b88 (3.15-3.2020): prayer... to cure a virus??

prayer (to cure a virus)? ^[1]      
by al martino & ima gonna pray
 
prayer (to cure a virus)?
doesn’t it seem odd
that prayer works (when it works) but when it doesn’t (honor god)
that pray-ers are for the culted faithful (superstitious beings)
 
prayer (to cure a virus)?
silly, so it seems
 ______________________________
 
·       be-cause we all know that prayer doesn’t do a thing.

·       god… (if you happen to be a faith-based believer) doesn’t give a sh-- …about your prayers.  

huh?

·       god decides anyway… based upon his (all) knowingness… and his knowing best already.  why do you not trust that?  if you really, really believed that god knew what was best for you, and that he would carry-out his perfect plan… why pray and beg?

·       god doesn’t need you (on your knees, no less) making-believe that you actually do care about someone else…  more than you care about yourself.

·       god already knows that you are self-serving, and you’d just like to feel better.

_________________________
[1] martino, j. (3.15-3.2020). prayer (to cure a virus). book 88: marching into madness.  © 2020 by wellnesseducation.us. 

b88 (3.15-2.2020): who the f--- are you (to talk about god)?

who the f--- are you to talk about god? ^[1] 
by whothaf u. c. kareyou & al martino
 
who the f--- are you -- to talk and squawk about god?
 
you have never seen him (so it seems a little bit odd)
you have never known him (so it seems a little bit lame)
 
you sit and talk about god (it’s a little a bit insane)
 ______________________________
 
·       be-cause we all know that you are full of sh--.

·       you are just a blind-believer (maybe it’s time to twit).

·       you have no idea that we have had enough of it…
 
…your thoughts, ideas and beliefs about god.

_________________________
[1] martino, j. (3.15-2.2020). who the f--- are you (to talk about god)? book 88: marching into madness. © 2020 by wellnesseducation.us. 

b88 (3.15-1.2020): do it with a mask on

do it with a mask on ^[1] 
by n. ewcu stoms
 
do it with a mask on
riding on a plane
sitting in a restaurant, or taking-in a game
checking fake id’s (or maybe any kind of task)
kissing your new lover
do it with a mask
 ______________________________
 
·        the new normal: making love (with a mask on).

·        maybe we should have been doing it all along. 😊
_________________________
[1] martino, j. (3.15-1.2020). do it with a mask on. book 88: marching into madness.  © 2020 by wellnesseducation.us. 

b88 (3.14-5.2020): new customs

new customs ^[1]
by anna miss
 
welcome to new customs
tell us where you’ve been
tell us why you’ve been there
tell us who (your friends)
tell us where you’re going
tell us how you feel
welcome to new customs (this is just part of the deal)
 ______________________________
 
·        maybe they always asked us for this kind of information. 

·        now, however, they do it with a mask on.
_________________________
[1] martino, j. (3.14-5.2020). new customs. book 88: marching into madness.  © 2020 by wellnesseducation.us. 

b88 (3.14-4.2020): reactive isolation

reactive isolation ^[1]       
by anna miss
 
reactive isolation
nothing in the store
nothing on the tube but news, no toilet paper wars
nothing going-on and nobody on the street
reactive isolation
the taste is bittersweet
 ______________________________
 
·        as we finally get to experience a bit of peace and quiet, it’s for all of the wrong reasons.
_________________________
[1] martino, j. (3.14-4.2020). reactive isolation. book 88: marching into madness.  © 2020 by wellnesseducation.us. 

b88 (3.14-1.2020): spineless politician

spineless politician ^[1]    
by anna citizen
 
spineless politician
doesn’t represent
won’t stand up (for justice)
your money (he spent)
 
he writes the law (self-serving) with his spineless, poli-friends
spineless politician
game over,
the end
 

alternate ending (for the faux news faithful out there):

spineless politician

in you we trust,

amen

 ______________________________
 
_________________________
[1] martino, j. (3.14-1.2020). spineless politician. book 88: marching into madness. © 2020 by wellnesseducation.us. 

b88 (3.13-12.2020): let's spend some time (alone)

let’s spend some time (alone) ^[1]         
by anna loner
 
let’s spend some time alone
as if we had the choice
as if we had the power
as if we have a voice
 
as if we were together
let’s facetime on the phone
as if we had a tendency
let’s spend some time alone
 ______________________________
 
·       there’s nothing like a global catastrophe to bring people together.

