the wellness of being,
goodness in all respects
remains a narrow line
to travel upon
to shift slightly
adjusting temperament
in kindness
and giving
in full field
out in the open, on my honor,
although it's a mess
we're all doing the best we can
I'm still working on the above. I read it again this morning and it didn't read well. It changed, or I changed. It didn't work. I changed the title and a few words and then I pushed it out the door anyway. I guess that's the best I can do today.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
four a.m.
i wake to put on neat earphones
with fresh batteries
and hear four a.m. radio
news from the BBC
fighting in the Congo, a report live from Deli
China in the headlines, corrupt leaders everywhere
staggering economies, some with more than they can use
and taking more, cities overflowing,
the world in disarray
TV pictures run in my mind
of a tired young woman with a bucket
getting water from a hole dug in the ground
somewhere on the plains in Africa
she is too thin and wears rags
a poor child stands nearby watching
all is dusty
there are no pets
there is nothing extra for them
this is their water
this is their life
while i sleep in a clean warm bed
with a comforting blanket
a refrigerator in the next room
a shower in the morning
i’ll make coffee and toast
play a digital keyboard
plugged into my computer
and know that even twisting, darting, colorful birds
under white clouds and radiant blue skies
will not turn a head
will pass unnoticed
by so many struggling each day to survive
i cannot help them directly
but i can notice
and compassion is a first step
toward resolution
admit they exist
with fresh batteries
and hear four a.m. radio
news from the BBC
fighting in the Congo, a report live from Deli
China in the headlines, corrupt leaders everywhere
staggering economies, some with more than they can use
and taking more, cities overflowing,
the world in disarray
TV pictures run in my mind
of a tired young woman with a bucket
getting water from a hole dug in the ground
somewhere on the plains in Africa
she is too thin and wears rags
a poor child stands nearby watching
all is dusty
there are no pets
there is nothing extra for them
this is their water
this is their life
while i sleep in a clean warm bed
with a comforting blanket
a refrigerator in the next room
a shower in the morning
i’ll make coffee and toast
play a digital keyboard
plugged into my computer
and know that even twisting, darting, colorful birds
under white clouds and radiant blue skies
will not turn a head
will pass unnoticed
by so many struggling each day to survive
i cannot help them directly
but i can notice
and compassion is a first step
toward resolution
admit they exist
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Franco
Franco is of indeterminate age
past mid everything, some wrinkles and thin,
of the seedy man who looks dangerous it’s difficult to say more
dull winter layers of tired clothing deceive
he fell into a coma some years ago
friend Alberto visited him in hospital
a watchful grave nurse shook her head
there was little hope afforded him
Alberto approached where the patient appeared clean and comfortable
as the nurse stepped out to leave mournful respect
the dormant Franco lifted an eye and whispered
“I’’m not gong to die, Alberto.”
and so Franco lumbers on, helping the piazza flower venders
moving things, making deliveries on stiffening legs
eyes that give him problems,
drinks too much when inclined, when he has money enough
his mumbled Roman dialect across
lips holding a burning cigarette,
looking up in apparent sneering smile over broken teeth
“sun is warm, the day is good”
past mid everything, some wrinkles and thin,
of the seedy man who looks dangerous it’s difficult to say more
dull winter layers of tired clothing deceive
he fell into a coma some years ago
friend Alberto visited him in hospital
a watchful grave nurse shook her head
there was little hope afforded him
Alberto approached where the patient appeared clean and comfortable
as the nurse stepped out to leave mournful respect
the dormant Franco lifted an eye and whispered
“I’’m not gong to die, Alberto.”
