The society that they burned

by Lawrence J. J. Leonard

Once upon a time
there was
a big city
with so many people
that some of the people
moved
to another place
and it was a big city, too.

You are somebody famous

by Lawrence J. J. Leonard

I have noticed you.

Even when you wear mask.

You are notable.

It is not always the things you say,
which, by the way,
are so hilarious.

Up and down

by Lawrence J. J. Leonard

Sun is up
Moon is down

Dreaming ends
I hit the ground

Coffee’s up
Mug is down

Liquid breakfast . . .
maybe a bagel before I go?

Final thoughts

by Lawrence J. J. Leonard

Gay N. Lewis

It was the only choice
left to make
between taking the internal devastation
to get an outward victory
or leaving the hospital entirely 

That was and this is

by Lawrence J. J. Leonard

That was when we rode the carousel.
Plastic ponies on sticks and springs.
Tinsel and sparkling lights in winter.
Summer sun bounced off your skin.

Little bits

by Lawrence J. J. Leonard

“Androcles and the Lion” by Briton Riviere (1908)

little
little means
little means a lot
little means a lot to the hungry

little
little caring
little caring hearts
little caring hearts bring joy

little
little action
little action hands
little action hands craft priceless gifts

No fail, no success. Know fail? Know success!

by Lawrence J. J. Leonard

Let’s look at this situation and see if we can use it to help us measure success. Here is a common scenario. It will either be a recipe that is fit for a righteous celebration or a tactical party pooper. 

Success Cake

These are our Success Cake people ingredients: The Group Leader, who manages the Kitchen; a stable of Culinary Professionals; the order from our important customer is a request for a Success Cake. Not just one cake, but a Success Cake from each of the Culinary Professionals. The Success Cake must be made according to the established Kitchen recipe.

These are our Success Cake work ingredients: Dedication, punctuality, teamwork, individual effort, leadership, best practices, meetings, feedback, output, improvements, and, of course, failure. Why? Failure in the past is what helps us remember what to avoid and what to prevent.

These are our Success Cake measurements: sufficiently increased brand awareness (chocolate), higher revenues (two layers), and an enlarged customer base (royal icing). If we can meet all three of these criteria, then aren’t we just doing our jobs?

We work together in a kitchen with Culinary Professionals whose experience ranges from a few months in this kitchen, but years in others, to professionals with many years in this kitchen and no other locations. What happens if there is an ingredient missing?

Someone left the cake out in the rain . . .

Memo to … Self

by Lawrence J. J. Leonard

Ever wanted to give that all important communiqué to that ONE PERSON who needed an attitude adjustment, or just begged to be told the way it is? I am just not able to describe the passionate and righteous intensity of that process!

Sometimes that person is me. Sometimes I am the one who should receive that message. In either case, this type of message is not always delivered on time. Missing the opportunity to put someone in their place can be a really GOOD thing. A slow reaction to make this kind of response may be the BEST thing that ever happened to our Personal Brand.

We all know that there are certain people who don’t even know that they are foolish because their power and authority in business, or in our social hierarchy, protects them from getting their comeuppance.

So freaking aggravating, isn’t it? 

What causes this condition?

And he sent it back from whence it came.

by Lawrence J. J . Leonard

 

“Yes, on a few occasions have I met
others with supernatural powers.
Understanding their craft was my greatest asset and
realizing that the extent of their

Turn around

by Lawrence J. J. Leonard

When the sun broke through the clouds,
the heat shot through his bones.
He was walking away from her.

She told him to hurry up
and get to the launch zone and leave. 

Time ticked on, helping her anger