_________________________
[1] martino, j. (3.13-12.2020). let’s spend some time alone. book 88: marching into madness.  © 2020 by wellnesseducation.us. 

b88 (3.13-11.2020): no marching into madness

no marching into madness ^[1]
by m. arch & m. addness
 
no marching into madness
no scent of sweet sixteen
no great debate, no elite eight, no viral fate (unseen)
no final four (revolving door), no champion, no sadness
no cheering & no bracket-sharing:
 
no marching into madness
______________________________
 
·       there appears, however, to be a lot of marching into the emergency room.
 
_________________________
[1] martino, j. (3.13-11.2020). no marching into madness. book 88: marching into madness.  © 2020 by wellnesseducation.us. 

b88 (3.13-10.2020): "open-up and swallow"

we play follow the leader ^[1]       
by l. eaders & f. ollowers
 

alternative title: "open-up and swallow"

we play follow the leader
with head (beneath the sand)
we choose to muse the fauxy news (pretend to understand)
 
as global markets crumble, we pray (“open-up and swallow”)
have faith in the anointed one:
here comes the leader, follow
 
 
_________________________
[1] martino, j. (3.13-10.2020). we play follow the leader. book 88: marching into madness.  © 2020 by wellnesseducation.us. 

b88 (3.13-9.2020): the dow is the tao

the dow is the tao ^[1]   
by v. iruses
 
the dow is the tao
the almighty dollar
in the here & now
politicians holler
 
everybody’s got a take when internet is king
the tao is the dow
goodbye everything
 
 
 
_________________________
[1] martino, j. (3.13-9.2020). the dow is the tao. book 88: marching into madness.  © 2020 by wellnesseducation.us. 

b88 (3.13-8a.2020): when the tao is the dow

when the tao is the dow ^[1]     
by v. irus
 
ride the roller coaster
ego takes a bow
when comedy is tragedy
when the tao is the dow

(it seems the time is Now) 
_________________________
[1] martino, j. (3.13-8a.2020). when the tao is the dow. book 88: marching into madness.  © 2020 by wellnesseducation.us. 

b88 (3.13-8b.2020): viral ego games

viral ego games ^[1]       
by v. iral
 
viral ego-maniac says “no!” (i can’t explain)
as viral ego-maniac plays viral ego games
 
_________________________
[1] martino, j. (3.13-8b.2020). viral ego games. book 88: marching into madness.  © 2020 by wellnesseducation.us. 

b88 (3.13-7.2020): when shame & blame goes viral

when shame & blame goes viral ^[1]    
by s. hame & b. lame
 
when shame & blame goes viral
when global fabrication
when power moves prove all-too-shrewd for this-here in-car-nation
 
when huge galactic egos battle (feel the downward spiral)
when so-called leaders play their games
when shame & blame goes viral
 
 
_________________________
[1] martino, j. (3.13-7.2020). when shame & blame goes viral. book 88: marching into madness.  © 2020 by wellnesseducation.us. 

b88 (3.13-6.2020): when quarantine meets lockdown

when quarantine meets lockdown ^[1]
by j. quarantine & ima lockdown
 
when quarantine meets lockdown
when governments collide
when shame meets blame (in power games), the lord he will provide
when poetry meets playwright in one final, tragic scene
 
the lord, he will provide/divide
when lockdown/quarantine
______________________________
 
·       their date was soooooo serene.
_________________________
[1] martino, j. (3.13-6.2020). when quarantine meets lockdown. book 88: marching into madness.  © 2020 by wellnesseducation.us. 

