Post No. 164: For National POW/MIA Recognition Day 2013

(Image by Paul Whiting)

National POW/MIA
Recognition Day

TO ALL OF THE POW/MIA U.S. MILITARY PERSONNEL:

YOU ARE *NOT* FORGOTTEN!

YOU ARE *NEVER* FORGOTTEN!

GOD *ALWAYS* REMEMBERS YOU!

-Paul Whiting
(a.k.a., Small All White in the Forest)
"I am no barrier to its sun; the light and I are as one!"

My Poetic Notes:

The reason that I wrote this poem can be summed up with the following statement: To All Of The POW/MIA United States Military Personnel:

You Are *Not* Forgotten!
You Are *Never* Forgotten!
God *Always* Remembers You!

Also, beginning in January 2013, I tried to create a post for virtually every holiday and special occasion of which I was aware, but I realized by September 2014 that I did not have enough time and energy to continue posting for every holiday and special occasion. And I decided to keep the poems in that series which were the most relevant to this blog, of which this is one.

And this poem was also published on my "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer" blog (please see the hyperlink below for the blog), since I feel that the message in this poem applies to the message that I am trying to convey through "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer."

This poem was written in Portland, Oregon.

-Paulee

https://paulwhitingwriting.blogspot.com

This "Small All White in the Forest" Post No. 164 was edited on June 25th, 2023.

"Poetry is using the fewest words possible in order to describe all that is possible to describe." –Paul Whiting [June 1st, 2022]

Post No. 163: (Why I Stay) Hidden Away

(Image from Flikr)

(Why I Stay) Hidden Away
[A "Hidden Away" song lyrical adaptation]

By way of poems and some philosophy,
Plus, through great blogging,
You can watch for me!
The highest feeling I've got inside;
I just can't wait to get profound with what's wise!

But, all these words that I'm meant to say,
Are written in secret, day after day;
These words of kindness
That your dear hearts crave:
For, I must keep them hidden away...

I cannot sing it out, since I may not live—
And I can't take it anymore that way!
So, I'm sending out something I believe in
And that's all I really need to say!

I must confide in my heart,
I need to hide in my heart:
That's why I keep my heart hidden away...

You're all a wonder, how bright you shine,
So many candles in each lifetime;
But I am a secret dreamer, who never shows,
If anybody sees me, then everybody knows!

So, all these words that I'm meant to say,
Are written in secret, day after day;
These words of kindness
That your dear hearts crave:
For, I must keep them hidden away...

I cannot sing it out, since I may not live—
And I can't take it anymore that way!
So, I'm sending out something I believe in
And that's all I really need to say!

I want you to feel my love,
But I can't reveal my love:
That's why I keep my love hidden away...

I want to confide in my heart,
But I need to hide in my heart:
That's why I keep my heart hidden away...

-Paul Whiting
(a.k.a., Small All White in the Forest)
"I am no barrier to its sun; the light and I are as one!"

My Poetic Notes:

The reason that I wrote this poem can be summed up with the following statement: "So, all these words that I'm meant to say, are written in secret, day after day; These words of kindness that your dear hearts crave: For, I must keep them hidden away... I cannot sing it out, since I may not live—and I can't take it anymore that way! So, I'm sending out something I believe in and that's all I really need to say!"

This poem is a lyrical adaptation of the song "Hidden Away" written by Josh Groban and Dan Wilson, which is a way for me to explain why I stay hidden away. (Please see the hyperlinks below for the video and for the lyrics.)

And this poem was also published on my "Poet, Artist and Philosopher" and "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer" blogs (please see the hyperlinks below for the blogs), since I feel that the message in this poem applies to the message I am trying to convey through "Poet, Artist and Philosopher" and "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer."

This poem was lyrically adapted in Portland, Oregon.

-Paulee

https://poetartistandphilosopher.blogspot.com

https://paulwhitingwriting.blogspot.com

Watch "Josh Groban - Hidden Away [Official Music Video]" on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/MnPICiigM5Q

"Hidden Away" from AZlyrics:

Over mountains and sky blue seas
On great circles will you watch for me?
The sweetest feeling I’ve got inside
I just can’t wait to get lost in your eyes
And all these words that you meant to say
Held in silence day after day
Words of kindness that our poor hearts crave
Please don’t keep them hidden away

Sing it out so I can finally breathe in,
I can take in all you say
Holding out for something i believe in
All I really need today
I want to free your heart
I want to see your heart
Please don’t keep your heart hidden away

You’re a wonder, how bright you shine
A flickering candle in a short lifetime
A secret dreamer that never shows
If no one sees you then nobody knows
And all these words you were meant to say
Held in silence day after day
Words of kindness that our poor hearts crave
Please don't keep them hidden away

Sing it out so I can finally breathe in
I can take in all you say
Reaching out for someone I believe in
All I really need today
I want to feel your love
Will you reveal your love
Please don’t keep your love hidden away

I want to free your heart
I want to see your heart
Please don’t keep your heart hidden away

https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/joshgroban/hiddenaway.html

This "Small All White in the Forest" Post No. 163 was edited on April 15th, 2024.

