Palms and Semi

From Art of Mind II: All In

Palms and Semi

*Palms and Semi*

Trespassing?
No:
I’m paving my own paradise.
I’m making my way through a rainbow field swirling in a tropical landscape:
Palm trees as high as my imagination can reach, supported by gold & strawberry red stems.
There are high translucent wires parallel to the trees.
They hang like telephone wires in a secluded woodland…and above it all is the clearest blue sky.
This makes me feel like Hawaii.
Now I want to go there next.
Or maybe Savannah, Georgia or down the road over to Miami.
This feeling is unlike anywhere I’ve ever been.
Feels like open air with only
Silk on the Skin.

I sit alone, only me and these palm trees.
I’m too inspired, and just like those cords
I’m too wired.

I must paint what I feel.
I can’t leave this all with me.

Left only with my paint and no paper… I begin to stroke…
I sure hope the owner of this Semi won’t mind…
It’s the only thing here…so it will have to do.

They too are probably wandering and taking this all in…
I’m sure he or she won’t mind.

These up and down strokes begin to blend with the setting,
but now I must take a step back
to look at nature’s work.

This scenery takes me away, so I may not return to my modified canvas…
I do believe the owner will not mind…
I’m sure that he or she will see the beauty of it, too.

Painted by Donna Marsh

Copyright 2012. All Rights Reserved
Feel free to share or Reblog with proper credit given.

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University of Cincinnati Poem

From Alma Mater: Vol. 1: The Midwest—Available Now for 99 cents! (Link Below)
Alma Mater Vol 2. Available March 3, 2015!

*Cincinnati*

Don’t believe us when we say that the Red & Black triumphs in
The Big East,
Or that the Bearcats are
Academic Beasts;
Don’t believe that there is a magic in our stance
&
In our dance.
Or that our contributions have helped
America Advance.
No,
Don’t believe that the Cincy experience—
Is worth
Every Student Fee,
No, No, don’t take it from me,
Just come to UC—
&
You’ll see.

No, don’t believe that Cincinnati is the
Queen of the West,
And that when it comes to college charm,
We do it the best.
Ignore our Alma mater when we claim
We are a fountain of youth;
And a towering
Rock of Truth;
And don’t believe that when challenges rain—
The Red & Black Will Reign.
No, No, don’t take it from me,
Just come to UC—
&
You’ll see.
Don’t believe that the Cincy experience—
Is worth
Every Student Fee,
No, No, don’t take it from me,
Just come to UC—
&
You’ll see.
And once you arrive you’ll instantly know…
Then
I’ll say

I told you so.

Copyright 2014. All Rights Reserved

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Give Up, Dude

From Art of Mind II: All In

*Give Up, Dude*

“Don’t Give Up.”
“Don’t Ever Back Out.”
Let’s just be honest:
You need to
Tap The Fuck Out.
Don’t stay in a battle
That you can never win,
It Takes Giving Up:
To Live to Fight Again.

Copyright 2012. All Rights Reserved
Feel free to share or Reblog with proper credit given.

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Miami University (Ohio) Poem

From Alma Mater: Vol. 1: The Midwest—Available Now for 99 cents! (Link Below)
Alma Mater Vol 2. Available March 3, 2015!

*Miami University*

Oxford, where the cradle of light is coached
Beneath moons of rise and quiet change,
And mallows glisten from sunshine’s range,
Is the ground where the bricks of potential are poached
By quests of teachers & students encroached.
Gathered in quarried halls like MacCracken & Langstroth
Are RedHawks in flight like Katherine Rice,
The synchronized beams on earth & ice—
Miami is our light, we are the moths.
To this historic campus we pledge our troth.
Our Oxford,
Where the Hawks land Uptown
For fine city living to lay work on the edge;
This perch holds the enduring beauty of an amaranth
With teachers cultivating our growth year round,
Let the RedHawks sing with an everlasting sound:
Oxford,
My Love & Honor: I pledge.

