Poetic Verse

“My Dream”

One aspect of most (perhaps all?) creatures, is that a common threat will tend to bring them together. We are no different in that we too have a tendency to unite against a common enemy however, despite the seriousness of COVID-19, there is still antagonism, discrimination and just plain aggression, both within and across numerous borders, towards people who are perceived as “different”. Politicians who sow the seeds of dissention with divisive politics, must take some of the responsibility but, ultimately, each of us is responsible for our own actions.

I am sure that we are all hoping for the control of COVID-19 and its variants during 2021. Most of us are probably hoping for the vaccine as early as possible. There seems little doubt that it will soon join the many other life threatening conditions that are now under control but then …  we are left with the ever present antagonism and discrimination.

Below is “My Dream”, which is a poem taken from my book “Just Thinking” (click book cover over to right – may have to scroll – for more information. The link below goes to my  reading of it (audio only).

“My Dream”

I dream of a day

When we’ll all be friends

I dream, as I look at the stars

That the world will see

That being valued and free

Is better than destruction and war

***

I dream of a day

When my friends are yours

Although from quite different lands

That you understand

All colours and beliefs

Can live in peace. Can hold hands

***

I dream of a day

Hopefully not far away

When compassion wins in the end

We’re all human after all

We all stumble and fall

Let’s help each other up and be friends

***

I dream of a day

When the killing has stopped

And peace prevails at last

Borders are open

Old vendettas forgotten

Past beliefs… will stay in the past

***

I dream of a day…

But it is only a dream

So many people will say

Perhaps I am delusional

Perhaps just a dreamer

But to survive, we must find a way

***

To break down barriers

To live together in peace

That will be a challenge for some

But why must we label

Our different neighbours?

Why can’t we become as one?

***

We all want respect

We all want freedom

Let’s open our eyes and see

That we all want the same

It’s really not complicated

It’s peace, for you and for me

***

I dream of a day

When world peace is achieved

When the pen is the only weapon

There will be universal love

And to the power above I’ll say

“Thank you. Our Earth has become Heaven.”

Home Isolation Time!

With so much  time being spent at home, what a golden opportunity is being provided to  catch up on some thought provoking (or just plain fun!) reading and (bonus) … all three books are now on sale (details below)!

The links below go to the FriesenPress Bookstore, but the books are also available world-wide from all the usual on-line book retailers.

“Who Said I was up for Adoption?”

A true story about a man (me!) who had never really liked dogs since being bitten by one when in his teens, and yet he was adopted by almost 80lbs of  German Shepherd/Rottweiler with just a bit of an “attitude”.  The first eighteen months (the basis for the book) was an emotional  roller coaster ride for so many reasons and, unlike so many other dog stories, the hero (our beloved Ray) is still alive and well!

https://books.friesenpress.com/store/title/119734000018826578/Colin-Chappell-Who-Said-I-Was-Up-For-Adoption%3F

*Note: “Who Said I was up for Adoption?” is now available direct from the FriesenPress Bookstore at discounted prices of $11.99 for the paper-back, and $19.99 for the hard-cover formats.

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“The Odessa Chronicles”

If you would prefer something lighter, how about a book of short stories suitable for children ages 4 to 104!  If you want to amuse that inner child, or perhaps a young friend or relative …….

https://books.friesenpress.com/store/title/119734000053250745/Carolyn-Shelton-and-Colin-Chappell-The-Odessa-Chronicles

*Note: “The Odessa Chronicles” is now available direct from the FriesenPress Bookstore at discounted prices of $10.99 for the paper-back, and $17.99 for the hard-cover formats.

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“Just Thinking”

Finally, if you want something that will encourage some introspective thinking, but in a poetic verse format …..

https://books.friesenpress.com/store/title/119734000032944229/Colin-Chappell-Just-Thinking

*Note: “Just Thinking” is now available direct from the FriesenPress Bookstore at discounted prices of $6.99 for the paper-back, and $15.99 for the hard-cover formats.

We keep hearing about people who are getting bored with staying at home, but that’s probably because they have yet to purchase one  or two or  three of these books! You won’t know what you have been missing until you get at least one!  The question is “Do you like dog stories books, or pure fiction fun stories, or some thought provoking verse?” Given that they are all currently on sale if purchased direct from the FriesenPress Bookstore … why not get all three?

Life Circumstances!

The following is a copy of a May 2016 Post from this Blog. There are now many new Followers who would have never seen it, and therefore missed out on a golden opportunity to have some constructive and positive reflections! You “guys” can now have the same opportunity that my earlier Followers had! Enjoy! Continue reading →

“A Man, a Dog, …”

“Just Thinking” is a book of simple poetry (even I could understand it!) that was published a few years ago.  The subjects covered include a dog, volunteerism, troubled relationships, people of the street, and just so many other perspectives on life. Continue reading →

Peace.

While I  was putting the final touches to my book of poetic verse “Just Thinking” (click cover in right column for more info), I came across an invitation to submit a “peace poem”. The end result was that “My Dream” was included in the “Poets for Peace” book. Continue reading →

Book! Book! Book!

Given our recent erratic weather which is culminating, as I write this, into a major snow storm accompanied (just to make it more exciting) by strong winds … Mother Nature has had/is having a high degree of influence over how I spend my time. Continue reading →

Marketing Poetry!

When I started circulating the draft of “Just Thinking”, I was confronted with a reality that I had not considered – “Poetry is a niche market area, and so generating sales will be a hard and ongoing process.” It has been (and still is) a challenging book to promote successfully, so imagine my delight when I found the review (below) from a group  known as powerfulwomenreaders, who very kindly gave me permission to copy it.
Continue reading →