In Full

Five dozen sins or one
they all offend The Son
and though what's done is done

each day we have to try
to love and never lie
like He who rose on high.

Periodical

He needed a coaster
and found a magazine
the night was a roaster
the worst he'd ever seen

the dew from his bottle
of beer left a stain
a ring that would mottle
the table's dark grain

so he used that paper
to lessen the mess
and planned his next caper
with hopes for success.

New Direction

I left my home up north
to experience the earth
and boldly sallied forth
abandoning my berth,

I gave the south a shot
to try out something new
but it was much too hot
so I rolled right on through

then I headed west
when told that gold was deep
then left when I assessed
there wasn’t much to keep

still consumed by wanderlust
I traveled to the east
where everything is left to rust
decay's unending feast.

My journies left me sad
for nowhere did I find
anything better than what I had
and I knew in my mind

the way the needle’s set
may not be your best course
your greatest journey yet
could be waiting at the source

Bit

I'm a day behind
but I don't sweat
though I'm inclined
despite regret
to nevermind

but then I start
another bout
although my heart
is filled with doubt
I play my part.

Colonialism

Each circle of sand
a sovereign land
where kingdoms rise
as fast as they fall
the soldiers so keen
to serve the queen

they'll rip apart
those who aren't smart
enough to realize
that one can be small
and still have might
you shouldn't fight.

Dusky

I saw a shooting star far off
which sparked a sudden bond
and though I'm sure that some will scoff
I meshed with the beyond
until I reached my quiet keep
and drifted into dreamless sleep.

Present Arms

They laid down their lives
though terror would gnaw
like sentient knives
and stormed the dark maw

of violence and hate
in fields far away
their sacrifice great
salute them today!

Ages

You cannot cheat it with a lie
no surgery, makeup or dye
can stop you from feeling less spry
or having to utter goodbye.

Unheard Of

If I lost my voice
would you rejoice
or would you miss my drivel?
I've got all day
so fire away
and if you can, be civil
but if you can't
enjoy your rant
and I'll just sit and snivel.

Stillborn

I ruined the temple, I ruined my life
I ruined my chance to be free of the strife
they force one to live with in order to earn
that little gold star independents will spurn
I'll never be steered by those merciless reins
or fawn before despots to boast empty gains
and thus I will leave you who still haunt the earth
as dead as I was on the day of my birth.

Scraggly

Should every weed
be guaranteed
a chance to take root and succeed
or should we yank
(expressions blank)
those we deem as lower rank?

On the Fly

A writhing mass of feathers in the road
made me sad because a bird was hurt
until I saw that lively lump explode
into two whose passion had been curt.

Roughnecks

The cranes are in the river
their long necks sticking out
each slender graceful sliver

is like a supple sprout
with every load a shiver
will test that they stay stout.

Trappings

I'm not a fan of fame
but maybe that's because
it isn't mine to claim
and even if it was
I'd probably feel the same

for I prefer my peace
but in the spotlights glare
intrusions never cease
and you're in prison where
you'll never earn release.

Plotters

I don't ever want to play the part of a statistic on a government chart -- The Police


To them you're just a tiny dot
that should give thanks for what you've got
the noise that skews their perfect bell
the feeders they would love to fell
so when you're pushed upon a graph
just spit into their eyes and laugh
for though the data's theirs to tweak
the earth is promised to the meek.

Equalizer

A pool of light
immersed in fear
unholy sight
deception near

remaining free
not hard to do
remember He
who died for you.

Thrashed

Half my life -- for what?
A fool inclined to strut
beneath an auburn mane
so ignorant yet vain
offsetting every gain
despite the effort spent
we couldn't make a dent
as money freely flowed
except to who was owed
we reaped the tares he sowed.

Robotics

No one wants to hear the truth
because it's such a bummer
as they indoctrinate the youth
and teach them to be dumber

the brightest pupils dimmer
through pointlessness and pill
until there is no glimmer
of purpose or free will.

Clarity

My mind's been like an agitated bat
careening all around the room these days
and though at times my grandson is a brat
today the grinning moppet calmly says
"I'm happy." and nothing seemed a bother after that.

Criminal

If you choose to break the law
then you accept the risk
so please rehinge your jaw
and keep your mourning brisk.

Devilish

The blossoms gild the tree
a splendid banquet for the eyes
until the fruit is free
for those with appetites to prise
and gorge upon with glee

the flesh so firm and sweet
that no one thinks about the cost
they simply choose to eat
but hunger isn't all that's lost
the serpent's win complete.

Fencing

The grackles had a spat
and peeping through the slat
gave me quite a voyeuristic thrill
but maybe I should mind
my own plot, lest I find
that privacy is dwindling to nil.

Immobilized

I hear the precious laughter
of little ones at play
on this normal seeming day
but will we hear it after

the process that approaches?
I'd best enjoy the fun
too impotent to run
as entropy encroaches.

Evaluation

I'm breaking every level of control
and freeing up my body, mind and soul
I'm broker than I've ever been before
but honestly, I've never felt worth more.

Arbeit macht frei

It's such an endless hassle
to be a voiceless vassal
within a system skewed to dominate

you're just another number
they're eager to encumber
with the less-than-liberating weight

of chains that keep you docile
in service to a fossil
the foul and unforgiving fascist state.

Bright Spot

The willow's weeping has begun
from advances of the sun
whose burning touch on gangly limbs
awakens hidden things to grow
and soon a looming shadow dims
that former flawless glow.

The willow's weeping seldom ends
but still it hopefully extends
it's branches to embrace the grove
and capture golden grace
that spills from the Almighty's trove
upon our hapless race

Over Our Heads

There's a smoky smudge
where the sun once was
the sky like sludge
as more jets buzz

we gasp for air
to no avail
they cinch the snare
and leave a trail

it's hard to say
how much they hide
there's so much gray
that truth has died.

Got It?

History is a set of lies agreed upon. -- Napoleon Bonaparte


There is no fact
we can't retract
the books we print
will have no hint
how many died
on either side
so those of worth
can rule the earth.

Innovate

No one knows beyond today
if they will get another play
and thus we must avoid cliche

remembering that all we do
is keep renewing rue
unless it's something new.

Rabble

Those with power
will only share
a searing glower
with those who dare
to storm the tower

and never falter
in their cause
to shed the halter
and the laws
that prop the altar.

Leaving Pride

A playful leaf
pursued another
down the windswept lane
the chase was brief
because one brother
let the other gain.