Common Scents

The musty smell as leaves decay
has rustled up a thought today
that helps dispel this damn dismay:

whatever clout you think you've got
is meaningless within the plot
we're all susceptible to rot.

Prickly

Majestic maples crowned in gold
with robes of bright vermillion
are truly regal to behold
and rule the Fall Cotillion

the sumacs in the retinue
are flushed from the excitement
while all the pines are green but who
will question their indictment

Circuses

It's comical how corporate clowns keep coining phrases meant
to misdirect attention away from their intent
they juggle and they gesture that their greed is truly spent
while fleecing every person that wanders neath the tent

Exercising

Some dreams are ever ethereal
but they fortify the soul
their merit immaterial
without them we're not whole

while certain hopes are viable
if they're pursued with heart
no path is more reliable
than working from the start

for practice is a discipline
that perfect passion drives
progressing in this world we're in
is how our chance survives.

Manufacturers

The pluses of pity are plain
to those that would harbor a grudge
but that doesn't mean they abstain
belligerent boors seldom budge

unless (of course) they are exposed
for then they will simply deny
that their little minds have been closed
while shamelessly shrieking the lie.

Naturally

I took a ride up north
like Cork and I would do
instead of moving forth
I reap redundant rue

but everywhere I look
the colors are sublime
which makes me glad I took
that little slice of time

to fall in Nature's arms
and let her mother me
with therapeutic charms
that temper my ennui.

Doubtful?

It's hard to grasp what God has planned
but ignorance and faith go hand in hand
so don't you contradict The Boss
you could get nailed for being cross.

Gathered

A bee is buzzing over
the autumn crowns of clover
a busy little rover

it scours every flower
for pollen to devour
despite the dying hour

and covets every kernel
though freedom is supernal
the hive must be eternal.

Spiral

And thus the fall began
with pouring rain at dawn
a lagging sun so wan
left shadows on the lawn

the leaves abruptly turned
and thus the fall began
as summer was adjourned
it flourished for a span

adhering to the plan
The Architect designed
and thus the fall began
with winter close behind

to ultimately kill
the sinful age of man
we ate our fruity fill
and thus, The Fall began.

Undaunted

Will anyone know I existed?
I pondered this morning out loud
despite any virtues enlisted
I haven't out distanced the crowd
and sometimes unwisely resisted
attempts at removing my shroud
but still raise my hands double fisted
I've always been me and I'm proud!

Thin Line

Is there anything more potent than hate
to permeate and motivate
someone down to rise above
their fate? Perhaps the path of love.

Doomed

The gator lovin' polecat struck
with clumsy lies begat
by talking to a stupid fuck
and my career went splat
but soon the giant will find out
he's handed off the reins
to someone who would rather flout
instead of making gains.

Fledgling

The fragility of innocence
cannot be spared by diligence
or cushioned from the coming blows
by any doe-eyed diffidence

for soon we face the precipice
the drop-off of our purest bliss
where we confront a world of woes
and such destructive avarice

that either we become so jaded
any hope for love's degraded
or, we pray some savior shows
before our will has faded.

Purging

It's pride that won't abate
as I deteriorate
but I can't begin to swallow
what my gut won't tolerate

and so I'm shedding weight
as I regurgitate
the lies that left me hollow
despite how much I ate.

New Chapter

It seems that the story (as they sometimes do)
has plenty of drama to spawn a Part Two
the Kingdom continues (as well as it can)
relying upon an improbable plan
requiring teamwork (as sparse as it is)
to make sure the giant regains what was his
so he can toss scraps (as he did before)
and everyone feels just a little less poor
except for one peon (as dumb as devout)
who didn't foresee that he'd be written out.

Owl Done

I have a theory that's hard to refute
I believe I'm a certified mute
for nothing I say
matters much anyway
and I'm close to not giving a hoot.

Monstrous

The vultures ventured towards
the craggy frothy fjords
to gorge upon the sacrificial feast
a young and fetching maiden
appropriately laden
with chains securely fastened by a priest.

The sky was dark and gloomy
as prophets promised doom, "We
all shall face a judgment for our sins!"
And when the world was shaken
no one was mistaken
to think that this is how the end begins.

But through the cloudy cover
appeared her frenzied lover
upon a beast with bat-like wings that shrieked
he spied her on the altar
and shouted, "Do not falter!"
while she just stood there shaking, terror piqued.

Then suddenly the ocean
completely ceased all motion
as tension fairly crackled in the air
and then a gross leviathan
as massive as a thousand men
burst forth and spray exploded everywhere.

