Memorial Day at The Shrine

I traveled to that private place
a shrine upon a hill
where often I’ve come face to face
with His unbending will,

I brought along my share of ash
to seek out someplace blessed
so she that left us in a flash
could have her rightful rest

among the blooms and butterflies
beside a noble tree
where she would utter wistful sighs
were she alive to see—

a hallowed spot for one
who was so constant with her love
despite a distant son
in search of symbols from above.

Pitch

If solitude is solid proof
of wanting to remain aloof
the silence of a former friend
will simply amplify the trend
of sag in a disheveled roof
until it topples in the end,

and no amount of ebon goo
will ever make the angle true
nor cover any leaky spot
enough to stop the rancid rot
that sadly must ensue
when lonely a lot.

Partly Sunny

The sunlight sifted through the clouds to sprinkle on the land
prismatic streamers sparkling with brilliance that was grand,
a truly epic gala which enabled me to see
that I should muse more often just how splendid life can be.

Marginal

Mass production
class construction
drastic suction
crass destruction.

Spring

The first day of equal measure
dawdled as it stormed
the musky smell of life upon the air,
the presence of our burning pleasure
warmed as buds were formed
and mother birds were building nests with care.

I was drawn to part the curtain
and watch the raindrops fall
that bring the blooms alluring to the bee,
it all seems so uncertain
but the hardest thing of all
is nurturing new growth inside of me.

Coping

He was heard to mutter
as he waded through the clutter
“I know I didn’t stutter,
BRING ME BREAD AND BUTTER!”

The kitchen staff was chided
so then they all decided
his will must be abided
and they rapidly divided

up a loaf and started smearing
for he was quickly nearing
and he hadn’t stopped his sneering
since the loss of his endearing

wife, with locks so curly
whose perfect teeth were pearly
her end came much too early
which made him downright surly.

But the oddest thing he started
since she had departed
to leave him broken hearted
was having rubbish carted

and piled in his dwelling
until the walls were swelling
which didn’t stop his yelling
his grief was so compelling.

One day without much warning
they found him in the morning
his bony corpse adorning
the mess that was his mourning—

the help, no longer harried
prepared the grave and carried
him gently to be buried
beside the one he married.

Fossils

We dig and scrape and blast and drill with no regard for what we kill and if we keep this breakneck pace it won’t take long to end the race.

Priorities

The older we get
the more pious we are
so filled with regret
that our knees tend to scar

from all of the pleas
we’re prone to extend
in hopes they will ease
our debt at the end

but arms should display
the ultimate wear
from showing each day
how much we can care.

Assess

Poised for success
or simply a mess
I couldn't care less
hazard a guess?

Grrrrrrrr

The dog drags the bread
underneath the bed
and chews it in the dead
of night

I’m roused by the sound
and toss till I’ve found
a way to get around
this plight

I’ll never bring back
another cold snack
for him to attack
and bite

unless he gets mean
from being too lean
he’s got quite a keen
appetite.

Naked

A psychic kiss
such heady bliss
could anything be as sweet as this:
two minds that merge,
two hearts that surge
with passion, the unbridled urge.

Butt

I know it’s a trivial nit
but I like when my pants really fit
for I don’t feel composed
when my ass is exposed
and my cracks aren’t the kind showing wit.

Hallmark

You made it through hell
soon I will too
why bother to dwell
on what we went through
although every cell
is bursting with rue
I shower you with utmost praise
and thanks for your supportive ways.

I’ll see you again
I know that it’s true
I’m not sure just when
but boy when I do
I’ll forfeit this pen
and grab hold of you
with all the strength that I can raise
the first of many such displays.

Cheap Whine

If remembered at all will it be for a line
for the depth of design
or for being the tartest grape
that ever dangled on the vine?

Rethink

“You think too much”
I’ve oft been told
“You’re wasting precious time!”
“You think too much!”
The blind would scold
as though it were a crime.

“You think too much”
I’d often hear
when searching for that word
“You talk too much.”
I’d crisply sneer
although they never heard.

And in the end
when I look back
at all the things I wrought
will I defend
the glaring lack
as much less than I thought?

Yield

The clay from which spring stems
is an earthy kind of soil
that nourishes the vibrant gems
whose heady scents we prize
enough to trade some toil
ensuring they will rise

but even if all gardens fail
to garner any blooms
that growing urge won’t quite curtail
the seasonal ascent
which ultimately looms
for those whose time is spent.