Tricky

Existence is the sweetest treat
on which creation splurges
but there won’t be much left to eat
if we can’t control our urges

with seven billion souls in need
of food to stuff their flappers
just make sure before you feed
to not discard the wrappers!


***Today on Halloween the 7 billionth person will be brought into this world, better get more candy.***

Firmament

Our distant neighbor sparkled in the sky
so brilliantly I couldn't help but spy
She must have felt the prying of my eye
and ducked behind a veil of nimbus nigh

when suddenly a flash distracted me
a shooting star with no humility
went streaking by as happy as can be
enjoying one last meteoric spree

I gazed with awe at heaven's endless reach
impatient to absorb what it could teach
before the glaring sun came out to bleach
away the humble hunger to beseech.

Deciduous

The brutal autumn wind
batters bloody leaves
whose once green ranks have thinned

a bony mother grieves
(her histrionic limbs
attack what she believes

is sky) but barely skims
the vastness of the space
through which this season swims

intractably keeping pace
to frigidly rescind
our fleeting chance for grace.

Alluvion

I pledge
this wedge
will never hedge
my need
to bleed
that’s guaranteed
for I
comply
with no one’s lie
no stone
or moan
will ever postpone
what seems
like streams
of dormant dreams.

Oh Squat

His heart was scared
a bit impaired
and really not prepared to be shared,

“But once I heal”
he said “For real,
I’ll gladly kneel to seal the deal.”

She said, “We’ll see
but mess with me
and you won’t be erect to pee.”

Kenning

If less is more
then I’m not poor
I’m one of the richest alive
so near destitute
an atom of loot
will dwarf what my efforts contrive.

Prime Time

Her choppers are perfect
the smile quite fake,
the lack of a defect
their glaring mistake
for how can we trust those so free
with their artificiality?

Yet millions keep viewing
and rubbing their hands
reflexively ruing
the current demands
on people of conscience to think
before we go over the brink.

Enduring

She stands with her back to the shore
a patron colossus of yore
whose skin overlaid
is the soothing green shade
that welcomes the hungry and poor.

From her torch of mythic renown
to the hem of her matronly gown
she’s destined to be
the Queen of the Free
for all seven points on her crown.

The epic of Man isn’t done
there are chapters not even begun
and eons from now
will she still endow
us with courage to free everyone?


***Happy 125th!!***

Visibility

I talk to God but the sky is empty - Sylvia Plath

A deity gesticulated
and all we know was thus created
or so they said on sunday morn
where doubt was doused with scathing scorn;

incessant bouts of genuflection,
imploring for some new direction
has yet to yield a solid sign
of mercy, mortal or divine.

Right

Wherever there's gold
there's bound to be greed
and lies to be sold
disguised as a cause
that has selfish need
within its bylaws.

Zap

The crackle of a burning arc
can help ignite a common spark
that powers up a brand new way
to counteract the dark

of night whose doubts delay
advancement, while we grope and pray
for guidance to detect the mark
where we can find that ray.

A Young Fellow with Hair Colored Yellow

The sun was a fiery hot ball in the sky
when I looked, it hurt my eyes
but it still felt good deep down inside.

As I looked I heard a song on the radio
by a young fellow with hair colored yellow
a Simple Man who knew how to put on a show!

Gazing up, sunshine on my face
I saw a plane leaving for some distant place
it reminded me how he had run his last race.

That day, it was sad indeed
our world left just a bit more in need
The day the Freebird was finally freed.


***dedicated to Ronnie VanZant 10/20/77***

Here is a link to a song called Grey Ghost by The Henry Paul Band, best tribute song ever.

Detached

You mustn’t misconstrue
the stony gaze of the moon
when its countenance impales you
like an icy cold harpoon
for disregard can help undo
conceit’s aloof cocoon
romance is rich with rue
you swelter or you swoon.

:D

I've always got a smile
for those that merit such
but boilers of bile
mmmmmaybe not so much.

Fervent

The half-dressed trees look haggard
like they just went through a fight,
were beaten up then staggered
to huddle here in fright
reluctant to release the leaves
a wooden spirit sorely grieves—

their lanky limbs defiant
they shudder from each blow
refuse to be compliant
despite the coming snow
and wobble, but will not be tamed
as ruddy features grow enflamed.

Nobility

He rose through wisdom, peace and truth
to lead the less than free
a man whose character was proof
of what a King should be.


Written in honor of the MLK Jr. Memorial dedication

Exhibit

I guess it's my lot
to be a have not
and service the sort
that don't deserve what they've got

to scurry and sweat
exuding regret
while they snidely snort
"Is it done yet?"

But I can't be obsessed
with if I'll be blesssed
for time is too short
to not do my best

whatever my fate
I won't be irate
and never resort
to the tactics of hate

when judgment is made
we all will be weighed
in the mightiest court
by the love we displayed.

Overrun

I screamed at the words, “JUST GO AWAY,
I’m in NO MOOD to think today,
it’s RAINING and the sky is GRAY!”
They merely snickered “Yeah, okay.