and so Franco lumbers on, helping the piazza flower venders
moving things, making deliveries on stiffening legs
eyes that give him problems,
drinks too much when inclined, when he has money enough
his mumbled Roman dialect across
lips holding a burning cigarette,
looking up in apparent sneering smile over broken teeth
“sun is warm, the day is good”
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
pond in the woodlands
carefully I trod
amid bent blue grass and weeds
on low rolling bubbles of hills
around a dark pond
peppered with wild life
rippled in fishes
who keep eyes to the surface
watching bugs circle
when touching down,
with no warning become
a snack in a snap,
a quick fish’s morsel
in this natural chalice
harvesting life
teaming with chance,
is nature’s balance
amid bent blue grass and weeds
on low rolling bubbles of hills
around a dark pond
peppered with wild life
rippled in fishes
who keep eyes to the surface
watching bugs circle
when touching down,
with no warning become
a snack in a snap,
a quick fish’s morsel
in this natural chalice
harvesting life
teaming with chance,
is nature’s balance
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
with man
times are most difficult
going through a lot
she’s working way too much these days
and always with undue stress
it takes all she’s got
so very hard her life
handling however she can
she is not with child, you see,
much worse, she married him,
she’s with man
going through a lot
she’s working way too much these days
and always with undue stress
it takes all she’s got
so very hard her life
handling however she can
she is not with child, you see,
much worse, she married him,
she’s with man
Monday, February 23, 2009
nightime thought
resembling a wad of socks
little mental rockets explode,
shoot off then drop like rocks
into the back side pockets
of my mind
many engraved with happy faces
others wrapped, still sleeping
patiently wait to be taken out
each a little frosted cake
with a prize
in the middle
little mental rockets explode,
shoot off then drop like rocks
into the back side pockets
of my mind
many engraved with happy faces
others wrapped, still sleeping
patiently wait to be taken out
each a little frosted cake
with a prize
in the middle
Sunday, February 22, 2009
overnight
overnight
when sleek kitties creep under fences
lone dogs will bay
at a sound or a scent
moonless, under cover of darkness
stars are blocked by thick waving arms of trees
and flying vaporous clouds
a witches eve for brews and fires
on shallow brown river water’s edge
a large white bird is napping
as some do, standing on one foot
with head tucked under wing
above, the back road traffic has ended
and directly below the bridge
silvery stream water gurgles
then overhead a streak, the long white,
a lone gull shooting swift as an arrow on the wind
while some animals prowl night away
others sleep, practically smiling
dreaming of their friends and family
waiting for the morrow, sun again
when sleek kitties creep under fences
lone dogs will bay
at a sound or a scent
moonless, under cover of darkness
stars are blocked by thick waving arms of trees
and flying vaporous clouds
a witches eve for brews and fires
on shallow brown river water’s edge
a large white bird is napping
as some do, standing on one foot
with head tucked under wing
above, the back road traffic has ended
and directly below the bridge
silvery stream water gurgles
then overhead a streak, the long white,
a lone gull shooting swift as an arrow on the wind
while some animals prowl night away
others sleep, practically smiling
dreaming of their friends and family
waiting for the morrow, sun again
Saturday, February 21, 2009
i have no need to worry
i have no need to worry
my fortune's not behind me
this is what i have
and i’m sharing it with you
i wrote the Magna Carta
the sky i painted blue
you’ll always be another
God sleeps at night with you
steel hauled on rail
sent from man to man
the California grey on sail
to southern waters under sun
water cycles from air to sea through me
one night i made it rain
you are written in nature’s melodies
do you know that you remind me?
i hear the distant running dogs bark
and choose not to run again
by my means i remain this person
and you are able to run the way you do
my fortune's not behind me
this is what i have
and i’m sharing it with you
i wrote the Magna Carta
the sky i painted blue
you’ll always be another
God sleeps at night with you
steel hauled on rail
sent from man to man
the California grey on sail
to southern waters under sun
water cycles from air to sea through me
one night i made it rain
you are written in nature’s melodies
do you know that you remind me?
i hear the distant running dogs bark
and choose not to run again
by my means i remain this person
and you are able to run the way you do
if i write stories
if i write stories
they won’t be scary
only fuzzy animals in mine
all of them will wink and smile
my happy birds will fly and sing,
joy they’ll carry near and far,
my creatures won’t eat people.
Steven King, wait in the car
they won’t be scary
only fuzzy animals in mine
all of them will wink and smile
my happy birds will fly and sing,
joy they’ll carry near and far,
my creatures won’t eat people.