b88 (3.13-5.2020): johnny quarantine

my name is johnny quarantine ^[1]       
by ima lock eddown & j. quaran tine
 
my name is johnny quarantine
i’m locked down in my home
please do not come and visit, just leave well-enough alone
please do not bring me food (or news)
please do not cause a scene
please leave me with my blues, my name is johnny quarantine
 
_________________________
[1] martino, j. (3.13-5.2020). my name is johnny quarantine. book 88: marching into madness.  © 2020 by wellnesseducation.us.

b88 (3.13-4.2020): sunrise/yoga cancelled

sunrise/yoga cancelled ^[1]      

by candice c. ellation
 
sunrise/yoga cancelled
lockdown in the street
cancel grocery (shopping)
nothing there to eat
______________________________
 
·       …because cancelling wellness activities (like yoga and the beach) is the (political) answer to improve health.

why not just cancel sunrises?
_________________________
[1] martino, j. (3.13-4.2020). sunrise/yoga cancelled. book 88: marching into madness.  © 2020 by wellnesseducation.us. 

b88 (3.13-3.2020): cancel inter-action

cancel inter-action ^[1] 
by can c. ellations
 
cancel inter-action
fight, corona, fight!
touch? corona (extra!)
sip corona (light)
 
breathe corona (premium) and
stoke corona (fear)
fight, corona, fight (this is a bit too much to beer)
______________________________
 
·       let’s cancel all interactions… and make every hour sad.

·       cancel happy hour?  …nah… not today.
 
_________________________
[1] martino, j. (3.13-3.2020). cancel inter-action. book 88: marching into madness.  © 2020 by wellnesseducation.us. 

b88 (3.13-2.2020): let's just cancel christmas

let’s just cancel christmas ^[1]       
by can c. ellations
 
let’s just cancel christmas
cancel the debates
cancel all elections (let’s just leave it up to faith)
 
cancel school (let marshals rule) and cancel gatherings
let’s just watch the news (sit back), and
cancel everything
______________________________
 
·        cancel thoetry?  …nah… not today.
 
_________________________
[1] martino, j. (3.13-2.2020). let’s just cancel christmas. book 88: marching into madness.  © 2020 by wellnesseducation.us. 

b88 (3.13-1.2020): "let's come together"

the only game in town ^[1]        
by m. arch & m. addness

alternative title: "let's come together" 

i watched the news today (it was the only game in town)
as news reporters (faint/persuade) the facts they toss around
they say “lets come together” while the clips they show (divide)
i watched the news today (a blend of captivating lies)
______________________________
 
·       news channels (particularly fox and msnbc) have lost the ability to report news.  did entertainment networks ever have the ability?

·       in any event, two ‘channels’ describe the same ‘news’ – but paint pictures of two diametrically-opposed worlds.

·       global, consumerized systems fail to avert crises.

·       now, we get to watch & listen to disaster (from the locked-down confines of our own, quarantined homes).

·       let’s "spend some time" (alone).
 
_________________________
[1] martino, j. (3.13-1.2020). the only game in town. book 88: marching into madness. © 2020 by wellnesseducation.us. 

b88 (3.12-6.2020) no madness is nomad-ness

no madness means nomad-ness ^[1]  
by m. arch & m. addness
 
no madness means nomad-ness
sitting here alone
tried to catch the game but wound-up staring at the phone
can’t connect with anyone (a dinner-date with sadness)
stop the press (togetherness) has turned into
nomad-ness
 
______________________________
 
·        no (march) madness can’t hold a candle to the madness that ensues from nomad-ness.

·        the virus is the flu (but this time, it’s new!).

·        fear has driven us off-of the deep end, and into our own, tiny, separatist worlds.
 
_________________________
[1] martino, j. (3.12-6.2020). madness means nomad-ness. book 88: marching into madness. © 2020 by wellnesseducation.us. 

b88 (3.12-5.2024): everything is cancelled

everything is cancelled ^[1]            
by w. e. reavirus
 
everything is cancelled
sports and crowds and fights
fun and sun and meals on wheels and weekend concerts, flights
gatherings (all sorts of things) that we just took for granted
when it comes to viruses the playing field is slanted
 
schools will close, as they impose a curfew after nine
mandatory vaccination (penetration?) fine
separate us, isolate us, exercise your will
everything is cancelled, here,
the day the earth stood still
 
‘cuz everything is cancelled 
______________________________
 
·        divide & conquer never had it this easy!
 