Your mind is ours, so just keep still
we have a lot of holes to fill
and a thought or two we may instill
compelling you to sit and spill.”

I felt repressed, but what could I do
they were so many, and I so few
and once I let them filter through
this is what was left for you.

Practice

My guitars are a little rough
because I play more than polish
but no discord or scuff
will ever quite abolish
this need that thrums inside of me
for a balanced scale and harmony.

Woody

“What a stiff!” the bullies jeer
and though I have a tough veneer
it hurts my pride deep inside
so much I want to disappear

but you’re unique and didn’t see
a problem with rigidity
in fact you said that in our bed
it’s something you expect of me.

Calling

On the cusp of foreseeable fall
will we hear the cherubim call
or do atoms disperse
across the diverse
dimensions that constitute all?

Are we simply carbon and such
coherent as long as we clutch
to fragments of thought
or is substance wrought
through tentative trials of touch

where friction is bound to ensue
enabling passion to brew,
a force with which we
can forge a degree
of purpose we long to construe.

Starting Over

The voice of a generation
has found a new reason to sing
the object of his veneration
is partial to its ring

but was his old counterpoint
on his mind as vows were sworn
the day they chose to make it joint
his former mate was born.


***Congrats Sir Paul/RIP Mr. Lennon***

Losing It

The giant grew older (as everyone will)
and started to barter his beanstalk for ill
the vultures got eager (as scavengers do)
and circled him, anxious for something to chew
but he was too stubborn (as most giants are)
to shoo off the vermin despite his last scar
and he's withered some more (as thin as can be)
a victim of arrogance mixed with ennui.

Summit

My departure wasn't soon
enough to catch the sun's demise
clouds conspired to hide the moon
from eager, earthbound eyes
but once I belted out my tune
the powerful reprise
would help reveal the breadth of heaven's scope
a panorama deep inside of hope.

Don't Knock It

Beyond this door lies the daunting unknown,
a world of mystery one knock away,
just grab my brass ring and you will be shown.

Don’t fear the darkness because you’re alone
with a satin caress it begs you to stay,
beyond this door lies the daunting unknown.

Forget all those sins for which you atone
embrace your desires, come in and play,
just grab my brass ring and you will be shown;

an icy chill that cuts right to the bone
reminds you suddenly, you are the prey.
Beyond this door lies the daunting unknown,

leery feet falter on cold drafty stone
curiosity calls, leading the way,
just grab my brass ring and you will be shown

when these rusty old hinges creak and groan
another morsel getting carried away—
Beyond this door lies the daunting unknown
just grab my brass ring and you will be shown.

Extremity

I recall feeling like a gymnast going for the gold
while hoping that still growing hands would have the strength to hold,
the branch I wished to reach was a good six feet from my perch
and I knew that when I grabbed it skinny arms would surely lurch;

I gritted teeth and leapt with all the strength I had inside
then snatched the limb whose prickly bark abraded my soft hide
and when the fullness of my weight felt the pull of the earth
I closed my eyes and held on tight for all that I was worth.

That gap was spanned so often, soon the bark was worn away
the naked wood much easier on youthful hands at play
and there were times I slipped to hit the ground with one big slam
but the fact that I still jumped is just a part of who I am.

Processor

An apple is only a fruit
until someone makes it compute,
mankind and machine slowly mesh
through the fervor of fallible flesh
before the command to reboot.


RIP Steve Jobs

Top 20

Hi everybody! I got an email from one of my friends over at Accredited Online Colleges, her name is Emma and she requested that I check out their post of the top 20 American Poems and spread the word if so inclined. I think it's a respectable collection and am leaving the link HERE so you can check it out.

Do stop back and let me know what you think or leave them a comment on their blog. Thanks!

Standard

Conceit, I would cleanse myself of thee
To find out if untainted truth is easier to see;

Deceit, I shall shun thy tempting lure
In order for my senses to detect a fact that’s pure;

Anger, I must rein that harsh retort
Which manifests in battle, whether mortal or for sport;

Languor, I can crush thy lack of force
By riding forth with passion, regardless of the course;

Neglect, I need never fear the knave
Forsaking everything they love for power that they crave;

Respect, I will vow to always strive
To practice thee on every soul I meet while I’m alive.

Clemency

On the eve of your destruction will you beg for a reprieve,
will you stand and shout defiantly “It’s not my time to leave!”
or will you shuffle sheepishly, your weary head hung low
because you know there’s really nowhere worse than here to go.

Pickup

I strolled for a stroke
on bricks that were broke
with moss sticking out
like fuzzy green grout
as autumn awoke

with grumpy gray eyes
to purchase my prize
and shook off the chill
that gets colder still
despite pointless sighs.

Have a Heart

Do not give in too much to feelings. An overly sensetive heart is an unhappy possession on this shaky earth - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

This vessel of dismay
is useful, some would say
but I'm giving it away

it's much too soft you see
and filled so easily
with mushy misery

that seems to ever cloy
and dismally destroy
a chance for lasting joy.