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Potpourri . . .Oh, it’s hard not to be cynical,In every conceivable way,Just read a single newspaper,At the end of a busy day.

Potpourri . . .

Oh, it’s hard not to be cynical,

In every conceivable way,

Just read a single newspaper,

At the end of a busy day.

There it is, a cacophony of newsy fare,

Ads for overpriced houses, and what others wear,

From garbage bag dresses, at fifty bucks a pop,

To the Mulroney-Schreiber funny-money bunny hop.

The whole world is topsy-turvy, that’s really it,

We’re ready for Sagan’s Baloney Detection Kit.

Handle with care, you’ll take your life in your hands —

“Think for yourself is one of his commands.”

It’s my turn, not your turn, my party will be fine,

As soon as I’m the one at the head of the line.

And you, my friend/s can slip off into the political mist,

Although, there’s always the option of the turncoat twist.

Thou shalt not mumble out loud lest thy stumble,

I, for all shall speak, to prevent the inevitable jumble.

Ah, the world’s unfolding, almost as it must,

All will be well when we reach the majority we lust.

Now Jack and Gilles are still ensconced on the Hill,

Gilles stumbled but hasn’t swallowed his humble pill.

Jack jumps up and down like a jack-in-the-box,

Is it perhaps manoeuvre to appear as sly as a fox?

Ah ‘tis all an echo of the high, and the mighty –

The stalwart, the strong, the flitty, and flighty,

Without writers, television’s late night clowns

Muttered and sputtered, nearly tumbling down.

Follow not celebrity kahunas on money-mountain highs,

Flipping, flapping, flaunting,  tongue-wagging, oh me, oh my;

Nor their worshippers who gather, giggle, gawk, and leer

All acting as if they’re sipping a sycophantic Canadian beer?

Pay big bucks to those on top, is the accepted  mantra,

Making all the rest of us who pay the bills, their generous Santa.

The foundation, the anchors, those who make the whole thing go,

It’s us! The working folk: Lunchbucket Joanne and Joe.

So it’s all about money, eh?

     “For money you can have everything it is said. No that is not true. You can buy food, but not appetite; medicine, but not health; soft beds, but not sleep; knowledge, but not intelligence; glitter, but not comfort; fun, but not pleasure; acquaintances, but not friendship; servants, but not faithfulness; grey hair, but not honour; quiet days, but not peace. The shell of all things you can get for money, but not the kernel. That cannot be had for money.”

(Arne Garboug, writer 1851-1924.)

A Backward Glance . . .

     Aha, there it was, all wrapped up in an advertisement.   “… it’s a day to remember, and you will . . . Kodak’s new movie  camera that’s as easy to use as your “box Brownie” … film costs are low, too. . . a Brownie Movie Camera, 8mm with f2.7 lens $43.30.”

     The ad, from National Geographic April 1938 issue, a fascinating read, and then the light dawns – the source, maybe, of those television “fills” endured by TV viewers last winter during the Strike — “Brownie” home movies just like Dad used to “put us through.” 

A tip of the hat to the promise carried by the first crocus, and trumpeter swans!