Upfirst

morning meditation

from the desks of Mike & Todd

Waiting painting by Todd Carter

positive focus

July 26, 2022

Everything is NOT Okay

poem by A. Michael

“Everything is okay”reads sign next to streetThe “right” is workingtoward women’s defeat Everything is NOT okaywrites one woman backMale values subjugate meI will not relax Law enforcement stands backwhile innocents die?Are they heeding former president?“Stand back and standby”? The Uvalde cowardswould you not ask to be shot?Should not traitors die?Former president is NOT Did enforcers leave children and teachersto be murdered in their school?Did they hold back family and friends?Are they not unbearable stool? Another--more than daily--mass shooter appearsdowned by “Good” Samaritan, on the TV I hear.Whatever does “Good” Samaritan mean?Is this Biblical bigotry plain but unseen? Is American culture rotten?Right down to the core?Is violence glorified?To perpetuate male lore? U.S. of A.Beacon of freedom?Do we value bigotry and hatred?Shameful acts of sheer treason? God is alone, I hear pastor confessWe renounce the Devil, the people professWe love our neighborsExcept and unless? God you must follow?Or destruction awaits?God alone holds the power?God alone holds the Fates? Do the churchgoers understandthe outcome of their baits?I am here to tell them:No Devil exists in my Fates I am Wise WomanWild Woman am ITo a single male GodI will not subscribe Born and raised CatholicSinging and ritual I missI attend in church nurseryin the midst of sweet bliss But join the male churchI cannot doI will not supportwithout starting anew This woman refusesto submit to male brotherI reclaim female valuesI rebirth our Great Mother American males grow up violentreleasing demonstrated rageA result of their anguishFather-Alone War they wage America’s young white malesacting out painful expressionlearning hatred from the valuesof their country’s aggression Women’s healing professions returning, after long ago stolenWomen’s peaceful and sane values, still largely lost and brokenEvil Woman and Devil, falsely created and linkedForcing unbalance, tipping everything, to horribly kinked Mother Nature blamed for disasters with a cry?Father God given credit for all good events on high? Wild Woman says:I have perseveredI am here to helpMy voice will be heard I revere Mother Earthand All She containsEverything SacredPure Space She maintains I call on Her now!I call Mother Light!Our country and worldsuffer terrible blight Father the Godmust take a side seatTo the lead comes StarlightHer values complete Loving and caringNurturing and kindRemember Her values!Reclaim Her deep mind! Male-only menacquiesce to the meek!Listen to Starlight!Mother values She seeks A world where love triumphsover money and greedA world where sick bulliesimmediately concede Women to teachbring great reliefHear Starlight preachor you delay peace Reject God domination!Reclaim Goddess allure!God violence subside!Great Mother bring cure!
A. Michael7-26-2022copyright upfirst.com 2022

Butterfly Star Shine painting by Todd Carter

About Us

Mike and Todd, partners for 40 years, created Upfirst in 1996 in their quest to understand top search engine placement without paying per click in the early years of the Internet. Upfirst has been a home for Mike and Todd's creative expressions for nearly 30 years. She continues to be an online vessel for reflecting and for sharing their artwork and ideas and information about themselves and the world. For two decades Mike and Todd owned and operated state-licensed proprietary schools--with outstanding completion and placement rates and affordable tuition and fees--online throughout the world and in classrooms in Michigan. Together they taught computer skills and healthcare coding, billing, and transcription certificate programs--and more--and they provided free placement services to help successful graduates launch new careers. Now--and for most of the past 13 years--Mike works from her home office as a healthcare coding auditor to improve healthcare equity and outcomes for everyone. Mike contributes on risk adjustment coding and data validation teams to improve the accuracy of coded healthcare data and to strengthen the correctness, clarity and completeness of provider documentation. Todd supports Mike's efforts by caring for her and for their 11-year-old cat, Links, and for their home and property where they have lived for more than 30 years. Todd creates vibrant colorful works of art that reflect his harmony with nature and his love for Michigan outdoors. Todd has been active in art community for more than 40 years and has shown his artwork at juried art shows and art fairs and in many retail locations throughout Michigan.

Blue Butterfly Galaxy painting by Todd Carter

Find more of Todd's artwork at ToddCarterFolkArt.com

Contact Upfirst email: tcarter@upfirst.com Copyright @ 2022 Upfirst. All rights reserved.