Thornbirds

[rwinte82]

Life in the Bush Administration! 11 years ago I was given a school loan of $3,695.40 for a 3 year course in computer science. The money was paid directly to the school. After 3 months of attending 5 days a week I had to drop out to take care of my father who had Alzheimer ’s disease. Later on, I myself had developed brain tumors which caused me non stop migraine headaches and destroyed my own ability to concentrate ultimately disabling me to where I couldn’t work and my only income was a 467 a month disability check. On my very last Income Tax Return before I was totally disabled they (the Dept. of Education) took the $680 tax return I had coming back to cover the repayment of the loan for the 60 days I attended school so I never gave it another thought knowing the rest of the loan would be refunded ty the school – National University of San Diego. Last week I got a notice and bill in the mail for $5,388.53 from the U.S. Dept. of Education. It seems the school – National University – never refunded them the remainder of the school loan so they are now going to take my only income – my $467 SSI monthly disability check until the $5,388.53 (the original loan and accrued interest over 11 years) is paid back. Quite an expensive bill for a total of 60 days of schooling attempting to further my education before health circumstances forced me to discontinue my plans for my education and future. After contacting National University, they have a record of the 60 days I attended, but since “It’s been so long ago,” they have no records of what happened to the funds they got from the Dept. of Education. So I guess without any help from anyone my government which is supposed to help and protect me will be making me homeless. Life in the Bush Administration.

This current situation inspired me to write my latest poem THORNBIRDS.

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THORNBIRDS

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Thornbirds are indigenous to Australia.
Able to tolerate most thorns and pain
ergo thorny issues do not disturb them
a wish most people hope for.

Thorny problems plague us all.
Sometimes an issue from the past
will perform a sneak attack
laying bare your defenses.

The key to overcoming these jagged
wounds caused by thorns is to
do like the Thornbirds ~
pluck it out ~ and continue on with your life.

Sometimes the wounds are so deep and sore
they take forever to go away
or to forget
breaking many a heart in the process.

If only we could take a lesson from
the Thornbirds such occurrences
would be rare ~ life so much easier.
But we have no defense from nature.

That ~ more than anything else ~
dooms us to feel the pain intensely.
On all levels of consciousness:
physical, mental and even emotional.

We can only pray that we too adapt like the Thornbirds.

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Rosemary Winters Tracey
8/25/07

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Anyone having any questions or comments feel free to contact me at:
[e-mail]

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[inkpetal]

Rosemary-

I have heard of these birds -

They seem to be an apt metaphor for overcoming difficulties in life as you have portrayed in your heartfelt poem-

I hope you are able to resolve and overcome the challenge of your predicament.

[jeannerené]

Rosemary,

Welcome to Poetic Horizons and thank you for posting your new poem.

Yes, there are many "thorny issues" that one must meet in life. Some will bring a great deal or pain and/or duress. I too like the metaphor you have chosen, an inherent wish that we too would not feel the prick of hardship or grief, but somehow be immune to the thorny touch.

You have certainly expressed well our precarious state, but also a desire for strength and forbearance.

Yes... it was some years ago, but nonetheless... the school still received the money ..right? ... they are not quibbling over the fact that they received it. So, what is stopping them from refunding the money now. Why isn't the National University of San Diego being held accountable for the money. The money was never in your bank account.... it was in their bank account and they received all the benefits from it ... including any interest of the 11 years. Something is not right here .... and I don't think I would just accept it as fact that you would have to foot the bill.

Did you withdraw from your classes? ... but even if you didn't go thru proper withdrawal procedures ................

Please try to find and contact a group in your area that protects the rights of persons with disabilities. I think you should investigate if the school shouldn't be libel for the amount and/or if the debt can be forgiven because of your physically disabled status and the fact that they are taking your only source of income. That can't be right or legal!!

.jeanne.

[rwinte82]

I finally got my transcript and it shows I only attended two classes not three! It has been so long ago that I forgot! There is an option to claim physical disability, and I am pursuing that option plus the one that the school kept the money. I hope and pray that either of these two options work. I could certainly use the prayers too.

Thank you
Rosemary

[jeannerené]

Good luck .... I do hope it all works out to your advantage....!!

Blessings...
.jeanne.