Friday, June 30, 2006

Programmed

Robots we’ve created
know they have mutated
beyond the point of needing to adapt;
science, the big savior
conquers bad behavior
as quickly as a TV set is zapped.
Organs are replaceable
humility untraceable
pollutants kill as neatly as we plant,
steel is hard and clever
but panaceas never
make a mountain bow before an ant.

Thursday, June 29, 2006

Flood Watch

The grief will come in violent waves
as we succumb to fellow slaves;
Subalterns serving that which craves
to flood the earth with swollen graves—
we’ll soon forget how dry ground feels
the deluge roaring at our heels,
if blessed with refuge throw a line
and reach beyond the grim design.


* Authors Note: This was penned after the horrific Christmas tsunami. We were told to evacuate last night because the good old Mohawk River was getting surly (we didn't). I keep hearing about global warming and the ice caps melting... I only hope this isn't as prophetic as it is currently (no pun intended) seeming to be. And if anyone out there is likewise afflicted, my heart goes out to you.

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Buck

You have not beat me, never will
I’m careful not to gulp that pill,
insulting mind games you employ
will not subvert what brings me joy;
when obligations intersect
with blatant lack of true respect
I’ll doff the yoke and stand erect
much quicker than you may expect.

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Bare Bones

Conformity drains
Vitality wanes
Uncertainty gains
Mortality reigns.

Monday, June 26, 2006

Blue

The sky, your eye, my favorite pie
the way I felt at our goodbye,
a lake, or jewels about to break,
one piercing shade it’s hard to fake,
a boat, a moat, a wailing note
your favorite fluffy winter coat,
a bruise, the news, of course suede shoes
the tone that shows you’ve paid your dues.

The Best Medicine

Hey all, I was just cleaning out an old computer and found some files filled with jokes from the earliest days of Email at work. There are some really good ones here and I will be posting some up occasionally. Some are a bit racy and will have a warning label accordingly.

*******************************************************


An executive was in quandary. He had to get rid of one of his staff.
He had narrowed it down to one of two people, Debra or Jack. It would
be a hard decision to make, as they were both equally qualified and
both did excellent work.

He finally decided that in the morning whichever one used the water
cooler first would have to go.

Debra came in the next morning, hugely hungover after partying all
night. She went to the cooler to get some water to take an aspirin
and the executive approached her and said: "Debra, I've never done
this before, but I have to lay you or Jack off."

Debra replied, "Could you jack off, I have a terrible headache."

Sunday, June 25, 2006

Rail

Among some swaying daffodils
we improvised accomplished fills,
harmonious exchanges flowed
beside that anachronic mode
which clatters late into the night
like hollow longings hauled from sight.

Saturday, June 24, 2006

Sluice

Like steamy asphalt after rain
I shed these wisps of wry disdain
that once tattooed my callous skin
with salty remnants of chagrin
eradicating every grin
preparing me to shine again.

Friday, June 23, 2006

Let Us Prey

Within an open moving church
belittled by a humble birch
I sit upon a mossy pew
to start and contemplate anew
if mercy’s worth the search.

Just skimming in their little bay
some water bugs intently play,
beside them robin takes a dip—
they must be careful not to slip
and send a tasty meal its way.

A vibrant yellow butterfly
serenely floats before my eye
to land upon a nearby bloom,
more focused on the threats that loom
when hungry blackbirds swoop right by.

I calmly breathe in scented air
releasing my undue despair
allowing thoughts to slowly drift
around the evanescent gift
of which we all demand a share.

Thursday, June 22, 2006

Foil

Inequity
shall ever be
a point of our existence
the ratio
of pain we know
depends on independence;
a lack of such
and every crutch
will cripple more than carry,
too much of it
and you’ll regret
each comfort that you parry.

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Soar

Unfettered finches fiercely race
I gun the gas to keep the pace,
as yellow flashes undulate
my driven doldrums dissipate;
contentment can be hell to chase
just fly without the fear of fate.

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Blueprint

The principles of structured stone
convey a scheme for living
like when to bear the weight alone
or when to be forgiving,
and how to harness common sense
when squaring strong foundations
a level is your best defense
stay true in all relations.

Monday, June 19, 2006

Gutter Fodder

That downward twirling bright green leaf
a pirouette of life so brief,
one fateful gust can snatch away
the foliage it loves to sway.

Sunday, June 18, 2006

Mechanical Art

As haughty scrapes deface a fertile slate
with chisel marks precise yet shallow, done
in haste, relief becomes uncertain. One
dimension, regardless how ornate
will only scratch the surface, not the grain
beneath whose patterns bring a searching eye
new images designed to mystify,
revealing that which whispers in our brain.
When passion increases, the clamor grows
so loud it sometimes drowns out reason’s calm,
impatient strokes, while helping ease a qualm
can’t justify unneeded hammer blows.
Extracting truths residing in the stone
depends on seeing more than just our own.

Saturday, June 17, 2006

Submit but Never Surrender

Oh little piece of metal bent
just so to help one circumvent
the anarchy of looseleaf piles
unleashed by those long-winded styles
that read more like a legal tract
but posted rules were quite exact
so on I dig through every drawer
to find what I am searching for
refusing nerve a chance to slip
for want of a simple paper clip.

