Carlie is tickled to find out that her new Frederick Street address is only 2 blocks from the exciting, amusing, hippiedom of San Francisco. “Where do all the flippies meet…Haight Street, Haight Street”, Carlie sang on her usual walking tour of this colorful street. On a buzzed evening, just before sundown, she was near approaching Haight Street Market to pick up some sundries when she stopped dead in her tracks by a man in black reciting words. “Wow! A poet! Wouldn’t ya know it!”, Carlie laughed to herself. She stood in front of the talking man and listened intently. His name is Don Eli, a glorified poet and local resident. He continued his recitation….   EMPIRE OF WINNERS AND LOSERS……

“We can’t think of everything at once. With limited time to spend and attention to pay. The never-ending cost of getting ahead or just getting through the day. In the empire of winners and losers, where our minds are focused on winning, or simply surviving losing. Too busy for wondering or imagining, any other way”

Carlie thanked him for his words and decided to pick up a copy of his poetry collection, “Vivian Gardens, 2012”. Don smiled courageously and waved a hand goodbye.