Steven King, wait in the car
way inner
can’t feel my face
by the grace that is saving us
in this place
where high above
stars ought to be over my head
on a night like this
I’ve got a ceiling instead
finding space
for glimmer
isn't easy
by the grace that is saving us
in this place
where high above
stars ought to be over my head
on a night like this
I’ve got a ceiling instead
finding space
for glimmer
isn't easy
Friday, February 20, 2009
Roma Old and New
twenty-five hundred years
of lost objects, spit and trash
split and bashed,
devils and angels
corners and angles
ground under the firmament
by carts, tramping feet and chariots,
covered by layers of stone and tears
worn smooth, remodeled, invaded,
sweat upon, bloodied on,
beaten down, burned,
demolished, polished and paraded over,
made new again
into the boring years and motorcars
when time passes evenly, eventually
like watching a candle burn,
artisans , widows, beggars and whores
Publicans, demogogues, farmers and stores
teachers, dentists and shopkeepers daughters
make bread, make wine
tend the animals
keep them fed and in line
crushed stone rolls well and blows like dust
in the wind on the sweeping wings of time
theirs, yours and now mine,
clamor carries on forever
in the magnificence of proper order
the significance of restructure,
honorable poets, let us drink to life
sing songs with laughter,
chatter long and loud and stall the vandals
of lost objects, spit and trash
split and bashed,
devils and angels
corners and angles
ground under the firmament
by carts, tramping feet and chariots,
covered by layers of stone and tears
worn smooth, remodeled, invaded,
sweat upon, bloodied on,
beaten down, burned,
demolished, polished and paraded over,
made new again
into the boring years and motorcars
when time passes evenly, eventually
like watching a candle burn,
artisans , widows, beggars and whores
Publicans, demogogues, farmers and stores
teachers, dentists and shopkeepers daughters
make bread, make wine
tend the animals
keep them fed and in line
crushed stone rolls well and blows like dust
in the wind on the sweeping wings of time
theirs, yours and now mine,
clamor carries on forever
in the magnificence of proper order
the significance of restructure,
honorable poets, let us drink to life
sing songs with laughter,
chatter long and loud and stall the vandals
Labels:
favorites
Thursday, February 19, 2009
dreams of flying
M. dreams of flying
soaring, looping in joy
picking lovely bright blue leaves
from the tops of the trees
I dream of flying
and I’m packed up to my eyes
with no leg room, jammed between
two sweating, farting, bad breath fat guys
soaring, looping in joy
picking lovely bright blue leaves
from the tops of the trees
I dream of flying
and I’m packed up to my eyes
with no leg room, jammed between
two sweating, farting, bad breath fat guys
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
letter to you
like a letter to you
it’s practically personal when I say
how’s it going? You doing okay?
take car of yourself, someone has to
we’re doing fine, the best we can
I said to take car but I meant take care, cause i was thinking
to mention we bought a car
did I tell you before?
we know our way around the city well because
we know the bus lines from years of practice riding
we just don’t drive where the tram goes
they go on tracks, and so far we don’t
I’d write a poem with birds and flowers
but we live our hours in the city
so this is filled with double parking and pedestrians
still, it’s so very stone old that it’s kind of pretty
hey, I’ve got to go now
time to turn down the lamps
I know this is a strange way to write you
but I’ve saved on the stamps
it’s practically personal when I say
how’s it going? You doing okay?
take car of yourself, someone has to
we’re doing fine, the best we can
I said to take car but I meant take care, cause i was thinking
to mention we bought a car
did I tell you before?