Copyright 2014. All Rights Reserved

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Alma Mater College Poetry Series

Do you love poetry that is different, fun, and outside the box? Do you want to learn about all the major universities in a non-boring, creative fashion? Have you ever wanted to know what makes each university unique? Now you can find out in this memorable series that re-introduces the world to the greatness of these universities.

Alma Mater Vo1. 1 is a groundbreaking collection of poetry dedicated to the major universities of the Midwest. On March 3, Volume 2 will be released and we will travel to the Northeast–widely considered the most prestigious region of higher learning in the nation. As we anticipate the release of Volume 2, click the link below and take a tour of the Midwest in Volume 1 for only 99 cents. In this volume, 100 of the top universities of the Midwest are opened before the reader. Find out why Kirkus featured the series in its monthly magazine, and called it, “A Thoroughly Unique Poetry Project” and an “Engaging Poetic Tour of the Midwest” with “A variety of delightfully unexpected poetic forms.” In doing so, you will prepare yourself for Volume 2, which promises to take the series to another level.

Follow ClydeAidoo.com for sample poems and updates on the Alma Mater series and other wonderful projects.

Alma Mater Vol. 1: The Midwest is available for sale below for only 99 cents:

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Case Western Reserve Poem

From Alma Mater: Vol. 1: The Midwest—Available Now for 99 cents! (Link Below)
Alma Mater Vol 2. Available March 3, 2015!

*Case Western*

Case Western is a progressive reserve,
Ah,
Bright Young Minds.
A creative place of active collaboration
with
Ripe new finds.
A place where what you never knew to think of blossoms
&
The Joys of thinking, “You never know”
Rolls a world many never dreamt of.
With black lights that turn marbles into marvels;
And sculpts become National Monuments.
Medicine that helps fend plagues like leukemia and pulmonary infections.
Where dark energy can be turned to shed light on the gray matters of the universe.
Where keyhole surgery can be instrumental to valve replacement,
and lead the way to more medical developments.
Where people can meet and find livelihood from all over the country—from Potomac Yard
To our own backyard…
Right here in Cleveland, Ohio.

A world where I think becomes we think. And then we think becomes
We Made.
And We Made
becomes
the
USA.

This is a world where the students of Cleveland, Ohio
who’ve made a habit of testing new ground
have been trained to

Think Beyond the Possible

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Ohio State University Poem

From Alma Mater: Vol. 1: The Midwest—Available Now for 99 cents! (Link Below)
Alma Mater Vol 2. Available March 3, 2015!

*The Ohio State University*

It is a scarlet and gray autumn day in the brave of late November.
The sky is open, the grass is brazened,
And it is a damn good day to be a Buckeye.

***

Out from the tunnel of pride are seniors down to freshmen who are citizens united through education. This Ohio Union is the oldest and very first union,
Which is why we have the strongest foundation.

But for Ohio State, many a heart would rest unchanged,
Many joyous seasons would sing unclaimed,
These lives have strived through groundbreaking roots,
Now they stand tall and sturdy as Buckeyes.

With over 1,000 student organizations, a widespread reach of diversity, endless community service opportunities, world-famous athletics, and the nation’s most awesome, rockstastic band,
We proclaim this
The Best Damn School in the Land.

And on this day we aim to prove it.

After diving into Mirror Lake, our student body is refreshed and amped and ready for the band to march the ramp. From the Wexner Center to the other end of the Oval, all throughout our campus—there is a thrill that rolls through our spirits,
and it carries
Across the Field.
Rapid & Electric like a Buckeye Bullet,
Our trigger’s gaze is aimed at maize,
and at last, today
We pull it.

Block O is raucous—ready to go, cheering,
O-H-I-O
As Sons of
O-H-I-O
After the band closes
Script Ohio, we sing our
Buckeye Battle Cry for
OH
HI
OH!

After halftime, we will crack some heads and
Teach our rivals a hard lesson—
Call it a Skull Session.