_________________________
[1] martino, j. (3.12-5.2020). everything is cancelled. book 88: marching into madness.  © 2020 by wellnesseducation.us.

b88 (3.12-4.2020): maybe life is viral

(maybe) life is viral ^[1]    
by w. e. reavirus

alternative title: living things must die

maybe life is viral
rampant re-production
ravaging re-sources
death (its final function)
 
limited perspective gasps for breath (and questions why)
rampant reproduction:
living things must die
______________________________
 
·        life itself is a phenomenon of instinctive survival/thrival that results in abundant mass-reproduction.

·        nature-ally, checks and balances (predators, viri, aging processes, war, etc.) have a tendency to curb overpopulation.

·        from a (limited) human perspective, we might attempt to ‘hold onto’ life and (subsequently) fear death.  this would be especially true if we somehow believed that every-thing was created for us.

·        if one can envision humanity as a virus (with the ability to run rampant... like every, other living thing), one might be able to detach from the need to control every-thing.

·        death (after All) is what makes life worthwhile!
 
this is not to say that we should ignore death and focus only on life. 
 
maybe… the trick is to do exactly what we do-Be-do: exper-i-ence the heck out of life, while under-standing that death is lurking – just around the corner.
_________________________
[1] martino, j. (3.12-4.2020). (maybe) life is viral. book 88: marching into madness.  © 2020 by wellnesseducation.us. 

b88 (3.12-3.2020): life is anti-viral

life is anti-viral ^[1]            
by w. e. reavirus
 
move that body
deepen breath, and
picture the serene
it might take some energy, but try to think good things
gratitude can bring a smile amid the deadly spiral
living things connect
life is anti-viral
______________________________
 
·        life itself is a fusion… a connected, evolving, expanding, communicative, collaborative stew.
 
(…except for when it views itself as separate)
 
 
_________________________
[1] martino, j. (3.12-3.2020).  life is anti-viral. book 88: marching into madness.  © 2020 by wellnesseducation.us. 

b88 (3.12-2.2020): there's no need for $chool

there’s no need for $chool ^[1]      
by anna teacher
 
there’s an empty classroom near an empty parking space
students locked at home (with their devices in their face)
 
once the politicians figure out the gold-en rule:
there’s no need for teacher$
there’s no need for $chool
______________________________
 
·        because a robot can account for learning -- when learning is defined as “the ability to retrieve data.”
 
 
 
 
_________________________
[1] martino, j. (3.12-2.2020).  there’s no need for $chool. book 88: marching into madness.  © 2020 by wellnesseducation.us. 

b88 (3.12-1.2020): fear can lock us down

fear can lock us down ^[1]              
by imon l. ockdown
 
empty stadium beneath an eery, empty sky
empty politician spouting (clearly empty lies)
empty purse (consumer sports a leery, empty frown)
 
“there’s no doubt” (an empty shout)
fear can lock us down
______________________________
 
·        fear (the verb, not noun) is presently locking u.s. down.
 
 
 
 
_________________________
[1] martino, j. (3.12-1.2020).  fear can lock us down. book 88: marching into madness.  © 2020 by wellnesseducation.us. 

b88 (3.11-1.2020): nature thins the herd

nature thins the herd ^[1]
by ima n. atural
 
nature thins the herd
the slow, the weak, the old
the ones who aren’t immune to viri (silly, common, cold)
the ones who aren’t immune to predatory hide & seek
 
nature thins the herd (assured)
the old, the slow, the weak
______________________________
 
·        sometimes, nature thins itself (as nature is the herd, and she is the predator).

·        humans possess masterful ingenuity, communication skills, and collaborative tendencies (contrary to what we observe in u.s. lawmakers).

·        since we are partial to us… we take action to improve birth rates and extend lifespans.

