linking this poem I wrote a while ago to The Mag #173 
(and I accidentally deleted the original post..)

https://www.artsy.net/artist/marc-chagall