we know our way around the city well because
we know the bus lines from years of practice riding
we just don’t drive where the tram goes
they go on tracks, and so far we don’t
I’d write a poem with birds and flowers
but we live our hours in the city
so this is filled with double parking and pedestrians
still, it’s so very stone old that it’s kind of pretty
hey, I’ve got to go now
time to turn down the lamps
I know this is a strange way to write you
but I’ve saved on the stamps
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
certainly
do your daily deeds
take care of the needs
of those that depend on you
to do the best you can
if all begins to unravel
or gets rough around the edges
no matter, you continue,
turn uncertainty into certainly
it’s the only way, everyday,
you know it‘s true
that’s how life goes, so keep it up,
allow someone to count on you
take care of the needs
of those that depend on you
to do the best you can
if all begins to unravel
or gets rough around the edges
no matter, you continue,
turn uncertainty into certainly
it’s the only way, everyday,
you know it‘s true
that’s how life goes, so keep it up,
allow someone to count on you
Monday, February 16, 2009
in motion
in motion, a million wiggling amoebae
in the overflowing Petri dish
of cell phone talkers, rushing shoppers,
urgent motorcycles,
scooters, bicycles,
cars, trucks breathing fire,
varied species of shiny multicolored metal rhinos in commotion
once jaywalking in front of a giant i fell
broke my arm in three places
got up quickly
the bus elected to brake
and not hit me
most dogs on leashes pull owners,
while sensible cats choose not to run
remain near home
lick themselves senseless asleep in Rome warm sun
and rarely break anything
in the overflowing Petri dish
of cell phone talkers, rushing shoppers,
urgent motorcycles,
scooters, bicycles,
cars, trucks breathing fire,
varied species of shiny multicolored metal rhinos in commotion
once jaywalking in front of a giant i fell
broke my arm in three places
got up quickly
the bus elected to brake
and not hit me
most dogs on leashes pull owners,
while sensible cats choose not to run
remain near home
lick themselves senseless asleep in Rome warm sun
and rarely break anything
Sunday, February 15, 2009
weather map
oh, it could be many reasons,
but i choose the official Italian
Government issued weather maps
to drive me up the wall, daily
a typical day is coming our way
the latest weather map shows
forty-six suns over Italy,
4 suns over Sardegna, seven over Sicily
Dress properly and have a nice day.
but i choose the official Italian
Government issued weather maps
to drive me up the wall, daily
a typical day is coming our way
the latest weather map shows
forty-six suns over Italy,
4 suns over Sardegna, seven over Sicily
Dress properly and have a nice day.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
not by the clock
not by the clock
nor sun’s final ray
the arch of the moon,
or shadows of what others say
will i change pace
for what I write
tumbling, veering, loose in space
off to places beyond sight
freely setting it’s own course
running when and where it might,
a sleek dark horse takes me where i go
with no remorse, I sleep well at night
nor sun’s final ray
the arch of the moon,
or shadows of what others say
will i change pace
for what I write
tumbling, veering, loose in space
off to places beyond sight
freely setting it’s own course
running when and where it might,
a sleek dark horse takes me where i go
with no remorse, I sleep well at night
Friday, February 13, 2009
dreamed i was
i dreamed i was someone else, you see
i said my name
and it wasn’t the same
when i looked she was where she ought to be
it never before happened to me
cause i was in the right place
it must have been a case
of mistaken identity
i said my name
and it wasn’t the same
when i looked she was where she ought to be
it never before happened to me
cause i was in the right place
it must have been a case
of mistaken identity
Thursday, February 12, 2009
intention
friend Tom called to mention
i didn’t post a poem that day
well, he’d missed mine, i’d say
and every day was my intention
it had been a year then i forgot,
simply, other things were going on
i wasn’t playing the sleeping pawn
a prognosticator i am not
i missed a day without remorse
now i’ll hop back on track
and write a stack
of poems, you see, i will, of course
i didn’t post a poem that day
well, he’d missed mine, i’d say
and every day was my intention
it had been a year then i forgot,
simply, other things were going on
i wasn’t playing the sleeping pawn
a prognosticator i am not
i missed a day without remorse
now i’ll hop back on track
and write a stack
of poems, you see, i will, of course
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Walker - one wholey knight
Walker Texas ranger in Italian
with the volume down
no messing around
the man’s a stallion
the show starts with a mess of guys
getting beat up by the ranger
and other helpers, no stranger
than the fact that no one dies
the old man sneezes
they take him to hospital
where he wears his hat, sitting tall
in bed, i mean, Jesus,
he stays there until he mends
walker beats up more of the bad
fellows, and i’m glad
i don’t watch until the program ends
i know the final score
Walker beats up everyone bad
and of this i’m glad
i’ve seen the show before
with the volume down
no messing around
the man’s a stallion
the show starts with a mess of guys
