Pat Grieco
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Pat Grieco
@iampatg.bsky.social
200 followers 7 following 590 posts
Author, Poet, Philosopher, Songwriter

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Today’s Thought - #poetry #writingcommunity #author #philosophy

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To only know the Sun by its reflection is to have the light without the heat, the brightness without its intensity, the hint without the substance. It can never be the same. It will always be less, a pale imitation, wan and insubstantial. But one cannot miss what one has never had and a reflection can easily be mistaken for the real thing if the reflection is all one has ever known. PG
February 12, 2026 at 9:26 PM
Today’s Thought - #poetry #writingcommunity #author #philosophy

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Here’s to all those who played the game…
Here’s to the losers By Pat Grieco Here's to the losers for whom the ball bounced the wrong way, who were told they'd never win but played anyway, who faced the certain odds and clicking clock with dignity and strength until there was no more and facts were struck in stone for all to see. They did not have to come but they did. They did not have to fight as seconds passed and time became their enemy and other's friend, but still they stood and faced the foe in anguish and in pain until their time was up, the end had come, and fate had had its say. They were not lesser folk to fight when they perhaps should not, to stand when overmatched and give back blow for blow upon the field of play. Perhaps, just perhaps they are the stronger ones for having known the odds and fought against them anyway in search of that elusive win, in chase of that uncertain victory that no one, but they, believed could be. And if in the end victory has eluded them, and they have spent themselves upon the field and come up empty as odds and fate conspire against them, we must salute them in their misery, we must praise them in their loss, for they did fight when no one thought they could. If they came up short of the desired goal, it was not because they did not try, it was not because they did not strive until they had no more to give, it was not because they were less brave, less able, or less proud there upon the field as the clock ticked, the world watched, and the end came. Here's to the losers.
February 8, 2026 at 6:11 PM
Today’s Thought - #poetry #writingcommunity #author #philosophy

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Peace begins when hearts weary of war, when hope replaces hate, when generosity replaces greed, when hands clasp in friendship and souls are lit by love. Then, then will peace begin to calm the world and the spirits of all folk who dwell therein. PG
February 7, 2026 at 9:56 PM
Today’s Thought - #poetry #writingcommunity #author #philosophy

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The canyon By Pat Grieco I gaze at the canyon and marvel at its vastness, at its sheer immensity, at the implications of its rough, uneven surface that stretches as far as the eye can see, as far as the mind can comprehend. For this was once flat land, fertile and lush, full of life along the banks of the meandering water traveling through the midst of trees, and grass, and undergrowth, with creatures large and small thriving in the paradise nature provided for them. Was someone blessed to see it then before time's sure hand slowly sculpted the land using that same water as tool to carve and twist to shape this place into what it has become? It is majestic, this canyon, a masterpiece of nature, a testament to change, magnificent to behold, dramatic in its impact, daunting in all its implications. But it was not always this way and I marvel at all it is and all it once was.
February 3, 2026 at 2:50 PM
Today’s Thought - #poetry #writingcommunity #author #philosophy

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When one creates a monster, they should not be surprised when it escapes and turns on them. PG
February 2, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Today’s Thought - #poetry #writingcommunity #author #philosophy

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This thought came to me while watching Part 1 of Ken Burns’ American Revolution series. The scene probably never happened, but it could have.
Arise! By Pat Grieco The man spoke quietly, his voice rising in intensity and volume as he gazed across the gathered folk. “People have died. Good folk have been killed. They were our neighbors, our friends, our brethren in all that matters and we mourn their passing. We rage at the lawlessness, at the arrogance of loyalists who feel they can act with impunity, who feel they can ignore the law, who believe that they can do as they want with no fear of consequence or response. But they cannot. They may not. They will not be free of the consequences of their actions. Our neighbors, our friends, our countrymen are gone, felled by the guns of our oppressors. We cannot look away. We will not ignore what they have done, what they continue to do in the name of their king, in the name of law, in the name of order, in the name of rights they neither observe nor recognize. We must not fear for fear will not end their tyranny. We will not kneel beneath the weight of their cruelty. We will not surrender in the face of their demands. They have no love of law. They do not obey it. They renounce its precepts. They insist that they are above it, that they are the law and any and all acts are justified by their power. They are lawless, inflicting harm despite the laws of God and men. They care not for law. But without law there is no justice. Without justice, there is no freedom. Without freedom, we are but slaves to the whims and actions of those who seek their own betterment from the misery of others. Arise Sons of Liberty and remember: Remember, that what they do to these folk today, they may do to us tomorrow, that the lies spoken about these good folk, now silent witnesses to tyranny, may be spoken about you if you speak the truth, if you are seen to oppose injustice, oppression, and the tyrant's fist. Arise! Stand tall and proud when they would have you kneel! Do not surrender your rights and your liberty! Arise and be free!” There were those who rose and cheered when he finished. Others nodded their agreement but kept their peace. Still others took note and slipped out the doors to report what they had seen. In the days to come many would join together to oppose the loyalists and throw off the yoke of tyranny. Some would pay the price for freedom in the fight to secure the blessings of liberty. But for each who fell, ten would rise to swell the ranks of patriots defending the rights of all in answer to the clarion call. "Arise, Sons of Liberty! Arise!"
February 1, 2026 at 6:10 PM
Today’s Thought - #poetry #writingcommunity #author #philosophy