It's tusks were long and jagged
with oily scales and ragged
strands of seaweed hanging all about
it spied the Virgin offer
and oriented towards her
malevolence in mind without a doubt.

Her champion was ready
and told his steed "Be steady!"
descending to commence his first attack,
he bore a lance of silver
from the goddess of the river
enchanted to destroy this maniac.

The battle was ferocious
and wounds that were atrocious
were suffered by both parties in the fight
their blood began to mingle
and there was not one single
person unaffected by the sight

which made the crowd more willing
to see a proper killing
and they robustly cheered the hero on
who wasn't quite as battered
as armor sorely tattered
that earlier he had had the sense to don.

The injured hulk was slowing
an opening was showing
and then the suitor thrust with all he had,
his lance (which was embedded)
struck true, and thus the dreaded
creature died and everyone was glad

except for its intended
victim who extended
her arms towards the bloody mess and screamed
"Why were you so zealous?
You were only used to make him jealous!"
And he said, "Well, that wasn't what it seemed."

Malleable

Roll me into foil
I will not recoil
or crack enough to break
as I can be a flake

twist me into wire
a pendant of desire
that gilds your ample breast
where I have longed to rest.

Hotheads

Who doesn't like a roaring blaze
to warm them on those brisker days
that is, until it starts to raze
the planks required for spanning

the constant rifts that seem to form
between yourself and the swarm
so next time you would like it warm
perhaps some proper planning

might help you save yourself some woe
by sparing bridges set to blow
then you can have a place to go
when stranded folk are fanning.

Breakthrough

Some things are good paper-thin
but toilet tissue? Not so much
for it could lead to problems (grin)
though that's a subject I won't touch.

As Intended

Since it was global Forgiveness Day
he muttered "What the hey"
and made the call he'd stalled for many years
but when he did get through
his anguish only grew
which prompted him to spill remorseful tears

for someone there replied
that his mother had quietly died
of cancer just about a year ago
she never let anyone in
on the fact that she had kin
and that was why they didn't let him know.

He whimpered as he heard
where she had been interred
then went there to at least pay some respect
he kneeled before her grave
and then began to cave
ashamed of irresponsible neglect

but as he loudly sobbed
the air around him throbbed
with energy that made his hair stand straight
and suddenly he knew
that she was coming through
with something very poignant to relate

"My Son" he heard her say
"I'm glad you came today
for now my weary spirit can move on
I'm leaving to be free
as you must also be
I love you!" And with that her soul was gone.

He rose with a sigh
and whispered "Goodbye,
may peace be yours forever mother dear."
Forgiveness had begun
for his failings as a son
and useless guilt began to disappear.

Designated Drivel

I don't have the lips
to be qualified
the dejected quips
diplomacy aside

it's no longer about
a talented line
as long as you spout
the milquetoast whine.

Heritage

My Grandma whispers in my ear
"Here's a poem for you."
and then my Mother loud and clear
"To yourself be true!"
I miss them both, but they're still here
with every line I write
their graceful strength to persevere
the source of my delight.

Space Time

I raved like a lunatic
the silver siren made me sick
with passion that could not be quelled
though she would not be held
the same old boring shtick

but then she pulled me closer till
I was doomed to lose my will
as her celestial beauty waxed
and my reserves were sorely taxed
but I refused her still.

Reassessment

The dew is shining in the grass
cicadas hail me as I pass
the woe of one condemned to die
apparent on the path I ply
but once the brilliant morning sun
caresses me such thoughts are done
and I am resolutely glad
for everything, both good and bad
that I have been alive to feel
and thus I end my little spiel.

Downstream

Some of us swirl, some of us stir
some get deeper as they go
some have a force that no dam can deter
but all must succumb to the flow

of tumultuous time as it cascades
beyond the point that we can see
way past where our perception fades
for rivers must run free.

Critic

Just reading back through comments left
by pleasant people meaning well
and realize I feel bereft
of those I opted to repel

I don't know why I choose to be
alone the way I always am
it's hard enough accepting me
without the stress of giving a damn

but maybe there will be a time
when I can finally find the spot
where interactions aren't a crime
and I don't seek a plot.

Corrections

The walls that we erect
in order to incarcerate
can never quite protect
the innocent from feeling hate
once shuffled through the gate
on firmly shackled feet
to learn the ways of the sedate
conformance is concrete.

Tectonics

I feel the shift
a growing rift
as continental footings drift

and soon the sea
will pour with glee
into the strait methodically

until we stand
on separate land
more distant as our worlds expand.

Nudged

Relative freedom isn't all that bad
projecting the semblance of choice
for no one remembers the guidance they had
from a sneaky subliminal voice