Therefore, It Works
She protects him by telling everything
And by telling nothing at the same time.
He bears witness to her injuries
And salves her wounds with silence.
She goes before and clears the way.
He comes along side and picks up pieces.
He supplies the where with all.
She fashions the breadth of beauty.
She has made him safe from the cruel.
He has made her safe from the fools.
Susan Patterson
07-2015
Audio and Author Comment-
This poem is apparently controversial. Some people hate it; some love it. I have been told it is depressing. Ah, I see. Rarely do I explain a poem from my perspective. Not doing so is sort of the unwritten law of the writer. However, this time, I will break the rule. My intention is to tell the story of a couple. This poem is a love story. The man helps the woman in her weakness; she helps him in his. There is no underlying anger or control. Neither is taking advantage of the other. All actions are taken for the care and betterment of the partners.
It is not however the story of one specific couple. You, as the reader, may fill in the blanks of the names and the circumstances. Further, those names and circumstances may change from time to time. The fact that it will always fit one couple or another at some point, is consistent. My intention was to spotlight how we may care for each other when we learn the needs. skp
Water Saving Facts

Following are some interesting facts:
8 oz of soy milk - 16.4 gallons of water
10 min /shower - 30 gallons of water
8 oz of orange juice - 32.9 gallons of water
6 oz of rice - 9.6 gallons of water
6 oz of pork - 330 gallons of water
8 oz of beef - 850 gallons of water.
Source: Native Foods Restaurant, https://www.nativefoods.com/ and National Geographic