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When the wild wave of reform passes by, it often leaves the same old sand behind. PG
January 30, 2026 at 3:54 PM
Today’s Thought - #poetry #writingcommunity #author #philosophy

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Methuselah By Pat Grieco What did Methuselah feel as he neared the end of of his long span? Was he tired? Was he glad to reach the end having seen and done everything time and time again? Was he filled with futility and rage as he grew less able to influence and control the course of events and a future that was now out of reach for him? Was he ignored and pushed aside by those younger as they rushed to make their mark upon a hostile world? Or was he still eager to see the rising of the sun? Was each day still filled with infinite possibilities? Was he filled with hope and ready to face the challenges that each day brought? Did his wisdom inform the decisions of his offspring and all the children that followed? Was he surrounded by love with his children, and theirs, supporting him in his final years? What was it like to see the world change over the course of a thousand years? Was he pleased as his family prospered, food became more plentiful, and life grew easier than it was in the days of his youth? Or did he chafe at lack of progress, with life still hard as he and his descendants struggled just to live in a stark and dangerous world? How long was he young? How long was he old? Did he linger through a hundred years of frailty, infirmity, and pain? Or was he young and strong right up until the moment he was not and time claimed him in its firm, unyielding grip? Was his decline slow and measured, long in its approach? Or was it quick and sharp, sudden and unrelenting, unexpected in its appearance? What did Methuselah feel as the light slowly faded for the last time? Did he think his time too short and want more? Did he plead with his God for another year, another week, another day? Was he any different than any of us with our lesser spans? Did he leave things undone, thwarted at the last, despite his length of years? Did he have regrets for things done and un? Did he wish to change the past to fix things, to make things better than they were? Or did he look back satisfied at the last that he had done all he could in the time given him? His life was long. His life was full. But, there at the end, as the darkness came to claim him with no sunrise yet to be, what did Methuselah feel?
January 26, 2026 at 9:30 PM
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In a one-Party country, the Courts inevitably become an instrument of the State and thus, are made irrelevant. PG
January 25, 2026 at 3:55 PM
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Just one man By Pat Grieco He was just one man, flawed and imperfect in many ways as are we all. He did not have all the answers but he knew that they existed if people of good will and conscience worked together, hand-in-hand, to find them. He spoke to our better selves but recognized the danger and the ugliness that often exists within our lesser. He realized that the best of intentions must be matched with action to ensure that the intent is not lost somewhere along the way. He knew that change does not come without sacrifice but that change must come if we are to better ourselves as individuals, as a people, and as a nation. Yes, he was a flawed and imperfect man but he dreamt of a world where equality and the rights of all were a given and not a privilege of those more favored. He spoke because others could not. He marched even when the road was long and the way uncertain. He did not seek the spotlight nor did he avoid it when it came. Rather he saw the all-consuming light as a cure for a blindness most did not know they had. He did what he could to improve the lot of others and gave his everything so that others might not have to. He was just one man but his life showed that all are capable of extraordinary things if their belief is strong and the cause is just. Let us not see him for more than he was but what he was, was enough to inspire those who follow, who believe the future must be better than today, who look for justice in the here and now as well as in the hereafter and work with all their might to make it so. The future is not built by the efforts of just one individual but it sometimes takes just one to show the rest the way to go, the path to follow, and the end that must be sought. He was just one man...
January 19, 2026 at 3:55 PM
@maddow.bsky.social
Just a few simple questions. Has anyone done an analysis of how much money undocumented folks pay in taxes each year? Will removing that revenue impact budget calculations? How much will removing the payroll taxes paid by undocumented folks (e.g. social security) impact programs
January 15, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Today’s Thought - #poetry #writingcommunity #author #philosophy

