Just having some fun with my cellphone camera…
Photo Play
Author: Flowerpoet
The Birds and Us 2
a quick revised version
Birds judge others by size, by shape, by feathers,
ever surveilling nervously in fear.
Humans judge others by size, by shape, and even
by hair or lack of hair, while claiming
more intelligence, more wisdom, more understanding.
We still hold primitive prejudices today
about the size and shape of human bodies,
about height, about weight, about colour of skin.
We still hold pride of hair akin to ‘sin’,
shaming its beauty as something to hide,
confusing ancient jealousies with spirituality.
(Overzealous religionists and the piously insane
added their misunderstandings to centuries
of ‘Shame and Blame’ oppression, harming bodies-
never the Creator’s wish nor love of God.)
We love beauty, celebrate beauty, yet still
we hate and hide beauty from sight.
Humanity swims in a sea of contradictions!
We still judge character, intelligence, abilities,
by body size, by shape, by skin, by hair.
Diversity is a gift of Nature, of Life, of God,
so why is there still such divisiveness in these
attitudes, beliefs, behaviours among us?
Why all the fuss about things like hair?
Male and female, both, whatever description
appear with many kinds of hair…
like natural, dyed, straight, wavy, black, blonde,
with styles chosen or required to wear…
Why must hair be worn short or long on old or young?
Why do we praise, criticize, ridicule, even condemn
based, clearly, on how we appear?
Why is pride, humility, defiance, messaged on heads?
Why are we obsessed with less or more weight?
How does human skin translate to hate?
Do we really wish to be ‘birds of a feather’
who must ‘stick together‘, the thinking, acting ‘look alikes’?
Why are differences seen ‘strange’ or feared?
What does that say about human intelligence?
What does that say about wisdom and understanding?
(Birds judge others by size, by shape, by feathers,
ever surveilling nervously in fear.)
August 17, 2025
Shelley A. Wilson
Haileybury, Ontario
When Is Art Not Art
When is Art Not Art?
We experience, observe, decide, discern
as we grow, evolve and learn.
When ‘Art’ is Abuse, Sadistic, Masochistic,
without Conscience, Caring, Compassion,
it is clearly Not Art to me I see,
only abilities and powers misused,
sure signs of Hearts and Minds confused-
Life’s respect and dignity denied, refused.
What does this ‘Not Art’ plainly state
beyond personal preference and taste,
beyond collective judgments, agreements
of religious and social morality
swiftly or slowly changing, or not,
through intelligent questions and revelations
about Humanity, Nature, Evolution, Creation…
It states our ‘World Views’, perceptions of God,
of Life Itself, of who we are and choose to be
as we co-create our World, our ‘Destiny’.
‘Not Art’ is Not Art’s ‘Shadow’ of Duality
or ‘Negative Space’ of Formless Grace.
This ‘Not Art’ is a degradation of mentality,
a sickness of Heart and Mind and Soul-
though some may choose to call it ‘Art’.
I choose the Beauty and Joy of Life in Art,
finding meaning, purpose, peace, delight
in its power both magical and divine.
I, truly, do love Art…
August 14, 2025
(This poem pairs with my previous poem- Art and Artists. )
Shelley A. Wilson
Haileybury, Ontario
Art and Artists
Art is the Bridge, the Gate, the Door to seeing, hearing, feeling Life as ‘So Much More’.
Artists are Creators, ReCreators, Transformers-
selves expressing the Self in many varied ways-
lives expressing Life in the sublime and mundane.
Artists are bridges, gates and doors,
revealers, inspirers, motivators, communicators
of the wonders and true magic of Life.
Art is Life expressing Itself in us-
we who open to Art as Life Itself in us.
Only Closed Minds and Hearts and Souls
limit, restrict, confine, deny Art as Life in us-
God’s own glory flowing through us,
measured and filtered though it be.
August 14, 2025
Shelley A. Wilson
Haileybury, Ontario
Living By The Lake
Living by Lake Timiskaming and boating through its many moods both day and night, I savour the pleasant adventures.
Flowerpoet 
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