Friday, December 26, 2025
POETRY: WORDS WARM INSIDE HER
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| DONOVAN BALDWIN |
Labels: donovan baldwin, erotica, love poems, poems, poetry, romantic poems
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
ESSAY - THE ART OF ACTING OLD
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| DONOVAN BALDWIN |
His idea was that most of us had reserves of which we were not aware, but which were there, waiting below the surface of our existence, to answer our call when needed or wanted. As he states:
"...in exceptional cases we may find, beyond the very extremity of fatigue-distress, amounts of ease and power that we never dreamed ourselves to own,--sources of strength habitually not taxed at all, because habitually we never push through the obstruction, never pass those early critical points."
While completely ready to acknowledge that there are limits, Mr. James felt that most of us seldom came even close to using the amounts of energy and health available to us. He went on to state that most of us become accustomed to this state of affairs and live our lives far below the level which we could achieve, just because we believe what we perceive as "the way things are" is the reality in which we must live.
Going further, Mr. James asked himself, what triggers those occasional moments when individuals move into a higher realm of energy and accomplishment?
His answer in his own words:
"Either some unusual stimulus fills them with emotional excitement, or some unusual idea of necessity induces them to make an extra effort of will. _Excitements, ideas, and efforts_, in a word, are what carry us over the dam."
He gives examples of necessities such as duty, the example of others, "crowd pressure", or other needs of the situation as stimuli which can invoke "energies of men" beyond their normal levels.
However, these are momentary and external stimuli which produce, in Mr. James' opinion only sporadic flights into the higher levels of human possibility. He wanted something better, and believed that he had found it.
He had noticed in his life and in his studies that certain attitudes and certain disciplines, such as yoga, could help people transcend their normal levels of life. He further noticed that this ability to move to a higher plane of existence was actually something which could be trained within the individual, and that people had the ability to choose to be happy and healthy, or at least less miserable and sickly, by acts of will. He reached many other similar conclusions, but I will stop talking about William James and his essay here.
I read "The Energies of Men" as a teenager, and, as I looked at the grownups around me, I began to see that so many of them were living out roles that they had either chosen or had assumed were simply "the way things are". Over the years, this idea intrigued me and I began reading Dale Carnegie, Dr. Maxwell Maltz, and others who had similar thoughts and opinions. Over time, my interest moved into physical fitness, and I began to see that the results obtained by people who improved their physical fitness meshed well with what I, myself, had read, observed, and experienced.
Over the years, it became more and more clear to me that a person's attitude and perception of their circumstances were contributing factors to their physical and mental health and wellness, as well as to their fiscal success. As I read more on the subject, and acquired more knowledge from other sources, this idea hardened into belief. It has been with great pleasure to see more and more studies validating the ideas of William James and others. It has become a widely accepted fact that our attitudes and beliefs CAN AND DO influence our actual existences.
To quote Henry Ford: "Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right."
So, what does all this have to do with aging and the title of this little essay, "The Art of Acting Old"?
I have already mentioned that as I grew older, I personally saw how attitudes and beliefs could positively and negatively affect people's lives. One life I obviously observed close up was my own, and I also had close insight into the lives of a rather large, and varied, extended family. My own life has had its share of very troublesome events, and I found that how I met these events often determined how I got through them.
One event was aging itself, and the other was the discovery that I had pretty bad osteoarthritis.
As these two events converged to make life difficult and painful, I began to find myself slipping into "old man" mode. I modified my actions, began making excuses for my infirmities and perceived inabilities, and began a mental process of expecting others to perceive my decrepitude and make allowance for it. However, before I could go too far down this path, I reread "The Energies of Men" and several other sources and reviewed my personal experiences with meditation, yoga, and exercise. I also looked back over a career in the U. S. Army which began in basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina in 1966 where I learned one of the most important lessons of my life...whatever I believed I could do, I could actually do more., U
I also harked back to a time in my life when a close friend of mine ran a geriatric day care program and confided to me that most of the participants never should have wound up there...they had simply allowed themselves to grow old.
As I entered my 60's, I decided that I would not follow the time-worn pathway of the aging process in our society, but would find my own trails. I updated my exercise regimen to allow for age and arthritis, modified my nutritional intake, and increased my connections with the outside world. I quit expecting deference from others due to age and infirmity (perceived or real) and went about the business of living as I had lived in my 40's and 50's, with acceptance of those things which had changed, but without using them as an excuse for existence. I straightened my back, strengthened my muscles, and shouldered my share of life's burdens.
I am, in a sad way sometimes, rewarded as I look around at others my age. They are more and more stooped and bowed with each passing year, yet my head is high and my step is firm. They fear their existence and its end more and more while I go out and enjoy each day just as I have for years, looking forward to the excitements and pleasures the day will bring. They begin to fear that they will not be here much longer while I am planning what I am going to do in my 70's, 80's, 90's...and perhaps beyond.
