Have Fun

I heard the news today and laughed
it seems the giant was just a jerk
who now is under staffed
I guess he might have to do some work.

Fallen

The monster moans a long metallic sigh
as mournful as a mother's last goodbye
that leaves befuddled siblings asking why

a single purple flower can't delay
November which is only days away
as I remember you and calmly pray

that all your inner demons finally cease
tormenting you which turns into release--
redemption helped you find eternal peace

Nice Knowing You

Embarrass a man
you're witty and clever
but put down a woman
you're banished forever.

Forced

The autumn wind blows long and chill
the colored leaves are sparse
I thoroughly distrust my will
as no more than a farce

a laughable production staged
by one who knows his role
and tries to keep the world engaged
but acting takes its toll.

Run Forest!

They try to make us think our place
is far below their state of grace
these criminals in classy suits
will dangle yummy seeming fruits
that those with blind ambitions chase

as single-minded as a bee
in search of pollen rich and free
compelled to ever swoop and dive
and die in service to the hive,
remember -- just avoid that tree!

Rallied

The ravenous clouds inhaled the sky
and no one seemed to care but I
quite satisfied to simply sit
upon the earth and not get bit
when suddenly the sun came out
dispersing them, oh what a rout!

Straggler

The leaves were like golden confetti
that twirled through the October air
and then someone dressed as a yeti
gave me a sizable scare

I watched all the clowns and the heroes
take part in the yearly parade
and then using singles and zeros
my favorite distraction was played

the colors are slowly receding
and limbs have begun to sag
denial is noted for breeding
a loser that's likely to lag.

Looking for a Win

If my roof didn't leak
it wouldn't rain much
turn my other cheek
and I get struck
I know it's bleak
but it's always been such
now I pray for a streak
where life won't suck.

Positioned

Everyone boasts a big title
but nobody does a damn thing
an actual effort is vital
or failure continues to sting.

Staying vs Walking

My dog will perceptibly flinch
when I have a leash in my hand
but suddenly grows by an inch
and struts around so grand
once I undo the cinch

it seems in a way we're all chained
by choices we cannot undo
despite whatever might be gained
there's one thing that's constantly true:
no one likes being restrained.

Cut!

The puppeteers believe they're kings
and sneer with every glance
for when they twang discordant strings
the whiny weaklings dance

they set the stage so every show
will profit them alone
employing props that never know
their lives are not their own

refuse to bow before these fools
release yourselves my friends
redeem your souls, you are not tools
it's time this madness ends!

Attachment

Why can't life remain like this
with no major worries at all
instead we barter off our bliss
just for a chance to fall

to plummet through the atmosphere
attracted by the mass
of objects that we get too near
and oftentimes should pass.

Standouts

Although the copse is relatively bare
there's one defiant tree with leaves to spare
that look as red as rubies to my eye
and my only explanation as to why
is some will face the end halfheartedly
while others struggle on flamboyantly.

Midlife

I'm old enough to know better
but young enough to try
a slightly reserved go-getter
an expert on how to deny

bemused by my constant estrangement
bereft of beliefs to condone
accepting the awkward arrangement
not really aloof, just alone.

Getting It?

The older I get
the stiffer I am
but don't snicker yet
the joke is a scam
it means I can't move
and therefore my thrust
is not towards the groove
it's lampooning lust.

Directional

It's a cinch to be discreet
on a one-way street
your back should be towards
anyone you may meet

but if you're on display
or start to ricochet
off Chevys and Fords
you've gone the wrong way.

Amber

Suspended by the sweetness of a syrupy embrace
another victim finds itself forever stuck in place
unable to break free from the unrelenting grip
that captivates the innocent, drip by fatal drip.

Rustled

The birches brim with finches
that flit from branch to branch
my increments are inches
but I steadily advance

a single leaf is falling
and dreamily descends
a signal to stop stalling
as summer finally ends.

Looks can be Deceiving

I hide my heart behind a hardened scowl
to counteract it's tender tendencies
for there are many predators that prowl
in search of easy prey with flimsy knees
whose gutting (for the moment) will appease
the biting pangs of greed that tend to growl
within the guts of those with the disease
that makes them act deplorable and foul.
So when they see me glower from afar
they keep a healthy distance out of reach
and I conduct my business purposefully
but once I'm in the safety of my car
I pray (and here I do not mean to preach)
to thank The Lord I didn't have to flee.

Offsides

We nurture the aggressive side
then gasp if they break bone
perhaps when there's a crimson tide
they'll say the call was blown.

Representative

"It's not an outbreak." the bureaucrat said on TV
"Just a single case." eyes darting furtively
"It's being handled here." he stammered subdued
then spun on his heel as cameras pursued.
"Begin evacuation" he muttered to his aide
"Of anyone required when decisions must be made
we wouldn't want the whining types to claim we went too far."
And then his burly bodyguard helped put him in the car
which sped away to take him to
a secret hideout known by few
so those that mattered could decide what to do
with any survivors if there even are.

Out of Shape

They'll sculpt your eyes with laser beams
and tighten skin with hidden seams
then dye your hair whatever hue
you're told creates the hippest you

our legends say we come from clay
and I'm inclined to think that way
as molding of one's chosen form
becomes the new conformance norm.

Good Morning America

What day would you pick to die
and who would you ask to sit there by
the bed (if that is where you'd choose to cease
existing and seek promised peace)?
just swallow that indigo pill
the final demise of your will.

The Big Question

Extinction starts with E
Beginning with a B
Obliterating with an O
Life (you guessed it) L
As we know it A?

Proliferate

Stay within the pod
anchored to a clod
you'll forever plod

chance the wind to fly
and never just comply
or ever wonder why.

Bully for Me

I should've seen back then
it wasn't all that bad
but no one's that insightful when
they're just a lass or lad

and now what hurts the most
as vision starts to dim
is knowing (not that I would boast)
I could've beaten him.

Ups and Downs

I watched a monarch's descent
marooned among the crass
unable to repent
for it was quite convinced
that it had too much class
and inwardly I winced

but then in its haphazard way
it swooped and rose again
to flit beyond the walls of gray
and rule the endless blue
while I (adjacent to the pen)
regret I never flew.

Boob Tube

I'm feeling a bit too logical today
perhaps I should watch TV
and see what all the 'experts' say
is possibly wrong with me

of course the list is long and broad
according to the View
for as a man I'm plainly flawed
at least that's what they spew

It seems the time has finally come
to go and find a cave
and leave behind the shrewish hum
the media mavens rave

there should only ever be one path
we follow if we can
it's common sense, not pointless wrath
against a hapless man.

Defrocked

I place more value on honesty
than anything made out of gold
and offer the ethical amnesty
from those that would withhold
it's such a tragic travesty
when posers start to scold
disciples of the ministry
that propagates their fold.

Dropout

I could give a clinic
on how to be a cynic
but no one would be worthy of the fee
for they would fail to listen
as glazing pupils glisten
appalled by all my negativity.

Roadwork

Every intersection seems to be another stop
another interruption in the still unfolding flop
that no one will remember and I'd as soon forget
but each new holdup indicates it isn't over yet.