Their fight will split upon our back-bending hits, and we will Smash through to Victory.
The victory bell will chime and we will drink until our dinner is discarded to fish guts, and when we meet next year, we will
Muck Fish Again.
And even when we don’t win,
We Fight till the very End
for
OH!
HI!
OH!

Copyright 2014. All Rights Reserved

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University of North Dakota Poem

From Alma Mater: Vol. 1: The Midwest—Available Now for 99 cents! (Link Below)
Alma Mater Vol 2. Available March 3, 2015!

*University of North Dakota*

With the Eternal Flame of the Memorial Sphere,
Let it be known that UND
Started here.
Then took off to soar on land, air, and ice,
Hence becoming Masters of Mother Earth thrice.
Although the Sioux name may be erased,
Our proud heritage cannot be replaced.
Training world-class aviators with aerospace science,
To state-of-the-art fleets we submit our compliance.
Instructing pilots throughout air traffic’s torques,
Now prepared to depart from the port of Grand Forks.
When we touch down on banks of Red River Valley,
We admire the beauty of English Coulee.
Views of Adelphi Fountain and silent solitude,
We are Wild Prairie Roses that Gertrude includes.
Growing with the sun we meet Mother Sky,
And hug Mother Nature—when she passes by.
We then seek life at The Memorial Union,
The heart of our campus is our remarkable union.
We are tested and worn like a moccasin,
Still we rise and withstand each occasion.
Woven in each heart are the wings of the air,
The only fire higher is the ice that we flare.
Seven national championships won on the rink,
Sometimes we ran with ease;
Other times we walked the brink.
Through it all—Into hockey’s lore
We sink.
It was North Dakota’s Christian who helped the Miracle on Ice,
Much thanks to Zach Parise, Jonathan Toews, Phil Sykes,
As well as every player who together helped build
This program of success and splendor we wield.
Halting rivals’ offense with managed backchecking,
Claims of better hockey need better fact-checking.
Phil Jackson said that team strength needs each team member,
With both sides Full Strength, their team’s strength we’ll dismember;
Each individual face of our strength
They’ll remember.
When they enter Ralph and push for a home takeaway,
We’ll defend our territory—and this tribe will breakaway.

Goal!

North Dakota Hockey wins again—

Skoal!

Thoughts of contesting UND get a Check to the Head,
Their team gets
No Money or Fame—
Financial Aid Checks instead.
We tell legends of our stories
Of the legends who paved ways,
Guiding us all through the light
That proves that hard work pays.
On the Ice of North Dakota—Light and Law is our ramp,
&
With Eternal Flame,
North Dakota
Lights the Lamp.

Copyright 2014. All Rights Reserved

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North Dakota State Poem

From Alma Mater: Vol. 1: The Midwest—Available Now for 99 cents! (Link Below)
Alma Mater Vol 2. Available March 3, 2015!

*North Dakota State University*

Listen to the Herd.
Thundering through many rivers; bolting through the green of autumn.
Bison graze the plains, feeding off the bountiful colors of spring.
They tread these yellow fields with a boast of fecundity locked inside their horns.
Bison are composed mammals that step even-toed through the prairies with the width of summertime peace. Bison are creatures of peace.
Though they are not afraid to mete out their mountainous strength.
At North Dakota State, our Bison find peace in the hush of The Babbling Brook.
And we derive our strength through one another.
The most important thing about our Bison:
Is that we travel in herds…
And we are about to ram the Fargodome
With Yellow and Green Energy.
The Thundering Herd has penetrated the field
And this arena holds a penetrating feel.
::RUMBLE::
::RUMBLE::
::RUMBLE::
The Bison are about to strike.
&
After all the rumbling of the crowd,
The Roar is heard from The Thundering Herd.

Copyright 2014. All Rights Reserved

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University of Nebraska Poem

From Alma Mater: Vol. 1: The Midwest—Available Now for 99 cents! (Link Below)
Alma Mater Vol 2. Available March 3, 2015!

