Knowing Better

Those who believe what they've learned
ordains them to piously preach
should know when humility's spurned
enlightenment's harder to reach.

Onslaught

Among the wretched horde
I trudge
and though I can't afford
this grudge
I give my trusty sword
a nudge

for I can never drop
my guard
each time I do, they lop,
I'm scarred
so I have learned to chop,
and hard

the problem is -- I hate
this war
you fight or capitulate
your shore
to types that salivate
for gore.

Have Mercy

He tilts his head just so
displays an impish grin
because of something devilish he's dealt
I shake my head real slow
then he firmly hugs my shin
and suddenly my heart begins to melt

Order

There was enough sun today
to melt some ice away
but not enough to say
that spring has sprung

but everything's okay
for we must obey
or suffer the dismay
of gods we're among.

Situational Gravity

The corpulent spokesperson warned
'Good health should never be scorned '
they might have picked someone less great
for the words to carry more weight.

Abundance

If aid is truly given
to those who help themselves
I should have been more driven
refusing dusty shelves

but one can be rewarded
(though miscreants say nay)
and happy moments hoarded
by working hard each day

so live your life with vigor
even if you fail to see
a sign of something bigger
and love wholeheartedly.

Reduced

You smolder and simmer and solemnly stew
until there is only half of you
but do not feel you've been done wrong
for what is left is twice as strong

Subsequent

Youth! Energetic, frenetic — pathetic
adopting others faults
so things stay copacetic.

Age! Pensive, defensive — apprehensive
about doing somersaults
for love that's comprehensive

Honor Bound

I challenge my mind to compose
a poem or possibly prose
and it has been up to the task
whenever I happen to ask
despite the distraction of woes

these words are my reason to be
my purpose and impotent plea
so all I can do is relay
whatever it is they.must say
while there is still breath within me.

Bait

Farm-raised fish are free
of choice, thus perfect fare
for suckers that can't see
insistent strings they wear.

Resuscitation

I try not to dwell
but can't seem to quell
this negative tide
that's surging inside
and making me sink
with tendrils like ink
that keep pulling down
and soon I may drown
unless I can swim
against this dark whim
and get back to where
my lungs can breathe air.

Sore Winner

Competitive? You have no clue
how hard I'll play to conquer you
and if somehow I chance to lose
we may find out how fast you bruise

Winterized

I saw a sluggish trickle leak
through the shell that sheaths the creek
perhaps a sign a thaw will grace
us (or we'll freeze in place).

Today I went and took a peek
but there's no flow of which to speak
the crystal scar compels a scowl
as colder winds begin to howl.

Trivialities

The mote of dust
(this precious gift)
on which we drift
is fraught with lust

for selfish ends
(as it careens)
despite the means
or who pretends

they do no wrong,
(well don't we all?)
dismiss The Fall
to say we're strong

but that's an act
(a deadpan shtick)
to hide we're sick
and that's the fact

this role we play
(within the farce)
is so damn sparse
we're swept away.

Advisory

It's been too many days in a row
of unrelenting cold and falling snow
my car looks like a salt-encrusted bass
this winter's really wearing out my ass.

Dream Vacation

I know it's out of reach
but I'm dreaming of the beach
the warm inviting sand
the sun a golden peach

an icy beer that's canned
(my favorite hoppy brand)
is waiting in the shade
while I get deeply tanned

and nonchalantly wade
through the surf, get sprayed
for my land gets so hot
no snow is ever made.

Indulged

A crafty pencil creeps across the page
and coyly drops a calculated clue,
attempting to enticingly engage
the agile type that hankers to pursue

a tricky trail of other subtle hints
to keep a mind that's curious well fed,
and then perhaps profers some peppermints
for it made someone happy to eat lead.

Yoohoo

I feel the sun refresh
my frozen flagging flesh
so I can now complete
this sidewalk and retreat
to where it's nice and warm
forgetting there's a storm
that's racing it's way here
Oh Spring, where are you dear?

Leaners

An addict always blames the drug
and not their lack of strength
the drunkard takes another chug
then justifies at length

that their sickness isn't such
it's just how they get by
refusing to release their crutch
until the day they die.

Stormy

Trudging through knee-deep snow
can really help one rethink their wrath
with every well-placed step they'll know
what it's like to walk another's path.

Poignant Reflections

Jupiter moaned to the moon
"Your radiance is such,
I fear my light will fade and soon
unless we chance to touch."

"Majestic god" the moon replied
"I'm flattered by your charm
but soon my less-than-glowing side
may cause you some alarm,

so let us just enjoy this night
where we appear so close
two wanderers that seek love's light
and savor this small dose."

Doers

Some are born to reach the top
some to ever fail and flop
the rest will make it halfway there
then level off and stop

so if you feel you want to stare
at endless sky you best prepare
to hazzard every drastic drop
that threatens those who dare.

Chain Reaction

Words aren't deeds
deeds aren't titles
wants aren't needs
needs aren't vitals
hearts aren't shells
shells can spiral
lies are hells
hells are final.

Sixth

Here we are at six
and he's already seen
the ills that we can't fix
the ugly and the mean

but he still has a loving heart
and hopes a mile high
combined in someone super smart
I know he'll learn to fly!

Pandering

A mountain of white
I cringe at the sight
and pray for the sun to start melting this blight
it's not much to ask
from those who would bask
in the aura of one more than up to the task

Enough Bull

Oh yes, it's quite a field
if you're chosen to get in
you feast upon what others yield
and sport a snooty grin

you get to strut about and vent
so arrogant, aloof
while all the herds you represent
must take it on the hoof

and when you're done a pasture waits
expansive, calm and lush
while those who followed you face fates
where blood will surely gush.

Mobius

You hear the beep and fumble to hit snooze
is it tomorrow, or is it still today?
You grasp at truth that's harder to refuse,
you hear the beep and fumble. To hit snooze
and lay there aching like a bruise
will keep you in the throes of the cliche;
you hear the beep and fumble to hit snooze
is it tomorrow, or is it still today?

Down with Welfare

Freedom and ignorance, a dangerous mix
unleashing a system in need of a fix
but takers don't care
to chance a repair
for then they may end up with nix

and what have they done besides breed?
creating too many to feed
a gluttonous glut
that deepen the rut
reducing the chance to succeed

increasing the number who take
(why try for autonomy's sake?)
and soon we could see
how glum life can be
when everything starts to break.