·        when a predator/virus comes along to thin the herd, our tendency is to protect the old, the slow, and the weak ...actually places the whole at greater risk.

·        the old, the weak, and the slow tend to consume resources (e.g. time), and they also tend to reproduce (old, weak and slow ideas).  this further weakens the holistic gene pool.
 
this thoem is not about the ‘rightness or ‘wrongness’ of the whole, sacrificing itself for the one.  ‘nature thins the herd’ simply ob-serves how nature goes about being itself. 

when it is my time to go, i won't go quietly... but i will understand that my demise is just nature (thinning the herd).
 
_________________________
[1] martino, j. (3.11-1.2020). nature thins the herd. book 88: marching into madness.  © 2020 by wellnesseducation.us. 

b88 (3.10-1.2020): fear won

ear won ^[1]        
by anna b. server
 

alternative title: fear, 1

the score: “common-sense, zero”
(when this is said and done)
we lost be-cause we’re lost (of course)
the score, for sure: fear 1
______________________________
 
·        fear 1, common-sense 0.  game over.

·        the perfect storm of media driven lunacy, in a time when lies = truth and reality = lies, the consumerism-based media takes down the biggest of power-driven countries.

·        bumbling, bubble-headed leadership, facebook-news, and a pundit-on-every-click can result in mass crisis (quick).

·        paper-market-economies, based upon faux news and fake (sometimes printed) money, becomes a filled suitcase of paper-dollars that can’t buy you breakfast.

·        in a whirlwind that would make ASI proud, humanity gets taken down… by its own fear.

·        ego-cancer (as always…) committing murder-suicide – as the cancer infects, and then kills its own host – thereby killing himself.
 
_________________________

[1] martino, j. (3.10-1.2020). fear won. book 88: marching into madness.  © 2020 by wellnesseducation.us.  

b88 (3.9-1.2020): empty beach

empty beach ^[1]             
by anna miss
 
no chair-tags and no towels
no chair-wars-dance at six
(if i did not know better, i’d say something was amiss)
no sports to try, nothing to buy, no students left to teach
no human interaction, just an eerie
empty beach
 ______________________________
 
·       it was surreal out there, with no one jousting for territory, and no one waiting in line for coffee.  with no one experiencing an early morning beach-walk, and no excursion boats approaching, it seemed as though even the waves were isolated.

·       there was rumor that aruba had experienced its first (official) case of covid, today.  in any event, the usually bustling beach-vibe is eerily non-existent.  

this could be serious.
_________________________
[1] martino, j. (3.9-1.2020). empty beach. book 88: marching into madness.  © 2020 by wellnesseducation.us. 

b88 (3.8-1.2020): that girl should not be doing crow

that girl should not be doing crow ^[1]
by egoic y. ogis
 
when does the yogi student/teacher learn to “just say no”?
that girl there on the beach sand…
…should not be doing crow
______________________________
 
·       another example of a show-ga teacher’s ego, pushing a willing student into a pose that sets her up for injury.

·       the teacher was thin, light and flexible – moving in an out of crow pose as if she were the reincarnation of blackbird the pirate.

·       her student, on the other hand, struggled with each attempt, shaking her hands to loosen-up the carpal-tunnel area in between.  she (eventually) progressed to one leg off of the ground, but did not look comfortable or aligned.
_________________________
[1] martino, j. (3.8-1.2020). that girl should not be doing crow. book 88: marching into madness.  © 2020 by wellnesseducation.us. 

b88 (3.7-1.2020): pretty in pink

pretty in pink ^[1]            
by knipe h. t. ginvol
 
those are some sorry burpees, baby,
(butt) you made me think
you exercise my demons when you look
pretty in pink
______________________________
 
·       inspired by a walk on the beach (in aruba) & observing a hot chick in a teeny-tiny pink outfit, doing really, really bad burpees.

·       i’m on the brink, as i think… i want to burp your baby.

_________________________
[1] martino, j. (3.7.1.2020). pretty in pink. book 88: marching into madness.  © 2020 by wellnesseducation.us.