Friday, June 16, 2006

Twister

A random conundrum
or hasty addendum
where do we all come from—
creation or bedlam?
Anomalies will come and go
but providence… you never know!

Thursday, June 15, 2006

Bloom

Beside the stout portcullis grows
a barely open crimson rose
awaiting that one perfect nose.

Each day as folks commiserate
like cattle plodding through the gate
this lonely flower stays sedate,

for destiny will soon appear:
a suitor smiling ear to ear
to clip a dashing boutonniere,

perhaps a buxom maiden fair
will shyly pluck with tender care
a blossom for her flowing hair.

It happens to the most sublime
so many dreams, so little time
as blushing pride succumbs to rime.

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

The Coin Goes Quick

Chicka-chick, the coin goes quick
on flashy paper ultra slick.
I’ve spent my share of change not spare
a little fortune’s only fair!
I’m feeling prime, my scraping dime
I know will show a win this time—
Chicka-chick, the coin goes quick
when vying for that lucky pick.

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Grim Aspect

That blazing symbol in the sky
is much too bright to signify
my less than stellar escapade,
a banal blip obscured by shade;
unsteady temples sag beneath
the dimness of penumbra’s wreath.

Monday, June 12, 2006

Jerry's Kids

Redneck squabbles
bosom wobbles
midget pimps from hell,
cross dressed losers
hopeless boozers
hookers come to tell,
racist rejects
mental defects
shameless fools that crow,
while all perverse
aren’t really worse
than those that watch this show.

Sunday, June 11, 2006

Timeless

Like Gwynevere at Avalon
or Sibyl in the adyton
you captivate with mysteries
compelling hearts to fall upon
whatever thirsty blade you please.

Hellenic eyes to spur a fleet,
the lure of Cleopatra’s sweet
exotic charm is your perfume,
which makes the strongest seek defeat
to catch a whiff beneath your bloom.

You’re Venus, you command the sky,
a beacon no one could deny;
I’d gladly cross the roughest sea
enchanted by Ligeia’s cry
to worship you eternally.

Saturday, June 10, 2006

The Quark Express

At the risk of suffering raucous derision
I bravely pursued my own unique vision
to explore vast planes, the final frontier
seeking new realms like a true pioneer;
with steely resolve I made my decision
ignoring long noses anxious to sneer.

My transport of choice, a huge iron horse
her skin, ionized titanium of course,
long sleek lines lending just a hint
of truly fearsome power beneath the glint,
propelled by a top secret energy source
every excursion an amazing little stint.

I’ve warped through landscapes of bizarre wonder
where up was really down and over, under
generating wormholes with relative ease
surveying the cosmos whenever I please
always being careful not to rend asunder
the space/time continuum through which I breeze.

So if some dark night you hear an odd humming
it’s probably just me going or coming,
a wacky inventor whose madcap design
revealed new worlds too strange to define
with a shameless grin and proud heart drumming
enjoying my glass of Altuvian wine!

Friday, June 09, 2006

Stall

I start my day once more astride a sleek ambitious mare,
enlivened by the jaunty ride as winds dispel despair;
but obligation soon arrives to pull back flapping reins
and put aside this steed that thrives unbridled in my veins.

Thursday, June 08, 2006

Dying of Thirst

A dearth of rain, and now the plains are sere,
this desolation crazes earthly clay
and clouds the rutted stone with noxious dust.
As landmarks shimmer, start to disappear—
we stray in loops, but who can stand to stay?

The spoor of reason leads a daunting chase
through brewing bogs and dens of dark disgrace.

A misty wind will loft its bland bouquet,
demand a chance to bring about a tear
and watch the iron rod dissolve to rust.
Concerned with vapid skits of mirth and play
the worth of souls is augured by veneer.

A drought of purpose urges roots to dive
but sans a shower little will survive.

Wednesday, June 07, 2006

Sell Cell Sell

Empty strip mall
bleak façades
hear that pin fall
progress plods
hollow promise
tawdry toll
value plummets
no parole.

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

No Butts About It

I’ve spotted a trend
as we age and get creaky—
eves gain in the end
while men get less cheeky.


8^P

Monday, June 05, 2006

Where's Your Spirit?

















Traumatized by trenchant tines
a punctured peach perversely pines
"Why won’t we wind up as wines?"
while coddled concords cuddle vines.

Sunday, June 04, 2006

An iron cross
acutely honed
once helped us conquer all,
the certain loss
of change postponed
began our drastic fall.

A wooden cross
awash with gore
then helped us to regain
the sterling gloss
we donned before,
a crown of proud disdain.

Saturday, June 03, 2006

Sometimes Poison Grows On You

The ivy winds its way around
whatever lends support
intrusive clingy stalks surround
an unsuspecting sport
to pull itself up from the ground
then breezily cavort
while blocking any airways found
and crumbling the fort.

Friday, June 02, 2006

Rear View

Retracing my default beliefs
through pastures owned by docile sheep,
bucolic byways fall and rise
just like the endless compromise.

Beyond that sandstone rectory
across a mine encrusted lea,
a mourning dove morosely wails
to herald more oblique travails.

The air is ripe with stinking life,
convictions balance on a knife;
reflection, which allays my fears
is closer than it first appears.

Thursday, June 01, 2006

Flushed

The brighter the blue jay
the shier the bird
each flutter a new way
creation is stirred.