*Nebraska Cornhuskers*

There is no place like Dear Old Nebraska U.
Earning awards in research and humanities,
We carry
Big Ideas
Big Potential
Big Impact…
And with 26 national championships from five different sports…
Yeah,
We’re kind of a big deal.

Go Big Red.

***

There is no place like Dear Old Nebraska U,
Where hours before kickoff, we greet the team at the bus;
To rally for our players and part the Sea is a must—
The Huskers are coming through.
This pep is to prep the Huskers for battle,
Every Game Day we meet our team at the ‘shoe;
Cheerleaders, The Band, and all Supporters:
Clap!
The Huskers are coming through.
All the way from Vine Street to the Memorial Tunnel,
Where there are visions of our illustrious tracts,
In track, bowling, and gymnastics—our many championships are tacked;
And in women’s volleyball—where after scores,
We Huddle.
There are visions of greatness in the Cornhusker chambers,
Bolted in the annuls of the Nebraska Coliseum,
Forever the Mecca of the Volleyball Mausoleum,
In our sold-out crowds we were a family of strangers.
Though we moved—we still stand as the best fans in women’s sports
With support these Lady Huskers richly deserve,
They fight to the last point with every dive and serve,
An example for competitors in all other sports.
Nebraska is the best example of dedicated fanhood,
In Volleyball and right here in Memorial Stadium,
Selling out every game—we are the Medium
Between this tunnel and mystic glory understood.

“Through these gates pass the greatest fans in college football.”

The electric static is felt on the Big Red Carpet,
The anticipation in the atmosphere is wild and reaching,
Players reach and tap the horseshoe beneath the screeching—
In a tangible energy only Nebraskans can transmit.
The team takes the field with the Pride of All Nebraska,
And march to the tune of these deafening screams,
Hail Varsity! The theme everyone sings,
When the end zone rings, “Touchdown Nebraska!”
Red Balloons fill the sky as the fans celebrate
Another score along with Herbie and Lil’ Red,
Any constituent can see from this faithful Sea of Red:

That this is a Red State.

We are the Only & Original Sea of Red,
Before monochromatic audiences became a trend,
Like the Blackshirts we record-break, but don’t bend,
Behold and Revere the Power of Red.
The Huskers aren’t just football; it’s a Family Tradition:
The Pelinis, The Steinkuhlers, The Ruuds—to name a few,
We don’t tip hats to legends—we all raise a shoe,
And when a Nebraskan clan welcomes a new addition…

His or Her first words will be,
“Go Red!”

“He’s alllll the way home! Holy Moly!!! Man, woman and child—did that put them in the aisles! Johnny ‘the Jet’ Rodgers just tore ’em loose from their shoes!”

“Holy Cow! Touchdown Tommie Frazier!!!”

Tradition and honor is in our bloodline beside our lineage,
Five national titles and the best team in college history:
The Huskers of ’95—the juggernaut that made history,
Opposing teams were history before they took the line of scrimmage.
We went to war like the troops of Vietnam,
The Devaney Defense and the Osborne Army,
The Blackshirt Attack that was vicious and swarming,
For the teams of the ’90s, and the memories:
Thanks, Tom.

“Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice.”

Wearing red in Nebraska is not a choice,
It’s Our Voice.
Day by day, like the Huskers,
We Get Better.
And our unparalleled support:

Is Our Thank-You Letter.

For inspiring us to excel in the classroom,
And in the grazing fields of beyond,
You helped instill an ethic of integrity…
And hard work that helps us abscond.
Tom taught us that
“Increases over time, outpace reductions”
So we’ll double-time to keep ahead of this junction.

And when 7-year-old Jack Hoffman ran 69 yards to touchdown fame,
Making a spring contest the most meaningful seconds of the year,
The proof of our creed could be found in his parents’ tears:

Nebraska Football is More Than a Game.

Copyright 2014. All Rights Reserved

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