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Memory By Pat Grieco Memory comforts when nothing can as time moves with unyielding hand. It sustains us with what once was despite our memories many flaws. They shift. They alter what we see to make past just what it should be. For what are we when memory is gone but a blank slate to be writ upon.
January 15, 2026 at 4:09 PM
Today’s Thought - #poetry #writingcommunity #author #philosophy

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When the wild wave of reform passes by, it often leaves the same old sand behind. PG
January 10, 2026 at 3:22 PM
@maddow.bsky.social
An interesting opinion article. Among its critique of Trinidad and Tobago, it has an illuminating non-U.S. view of America.

Opinion | Trinidad and Tobago went all in with the US – it will prove a costly misjudgment

Read in The Guardian: apple.news/AUQmlTeKSS9G...
Opinion | Trinidad and Tobago went all in with the US – it will prove a costly misjudgment — Guardian US
Aligning itself with Washington and casually dismissing regional diplomacy has left the dual island nation isolated amid the Venezuela crisis, says Caribbean analyst Kenneth Mohammed
apple.news
January 10, 2026 at 3:21 PM
@maddow.bsky.social
An interesting read.

www.politico.com/news/magazin...
What’s Really Driving Trump’s Moves in Venezuela and Greenland
A new political theory suggests that what motivates this president is something far older than great power rivalry.
www.politico.com
January 9, 2026 at 3:27 PM
Today’s Thought - #poetry #writingcommunity #author #philosophy

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Here and Now By Pat Grieco The sun warm upon our face: The breeze against our skin; The blue sky to soothe our soul; These, these are the essence of our lives despite the draw to other things, despite the dangers of the day, despite the pulling pressures of our needs and dreams: We may lose them in our rush to be upon our way, to be upon the business of living, of carving out our place in the world, but they are always there waiting to be found when we have need of them, when we need respite from the terrors of our trials, the crush of present cares, or the ending of the path. Head back, arms outstretched, breathing deeply as eyes delve depths beyond our ken and gentle touch of air restores our troubled self. It is in these moments that we are most ourselves, when brightest sun does end the solemn rain within our soul and cause our heart to surge with the joy of being here and now with future and the past forgot and now the only moment left in which to dwell.
January 8, 2026 at 9:51 PM
Today’s Thought - #poetry #writingcommunity #author #philosophy

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When Democracy dies, it often does so at the hands of those most responsible for, most charged with its safekeeping. States throughout history have found this to be true. The quest for power, regardless of justification, does not honor customs, norms, rights, laws, or constitutions. PG
January 7, 2026 at 4:34 PM
Today’s Thought - #poetry #writingcommunity #author #philosophy

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Resolutions By Pat Grieco I made a New Year's resolution. Ok, well maybe three. But whether I will keep them, I guess we'll have to see if can just resist the urge to leave the narrow path and indulge myself a little bit. It's really simple math. For if I slip a little in my efforts to be good the rest will come more easily. I'll behave the way I should. I'll keep the other two. I promise that I will. But if I fail on keeping two there will be one more still. That one will be kept I know each and every day no matter what temptations may be sent my way. And if somehow it isn't, well then never fear. I'll have another chance at this, once again, next year.
January 1, 2026 at 3:58 PM
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A New Year By Pat Grieco Another year passes and we oft forget that time waits for no one though it may beget moments that linger to be treasured and kept until they are lost as we find ourselves swept onward to future, away from our past where all of these treasures reside far too fast. For the treasures of present slip quickly away to vanish in light of encroaching new day. But linger, oh linger sweet memories of bliss, lest we forget moments like this. And yet, and yet, the future does hold new treasures to get be we fearful or bold. For it seems we must venture ever ahead, whether we run or cautiously tread into that future, each day as it comes, whether greeted in silence or summoned with drums. And though we might wish to remain in the past, we must to the future go at the last. Day after day in joy or in fear, we cannot go back. We must greet a new year.
December 31, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Today’s Thought - #poetry #writingcommunity #author #philosophy

