The Walk

It hurts sometimes when I walk
but it's better than having to crawl
or having no legs at all
or constantly finding a reason to balk

because I can't handle the pain
I'm stronger than that when I try
despite being less and less spry
with each irrevocable grain.

Just Checking

Newton's third law
has one fatal flaw:
who decides what is the same?
For measurements are
fewer by far
than what the dishonest will claim.

Making the Most

If we only get one chance to be
then stock up on things that are free
and never feel shame
when staking a claim
on opportunity.

Youth-enized

Struggle to be
imperfection free
no one need know
what's real or faux
everything's game
so shuck off your shame
the years can be shed
humility dead.

B Gone

Properly prostitute yourself
and you could win the favor of the throng
and a golden statue for your shelf
while you convince yourself they love your song

but you will be forgotten when they soon
find another reason to devote
their mindless admiration as they swoon
before the latest diva they promote.

Withdrawal

We were sitting by the shore
so figured we'd explore
my faithful friend forever at my flank
but left with our hopes dashed
for nobody had stashed
anything worth keeping at the bank.

Stalled

Now I know how it feels
to envy another man’s wheels
my car a motionless heap
as I clearly struggle to keep
myself moving forward these days

and though every step causes pain
I shall not stop moving again
whether legs comply or not
this drive to be is all I’ve got
despite inconvenient delays.

Committed

If being apart
entices the heart
what can be said
for those who instead
become so attached
no moment is snatched
without someone there
demanding you care
is that what they call
the chain or the ball?

Bottom Feeder

There's no impending impediment
so why did you just brake?
You're denser than the sediment
at the bottom of a lake

Mass Appeal

The problem with pretentious prose?
It only will appeal to those
who are themselves extremely snide—
the bigger the word, the more you can hide

you needn’t be overtly plain
like water swirling down the drain
but never be so grandiose
that readers pray their death is close

just find a clever way to state
a truth to which we all relate
and maybe you’ll be fondly read
beyond the day you wind up dead.

Epic Fail

I showed you but you wouldn't heed
that nothing good is guaranteed
for those that try to play the part
but never learn right from the start
the knowledge it will truly take
to see the difference one can make
when measuring as under oath
the indices that foster growth.

Saving the Nave

Every desecration takes a toll
diminishing the structure as a whole
requiring a sermon to cajole

the callow congregation to attend
to steps on which the faithful must ascend
in order to assure a proper mend.

Fell Swoop

When we hear a songbird tweet
we sigh and think 'oh how sweet '
but today I saw one in the street
dismantling a roadkill treat

I know to live that many kill
but I don't think I ever will
feel tranquil when I hear that trill
in fact it could induce a chill.

Not Going Gently

I no longer sit and whine
about the death of every line
that briefly lives when posted on this site
I simply jot another one
a fighter's bout is never done
at least until they're facing that good night.

Dropping Off

A bright red ball
is at the bottom of a waterfall
just twirling, twirling, twirling
that's all
and though I hear the call
of things no one can stall
I find myself falling, falling, falling
beneath it's thrall.

Expressionism

I wonder what they'd think
if they knew decades hence
that some would soak up all the ink
they labored to dispense

not with pen and paper leaf
but digital display
would it be beyond belief
I wonder what they'd say?

And how will those in future years
digest a poet's dream
can the mind be brought to tears
from a thought directed beam?

Filling

With gravity's aid
I easily made
a rapid descent for my lunch
so I could enjoy
that cute little boy
that I simply love such a bunch

we sit and we chat
while nibbling at
the courses we've chosen to munch
and I hope he's aware
I'll always be there
to help him whatever the crunch.

Woman's Movement

A woman has a way to sway
your mind with undulating hips
and plumped-up playful pouty lips
or searing eyes you can't eclipse
that come off coy but toy she may.

Undoing

I finally came to grips
and then it slipped right through my grasp
the balance ironically tips
as we grow tired from trying to clasp

a fragment of a fraction
of a miniscule amount
of so - called satisfaction
before our time runs out.

Inconsolable

Who consoles the clown
confounded by a frown
that makeup may conceal
but never truly heal
regardless of renown
who consoles the clown?


***RIP Robin***

Fill In

I found myself slightly distraught
for I squandered a burgeoning thought
but once a replacement was sought

my mind automatically meshed
with fodder just recently threshed
and another creation was fleshed.

Baleful

We climbed into the loft
then jumped upon the mow
the hay was nice and soft
and tasty for a cow

the sweet summer smell
contained in every stalk
made youthful daring swell
till I saw fit to balk

and touched down with my knee
connected to my eye
it knocked the sense right out of me
a painful way to fly

and now when I recall that day
despite the years I've spanned
I know it's all about the way
you think before you land.

Insatiable

If we could eradicate unplanned birth
perhaps there'd be a chance for earth
but folks with feelings must bow to the fact
that they don't think, they simply act
so kiss your favorite spot farewell
our world will soon be just a shell
obliterated by a breed
that can't resist unbridled greed.

Some Race

Hurry, scurry little rat
to make it to your nest
and see if you can earn a pat
by passing every test
performing tasks the best

huffing, puffing rodent breath
is all they want to hear
within your spinning wheel of death
the rules are very clear
to which you must adhere.

Mixer

Whenever he had less
he always wanted more
and when he made a mess
forgot to mop the floor
if overcome by stress
he was cooler than before
and seldom did caress
the love he swore that he'd adore.

Gratitude

I loathe being the same—
another germ beneath the scope
just waiting to be analyzed
and designated tame
by those that like to dangle hope
among the patronized

I long to be unique—
a lone explorer wading through
the all too placid main
of those innately meek
because they're programmed to pursue
compliancy most plain

I love to feel alive—
to breathe in deep the fresh sweet air
as new sensations sweep
compelling me to thrive
and give much thanks that I could share
this world before I sleep.

Reprogramming

The day they announced it I wasn't upset
just caught between pangs of relief and regret
I felt a bit sad they were closing the door
but glad that my sweat would be wasted no more

it's funny how change rearranges the scheme
allowing pursuit of the prodigal dream
as pillars of industry grind to a halt
artistic endeavors become the default.

Final Chapter

The giant's will buckled (as well as his knees)
for there was no cure to curtail the disease
consuming his kingdom (as maladies do)
relentlessly killing defenses too few
he moped in denial (as healthy flesh died)
his aging mind muddled by misinformed pride
and minus the fanfare (as nothing survived)
we mourned the demise of a land that once thrived.

Gridlock

Just waiting for the signal to advance
such is my unenviable stance
but then I check the rear view and I see
a line of those that also seek to be

allowed to find the fastest thoroughfare
that helps to quickly get them anywhere
other than the overcrowded lot
where those that idle jostle for a spot.

Pooper

My thoughts scatter
as more inane chatter
assails me with pointless platitudes
the pounding has started
despite this halfhearted
attempt at one of my better moods.

Courtesy Is a Two-Way Street

To the person heading straight for me:
There's no place else that I can go
you're where I'm supposed to be
the road is wide enough you know

if both of us stay on our own side
for two cars to fit through
but apparently when you're out to ride
the only driver is you.