I have also found that simply refusing to "act my age" and demanding that I act in life and react to life as I did in earlier years has been an effective tool in combating many of the more deleterious effects of the aging process. Oh, I have my aches, my pains, and my wrinkles, but I do not allow them to define or limit my life for the most part. This is a conscious act on my part, but with time, it has become relatively unconscious, and the rewards are observable and palpable.
William Shakespeare said in Macbeth:
"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages."
None of us has the final say over when the play will end, but we do have control over how we play our parts, and I will assume control of the final ages of my life.
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If you enjoyed this essay by the poet and commentator, Donovan Baldwin, perhaps you might also enjoy his poem, Within The Darkening Woods.
Labels: aging, Dale Carnegie, donovan baldwin, Energies Of Men, Fort Jackson, U.S. Army, William James, William Shakespeare
Thursday, December 04, 2025
POEM: WITHIN THE DARKENING WOODS
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| DONOVAN BALDWIN |
And changing as sunlight peeks around, hides behind
Gray clouds, streaming through branches swayed by wind,
Varying the patterns on the hard dirt ground.
There is life all around, birds singing, wind
Blowing, trees swaying, shadows changing,
But, not too far away, dark woods standing,
Tree shadows blocking out the sun.
Among all this light, activity, and life,
I find myself reminded of boyhood memories,
When I lived my adventures, exploring woods
In sunlight, with the wind, surrounded by birdsong.
Aware even in that life, of dark woods full of peace,
And coolness, and silence. Silent as a tomb,
They like to say, and that is how I thought
Of the darkening woods somewhere else back then.
Now, so many years later, I am again aware,
Of the dark shadows underneath the trees,
Which stand over my shoulder reminding me,
It's almost time to walk into their cool world.
Copyright 2017 By Donovan Baldwin
Tuesday, December 02, 2025
ESSAY - WHY DO I WRITE?
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| Donovan Baldwin |
They have, they believe, something to say.
Right?
Well, for a "non-writer", that may be sufficient, but, the word "writer" is a slippery devil. It, of course, can be used to define anyone who takes up pen (or keyboard) and... well... writes.
Something!
Anything!
I have written standard operating procedures which were published and distributed to several sections of a military facility... made the "law of the land", if you will. Still, that, to ME did NOT feel like "writing".
Now, when I write poems, or even small screeds such as this one, I am, to my mind, a writer. In this writing, I am turning loose what a lady named Subi Nanthivarman so delightfully refers to as her "Writing Genie", or, apparently, "WG" to friends and coworkers.
Wonderful concept, I think.
For me, it's that weird little thing in my brain (in my case a Leprechaun-like creature), that has things to say and insists on sharing them with its human host in this symbiotic relationship. I don't control it, nor it me, yet, when it asks for pen or keyboard, I must comply.
For me, THAT is when I, with the aid of my faithful side-kicker, become a writer.
Why do I write?
Because as an obedient servant to the creature within, I must obey its demands or suffer the consequences... something like an addict suffering withdrawal.
Labels: donovan baldwin, how to write, reason for writing, why write, writer, writing
Monday, December 01, 2025
VENUS HAS BEEN BORN, AND OTHER POEMS, DECEMBER 1, 2025
BY DONOVAN BALDWINDONOVAN BALDWIN
Venus has been born,
Beauty emerging from sea,
Ocean's salt liqueur,
Heralds the birth of goddess,
And the lust she shall invoke.
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accompany you
through dens of iniquity
where we share our love
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spank me she whispers
lays herself across his lap
awaits her reward
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she won't hide from me
for our secrets are the same
needing to be shared
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she suspects i watch
her body starts to tremble
knowing whet i see
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brings him his belt
naked ass exquisite pleasure
she begs him for pain
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The daughter of Anne Boleyn,
Elizabeth first was so thin,
Her twenty-one inch waist,
So tightly was laced,
With a corset to squeeze her in.
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coiled about us
bindings made of love and lust
and silken desires
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on quivering skin
his invasive syllables
find their within
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sharing her pleasure
open to the world she walks
her mission is love
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she'd not dared to show
intensity of desires
that he'd praise her for
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ebony her hair
with gray cursive curls within
halo of passion
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caress on my skin
like a flowing summer breeze
touching all over
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lifetime of giving
among people who just take
till almost empty
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pierced by passion's spear
body burned by constant flames
swallows love's liqueur
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hands on trembling pen
together we write of love
cursive lines that burn
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sin has not scarred her
good and bad created her
this woman you love
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greeted a stranger
welcoming him to her land
where all could share love
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poems to someone
"beautiful and far away"
in hopes she reads them
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She stared into the night. So many secrets. So many hidden things. So much condemnation when she revealed herself. Then she met the poet. His words seemed not only to absolve her, but to praise the intensity of her loving spirit. Hesitantly, she revealed secret by secret, sin by sin... and he listen. He smiled. He nodded. He spoke quietly, "You're safe to be yourself. You're with me, now," and she felt the chains break and the cage doors open.
