Bill W

Thank you, Tim, and you are correct. The biggest challenge lies ahead as to whether we celebrate diversity or reverse decades of gains - for humans, wildlife, and the environment as a whole.

Thank you, Chris, and I'm glad you agree.

I agree, that world would be lovely, Adi. Thank you for reading and taking time to comment.

Yes, Val, I agree, and thank you for your comment and for all you do.

Presto comes from Italian for “quickly.” Officially, presto is the second-quickest speed that music can be played (after prestissimo). Presto comes from late Latin praestus ‘ready’, from Latin praesto ‘at hand’. The earliest known use of the word presto is in the late 1500s. OED's earliest evidence for presto is from 1598, in the writing of George Chapman, poet and playwright. Examples of presto used in a sentence: "The hungry men dived into the food, and presto, it was gone." "Just pop a K-Cup in, add some water, press the button, and presto, coffee!" "You fold the rear seat flat, press a button, and hey presto!" "You put your money in the machine, and presto, the coffee comes out."

Thank you for reading and commenting, chs. I'm pleased that you agree with the need for these differences to make the world whole.

Thank you, Gary, for a wonderful assortment of poems and Haikus. I was born in the Forties, and we've obviously seen many of the same things. The stereotypes and roles heaped on us through the Fifties were very stifling, and then the 60s brought a little change and acceptance of previous roles and restrictions were slowly dismantled. Unfortunately, we're seeing a trend were some are trying to resurrect some of those restrictions and hateful philosophies and wiping out the gains of the last fifty to seventy years, and I'm not talking just about the US. There have been similar attempts worldwide to return to previous practices, or in some cases flip the script entirely and the persecuted now become those initiating the persecution. As Bob Dylan said in the lyrics of one of his songs, "When will the ever learn, when will they ever learn?"

Well, said, Lee. While some see diversity as a bad thing, we should celebrate the differences, because the world would be a less interesting place if we were all robots acting, feeling, and looking identical. And making others feel as if they don't belong has long been a tactic of those who strive to feel powerful and more important and special than everyone else. Don't let those people ever make you feel inferior. I'm glad you realized this and communities such as this one can give you a safe place to belong.

A marvelous collection expressing different viewpoints on the theme. Thank you, @Valkyrie for the hard work in organizing this anthology and posting it for us to enjoy.

Thank you, drs, and I'm glad you agree. Unfortunately there are others in positions of power and influence that look at this different. I pray there version doesn't win out.

Thank you, Tony. I'm glad my humble offering was able to elicit favorable reactions and acceptance. It's my belief that we, as a society, are harming nature, wildlife, and minority groups, both those of color, different religious beliefs, and different sexual orientations. Hopefully, this can be corrected before irreparable damange has been done.

Yes, Parker and Gary both know more about poetry than I do, and I appreciate their insight, as well as yours.

Thank you, Gary. Partially following the beliefs of indigenous peoples, we must heed nature before it's too late. Yes, there are some animals and plants that might be harmful to humans, they have a role to play in the scheme of things and derve to coexist. There are also people we may disagree with on religious or political grounds, but all viewpoints are necessary to come up with a balance that we all can live with. Thank you so much for your kind response to my poem.

Thank you for reading my humble poem. Since I'm not a poet, I was apprehensive about the reactions I'd get from this. Many thanks.

Presage comes via French, meaning 'omen' or 'a sing of a future event', which in turn comes from Latin praesagium, from praesagire ‘forebode’, from prae ‘before’ + sagire ‘perceive keenly’. The earliest known use of the word "presage" in English, both as a noun and a verb, is in the Middle English period (1150-1500), with the noun form appearing around the late 14th century and the verb form emerging in the 1560s. Examples of presage used in a sentence: *"He had a strong presage that he'd only a very short time to live" *"He thought the fever was a somber presage of his final illness" *"We may speculate too whether they will presage anything very different from what was said." *"It's important to understand the weather conditions that presage frost." *"The condition of affairs on the continent seemed to French enthusiasts to presage an attack by the other Powers on France." *"A quick glance at the sky to reassure myself that the scudding clouds did not presage rain."

Thank you, weinerdog. Your comment is much appreciated.

Like in the song, give me a home Where the buffalo roam and the deer and antelope play But there’s no reason to stop there When there’s such an array of animals to choose from I want to live in a world that’s varied Where animals of all different shapes and sizes abound Along with the roles each one plays The eco-system won’t function properly without them all What about some feathered friends Wouldn’t I want a blue jay, a robin or a cardinal as well? Also a few of ou

A free verse poem for the 2025 Poetry Anthology - "Diversity".

You might also think that someone might confuse the word laxity with lacrosse, since it's abbreviated as lax. Therefore, someone might think that laxity is the act of playing lacrosse.

The word "laxity" originates from the Latin word "laxitas," meaning "openness" or "wideness," and entered English in the early 1500s, via French "laxité". The earliest known use of the noun laxity is in the early 1500s. OED's earliest evidence for laxity is from 1528, in a translation by Thomas Paynell, translator. laxity is a borrowing from French. Examples of laxity in a sentence: "That laxity can cause joint dysfunction where the pelvis and spine meet". "But the laxity of the white church collectively has caused me to weep tears of love". "To appreciate the law, you have to appreciate the incredible laxity of current rules on bogus gun sales". "Impatience with ethical laxity is common to all the TV judges." "Because of connective tissue laxity, care should be taken in the degree of stretching." "The result of such fiscal laxity is a budget deficit" "She may have slight cervical laxity, but elasticity is still good."

Actually, Sam isn't so unusual for a girl, since many girls named Samantha go by the nickname Sam.

Who's on first.

Notsu (乃津) = “thy” But contextually it would roughly translate to “good work”, and yes that's pretty vague but it's as close as it gets in English I think. 😜

Ah, so YOU'RE the boy named Sue.

I just received notice that a discrimination suit is being filed against you by the ASPA and ACLU because you ignored a number of other hooved animal species in your last comment. It would behoove you to make amends and apologize immediately before you get run over by a reindeer, stampeded by a wild horse, or headbutted by a pissed-off goat, just to name a few of the other hooved creatures you slighted. I understand that they're so riled up that they are tempted to leave hoof prints all over your body, so do the right thing before it's too late! 😠