"Poetry is using the fewest words possible in order to describe all that is possible to describe." –Paul Whiting [June 1st, 2022]

Post No. 162: For Labor Day 2013 — The New and Improved 'Look for the Union Label' Song

(Image by Paul Whiting)

The New and Improved
'Look for the Union Label' Song
[A "Look for the Union Label" song lyrical adaptation]

Look for the Union Label,
When you are buying for your kids, or your spouse!
Remember, somewhere, our quality is showing and
Our wages are going to feed the kids and run the house!
We balance work and life, so we're explaining,
"Thanks to the Unions, we're paying our way!"
So, always look for the Union Label...
It says, "We Made It Here In The USA!"

-Paul Whiting
(a.k.a., Small All White in the Forest)
"I am no barrier to its sun; the light and I are as one!"

-------------------------------------------------------------------

My Writing About Every Worker's Right To Freely Join A Labor Union: It is every worker's right to freely join a labor union (without any forced unionism, of course), because of the many valuable benefits that are offered to labor union members, not to mention the fact that labor unions have a long and proud history of winning many victories on behalf of all workers. –Paul Whiting (written May 6th, 2012 and revised September 5th, 2022)

-------------------------------------------------------------------

My Writing About Anti-Union: Anti-union is anti-worker! –Paul Whiting (written April 4th, 2015 and revised September 5th, 2022)

-------------------------------------------------------------------

My Writing About How I Am Pro-Union: I am pro-union and pro-worker! –Paul Whiting (written October 16th, 2021 and revised September 5th, 2022)

-------------------------------------------------------------------

My Writing About Pro-Union: Pro-union is pro-worker! –Paul Whiting (September 5th, 2022)

-------------------------------------------------------------------

My Poetic Notes:

The reason that I wrote this poem can be summed up with the following statement: I remember when the "Look for the Union Label" commercials by the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU) were on television! And I am definitely a pro-union worker and a pro-union citizen, so I decided to do a lyrical adaptation of the original ILGWU theme song in order to give it a more modern feel and to relate it to today's American union workers, whose products are stamped with three proud words: "Made In America!" (Please see the hyperlinks below for the videos.)

And this poem was also published on my "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer" blog (please see the hyperlink below for the blog), since I feel that the message in this poem applies to the message that I am trying to convey through "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer."

This poem was lyrically adapted in Portland, Oregon.

-Paulee

https://paulwhitingwriting.blogspot.com

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Watch "The New and Improved 'Look for the Union Label' Song" on YouTube: [This video is my above-mentioned lyrical adaptation of the original "Look for the Union Label" song.]

https://youtu.be/dOrk67QVAg8

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Watch "Look for the Union Label 1978 ILGWU ad" on YouTube: [This video is one of the original "Look for the Union Label" commercials for the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU).]

https://youtu.be/7Lg4gGk53iY

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Watch "Union Label in Color" on YouTube: [This video is the "Look for the Union Label" song from a production of "The Pajama Game" by students of Preston High School in the Bronx, New York.]

https://youtu.be/5Xb_23pvp7k

-------------------------------------------------------------------

"International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union" from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia—which is funded primarily through donations from millions of individuals around the world, including this blogger (I make a totally affordable monthly donation):

"The International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union was once one of the largest labor unions in the United States, one of the first U.S. unions to have a primarily female membership, and a key player in the labor history of the 1920s and 1930s. The union, generally referred to as the 'ILGWU' or the 'ILG,' merged with the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union in 1995 to form the Union of Needle trades, Industrial and Textile Employees (UNITE). UNITE merged with the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union (HERE) in 2004 to create a new union known as UNITE HERE. The two unions that formed UNITE in 1995 represented only 250,000 workers between them, down from the ILGWU's peak membership of 450,000 in 1969.

Look for the Union Label:

The ILGWU sponsored a contest among its members in the 1970s for an advertising jingle to advocate buying ILGWU-made garments. The winner was Look for the union label. The Union's 'Look for the Union Label' song went as follows:

Look for the union label
When you are buying a coat, dress, or blouse,
Remember somewhere our union's sewing,
Our wages going to feed the kids and run the house,
We work hard, but who's complaining?
Thanks to the ILG, we're paying our way,
So always look for the union label,
It says we're able to make it in the USA!"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Ladies%27_Garment_Workers%27_Union

-------------------------------------------------------------------

This "Small All White in the Forest" Post No. 162 was edited on April 15th, 2024.

"Poetry is using the fewest words possible in order to describe all that is possible to describe." –Paul Whiting [June 1st, 2022]