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dips into her pool
creates ripples of desire
over her lips' edge
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she craves the big sins
the i have done it all sins
with him at her side
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carefully she kept
collections of fine pleasures
he had shared with her
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face behind the face
a demon or a beauty
which is hiding whom
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my lover disrobes
a mature mortal woman
a goddess dancing
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finely tuned pleasures
internal vibrations
crystal arias
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make me no excuse
bring me your joys and sorrow
to share together
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anthem aria
words of a forgotten song
poem on the night
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Now I don't want any drama,
Because I have ordered a llama,
It comes from Peru,
And in a week or two,
I'll be a proud llama mama.
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If you enjoyed these poems by the Fort Worth poet, you might enjoy his essay, Living Like A Slave In The Modern World.
Labels: Anne Boleyn, donovan baldwin, Elizabeth, erotic poems, Fort Worth poet, love poems, poems, poetry
Thursday, November 20, 2025
ESSAY: LIVING LIKE A SLAVE IN THE MODERN WORLD?
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| DONOVAN BALDWIN |
Just left me curious.
They DO realize, of course, that if they did NOT work for some large corporation to earn the money to buy the food they need to survive, they WOULD have to plant it, grow it, reap it, kill it, or whatever it themselves?
And, I haven't even gotten to soap, cars, clothing, cereal, Adidas, coffee, wine, insulin, and rocket ships.
People complain about people who worry about the stock market.
They DO realize, of course, that retirement funds and insurance companies get their money from the stock market, right?
People complain about "big pharma", but they DO realize, that without "big pharma', some relative or close friend might be dead, right?
Survival isn't free. We get the goodies we get because someone, somewhere, is willing to "invest" in it.
The best arrow maker in the tribe ate well, NOT because he was the best hunter, but because he COULD make damn good arrows.
Just thinking out loud.
Labels: donovan baldwin, essay, life lesson, living like a slave
Sunday, November 16, 2025
ARTICLE: IS FISH OIL GOOD FOR YOU?
That is an excellent question, as fish oil is one of the most popular supplements.OmegaGuard® By Shaklee
The main beneficial components in fish oil are the omega-3 fatty acids, specifically EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), which are essential fats your body needs but cannot produce enough of on its own.
✅ Potential Benefits
Fish oil supplements have been associated with a few key benefits, particularly for specific health concerns:
Lowering Triglycerides: There is strong evidence that high-dose fish oil can significantly reduce high blood triglyceride levels, a type of fat in the blood that can raise the risk of heart disease.
4 Rheumatoid Arthritis: Studies suggest fish oil may help reduce pain, morning stiffness, and joint tenderness due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
5 Blood Pressure: Some research indicates modest reductions in blood pressure, especially in people with moderate to severe high blood pressure.
6 Overall Anti-Inflammatory Effects: EPA and DHA possess anti-inflammatory properties that may benefit various chronic conditions.
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⚠️ The Primary Recommendation: Whole Fish
Most health organizations and researchers agree on the following:
Eating fatty fish (like salmon, mackerel, trout, and sardines) at least twice a week is the most effective and recommended way to get beneficial omega-3s.
The benefits observed from eating fish (like a lower risk of dying from heart disease) are often not as clearly demonstrated or are mixed when studying over-the-counter fish oil supplements for heart health in the general population. This suggests other nutrients in the whole fish may play a role.
🛑 Potential Risks and Considerations
For the general, healthy population, the benefits of over-the-counter fish oil supplements are often minimal, and there are some risks, especially at high doses:
Bleeding Risk: High doses can increase the risk of bleeding, especially if you take blood-thinning medications (like Warfarin or aspirin).
9 Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib): High-dose prescription fish oil has been linked to a potential increased risk of A-Fib (an irregular heart rhythm) in people with, or at high risk for, cardiovascular disease.
10 Side Effects: Common mild side effects include a fishy aftertaste/burps, bad breath, heartburn, nausea, and diarrhea.
11 Interactions: Fish oil can interact with blood pressure, blood-thinning, and contraceptive drugs.
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In Summary
For the general healthy adult: Focus on eating fatty fish regularly. A supplement may be a good option if you absolutely do not eat fish, but the benefits may be limited compared to diet.
For specific conditions (like very high triglycerides or rheumatoid arthritis): A fish oil supplement may be beneficial, but it's crucial to discuss it with your doctor first to determine the correct dosage and to check for potential drug interactions or risks.
Would you like to know which types of fish are the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids?
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Did you enoy this article presented by the Fort Worth poet Donovan Baldwn? You might alsow enjoy some of his other works, such as We Flee To Eden, and other poems.
Labels: anti-inflammatory, arthritis, blood pressure, donovan baldwin, fish oil, Omega Guard, Omega-3, triglycerides