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Admitting one knows nothing is the beginning of learning. Learning is the beginning of knowledge. Knowledge is the beginning of understanding. Understanding is the beginning of wisdom. PG
December 29, 2025 at 4:42 PM
@morningjoe-msnow.bsky.social
May you and yours have the happiest of holidays and the best of New Years!
December 24, 2025 at 9:30 PM
@maddow.bsky.social
May you and yours have the happiest of holidays and the best of New Years!
December 24, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Today’s Thought - #poetry #writingcommunity #author #philosophy

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Happy Holidays!
The song By Pat Grieco Deep within the silent night beneath the shining star, the manger stood unnoticed by any from afar. The inside was quite tiny, filled with new laid hay. It sheltered all within it and kept the cold at bay. The cattle huddled there for warmth did unexpected see a family gathered there as well. With baby, they made three. The newborn swaddled lay there warmed by his mother's love. The cattle gathered nearer to view him from above. The child opened up his eyes and smiled at such a thing when in that moment in the night the cattle did then sing. The cattle softly sang loo loo. The cattle sang loo loo. All creation stopped to listen to the sound and some creatures large and small did hear and gather round. Sheep did add their voices with harmonies, just so, to soothe the little child lying there below. Goats did raise their voices to join in with the song and even little mice did come to sing along as the cattle sang loo loo, loo loo, as the cattle sang loo loo. The animals did sing their song there in the night so deep until the little newborn babe at last did fall asleep. Then most of them grew quiet as the star shone bright above. They watched over the little babe surrounding him with love. But still the cattle sang right through to break of day for the swaddled little babe that lay there in the hay. The cattle softly sang loo loo. The cattle sang loo loo. For sure it was a miracle as sun rose in the sky that babe had heard the song of those unlike both you and I. That in that tiny manger, unnoticed from afar, the animals had sung to babe born beneath the star. They say the cattle to this day still sing beneath starlight in honor of the tiny babe that was born that night. The cattle sing loo loo, loo loo. The cattle sing loo loo. They say that you can hear them, when the sky is clear and bright, singing softly to the babe deep into the night. You can hear it linger there floating on the air, the song that cattle softly sang to newborn lying there. If you stop and listen, you may hear them too singing for the little babe all the long night through. For the cattle sing loo loo, loo loo. The cattle sing loo loo.
December 24, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Today’s Thought - #poetry #writingcommunity #author #philosophy

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The perfect gift By Pat Grieco The Christmas tree is set up. The snow is soft and white and everything seems perfect upon this silent night. But despite the jolly season and all that should ensue, I must confess I find myself feeling pretty blue. Somehow some small disquiet disturbs the joy and light. There is one thing that I think might just make this season bright. I think I know just the thing to give me quite a lift. All I have to really do is get the perfect gift. No need to search philosophy by Descartes, Hume, or Kant. I tell you now that I know exactly what I want... I want to send a tank to Ukraine to join them in the fight, to help them win the battles and make the world aright. It has be real rugged, traverse through rough terrain and operate quite nicely in snow or in the rain. I'm thinking maybe M1. A Leopard would be fine or maybe a Korean one like a K-2 or K-9. I know you must be thinking, One tank's just not enough. They'll need a bunch of other stuff when the going's getting tough, So maybe send some missiles some drones might do the trick. They could all be carried there in the sack of old Saint Nick. Then all around the Christmas tree harmony will abound with the giving spirit of the season truly found. And all things will be perfect. All disquiet then released, and I can start enjoying this time of love and peace. I'll sing the season's carols. My joy will not be feigned and all because I sent a tank to folks down in Ukraine.
December 23, 2025 at 5:12 PM
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A comic strip - The chopping block And executioners block and ax talk to each other about the folks coming before them. A family of three, a father, mother and baby son stand before the block and ax. Block: Who are these folks? Ax: Carpenter and family seeking asylum, fleeing threat of death. Block: Where’s the father? Ax: National security threat. In prison, awaiting deportation. Block: Where’s the mother? Ax: Criminal immigration violation, awaiting deportation. Block: Where’s the child? Ax: Unaccompanied minor. Had to hold him int he system until family members can be found. PG
December 22, 2025 at 11:24 PM