getting beat up by the ranger
and other helpers, no stranger
than the fact that no one dies
the old man sneezes
they take him to hospital
where he wears his hat, sitting tall
in bed, i mean, Jesus,
he stays there until he mends
walker beats up more of the bad
fellows, and i’m glad
i don’t watch until the program ends
i know the final score
Walker beats up everyone bad
and of this i’m glad
i’ve seen the show before
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
how can i best explain
how can i best explain
the trees and trails
the woods with clean water hills
that i knew in my youth
oh, somewhere there is a partial picture
that shows a wooded area
but it doesn’t taste of seasons
it doesn’t show the turtles in fall
the thin ice of winter
pollywogs in spring
or sasafrass roots in summer
when we were ten we listened to the frogs
in the forgotten pond
we dug forts and swung on vines
walked over the creek on the trunk of fallen giants
our highway was an overgrown remnant of
the old street-car bed
we knew it well, we read its signs
a garter snake, a portion of broken tie
the occasional bend
i may never mention it again
but hope some day to take you there
the trees and trails
the woods with clean water hills
that i knew in my youth
oh, somewhere there is a partial picture
that shows a wooded area
but it doesn’t taste of seasons
it doesn’t show the turtles in fall
the thin ice of winter
pollywogs in spring
or sasafrass roots in summer
when we were ten we listened to the frogs
in the forgotten pond
we dug forts and swung on vines
walked over the creek on the trunk of fallen giants
our highway was an overgrown remnant of
the old street-car bed
we knew it well, we read its signs
a garter snake, a portion of broken tie
the occasional bend
i may never mention it again
but hope some day to take you there
Monday, February 09, 2009
teach the children
if my kid’s kids lived next door door
instead of next moon moon
i’d stop in and say hi or they would
i’d teach them to do and quietly enjoy
to notice birds watching them
even the cat who sometimes isn’t really sleeping
keeps an eye on them
i’d try, i would, but example is the only way
for kids do as their parents
mine are destined
to continue the line
of doing lucky well
they have grown middle aged now
with families of their own
and live far away
my teaching is over
instead of next moon moon
i’d stop in and say hi or they would
i’d teach them to do and quietly enjoy
to notice birds watching them
even the cat who sometimes isn’t really sleeping
keeps an eye on them
i’d try, i would, but example is the only way
for kids do as their parents
mine are destined
to continue the line
of doing lucky well
they have grown middle aged now
with families of their own
and live far away
my teaching is over
Sunday, February 08, 2009
click, click
i'll put it here for you
once in a while we’ll click
you and i click. . . click,
click, rolling the same track
there is no order
no turning back on the blog
keep sifting drifting through
find something in the fog written for you
too bad it’s not leather bound
so you could hear the click of turning pages
and feel the weight of thick
paper on your fingers as you leaf
until then, brief poems will continue
to fall like drips from a faucet
into a pan – dap – dip –dap
scroll on down the hall amici, you can
once in a while we’ll click
you and i click. . . click,
click, rolling the same track
there is no order
no turning back on the blog
keep sifting drifting through
find something in the fog written for you
too bad it’s not leather bound
so you could hear the click of turning pages
and feel the weight of thick
paper on your fingers as you leaf
until then, brief poems will continue
to fall like drips from a faucet
into a pan – dap – dip –dap
scroll on down the hall amici, you can
Friday, February 06, 2009
all roads lead to Rome, more or less
a partial sun sparkle through bright clouds
is fine for a drive out of the city
until time to return becomes a curious
many hilled meander, for all roads
lead to Rome, or so it appears
according to all road signs
believing the signs can get you lost,
run you in circles, nick your patience,
rob you of hope, reroute you once
or twice through the nearby states of
confusion and despair before you
finally bumble-roam home into Rome
is fine for a drive out of the city
until time to return becomes a curious
many hilled meander, for all roads
lead to Rome, or so it appears
according to all road signs
believing the signs can get you lost,
run you in circles, nick your patience,
rob you of hope, reroute you once
or twice through the nearby states of
confusion and despair before you
finally bumble-roam home into Rome
Thursday, February 05, 2009
got gas, the cook-with kind
went to the bombola man
he sells gas, the cook-with kind
from his store on the corner,
an old, old man and his wife
that’s their life, serving this community
how much do I need?
I begin to put my hand to indicate the level of the tank
he says thirty euro and I tell him yes
does the doorbell work? cause the guys rings it
then I’ll run down to let him in
no problem, i know I’ll hear the motorino
and be at the door before he is,
gas me up baby, we want it now
got to make coffee,
need some hot chow
gas me up baby, do it now, do it now
he sells gas, the cook-with kind
from his store on the corner,
an old, old man and his wife
that’s their life, serving this community
how much do I need?
