Montgomery County Bulletin

SOCIETY By Mark Williams

So I went to a party last night, and it was totally awesome. The party was to celebrate art. Here’s what I noticed about that party. Firstly, I noticed that in the room the women come and go, talking of Michelangelo. (They totally did!)

Secondly, I had some thoughts about Michelangelo myself. I thought to myself: Self, indeed there will be time To wonder, “Do I dare?” and, “Do I dare?” Time to turn back and descend the stair, With a bald spot in the middle of my hair—[They will say: “How his hair is growing thin!”] And then—you’ll never believe it—I had an even profounder thought! (It was craziness!) I thought to myself, Do I dare Disturb the universe? In a minute there is time For decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse.

Deep, right? I know, I was really surprised at myself! Hey, you know what they say: I guess I’m a poet, even though I don’t even know it! Ha!


THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY BULLETIN		August 8, 2008/ Issue XIV
MUSINGS By Mark Williams Sometimes I can’t help but get to thinking that the question is being or not being. You know what I mean? And then I start thinking about the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune—and THEN I start thinking that my thoughts are so full of sound and fury that they don’t even signify anything! Which is kind of depressing! But then I start thinking that I’m a pretty smart guy, thinking these thoughts like I do. And then I remember what I often tell myself: that the true sign of intelligence isn't knowledge, but imagination. I love that thought of mine! And then I just think of a few of my favorite things (like raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens…but that’s just me, you might have others that aren't so unique!), and then I don’t feel…so…sad. Anyway, those are my thoughts!		In this issue: • Mark Williams on Politics • Mark Williams on Society • Mark Williams on Sports • Mark Williams on Nature • Mark Williams on Weather
POLITICS By Mark Williams Hi, all! Mark Williams here, giving you your weekly politics fix! You know, I was thinking about Truths the other day—political truths, especially, those are sometimes my favorite truths to think about—and thought I’d share some of my thoughts about those truths with you. And what I was thinking was that we should really, to some extent, hold the following Truths to be self-evident. Here are those Truths we should hold, I think, in that self-evident way. Firstly, I think, all men are created equal—sounds pretty obvious, I know, but who am I to argue with my own profound thoughts!—and, in addition to the previous truth, also that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights—wait, there’s more!—and that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. Good stuff, right? Anyway, those were just my own random thoughts. Feel free to hit me back with your own ideas! But betcha they won’t be as good as mine! Ha! Anyway, bye!		EDUCATION By Mark Williams I was thinking, the other day, about our school system. You know what I believe? Well, firstly, I believe the children are our future. I also think we should teach them well and let them lead the way. And then we should show them all the beauty they possess inside. This, I think, will give them a sense of pride—and that, in turn, will make life easier. Above all, I have a modest proposal: guys, let’s let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be. It’s hard to disagree with that, am I right? Ha!
NATURE By Mark Williams Hi guys! You know, I was taking a walk through the forest the other day, and I had the following thoughts. For some reason, it was snowing. (I know, so strange, since it’s August! It must be El Nino or something!) Anyways, here’s what I thought: Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village though He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow. My little horse must think it queer To stop without a farmhouse near Between the woods and frozen lake The darkest evening of the year. (You know what’s funny! I don’t even have a horse! Ha! For some reason, though, when I was thinking my thoughts, I thought I did! Funny! Anyway, back to my thoughts…) He gives his harness bells a shake To ask if there is some mistake. The only other sound's the sweep Of easy wind and downy flake. The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep. Aren’t those good thoughts about nature? I thought so, anyway!		SOCIETY By Mark Williams So I went to a party last night, and it was totally awesome. The party was to celebrate art. Here’s what I noticed about that party. Firstly, I noticed that in the room the women come and go, talking of Michelangelo. (They totally did!) Secondly, I had some thoughts about Michelangelo myself. I thought to myself: Self, indeed there will be time To wonder, “Do I dare?” and, “Do I dare?” Time to turn back and descend the stair, With a bald spot in the middle of my hair—[They will say: “How his hair is growing thin!”] And then—you’ll never believe it—I had an even profounder thought! (It was craziness!) I thought to myself, Do I dare Disturb the universe? In a minute there is time For decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse. Deep, right? I know, I was really surprised at myself! Hey, you know what they say: I guess I’m a poet, even though I don’t even know it! Ha!
WEATHER FORECAST By Mark Williams Hi guys! Okay, I don’t really know what the weather will be—how can we know anything until someone else has already told us about it, am I right? But now that we’re in the summer doldrums—wow, it was so hot today!!—I thought it’d be a good time for sharing some of my own ideas about the season. Here’s what I’ve been thinking to myself about summer: that this summer, in particular, is the summer of our discontent. (Wow, that sounds like such a downer! But what can I say, that’s just what I was thinking! And don’t worry! My thoughts get better!) Anyway, that summer was Made glorious summer by this sun of York (I don’t know why I thought about York, when we’re totally in Texas! Ha! Oh, well!) And all the clouds that lour'd upon our house In the deep bosom of the ocean buried. Now are our brows bound with victorious wreaths; Our bruised arms hung up for monuments; Our stern alarums changed to merry meetings, Our dreadful marches to delightful measures. You know what I was thinking, too? August is the cruellest month, breeding Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing Memory and desire, stirring Dull roots with spring rain. Winter kept us warm, covering Earth in forgetful snow, feeding A little life with dried tubers. (Tubers! I don’t know why I thought about tubers! I don’t even know what tubers are! Ha!) Anyway, Summer surprised us, coming over the Starnbergersee With a shower of rain; we stopped in the colonnade, And went on in sunlight, into the Hofgarten, And drank coffee, and talked for an hour. Bin gar keine Russin, stamm' aus Litauen, echt deutsch. (I know, I was totally thinking in German. And I don’t even know German! So funny. Maybe I’m one of those prodigies or something!!) Anyway, thanks for reading my ideas about the weather! Have a great day!		SPORTS By Mark Williams Wow, what a game last night! Really exciting! You could say, if you were me, that it was the best of times and it was worst of times! Ha! That’s how I, myself, would characterize it! Anyway, here’s a poem I wrote about the game. (Betcha didn’t know that I’m literary, too!) The Outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudville nine that day:The score stood four to two, with but one inning more to play. And then when Cooney died at first, and Barrows did the same, A sickly silence fell upon the patrons of the game. (Oh, “Mudville” is Montgomery High School! And Cooney and Barrows are…well, it doesn’t matter! Artistic license! Ha!!) A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast; They thought, if only Casey could get but a whack at that -We'd put up even money, now, with Casey at the bat. Oh, and by “Casey,” I mean Pat Conroy, the first baseman for the Montgomery Bears. For some reason, I always think of that guy as a Casey! He just totally strikes me that way. (Strikes, ha! No pun intended!) Anyway, I don’t have much time to write the rest of my poem, but suffice it to say that mighty Casey struck out! Anyway, bye!
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