I begin to put my hand to indicate the level of the tank
he says thirty euro and I tell him yes
does the doorbell work? cause the guys rings it
then I’ll run down to let him in
no problem, i know I’ll hear the motorino
and be at the door before he is,
gas me up baby, we want it now
got to make coffee,
need some hot chow
gas me up baby, do it now, do it now
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
1502 and now
the document for this building where we live
shows that in 1502 the first two floors were erected,
three floors above were added later
early morning can be silent
here in the center of Rome
whose blocks and alleyways have known the ages
robust characters that laughed and cried,
lived and died here are forgotten,
covered in the dust to which they have returned
of them i feel not a trace
though i stand in their stead,
walk in their space,
have taken as mine their place
of joys and sorrows,
yesterday's tomorrows
there are no echoes of lingering bygone voices
in these halls of musty deeds, worn life pages
that have long passed along these walls
rubbed thoroughly into the mists of gone ages,
into that silence of the night
I will follow
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
good blue
absoblulutely skyness
all over the place
depths in waves
on my arms, my face,
blue and beyond I’d say
that sort of day we had
not so cold, not so bad
you’d like it, I know you’d do
and I mean it, really,
very blue
all over the place
depths in waves
on my arms, my face,
blue and beyond I’d say
that sort of day we had
not so cold, not so bad
you’d like it, I know you’d do
and I mean it, really,
very blue
Monday, February 02, 2009
Daws Butler
Daws was a friend of mine
one fun, wacky, hard working, intelligent guy
loving creativity and exuding it
in every way, at all times, for everyone
truly one of the best
recently i was lacking in something,
feeling cast distant from my desire to play music,
write poetry, write other things, do art,
unable to burst forth with things
then i thought of Daws, my mentor, my friend
That’s what it is, i miss the guy
the good spark, absolutely, one of the best,
talented and giving, loving life,
never one to criticize, always quick to encourage,
he issued all the license to have fun,
he was an inspiration for creativity and humor,
humor, go ahead, say it again, be redundant,
Daws would, then make a face or do a funny voice
it was wonderful having spent time with him,
Daws knew what side his toast was buttered on
and if he’d put an elbow in it, he’d look sad
say, “oh, yuck!” in such an exaggerated way
just to get you to laugh
one fun, wacky, hard working, intelligent guy
loving creativity and exuding it
in every way, at all times, for everyone
truly one of the best
recently i was lacking in something,
feeling cast distant from my desire to play music,
write poetry, write other things, do art,
unable to burst forth with things
then i thought of Daws, my mentor, my friend
That’s what it is, i miss the guy
the good spark, absolutely, one of the best,
talented and giving, loving life,
never one to criticize, always quick to encourage,
he issued all the license to have fun,
he was an inspiration for creativity and humor,
humor, go ahead, say it again, be redundant,
Daws would, then make a face or do a funny voice
it was wonderful having spent time with him,
Daws knew what side his toast was buttered on
and if he’d put an elbow in it, he’d look sad
say, “oh, yuck!” in such an exaggerated way
just to get you to laugh
Sunday, February 01, 2009
sorted photos
been a while since I’ve seen the
old times, the different places,
if everyone has taken a thousand pix,
let’s call them that, pix,
and we are going on seven billion people,
that comes to . . . uh, let me see, let me see
exactly more images than we have to save
rev ‘em up
open the flood gates of our drawers
and cardboard boxes on closet floors and free them,
let that stack of birthday faces and holiday places tumble
build houses out of them
course now they’re on digital files, a load of
air ball pie, pre-evaporated and doesn’t exist anyway,
so why did I spend Saturday night sorting
when i could have been cavorting?
old times, the different places,
if everyone has taken a thousand pix,
let’s call them that, pix,
and we are going on seven billion people,
that comes to . . . uh, let me see, let me see
exactly more images than we have to save
rev ‘em up
open the flood gates of our drawers
and cardboard boxes on closet floors and free them,
let that stack of birthday faces and holiday places tumble
build houses out of them
course now they’re on digital files, a load of
air ball pie, pre-evaporated and doesn’t exist anyway,
so why did I spend Saturday night sorting
when i could have been cavorting?
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